.URNJBLL UNIVER^Iiy 
 LIBRARIES |__ 
 ITHACA. N. Y. 14853 
 
 fOHN M. OUN 
 
 T TRRARY 
 
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 miNTEOINU.S.*. 
 
SAFFORD E. NORTH. 
 
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE 
 
 Descriptive and Biographical Record of 
 
 Genesee County 
 
 NEW YORK 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 Safford E. North 
 
 The Boston History Company, Publishers 
 iSgg 
 
The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028853450 
 
INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 It has occurred to me many times in the course of the preparation of 
 this book that those who have purchased it have invested even wiser 
 than they knew. The interest and value of this volume are certain to 
 increase and the man or woman who shall be the possessor of a copy a 
 century hence will realize the force of this suggestion. Even at this 
 time there is a great deal of interest in the pioneer history of this region, 
 fostered as this interest is by the local society of The Daughters of the 
 American Revolution and by the Holland Purchase Historical Society. 
 This interest is likely to increase as the years go by. It is often said 
 that history repeats itself, but such history as is made up of blazing path- 
 ways through primeval forests and of fighting battles with Indians will 
 not be repeated in Western New York, and when viewed in the romantic 
 light in which time robes the distant past will become of even more ab- 
 sorbing interest than at the present day. 
 
 While attempts have been made in past years towards placing in per 
 manent form the interesting history of Genesee county and its immediate 
 vicinity, it is generally conceded that such attempts, although quite 
 worthy in some of their features, have not as a whole resulted satisfac- 
 torily. In undertaking the preparation of a work bearing the title, 
 " Our County and Its People," as a successor to such books of local 
 history as previously have been issued, it was fully comprehended that 
 if a favorable verdict was expected from readers it could be secured 
 with nothing less than a publication that would stand as the best of its 
 kind, containing a complete, comprehensive and reasonably correct his- 
 torical and biographical record of the county. An earnest and pains- 
 taking effort has been made by all who have shared in this task to reach 
 that high standard. It remains with the public to determine how far 
 the effort has been successful. 
 
 To those whose ancestors settled and who have long dwelt in this 
 
iv INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 locality ; who have figured in its memorable historical incidents or shared 
 in its important events ; who have watched the growth and contributed 
 to the welfare of the community; who have Aided in developing its in- 
 dustries, in clearing and making productive its lands, and in founding 
 its institutions, the skillfully told history of the region will have a pe- 
 culiar interest and charm. Events and objects long familiar, perhaps, 
 gain a new and more vivid fascination when the story of their creation 
 or occurrence is placed upon the printed page, possibly linking them 
 closely with vastly more momentous events of early times. The often- 
 rehearsed story of a local battle ground is read with renewed interest 
 by one who learns that his neighbor's sire or grandsire there shed his 
 blood. A road so often traveled that its every feature is permanently 
 pictured in the mind, becomes more than a familiar highway when the 
 reader learns its history as an Indian trail, or that his immediate ances- 
 tors laid it out through the primeval forest. The very hills and valleys 
 and streams assume a new and more interesting aspect when the his- 
 torical record peoples them with the men and women of long ago. These 
 are facts which enhance the value of all properly prepared local history 
 and biography, through which the reader is made acquainted with the 
 past of his dwelling place, and in which are preserved records that no 
 community can afford to lose. 
 
 Local history bears to general history a similar relation to that of a 
 microscopical examination and one made with the naked eye. The 
 former must take cognizance of a multitude of minute details which of 
 necessity must be passed over in the latter. Minor facts of little value 
 in themselves, often assume great importance when considered with 
 their attendant circumstances and surroundings. It is the gathering, 
 compilation, and arrangement of these many minor details that demand 
 patience, time, and skill. Descriptions of local events, unless of par- 
 amount importance, frequently went unrecorded in early years, thus 
 doubling the task of obtaining them at the present time. The placing 
 on record of hundreds of dates and thousands of names is alone an ar- 
 duous task and one demanding the utmost watchfulness and care to 
 avoid error. Harsh criticism will, therefore, be tempered with mild- 
 ness by the fairminded reader who may find a single error among a 
 myriad of correct statements. 
 
 It is impossible to perform the otherwise pleasant task of expressing 
 gratitude to the many persons who have given substantial aid during 
 the preparation of this work. This is especially due to George B. An- 
 
INTRODUCTORY. v 
 
 derson in recognition of his scholarly and valuable work. He devoted 
 several months to research, in gathering and arranging material for the 
 pages of this history, to the examination of the records of the office of 
 the Secretary of State at Albany, old newspaper files and to local rec- 
 ords public and private wherever available. It seemed tome through- 
 out his work that he brought to bear not only great industry and zeal 
 but the literary discrimination of a mind thoroughly fitted for historical 
 research. In this connection it will not be considered invidious to men- 
 tion the assistance cheerfully accorded by the various county and town 
 officials, and the heads of many institutions that have been founded in 
 the county, all of whom have shown their interest in the progress of 
 this work. 
 
 A word should be said with reference to that portion of this work de- 
 voted to personal sketches. It has not been attempted to go much 
 further than to include the subscribers to the work and their kindred. 
 To have attempted to include a sketch of every family in the county 
 would have been out of the question, while any effort to discriminate 
 by arbitrarily selecting from among living residents those who might be 
 considered "prominent " would have been more impossible. The chap- 
 ter referred to therefore is distinctly a subscribers' chapter. Those 
 who are paying for this work are afforded an opportunity to preserve 
 in permanent form a family sketch, with some detail as to ancestry. It 
 is believed that upon reflection no subscriber can complain that a like 
 opportunity has not been given to all others or that those who have 
 prepared the work have not attempted the task of selecting from non- 
 subscribers those especially deserving of notice. 
 
 Batavia, August 1, 1899. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Erection of Genesee County and Its Subdivision — Surface and Geology of the 
 County — Its Streams — Numerous Railroads Traversing Its Territory — Erec- 
 tion of the Various Townships in the County __ 1-5 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The Great Iroquois Confederacy — Its Foundation, Customs and Laws — Its Wide 
 Dominion — The Seneca Indians, the Aborigines of Genesee County — Subdi- 
 visions of the Five Nations — Political Aspect of This Powerful Savage Re- 
 pulic ___ __ 5-21 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 From the Discovery of the Hudson to the Inauguration of the Final Contest for 
 Supremacy of the American Continent Between the French and English — 
 Expeditions of Champlain. La Salle, De Nonville and Others — Construction 
 of the Fort at Niagara — La Hontan and His Expedition — The Attack Upon 
 Montreal — Struggle Over the Control of Lake Ontario 22-36 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The Final Struggle Between the French and English for Supremacy in North 
 America — Capture of the Fort at Oswego — Bradstreet Takes Fort Frontenac 
 — General Prideaux's Expedition Against Fort Niagara — The Tragedy of 
 Devil's Hole — End of French Dominion in America _ 37— i3 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The War of the Revolution — Expedition of General Sullivan into the Genesee 
 Country — The Seneca Indians Routed — Lieutenant Boyd's Awful Fate — 
 First White Settlement at Buffalo Creek _._ 48-50 
 
viii CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 From the Close of the Revolution to the Famous Purchase of the Holland 
 Land Company — Cession of the Sovereignty of the "Genesee Country" by 
 Massachusetts to New York — Sale of the Territory to Individuals — The Mor- 
 ris Purchase — The Holland Land Company Enters the Field — Morris Extin- 
 guishes the Indian Titles to the Land He Had Purchased 50-65 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The Holland Land Company and Its Representatives in America — Joseph EUi- 
 cott, the First Agent on the Purchase, and His Operations — Old Indian 
 Trails — Taxpayers in Genesee County in 1800 — Sketch of Joseph Ellicott_. 65-79 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 From 1800 to 1812 — Increase of Settlements on the Holland Purchase, Particu- 
 larly in Genesee County — Early Taverns Between Bataviaand Buffalo — The 
 First Town Meeting — First Courts in Genesee County — Division of the 
 Town of Batavia — Life of the Pioneers — The First Church in the County 
 — Other Pioneer Religious Organizations — The First Murder Trial — The 
 First Printing Press and Newspaper — The Arsenal at Batavia _ ,80-90 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 PIONEERS OF GENESEE COUNTY 91-119 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 The War of 1813, and the Part Taken Therein by the Inhabitants of Genesee 
 County _-_ _ _ __ ,119-147 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Changes Along the Various Lines of Endeavor in Genesee County from the Close 
 of the War of 1812 to the Erection of the Present County of Genesee in 1841 
 — Some of the Settlers of Those Days— Early Hotels — The Establishment of 
 Important Manufacturing Industries — Schools — Many New Churches Founded 
 
 — Effort to Remove the County Seat to Attica — The Farnsworth Trial The 
 
 Morgan Episode— A New Jail— The Land Office War— Discontent Among 
 
 the Land Holders — Formation of the County Agricultural Society Erection 
 
 of the New Court House— Division of the Old and Creation of a New Gen- 
 esee County - 147-188 
 
CONTENTS. ix 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 From the Erection of the Present County of Genesee to the Beginning of the 
 War of the Rebellion — Two Decades of Steady Industrial and Commercial 
 Development — New Churches Organized During That Period — Creation of 
 the Town of Oakfield — Railroads Built in Genesee County — The Long Era 
 of Peace Rudely Ended 188-198 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 THE WAR OF THE REBELLION 199-227 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 From the Close of the Civil War to the Present Time — Establishment of the Mod- 
 ern Manufacturing Industries of the County — Banks and Banking Since the 
 War — Le Roy and Its Numerous Manufactures — Mills and Milling — The 
 Malting Industry— The Salt Wells of Le Roy and Pavilion and Their De- 
 velopment—The Great Marl Bed in Bergen — Disastrous Fires in Bergen, 
 Oakfield and Le Roy — Organization of the Genesee County Pioneer Asso- 
 ciation — Building of the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburg Railway — Bergen 
 Again Laid Waste by Fire — The West Shore Railroad— The Lehigh Valley 
 Railroad — Fatal Railroad Accidents — Remains of a Mastodon Unearthed 
 Near Batavia — Genesee County's Participation in the War With Spain — 
 Fatal Accident on the New York Central Railroad Near Corfu — Churches 
 Established in Genesee County During this Period 227-25.'5 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 DEDICATION OF THE HOLLAND LAND COMPANY'S OFFICE AS A 
 HISTORICAL MUSEUM ._ _ _355-266 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA .._ _ ..366-333 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 BENCH AND BAR OF GENESEE COUNTY 333-373 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 THE MEDICAL PROFESSION .,. 373-888 
 
X CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 EDUCATION IN GENESEE COUNTY -- --- 389-415 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 MASONRY IN GENESEE COUNTY 415-434 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 THE PRESS OF GENESEE COUNTY _-_ 484-437 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 CIVIL LIST AND STATISTICS - 438-445 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 PRIMITIVE MAN IN GENESEE COUNTY 446-455 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 GAZETTEER OF TOWNS _ 455-498 
 
 PART II. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL _ , 499-5B2 
 
 PART III. 
 
 PERSONAL REFERENCES ____ 1-163 
 
 INDEX: 
 
 Part I..._ _ 163-194 
 
 Part II. ._ .._ 194 
 
 Part III ....195-199 
 
CONTENTS. xi 
 
 PORTRAITS AND ILLUSTRATION. 
 
 Dellinger, John facing page 533, Part II 
 
 Ellis, John J page 72, Part III 
 
 Ellicott, Joseph ._ facing page 366, Part I 
 
 Gillette, George M __ _ page 101, Part III 
 
 Hough, Charles W _ _ _ _ facing page 504, Part II 
 
 Huntlej', Byron E _ facing page 316, Part 1 
 
 Hutchins, Horace S., Dr _ _ facing page 506, Part II 
 
 Jackson, A. P., Dr., __ page 114, Part III 
 
 Kingman, Franklin D _ facing page 508, Part II 
 
 Maxwell, Robert A -._ facing page 511, Part II 
 
 North, SafEord E. _ frontispiece 
 
 Pardee, Tracy _ ._ facing page 515, part II 
 
 Parker, Samuel - . _ - - _ .facing page 303, Part I 
 
 Richardson, William E facing page 518, Part II 
 
 Richmond, Dean facing page 519, Part II 
 
 Sanders, Archie D _ facing page 531, Part II 
 
 Townsend, Morris W. , Dr facing page 473, Part I 
 
 Ward, John H. _ facing page 301, Part I 
 
 Wiard, George facing page 307, Part I 
 
 Worthington, Gad B - facing page 530, Part II 
 
 Relics of Primitive Man __ ..facing page 450, Part I 
 
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Erection of Genesee County and Its Subdivision — Surface and Geology of the 
 County^Its Streams — Numerous Rajli'oads Traversing Its Territory — Erection of 
 the Various Townships in the County. 
 
 The original ten counties of the Province, now the State, of New 
 York, were created November 1, 1683, and named New York, Kings, 
 Queens, Suffolk, Richmond, Westchester, Orange, Ulster, Dutchess 
 and Albany. March 13, 1772, Tryon county was taken from Albany 
 county, and the name was changed to Montgomery in 1784. Mont- 
 gomery county originally included nearly all the central and western 
 part of the State. January 27, 1789, Ontario county, occupying most 
 of the western portion of the State, was set apart from Montgomery 
 county. March 30, 1802, all that part of the State lying west of the 
 Genesee river and a line extending due south from the point of junc- 
 tion of the Genesee and Canaseraga creek to the south line of the State, 
 was set off from Ontario county and designated as Genesee county. It 
 will thus be seen that the original Genesee county comprised all the 
 territory embraced within the present counties of Genesee, Orleans, 
 Wyoming, Niagara, Erie, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua, and the western 
 portions of Monroe, Livingston and Allegany counties. 
 
 The first division of the original county of Genesee occurred April 7, 
 1806, when Allegany county was set off by act of the Legislature. 
 Allegany county then comprised parts of Gejiesee, Wyoming and Liv- 
 ingston counties. The northern section was set off to Qenesee county // 
 in 1811, apd the northern central part was set off to Wyoming and 
 Livingston counties in 1846. March 11, 1808, the counties of Catta- 
 raugus, Chautauqua and Niagara were erected, the latter then includ- 
 ing Erie county, which was erected as a separate county April 2, 1821. 
 1 
 
3 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 February 23, 1821, the size of the county was still further reduced by 
 the erection of Livingston and Monroe counties, whose western portions 
 lay within the original limits of Genesee. A part of Covington was 
 annexed to Livingston county in 1823. November 11, 1824, Orleans 
 county was taken off, and April 5, 1825, the town of Shelby was an- 
 nexed from Genesee county. The final reduction in territory occurred 
 May 14, 1841, when the major portion of the present Wyoming county 
 was taken off. 
 
 It will thus be seen that in recording the history of Genesee county 
 prior to 1841, the writer is compelled to deal with a very large portion 
 of Western New York, and the early history of all that region is inti- 
 mately connected with the story of the modern development of this 
 county. 
 
 Genesee county lies in the midst of one of the most fertile regions in 
 the vicinity of the Great Lakes, joining the most westerly tier of the 
 New York counties on the east. It is bounded on the north by Orleans 
 and Monroe counties, on the east by Monroe and Livingston, on the 
 south by Wyoming and Livingston, and on the west by Erie and Niag- 
 ara. A narrow strip in the extreme southeastern corner is also bounded 
 on the west by Wyoming county ; a portion of the town of Le Roy is 
 bounded on the north by Monroe county and an extremely small strip 
 of the same town is bounded on the south by the same county ; and 
 portions of Le Roy and Pavilion are bounded on the south by Livings- 
 ton county. The area of Genesee county is five hundred and seven 
 square miles. 
 
 The surface of the county is mostly level or gently undulating, except 
 along the southern border, which is occupied by ranges of hills extend- 
 ing northerly from Wyoming county. Some of these hills rise to an 
 elevation of from two hundred to three hundred feet above the flat 
 lands, and about one thousand feet above the level of the sea. Ex- 
 tending east and west through the county, north of the centre is a 
 terrace of limestone, bordered in many places by nearly perpendicular 
 ledges. In the extreme eastern and western parts of the county this 
 terrace ranges from fifty to one hundred feet in height, but toward the 
 central portion the height averages from twenty to forty feet. 
 
 The principal streams are Tonawanda creek," which, rising in Wy- 
 
 ' The name Tonawanda, strangely enough, when the generally sluggish course of the stream 
 is considered, signifies in the Indian language, " swiftly running water," from the rapid current 
 for about ten miles below Batavia. 
 
GEOLOGY. 3 
 
 oming county, enters the town of Alexander from the south, flows in a 
 northeasterly direction through that town and Batavia to the village of 
 Batavia, where it turns and flows in a westerly, then northwesterly, 
 direction through the latter town, Pembroke and Alabama, leaving 
 the latter town at a point a trifle north of the centre of its western 
 boundary. The course of Tonawanda creek is exceedingly tortuous, 
 and for the most of its course it flows in a very sluggish manner. 
 An idea of its tortuosity may be gained from the fact that between 
 Attica, in Wyoming county, and Batavia this stream flows between 
 two parallel roads about a mile apart; and while the distance be- 
 tween these two points is about eleven miles by the highway, by the 
 course of the stream it is forty-three miles. 
 
 The principal tributaries of Tonawanda creek are Little Tonawanda 
 and Bowen's creeks. Oak Orchard creek has its source near the centre 
 of the county, and winds its way through Batavia and Elba, turning 
 at the northeast corner of the latter town and continuing westerly 
 and flowing through the great Tonawanda swamp, which occupies the 
 northern part of the towns of Elba, Oakfield and Alabama. Black 
 creek, known by the Indians as Checkanango creek, flows in a north- 
 erly direction through the central parts of the towns of Bethany, 
 Stafford and Byron, and thence easterly through Bergen into Monroe 
 county. Its principal tributaries are Spring and Bigelow creeks. 
 Oatka creek flows across the southeast corner of the county. Mur- 
 der creek and Eleven Mile creek flow through the southwest corner. 
 Tonawanda, Black and Oatka creeks form a series of picturesque cas- 
 cades in their passage down the limestone terrace north of the cen- 
 tre of the county. 
 
 The lowest rocks in Genesee county form a part of the Ortondaga 
 salt group, extending along the northern border. Gypsum abounds in 
 large quantities in Le Roy, Stafford and Byron. This is succeeded by 
 hydraulic, Onondaga and corniferous limestone, which form the lime- 
 stone terrace extending through the county. The outcrop of these 
 rocks furnish lime and building stone. Succeeding the limestone, in 
 the order named, are the Marcellus and Hamilton shales, which occupy 
 the entire southern part of the county. The surface generally is cov- 
 ered thick with drift deposits, and the underlying rocks appear only in 
 the ravines of the streams. Most of the swamps contain thick deposits 
 of muck and marl, furnishing in great abundance the elements of future 
 fertility to the soil. Nearly all the springs and streams are constantly 
 
4 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 depositing lime in the form of marl. Along the n orthern boundary of the 
 county are numerous wells yielding water which is strongly impregnated 
 with sulphuric aid, and known as " sour springs. " Salt was discovered 
 in the town of Le Roy in 1881, at a depth of six hundred and fifteen 
 feet. The supply is considered practically inexhaustible 
 
 Genesee county is well supplied with railroads, furnishing transpor- 
 tation facilities equalled by but few counties in New York State. Ba- 
 tavia and Le Roy are the two principal railroad centres, as well as the 
 most populous villages. 
 
 The main line of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad 
 enters the county at the eastern boundary of Bergen, and passes in a 
 generally southwesterly direction through that town, Byron, Stafford, 
 Batavia, Pembroke and Darien. The Tonawanda railroad has its east- 
 ern terminus at Batavia, and extends thence westerly through that town 
 and Pembroke. The West Shore Railroad passes easterly and westerly 
 through the northern part of the county, traversing the towns of Ber- 
 gen, Byron, Elba, Oakfield- and Alabama. The Buffalo and Geneva 
 Railroad enters the town of Le Roy at its eastern boundary and extends 
 in a generally southwesterly direction through Le Roy, Stafford, Ba- 
 tavia, Pembroke and Darien. The Delaware, Lackawanna and West- 
 ern Railroad crosses the southern part of the county from east to west, 
 traversing the towns of Pavilion, Bethany, Alexander and Darien. 
 The Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad enters the county at 
 the southern boundary of Pavilion, runs northerly through that town 
 arid Le Roy to the village of Le Roy, where it turns and extends east- 
 erly, leaving the county at the east bounds of Le Roy. The New 
 York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad enters the county at the west- 
 ern boundary of Darien, crosses that town to Alexander and runs 
 thence to Attica. At the latter place one branch takes a northeasterly 
 and southeasterly curve through the .southern parts of Alexander and 
 Bethany, leaving the county near the southwest corner of the latter 
 town. Another branch runs northeasterly through Alexander and Ba- 
 tavia to the village of Batavia, where it turns and thence pursues an 
 easterly course through the towns of Batavia, Stafford and Le Roy. 
 The Batavia and Canandaigua Railroad enters the county at the east- 
 ern boundary of Le Roy, passes westerly through that town, Stafford 
 and Batavia to the village of Batavia, where it forms a junction with 
 the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad. 
 
 There are thirteen towns in Genesee county — Alabama, Alexander, 
 
THE IROQUOIS. 5 
 
 Batavia, Bergen, Bethany, Byron, Darien, Elba, Le Roy, Oakfield, 
 Pavilion, Pembroke and Stafford. 
 
 Of these towns Batavia is the oldest, having been erected when the 
 original county was formed, March 30, 1802. As at first constituted it 
 comprised the territory now composing the towns of Alexander, Bergen, 
 Byron, Bethany, Pembroke, Darien, Elba and Oakfield, and parts of 
 the towns of Alabama and Stafford. Alexander, Bergen (including 
 Byron), Bethany and Pembroke (including Darien and a part of Ala- 
 bama) were taken off June 8, 18J2; Elba (including Oakfield) and a 
 part of Stafford were taken off in March, 1820. Le Roy was formed 
 from Caledonia (Livingston county) June 8, 1812, and was originally 
 called Bellona. Its name was changed April 6, 1813. A part of 
 Stafford was taken off in 1820 and a part of Pavilion in 1842. Stafford 
 was formed from Batavia and Le Roy March 24, 1820. A part of Pa- 
 vilion was taken off in 1842. Alabama, originally called Gerrysville, 
 was formed from Pembroke and Shelby (Orleans county) April 17, 1826. 
 Its name was changed April 21, 1828. A part of the town of Wales 
 was annexed in 1832. Pavilion was formed from Covington (Wyoming 
 county) May 19, 1841. Parts of Le Roy and Stafford were annexed 
 March 22, 1842. 
 
 CHAPTER IL 
 
 The Great Iroquois Confederacy — Its Foundation, Customs and Laws — Its Wide 
 Dominion — The Seneca Indians, the Aborigines of Genesee County — Subdivisions 
 of the Five Nations — Political Aspect of This Pov;rerful Savage Republic. 
 
 The Seneca Indians, the immediate predecessors of the Holland 
 Company in the occupancy of the region west of the Genesee river, 
 were the fifth and most westerly nation of the great Iroquois Confed- 
 eracy. The Mohawks were the original Confederates, their abode be- 
 ing along the banks of the Mohawk river. The Oneidas were located 
 upon the southern shore of Oneida lake ; the Onondagas near Onon- 
 daga lake; the Cayugas near Cayuga lake ; and the Senecas upon Seneca 
 lake and Genesee river. These localities were the seats, or places of 
 the council fires of the various tribes, though the tribes did not con- 
 fine themselves to these localities alone. They really occupied, in de- 
 
6 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 tached villages, nearly the entire State, from the Hudson to the 
 Niagara river. Each nation had a principal seat, as indicated, with 
 tributary villages. 
 
 The actual dominion of the Iroquois had a much wider range, how- 
 ever, than the territory mentioned. They laid claim to sovereignty to 
 " all the land not sold to the English, from the mouth of Sorel River, 
 on the south sides of Lakes Erie and Ontario, on both sides of the Ohio 
 till it falls into the Mississippi ; and on the north side of these lakes that 
 whole territory between the Ottawa River and Lake Huron, and even 
 beyond the straits between that and Lake Erie.'" When the settlement 
 of Manhattan, Beverwyck and Rensselaerwyck was begun by the Dutch, 
 the Long Island Indians, those on the north shore of Long Island 
 Sound, and those inhabiting the banks of the Connecticut, Hudson, 
 Delaware and Susquehanna rivers were dominated by the Iroquois, to 
 whom they paid annual tribute. Even the powerful Canadian tribes 
 were conquered by the warlike Five Nations. Schoolcraft says : 
 
 At one period we hear the sound of their war cry along the Straits of the St. Mary's, 
 and at the foot of Lake Superior. At another, under the walls of Quebec, where 
 they finally defeated the Hurons, under the eyes of the French. They put out the 
 fires of the Gah-kwas and Eries. They eradicated the Susquehannocks. They 
 placed the Lenapes, the Nanticokes, and the Munsees under the yoke of subjection. 
 They put the Metoacks and Manhattans under tribute. They spread the terror of 
 their arms over all New England. They traversed the length of the Appalachian 
 Chain and descended like the enraged yagisho and megalonyx, on the Cherokees and 
 Catawbas. Smith encountered their warriors in the settlement of Virginia, and La 
 Salle in the discovery of Illinois. 
 
 In 1660 the French declared the number of the Iroquois warriors to 
 be 2,200; in 1677 an agent of England, dispatched to their country for 
 the sole purpose of ascertaining their strength, confirmed the French 
 estimate. Bancroft says that their geographical position " made them 
 umpires in the contest of the French for dominion in the west." ' 
 
 The strength of these Five Nations lay in the fact that they were 
 confederated. The nations they made war against were detached, and 
 not only would not join in attempting to bar the progress of the tri- 
 umphant Iroquois, but doubtless had feuds among themselves. The 
 Iroquois, on the other hand, invariably acted as one nation in war, 
 always in perfect accord. Perhaps by reason of their constant inter- 
 course and interchange of ideas, possibly from other reasons, they had 
 a physical and mental organization, a certain degree of enlightenment, 
 
 ' Smith's History of New York. 
 
THE IROQUOIS. 7 
 
 far ahead of that of all other tribes or nations. They were most appro- 
 priately termed the Romans of the West, a name first applied to them 
 by Volney, the French historian. " Had they enjoyed the advantages 
 possessed by the Greeks and the Romans," wrote President D wight in 
 his " Travels," " there is no reason to believe they would have been at 
 all inferior to these celebrated nations. Their minds appear to have 
 been equal to any effort within the reach of man. Their conquests, if 
 we consider their numbers and circumstances, were little inferior to 
 those of Rome itself. In their harmony, the unity of their operations, 
 the energy of their character, the vastness, vigor, and success of their 
 enterprises, and the strength and sublimity of their eloquence, they 
 may be fairly compared with the Greeks." 
 
 While the Seneca Indians were the aboriginal inhabitants of the 
 eastern portion of the territory which subsequently became the original 
 Genesee county, the Neutral Nation inhabited that part of the territory 
 contiguous to the Niagara river and the eastern end of Lake Erie. 
 The Senecas were the most numerous of the five nations known as the 
 Iroquois, or the Five Nations, and they occupied the most westerly 
 portion of the territory controlled by this great confederacy. The 
 English called the Iroquois the Confederates; the Dutch, more partic- 
 ularly those who settled the Mohawk valley, knew them only as the 
 Mohawks and Senecas; and the Indians called themselves the Aganns- 
 chioni, meaning "United People." They also called themselves the 
 Hodenosaunee, meaning " People of the Long House," all their habita- 
 tions being low, narrow and as a rule very long. They also likened 
 their confederacy, stretched for two hundred miles along a narrow 
 valley, to one of the long wigwams containing many families.' 
 
 The Five Nations were composed of the Mohawks, on the east; next 
 west being the Oneidas, then the Onondagas, then the Cayugas, and 
 finally the Senecas, who held^most of the original county of Genesee. 
 When the Tuscaroras, from the Carolinas, joined the confederacy 
 known as the Five Nations, they became amalgamated with the 
 Oneidas and gradually lost their identity. When the confederacy was 
 established is not known. In David Cusick's history he relates the 
 Indian traditions relative to the origin of the kingdom. The following 
 is abstracted from the work referred to : 
 
 * For the brief resu me of early Indian history contained in this chapter the writer is indebted 
 to David Cusick's sketches of ancient history of the Six Nations, with annotations by W. M. 
 Beauchamp, and to data furnished by the late George S. Conover, the well known authority on 
 Indian history. 
 
8 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 By some inducement a body of people was concealed in the mountain at the falls 
 named Kuskehsawkich (now Oswego). When the people were released from the 
 mountains they were visited by Tarenyawagon, i. e. , the Holder of the Heavens, 
 who h)^d power to change himself into various shapes; he ordered the people to pro- 
 ceed toward the sunrise as he guided them and come to a river and named Yenon- 
 anatche, i. e., going around a mountain (now Mohawk), and went down the bank of 
 the river and come to where it discharges into a great river running towards the 
 midday sun ; and Shaw-nay-taw-ty, i. e , beyond the pineries (now Hudson), and 
 went down the bank of the river and touched bank of a great water. . . The 
 
 people were yet in one language ; some of the people went to the banks of the great 
 water towards the midday sun, but the main company returned as they came, on the 
 banks of the river, under the direction of the Holder of the Heavens. Of this com- 
 pany there was a particular body which called themselves one household; of these 
 were six families and they entered into a resolution to preserve thp chain of alliance 
 which should not be extinguished in any manner. The company advanced some 
 distance up the river of Shaw-na-taw-ty (Hudson), the Holder of the Heavens directs 
 the first family to make their residence near the bank of the river, and the family 
 was named Te haw-re-ho-geh, i. e., a speech divided (now Mohawk) and their lan- 
 guage was soon altered; the company then turned and went towards the sunsetting, 
 and traveled about two days and a half, and come to a creek, which was named 
 Kaw-na-taw-te-ruh, i. e.. Pineries. The second family was directed to make their 
 residence near the creek, and the family was named Ne-haw-re-tah-go, i. e.. Big 
 Tree, now Oneidas, and likewise their language was altered. The company con- 
 tinued to proceed towards the sunsetting ; under the direction of the Holder of the 
 Heavens. The third family was directed to make their residence on a mountain 
 named Onondaga (now Onondaga) and the family was named Seuh-now-kah-tah, i. 
 c, carrying the name, and their language was altered. The company continued 
 their journey towards the sunsetting. The fourth family was directed to make their 
 residence near a long lake named Go-yo-goh, i. e., a mountain rising from the water 
 (now Cayuga) and the family was named Sho-neana-we-to-wah, i. e., a great pipe, 
 their language was altered. The company continued to proceed towards the sun- 
 setting. The fifth company was directed to make their residence near a high moun- 
 tain, or rather nole, situated south of the Canandaigua lake, which was named 
 Jenneatowake and the family was named Te-bow-nea-nyo-hent, i. e.. Passing a 
 Door, npw Seneca, and their language was altered. The sixth family went with the 
 company that journeyed towards the sunsetting, and touched the bank of a great 
 lake, afid named Kau-ha-gwa-rah-ka, i. e., A Cap, now Erie, and then went towards 
 between the mid-day and sunsetting, and travelled considerable distance and came 
 to a lajrge river which was named Ouau-we-yo-ka, i. e., a principal stream, now 
 Mississippi. . . . The family was directed to make their residence near Cau-ta- 
 noh; i. e., Pme in water, situated near the mouth of Nuse river, now in North Caro- 
 lina, and the family was named Kau-ta-noh, now Tuscarora and their language was 
 altered. . . . The Holder of the Heavens returns to the five families and forms 
 the mode of confederacy which was named Ggo-nea-seab-neh, i. e.. A Long House, 
 to which are 1st— Tea-kaw-reh-ho-geh; 2d— New-haw-teh tah-go; 3d— Seuh-nau-ka- 
 ta ; 4th — Sho-nea-na-we-to-wan ; 5th — Te-hoo-nea-nyo-hent. 
 
THE IROQUOIS. 9 
 
 This organization is supposed to have taken place between 1900 and 
 2000 years before Columbus discovered America, or between 400 B.C. 
 and 500 B.C. While this account is purely traditional it is conceded by 
 most authorities to be the most authentic in existence. 
 
 When the white intruders first discovered that such an alliance ex- 
 isted, all that was known of the organization of the form of govern- 
 ment so remarkable among a savage people was, as we have shown, 
 mere tradition. Each nation of the confederacy was independent of 
 every other in all matters of a local character, and in the councils no 
 sachem was superior to another, except by reason of higher intellectual 
 attainments, such as they might be. The fifty offices created at the 
 organization of the confederacy were distributed among the nations 
 according to their numerical strength. Although these offices were 
 hereditary, no one could become a ruler or sachem until elevated to 
 such a place by a council of all the sachems of the original American 
 confederacy. The sachems, who, in council, constituted the legislative 
 body of the union were also the local rulers of their respective nations. 
 While a sachem or chief had civil authority, he could not be a chieftain 
 in war until elected to that position. Every sachem went on the war- 
 path as a common warrior unless he had been doubly honored and 
 made a military leader as well as a civil officer. The Iroquois nation 
 then was practically a republic, founded on much the same principles 
 as the United States of America. 
 
 The policy of the Iroquois nation in war appears to have been not 
 alone for the sake of war, but for conquest and the extension of the 
 nation's power and influence. So successful were they in their efforts 
 that at the end of the seventeenth century they dominated a very large 
 portion of what is now the United States. The Iroquois of New York 
 and the Algonquin tribes of New England were perpetually at war. 
 
 For many years, during the early French and Indian wars and doubt- 
 less for a long period prior thereto, the principal and probably the 
 most western of the permanent villages of the Senecas, was located at 
 Boughton Hill, about twenty miles east of Rochester. Sporadic camps 
 were to be found among the forests and in the sheltered places in 
 the territory further west, which afterward became Genesee county; 
 but aside from a village (probably a summer encampment) on the site 
 of Buff^alo, we have no knowledge of the existence of any centres of pop- 
 ulation among the Senecas west of the Genesee river prior to 1687, 
 when Governor de Nonville of Canada made his first invasion. As late 
 
10 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 as 1779, when Sullivan entered upon his campaign against them, he 
 went no further west than the Genesee river. The year following the 
 Senecas, who had deserted their villages at Sullivan's approach, estab- 
 lished a permanent settlement on Buffalo Creek, on territory from which 
 they had driven the Kah Kwah tribe. This settlement was made upon 
 the advice and under the auspices of the British at Fort Niagara, to 
 whom the Indians had fled from the French for protection and relief. 
 
 The Neutral Nation (the Kah-Kwahs), to which reference has been 
 made, occupied the territory adjoining the Niagara river on both the 
 east and the west, but they ventured but a short distance eastward from 
 that stream. They had but four villages on the east side of the river. 
 The Kah-Kwahs were called the Neutral Nation by reason of the fact 
 that they found it necessary for their own preservation to maintain 
 peaceful relations with both the Iroquois of Central New York and the 
 Hurons of Canada. The two latter nations were hostile, but they met 
 under an armistice in the territory of the Kah-Kwahs. The latter were 
 unable to continue their policy of peace and neutrality for long, and 
 the nation was finally disrupted and overthrown by death in battle, and 
 adoption into the rival tribes of the Hurons and the Iroquois. 
 
 It is a fact worthy of note that the confederacy recognized no relig- 
 ious functionaries, though in each nation there were officers who offici- 
 ated at the religious ceremonies held at stated intervals throughout the 
 year. Among most of the aboriginal nations there existed a regular 
 religious profession ; but among the Iroquois this was unknown. In 
 reality the Iroquois were governed but'little. Each warrior was in a 
 measure independent. But the moral state of the Iroquois was high, 
 and it was their boast that they had ever maintained it. 
 
 There were in each nation eight tribes, named as follows: Wolf, 
 Bear, Beaver, Turtle, Deer, Snipe, Heron and Hawk. The Wolf tribe 
 was divided into five parts, one-fifth being located in each of the five 
 nations. The remaining tribes were similarly divided and distributed 
 thus giving to each nation the eight tribes, and in their separated state 
 making forty tribes in the confederacy. Between the separated parts 
 of each tribe there existed a relationship which linked the nations to- 
 gether with firm bonds. The Mohawk Indian of the Hawk tribe rec- 
 ognized the Onondaga or the Seneca of the Hawk tribe as his brother 
 and each considered the other bound to him by ties of consanguinity. 
 This custom prevailed among all the tribes of the various nations, prob- 
 ably furnishing the chief reason why the fragments of the ancient con- 
 
THE IROQUOIS. 11 
 
 federacy continued to cling together long after it was disrupted by the 
 encroachments of the whites. The wisdom of these divisions and dis- 
 tributions is shown by the history of the nation ; for its various nations 
 never fell into a state of anarchy, nor did any nation ever hint at such 
 a thing as secession. The confederacy was, in fact, a lasting league of 
 tribes, interwoven into one great family, the tribes themselves, in their 
 subdivisions, being composed of parts of many households. Thus it 
 will be seen that the basis of the entire organization was the family 
 relationship. 
 
 The Wolf, Bear, Beaver and Turtle tribes were brothers to one an- 
 other and cousins to the tribes known as Deer, Snipe, Heron and Hawk. 
 These groups were not permitted to intermarry. But any of the first 
 four tribes could interrnarry with any of the last four. Whoever vio- 
 lated the laws of marriage incurred everlasting disgrace and degrada- 
 tion. In the course of time, however, the rigor of this system was 
 relaxed until the prohibition was confined to the tribe of the individual. 
 The children always followed the tribe of the mother. 
 
 Naturally, in accord with such a system, the separate rights of each 
 tribe and of each individual were jealously guarded. One of the most 
 remarkable civil institutions was that which confined the transmission 
 of all titles, rights and property in the female line to the exclusion of 
 the male. For example, if the Wolf tribe of the Senecas received a 
 sachemship at the original distribution of these offices, the descent of 
 such title being limited to the female line it could never pass out of 
 the tribe. One of the most marked results of this system was the per- 
 petual disinheritance of the son. Being of the tribe of his mother it 
 formed an impassable barrier against him; and he could neither suc- 
 ceed his father as a sachem nor inherit from him even his medal or his 
 tomahawk. For the protection of tribal, rather than individual or 
 family rights, the inheritance was thus directed from the descendants 
 of the sachem to his brother, his sister's children, or some individual 
 of the tribe at large under certain circumstances. 
 
 The method of reckoning degrees of consanguinity was clear and 
 definite. No distinction was made between the lineal and collateral 
 line, either in the ascending or descending series. The maternal 
 grandmother and her sisters were equally grandmothers ; the mother 
 and her sisters were equally mothers ; the children of a mother's sisters 
 were brothers and sisters ; the children of a sister would be nephews 
 and nieces ; and the grandchildren of a sister would be grandchildren — ■ 
 
12 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 that is, the grandchildren of a person from whom the degree of relation- 
 ship is reckoned. These were the principal relatives within the tribe. 
 Out of the tribe the paternal grandfather and his brothers were equally 
 grandfathers; the father and his brothers were equally fathers; the 
 father's sisters were aunts, while in the tribe the mother's brothers were 
 uncles ; the children of the father's sister were cousins, as in the civil law ; 
 the children of these cousins would be nephews and nieces ; and the 
 children of these nephews and nieces would be his grandchildren. 
 The children of a brother were reckoned as children, and the grand- 
 children of a brother were grandchildren. The children of a father's 
 brothers were brothers and sisters; and their children were reckoned 
 as grandchildren.' 
 
 The peculiarities of the mode of computing the degrees of blood re- 
 lationship were nothing as compared with the intricacies of the succes- 
 sion among the rulers of the confederacy. Some authorities claim that 
 the sachemships were elective offices; others have endeavored to point 
 out that they were hereditary. Apparently they were, many times, both 
 elective and hereditary. One fact should be borne in mind, in order 
 that the casual reader may not be misled ; and that is that the titles of 
 of sachem and war- chief are absolutely hereditary in the tribe to which 
 they were originally assigned, and can never pass out of it, except with 
 its extinction. 
 
 As has been shown, the sachem's brothers, and the sons of his sisters, 
 are of his tribe, and therefore in the line of succession. Between a 
 brother and nephew of the deceased there was no law establishing a 
 preference. Between several brothers, on the one hand, and several 
 sons of a sister, on the other, there was no distinction in the law. Nor 
 was there any positive law that the choice should be confined to the 
 brothers of the deceased ruler, or to the descendants of his sister in the 
 female line, before a selection could be made from the tribe at large. 
 It thus appears that the offices were hereditary in the particular tribe 
 in which they ran, while being elective as between the male members 
 of the tribe itself. 
 
 Upon the decease of a sachem a council of the tribes was held to 
 select his successor. In the absence of physical and moral objections 
 
 1 The names of the several degrees of relationship recognized among the Iroquois are as fol- 
 lows, in the Seneca tongue: Grandfather, Hoc-sote; grandmother, Uc-sote; father, ha-mih; 
 mother, Noh-yeh; son, ho-ah- week; daughter, go-ah- week; grandchildren, ka-ya-da; uncle, hoc- 
 no-seh; aunt, ah-geh-huc; nephew, ha-yan-wan-deh; niece, ka-yan-wan-deh; brothers and sis- 
 ters, da-ya-gwa-dan-no-da; cousin, ah-gare-seh. 
 
THE IROQUOIS. 13 
 
 the choice generally fell upon a son of the deceased ruler's sisters, or 
 upon one of his brothers. If the new sachem was an infant a guardian 
 was chosen for him, and such guardian performed the duties of a 
 sachem until the young sachem reached a suitable age. It seldom 
 happened that a selection from the tribe at large was made unless the 
 near relatives or direct heirs proved unfit for or unworthy of the office. 
 
 The tribes held the power of deposition as well as that of selection. 
 If a sachem lost the confidence and respect of the tribe, and was deemed 
 unworthy of authority, he was at once deposed by a tribal council. 
 
 The manner of selecting names for infants was unique. Soon after 
 a birth occurred, a name for the infant was selected by the near rela- 
 tives of the same tribe. At the next national council public announce- 
 ment of the birth and name was made, with the name and tribe of the 
 father and name and tribe of the mother. When an individual was in- 
 vested with authority as a sachem, his original name was cast aside and 
 that of his sachemship itself assumed. The same rule applied to war- 
 chiefs. When a chief was chosen, the council of the nation performing 
 the ceremony took away the original individual name and assigned to 
 the incumbent a new one. Thus, when the celebrated Red Jacket was 
 raised to the dignity of chief, his original name, O-te-ti-an-i (meaning 
 Always Ready), was laid aside and the name of Sa-goyewat-ha 
 (meaning Keeper Awake), signifying the power of his eloquence, was 
 bestowed upon him. 
 
 A tribe of the Ho-de-no-sau-nee involves the idea of descent from a 
 common mother. In the formation of an Iroquois tribe portions were 
 taken from many households and bound together by a tribal bond, in 
 reality by the ties of consanguinity. All the members of the tribe were 
 connected by easily traceable relationship. The wife, her children, 
 and her descendants in the female line were forever linked with the 
 destinies of her own tribe and kindred; and the husband, his brothers 
 and his sisters, and the descendants of the latter in the female line, 
 were held by affinity to the mother tribe. 
 
 This magnificent republic was founded upon terms of absolute equal- 
 ity. Those apparently special privileges that were granted to certain 
 tribes arose solely from locality. For instance, the Senecas, located 
 upon the western frontier of the nation, were allowed to have the head 
 war-chiefs; while the Mohawks, by reason of their most easterly loca- 
 tion, became receivers of tribute from the subjugated nations to the 
 north, east and south of them. 
 
U OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 A great peculiarity of the confederacy was that unanimity was one of 
 the fundamental laws. Such a thing as majority rule was unkaown. 
 With the idea of obviating altercations in council, as far as possible, the 
 founders of the confederacy divided the sachems of each nation into 
 classes, usually of two and three each. No sachem was allowed to ex- 
 press an opinion in council until he had agreed with the other sachems 
 of his class upon the opinion to be expressed and had been designated 
 as spokesman for his class. Thus, the eight sachems of the Senecas, 
 being divided into four classes, were entitled to but four opinions. The 
 four sachems representing the four classes then held a consultation, and 
 when they had agreed they selected one of their number to express 
 their opinion. This opinion was the opinion and decision of the nation. 
 The final settlement was reached by a conference of the individual rep- 
 resentatives of the several nations; but no determination was reached 
 until these delegates were unanimously agreed upon the question at 
 issue. Thus, the Iroquois war against the French was declared by a 
 unanimous vote; but when the question of an alliance with the British 
 in the Revolution came up, the council was divided, and although most 
 of the confederates were allies of the British in that war, it was by rea- 
 son of the fact that each nation was permitted to act as it deemed best. 
 
 The earliest detailed notice, from English sources, of the territory 
 which subsequently became, for the most part, the original county of 
 Genesee, was contained in a work published in London in 1780 under the 
 title of " Chalmer's Political Annals of the United Colonies." The de- 
 scriptive article which was of interest in this connection appeared under 
 the heading of "Observations of Wentworth Greenhalph, in a journey 
 from Albany to the Indians westward, begun the 28th of May, 1677, 
 and ended the 14th of July following." After describing the country 
 of the first four nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, the writer alludes 
 as follows to the Senecas and their abode: 
 
 The Senecas have four towns, viz: — Canagorah, Tistehatan, Canoenada, Keint-he. 
 Canagorah and Tistehatan lie within thirty miles of the Lake Frontenac ; the other 
 two about four or five miles to the southward of these ; they have abundance of corn. 
 None of their towns are stockaded. 
 
 Canagorah lies at the top of a great hill, and, in that as well as in the bigness, 
 much like Onondagoe,' containing one hundred and fifty houses, northwestward 
 of Cayuga seventy-two miles. 
 
 Here the Indians were very desirous to see us ride our horses, which we did. They 
 made feasts and dancing, and invited us. 
 
 ' Onondagoe is described as " situated on a hill that is very large, the bank on each side 
 extending itself at least two miles, all cleared lands, whereon the corn is planted." 
 
THE IROQUOIS. 15 
 
 Tistehatan lies on the edge of a hill ; not much cleared ground ; is near the river 
 Tistehatan, which signifies bending.' It lies to the northward of Canagorah about 
 thirty miles; contains about one hundred and twenty houses, being the largest of all 
 the houses we saw ; the ordinary being fifty or sixty feet long, and some one hun- 
 dred and thirty or one hundred and forty feet long, with thirteen or fourteen fires in 
 one house. They have good store of corn growing about a mile to the northward of 
 the town. 
 
 Being at this place, on the 17th of June, there came fifty prisoners from the south ■ 
 westward, and they were of two nations ; some of whereof have a few guns, the 
 other none. One nation is about ten days' journey from any Christians, and trade 
 only with one great house, not far from the sea; and the other, as they say, trade 
 only with a black people. This day, of them were burnt two women and a man, and 
 a child killed with a stone. At night we heard a great noise, as if the houses had all 
 fallen ; but it was only the inhabitants driving away the ghosts of the murdered. 
 
 The 18th, going to Canagorah, we overtook the prisoners. When the soldiers saw 
 us, they stopped each his prisoner, and made him sing and cut off their fingers and 
 slashed their bodies with a knife ; and, when they had sung, each man confessed 
 how many men he had killed. That day, at Canagorah, there were most cruelly 
 burned four men, four women and one boy; the cruelty lasted about seven hours; 
 when they were almost dead, letting them loose to the mercy of the boys, and taking 
 the hearts of such as were dead to feast on. 
 
 Canoenada lies about four miles to the southward of Canagorah ; contains about 
 thirty houses, well furnished with corn. 
 
 Keint-he lies about four or five miles to the southward of Tistehatan ; contains 
 about twenty-four houses, well furnished with corn. 
 
 The Senekas are counted in all about 1,000 fighting men. 
 
 Whole force — Magas 300 
 
 Oneydoes 200 
 
 Onondagoes 350 
 
 Cayugas 300 
 
 Senekas 1,000 
 
 Total 2,150 fighting men. 
 
 Rev. Samuel Kirkland left Johnson's Hall at Johnstown, Fulton 
 county, January 16, 1765, accompanied by two Seneca Indians, upon a 
 mission embracing all the centres of population among the Iroquois. 
 He finally reached Kanadasagea, the principal town of the Senecas, 
 where he delivered to the sachem the message, or letter of introduc- 
 tion, furnished to him by Sir William Johnson. He was received in a 
 friendly spirit, excepting by a limited number of Indians, who appeared 
 to dislike his advent. The Senecas, after deliberating over the mat- 
 ter, finally decided that he should establish his residence among them. 
 A few weeks after his arrival he was formally adopted into the family 
 
 ' Probably the Genesee. 
 
16 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 . of the chief sachem of the nation. This adoption was effected only- 
 after formal ceremonies. Upon his entrance into the council one of 
 the chiefs, after a short period of silence, said : 
 
 Brothers, open your ears and your eyes. You see here our white brother who has 
 come from a great distance, recommended to us by our great chief. Sir William John- 
 son, who has enjoined it upon us to be kind to him, and to make him comfortable and 
 to protect him to the utmost of our power. He comes to do us good. Brothers, this 
 young white brother of ours has left his father's house, and his mother, and all his 
 relations. We must now provide for him a house. I am appointed to you and to 
 our young white brother, that our head sachem adopts him into his family. He will 
 be a father to him, and his wife will be a mother, and his sons and daughters will be 
 his brothers and sisters. 
 
 The head sachem of the Senecas, arising, then took him by the hand, 
 called him his son and led him to the spot where his family were seated. 
 "A smile of cheerfulness sat on every countenance," says Mr. Kirkland 
 in his journal, " and I could not refrain from tears; tears of joy and 
 gratitude for the kind Providence that had protected me through a 
 long journey, brought me to the place of my desire, and given me so 
 kind a reception among the poor savage Indians." 
 
 Unfortunately, however, the relations begun on such a friendly basis 
 were destined to be interrupted with a menace against the missionary 
 sent out by Sir William. A few days after Mr. Kirkland had become 
 a member of the Indian family referred to, the head of this family, a 
 man greatly respected, fell ill and died. Several of the Senecas, who 
 were jealous of the young missionary on account of his great popularity 
 among the nation as a whole, at once made the death of this Indian a 
 pretext for creating, or attempting to create, a feeling of prejudice 
 against him, alleging that the death was produced by magic, or that it 
 was "an intimation of the displeasure of the Great Spirit at his visit and 
 residence amotig them." They insisted that the safety of the remain- 
 der of the nation demanded that the newcomer must instantly be put 
 to death. Upon these presentations councils were convened, and for 
 several days the Senecas deliberated over the matter. In this hour of 
 trial the chief sachem proved the steadfast friend of Mr. Kirkland, 
 opposing every proposition to do him any harm of whatsoever nature. 
 The counsels of the friends of the threatened minister prevailed in the 
 end, and thereafter he lived, as he said in his journal, " in great har- 
 mony, friendship and sociability." For eight years prior to the Revo- 
 lution he lived among the Senecas, and during that struggle, though 
 he had been sent among them by a warm adherent of the British cause. 
 
RED JACKET. 17 
 
 he succeeded in diverting many of the members of the nation from ad- 
 herence to the cause of the crown. He exerted a strong influence 
 among them, and in after years his services were much sought by those 
 who desired to hold councils with them for the purpose of entering up- 
 on treaties with them. 
 
 About a hundred years ago Red Jacket was a powerful chief of the 
 Senecas, who at that time had lost their independent power and become 
 wards of the American nation. In 1793 he and Farmer's Brother, 
 representing the Senecas, visited the American capital, Philadelphia, 
 when President Washington presented to the former a silver medal, 
 which he wore on State occasions during the remainder of his life. 
 Red Jacket at that time professed to be friendly to civilization, but in 
 after years he became a slave to spirituous liquors and lost much of his 
 prestige, both with the federal government and his own tribe. He 
 died January 30, 1830. Farmer's Brother was an influential and elo- 
 quent chief and warrior. During the latter days of his life he was the 
 staunch friend of peace and civilization and did much to spread princi- 
 ples of temperance among his tribe. Another famous Indian of those 
 days was John O'Bail, commonly known as Cornplanter, who was ac- 
 knowledged as leader by a band of Senecas on the Allegany Reserva- 
 tion. 
 
 Red Jacket was born in 1756. His birthplace is believed to have 
 been at a place formerly called " Old Castle," about three miles west 
 of Geneva. His Indian name was Sa-go-yon-wat-ha, signifying " one 
 who keeps awake by magical influence." During the Revolution the 
 Senecas fought under the British standard. Although quite young, his 
 activity and intelligence attracted the attention of the British officers, 
 who presented to him a richly embroidered scarlet jacket. This he 
 wore on all occasions, and from this circumstance arose the name by 
 which he was known among the whites. During the Revolution he 
 took little or no part therein as a warrior, but his personal activity and 
 transcendent talents won the esteem of his tribe. A gentleman who 
 knew him intimately for more than thirty years in peace and war spoke 
 of him in the following terms : 
 
 Red Jacket was a perfect Indian in every respect, in costume, in his contempt of 
 the dress of the white men, in his hatred of and opposition to the missionaries, and 
 in his attachment to and veneration for the ancient customs and traditions of his 
 tribe. He had a contempt for the English language, and disdained to use any other 
 than his own. He was the finest specimen of the Indian character that I ever knew, 
 and sustained it with more dignity than any other chief. He was second to none in 
 2 
 
18 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 authority in his tribe. As an orator he was unequalled by any other Indian I ever 
 saw. His language was beautiful and figurative, as the Indian language always is, 
 and delivered with the greatest ease and fluency. His gesticulation was easy, grace- 
 ful and natural. His voice was distinct and clear, and he always spoke with great 
 animation. His memory was very strong. I have acted as interpreter to most of 
 his speeches, to which no translation could do adequate justice. 
 
 Many interesting anecdotes, illustrative of the peculiarities of his 
 character and his ready eloquence, are related. At a council held with 
 the Senecas, a dispute arose between Governor Tompkins and Red 
 Jacket,' in relation to a treaty of several years' standing. The governor 
 made a cerain statement, and the famous chief insisted that the reverse 
 was true. " But," came the reply, " you have forgotten — we have it 
 written down on paper." " The paper then tells a lie," was Red Jack- 
 et's reply; " I have it written here," placing his hand with great dig- 
 nity upon his brow. "You Yankees are born with a feather between 
 your fingers; but your paper does not speak the truth. The Indian 
 keeps his knowledge here — this is the book the Great Spirit gave us — 
 it does not lie. " The treaty in question was immediately referred to, 
 when, to the astonishment of all present, and to the triumph of the 
 bronzed statesman, the document confirmed every word he had uttered. 
 
 At a treaty held with the Indians during the Revolution, La Fayette 
 was present. The object of the convention was to effect a union of the 
 various tribes in amity with the patriot cause. The majority of the 
 chiefs were friendly, but there was much opposition made to the pro- 
 posal, especially by one young warrior, who declared that when an al- 
 liance was entered into with America, he should consider that the sun 
 of his country had set forever. In his travels through the Indian coun- 
 try, when on his last visit to America, La Fayette referred to the treaty 
 in question at a large assemblage of chiefs, and turning to Red Jacket 
 said: " Pray tell me, if you can, what has become of that daring youth 
 who so decidedly opposed all propositions for peace and amity?" " I 
 myself, am the man," answered Red Jacket, "the decided enemy of 
 the Americans so long as the hope of successfully opposing them re- 
 mained, but now their true and faithful ally until death." 
 
 During the war of 1812 Red Jacket and his tribe enlisted in the 
 American army. He fought through the entire war, displaying un- 
 daunted intrepidity ; and in no instance did he exhibit the ferocity of 
 the savage nor disgrace himself by any act of inhumanity. 
 
 Red Jacket was the foe of the white man until late in life. His na- 
 tion was his god; her honor, preservation and liberty his religion. He 
 
RED JACKET. 19 
 
 hated missionaries, because he feared some secret design upon the lands, 
 the peace or the independence of the Senecas. He could never com- 
 prehend the apparent mysteries of Christianity. He was a keen ob- 
 server of human nature, and saw that among both white and red men 
 sordid interest was equally the promoter of action. Naturally enough 
 he therefore suspected every stranger who came to his tribe of some 
 design on their little but dearly prized domains. 
 
 His tribe was divided into two factious, one of which was called the 
 Christian faction, by reason of its favorable attitude toward the mission- 
 aries; the other, from their opposition, was known as the pagan party. 
 His wife, who attended the religious meetings of the Christian party, 
 was persecuted by him on this account. But during his last sickness 
 his ffeelirigs respecting Christianity appeared to have undergone quite 
 a change. He frequently remarked to his wife that he was sorry that 
 he had persecuted her, that she was right and he was wrong; and on 
 his deathbed he said to her; "Persevere in your religion. It is the 
 right way." 
 
 A few days before his death he sent for the local missionary, whose 
 name was Harris ; but as the latter was in attendance upon an ecclesi- 
 astical council he did not receive the message until after the great 
 chieftain's death. In his last wandering moments he is said to have 
 directed that a bottle of cold water should be placed in his coffin, so 
 that he might have something with which to fight the evil spirit. Many 
 persons from Buffalo attended his funeral, some, of whom wished him bur- 
 ied according to the pagan custom. But in accordance with the expressed 
 desire of his Christian wife and other relatives he was buried in the 
 Christian manner. He left two wives, but none of his children survived 
 him. Two of his sons are believed to have died Christians. Rev. 
 Jabez B. Hyde, who taught among the Senecas prior to the war of 1812, 
 was authority for the statement that one of Red Jacket's sons was the 
 first convert to Christianity from this tribe. 
 
 For several months prior to his death time had made such ravages 
 on the old chief's constitution as to render him fully sensible of his 
 approaching dissolution. He often referred to that approaching event, 
 but invariably in calm and philosophic terms. He visited successively 
 all his most intimate friends at their cabins, conversing with them upon 
 the condition of the nation in the most affecting and impressive manner. 
 He told them that his counsels would soon be heard no more. He ran 
 over the history of his people from the most remote period to which 
 
20 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 his knowledge extended, and pointed out, as few could, the wrongs, 
 the privations and the loss of character which almost of themselves 
 constituted that history. " I am about to leave you," he said, "and 
 when I am gone, and my warning shall no longer be heard or regarded, 
 the craft and the avarice of the white man will prevail. Many winters 
 have I breasted the storm, but I am an aged tree and can stand no 
 longer. My leaves are fallen, my branches are withered, and I am 
 shaken by every breeze. Soon my aged trunk will be prostrate, and 
 the foot of the exulting foe of the Indian may be placed upon it in 
 safety; for I leave none who will be able to avenge such an indignity. 
 Think not I mourn for myself! I go to join the spirits of my fathers, 
 where age cannot come ; but my heart fails when I think of my people, 
 who are so soon to be scattered and forgotten.'" ■ 
 
 Ganothjowaneh, a distingui.shed chief of the Seneca tribe, is said to 
 have been an orator superior even to Red Jacket. The whites called 
 him Big Kettle. It is stated that he never tasted intoxicating liquors, 
 opposing the practice among the Indians, and suffered some persecu- 
 tions on that account. During the early period of his life he opposed 
 the introduction of Christianity, but later was favorable to the faith. 
 Mr. Wright, a missionary living among the Senecas near Buffalo in 
 1840, attempted to persuade him to embrace the Christian religion. 
 When told that he was a sinner in the sight of God, Big Kettle appar- 
 ently was greatly surprised. Throwing himself into an oratorical atti- 
 tude he recounted a long list of his good deeds and endeavored to make 
 it appear that he was not a sinner. Once he said to Mr. Wright : 
 " Does God overrule all things? " Being answered in the affirmative he 
 continued: " I tell my people so, in council, but when I am alone and 
 think how much iniquity is practiced by the white people in getting 
 away our lands, etc., and how they go on without being punished, I 
 have my doubts." He concluded by saying that the preaching of the 
 missionaries was good, and that the Indians would listen to and follow 
 it; but it would have little effect, for the bad habits of his people were 
 so strong and confirmed that the attempt to break them up would be 
 as idle as to "stop the wind from blowing down Lake Erie." 
 
 Cornplanter was the son of a white man who lived in the vicinity of 
 Fort Plank. His mother was a young woman of the Seneca tribe. 
 During the Revolutionary war he led the Senecas against the Amer- 
 
 ' This sketch o£ Red Jacket was compiled from various sources, but principally from Vol. 
 XIV of the New York Mirror, where it appeared soon after the death of this celebrated chieftain. 
 
CORNPLANTER. 31 
 
 icans in the Mohawk valley, and during one of his incursions he took 
 his father prisoner. However, he treated him well and released him 
 from confinement. In a letter written by this great chief to the gov- 
 ernment of Pennsylvania in 1833, complaining of the attempt to impose 
 taxes upon him and the Senecas residing on the Allegany, he began as 
 follows : 
 
 "When I was a child, I played with the butterfly, the grasshopper, and the frogs. 
 As I began to grow up, I began to pay some attention, and play with the Indian 
 boys in the neighborhood, and they took notice of my skin being a different color from 
 theirs, and spoke about it. I inquired of my mother the cause, and she told me that 
 my father was a resident of Albany. I still ate my victuals out of a bark dish ; I 
 grew up to be a young man, and married me a wife, but I had no kettle or gun. I 
 then knew where my father lived, and went to see him, and found he was a white 
 man and spoke the English language. He gave me some victuals while at his house, 
 but when I started to return home he gave me no provision to eat on the way. He 
 gave me neither kettle nor gun, neither did he tell me that the United States were 
 about to rebel against the government of England," etc., etc. 
 
 Cornplanter lived to a great age, having deceased within the last eight or ten 
 years. He was an able man, distinguished in subsequent negotiations. He was elo- 
 quent, and a great advocate for temperance. He made a very effective and char- 
 actertistic speech upon that subject in 1823. 
 
 " The Great Spirit first made the world, and next the flying animals, and found all 
 things good and prosperous. He is immortal and everlasting. After finishing the 
 flying animals, he came down upon the earth and there stood. Then he made dif- 
 ferent kinds of trees, and wobds of all sorts, and people of every kind. He made 
 the spring and other seasons, and the weather suitable for planting. These he did 
 make. But siilh, to make wiskey to give to the Indians, he did not make. . . . 
 The Great Spirit told us that there were three things for people to attend to. First, 
 we ought to take care of our wives and children. Secondly, the white people ought 
 to attend to their farms and cattle. Thirdly, the Great Spirit has given the bears 
 and deers to the Indians. . . . The Great Spirit has ordered me to quit drink- 
 ing. He wishes me to inform the people that they should quit drinking intoxicating 
 drink." In the course of the same speech, he gave evidence that he was not very 
 much pleased with the admixture of his own blood. . . . "The different kinds the 
 Great Spirit made separate, and not to mix with and disturb each other. But the 
 white people have broken this command, by mixing their color with the Indians. 
 The Indians have done better by not doing so." ' 
 
 ' Stone's Life of Brant. 
 
22 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE, 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 From the Discovery of the Hudson to the Inauguration of the Final Contest for 
 Supremacy on the American Continent Between the French and English— Expedi- 
 tions of Champlain, La Salle, De Nonville and Others — Construction of the Fort at 
 Niagara— La Hontan and His Expedition — The Attack Upon Montreal — Struggle 
 Over the Control of Lake Ontario. 
 
 Soon after sunrise on the third day of September, in the year 1609, 
 a small band of one of the aboriginal tribes of America stood at the 
 doors of their rude dwellings on the northern part of Sandy Hook 
 and gazed in amazement and fear at the white sails of a small vessel 
 sailing slowly along the coast in a northerly direction In abject terror 
 at the strange apparition the savages fled to the mainland and spread 
 ahiong their tribe the news of the mysterious object they had be- 
 held. The vessel, in the meantime, continued on its course, and soon 
 lay at anchor in the water now known as the Lower Bay of New York. 
 It is almost superfluous to add that this strange craft was the little 
 ship Half Moon, in command of that daring English navigator. Sir 
 Henry Hudson, who had been engaged to sail hither by the Dutch 
 East India company for the purpose of discovering, if possible, a 
 northwest passage, around the American continent. Two days after 
 entering the bay the intrepid explorer landed, but on the 10th of the 
 month he again set sail and entered the noble river which still bears 
 his name. 
 
 As the result of Hudson's voyage Holland set up a weak claim to 
 the country extending from Cape Cod to Delaware bay, to which it 
 gave the name of New Netherland. This territory claimed by Hol- 
 land ^Iso extended inland an indefinite distance, and included all the 
 vast unknown West of which the territory embraced within the confines 
 of Genesee county formed a part. Great Britain and France treated 
 the claim with contempt, but Holland nevertheless began the settle- 
 ment of the rich territory between these two points, making the first 
 permanent settlement on the island of Manhattan. 
 
 At this time the Netherlands, which but a comparatively short time 
 before had won their independence from Spain, had fairly entered upon 
 
BASES OF CLAIMS TO TERRITORY. 23 
 
 the heroic period in their history. They had become powerful on the 
 sea. They felt that the right of discovery entitled them to full con- 
 trol of a region of practically unexplored country which since has be- 
 come the richest and m'ost populous on the American continent. For 
 more than a score of years — despite the threatening attitude of the 
 English and the French claimants to practically all of the soil of North 
 America north of Florida — the stupid Dutch government maintained 
 nothing in the territory it claimed excepting a few trading posts. 
 Then, when it was too late to remedy the condition brought about by 
 its stolid indifference to the menace confronting it, and after having 
 allowed ignorant and most thoroughly incompetent men to manage its 
 affairs in the New World, the government partially awoke to the ne- 
 cessities of the occasion — if it would retain possession of its rich claim. 
 
 The English government steadily contended that the Dutch had no 
 right to the territory in question, particularly inasmuch as no well de- 
 fined plan for colonization had been adopted. The latter therefore 
 concluded that the only way in which they could make their tenure of 
 the territory secure and their title indisputable was by actual occupa- 
 tion. Their next step was the founding of the patroonship system, 
 which resulted in the establishment of colonies on the Delaware and on 
 the Hudson. The latter was successful, but the Delaware colonies 
 failed and soon after the French government had made extensive grants 
 in that region to its subjects. In the meantime the English settlements 
 in New England were encroaching upon the domain claimed by the 
 Dutch. Both the English and French claimed priority of discovery, 
 excepting a limited region near the Hudson, and even this territory the 
 English included in their claim. The advent of the Dutch, as we 
 shall soon see, was the cause of a general awakening to the danger of a 
 conflict of authority on the part of both the French and English. 
 
 The French based their claim to the vast expanse of territory in 
 question to the early explorations of Cartier and Champlain. Cartier 
 sailed from France in 1534, just three-quarters of a century before 
 Hudson ascended the river bearing his name, discovered and named 
 the St. Lawrence river, raised the standard of the King of France on 
 the site of the city of Montreal, proclaimed the country to be a posses- 
 sion of the French crown and named it New France. The year fol- 
 lowing he made another voyage to the same region. In 1540 Francis 
 de la Roque sailed with a commission from his king and made an effort 
 to effect a permanent settlement. But little was done in this direction 
 
24 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 until 1603, when Samuel de Champlain began his famous voyage of 
 exploration. 
 
 Champlain was a navigator of experience. With several other 
 Frenchmen, he had received the royal authority to form colonies on 
 the St. Lawrence and to explore the country as he should see fit. 
 Fitting out an expedition in 1603, he ascended the St. Lawrence as far 
 as the site of Quebec, where he determined to erect a substantial fort. 
 Soon the fur trade and the enormous profits to accrue to him therefrom 
 became the subject uppermost in his mind. In order to hold this trade 
 for the French he finally decided to join the Hurons and Algonquins 
 in an expedition against the Iroquois tribes of New York, hoping 
 thereby to conquer the latter and unite all the Indian tribes in an alli- 
 ance with France. Had he better understood the situation and the 
 relations of these tribes, he would have hesitated before waging war 
 against the powerful and warlike Iroquois confederation. 
 
 July 2, 1609, Champlain, at the head of a considerable party of French 
 and Canadian Indians, left Quebec and began the ascent of the Sorel 
 river.' Here the majority of the French invaders returned with their 
 vessel to Quebec, finding the Chambly rapids impassable with their 
 craft, and left Champlain and two other white men at the head of the 
 Indian band to continue the journey in canoe-s. Soon they reached the 
 lake which now bears the name of its discoverer. Landing at the south 
 end of the lake, near the site of Ticonderoga, N. Y. , they met a body 
 of Mohawk Indians, and the first battle on American soil ensued. Had 
 Champlain exercised discretion on this first expedition and sought to 
 make friends of the Iroquois, the entire course of future events in 
 American history might have been different. But the warlike and re- 
 vengeful Mohawks, and their fellow tribes in the great Five Nations, 
 never forgot the wanton killing of one of their number by a French 
 musketoon, and when the opportunity came, they and, in later years, 
 their sons and their grandsons carried the war repeatedly into the 
 country of the French and Algonquins, finally forming an alliance with 
 the English for the purpose of wreaking still further vengeance on their 
 hated enemies. 
 
 In 1615 Champlain planned and carried out a greater expedition, 
 this time entering the heart of the country of the Onondagas, bringing 
 defiance to all the Iroquois tribes, and spreading death and devastation 
 on every side. On this expedition he discovered Lake Ontario, the 
 name meaning, in the Indian tongue, the "beautiful lake." He ex- 
 
CONFLICTING FRENCH AND ENGLISH CLAIMS. 25 
 
 plored its shores along the western border of northern New York in the 
 vicinity of what was afterward known to the French as La Famine. 
 On his return he passed near the head of the St. Lawrence, thus be- 
 coming the first explorer of the Thousand Island region. 
 
 During the same year in which Champlain made his first expedition 
 into the Iroquois country, and even a day or two before he saw the 
 waters of Lake Champlain, Sir Henry Hudson had entered the mouth 
 of the Hudson river. But before either of these expeditions, the Eng- 
 lish had begun their attempts to colonize a part of the territory now 
 claimed by both the Dutch and the French. In August, 1606, the 
 Plymouth company sent their first ship to America. The voyage was 
 but half completed when the company's vessel was captured by a Span- 
 ish man-of-war. In the fall another ship was sent out. This party re- 
 mained on the American coast until spring, and then returned with 
 glowing accounts of the new country. In 1607 the first colony was 
 sent out, but it met with disaster. About the same time the London 
 company sent a colony to America, and Jamestown was founded. But 
 it was not until 1620 when the Pilgrim fathers arrived, that the first 
 permanent and successful English colony was founded. 
 
 It will thus be seen that at the close of the first quarter of the seven- 
 teenth century the English had permanent settlements in Massachu- 
 setts, the French had settlements on the St. Lawrence and Chesapeake 
 bay, and the Dutch had possession of Manhattan island and had a fort 
 on the site of Albany. Little was known of the interior country, and 
 each of these nations set up a claim to most of the disputed territory. 
 The Dutch standing between the two fires and being represented in 
 America by ignorant, stupid men, the result was inevitable. Their 
 power was eventually annihilated and the struggle for supremacy nar- 
 rowed down to the French on one side and the English on the other.' 
 
 Unfortunately for the French, success did not attend their efforts to 
 colonize the region of country to which they had set up a stout claim. 
 But the disappointment of their government was lessened by the in- 
 defatigable labors of the Jesuit priests who had come from France to 
 America. In 1615 a number of Franciscan friars had come to America 
 with Champlain, but soon they were supplanted by the more powerful 
 
 * Though many of the events narrated in this chapter transpired at points far from Genesee 
 county, they were closely connected -with the conflict which ultimately resulted in English do- 
 minion in this country, whose original territory at one time formed the objective point of a series 
 of frontier struggles. The long struggle for supreme control of this territory and its outcome, 
 have had a great influence in directing the destiny of Genesee county and its injiahitants. 
 
26 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 order of Jesuits. The latter arrived in Canada in 1635, and at once be- 
 gan preparation for penetrating the interior wilderness by way of the 
 St. Lawrence, with the purpose of carrying the principles of civiliza- 
 tion and the Christian religion to the Indian tribes. As early as 1626 
 Father De La Roche Daillon visited the Neutral Nation and spent the 
 winter among them. Other priests soon had stations established as far 
 west as the eastern shore of Lake Huron. Champlain died in 1635, 
 and his successors in charge of the French colonies had small capacity 
 for carrying on the great work he had inaugurated. The hostility of 
 the Iroquois nation — incurred by Champlain himself through his early 
 expeditions against the great confederacy — had resulted in the destruc- 
 tion of many of the habitations of the French colonists along the St. 
 Lawrence and the material reduction of the number of its inhabitants 
 at Quebec and elsewhere. Nevertheless, the French had succeeded in 
 establishing fur-trading posts at four points on the Great Lakes as 
 early as 1665. The Canadian Indians being friendly to the French, the 
 missionaries traveled the northern path of the traders in comparative 
 safety. 
 
 The English control of Manhattan and the Hudson river region be- 
 gan in 1664, when the Dutch were compelled to capitulate. It was not 
 until 1670, however, that English control of the country hitherto known 
 as New Netherland, embracing Genesee county, was made permanent. 
 But the Dutch continued to be a powerful factor in the fur trade, as 
 well as in the development of the agricultural resources of the territory 
 whose control had been wrested from them ; and, moreover, they es- 
 tablished the firm foundation on which the higher social fabric of the 
 future was to rest. The English were discreet enough to continue the 
 peaceful relations which their predecessors had established with the 
 Iroquois confederacy, which fact redounded greatly to their advantage 
 when the final struggle for supremacy between the English and French 
 began. 
 
 To Robert de La Salle, the most illustrious of the French explorers, 
 his country owed the greatest debt. In 1673 Joliet and Marquette had 
 passed down the Wisconsin river and penetrated the wilderness to the 
 Mississippi, sailing in their canoes on that river below the mouth of the 
 Arkansas river. But it remained for La Salle to determine whether the 
 waters of that great river were discharged into the southern gulf or 
 into the broad. Pacific. In 1665 La Salle came to Canada and engaged 
 in the fur trade at La Chine, where the Sulpitian Fathers gave him 
 
OPERATIONS OF LA SALLE. 27 
 
 an extensive grant of land. His love for adventure was great, and his 
 imagination having become excited by the story of the voyage of Mar- 
 quette and Joliet, he determined to push still further south in the hope 
 of discovering the desired route to the " South Sea," erecting a line of 
 military posts and trading stations along the route. This, he believed, 
 would give France a still stronger claim to this vast territory. 
 
 In 1672 Frontenac was made Governor- General of Canada. Their 
 aspirations being of the same nature, it was easy for La Salle to secure 
 the co-operation of the former. Returning to France in 1674, La Salle, 
 received grants to large tracts of land about Lake Ontario and a title of 
 nobility was conferred upon him by the king. Returning to Canada he 
 sought a monopoly of the fur trade, but his prosperity and ambition re- 
 sulted in the creation of animosities on the part of numerous rivals, and 
 in 1677 he again returned to France to maintain his position, and also to 
 obtain aid and authority to complete his plans for explorations in the far 
 west. In this he was successful. May 12, 1678, the French crown 
 granted to him the sole authority over all the western part of New 
 France, with permission to construct all the forts necessary to the accom- 
 plishment of his purpose, and a commission for the discovery of the 
 Great River. The commission read as follows : 
 
 LETTERS PATENT. 
 
 Granted by the King of France to the Sieur de La Salle, on the 12th of 
 
 May. 1678. 
 
 Louis, by the Grace of God, King of France and Navarre, to our dear and well 
 beloved Robert Cavalier, Sieur de La Salle, greeting: — 
 
 We have received with favor the very humble petition which has been presented 
 to us in your name, to permit you to endeavor to discover the western part of our 
 country of New France ; and we have consented to this proposal the more willingly 
 because there is nothing we have more at heart than the discovery of this country, 
 through which it is probable that a passage may be found to Mexico ; and because 
 your diligence in clearing the land which we granted to you by the decree of our 
 council of tfie 13th of May, 1675, and by letters patent of the same date, to form 
 habitations upon the same lands, and to put Fort Frontenac in a good state of de- 
 fence, the Seigniory and government whereof we likewise granted to you ; affords us 
 every reason to hope that you will succeed to our satisfaction, and to the advantage 
 of our subjects of the said country. 
 
 For these reasons, and others thereunto moving us, we have permitted, and do 
 hereby permit you, by these presents, signed by our hand, to endeavor to discover 
 the western part of our country of New France; and for the execution of this enter- 
 prise, to construct forts wherever you shall deem it necessary ; which it is our will 
 you shall hold on the same terms and conditions as Fort Frontenac, agreeably and 
 
28 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 conformably to our said letters patent of the 13th of May, 1675, which we have con- 
 firmed as far as is needful, and hereby confirm by these presents,— and it is our 
 pleasure that they be executed according to their form and tenure. 
 
 To accomphsh this, and everything above mentioned, we give you full powers; on 
 conditions however, that you shall finish this enterprise in five years, in default of 
 which these presents shall be void and of none effect ; that you carry on no trade 
 whatever, with the savages called Outaouacs, and others, who bring their beaver 
 skins and other peltries to Montreal ; and that the whole shall be done at your ex- 
 pense, and that of your country to which we have granted the privilege of trade in 
 buffalo skins. And we call on Sieur de Frontenac, our governor and lieutenant- 
 general, and on Sieur de Chesneau, intendant of justice, poHcy and finance, and on 
 the officers who compose the supreme council of said country, to affix their signatures 
 to these presents ; for such is our pleasure. Given at St. Germaine en Laye, this 
 13th day of May, 1678, and of our reign the thirty-fifth. 
 
 .[Signed] LOUIS. 
 
 Colbert. 
 
 Late in the summer of 1678 La Salle, accompanied by Tonti, an 
 Italian, a number of mariners and mechanics, and carrying naval and 
 military stores and goods for the Indian trade, arrived at Fort Fronte- 
 nac. Here his formidable expedition was joined by Father Louis 
 Hennepin. Early in the fall, accompanied by Father Hennepin and a 
 part of his company, he embarked in a wooden vessel of ten tons bur- 
 den, crossed Lake Ontario and sailed up the Niagara river as far as 
 Lewiston. Upon the present site of Fort Niagara at Youngstown he 
 established a trading post. Proceeding thence to a spot on the east 
 side of the Niagara river, now the site of the hamlet of La Salle, he 
 built a ship of sixty tons burden, called the Griffin." Tonti and Father 
 Hennepin meanwhile established friendly relations with the Senecas. 
 August 7, 1679, La Salle, having completed his boat, and also having 
 dispatched messengers to apprise the inhabitants of the Illinois district 
 of his intended visit, set sail up the Niagara river, carrying a colony of 
 fur traders destined for the valley of the Mississippi. In Father Hen- 
 nepin's account of this expedition of La Salle he says: 
 
 On the 14th day of January, 1679, we arrived at our cabin at Niagara to refresh 
 ourselves from the fatigues of our voyage. . . . On the 30th, I heard, from the 
 banks where we were, the voice of the Sieur de La Salle, who had arrived from Fort 
 Frontenac in a large vessel. He brought provisions and rigging necessary for the 
 vessel we intended building above the great falls of Niagara, near the entrance into 
 Lake Erie. But by a strange misfortune, that vessel was lost through fault of the 
 two pilots, who disagreed as to the course. The vessel was wrecked on the southern 
 shore of Lake Ontario, ten leagues from Niagara. The sailors have named the place 
 
 ' This ship was built upon the bank of Cayuga creek on the present Angevine farm. 
 
OPERATIONS OF LA SALLE. 29 
 
 La Cap Enrage (Mad Cap). The anchors and cables were saved but the goods and 
 bark canoes were lost. Such adversities would have caused the enterprise to be 
 abandoned by any but those who had formed the noble design of a new discovery. 
 
 The Sieur de La Salle informed us that he had been among the Iroquois Senecas, 
 before the loss of his vessel, that he had succeeded so well in conciliating them, that 
 they mentioned with pleasure our embassy, which I shall describe in another place, 
 and even consented to the prosecution of our undertaking. This agreement was of 
 short duration, for certain persons opposed our designs in every possible way, and 
 instilled jealousies into the minds of the Iroquois. The fort, nevertheless, which we 
 were building at Niagara, continued to advance. But finally the secret influences 
 against us were so great, that the fort became an object of suspicion to the savages, 
 and we were compelled to abandon its construction for a time, and content ourselves 
 with building a habitation surrounded with palisades. 
 
 On the 23d we went two leagues above the great falls of Niagara, and built some 
 stocks, on which to erect the vessel which we needed for our voyage. We could not 
 have built it in a more convenient place, being near a river which empties into the 
 strait which is between Lake Erie and the great falls. In all my travels back and 
 forth, I always carried my portable chapel upon my shoulders. 
 
 On the 26th, the keel of the vessel and other pieces being ready, the Sieur de La 
 Salle sent the master carpenter named Moyse, to request me to drive the first bolt. 
 But the modesty appropriate to my religious profession, induced me to decline the 
 honor. . . . Finally the Sieur de La Salle undertook his expedition on foot over 
 the snow, and thus accomplished more than eighty leagues. He had no food, except 
 a small bag of roasted corn, and even that had failed him two days' journey from 
 the fort. Nevertheless he arrived safely with two men and a dog which drew his 
 baggage on the ice. ... In the meantime the two savages of the Wolf tribe, 
 whom he had engaged in our service, followed the chase, and furnished us with roe- 
 bucks, and other kinds of deer, for our subsistence. By reason of which our work- 
 men took courage and applied themselves to their business with more assiduity. 
 Our vessel was consequently soon in a condition to be launched, which was done, 
 after having been blessed according to our church of Rome. We were in haste to 
 get it afloat, although not finished, that we might guard it more securely from the 
 threatened fire. The vessel was named The Griffin (Le Griffon), in allusion to the 
 arms of the Count de Frontenac, which have two Griffins for their supports. For 
 the Sieur de La Salle had often said of this vessel, that he would make the Griffin 
 fly above the crows. . . . 
 
 After a few days, which were employed by the Sieur de la Forest in treating with 
 the savages, we embarked with the vessel, having with us fifteen or sixteen squaws, 
 who embraced the oppotunity, to avoid a land passage of forty leagues. As they 
 were unaccustomed to travel in this manner the motion of the vessel caused them 
 great qualms at the stomach, and brought upon us a terrible stench in the vessel. . . 
 
 A few days after, a favorable wind sprung up, and Fathers Gabriel de la Ribourde 
 and Zenobe Mambre and myself embarked from Fort Frontenac in the brigantine. 
 We arrived in a short time at the mouth of the river of the Senecas [Oswego], which 
 empties into Lake Ontario. . . . On the 4th of August I went overland to the great 
 falls of Niagara with the sergeant, named La Fleur, and from thence to our ship- 
 vard, which was six leagues from Lake Ontario ; but we did not find there the vessel 
 
30 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 we had built. Two young savages slyly robbed us of the little biscuit which re- 
 mained for our subsistence. We found a bark canoe, half rotten and without pad- 
 dles, which we fitted up as well as we could, and having made a temporary paddle, 
 risked a passage in the frail boat, and finally arrived on board our vessel, which we 
 found at anchor a league from the beautiful Lake Erie. Our arrival was welcomed 
 with joy. We found the vessel perfectly equipped with sails, masts and everything 
 necessary for navigation. We found on board five small cannon, two of which were 
 brass, besides two or three arquebuses. A spread griffin adorned the prow, sur- 
 mounted by an eagle. . . . 
 
 We set sail on the 7th of August, 1679, steering west southwest. . . . On the 
 8th a favorable wind enabled us to make' about forty-five leagues, and we saw 
 almost all the way, the two distant shores, fifteen or sixteen leagues apart. . 
 
 Aug. 11. We sailed up the strait [Detroit river] and passed between two small 
 islands of a very charming appearance. This strait is more beautiful than that of 
 Niagara. It is thirty leagues long, and is about a league broad, except about half 
 way, where it is enlarged, forming a small lake which we called Sainte Claire, the 
 navigation of which is safe along both shores, which are low and even. 
 
 Reaching Green Bay, Wisconsin, the Griffin took on a rich cargo of 
 furs and started on the return voyage. After sailing from that point 
 no tidings were ever received of the vessel or crew, which undoubtedly 
 were lost in a storm on one of the lakes. Soon after La Salle and the 
 remnant of his band were obliged to return on foot to Fort Frontenac, 
 a distance of a thousand miles. During his absence Father Hennepin 
 traversed Illinois and explored the Mississippi northward as far as the 
 Falls of St. Anthony. 
 
 In 1681 La Salle returned to his station on the Illinois, bringing men 
 and supplies. Another boat was built and launched, and early in the 
 following year the heroic adventurer, with a small band of companions, 
 descended the river to its mouth and entered the Mississippi. He 
 finally reached the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and after a brief so- 
 journ he started on his return journey. This adventure was one of the 
 greatest exploits of modern times. 
 
 Returning to Quebec La Salle immediately set sail for France. That 
 country was now in a state of high excitement on account of the mar- 
 velous expedition which the intrepid adventurer had successfully carried 
 out. Vasit plans were at once made for beginning the work of coloniz- 
 ing the valley of the Mississippi. 
 
 In the meantime De la Barre had been appointed Governor of Can- 
 ada, in 1682. His brief administration was a failure. In 1684 the Sen- 
 ecas, who had been at war with the western Indians, pillaged a number 
 of French canoes and captured fourteen prisoners. De la Barre was 
 
OPERATIONS OF LA SALLE. 31 
 
 ordered to invade the Seneca country ; but before he did so he sought 
 from Governor Dongan of the province of New York a pledge that the 
 latter would not permit the sale of guns or ammunition to the Iroquois 
 Nation. The English were on terms of friendship with the Iroquois, 
 and consequently Governor Dongan refused to pledge himself to neu- 
 trality. De la Barre then made an invasion of the country of the Sen- 
 ecas and Onondagas, but the fiery eloquence of Garangula, a celebrated 
 Onondaga chieftain, so thoroughly alarmed him that he was glad to 
 leave the country. Disgusted with his weakness, his government re- 
 called him in 1685, and Marquis de Nonville was appointed to succeed 
 him. 
 
 In July of the same year in which De la Barre allowed the Iroquois 
 to overawe him, La Salle left France at the head of a colony of two 
 hundred and eighty emigrants, in four ships commanded by Beaujeu. 
 His plan was to ascend the Mississippi river and plant colonies on its 
 banks and tributaries. Against La Salle's entreaties the blundering 
 captain allowed the fleet to be carried out of its course, beyond the 
 mouth of the Mississippi. Here a landing was effected and the first 
 colony in Texas planted, on the shores of the bay of Matagorda. After 
 several unsuccessful effbrts to rediscover the mouth of the Mississippi, 
 La Salle finally set out overland, with sixteen companions, to cross the 
 continent to Canada. The march began in January, 1687, and on the 
 20th of March following the intrepid explorer was assassinated by two 
 conspirators in his company. 
 
 In the meantime De Nonville, the new Governor of Canada, began 
 preparations for subduing the Seneca Indians, who inhabited most of 
 the territory within the limits of the original county of Genesee. He 
 proposed energetic measures, including the establishment of a strong 
 fort at Niagara and another on Lake Erie, for the double purpose of 
 holding the Indians in check and preventing the English from further 
 extending their fur trade among the western nations. In 1686 he 
 wrote to his government : 
 
 War once declared, it is an indispensable necessity to establish and maintain a 
 post of two hundred men at Niagara, where married farmers ought, m my opinion, 
 be placed to make clearances and to people that place, in view of becoming, with 
 barks, masters of Lake Erie. I should greatly wish to to have a mill at Niagara.' 
 
 De Nonville also advised the erection of other fortifications on account 
 of the defenseless condition of the French, insisting that the Iroquois 
 
 » O'Callaghan's Doc. Col. Hist. o£ N. Y. 
 
32 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 were powerful and hated the French, and that their ability to procure 
 arms and ammunition from the English made them dangerous foes. 
 He also corresponded with Governor Dongan, insisting that the French 
 had the first rights in Western New York. Meanwhile he had pushed 
 his preparations for invading the country of the Senecas 
 
 June 13, 1687, De Nonville left Montreal with a force of two thousand 
 men, four hundred of whom were Canadian Indians. Arriving at Fort 
 Frontenac on the 30th, he proceeded July 4 to the south shore of Lake 
 Ontario, landing at what is now Irondequoit, Monroe county, where 
 the forces at Niagara had been ordered to meet him. After erecting 
 a small stockade he started for the interior July 12, leaving a garrison 
 of four hundred men to occupy the fort. The Senecas, finding the in- 
 vading force so vastly surperior, fled before the French, burning their 
 villages before they did so. 
 
 The Indian village of Gannagaro, located near the present village of 
 Victor, Ontario county, was the first point attacked. On the 13th they 
 arrived at a defile near the Indian village, where they were ambushed 
 by a considerable force of Senecas. Many of the invading force threw 
 away their guns and clothing to escape into the woods, so great was 
 their consternation. The Senecas finally retreated before the French 
 army, burning all their villages, and sought refuge among the Cayugas. 
 The French remained in the Indian country, however, until the 24:th. 
 The deserted villages were entered and large quantities of corn and 
 beans destroyed. The Indian allies of the French scouted the country 
 and tomahawked and scalped those Senecas who fell behind in the 
 flight. In his report of the expedition to the king De Nonville painted 
 his exploits in very vivid colors; but Baron La Hontan, one of his offi- 
 cers, in his account of the expedition, accused De Nonville of coward- 
 ice, or at least timidity. 
 
 De Nonville was so dispirited with the fright that had struck his men 
 that his Indians could not persuade him to pursue. He halted the re- 
 mainder of the day, and the next day proceeded on with the intention 
 of burning the village; but the Senecas had laid their settlement in 
 ashes. On the 24th, finding his invasion practically fruitless, the expe- 
 dition returned to the bank of Lake Ontario 
 
 The four Indian villages which De Nonville visited are supposed to 
 have been as follows: 
 
 Gannagaro, as the French called it, or Gaosaehgaah in the Seneca 
 language, near Victor, Ontario county; Gannogarae, in the town of 
 
DE NONVILLE AND THE IROQUOIS. 33 
 
 East Bloomfield, in Ontario county, near where the ancient Indian trail 
 crossed Mud creek; Totiakto, or Deyudihaakdoh as the Senecas called 
 it, on the northeast bend of Honeoye outlet, near West Mendon, in 
 Monroe county ; and Gannounota, or Dyudonsot in the Seneca tongue, 
 about two miles southeast of East Avon. 
 
 On the 26th of the month the whole army set sail for Niagara, where 
 it arrived on the morning of the 30th, having been delayed by head 
 winds. There the army at once began the erection of a fort "at the 
 extremity of a tongue of land between the river of Niagara and Lake 
 Ontario, on the Iroquois side. " In three days the post was in good 
 condition for defense in case of assault. In his journal De Nonville 
 says his object in constructing this fortification was for the protection 
 of the Indian allies and to enable them to continue the war against the 
 Iroquois. He left a garrison of one hundred Troyes there, with am- 
 munition and provisions for eight months; but they were besieged by 
 the Senecas, and a sickness which broke out soon after killed off nearly 
 the entire garrison. 
 
 August 3 De Nonville left Niagara, reaching Montreal August 13, 
 having left one hundred men at Fort Frontenac. The Senacas soon 
 after returned and occupied the territory they had deserted. In oppo- 
 sition to his personal desires La Hontan was directed to assume com- 
 mand of a detachment and accompany the returning western Indian 
 allies. At Lewiston, "where the navigation stops," his men carried 
 their canoes up "the three mountains," launching them again at 
 Schlosser, in the southeastern part of- the present city of Niagara 
 Falls. A large body of Senecas were soon upon his trail. From the 
 foot of Canandaigua lake, where they had temporarily encamped, they 
 started for the vicinity of Niagara Falls, for the purpose of attacking 
 the French troops or their Indian allies. The latter had just sailed 
 from Schlosser, when a large body of Senecas appeared on the bank 
 of the river. La Hontan's forces proceeded along the north shore of 
 Lake Erie, and eventually reached the fort of St. Joseph's, relieving the 
 garrison at that point. 
 
 During the succeeding winter a party of Huron Indians started for 
 the fort at Niagara, intending to enter the Seneca country and kill or 
 capture detached parties of trappers. On their way through Canada 
 they fell in with a party of Iroquois and killed or made prisoners of the 
 entire party of sixty. When they returned to Mackinaw some of the 
 prisoners informed La Hontan that they were members of the band 
 3 
 
34 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 which had intended to capture him and his command at Niagara Falls. 
 When they left, they said, eight hundred Indians had besieged the fort 
 at Niagara, and famine and disease were rapidly reducing the small 
 French garrison there. 
 
 De Nonville's invasion, the most formidable which the French had 
 yet undertaken, served to aggravate the strained relations between that 
 nation and the English, the latter insisting that the French had entered 
 territory belonging to England. But the French occupation of the 
 post at Niagara was short lived. The Iroquois Indians, thoroughly 
 enraged over the attacks made upon them by the white invaders, har- 
 assed the fort constantly, until the P'rench were compelled to sue for 
 peace. In the summer of 1688 De Nonville ordered an armistice and 
 invited five hundred Iroquois to meet him at Montreal to conclude 
 peace negotiations. At the same time a band of twelve hundred warriors 
 were ready to attack the French settlement there if the results of this 
 convention should prove unsatisfactory. The Iroquois insisted upon 
 the destruction of Fort Frontenac and Fort Niagara, the payment to 
 the Senecas of a sufficient sum to reimburse them for the losses they 
 had incurred by reason of the French invasion of their country, and 
 the return of a number of their tribe who had been carried in captivity 
 into Canada. 
 
 The French were willing to concede what the Iroquois asked and these 
 stipulations were inserted in the treaty then and there made. But, un- 
 fortunately, the peaceful intentions of this convention were foiled by 
 an act of treachery on the part of the Hurons. A chief of that tribe, 
 accompanied by a hundred braves, visited Fort Frontenac for the pur- 
 pose of assuring the French of his friendship. Reaching the latter place 
 he learned of the friendly negotiations then in progress between the 
 French, his allies, and the Iroquois, his enemies; jealousy prompted him 
 to ambush the band of Iroquois returning from their mission to Montreal, 
 killing many of them and making prisoners of the remainder. His 
 treacherous spirit prompted him to tell the prisoners that he had at- 
 tacked them under directions of De Nonville. He then liberated the 
 prisoners, who returned to their country and spread the story of French 
 perfidy. 
 
 The consequence was inevitable. The enraged Iroquois immediately 
 went upon the warpath for revenge. July 26 twelve hundred warriors 
 attacked Montreal, slaughtered about a thousand of the French settlers 
 and left the village in ruins. This left the French in desperate straits, 
 
THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH STRUGGLE. 35 
 
 and on the other hand strengthened the bonds of friendship between 
 the Iroquois and the English. To this fact, more than any other single 
 occurrence, the victory of the .English in their contest against the 
 French was due. The latter immediately abandoned Forts Frontenac 
 and Niagara; and war between France and England having been de- 
 clared, the allied forces of English and Iroquois wrought havoc among 
 the French settlements in Canada. The enemies of the English dev- 
 astated Schenectady and a portion of the Onondaga country; but the 
 victory lay with the English. The treaty of Ryswick, in 1697, again 
 brought peace, but for a few years only. 
 
 The main point which produced the contest between these two 
 nations — the conflicting territorial claims — unfortunately was not settled 
 by this treaty; and until the boundaries between the colonial posses- 
 sions of the two countries should be settled hostile operations were in- 
 evitable. The Jesuit priests in Canada continued actively to spread 
 their religion among the Indians, giving offense to the English by 
 establishing missions among the Iroquois. The result was easily fore- 
 seen. The differences between the two nations grew wider until the 
 conflict known as Queen Anne's War, which began in 1702 and con- 
 tinued until 1713. Before the inauguration ' of this war the French, 
 gaining the friendship of the Western Indians through the offices of 
 the Jesuit priests, had strengthened their position by the erection of 
 numerous forts and the establishment of settlements. The French 
 considered western New York — the territory subsequently becoming 
 the original Genesee county — a great point of vantage to them ; but 
 the English directed their attentions principally to other points. The 
 details of this war are of little interest in this connection. Peace was 
 concluded with the treaty of Utrecht April 11, 1713, France ceding to 
 England Nova Scotia and Port Royal, and agreeing to refrain in the 
 future from molesting "the Five Nations subject to the dominion of 
 Great Britain. " Still the most important matter of all — the boundary 
 question — was left unsettled and made another war certain. 
 
 Little by little it became evident to the French that the English had 
 determined to obtain control of Lake Ontario. In 1731 or 1732 the 
 latter established a trading post at Irondequoit, and in 1726 one at 
 Oswego. France still claimed the territory. To strengthen her posi- 
 tion she erected, in 1726, a new fort at Niagara, on or very near the 
 site of the present stone fort there. The French had objected to the mili- 
 tary occupation of the two points on the lake by the English; the latter 
 
ye OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 contended that the French were going beyond their rights in erecting a 
 fort at the mouth of the Niagara river. The positions at both ends of 
 the lake were of the highest commercial and strategic importance to 
 both parties, as the nation holding both could absolutely control Lake 
 Ontario and the bulk of the great fur trade. Both intrigued with the 
 Indians in the hope of securing their allegiance. 
 
 In 1713 the remnant of the Tuscarora tribe was adopted by the Iro- 
 quois Confederacy, becoming the sixth nation of that republic. The 
 Tuscaroras originally came from North Carolina, where they had in- 
 habited the country of the Neuse and Tar rivers. In 1708 their twelve 
 hundred warriors inhabited fifteen towns. In 1708 they had a rupture 
 with the colonists, and soon after they were robbed of their lands. 
 Hostilities followed, and many warriors were slain, while larger num- 
 bers were made captives. Tired of their persecution and hopeless over 
 their defeats, the remainder of the tribe who had not remained neutral 
 migrated to New York. 
 
 In 1744 war was declared involving not only England and France, 
 but Spain and Austria. During the summer of that year the old stock- 
 ades at Niagara were strengthened, but little else of direct interest in 
 this connection transpired before the peace of October 18, 1748. While 
 there was peace on paper, the conflict in America in reality never ceased. 
 Both nations struggled with intensity to secure the undivided allegiance 
 of the powerful Iroquois. In 1754 the English, probably aware of the 
 fact that their enemies were planning to capture Oswego, repaired the 
 fortifications at that point. While Braddock's stubbornness was leading 
 him into the greatest of mistakes, Governor Shirley of Massachusetts 
 strengthened the post at Oswego, which was heavily garrisoned, built 
 Fort Ontario on the east side of the river, and created a small navy on 
 the lake. In the meantime the French were bettering the condition of 
 Fort Niagara, which had been saved from Shirley's contemplated attack 
 by reason of storms on Lake Ontario. These preparations were pro- 
 gressing during the period of technical peace. The next, and final, 
 struggle for supreme control was not inaugurated until the formal dec- 
 laration of war on May 18, 1756. 
 
THE FINAL STRUGGLE. 37 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The Final Struggle Between the French and English for Supremacy in North 
 America — Capture of the Fort at Oswego — Bradstreet Takes Fort Frontenac — Gen- 
 eral Prideaux's Expedition Against Fort Niagara — The Tragedy of Devil's Hole — 
 End of French Dominion in America. 
 
 Before the beginning of actual hostilities in 1756 it had become evi- 
 dent to each party to the impending struggle that the other had been 
 preparing with great energy to make a most desperate effort to main- 
 tain its claims in America. At the beginning of the war the outlook 
 for the cause of the English was far from flattering. It was, indeed, 
 ominous. The French had been exceedingly active, and had secured 
 many of the best points of vantage. Niagara had been placed in 
 splendid condition by the French. Abercrombie's expedition against 
 the post was unsuccessful. A few days after the declaration of war 
 Commodore Bradley, commanding the little English fleet at Oswego, 
 started for Niagara, but was soon compelled to return by reason of 
 tempestuous weather on Lake Ontario. On his second expedition in 
 June one of his vessels was captured by the French squadron. 
 
 In August, 1756, Montcalm, the successor of Dieskau, commanding 
 the French army of Canada, led five thousand men, consisting of reg- 
 ulars, militia and Indians, against the English fort at Oswego, which 
 Governor Shirley of Massachusetts had left in charge of Colonel Mer- 
 cer and a garrison of seven hundred men. Erecting trenches about 
 the fort, he opened a terrific fire August 13. The English had but a 
 small supply of ammunition, and were compelled to retreat across the 
 river to Little Fort Oswego, spiking their guns before they left. Mont- 
 calm at once occupied the deserted fort, and from it assaulted the lesser 
 fort, killing Colonel Mercer and many of his men. On the 14th the 
 disheartened English capitulated, and the French were for the time 
 being practically masters of the Great Lakes, as well as Lake Cham- 
 plain and Lake George. 
 
 Montcalm destroyed the fort at Oswego after he had captured it, 
 principally for the purpose of showing the Iroquois that the French did 
 
38 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 not intend to maintain a military station in their territory. This move 
 caused many of the Indians to turn to the French, greatly to the ela- 
 tion of the latter. 
 
 The campaign of 1757 was also disastrous to the English, leaving 
 their enemies in control of the West. In 1758 the English, strength- 
 ened by a better organization of the regular and colonial volunteer 
 forces, succeeded in capturing Fort Frontenac. 
 
 Colonel Bradstreet, who first suggested the attempted capture of 
 Fort Frontenac, was placed in commad of the army assigned to 
 the great task.' At the head of about three thousand men, with 
 eight cannon and three mortars, he left Lake George and embarked 
 at Oswego. On the evening of August 25 he landed about a mile 
 from the fort. Within two days he had planted his batteries and 
 opened fire. On the 37th the French commander surrendered one 
 hundred and ten men, nine vessels, sixty cannon, sixteen mortars, 
 many light arms and large quantities of military stores, provisions and 
 merchandise. The fort was destroyed, as was everything else which 
 could not be carried away by the victorious English army. 
 
 The tide had turned, and the French were now as despondent as they 
 had been elated. Their anxiety was also greatly increased by the rapid 
 development of the English colonies, whose population was increasing 
 at an entirely unanticipated rate. 
 
 The spring of 1759 found the French in a wretched condition. While 
 their crops had failed and there had been no considerable accession to 
 their forces, the numerical strength of the English had become greater 
 and the internal ties between the colonies, fighting in a common 
 cause, stronger. On Fort Niagara the French placed their greatest 
 dependence. The Iroquois had' now come out openly in favor of the 
 English cause, and even the courageous Montcalm was discouraged. 
 
 Among the expeditions planned by the English was one against 
 Niagara. Major-General Amherst had become commander of the Eng- 
 lish forces in North America. So successful had the English been 
 that they now planned the complete conquest of Canada. The three 
 strong positions still held by France were to be attacked simultaneously. 
 Quebec was to be besieged by General Wolfe, the hero of Louisburg. 
 General Amherst was was to proceed against Crown Point and Ticon- 
 deroga, and after taking those places, cross Lake Champlain and join 
 Wolfe. General Prideaux, accompanied by Sir William Johnson, was 
 to have charge of the expedition against Fort Niagara. General Stan- 
 
THE END OF FRENCH DOMINION. 39 
 
 wix and his detachment was to guard Lake Ontario and reduce the re- 
 maining French posts in the Ohio valley. 
 
 Early in the summer General Prideaux, at the head of an army of 
 European and Provincial troops and Indians, proceeded to Oswego, 
 coasted along the southern shore of Lake Ontario, and landed at the 
 mouth of Four Mile creek July 6. When this army reached Niagara it 
 consisted of two thousand whites and one thousand six hundred Indians. 
 Despite the fact that it was broad daylight the French knew nothing 
 of the approach of their enemy until the forces had passed the fort and 
 entered the river.' 
 
 July 7 seven English barges appeared near the shore. Scouts sent 
 out by Captain Pouchot reported that fifteen or twenty barges, all told, 
 lay near by, while numbers were flocking on the beach. The following 
 day the English camp on the lake .shore was assaulted and broken up. 
 On the 9th the surrender of the position was demanded by the besieg- 
 ers, but Pouchot sent word to Prideaux that he should defend the post. 
 On the 15th the fort was shelled, wounding several French soldiers- 
 All this time the English had been strengthening their position, from 
 which the assault was continued each day. July 19 General Prideaux 
 was accidently killed in the trenches by the carlessness of a gunner who 
 was preparing to fire a shell. 
 
 The English kept up a regular fire, doing great damage to the fort 
 and killing and wounding niany of the garrison. The French were 
 running short of ammunition and many of their arms had become 
 worthless. So desperate had their condition become that they were 
 compelled to resort to the use of hay, straw, and even the mattresses 
 and linen from their beds for wadding for their cannon. By the 24th 
 the French had not more than a hundred muskets fit for use. Rein- 
 forcements dispatched to the relief of the fort by Aubrey and Lignery, 
 at Fort Machault and Presque Isle, were driven back by the English. 
 Seeing that further resistance was useless Pouchot surrendered, upon 
 the demand of Sir William Johnson, on July 25, when the victors took 
 possession of the fort. 
 
 By this victory the Niagara river, which the French had controlled 
 for more than a century, came under English domination. Quebec, 
 falling before the magnificent assault under Wolfe, French dominion 
 on the American continent was forever at an end. Still Canada was 
 
 ' The account of the ensuing operations in this campaign is taken from the memoirs of 
 Pouchot, commander of the French forces at Niagara. 
 
40 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 not ceded to England until the signing of the treaty of 1763, so tena- 
 ciously did France cling to her colonies. 
 
 Immediately after the surrender of Fort Niagara the English took 
 possession of the frontier of Western New York, with the intention of 
 keeping control of a means of communication with their western points. 
 Of all these posts the most important to England, as it had been with 
 France, was Niagara. In 1760 this carrying-place was placed in charge 
 of John Steadman, who was instructed by Sir William Johnson to open 
 and improve the road. This step was highly displeasing to the Senecas. 
 who, disregarding the authority of Johnson as superintendent of Indian 
 affairs, united with western tribes in marauding expeditions, pursuing 
 their depredations almost to the gates of Niagara. In these attacks 
 several Englishmen were killed. 
 
 At this time the Senecas had no settlements between the Genesee 
 and the Niagara. The English had erected a palisaded fort on the 
 east bank of the Niagara near the east boundary of the present city of 
 Niagara Falls, which they named Fort Schlosser, in honor of its first 
 commander. Captain Joseph Schlosser. Fort Niagara, which had been 
 greatly strengthened, was for the time used as a base of supplies for 
 the West and the growing Indian trade. A few of the Senecas in- 
 habited cabins on the present site of Lewiston, where they assisted the 
 English in transporting goods across the river. 
 
 July 24, 1761, Johnson reached Niagara on his way to Detroit. Here 
 he remained for four weeks inspecting the various points on the frontier. 
 He also learned that attempts were being made by certain traders to 
 cheat the Indians, a course well calculated to produce an uprising 
 among them. In 1763 Johnson, learning of the murder by the Indians 
 of two traders who were passing through the Seneca country, informed 
 the natives that any future crimes of this character would be followed 
 by summary punishment. But the Senecas, foreseeing their ultimate 
 expulsion from their country and their extinction as a nation, seemed 
 determined to retard, if not prevent, the encroachments of the whites. 
 The portage between Lewiston and Fort Schlosser, passing most of 
 the way through the woods, was a dangerous road, and soldiers were 
 stationed at both ends to protect and accompany trading teams. Soon 
 after this occurred the terrible massacre at Devil's Hole, a point on the 
 east bank of the Niagara river a short distance north of the city of 
 Niagara Falls. The following old account of what took place at that 
 spot is considered authentic by historians: 
 
THE DEVIL'S HOLE MASSACRE. 41 
 
 In 1760 Mr. Stedman, an Englishman, contracted with Sir William [Johnson] to 
 construct a portage road from Queenston Landing, nowLewiston, to Fort Schlosser, 
 a distance of about eight miles. The road having been completed, on the morning 
 of the 17th of September, 1763, fifteen wagons and teams, mostly oxen, under an 
 escort of twenty-four men, commanded by a sergeant, and accompanied by the con- 
 tractor, Stedman, and Captain Johnson, as a volunteer, set out from Fort Niagara, 
 with stores, &c., intended for the garrison at Fort Schlosser. Arriving something 
 over two miles from the top of the mountain above Lewiston, and ten or twelve from 
 Niagara, the escort and wagons halted about eleven o'clock, on a little savanna of 
 green sward to rest and take refreshments, beside a gulf called in Indian and Eng- 
 lish, the Devil's Hole. This is a semi-circular precipice or chasm of some two hun- 
 dred feet in diameter up and down the river on the summit, but less at the bottom. 
 A little distance from the brink of the hole is a kind of natural mound, several feet 
 in height, also of crescent shape ; and sixty feet from the top issues a fine spring, 
 which dashes down through the underbrush to the river. A small brook in the 
 neighborhood, called the bloody-run, now runs into the chasm. The Seneca Indians 
 continued in the French interest at this period, and fearing a hostile movement on 
 their part, a detachment of volunteers consisting of one hundred and thirty men 
 under the command of Captain Campbell, marched from Queenston to strengthen the 
 escort. Just as the troops under Capt. C. reached the spot where the escort halted, 
 about five hundred Indians, who bad been concealed behind the mound, sprang from 
 their covert with savage yells, and like so- many tigers began an indiscriminate 
 slaughter of the troops, who were thrown in the utmost confusion. Resistance , 
 against such odds did not long continue, and those of the party who were not killed 
 or driven from the precipice with their teams, attempted their escape by flight. In 
 the midst of the conflict, Stedman sprang upon a small horse, and giving the faithful 
 animal a slap on the neck with his hand, it bore him over the dead and dying, and 
 through the thick ranks of the foe, who discharged their rifles, and hurled their 
 tomahawks in vain at his head. 
 
 Of those who jumped directly down the precipice in front, some seventy or eighty 
 feet, which has an uneven surface below, only one escaped with life. This was a 
 soldier named Mathews, from whom these particulars were obtained by the tourist. 
 He was then living on the Canada shore, near Niagara, and familiarly called Old- 
 Brittania. Several trees were growing from the bottom of the hole, the tops of which 
 reached near the surface of the ground. Into one of these trees Corporal Noble 
 leaped and hung, in which position eleven bullets riddled his body. Captain John- 
 son, of the escort, was killed, and Lieut. Duncan, of the relief, a native of Long Isl- 
 and, and a promising young officer, was wounded in the left arm, of which he died. 
 The whole number of troops and teamsters was about one hundred and seventy-five, 
 of this number only some twenty-five escaped with life, and all of them, except Sted- 
 man and Mathews, did so below or near the north end of the hole, at a little sand 
 ridge, which served to break the fall. Of Capt. Campbell's command, only eleven 
 escaped with life. The loss of the enemy was inconsiderable compared with that of 
 the British. A short time after this horrid affair, the Indians, who considered Sted- 
 man a charmed man, gave him as a reward for his daring feat, a large tract of land, 
 which embraced all that he rode over in his previous flight. He returned to England, 
 
42 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 taking along this favorite horse, and never afterwards would he allow it to be sad- 
 dled or harnessed. ' 
 
 Most other accounts of this treacherous and bloody attack agree with 
 the one quoted in its essential points. Some state that it occurred 
 September 14 instead of September 17, the date given by Mr. Simms; 
 that the escort consisted of twenty-five men instead of twenty four, and 
 that the train was bound for Detroit instead of Fort Schlosser. But 
 these details are of minor importance. Some recent publications state 
 that but eight men are believed to have escaped, whereas Mr. Simms's 
 informant, who was one of those whose lives were spared, puts the 
 number at about twenty-five. 
 
 In the meantime Pontiac's war had broken out in the West, the cause 
 being similar to that which resulted in the massacre at the Devil's Hole — 
 the English encroachments upon Indian territory and their defeat of the 
 French. In July, 1764, General John Bradstreet, at the head of eleven 
 hundred provincial troops, started for the west to put down the up- 
 rising inaugurated by the wily Ottawa chief. At Oswego his forces 
 were augmented by five hundred Iroquois under Johnson, and at Niag- 
 ara the army was nearly doubled, three hundred of the additional forces 
 being Seneca Indians. While waiting in this vicinity the erection of 
 Fort Erie was begun. 
 
 October 19, 1763, while six hundred English soldiers in command of 
 Major Wilkins were on their way to Detroit in boats, the rear guard, 
 consisting of one hundred and sixty men, were fired upon from the 
 shore by a band of Senecas, who were concealed in the woods about on 
 the site of Black Rock. At the first volley thirteen men were killed 
 and wounded. Fifty men were sent ashore, where three more men 
 were killed and twelve seriously wounded. This was the last serious 
 attack on the part of the Senecas. In April, 1764, representatives of 
 the nation signed a treaty of peace at the home of Sir William Johnson 
 at Johnstown. 
 
 From that time to the Revolution comparative peace reigned 
 throughout Genesee county. The trade with the Indians increased at 
 a satisfactory rate, and the Niagara frontier was a scene of great activ- 
 ity. Sir William Johnson devoted much of his attention toward se- 
 curing a continuance and enlargement of the policy of peace and hon- 
 esty toward the Indians oq the part of the British government. Janu- 
 
 1 This account is taken from Jeptha R. Simms's Border Wars of New York (1845). The author 
 obtained the story from the lips of one of the survivors, as appears in the narrative. 
 
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 43 
 
 ary 16, 1765, Rev. Samuel Kirkland, accompanied by two Seneca In- 
 dians, left Johnstown on a mission through the Iroquois country. He 
 remained some time at Kanadesaga, the chief village of the Senecas, 
 spreading the principles of the Christian religion among them. For 
 six years he labored assiduously among the Six Nations, and his serv- 
 ices were most valuable in breaking down the feelings of animosity 
 which these nations entertained toward the English. 
 
 During this period of peace, Tryon county, afterward Montgomery, 
 was erected from Albany county in 1773. The new county comprised 
 all New York State west of the present western boundaries of Saratoga 
 and Schenectady counties, and of course included all the territory which 
 subsequently was set apart to form Genesee county. Few other events 
 of importance occurred before the Revolution. Little attempt was 
 made to effect settlements at a distance from the trading posts, for the 
 whites still felt insecure from the attacks of the Indians, whom all had 
 learned to distrust. The condition of Western New York, then, was 
 to all intents and purposes the same at the opening of the Revolution- 
 ary war as at the close of the long series of conflicts which gave to 
 England the supremacy over France on the American continent. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The War of the Revolution — Expedition of General Sullivan into the Genesee 
 Country — The Seneca Indians Routed — Lieutenant Boyd's Awful Fate— First White 
 Settlement at Buflfalo Creek. 
 
 The details of that tremendous struggle of the American colonies for 
 independence from the tyrannical, but short-sighted, British govern- 
 ment, need no recounting in connection with the brief story of Gen- 
 esee county's participation or immediate local interest in the war. The 
 causes of this remarkable contest existed even before the echoes of the 
 French and Indian war had died away, and are too familiar to require 
 even a mention in this connection. During all that long period of hos- 
 tilities, beginning in J 775 and terminating in 1783, no part of the actual 
 contest occurred in the county of Genesee, excepting sporadic Indian 
 attacks. At one time, however, the victorious American army came 
 
44 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 as far west as the easterly bounds of the. original county, but there 
 paused and retraced its steps. The original plan contemplated the in- 
 vasion of Genesee county and an attack upon Fort Niagara. 
 
 While the Western New York frontier had very little immediate' con- 
 nection with the events of the war, the post of Fort Niagara was an 
 important one from a military standpoint for either of the contesting 
 powers. During the entire war it remained in the undisputed posses- 
 sion of the British. 
 
 As during the French and Indian war, the fealty of the powerful 
 Iroquois Confederacy became an object of considerable importance to 
 two nations of white men. The great influence of the noted Johnson 
 family, now led by Sir John Johnson and Colonel Guy Johnson, the 
 latter having succeeded Sir William as superintendent of Indian affairs, 
 was strongly exercised in the interests of the British cause. The re- 
 sult was that all the Iroquois nations except the Oneidas and Tus- 
 caroras allied themselves with the British as against the colonists. 
 The Seneca nation hesitated for some time before coming out openly 
 for an alliance, but the pay promised them by the Johnsons and their 
 natural disposition to go upon the warpath finally converted them. 
 After 1777 they were active partisans of the British crown. It is a 
 matter of record, though not official, that at a council held at Oswego 
 the agents of the British government gave numerous presents to the 
 Senecas and promised them "a bounty on every scalp that should be 
 brought in." ' But the Americans were equally as active as the British 
 in seeking an alliance with the New York Indians, though not success- 
 ful in their efforts. 
 
 Col. John Butler, the notorious Tory; Joseph Brant, the celebrated 
 Mohawk chief; the Johnsons and other enemies of the colonies made 
 Fort Niagara their headquarters during the period of the war, and fre- 
 quent expeditions against exposed portions of the country were planned 
 and put into execution at that point. Butler organized the notorious 
 Butler's Rangers, whose very name inspired the hearts of the colonists 
 of New York with terror, and their commander became one of the 
 most conspicuous figures in the border wars. 
 
 The massacre of Wyoming, in July, 1778, and the attack upon 
 Cherry Valley in November of the same year thoroughly alarmed the 
 
 ' This is according to the narrative of Mary Jemison, the white woman whose history appears 
 in a succeeding chapter. The truth o£ her statement has been gravely questioned, and never 
 definitely settled. 
 
SULLIVAN'S EXPEDITION AGAINST THE SENEGAS. 45 
 
 colonists. On the former occasion a motley band of Tories and Indians 
 under command of Butler entered the Wyoming valley about four 
 hundred strong, on July 3. This locality, unfortunately, already had 
 sent two companies into the Continental army, leaving only old men, 
 women and children, with a small body of soldiers for its defense. The 
 unsuspecting inhabitants were attacked by the invading party, who 
 soon killed and scalped more than two hundred of them. Many of the 
 prisoners were either tortured or slaughtered in the most savage fash- 
 ion. On the night of July 4, after a number of fugitives who had taken 
 refuge in the fort had been offered humane terms of surrender, the In- 
 dians overran the beautiful valley and completed their work of desola- 
 tion and murder. Nearly every house in the valley was burned and 
 the remaining inhabitants obliged to flee to the mountains for their 
 lives. In this massacre the Indians consisted principally of Senecas. 
 
 November 11 of the same year a band of Indians and Tories under 
 command respectively of Joseph Brant and Walter N. Butler, a son of 
 Col. John Butler, descended upon Cherry valley, killed thirty-two of 
 the inhabitants and sixten soldiers garrisoned there, and carried nearly 
 forty men, women and children into captivity. 
 
 Two expeditions against the Indians were now planned. The first 
 of these was made against the Onondagas in the spring of 1779, under 
 Colonels Van Schaick and Willet, but it accomplished little. During 
 the summer a more extensive expedition with the same end in view — 
 the chastisement of the Senecas — was organized. Congress authorized 
 General Washington to send an expedition into the country of the Iro- 
 quois, lay waste their villages and retaliate for the wrongs they had in- 
 flicted upon the colonists. The expedition was to be primarily for 
 punitive purposes, but the design also embraced an attack upon Fort 
 Niagara, the headquarters of the British and their Indian allies in this 
 region of the country. 
 
 The Senecas, being located at a remote point from the headquarters 
 of the American forces, for a long time had been comparatively free 
 from fear of retributive justice ; and they were in a position, by reason 
 of their location, to do the patriot cause incalculable injury. 
 
 Washington gave General John Sullivan command of three thousand 
 Continental troops, gathered in the Wyoming valley and the surround- 
 ing country, and directed him to proceed against the Senecas. The 
 capture of Fort Niagara, which was being held by the notorious Colo- 
 nel John Butler, was a possibility consequent upon the routing of the 
 
46 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Indians. Reaching Tioga Point August 22, Sullivan was joined by 
 General JaniBS Clinton in command of the eastern division, composed 
 of one thousand six hundred men. About a mile below Newtown, 
 now Elmira, the Indians, though strongly fortified, were routed. 
 
 The force opposing Sullivan consisted of Butler and his notorious 
 Rangers and a large body of Indians under the famous Mohawk chief, 
 Joseph Brant. The latter consisted of Senecas, with a few Delawares. 
 
 August 39, after having laid waste all the Indian country he had 
 traversed. General Sullivan prepared to attack the British and Indians 
 in the position they had chosen to defend. After two hours of desper- 
 ate fighting, during which Sullivan had so disposed his forces as nearly 
 to surround the position of the enemy, the latter, becoming fearful 
 that they would be hemmed in and annihilated, suddenly abandoned 
 the post and fled. For two miles Sullivan followed in pursuit. The 
 enemy lost heavily, while the American loss was but six killed and 
 about forty wounded. 
 
 This victory convinced the Indians that further resistance would be 
 useless, and Sullivan found no further bar to his progress into the 
 Genesee country. As the Americans proceeded, however, they found 
 that the principal villages of the Senecas had been abandoned. Only 
 once again did the enemy make the slightest preparations to impede 
 the progress of the patriot army. Near the head of Conesus lake they 
 selected a position and began arrangements for an ambuscade, but 
 when Sullivan's forces came up the flight was continued as expe- 
 ditiously as before. Sullivan continued his march, devastating every- 
 thing that could be of use to the Indians. While Sullivan was con- 
 structing a bridge over a creek which led to Little Beard's Town, 
 Lieutenant Boyd and a scouting party had a severe battle with a 
 superior force of Indians in the vicinity of what is now the town of 
 Leicester, Livingston county, originally within the confines of Genesee 
 county. Boyd and a man named Parker were made prisoners, and the 
 former was tortured to death in the most horrible manner. The fol- 
 lowing account of the incident is taken from Wilkinson's Annals of 
 Binghamton: 
 
 From Canandaigua the array proceeded to Honeoye, which they destroyed ; and 
 passing by Hemlock lake, they came to the head of Connissius lake, where the army 
 encamped for the night, on the ground which is now called Henderson's Flats. 
 
 Soon after the army had encamped, at the dusk of evening, a party of twenty-one 
 men, under the command of Lieut. William Boyd, was detached from the rifle corps, 
 
TORTURE OF LIEUTENANT BOYD. 47 
 
 which was commanded by the celebrated Morgan, and sent out for the purpose of re- 
 connoitering the ground near the Genesee river, at a place now called Williamsburgh, 
 at a distance from the place of encampment of about seven miles, and under the 
 guidance of a faithful Indian pilot. The place was then the site of an Indian vil- 
 lage; and it was apprehended that the Indians and rangers, as their allies were 
 called, might be there, or in its vicinity. 
 
 When the party arrived at Williamsburgh, they found that the Indians had very 
 recently left the place, as the fires in their huts were still burning. The night was 
 so far spent when they got to the place of their destination, that the gallant Boyd, 
 considering the fatigue of his men, concluded to remain quietly where he was, near 
 the village, sleeping upon their arms, till the next morning, and then to dispatch two 
 messengers with a report to the camp. Accordingly, a little before daybreak, he 
 sent two men to the main body of the army, with information that the enemy had 
 not been discovered, but were supposed to be not far distant, from the fires they 
 found burning the evening before. 
 
 After daylight. Lieutenant Boyd and his men cautiously crept from the place of their 
 concealment, and upon getting a view of the village, discovered two Indians lurking 
 about the settlement, one of whom was immediately shot and scalped by one of 
 the riflemen by the name of Murphy. Lieutenant Boyd — supposing now that if 
 there were any Indians near they would be aroused by the report of the rifle, and 
 possibly by a perception of what had just taken place, the scalping of the Indian — ■ 
 thought it most prudent to retire and make his best way back to the main army. 
 They accordingly set out and retraced the steps they had| taken the evening before. 
 
 On their arriving within about one mile and a half of the main army, they were 
 surprised by the sudden appearance of a body of Indians, to the amount of five hun- 
 dred, under the command of Brant, and the same number of rangers, commanded 
 by the infamous Butler, who had secreted themselves in a ravine of considerable ex- 
 tent, which lay across the track that Lieutenant Boyd had pursued. These two 
 leaders of the enemy had not lost sight of the American army since their appalling 
 defeat at the narrows above Newtown, though they had not shown themselves till 
 now. With what disrnay they must have witnessed the destruction of their towns 
 and the fruit of their field?, that marked the progress of our army ! They dare not, 
 however, any more come in contact with the main army, whatever should be the 
 consequence of their forbearance. 
 
 Lieutenant Boyd and his little Heroic party, upon discovering the enemy, knowing 
 that the only chance for their escape would be by breaking through their lines, 
 an enterprise of most desperate undertaking, made the bold attempt. As extraor- 
 dinary as it may seem, the first onset, though unsuccessful, was made without the 
 loss of a man on the part of the heroic band, though several of the enemy were killed. 
 Two attempts more were made, which were equally unsuccessful, and in which the 
 whole party fell, excepting Lieutenant Boyd and eight others. Boyd and a soldier 
 by the name of Parker, were taken prisoners on the spot ; a part of the remainder 
 fled, and a part fell on the ground apparently dead, and were overloooked by the In- 
 dians, who were too much engaged in pursuing the fugitives to notice those who 
 fell. 
 
 When Lieutenant Boyd found himself a prisoner, he solicited an interview with 
 Brant, preferring, it seems, to throw himself upon the clemency and fidelity of the 
 
48 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 savage leader of the enemy, rather than trust to his civilized colleague. The chief, 
 who was at that moment near, immediately presented himself, when Lieutenant 
 Boyd, by one of these appeals and tokens which are known only by those who have 
 been initiated and instructed in certain mysteries, and which never fail to bring suc- 
 cor to a distressed brother, addressed him as the only source from which he could 
 expect respite from cruel punishment or death. The appeal was recognized, and 
 Brant immediately and in the strongest language, assured him that his life should 
 be spared. 
 
 Boyd and his fellow-prisoners were conducted immediately by a party of Indians 
 to the Indian village called Beardstown, after a distinguished chief of that name, on 
 the west side of the Genesee river, and in what is now called Leicester. After their 
 arrival at Beardstown, Brant, being called on service which required a few hours' 
 absence, left them in care of Colonel Butler. The latter, as soon as Brant had left 
 them, commenced an interrogation, to obtain from the prisoners a statement of the 
 number, situation, and intentions of the army under Sullivan ; and threatened them, 
 in case they hesitated or prevaricated in their answers, to deliver them up immedi- 
 ately to be massacred by the Indians ; who, in Brant's absence, and with the encour- 
 agement of their more savage commander, Butler, were ready to commit the greatest 
 cruelties. Relying probably upon the promises which Brant had made them, and 
 which he most likely intended to fulfill, they refused to give Butler the desired infor- 
 mation. Upon this refusal, burning with revenge, Butler hastened to put his threat 
 into execution. He delivered them to some of their most ferocious enemies, among 
 which the Indian chief Little Beard was distinguished for his inventive ferocity. In 
 this, that was about to take place, as well as in all the other scenes of cruelty that 
 were perpetrated in his town. Little Beard was master of ceremonies. The stoutest 
 heart quails under the apprehension of immediate and certain torture and death ; 
 where too, there is not an eye that pities, nor a heart that feels. The suffering lieu- 
 tenant was first stripped of his clothing, and then tied to a sapling, when the Indians 
 menaced his life by throwing their tomahawks at a tree directly over his head, 
 brandishing their scalping-knives around him in the most frightful manner, and 
 accompanying their ceremonies with the. most terrific shouts of joy. Having pun- 
 ished him sufficiently in this way, they made a small opening in his abdomen, took 
 out an intestine, which they tied to a sapling, and then unbound him from the tree, 
 and by scourges, drove him around it till he had drawn out the whole of his intes- 
 tines. He was then beheaded, and his head was stuck upon a pole, with a dog's 
 head just above it, and his body left unburied upon the ground. Throughout the 
 whole of his sufferings, the brave Boyd neither asked for mercy, or uttered a word 
 of complaint. 
 
 Thus perished William Boyd, a young officer of heroic virtue and of rising talents; 
 and in a manner that will touch the sympathies of all who read the story of his 
 death. His fellow soldier, and fellow sufferer, Parker, was obliged to witness this 
 moving and tragical scene, and in full expectation of passing the same ordeal. Ac- 
 cording, however, to our information, in relation to the death of these two men, 
 which has been obtained incidentally from the Indian account of it, corroborated by 
 the discovery of the two bodies by the American army, Parker was only beheaded. 
 
 The main army, immediately after hearing of the situation of Lieutenant Boyd's 
 detachment, moved towards Genesee river, and finding the bodies of those who were 
 
THE SENEGAS AT BUFFALO CREEK. 49 
 
 slain in the heroic attempt to penetrate the enemy's hne, buried them in what is 
 now the town of Groveland, near the banli of Beard's creek, under a bunch of wild 
 plum trees, where the graves are to be seen to this day. 
 
 General Sullivan for some time continued the work of devastating 
 the country of the Senecas, destroying everything necessary to the 
 maintenance of life. The Senecas were completely humbled and sub- 
 dued and fled to Niagara for succor; but the patriot forces returned 
 without proceeding to Niagara, whose capture might easily have been 
 effected. 
 
 General Sullivan's journal of his carppaign against the Senecas shows 
 that the aboriginal inhabitants of Genesee county by this time had 
 made considerable progress in the arts of peace. The majority of them 
 had left the chase and turned to agriculture, but fled upon the approach 
 of the Continental army, seeking sustenance at Niagara. In July, 1780, 
 Colonel Guy Johnson, writing to Lord Germain upon Indian affairs, 
 said: 
 
 The large body that was to be provided for at this post, during the last winter, in 
 consequence of the rebel invasion, and the destruction of many Indian towns, occa- 
 sioned much expense, and great consumption of provisions, which I have endeavored 
 as far as consistent with the service, and the Commander-in-Chief afforded his assist- 
 ance for re-establishing them, and enabling them to plant, as early as he could; to 
 promote which, as well as to forward parties, I have lately visited their new settle- 
 ments ; one on the Ohio route is increasing fast, and I have already induced about 
 twelve hundred of their people to settle and plant these places, which will lessen the 
 burden of expenses. 
 
 Buffalo Creek was on the Ohio route referred to, and here one of the 
 principal Indian settlements was located, early in the summer of 1780. 
 The Senecas who settled here were under the leadership of Siangar- 
 ochti, or Sayengaraghta, an aged sachem, known popularly as Old 
 King. The Gilbert family of fifteen persons, who were captured in 
 April, 1780, by eleven Indians, at their home in Northampton county, 
 Pa., were carried by the Senecas to Fort Niagara. Subsequently some 
 members of the family were taken to Buffalo Creek. One member of 
 the family carried to the latter place was Elizabeth Peart, wife of 
 Thomas Peart, son of the elder Mrs. Gilbert by a former husband. A 
 Seneca family had adopted her, but her child, a few months old, was 
 adopted by another family living near Fort Niagara. Early in 1781 
 the Indians at Buffalo Creek were compelled to go to Fort Niagara for 
 provisions. She accompanied them to see her child, but on arriving at 
 the fort she learned that it had been bought by a white family. Mrs. 
 
 4 
 
50 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Peart contrived to escape to Montreal with her husband and children. 
 Other members of the family were held prisoners for some time, and 
 the last of them were not released until 1783. 
 
 Buffalo Creek being deemed an advantageous point for trade, a num- 
 ber of English located there a short time after the establishment of the 
 Indian settlement. This was the first white settlement in that locality. 
 
 From this time to the close of the Revolution few events of more than 
 passing interest occurred within the limits of what afterward became 
 the original county of Genesee. During the winter and spring of 1780- 
 1781 Brant made a few unimportant forays from Niagara, but as the 
 territory in the vicinity of the fort was held by the British and their 
 Indian allies, no important results followed. The Niagara frontier was 
 quiet from this period to the close of the general hostilities; but al- 
 though peace was declared in 1783, the formal surrender of the frontier 
 did not take place until July, 1796. This facts accounts in a large 
 measure for the late development of the resources of this community 
 by the whites. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 From the Close of the Revolution to the Famous Purchase of the Holland Land 
 Company — Cession of the Sovereignty of the " Genesee Country " by Massachusetts 
 to New York — Sale of the Territory to Individuals — The Morris Purchase — The Hol- 
 land Land Company Enters the Field — Morris Extinguishes the Indian Titles to the 
 Land He Had Purchased. 
 
 The war of the Revolution, while disastrous in its effects upon most 
 sections of the country, was not without its benefits. The country west 
 of the Genesee river received a great amount of advertising as a direct 
 result of the war. A large portion of the American army, drawn from 
 other States as well as from New York, was encamped in or marched 
 through this section on frequent occasions. Before the close of the war 
 " the Genesee country " had become widely known as one of the most 
 fertile and productive tracts anywhere in that section of America which 
 had been thoroughly explored. The officers and soldiers of the patriot 
 army, most of whom resided in the New England States, learned of 
 the character of the land, mingled with the pioneers and in several in- 
 
THE SENEGAS AFTER THE REVOLUTION. 51 
 
 Stances married daughters of some of the inhabitants of the new coun- 
 try. The result was that when the war ended and they returned to 
 their homes they gave roseate accounts of the wonderful farm lands in 
 the region which had sheltered them and of the numerous other attrac- 
 tions, with the result that large numbers of the inhabitants of New 
 England began planning to found new homes in that part of New York 
 which afterward became the original county of Genesee. 
 
 With the signing of the convention commonly known as the treaty 
 of Fort Stanwix, which event took place October 32, 1784, the Indian 
 titles to all lands west of the line fixed by the treaty were extinguished, 
 and the red men were guaranteed peaceable possession of the territory 
 east of the line. An illustration of the honesty of purpose on the part 
 of the United States in its dealing with the Indians in those days is 
 found in the case which arose in 1790. In that year the great sachems, 
 Cornplanter, Half Town and Great Tree, complained to President 
 Washington that they were being ill-treated in various ways and that 
 the rights guaranteed them by the treaty of 1784 were not being ac- 
 corded them. Washington promptly assured them that they would be 
 fully protected in their rights and that the whites would be compelled 
 to observe the provisions of the compact into which they, through their 
 representatives, had entered. For some time thereafter, in accordance 
 with instructions issued by the president, the local Indians had no 
 cause of complaint, though they ultimately were compelled to relin- 
 quish control of the lands they and their forefathers had held for many 
 generations. 
 
 Soon after the peace of 1783 emigration westward began to assume 
 considerable proportions, for the fame of the Genesee country had 
 spread throughout the Union. Many of the newcomers followed Sul- 
 livan's old route as far. as the Genesee river, proceeding thence to 
 Lewiston, on the Niagara river. About 1790 or 1791 a road was opened 
 as far west as the crossing at Black Rock. From Batavia this road fol- 
 lowed the high ground on nearly the same course as the old stage road 
 to Buffalo. 
 
 In 1789 Ontario county was erected from Montgomery. The original 
 Ontario county embraced practically all the territory west of Seneca 
 lake. 
 
 In the month of April, 1791, the War Department dispatched Colonel 
 Thomas Proctor on a mission to pacify the Indians in the west, against 
 whom General St. Clair was preparing an expedition. The United 
 
53 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 States government had been led to believe that the British, who still 
 occupied the posts on the frontier, had been encouraging the Indians 
 to continue their depredations on the frontier. Colonel Proctor visited 
 the village of the chief called Cornplanter, located on the Allegany. 
 Thence he proceeded to the Cattaraugus settlement, in company with 
 Cornplanter and a number of his warriors. Continuing down the 
 beach to Buffalo Creek he made efforts to induce the Senecas to use 
 their influence to put an end to the Indian depredations in the west. 
 At this time the famous chieftain, Red Jacket, had become very influ- 
 tial, and when he learned Proctor's plans he questioned the latter's 
 authority. Proctor proved to the Indians that he had authority direct 
 from the government, and the next day Red Jacket announced that he 
 would remove the council to Fort Niagara. Proctor objected ■ to this 
 step, and a compromise was' effected by the Indians sending to Niagara 
 for Butler. Two or three days afterward Butler arrived, and on May 
 4 the sachems and leaders met him in council. When the council was 
 ended Proctor prepared for an expedition further west, and Red Jacket 
 announced that the women of his tribe had decided that the sachems 
 and warriors must aid the commission and that a number of them would 
 accompany him on his errand of peace. But the British threw obsta- 
 cles in Proctor's path, the officer in command opposite Fort Niagara 
 refusing the request of the American officer for transportation up Lake 
 Erie on a British merchant vessel, the chief having refused to make the 
 journey in an open boat. Proctor endeavored to bribe Red Jacket, but 
 the expedition finally was abandoned and May 21, after having spent 
 nearly a month at or near Buffalo, Proctor started for Pittsburg. The 
 expedition had proven a failure. 
 
 In 1794 General Anthony Wayne began his famous campaign against 
 the western Indians, completely subduing them. Two years later the 
 British surrendered Fort Niagara and other frontier posts, and the 
 Indians began to understand that their interests would be best con- 
 served by maintaining friendly relations with the victorious Americans. 
 After 1796 their attitude was such as to give the American government 
 little concern. As soon as absolute peace was thus assured, settlers 
 began flocking to the rich and productive region of country of which 
 we are writing, and whose fame had been spread throughout the length 
 and breadth of land. 
 
 Much confusion has arisen in the minds of average readers as to the 
 
THE "GENESEE COUNTRY." 53 
 
 meaning of the widely- used term, '/the Genesee country." During 
 the Revolutionary war, and as late as 1789, that part of New York State 
 west of a line drawn north from about the site of the present city of 
 Elmira was known as ' ' the Genesee country. " The lands were claimed 
 by both New York and Massachusetts, and the British forts at Niagara 
 and Oswego menaced both the claimants long after the close of the 
 Revolution. Simcoe, then governor of Upper Canada, protested against 
 the settlement of the country " during the inexecution of the treaty 
 that terminated the Revolutionary war." The British considered the 
 treaty of 1783 a mere truce, to be followed by the speedy failure of the 
 new republic and the restoration of the colonies to the mother country. 
 Beside the constant menace of the British the country abounded in un- 
 friendly Indians. So bad was the reputation of the entire section that 
 when apprentices were bound or slaves sold it was stipulated that they 
 should not be taken into the Genesee country. In 1788, five years after 
 the signing of the treaty of peace, when Oliver Phelps left his home in 
 Connecticut to go to the notorious country for the purpose of looking 
 after his great claim his friends called him a fool ; and a number of the 
 more religiously inclined among them accompanied him to the limits 
 of his town with prayers and tears. 
 
 Oliver Phelps and Daniel Gorham, the latter also of Connecticut, had 
 purchased from Massachusetts the entire tract west of "the pre-emption 
 line, " agreeing to pay $1,000,000 therefor. This was at the rate of 
 fourteen cents per acre for the seven million acres. This line ran 
 northward from the eighty-second milestone on the Pennsylvania border 
 to the shore of Lake Ontario. Massachusetts had ceded to New York 
 all political jurisdiction to the territory west of this line, reserving the 
 right of pre-emption. In 1788 Phelps held a council with the repre- 
 sentatives of the Six Nations on the site of the present village of Can- 
 andaigua, purchasing their right to two million five hundred thousand 
 acres in this tract, the Massachusetts title to which already -had been 
 invested in himself and Gorham. He then opened, at what is now Can- 
 andaigua, the first land office in America for the sale of virgin lands to 
 actual settlers. /But later on these partners in this gigantic speculation 
 met with financial reverses and were obliged to surrender all of the 
 tract the Indian title to which had not been extinguished, and the major 
 portion of it afterward was purchased by the Holland Land company/ 
 
 It will thus be seen that the original " Genesee country " was a term 
 which included not only the tract eventually known by that name, but 
 
54 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 also the Holland tract and other tracts. What was finally known as 
 "the Geneseecountry,"after the failure of Phelps and Gorham, embraced 
 an area of two million two hundred thousand acres. It was bounded on 
 the east by the pre-emption line, and on the west by a line drawn through 
 the "Big Elm" at the junction of the Canaseraga creek with the Gen- 
 esee river, near the present village of Mount Morris This line met 
 the Pennsylvania line at the south. Two miles north of Canandaigua 
 now Avon, it turned westward at a right angle, and then followed the 
 course of the Genesee river to Lake Ontario, a distance of twelve miles. 
 
 When the war of the Revolution had been brought to a close and the 
 independence of the colonies had been established, a serious dispute 
 arose between the State of New York and the Commonwealth of Mas- 
 sachusetts regarding the territory now comprised in Western New 
 York. Massachusetts claimed the title to this land by virtue of a grant 
 by King James I to the Plymouth Company, made November 3, 1620. 
 New York laid claim to it by virtue of the grant from Charles I to the 
 Duke of York, dated March 13, 1664, and the voluntary submission of 
 the Iroquois nations to the British crown in 1684.' 
 
 At a convention held at Hartford, Conn., December 16, 1786, at 
 
 1 James I, King of Great Britain, in the year 1620, granted to the Plymouth Company, a tract 
 of country denominated New England ; this tract extended several degrees of latitude north and 
 south, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean east and west. A charter for the government 
 of a portion of this territory, granted by Charles I, in 1628, was vacated in "1684, but a second 
 charter was granted by William and Mary in 1691. The territory comprised in this second charter 
 extended on the Atlantic ocean from north latitude 43 degrees 2 minutes to 44 degrees 15 minutes, 
 and from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean. Charles I, in 1663, granted to the Duke of York and 
 Albany, the province of New York, including the present State of New Jersey. -The tract thus 
 granted extended from a line twenty miles east of the Hudson river, westward rather indef- 
 initely, and from the Atlantic ocean north to the south line of Canada, then a French i^'ovince. 
 By this collision of description, each of these colonies (afterwards states), laid claim to the juris- 
 diction as well as to the pre-emption right of the same land, being a tract sufficiently large to 
 form several states. The State of New York,' however, in 1781, and Massachusetts, in 1785 ceded 
 to the United States all their rights, either of jurisdiction or proprietorship, to all the territory 
 lying west of a meridian line run south from the westerly bend of Lake Ontario. Although the 
 nominal amount in controversy, by these acts, w^s much diminished, it still left some nineteen 
 thousand square miles of territory in dispute, but this controversy was finally settled by a con- 
 vention of Commissioners appointed by the parties, held at Hartford, Conn., on the 16th day of 
 December, 1786. According to the stipulations entered into by the convention, Massachusetts 
 ceded to the State of New York all her claim to the government, sovereignty and jurisdiction of 
 all the territory lying west of the present east line of the State of New York; and New York ceded 
 to Massachusetts the pre-emption right, or fee of the land subject to the title of the natives, of all 
 that part of the State of New York lying west of a line, beginning at a point in the north line of 
 Pennsylvania, 82 miles north of the northeast corner of said State, and running from thence due 
 north through Seneca lake, to Lake Ontario; exceptmg and reserving to the State of New York 
 a strip of land east of and adjoining the eastern bank of the Niagara river, one mile wide, and 
 extending its whole length. The land, the pre-emption right of which was thus ceded amounted 
 to about six millions of acres.— Turner's History of the Holland Purchase. Page 325. 
 
PHELPS AND GORHAM. 55 
 
 which the States of New York and Massachusetts were represented by 
 commissioners, the conflicting claims of the two States to that portion 
 of what is now New York lying west of a line drawn northwardly from 
 the eighty-second milestone on the Pennsylvania line to Lake Ontario, 
 excepting a strip one mile wide the length of the Niagara river on its 
 east side, had been adjusted to the satisfaction of both parties to the 
 contract. Massachusetts had ceded to New York complete jurisdiction 
 over the land, and New York had yielded to Massachusetts the pre- 
 emption or proprietary right. In other words the State of Massachu- 
 setts as an individual, held the proprietary title to lands in New York 
 State. The tract in question contained about six million acres. 
 
 In April, 1788, Massachusetts contracted to sell to Oliver Phelps of 
 Granville, Hampshire county, Mass., and Nathaniel Gorham of Charles- 
 town, Mass., their pre emption right to all the lands in Western New 
 York, for the sum of one million dollars, to be paid in three annual 
 installments. This was at the rate of about seventeen cents per acre. 
 The contract required that the payment should be made in a kind of 
 scrip known as "consolidated securities," at that time much below par; 
 but a rise to par prevented them from fulfilling the terms of their 
 agreement. 
 
 In July, 1788, Phelps and Gorham purchased of the Indians, at a 
 convention held at Buffalo, the Indian title to about 3,600,000 acres of 
 the eastern part of their purchase from Massachusetts. This purchase 
 was bounded west by a line beginning at a point in the northern bound- 
 ary of Pennsylvania due south of the point made by the confluence of 
 the Canaseraga creek with the Genesee river, running thence exactly 
 north to the junction of these two streams, thence northwardly along 
 the waters of the Genesee river to a point two miles north of Cana- 
 wagus village, thence running due west twelve miles, thence running 
 northwardly to a point on the south shore of Lake Ontario twelve miles 
 west of the Genesee river. November 21, 1788, the State of Massa- 
 chusetts conveyed to Phelps and Gorham all the right and title to this 
 tract, the latter having extinguished the Indian title. These lands in- 
 cluded most of the territory comprised within the limits of the present 
 counties of Allegany, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Schuyler, Steuben, 
 Wayne and Yates. 
 
 As soon as practicable this tract was surveyed into townships about 
 six miles square, and these townships subdivided into lots, many of 
 which were soon sold to white settlers. 
 
56 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 May 11, 1791, the State of Massachusetts sold to Samuel Ogden, as 
 the representative of Robert Morris, all the balance of its land except- 
 ing that which Phelps and Gorham had retained. This included about 
 3,750,000 acres which the latter had been compelled to reconvey to the 
 State, finding themselves unable to pay for the same. 
 
 Oliver Phelps was a native of Windsor, Conn. He served through 
 the Revolutionary war, during which he became acquainted with Rob- 
 ert Morris. In 1802 he removed to Canandaigua, remaining there un- 
 til his death in 1809. He became first judge of Ontario county, and 
 also served as a member of Congress from his district. His son, Leices- 
 ter Phelps, assumed the name of Oliver Leicester Phelps after his 
 graduation from Yale college. The latter died in 1813. He was the 
 father of the late Judge Oliver Phelps of Canandaigua. Nathaniel 
 Gorham, the partner of Mr. Phelps, was a citizen of Boston, Mass., but 
 never resided upon his purchase. His son, Nathaniel Gorham, became 
 an early resident of Canandaigua, where he died in 1826. 
 
 Robert Morris, who lived in Philadelphia, was the great patriot and 
 financier, who had been Superintendent of Finance for the Revolution- 
 ary government, and his hand had guided that government in safety 
 through the pecuniary perils which had beset and almost wrecked it. 
 ,j This great tract of land, known in history as the " Morris Purchase," 
 I became the original county of Genesee." The east line of the Morris 
 Purchase commenced upon the Pennsylvania line 44. 78 miles west of 
 the pre-emption line and ran due north to an elm tree and the forks of 
 the Genesee river and Canaseraga creek, thence northerly along that 
 river to a point two miles north of the Canawagus village, thence due 
 west twelve miles, thence north twenty-four degrees east to Lake On- 
 tario. Soon after his purchase, Morris made a treaty or contract with 
 the Indians residing on the territory he had acquired in which they 
 agreed to relinquish their title to all the land in question excepting a 
 few reservations of moderate area.^ 
 
 ■ The English translation o£ the Indian name Genesee is " The Beautiful Valley." 
 2 The tracts reserved by the Indians were the Canawagus Re.servation of two square miles, 
 on the Genesee river west of Avon ; Little Beard's and Big Tree Reservations of four square 
 miles, on the Genesee opposite Geneseo ; Squakie Hill Reservation of two square miles, on the 
 Genesee north of Mount Morris ; Gardeau Reservation of twenty-eight square miles, on both 
 sides of the Genesee, in Castilp and Mount Morris ; the Caneadea Reservation of six square miles, 
 on both sides of the Genesee in Allegany county ; the Oil Spring Reservation of one square mile, 
 on the line between Cattaraugus and Allegany counties ; the Allegany Reservation of forty-two 
 square miles, on both sides of the Allegany river, extending north from the Pennsylvania line ; 
 the Cattaraugus Reservation of forty-two square miles, on both sides of the mouth of Cattaraugus 
 creek ; the Buffalo Reservation of one hundred and thirty square miles, on both sides of Buffalo 
 
MARY JEMISON. 57 
 
 The Gardeau Reservation, which lay partly in the town of Castile, in 
 the southeastern corner of Wyoming county, formerly a part of the 
 original Genesee county, was a tract of ten thousand acres which the 
 Indians conferred upon Mary Jemison, the historic "white woman," 
 who resided upon it until her decease, at a very advanced age, in Sep- 
 tember, 1833. 
 
 Mary Jemison was a remarkable woman. She was born at sea, of 
 Irish parents, during their passage to America in 1743 or 1743. Her 
 parents settled upon what at that time was the frontier of Pennsyl- 
 vania. One of her uncles was a member of Washington's command, 
 and fell at Braddock's defeat. In the spring of 1755 Mary, her parents, 
 two brothers and several other inmates of the house in which she was 
 residing were made prisoners by a party of six Seneca Indians and four 
 Frenchmen. They were taken to the woods, where every member of 
 the captured party except Mary was murdered. She was exposed to 
 all the hardships and privations of a prisoner until her arrival at a 
 Seneca town, where she was adopted as a daughter into an Indian 
 family. She was treated with kindness, but laid plans for escape ; these 
 being frustrated she finally resigned herself entirely to the Indian life 
 and customs. Soon she fell in love with a young Delaware Indian, and 
 married him, becoming the mother of children. 
 
 Her Delaware husband dying, at about the beginning of the Revo- 
 lution, she married a chief of the Senecas, residing in the Genesee valley. 
 Her new husband was one of the most bloodthirsty members of that 
 warlike tribe, but was ever kind to his spouse. Through all her career 
 among the savages she retained her family name, Jemison, and gen- 
 erally spoke the English language; but although her parents had given 
 her careful religious instruction, she embraced the religion of the sav- 
 ages and became thoroughly Indianized — adopting and becoming 
 enamored of all their manners, habits and customs. 
 
 Her life was full of incident, with many wild adventures. She was 
 always held in the most exalted esteem by the Indians, as was evinced 
 by the grant of the Gardeau tract, a fertile section upon which she re- 
 sided until a few years before her death, which occurred on the Buffalo 
 Creek Reservation. In obtaining this grant, or reservation, she showed 
 all the cunning of her adopted people. Thomas Morris, who conducted 
 
 creek ; the Tonawanda Reservation o£ seventy square miles on both sides of Tonawanda creek, 
 mostly in Genesee county ; and the Tuscarora Reservation of one square mile, three miles east 
 of Lewiston, Niagara county. Portions of some of these reservations are still held and occupied 
 by descendants of the original Indian owners. 
 
58 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 the treaty for his father, is reported as having said that when a request 
 for a reservation for the " white woman " was made to him, he supposed 
 that the petitioning Indians meant only a farm of two hundred or three 
 acres ; but the woman herself, by artfully indicating certain bounds 
 with which he was not familiar, overreached him and obtained a tract 
 of ten thousand acres, including the whole of what was known as the 
 Gardeau iiats and the romantic walls of rock and hill within which they 
 are sequestered. 
 
 During the Revolution the house of Mary Jemison frequently shel- 
 tered Brant and Butler when making their invasions upon the frontier. 
 In 1775 she attended the treaty of Genesee flats, held by General 
 Schuyler. In 1833 the story of her romantic life, as told by her, was 
 taken down in writing, and was full of incident and adventure. Many 
 of her experiences were very thrilling, and some most pathetic. She 
 never would consent to cast ofiF her Indian costume, even after her 
 home had become completely surrounded by the increasing white pop- 
 ulation, but to the end of her life she adhered with great tenacity to all 
 her Indian customs. She was wealthy and her thousands of acres 
 were worked by tenants. One of her sons became a physician and ob- 
 tained a surgeon's commission in the United States navy. Though a 
 woman of unusually marked peculiarities Mary Jemison was humane 
 and benevolent, and her influence, particularly in her latter days, was 
 always ^employed for the accomplishment of good, principally among 
 the members of the fast decaying Indian tribes residing in Western 
 New York. 
 
 In the summer of 1789, the year after the purchase of Western New 
 York by Phelps & Gorham, Oliver Phelps left Granville, Mass. , with 
 men and means for the purpose of exploring and surveying this exten- 
 sive territory. The wilderness was penetrated as far as Canandaigua, 
 then considered on the frontier of civilization. By the assistance of the 
 Rev. Mr. Kirkland, the missionary among the Six Nations, and a com- 
 missioner on behalf of Massachusetts, Mr. Phelps succeeded in collect- 
 ing the chiefs and warriors of those tribes whose warlike spirit still 
 rankled, on account of the chastisement inflicted by Sullivan's expedi- 
 tion. This conference with the Indians was held on a beautiful eleva- 
 tion overlooking Canandaigua lake. 
 
 Two days had passed away in negotiation with the Indians for a cession of their 
 lands. The contract was supposed to be nearly completed, when Red Jacket arose. 
 With the grace and dignity of a Roman senator he drew his blanket around him, 
 
SALE OF THE MORRIS PURCHASE. 59 
 
 and with a piercing eye surveyed the multitude. All was hushed. Nothing inter- 
 posed to break the silence save the rustling of the tree-tops, under whose shade they 
 were gathered. After a long and solemn, biit not unmeaning pause, he commenced 
 his speech in a low voice and sententious style. Rising gradually with his subject, 
 he depicted the primitive simplicity and happiness of his nation, and the wrongs 
 they had sustained from the usurpations of the white man, with such a bold but 
 faithful pencil that the Indian auditors were soon roused to vengeance or melted into 
 tears. 
 
 The effect was inexpressible. But, ere the emotions of admiration or sympathy 
 had subsided, the white men became alarmed. They were in the heart of an Indian 
 country, surrounded by more than ten times their number, who were inflamed by 
 the remembrance of their injuries, and excited to indignation by the eloquence of a 
 favorite chief. Appalled and terrified, the white men cast a cheerless gaze upon the 
 hordes around them. A nod from the chiefs might be the onset of destruction. At 
 that portentous moment. Farmer's Brother interposed. He replied not to his brother 
 chief; but, with the sagacity truly aboriginal, he caused a cessation of the council, 
 introduced good cheer, commended the eloquence of Red Jacket, and, before the 
 meeting had reassembled, with the aid of other prudent chiefs, he had moderated 
 the fury of his nation to a more salutary review of the question before them.' 
 
 The Revolution resulted in the financial ruin of Robert Morris, and 
 soon after making his great purchase, a speculation in which he hoped 
 partially to retrieve his fortunes, he was compelled to part with his land. 
 In 1792 and 1793 he disposed of most of his holdings to representatives 
 of men in Holland who afterwards became known as the Holland Land 
 Company. The property was conveyed by four separate deeds. De- 
 cember 24, 1793, he deeded one and one-half million acres to Herman 
 Le Roy and John Linklaen. February 27, 1793, he deeded one million 
 acres to Herman Le Roy, John Linklaen and Gerrit Boon. July 20; 
 1793, he deeded eight hundred thousand acres to the last named per- 
 sons ; and on the same day deeded three hundred thousand acres to 
 Herman Le Roy, William Bayard and Matthew Clarkson. 
 
 These tracts were purchased with money furnished by a number of 
 capitalists residing in Holland and held in trust for their benefit, the 
 laws of the State forbidding aliens to purchase and hold real estate in 
 their own names. The State Legislature finally sanctioned transfers 
 of portions of the land, and the entire tract was conveyed by the trus- 
 tees by three separate deeds to the individuals composing three separ- 
 ate branches of the Holland Land Company. Although these deeds of 
 conveyance were given to three 'distinct companies of proprietors, their 
 interests were very closely blended, several of the persons having large 
 interests in each of the three different estates. They appointed one 
 
 ' Barber and Howe's "Historical Collections of the State of New York." 
 
60 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 general agent for the whole, who conducted the concerns of the tract 
 generally as though it all belonged to the same proprietors, making no 
 distinction which operated in the least on the settlers and purchasers. 
 
 The tracts thus sold by Robert Morris became famous as the "Hol- 
 land Purchase." This sale was made before the Indian title to the land 
 was extinguished, accompanied by an agreement on the part of Morris 
 to extinguish that title, with the assistance of the company, as soon as 
 practicable. 
 
 The Holland Purchase comprised about seven-eighths of the entire 
 Morris Purchase, Robert Morris reserving to himself a strip of an aver- 
 age width of twelve miles, lying between the Phelps and Gorham Pur- 
 chase and the Holland Purchase, and known as the Morris Reserve. 
 The line forming the division between the Holland Purchase and the 
 Morris Reserve commenced upon the Pennsylvania line twelve miles 
 west of the west line of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase, and from 
 thence ran due north to near the center of the present town of Staf- 
 ford, Genesee county; thence due west 2.07875 miles thence due north 
 to Lake Ontario. This line is known as the " Transit Line," from its 
 being run by a transit, then used for the first time in making surveys. 
 
 The Morris Reserve subsequently was disposed of in several large 
 tracts to different purchasers. A tract containing 87,000 acres, lying 
 immediately west of Phelps & Gorham's "mill yard," was sold to Le 
 Roy, Bayard & McEvers, and is known as the Triangular Tract. The 
 Connecticut Tract lies immediately west of the Triangle, and contains 
 100,000 acres. It was purchased by the State of Connecticut and Sir 
 William Pultney and was divided between them. The Cragie Tract, 
 containing 50,000 acres, joins the Connecticut Tract on the south, and 
 immediately east is the Forty Thousand Acre Tract. South of these 
 are successively the Ogden Tract of 50,000 acres; the Cottinger Tract 
 of 50,000 acres; the Sterritt Tract of 150,000 acres; and the Church 
 Tract of 100,000 acres. A tract joining the Forty Thousand Acre 
 Tract on the south is known as Morris's Honorary Creditors' Tract and 
 contains 58,570 acres. Of these tracts the Connecticut and Cragie 
 Tracts, with the Holland Purchase, occupied all of what is now Gen- 
 esee county. 
 
 Soon after the purchase made by the Holland company, a colony con- 
 sisting of about seventy German families was sent over from Hamburg 
 to settle on the land acquired; but having lived in large towns these 
 immigrants were unaccustomed to the hard labor necessary to the clear- 
 
APPLICATION OF MORRIS FOR A TREATY. 61 
 
 ing up and early development of a new country, and rioting followed 
 the first attempt at settlement. After this the company opened an 
 office for the sale of its lands, which were disposed of in this way for 
 many years. 
 
 Immediately after the title had been obtained by the individuals or 
 the associations of individuals referred to, in the foregoing, steps were 
 taken to extinguish the Indian titles and to survey the tract. 
 
 Though Robert Morris desired a speedy settlement of his transactions 
 with the Hollanders, it was not until 1796 that he requested President 
 Washington to order a treaty and appoint a commissioner to represent 
 the United States. Morris's delay in making this application was due 
 entirely to motives of public consideration. His letter was as follows: 
 
 Philadelphia, August 25, 1796. 
 
 Sir — In the year 1791 I purchased from the State of Massachusetts a tract of coun- 
 try lying within the boundaries of the State of New York, which had been ceded by 
 the latter to the former State, under the sanction and with the concurrence of the 
 Congress of the United States. This tract of land is bounded to the east by the 
 Genesee river, to the north by Lake Ontario, to the west partly by Lake Erie and 
 partly by the boundary line of the Pennsylvania triangle, and to the south by the 
 north boundary line of the State of Pennsylvania. A printed brief of the title I take 
 the liberty to transmit herewith. To perfect this title it is necessary to purchase of 
 the Seneca nation of Indians their native right, which I should have done soon after 
 the purchase was made of the State of Massachusetts, but that I felt rnyself restrained 
 from doing so by motives of public consideration. The war between the western 
 Indian nations and the United States did not extend to the Six Nations, of which 
 the Seneca Nation is one ; and, as I apprehended that, if this nation should sell its 
 rights during the existence of that war, they might the more readily be induced to 
 join the enemies of our country, I was determined not to make the purchase whilst 
 the war lasted. 
 
 When peace was made with the Indian nations I turned my thoughts toward the 
 purchase, which is to me an object very interesting ; but upon it being represented 
 that a little longer patience, until the Western posts should be delivered up by the 
 British government, might be public utility, I concluded to wait for that event also, 
 which is now happily accomplished, and there seems no obstacle to restrain me from 
 making the purchase, especially as I have reason to believe the Indians are desirous 
 of making the sale, 
 
 The delays which have already taken place and that arose solely from the con- 
 siderations above mentioned, have been extremely detrimental to my private affairs ; 
 but, still being desirous to comply with formalities prescribed by certain laws of the 
 United States, although these laws probably do not reach my case, I now make ap- 
 plication to the President of the United States and request that he will nominate and 
 appoint a commissioner to be present and preside at a treaty, which he will be 
 pleased to authorize to be held with the Seneca nation, for the purpose of enabling 
 me to make a purchase in conformity with the formalities required by law, of the 
 
62 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 tract of country for which I have already paid a very large sum of money. My right 
 to pre-emption is unequivocal, and the land is become so necessary to the growing 
 population and surrounding settlements that it is with difficulty that the white people 
 can be restrained from squattering or settling down upon these lands, which if they 
 should do, it may probably bring on contentions with the Six Nations. This will be 
 prevented by a timely, fair, and honorable purchase. This proposed treaty ought 
 to be held immediately before the hunting season, or another year will be lost, as the 
 Indians cannot be collected during that season. The loss of another year, under the 
 payments thus made for these lands, would be ruinous to my affairs ; and as I have 
 paid so great deference to public considerations whilst they did exist, I expect and 
 hope that my request will be readily granted now, when there can be no cause for 
 delay, especially if the Indians are willing to sell, which will be tested by the offer 
 to buy. 
 
 With the most perfect esteem and respect, I am, sir, your most obedient and most 
 humble servant, Robert Morris. 
 
 George Washington, Esq. , President of the United States. 
 
 In accordance with Morris's request Washington designated Isaac 
 Smith, a member of Congress from New Jersey, as commissioner. But 
 Mr. Smith subsequently having been appointed a judge of the Supreme 
 Court of New Jersey, he declined the appointment, and Colonel Jere- 
 miah Wadsworth, who had been a member of Congress from Connecti- 
 cut, was named in his place. Morris being unable personally to par- 
 ticipate in the convention, he appointed his son Thomas and Captain 
 Charles Williamson as his attorneys; but the latter declined to act, on 
 account of pressing private business, and the entire responsibility for 
 conducting the difficult negotiations devolved upon the younger Morris. 
 
 It was decided to hold the convention at Big Tree, near the site of 
 the present village of Geneseo. Thomas Morris entertained the prin- 
 cipal persons participating in the treaty, and caused a large council 
 house to be erected.' Late in the month of August the Indians began 
 to arrive at Big Tree. Of the fifty-two who signed the treaty, many 
 were foremost sachems. The leaders of the Senecas included such 
 noted chief tains as Young King, chief warrior. Red Jacket, Cornplanter, 
 Handsome Lake, the Prophet, Farmer's Brother, Little Billy, Pollard, 
 the Infant, Little Beard, Destroy Town and Blacksnake. There were 
 
 ' In Doty's History of Livingston county it is asserted that the Indian village of Big Tree was 
 west of the Genesee river, but that the historic big tree itself rose from the eastern bank of the 
 river. Some historians claim that the village was east of the river. Both are correct, as the vil- 
 lage was moved ; but it was west of the Genesee at the time of the treaty. Not only does it ap- 
 pear so on the first map of the region made from actual surveys, but in the treaty as agreed upon 
 it was stated that the reservation of Big Tree should embrace the village. EUicott's map of 1804 
 shows the reservation to be west of the river. The village was moved in 1805, and on the map 
 showing the Phelps and Gorham Purchase in 1806, Big Tree village is located on the east of the 
 Genesee. In all probability the council house erected by Thomas Morris stood on the east bank. 
 
EXTINGUISHMENT OF INDIAN TITLE. 63 
 
 two Indians known to the whites as Big Tree. Ga-on-dah-go-waah, some- 
 times called Great Tree, was a full-blooded Seneca of the Hawk clan 
 and for many years resided at Big Tree village. July 8, 1788, when 
 Phelps and Gorham made their purchase, he attended the Buffalo treaty. 
 In 1790 he went to Philadelphia with Cornplanter and Half Town to 
 protest against what they deemed unjust treatment on the part of 
 Phelps and his associates. In 1793 he went there again in company 
 with Red Jacket and died in that city in April of that year. His daugh- 
 ter had a son whose father was a Niagara trader named Pollard. He 
 became a famous chief, named Ga-on-do-wan-na, and was also known 
 as Big Tree. He was one of the signers of the Big Tree treaty. He 
 was almost the equal of Red Jacket as an orator, but had a finer char- 
 acter, becoming one of the noblest of the Senecas, especially after the 
 death of the famous Cornplanter. He was one of the first Indians at 
 the Buffalo Creek Reservation to become a convert to Christianity, and 
 after his conversion his life was pure and beneficent. He was known 
 by many as Colonel John Pollard. His death occurred on the Buffalo 
 Creek Reservation April 10, 1841, and his body was interred in the old 
 Mission cemetery. 
 
 August 23 Thomas Morris reached the Genesee valley. The com- 
 missioners arrived four days later. Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth rep- 
 resenting the United States and General William Shepherd appearing 
 for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Among the others who were 
 there were Captain Israel Chapin, who had succeeded his father, Gen- 
 eral Israel Chapin, as superintendent of Indian affairs; James Rees, 
 later of Geneva, who acted as secretary to the commission ; William 
 Bayard of New York, the agent of the Holland Land Company; two 
 young Hollanders named Van Staphorst, relatives of the Van Stap- 
 horst who was one of the members of the Holland Land Company; 
 Nathaniel W. Howell, Horatio Jones and Jasper Parrish. 
 
 At one o'clock on the afternoon of August 38, 1797, the council was 
 formally opened. The first to speak was Cornplanter. The two com- 
 missioners then presented their credentials and addressed the council, 
 assuring the Indians that no injustice should be done them, but that 
 their interests would be fully protected. Young Morris then informed 
 the Indians of his father's desire, and concluded by offering the sum of 
 $100,000 for the entire tract, allowing the Senecas to retain such reser- 
 vations as might be needed for their actual occupation. 
 
 In order to give the Indians time f'or deliberation, the council was 
 
64 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 then adjourned. Upon reassembling Farmer's Brother replied to the 
 propositions made by Morris, stating that the Indians had various ob- 
 jections to selling. Morris answered the arguments advanced, and 
 another adjournment was taken. Upon reconvening, the famous Red 
 Jacket arose to announce the determination of his people. At the 
 previous session Morris had thoughtlessly remarked, in referring to the 
 small value of the lands while remaining in the natural and unproduc- 
 tive state, that their only value while in that condition arose from the 
 consciousness of their ownership that the Indians felt. In the famous 
 speech now delivered by Red Jacket he admitted the truth of the re- 
 mark, but added : 
 
 That knowledge is everything to us. It raises us in our own estimation. It creates 
 in our bbsoms a proud feeling which elevates us to a nation. Observe the difference 
 between the estimation in which a Seneca is held and that of an Oneida. We are 
 courted, while the Oneidas are considered a degraded people, fit only to make brooms 
 and baskets. Why this difference ? It is because the Senecas are known as the pro- 
 prietors of a broad domain, while the Oneidas are cooped up ill a narrow space. 
 
 For two weeks the question was discussed in all its aspects. The 
 Indians not yet agreeing to sell, the commissioners exhibited impa- 
 tience and urged upon young Morris the wisdom of more vigorous 
 action. The latter protested, insisting that he knew the Indian char- 
 acteristics better than his advisers ; but so strongly did the commission- 
 ers insist that at the next session Morris pronounced an emphatic neg- 
 ative to the proposition of the chiefs, declaring that if they had nothing 
 better to offer the council might as well end. Springing to his feet 
 Red Jacket exclaimed : 
 
 You now have arrived at the point to which I wished to bring you. You told us 
 in your first address that, even in the event of our not agreeing, we would part as 
 friends. Here, then, is my hand. I now cover up the council fire. 
 
 This decision was received with great applause, and to all appear- 
 ances the council was ended. The commissioners, realizing how un- 
 fortunate had been the results of their interference, now begged Morris 
 to endeavor to rekindle the council fire. The latter acted promptly 
 and with great sagacity. Approaching Farmer's Brother he declared 
 that, according to the Indian custom, the council fire could be put out 
 by none other than by him who had kindled it; that Red Jacket had 
 exceeded his authority, and that the council fire was still burning. The 
 force of Morris's argument was admitted. The latter then called the 
 Seneca women together, distributed handsome presents among them 
 and argued with them in favor of the proposed transfer of the lands. 
 
THE HOLLAND LAND COMPANY. 65 
 
 According to the Indian laws the lands belonged to the warriors who 
 fought for them and the women who cultivated them. While the treaties 
 generally were negotiated by the sachems, the warriors and the women 
 held the right to interfere when the question involved was the sale of 
 land. Morris knew this, hence his diplomatic dealings with the women 
 of the nation present. As the result of his efforts, the women here ex- 
 ercised their inherent right and the council reassembled. Cornplanter, 
 the principal war chief, superseded Red Jacket and conducted the 
 negotiations for the Indians. After a comparatively brief conference 
 the Indians decided to accept the offer made by Morris, and September 
 15, 1797, the treaty was signed. By its provisions all the land now 
 embraced within the counties of Allegany, Wyoming, Genesee, Erie, 
 Cattaraugus and Chautauqua was sold to Robert Morris,' amount paid 
 therefor to be invested in the stock of the bank of the United States 
 and held in the name of the president for the benefit of the Indians. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The Holland Land Company and Its Representatives in America — Joseph EUicott, 
 the First Agent on the Purchase, and His Operations— Old Indian Trails — Taxpayers 
 in Genesee County in 1800— Sketch of Joseph EUicott. 
 
 The main office of the Holland Land Company was located at Phila- 
 delphia, and the members of the company were Wilhelm Willink, Jan 
 Willink, Nicholas Van Staphorst, Jacob Van Staphorst, Nicholas Hub- 
 bard, Pieter Van Eeghen, Christian Van Eeghen, Isaac Ten Cote, Hen- 
 drick Vallenhoven, Christina Coster, Jan Stadmitski and Rutger J. 
 Schimmelpennick. Theophilus Cazenove, the first general agent of the 
 company, took charge of all the business relating to the company from 
 the time of the first purchase of the lands until 1799. Upon his retire- 
 
 ' Certain modern writers who have investigated the subject have produced what appears to 
 be documentary evidence that Morris and the representatives of the Holland Land Company 
 were compelled secretly to bribe the Seneca warriors to induce them to consent to the sale of 
 their lands. It is said that Cornplanter received an annuity of two hundred and fifty dollars as 
 long as he lived as his share of the bribe, while Red Jacket, Young King and Little Billy received 
 one hundred dollars per annum. Robert Morris himself evidently expected that the Indians 
 would have to be bribed, for in his letter of instructions he said: "Annuities of $20 to $60 may be 
 given to influential chiefs, and to the highest chiefs $2.50 to $.300. Some dollars may be promised 
 before the treaty and paid when finished, to the amount of $500 or $600, or, if necessary $1,000." 
 5 
 
66 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 ment Paul Busti succeeded to the management, remaining in charge 
 until 1834, a period of a quarter of a century. He in turn was suc- 
 ceeded by John J. Vander Kemp, who remained in control until the 
 final settlement of the affairs of the company. 
 
 Joseph EUicott, an eminent surveyor, was employed by the famous 
 Holland Company to survey their lands and manage the sale of them, 
 his engagement with them dating from July, 1797. He at once took 
 charge of the surveys of these lands, completing them in a little less 
 than a dozen years. Surveying began on a big scale in 1798, after 
 elaborate and extensive preparations. Besides Mr. Ellicott there were 
 eleven surveyors, each of whom was provided with a corps of assist- 
 ants." A part of this force, under the leadership of John Thompson, 
 proceeded westward over the usual route to Buffalo, where a portion 
 of their outfit was left for use on the western part of the purchase. 
 The remainder was taken to Williamsburg, on Genesee river, where a 
 storehouse for the use of the surveyors had been built. At the start 
 these two points were the principal depots for the surveyors ; but before 
 the end of the year Mr. Ellicott, who had personally surveyed the Tran- 
 sit Line, made the principal headquarters at the point on that line 
 known as the Transit storehouse. The Transit Line extended from 
 Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario, forming the basis for the future surveys 
 and divisions of the territory. These surveys were continued until 
 the whole territory was divided into ranges and townships. The ranges 
 were numbered from east to west and the townships from south to 
 north. 
 
 The first plan of the agent of the company was to divide each 
 township, which was six miles square, into sixteen portions, one 
 and a half miles square, to be called sections, and to subdivide 
 each section into twelve lots, each lot to be three-quarters of a mile 
 long (generally north and south) and one-quarter of a mile wide, con- 
 taining about one hundred and twenty acres each. It was presumed 
 that many wealthy farmers would purchase one section each, while 
 those possessed of moderate capital would content themselves with the 
 smaller farms. The surveys of twenty-four townships were begun in 
 
 ' The principal surveyors engaged during the active season o£ 1T98, in township, meridian 
 line and reservation surveys, and in lake and river traverses, were as follows; Joseph and Benja- 
 min Ellicott, John Thompson, Richard M. Stoddard, George Burgess, James Dewey, David Elli- 
 cott, Aaron Oakford, jr., Augustus Porter, Seth Pease, James Smedley, William Shepherd, 
 George Eggleston. In addition to these were two Frenchmen, Messrs. Haudecaur and Autrechy, 
 who were employed in some surveys of Niagara river and the falls. The last were rather en- 
 gineers than surveyors.— Turner's History of the Holland Purchase, page 406. 
 
THE HOLLAND LAND COMPANY. 67 
 
 conformity to this plan, although the surveyors departed from the uni- 
 formity of the size and shape of the lots where large streams like the 
 Tonawanda creek, running through townships, were made convenient 
 boundaries of lots. 
 
 From experience, however, it was ascertained that, in the purchase of land, each 
 individual, whether father, sou or son-in-law, would locate himself according to his 
 own choice or fancy. That this formal and regular division of land into farms, sel- 
 dom was found to be in conformity to the topography of the country, nor to the dif- 
 ferent requirements as to quantity, likewise th^t the addition of sections to townships 
 and lots, rendered the descriptions of farms more complex, and increased the liability 
 to err in defining any particular- location ; for which reasons, the practice of dividing 
 townships into sections was abandoned, and thereafter, the townships were simply 
 divided into lots of about sixty chains or three-fourths of a mile square, which could 
 be divided into farms to suit the topography of the land and quantity required by the 
 purchasers. In those townships in which the surveys had been commenced to divide 
 them into sections, and not completed, the remaining sections were divided into four 
 lots only of three-fourths of a mile square each. These lots consequently contained 
 about three hundred and sixty acres each, but could not be laid off exactly uniform 
 in shape and area.' 
 
 When the survey of the Holland Purchase began in the spring of 
 1798, all travel westward to, Buffalo was along the ancient Indian trail. 
 During the preceding winter, however, the State Legislature had ap- 
 pointed Charles Williamson a commissioner to lay out and open a State 
 road from the Genesee river to Buffalo Creek and to Lewiston. The 
 Holland Company subscribed $5,000 toward defraying the expense of 
 constructing this road. Mr. Williamson began his task in the summer 
 of 1798, following the Indian trails as closely as possible. Mr. Ellicott, 
 with the aid of a party of Senecas, opened the iirst wagon road early in 
 the season as a preliminary to the work of the survey, improving the 
 trail from the East Transit to Buffalo Creek to an extent that made it 
 passable for wagons. The construction of this road was undertaken 
 thus early for the purpose of providing a good highway to those who 
 might settle on the lands of the company. That the managers of the 
 company's business appreciated the value of such a road is evident 
 from the following extract of a letter from Paul Busti, who in 1799 
 succeeded Theophilus Cazenove as agent of the company, to Mr. Elli- 
 cott, dated August 15, 1800: 
 
 The opening of communication through the country, is a matter deemed of such 
 importance, that it will not escape your attention, and that the application of money 
 for that purpose has been appropriated on a much larger scale than you thought 
 
 • Turner's History of the Holland Purchase, page 405. 
 
68 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 necessary. By extending the amount of expenditures on that head, I mean to 
 evince to you how much I am persuaded of the usefulness of having practicable 
 roads cut out. You will have to take care that the roads to be laid out at present, 
 are to be cut in such a direction as to become of general advantage to the whole 
 country. 
 
 The old Indian trail, on which the principal part of this road was 
 built, crossed the Genesee at Avon, passed thence through Batavia and 
 down the north side of Tonawanda creek, entering Erie county at the 
 Tonawanda Indian village; from there it crossed the site of Akron, 
 passed through Clarence Hollow and Williamsville to Cold Spring, and 
 thence followed nearly on the line of Main street, in Buffalo, to the 
 creek. A branch continued to Black Rock, where the river was crossed. 
 Another branch extended from Clarence to Lancaster and ran thence 
 along Cayuga creek to the Seneca Indian village. Another trail ex- 
 tended from Little Beard's Town, on the Genesee, to the boundary of 
 Erie county near the southeast corner of the town of Alden and con- 
 tinued westerly to the Seneca village. There were also trails up Caz- 
 enove and Eighteen Mile creeks and between Cattaraugus and Buffalo 
 villages. 
 
 As late as the summer of 1799 no house had been built on the road 
 from the East Transit Line to Buffalo. To remedy this situation, 
 June 1, 1799, Paul Busti authorized Mr. Ellicott to induce six persons 
 to locate on the highway about ten miles apart and to open taverns, in 
 consideration of which each was to receive from fifty to one hundred 
 and fifty acres of land at a low price and liberal terms of payment. 
 
 In accordance with the offer of Mr. Ellicott three persons immedi- 
 ately grasped the opportunity presented. Frederick Walthers took one 
 hundred and fifty acres, including the East Transit storehouse and the 
 site of the village of Stafford. Soon afterward Asa Ransom of Buffalo 
 located on a one hundred and fifty-acre tract at Clarence Hollow.' 
 September 16, Garritt Davis took one hundred and fifty acres east of 
 and adjoining the Tonawanda Reservation. These three persons at 
 once erected houses for the accommodation of the traveling public. 
 
 As soon as Mr. Ransom had erected his tavern, at " Pine Grove," as 
 it soon became known, Mr. Ellicott made it his headquarters. His ap- 
 
 > Harry B. Ransom, who was born in the house built here in November, 1799, was the first 
 white male child born in that part of the original Genesee county, now Erie county. IMr. Ellicott 
 made Ransom's house his headquarters as soon as it had been constructed. Elias Ransom built 
 a frame house on the road from Batavia to Buffalo, seven miles east of the latter place, which 
 was probably the first frame building west of Batavia. The three public houses referred to in the 
 text were constructed of logs. 
 
THE HOLLAND LAND COMPANY. 69 
 
 pointment as local agent of the company took eflfect October 1, 1800, at 
 which time he began the sales of land. His office was located in one 
 end of Ransom's tavern. James W. Stevens of Philadelphia acted as 
 his clerk, and occasionally Mr. Brisbane assisted in the work of the 
 office, though the latter spent most of his time at the Transit store- 
 house. January 16, 1801, Mr. Ellicott wrote to Mr. Busti as follows: 
 
 I have the satisfaction to inform you (although after a diasgreeable journey) that 
 I arrived here in good health the 1st instant, since which period I have been busily 
 employed in making arrangements for the sale of the land placed under riiy charge. 
 The season of the year being such as to prevent persons from making their establish- 
 ments, prevents me at present from effecting any bona Jide saXes. Settlers generally 
 wishing to defer entering into articles before they are able to commence their im- 
 provements. I have, however, abundant reason to conclude, that at the opening of 
 Spring I shall effect the sale of considerable land. 
 
 May 7 of the same year Mr. Ellicott, writing to Le Roy and Bayard, 
 says: 
 
 In respect to sales of land, we have not as yet made rapid progress. The best and 
 most eligible situations are only in demand. However, we dispose of more or less 
 almost every day. Settlements form more rapidly on the east side of the Purchase 
 than on the west, owing to its contiguity to the old settlement in the Genesee, where 
 provisions and necessaries for their beginning is more easily attainable. However, 
 there are some going on the western side, and I continue to live under the expecta- 
 tion of selling a considerable quantity of lands in the course of the summer and fall, 
 and presume after this season the sales will increase, the ice will then be broken, 
 and conveniences will be had for settlers on the Purchase. 
 
 The survey of the Holland Purchase into townships was concluded 
 in 1800, by which time several of them had been divided into lots. In 
 the same year Mr. Ellicott, while on a visit to the East, had printed a 
 number of hand bills headed " Holland Company West Genesee Lands," 
 in which he portrayed the attractions of the territory and announced 
 that it was for sale on reasonable terms.' 
 
 * A portion of this handbill reads as follows : 
 
 "The Holland Land Company will open a Land Office in the ensuing month of September, 
 for the sale of a portion of their valuable lands in the Genesee country. State of New York, sit- 
 uate in the last purchase made of the Seneca Nation of Indians, on the western side of Genesee 
 river. For the convenience of applicants, the Land Office will be established near the centre of 
 the lands, intended for sale and on the main road, leading from the Eastern and Middle States to 
 Upper Canada, Presque Isle in Pennsylvania, and the Connecticut Reserve. Those lands are sit- 
 uate, adjoining and contiguous, to the lakes Erie, Ontario, and the streights of Niagara, possess- 
 ing the advantage of the navigation and trade of all the Upper lakes, as well as the river Saint 
 Lawrence, (from which the British settlements derive great advantage) also intersected by the 
 Allegany river, navigable for boats of 30 or 40 tons burthen, to Pittsburgh and New Orleans, and 
 contiguous to the navigable waters of the west branch of the Susquehanna river, and almost sur- 
 rounded by settlements, where provision of every kind is to be had in great abundance and on 
 
70 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 In May, 1801, acting as the special agent of Le Roy and Bayard, he 
 employed Richard M. Stoddard to survey the Triangular Tract, giving 
 explicit directions, particularly as to laying off five hundred acres at 
 " Buttermilk Falls." In a letter to Mr. Munger, at the Transit store 
 house, dated at Ransom's in May, 1801, he states that he has been in- 
 formed that " the inhabitants of your neighborhood have undertaken 
 to open the road to Ganson's. You will please consider me a subscriber 
 toward the expense of the undertaking." 
 
 For a period of more than twenty years Mr. Ellicott had practically 
 exclusive control of the local business of the Holland Company. Under 
 his management an immense tract of wilderness was converted into one 
 of the finest agricultural regions in the world. He was identified with 
 all the enterprises of Western New York, and in the construction of 
 the Erie canal he took a great interest. Paul Busti, who had succeeded 
 Cazenove as general agent at Philadelphia, managed the general affairs 
 of the company with great shrewdness and ability for a period of 
 twenty-four years. 
 
 In 1874 David Seaver of New York, in an article contributed to the 
 Batavia Spirit of the Times, gives a synopsis of a work published in 
 1795 by Rochefoucauld Liancourt, a French adventurer or traveler, who 
 prior to that time had made a journey from Philadelphia through 
 Western New York as far as Niagara Falls. After describing his meet- 
 ing with Red Jacket, the noted Indian chief, Liancourt says : 
 
 The road from Ontario to Canawago (Canawaugus) is a good one for this country, 
 
 reasonable terms renders the situation of the Holland Land Company Geneseo Lands more 
 eligible, desirous, and advantageous for settlers than any other unsettled tract of inland country 
 of equal magnitude in the United States. The greater part of this tract is finely watered (few 
 exceptions) with never failing springs and streams, affording sufficiency of water for gristmills 
 and other water works. The subscriber, during the years 1798 and 1799, surveyed and laid oft the 
 whole of these lands into townships, a portion of which, to accommodate purchasers and settlers, 
 is now laying off into lots and tracts from 190 acres and upwards, to the quantity contained in a 
 township, 
 
 " The lands abound with limestone, and are calculated to suit every description of purchas- 
 ers and settlers. Those who prefer land timbered with black and white oak, hickory, poplar, 
 chestnut, wild cherry, butternut and dogwood, or the more luxuriant timbered with basswood or 
 lynn, butt;ernut, sugar-tree, white ash, wild cherry, cucumber tree, (a species of the magnolia) 
 and black walnut, may be suited. Those who prefer level land, or gradually ascendmg, afford- 
 ing extensive plains and valleys, will find the country adapted to their clioice. In short, such are 
 the varieties of situations in this part of the Geneseo country, every where almost covered 
 with a rich soil, that it is presumed that all purchasers who may be inclined to participate in the 
 advantages o£ those lands, may select lots from 120 acres to tracts containing 100,000 acres, that 
 would fully please and satisfy their choice. The Holland Land Company, whose liberality is so 
 well known in this country, now offer to all those who may wish to become partakers of the 
 growing value of those lands, such portions and such parts as they may think proper to pur- 
 chase, Those who may choose to pay cash will find a liberal discount from the credit price." 
 
EARLY DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COUNTRY. 71 
 
 but as usual it leads through the midst of the woods, and within a space of 12 miles 
 we saw only one habitation. In this journey we discovered two Indians lying under 
 a tree ; though we had seen a considerable number of them, yet tliis meeting had for 
 us an attraction of novelty, as we found them in a state of intoxication which scarcely 
 manifested the least symptoms of life. One wore around his neck a long and heavy 
 silver chain, from which a large medallion was suspended ; on one side whereof was 
 the image of George Washington, and on the other the motto of Louis XIV., nee 
 pluribus impar, with the figure of the sun, which .was usually displayed with it in 
 the French army. This Indian, no doubt, was his excellency in a ditch, out of which 
 we made repeated efforts to drag him, but in vain. . . . 
 
 Canawago is a small town, the inhabitants few, but Mr. Berry keeps there one of 
 the best inns we have seen for some time. 
 
 Wednesday, June 17th, 1795. After remaining half a day at Canawago, we at 
 length set out to traverse the desm'ts, as they are called. A journey through un- 
 interrupted forests offers but little matter for speculation or remark ; the woods are 
 in general not close, but stand on fruitful soil. The route is a footpath, tolerably 
 good upon the whole, but in some places very miry ; winding through the forests 
 over a level ground that rises but seldom into gentle swells. After a ride of 12 hours, 
 in which we have crossed several large creeks (Oatka and Black), we arrived at Big 
 Plains (Oakfield), which is 38 miles distant from Canawago. We breakfasted at 
 Buttermilk Fall (LeRoy), and dined on the bank of the Tonawaugo (Batavia), and 
 for both these meals our appetites were so keen that perhaps we never ate anything 
 with a better relish. 
 
 Liancourt then describes his visit to the tribe of Indians which then 
 had a small village at Tonawaugo. 
 
 In another contribution to the same paper Mr. Seaver gives extracts 
 from a book written by John Maule, and printed in London, wherein 
 the writer describes his experiences during a journey over practically 
 the same route followed by Liancourt, but made five years afterward. 
 Maule stopped for a while at Canawaugus, whence he proceeded on his 
 journey August 20, 1800, accompanied by an Indian named Hot Bread. 
 He arrived at Ganson's, now Le Roy, at eleven o'clock in the morning, 
 where he made the following entry in his journal : 
 
 When my friend L. passed this place last year, Ganson's was a solitary house in 
 the wilderness, but it is now in the midst of a flourishing township, in which 31 fam- 
 ilies are already settled. A new tavern and a number of dwelling houses are build- 
 ing. Two hundred and ninety-eight miles ; recross Allen's creek ; the bed a flat lime- 
 stone rock, 15 or 20 rods wide, with three or four inches of water ; a handsome 
 bridge was building. This creek is the western terminus of Capt. Williamson's pur- 
 chase (Pultney tract). A very handsome road four rods wide has been cut, and the 
 whole distance from Genesee River to Ganson's being 13 miles in nearly a straight 
 line. I now entered into what is called the Wilderness, but at 3 p. m. reached the 
 Holland Company's storehouse and Frederick Walther's tavern (Stafford), 3041^ 
 miles. 
 
72 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 The Holland Company consists of a number of merchants and others, principally 
 residents in Holland, who purchased a very large tract of Mr. Morris. This terri- 
 tory, for such it may be called, is on the east bounded by Williamson's purchase, and 
 on the west by Lake Erie and Niagara River. No part of the land is, I believe, yet 
 settled, but at present under survey for that purpose. One of the principal survey- 
 ors and his gang were at the tavern, and fully occupied the lodging hut; this, with 
 the additional circumstance of there being no hay for my horses, and no other feed 
 than oats, cut green in the stra\y, induced me to give up the design of sleeping here 
 this night, but rather to push on to the next station. . . . At 4 p. m. we left 
 Walther's, and at 309 miles (Batavia) fell in with the Tonawautee Creek, sluggish, 
 shallow and broad. At 6}4 p. M. we reached Garret Davis's tavern, 316 miles (Winan's 
 farm near Dunham's Corners) near a small run of good water. This is one of those 
 three stations which the Holland Company has this year established for the accom- 
 modation of travelers, who hitherto have been obliged to sleep in the woods. Davis 
 first began to ply his axe in January last ; he has now a good log house, a field of 
 green oats (sowed 18th of June, the only feed I could get for my horses), and a very 
 excellent garden, the most productive of any of its size I have seen since leaving New 
 York. He had also cleared a pretty extensive field for wheat. On this land the logs 
 were now burning, and I passed a greater part of the night in making up the fires. 
 This employment I preferred to harbouring with a number of strangers, one of whom 
 was sick and not expected to live till morning. This, however, was only the fearful 
 conjecture of Davis. I got got some maple sugar for my tea, and Mr. and Mrs. 
 Davis paid me every possible attention, but I cannot praise them for neatness. Per- 
 haps I ought not to expect it when tlie peculiarity of the situation and a large family 
 of children are taken into account. From Allen's Creek to Walther's was excellent 
 lands, but miserable roads, at times impassable, and the wagoner would take his axe 
 to cut a new passage. From Walther's to Davis's the road is better. At Davis's the 
 woods are composed of small, tall saplings, closely crowded. This morning we ex- 
 perienced a very keen frost with a bright sun, and so late as 11 A. m. I stood in the 
 sun to warm myself, my hands being benumbed with the cold. Very scorching sun 
 in the afternoon after leaving Walther's, and troublesome flies and mosquitoes. 
 
 Thursday, August 31, 1800. Start at day light, 318 miles; we leave the thick 
 woods and enter upon the Big Plains. These plains (Oakfield) are open groves of 
 oak, in a light shallow soil on limestone. . . . These plains are many miles in 
 extent, and it struck me I had seen park grounds in England much like them. At 
 331 miles the oaks are smaller and more compact, and at 333 miles we enter the 
 woods of beech and maple. At TJ^ a. m. we reached the Indian town of Tonawautee, 
 330 miles. This settlement is on the west bank of the creek, which I now crossed 
 for the second time. It bore, however, a different character here than at 819 miles 
 (Batavia), being clear and rapid. 
 
 Left Tonawautee and passed through open plains of oaks with less of tamarisk 
 and more grass to 334 miles, where I fell in with the old road. At 10:80 a. m. 
 reached Asa Ransom's station, distance 344 miles (Clarence, Erie county). I was 
 here greatly surprised with an excellent breakfast of tender chicken and good loaf- 
 sugar for my tea. Ransom, Hke Davis, sat down in the woods in January; he has 
 150 acres, ten acres cleared and in oats. . . . The Holland Company has laid 
 out a new road from Ganson's to Buffalo Creek, which passes to the south of Davis's 
 
SUBDIVISIONS OF THE HOLLAND PURCHASE. 73 
 
 station, but in with the present road at Ransom's, and this new road will make a 
 difference of 10 miles in 42. Ransom informed me that by an account, he had kept, 
 no less than 155 families with their wagons have passed his house this summer, emi- 
 grating from Pennsylvania and New Jersey to Canada. Sixteen wagons passed in 
 one day. 
 
 In the office of the secretary of state at Albany is the original map of 
 the famous Holland Land Company's tract. This map is about eight 
 feet square, the scale being half an inch to the mile. The eastern 
 boundary — the Transit Line run in 1798 — starts on the Pennsylvania 
 line, at the southeast corner of the Willink Purchase, and runs directly 
 northward, crossing the Genesee river " at 21 miles going northwest 
 and at 33 miles going northeast," reaching Lake Ontario at a place 
 known as " the Devil's Nose." 
 
 The ranges, averaging about six miles in width, have boundaries 
 parallel with the Transit Line. They begin six miles west of that line, 
 and are numbered to the westward from one to fifteen inclusive. The 
 townships run from south to north, beginning at the Pennsylvania line, 
 and average six miles square. No range has more than sixteen town- 
 ships and when the western end of the State is reached (in what is now 
 Chautauqua county) there are but three townships in the fifteenth 
 range. 
 
 Between the seventh and eighth ranges a strip about two miles wide 
 runs from the Pennsylvania line northward to Lake Ontario. It 
 pierces the present counties of Cattaraugus, Erie and Niagara, and on 
 the map is marked as the property of Wilhelm and Jan Willink. The 
 same persons are also credited with ten townships in the eastern and 
 southern parts of the present Allegany county. Between the first range 
 and the Transit Line is a strip about six miles wide running from Pennsyl- 
 vania to Lake Ontario. This is assigned, with the respective number 
 of acres named, to the following persons: J. Sterrett, 5,000 acres; A. 
 Hamilton, 100,000; Cottinger, 39,784; Ogden, 33,784; Cragie, 3,375; 
 Watson Cragie, 100,000. The lands of Sterrett and Hamilton are in the 
 present county of Allegany; those of Cottinger and Ogden in Wyoming; 
 that of Cragie in Genesee, and that of Watson Cragie in Orleans. 
 
 East of the Transit Line are two parcels of land. The first of these, 
 located in the present county of Allegany, has one hundred and fifty 
 thousand acres, credited to S. Sterrett. The second is a triangle of 
 seventy six thousand one hundred and seventy-three acres, assigned to 
 Le Roy, Bayard and McEvers. The northern boundary of this triangle 
 
74 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 is Lake Ontario, the western the Transit Line, and the third a diagonal 
 beginning at the intersection of the southern line of the Phelps and 
 Gorham Purchase with the Transit Line, near the present village of 
 Le Roy, and running northeasterly until it reaches Lake Ontario. The 
 slanting boundaries of the eastern townships of Genesee county and of 
 the western townships of Monroe county are laid along this diagonal 
 line. 
 
 All that part of the State was known to the province of New York 
 as Tryon county, but after 1784 it was called Montgomery county. All 
 to the west of the "pre-emption line " was erected into Ontario county 
 in 1788, and the present western counties have been taken from the 
 original territory of Ontario county since that date. 
 
 The extent to which the early settlement of the territory west of the 
 Genesee river had reached, during the closing years of the eighteenth 
 century, is illustrated by reference to the following tax roll, the first 
 one made for this territory (then all included in the great town of 
 Northampton). About fifteen names are missing from the first page of 
 the roll, which bears date of October 6,'1800: 
 
 Value of Real Amount 
 and Personal of 
 
 Estate. Tax. 
 
 Curtis, William § 30 | .06 
 
 Carter, William 94 .19 
 
 Charaberlin, Hinds .. 384 .40 
 
 Curtis, Augustus 500 .61 
 
 Curtis, Jonathan 387 .54 
 
 Campbell, Peter . 52 .09 
 
 Chapin, Henry _ 3,000 6.50 
 
 Chapman, Asa _.. 112 .23 
 
 Cumins, Joseph _ 20 .04 
 
 Conatt, Samuel 38 .06 
 
 Chamberlin, Joshua. _ __ 60 .12 
 
 Cary, Joseph 948 1.61 
 
 Coats, Timothy --- 396 .54 
 
 Dugan Christopher 1,306 1.63 
 
 Douglas, Cyrus __ 78 .14 
 
 Davis, Daniel--- - -- -- 572 .72 
 
 Davis, Garrett 350 .45 
 
 Davis, Bela 105 .22 
 
 Davis, Samuel - 312 .37 
 
 Ellicott, Benjamin - 600 .71 
 
 Fish, Josiah 1,516 1.86 
 
 Farewell, Elisha - 288 .37 
 
 Fuller, David 80 .12 
 
TAX ROLL OF 1800. 75 
 
 Value of Real Amount 
 and Personal of 
 
 Estate. Tax. 
 
 Forsyth, John 330 .43 
 
 Granger, Eli ._ _ _ 100 .14 
 
 Goodhue, George 176 .20 
 
 Ganson, John, jr 1,640 2.10 
 
 Ganson, James 12 .02 
 
 Griffith, EH 658 .98 
 
 Hencher, William 1,036 1.64 
 
 Hicks, Samuel 44 .09 
 
 Heth, Reuben , _ 40 .09 
 
 Hunt, Elijah ' _ 68 .14 
 
 Harris, Alpheus 72 .15 
 
 Hall, Friend 200 .30 
 
 Hunt, Joseph 64 .13 
 
 Hopkins, Timothy 42 .09 
 
 Hayne, John _ 50 .11 
 
 Hawley, Chapman 112 .18 
 
 Hall, Gilbert. __ 370 .52 
 
 Hoit, Stephen _._ _ 153 .34 
 
 Jones, H. John --- 140 .23 
 
 Jones, Elizabeth 153 .24 
 
 Johnson, Moses 800 1.07 
 
 Johnson. William - 2,034 3.50 
 
 Kith, M.Michael 42 .09 
 
 Kimball, John 700 1.03 
 
 Kent, Elijah _ --- 96 .14 
 
 Lane, Ezekiel .- 114 .24 
 
 Laybourn, Christopher i 470 .62 
 
 Lyon, John ..- -.- --- 40 .08 
 
 Leonard, Jonathan 40 .06 
 
 Lewis, Seth-- - 60 .14 
 
 Mills, William : - -- 714 .94 
 
 Mills, Lewis --- 72 .16 
 
 Mills, Alexander 80 .19 
 
 Mills, Samuel : 250 .30 
 
 Morton, Simeon 50 .11 
 
 Mading, Timothy - - 128 .16 
 
 McCloning, John - 40 .09 
 
 McCloning, John, jr.. 12 .02 
 
 Middaugh, Martin - 45 .09 
 
 Mayle, Lewis 30 .09 
 
 , __ 84 .19 
 
 Mulkins, Henry - - 54 .11 
 
 Nettleton, Philemon 592 .80 
 
 Morgan, Joseph 870 1.11 
 
 McNaughton, John .- 48 .11 
 
76 
 
 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Value of Real Amount 
 
 and Personal of 
 
 Estate. Tax. 
 
 McPherson, Dan 100 -23 
 
 Patterson, Lawrence 500 .90 
 
 Pebody, Stephen 86 .18 
 
 Palmer, John - 483 .72 
 
 Pangman, William -- 300 .66 
 
 Quivey, Norton.. '''0 -15 
 
 Redford, John. 130 .19 
 
 Rhan, Alexander.. 85 .12 
 
 Stimson, Leonard 52 .11 
 
 Stimson & Jones 200 .29 
 
 Stoughton, Amaziah - 164 .21 
 
 Sheffer, Peter 4,260 5.36 
 
 Scott, Isaac 1.108 1.45 
 
 Shelly, Phiros - 150 ,18 
 
 Scott, Salmon _ _ 796 .95 
 
 Scoonover, Jacob 1 , 731 1.00 
 
 Thompson, Adriandner ___ 30 .07 
 
 Utley, Asa 901 1.17 
 
 Olmstead, Jeremiah __ 120 .29 
 
 Wilber, Charles _ 60 .31 
 
 Walther, Frederick __ .-- 488 .68 
 
 Wemple, Henry 27 .17 
 
 , 43 .10 
 
 King, Thomas 30 .07 
 
 King, Simeon -. 40 .10 
 
 Render, Stephen - 12 .02 
 
 Ransom, Asa _ _ 410 .61 
 
 Erwin, John 428 .96 
 
 Woolman, John 162 .36 
 
 Philips, William.... 30 .07 
 
 Carver, John , 316 .40 
 
 Eli, Justin 5,000 9.91 
 
 Barnard, Ebenezer _ 1,950 3.87 
 
 Phelps, Enoch 4,437 8.80 
 
 Hartford, Charles _ 2,333 4.62 
 
 King, Gideon (heirs)... 4,500 8.93 
 
 Hinkley, Samuel _ 
 
 Stone, John 5,000 9.91 
 
 Wadsworth, James _ 34,500 68.38 
 
 Williamson, C. and others 34,500 68.28 
 
 Gilbert, Warren 2,190 3.60 
 
 Colt, Judah 1,330 3.61 
 
 Morris, Thomas 4,200 8.32 
 
 Hall, Amos 700 1.38 
 
 Holland Company 3,300,000 5,231.52 
 
JOSEPH ELLICOTT. 77 
 
 Value of Real Amount 
 and Personal of 
 
 Estate. Tax. 
 
 Williamson, Charles 155,150 307.41 
 
 Williamson & Phelps 100,000 219.14 
 
 Craigie, Andrew 50,000 73.96 
 
 Ogden, Samuel _ 50,000 109.57 
 
 Cottinger, Garrit _._ 50.000 109.57 
 
 Church, Philip 100,000 319,14 
 
 Unknown j 27,210 59.41 
 
 Le Roy & Bayard. -..:.. 82,000 179.68 
 
 Le Roy & Bayard 40,000 87.66 
 
 Phelps & Jones, supposed to be owned by Thomas Morris 40,960 89.36 
 
 Joseph Fitts Simmons _. 
 
 Joseph Higby _._ 600,000 1,314.84 
 
 Total ...-$4,785,368 $8,387.11 
 
 JOSEPH ELLICOTT. 
 
 No man was more closely identified with the history of Western New 
 York, and especially of the Holland Purchase than Joseph EUicott. As 
 the general land agent of the Holland Company, superintendent of 
 their surveys and settlements, his name has become associated with the 
 early history of nearly every town and village. A conflict of authority 
 exists as to the origin of the ancestors of Joseph Ellicott. In sketches 
 of the family prepared for publication by descendants of the family at 
 Ellicott Mills, Md., it is asserted that his grandparents, Andrew Elli- 
 cott and Ann Bye Ellicott, came to this country in 1731 from Cullopton, 
 Wales, and settled in New York. Other reminiscences of the family 
 state that they came from Cullompton, Devonshire, England, and set- 
 tled in Bucks county. Pa., where they were married in 1731, soon after 
 their arrival. ' Nathaniel, Joseph, Andrew and John Ellicott were the 
 sons of Andrew, and as early as 1770 we find them settled in business 
 as owners of a tract of land and mills on the Patapsco river in Mary- 
 land. This settlement has long been known as Ellicott's Mills. Of the 
 sons of Andrew named in the foregoing, Joseph was the father of the 
 Joseph Ellicott of Holland Purchase fame. Another son, Andrew, 
 eldest brother of Joseph, became eminent as a surveyor. He surveyed 
 the Spanish boundary, so called, during Jefferson's administration, and 
 afterwards was made surveyor-general of the United States. At the 
 time of his death, about 1831, he was professor of mathematics in the 
 United States Military Academy at West Point. 
 
 At the age of fourteen Joseph Ellicott became, with his father's fam- 
 
78 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 ily, a resident of Maryland. Previous to this time he had enjoyed only 
 such advantages as were afforded by the pioneer schools and the in- 
 structions of his brother Andrew in surveying. When the site of the 
 city of Washington was selected as the national capital he assisted his 
 brother in its survey. In 1761 Timothy Pickering, secretary of war, 
 designated him to run the boundary line between the State of Georgia 
 and the territory of the Creek Indians. His next engagement was to 
 survey the lands of the Holland Company in Pennsylvania, under 
 Theophilus Cazenove, their general agent. This brought him into the 
 notice of the company and resulted in his appointment in their service 
 soon after, where he continued for upwards of twenty years. 
 
 Mr. Ellicott's commission as principal surveyor of the Holland Com- 
 pany's lands in Western New York dated from July, 1797, but his 
 actual service did not commence until after the council of the Septem- 
 ber following, when the company's titles to these lands were perfected. 
 His first duty was to make a traverse and survey of the north and north- 
 west bounds of the tract for the purpose of estimating the quantity of 
 land it contained. On this expediton he was accompanied by Augustus 
 Porter, as surveyor for Robert Morris. Commencing at the northeast 
 corner of Phelps and Gorham's tract, west of the Genesee river, they 
 traversed the south shore of Lake Ontario to the Niagara river, thence 
 along the Niagara river and the southeast shore of Lake Erie to the 
 western boundary of New York State, that being a meridian line run- 
 ning due south from the western extremity of Lake Ontario, as previ- 
 ously established by United States Surveyer-General Andrew Ellicott. 
 This work was completed in November following and Mr. Ellicott re- 
 turned to Philadelphia for the winter. 
 
 Early in the spring of 1798 he again arrived in the territory with 
 a large force of assistants. The work of this season was to commence 
 the division of the territory into townships in accordance with plans 
 already made, and the establishment of the eastern boundary of the 
 purchase. A number of men were detailed for town work, while Mr. 
 Ellicott, with his brother Benjamin, and several assistants, undertook 
 the difficult task of running a true meridian line from the Pennsyl- 
 vania boundary to Lake Ontario. A stone monument was erected on 
 the Pennsylvania line, exactly twelve miles west from the eighty-sec- 
 ond milestone, as a starting point. Providing himself with a transit 
 instrument, Mr. Ellicott commenced his labors. His progress was 
 very slow and laborious. Trees and underbrush had to be cut away to 
 
JOSEPH ELLICOTT. 79 
 
 a width of three or four rods, that an uninterrupted view might be ob- 
 tained in advance of the instrument. About the first of December 
 following the work was completed. For nearly twelve years Mr. EUi- 
 cott was actually engaged in the work of surveying this large tract, and 
 finally became local agent of the company. * 
 
 In person, Joseph EUicott was a man of commanding presence. He 
 was six feet three inches tall, and possessed of a splendid constitution 
 and great powers of endurance. In his business he was methodical, 
 prompt and faithful. He was a most agreeable companion, being pos- 
 sessed of unusual conversational powers. Turner, in his History of the 
 Holland Purchase, says of him : " His education was strictly a prac- 
 tical one. He was a good mathematician, a scientific surveyor, a care- 
 ful and able financier. The voluminous correspondence he has left 
 behind him, with the general agency at Philadelphia, with the prominent 
 men of this State of his period — in reference to the business of the com- 
 pany, political measures, works of internal improvement, and public 
 policy generally — indicate a good degree of talent as a writer, and en- 
 larged and statesman-like views." During his life Mr. Ellicott accu- 
 mulated a large estate. He never married, and at his death his estate, 
 by special bequests, was divided among his surviving relatives. During 
 the last years of his life his mind became greatly impaired and he was 
 removed to Bellevue hospital. New York, for treatment. Here, escap- 
 ing the vigilance of his attendants, he took his own life in August, 
 1836. His remains were afterward brought to Batavia, where they 
 now rest, marked by a beautiful monument erected to his memory. 
 
80 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 From 1800 to 1812— Increase of Settlements on the Holland Purchase, Particularly 
 in Genesee County— Early Taverns Between Batavia and Buffalo— The First Town 
 Meeting — First Courts in Genesee County — Division of the Town of Batavia — Life 
 of the Pioneers— The First Church in the County— Other Pioneer Religious Organ- 
 izations—The First Murder Trial— The First Printing Press and Newspaper— The 
 Arsenal at Batavia. 
 
 The beginning of the nineteenth century witnessed the development 
 of order out of chaos throughout the greater portion of the Genesee 
 country. March 30, 1803, the county of Genesee was erected from 
 Ontario, and included all of the State west of the Genesee river. The 
 survey of this immense tract had progressed to a point where the Hol- 
 land Company was prepared to supply newcomers with good farms as 
 rapidly as they -should make application for them. Soon after the 
 erection of the county Joseph EUicott established his land office .on the 
 site of the present village of Batavia, of which he became the founder. 
 This location he chose because it was central; and furthermore it was 
 on the line of the Indian trail from Canada to Southern New York, and 
 directly in the path of the immigration that was then moving west- 
 ward. Within a few rods of his office the Indians had a council ground. 
 His first office was a wooden structure, but early in the century it was 
 replaced by the stone structure which stands to-day, one of the most 
 historic and interesting edifices in Western New York. The Land 
 Office was in all respects the headquarters of the entire Holland Pur- 
 chase. It was practically the capital of a rapidly developing colony, 
 atid all enterprises of any import were discussed and settled there. Mr. 
 EUicott, a courtly, dignified, honest and extremely pleasant gentleman, 
 maintained his important position in a manner that has caused his name 
 to be remembered even to this day with feelings of profound respect 
 and admiration. 
 
 The fame of the region was extending, and methodical settlement, 
 under the auspices of the Holland Company, began. At first there was 
 some difficulty in disposing of the company's lands on account of the 
 demand for ten per cent. cash. The price set was $2.75 per acre. 
 
SLOW SALE OF LANDS. 81 
 
 Many of those who desired to buy had little if any money ; and most of 
 those who were able to pay the advance demanded were reluctant to do 
 so, as the clearing of the land would immediately require a large out- 
 lay of time and some money. Referring to this matter Mr. EUicott 
 wrote to Mr. Busti that " if some mode could be devised to grant land 
 to actual settlers who cannot pay in advance, and at the same time not 
 destroy that part of the plan which requires some advance," he was 
 convinced that "the most salutary results would follow." 
 
 There is no doubt that Mr. EUicott was greatly disappointed at the 
 slow sales of land. While he had believed that the favorable terms 
 offered, coupled with the great natural advantages of the region, would 
 result in a very general migratory movement westward, he evidently 
 had not taken the scarcity of money into consideration. On December 
 4, 1801, while at his temporary headquarters at "Pine Grove," he wrote 
 to Mr. Busti as follows : 
 
 I have made no actual sales this fall where the stipulated advance, has been paid. 
 I begin to be strongly of the opinion you always expressed to me (but which I must 
 confess I rather doubted), that few purchasers will come forward and pay cash for 
 land in a new country. 
 
 But the prospects grew brighter with the beginning of another year, 
 and Mr. EUicott announced that many settlers were preparing to estab- 
 lish homes and begin the clearing and cultivation of their lands as soon 
 as the spring opened. The opening of highways and the establishment 
 of taverns added to the conveniences of the locality and doubtless 
 helped to make it more attractive to newcomers. 
 
 " Among the primitive tavern keepers there was a backwoods phi- 
 losopher. It was the Mr. Walthers who had been sent from Philadel- 
 phia to be the landlord at the Transit Store House. Established in his 
 location, he made himself quite officious ; his letters came thick and 
 fast upon Mr. EUicott, whenever he knew where they would reach him. 
 They were an odd mixture of philosophy and advice and suggestions in 
 reference to the best manner of settling a new country. In one letter 
 he would talk of his domestic troubles ; in another he would announce 
 that one, or two, or three landlookers had been his guests, not forget- 
 ting to assure Mr. EUicott how hard he had labored to convince them 
 of the splendid prospects of the new country; in another he would in- 
 form him of false reports that had been started as to the title of the 
 land, and how he had put a quietus upon them ; in another he would 
 express his regrets that his house was full of strangers, who were pass- 
 6 
 
83 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 ing the Purchase, and going to ' swell the numbers of his Britannic 
 Majesty's subjects in Upper Canada.' In Mr. Ellicott's absence he was 
 wont to consider himself a sub-agent; taking some airs upon himself, 
 from some favors that had been shown him by the general agent at 
 Philadelphia. He did not last long, as will be observed in an extract 
 of a letter from Mr. Ellicott to Mr. Busti. Mr. Ellicott answers a let- 
 ter received from ' Mrs. Berry and Miss Wemple ' — (names familiar to 
 old settlers, as household words). They were applicants for two town 
 lots at the 'Bend of the Tonewanta. ' He very courteously informs 
 them that when he lays out a town there the lots will contain forty 
 acres each, and their application will be held in remembrance." ' 
 
 The first town meeting on Holland Purchase was held at the log 
 tavern of Peter Vandeventer on March 1, 1803. The functions of this 
 meeting extended over territory having a radius of a hundred miles, 
 though the most distant settlements were at Buffalo, twenty-two miles 
 west, and at the East Transit, twenty-four miles east. But, despite 
 the long distance many of them were compelled to travel, and in the 
 season of the year when new roads were very apt to be almost impassa- 
 ble, the number of the assembled voters was so large that the polls 
 were opened out of doors by Enos Kellogg, one of the commissioners 
 appointed for the purpose of organizing the town of Batavia. 
 
 The meeting was a unique one. Mr. Kellogg, after calling the vot- 
 ers to order, announced that Peter Vandeventer and Jotham Bemis of 
 Batavia village were candidates for supervisor. The vote was then 
 taken, the procedure being novel. Mr. Kellogg placed the two candi- 
 dates side by side in the road and then directed the voters to fall in 
 line, each beside the man of his choice. Seventy-four men stood by 
 Vandeventer and seventy by Bemis, and the former was declared 
 elected. A little later on, when the men from the east of Vandeventer's 
 (who were considered Batavians) gathered in the one place, and those 
 from the west of there in another, they took note of their absent neigh- 
 bors and found that there were but four to the eastward and five to the 
 westward who had failed to attend. This makes the whole number of 
 voters on the Holland Purchase in that year one hundred and fifty- 
 three, one hundred and forty-four of whom were present at this primi- 
 tive election. 
 
 The balance of the officers chosen on that occasion were as follows, 
 the election being conducted by uplifted hands : 
 
 ' Turner's History. 
 
THE FIRST COURTS. 83 
 
 Town clerk, David Cully ; assessors, Enos Kellogg, Asa Ransom, Alexander Rhea ; 
 commissioners of highways, Alexander Rhea, Isaac Sutherland and Suffirenus (?) 
 Maybee ; overseers of the poor, David Cully and Benjamin Porter ; collector, Abel 
 Rowe; constables, John Mudge, Levi Felton, Rufus Hart, Abel Rowe, Seymour 
 Kellogg and Hugh Howell ; overseers of highways, Martin Middaugh, Timothy S. 
 Hopkins, Orlando Hopkins, Benjamin Morgan, Rufus Hart, Lovell Churchill, Jabez 
 Warren, William Blackman, Samuel Clark, Gideon Dunham, Jonathan Willard, 
 Thomas Layton, Hugh Howell, Benjamin Porter and William Walsworth. 
 
 The first State election on the Holland Purchase was held at the 
 same place the following month. At the latter meeting one hundred 
 and eighty-nine votes were cast for member of assembly, evidence of 
 the rapid increase in the number of settlers. At this election the vote 
 was as follows : 
 
 For Senators— Caleb Hyde, 146 ; Vincent Mathews, 5. 
 
 For Members of Assembly — Daniel Chapin, 182; Ezra Patterson, 155; John Swift, 
 160; Polydore B. Wisner, 4; Nathaniel W, Howell, 28; Amos Hall, 9. 
 
 In June, 1803, the court house at Batavia being nearly completed, 
 the first courts of the county were organized there. The judges were 
 Ezra Piatt, John H. Jones and Benjamin Ellicott, and Nathan Perry 
 was an assistant justice. Among those admitted to practice in the new 
 court as attorneys and counselors were Timothy Burt, Gouverneur 
 Ogden, John Greig, Richard Smith and George Hosmer. At this term 
 of court the first grand jury west of the Genesee river was organized. 
 Itconsistedof Alexander Rhea, Asa Ransom, Peter Vandeventer, Daniel 
 Henry, Samuel F. Geer, Lovell Churchill, Jabez Warren, Zerah Phelps, 
 Jotham Bemis, Seymour Kellogg, John A. Thompson, Jonn Ganson, 
 jr., Isaac Smith, Elisha Farwell, Peter Shaeffer, Hugh McDermott, 
 John McNaughton and Luther Cole. In November following, at a 
 second session of the courts, Ebenezer F. Norton, Robert W. Stoddard, 
 Jonathan T. Haight, John Collins, Daniel B. Brown and Jeremiah R. 
 Munson were admitted to practice. The first issue joined in a court of 
 record west of the Genesee river was tried at this term. It was the 
 case of Rufus Hart versus Erasmus Enos. 
 
 At the next term of courts in June, 1804, several indictments were tried, 
 and the jury was the first traverse jury drawn and organized in the new 
 court. It consisted of William Rumsey, Joseph Selleck, Abel Rowe, 
 John Forsyth, Benjamin Morgan, Alexander McDonald, Peter Camp- 
 bell, James Woods, Benjamin Gardner, Lovel Churchill, John Ander- 
 son and John McVean. The first jury empanelled in a civil suit in these 
 courts consisted of Job Pierce, Andrew Wortman, Gilbert Hall, John 
 
84 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 McNaughton, Isaac Smith, Archileas Whitten, Isaac Sutherland, Sam- 
 uel Davis, Ransom Harmon, Peter Vanderventer, Hugh McDermott, 
 and Jabez Fox. 
 
 The Big Tree road, or the Middle road, as it was known by the Hol- 
 land Company, was surveyed and cut out in the summer of 1803 by 
 Jabez Warren of Aurora, who was paid |3.50 per mile for surveying 
 and $10 per mile for cutting out the road. This highway extended 
 from near Geneseo to Lake Erie in a nearly westerly direction. It ran 
 about a mile south of the southerly line of the Big Tree Reservation. 
 
 The Legislature of 1804 divided the town of Batavia into four towns. 
 These were: Batavia, on the east; next, WilHnk, including the 4th, 
 5th and 6th ranges; next Erie, containing the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th 
 ranges, the State Reservation and adjacent waters; then the town of 
 Chautauqua, consisting of the remainder of the purchase. 
 
 Dr. Dwight, who traveled through the town of Pembroke in October, 
 1804, while making a tour of the West, notes the circumstance of his 
 passing through "oak plains" or " openings," as he refers to them. 
 He describes these grounds as having a varied surface, and in a great 
 degree destitute of forests, but covered with grass, weeds and shrubs 
 of various kinds. He supposes these openings to have been caused by 
 the Indians burning them over, to produce pasturage for deer. In the 
 fourth volume of his " Travels " he writes: 
 
 When one of these plains is seen at a little distance, a traveler emerging from the 
 forest naturally concludes, that it is the commencement of a settled country, and as 
 he advances toward it, is instinctively led to cast his eye forward to find the village 
 of which it is the outskirt. *From this impression his mind will be unable to free 
 itself; for the thought, though given up, will recur again and again, in spite of his 
 absolute conviction that he is in the heart of an immense wilderness. At the same 
 time a sense of stillness and solitude, a feeling of absolute retirement from the world, 
 deeper and more affecting than any in which he has ever suspected before, will be 
 forced upon him while he is roving over one of these sequestered regions. No passage 
 out of them is presented to his eye. Yet though the tract around him is seemingly 
 bounded everywhere, the boundary is everywhere obscure ; being formed by trees 
 thinly dispersed, and retired beyond each other, at such distances, as that while in 
 many places they actually limit the view, they appear rather to border dim, indis- 
 tinct openings into other tracts of country. Thus he always feels the limit to be un- 
 certain ; and until he is actually leaving one of these plains, will continually expect 
 to find a part of the expansion still spreading beyond the reach of his eye. At every 
 little distance, especially on the higher grounds, the view is widely, though indefi- 
 nitely extended along the surface ; and a little above where he looks through the 
 stems of the trees, is bounded only by the horizon. On every side a multitude of 
 chasms conduct his eye beyond the labyrinth by which he is surrounded ; and [pre- 
 
A PIONEER'S STATEMENT. 85 
 
 sent an imaginary passage back into the world, from which he is withdrawn ; bewil- 
 dering him with expectation, continually awakened to be continually disappointed. 
 Thus in a kind of wild, romantic rapture, he wanders over these plains, with emo- 
 tions similar to those with which, when a child, he roamed through the wilderness 
 created in Arabian tales, or the imaginary regions spread before him m a dream. 
 He is not only separated from all human beings, but is every moment conscious of 
 this separation. Whenever he ascends one of the superior elevations, he seems to 
 stand above the rest of the globe. On every side he looks downward ; and beholds 
 a prospect with many vistas, opening indeed around him, but conducting his eye to 
 no definite object, and losing it in confusion and obscurity. His view is confined by 
 neither forests nor mountains ; while yet trees in a thin dispersion partly interrupt 
 it; but at the same time discover, through their various openings, that it has no 
 other limitation than the skirts o£ the heavens. While he wanders on through this 
 bewildering scenery, he cannot fail to remember, that on these plains Indians have 
 lived, and roved, and hunted, and fought, ever since their first arrival from the 
 shores of Asia. Here, unless they molested each other, there was nothing to molest 
 them. They were the sole lords, the undisturbed possessors of the country. Here, 
 therefore, he will call up before his imagination the secret windings of the scout; the 
 burst of the war-whoop ; the fury of an Indian onset ; the triumphant display of scalps ; 
 and the horrors of the war dance before the tortured and expiring captive. Whether 
 these thoughts will be excited in the mind of any future traveler, I know not ; in my 
 own they sprang up instinctively. 
 
 An idea of the manner in which some of the pioneers lived, and of 
 the business of those early days, may- be gleaned from the following 
 narrative of William H. Bush, a pioneer who came from Bloomfield, 
 Ontario county, and located upon the Tonawanda three and a half 
 miles below Batavia:' 
 
 I moved my family from Bloomfield in May, 1806. The settlers on Buffalo road, 
 between my location and Batavia village, were Isaac Sutherland, Levi Davis and 
 Timothy Washburn. Rufus McCracken, Daniel McCracken-, Thomas Godfrey, Linus 
 Gunn, Henry Starks, Alanson Gunn, David Bowen, John Lamberton, lived on the 
 road west. There were then* less than one hundred acres of land cleared on the 
 Buffalo road in the distance of six miles west of Batavia. 
 
 I built a log house, covered it with elm bark — could not spare time to build a chim- 
 ney ; the floor was of slabs and hemlock boards. I immediately commenced building 
 a saw mill and had it completed before the middle of October. That summer my 
 wife did the cooking for family andhired men by an out of door fire, built up against 
 stumps. The first winter, I attended my own saw mill, working in it from daylight 
 to dark, cutting my firewood and foddering my stock by the light of a lantern. Be- 
 fore winter set in, I had built a stick chimney, laid a better floor in my house, plas- 
 tered the cracks, and hired an acre of land cleared— just enough to prevent the trees 
 falling upon my house. When the mill was built I had it paid for, but to accomplish 
 it, I had sold some pork and grain I had produced by working land upon shares in 
 Bloomfield — in fact, everything but my scanty household furniture. My saw mill 
 
 ' Turner's History, page 471. 
 
86 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 proved a good investment, boards were much in demand at seven dollars and fifty 
 cents per thousand ; the new settlers stocked the mill with logs to be sawed on shares. 
 
 In 1808 I built a machine shop, a carding and cloth dressing establishment. These 
 were the first upon the Holland purchase. On the 10th of June of that year, I carded 
 a sack of wool, the first ever carded by machine on the Holland Purchase. It be- 
 longed to George Lathrop of Bethany. In February, 1809, I dressed a piece of full 
 cloth for Theophilus Crocker, the first ever dressed upon the Holland Purchase. 
 There are on my books, the names of customers, from as far south as Warsaw and Shel- 
 don ; from the east, as far as Stafford ; from the west to the Niagara river and Lake 
 Erie, including Chautauqua county ; from pretty much all of the settled portion of the 
 Holland Purchase. I carded in the season of 1808, 3,039 lbs. of wool ; the largest 
 quantity for any one man, was 70 lbs., the smallest, 4 lbs. The lots averaged 18 lbs. 
 Allowing 3 lbs. to a sheep, the average number of sheep then kept by the new set- 
 tlers, would be six; although it is presumed that the number is larger, as in those 
 days, much of the wool was carded by hand. 
 
 The machinists of the present day, may be glad to learn how I procured my ma- 
 chinery. I bought my hand shears of the Shakers at New Lebanon ; my press plate 
 at a furnace in Onondaga; my screw and box at Canaan, Conn., my dye kettle, 
 press papers, &c. at Albany. My transportation bill, for these things, was over two 
 hundred dollars. 
 
 I built a grist mill in 1809 ; in 1817, a paper mill and distillery. I manufactured 
 the first ream of paper west of the Genesee river. 
 
 During all the period of my milling operations I was clearing up the farm where 
 I new reside, coming into the woods as I have related, dependent almost wholly 
 upon the labors of my hands, in the first twenty years, success had so far attended 
 my efforts, that I had accumulated some fifteen or sixteen thousand dollars. 
 
 An exhaustive search among the records of the oldest churches in 
 Genesee county adduces evidence of the most reliable character that 
 the first religious society to be established in this county is the First 
 Congregational church of Bergen, which was organized in December, 
 1807, by the Rev. John Lindsley and thirteen other inhabitants of that 
 town who became the first communicants. ' This church, in all proba- 
 bility, was not only the first to be founded in Genesee county, but it is 
 the oldest religous organization west of the Genesee river, with the 
 single exception of the old Scotch Presbyterian church at Caledonia, 
 Livingston county. At the time of its organization Bergen was a part 
 of the great town of Northampton. At the time of the organization 
 Levi Ward, sr., and Benjamin Wright were elected deacons, and Levi 
 Ward, jr., clerk. January 25, 1808, organization was perfected by the 
 
 ' Some authorities claim that the Presbyterian church in Alexander was organized a short 
 
 , time prior to this date ; but this statement cannot be thoroughly authenticated. It is possible, 
 
 however, that the Presbyterian church at Alexander and the First Congregational of Bergen, in 
 
 the absence of positive documentary evidence, may have to divide the honor falling to the 
 
 pioneer church of Genesee county. 
 
FIRST MURDER CASE. 87 
 
 election of Alexander White, Simon Pierson and Levi Ward, jr., as 
 trustees. The other original members were John Ward, John Gifford, 
 Josiah Pierson, Selah Wright and W. H. Hunger. The Rev. John 
 Lindsley preached for the new society for a few months, but the first 
 regularly ordained pastor was the Rev. Allen Hollister, who was in- 
 stalled July 4, 1810. The first church edifice was built on Cemetery 
 Hill, about a mile to the south of the second location, to which place 
 the church was removed in the spring of 1854, during the pastorate of 
 the Rev. A. O. Whiteman. Although organized as a Congregational 
 church, the society placed itself in charge of the Presbytery soon after 
 its organization, since which it has remained a Presbyterian church. 
 
 Meetings had been held by the Presbyterians of Alexander for over 
 two years, under the direction of Elder Burton, before the Presbyterian 
 church in that town was organized. The exact date of the establish- 
 ment of this church is not known. It was in existence in 1808, and 
 some authorities claim that it was founded about the same time as, or 
 even shortly prior to, the organization of the Congregational society in 
 Alexander. Harvey Hawkins and Cyrenus Wilbur were the principal 
 promoters of the movement which resulted in its formation. It was 
 not a strong society at the start, as is shown by the fact that upon its 
 reorganization, or the perfection of its organization, in 1818, it had but 
 ten members. The first house of worship, a stone structure, was not 
 erected until 1838. The Rev. Solomon Hibbard was the first regular 
 pastor. A second edifice was constructed in 1845, at an expense of five 
 thousand dollars. 
 
 The first murder case in the court of Genesee county occurred at the 
 term held in June, 1807, when James McLean, who had been indicted 
 for the murder of William Orr, was placed on trial. Hon. Daniel D. 
 Tompkins was the presiding judge, and Judge Howell was council for 
 the prisoner. A right then existing by common law, but long since 
 abolished by statute, was that the accused, being an alien, was entitled 
 to be tried by a jury one-half of whom were aliens. In accordance 
 with the demand of the counsel for the defense a jury thus composed 
 was selected, as follows : 
 
 Citizens — Benjamin Morgan, Ebenezer Cary, Samuel Geer, Worthy 
 L. Churchill, John Olney and Daniel Fairbanks. 
 
 Aliens — Duncan McLelland, James McLelland, John McPherson, 
 John McVane, Daniel McKinney and Patrick Powers. 
 
 The jury convicted the prisoner, who was sentenced to be hanged in 
 
88 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 August following. The crime was committed near Caledonia Springs. 
 McLean,Orr and a man named McLaughlin, who were squatters on the 
 forty thousand acre tract, had been to the Springs together, had drunk 
 at least one glass of beer each, but McLean was not intoxicated. While 
 there a dispute arose regarding a tree located on land which McLean 
 claimed, and which had been felled by Orr. McLean knocked Orr 
 down with an axe, killing him at the second blow. McLaughlin in- 
 terfered to prevent a tragedy, and he too was killed. That night the 
 murderer remained in a hollow log near his house, and the following 
 morning took to the woods. As soon as the news of the crime reached 
 the ears of the authorities Judge Piatt ordered out the militia, which, in 
 small squads, searched the entire region. Several days passed, when 
 McLean was captured while attempting to make his escape eastward, 
 he having been recognized at a tavern a few miles east of Canandaigua, 
 where he was arrested. A great crowd from all parts of the country 
 attended the public execution, the first to take place in Genesee county 
 and consequently an event of extraordinary interest for those days. 
 
 Several other events of interest occurred in the county during the 
 period prior to the war of 1812. The development of the numerous 
 resources of the community progressed favorably during these years. 
 In the villages of Batavia and Le Roy, as well as in the smaller settle- 
 ments, the spirit of progress was constantly in evidence. New busi- 
 ness buildings were erected annually to accommodate the increasing 
 trade of the community, and many handsome residences also were 
 erected. Road improvement during these years was carried on at a 
 satisfactory rate, enabling the rapidly increasing farming community 
 to carry on trade with the villages with greater facility. 
 
 In 1807 the first printing press ever seen west of the Genesee river 
 was set up in Batavia, and soon after the opening of the office the first 
 number of the Genesee Intelligencer, the pioneer newspaper of the 
 county, and indeed of the entire Holland Purchase, was issued from 
 that press, by Elias Williams, editor and publisher. 
 
 Until 1810 James Brisbane and Ebenezer Gary were the only mer- 
 chants in the village of Batavia. In that year an extensive store was 
 opened by Ephraim Hart, who intrusted its management to Clark 
 Heacox. 
 
 The pioneer religious society of Batavia was organized September 
 19, 1809, by Rev. Royal Phelps, a missionary sent out by the Hamp- 
 shire Missionary Society of Massachusetts. It was of the Congrega- 
 
EARLY CHURCHES. 89 
 
 tional denomination. This church was not regularly incorporated until 
 Feburary, 1811. Its first regular pastor was Rev. Ephraim Chapin, 
 who served in this capacity from 1818 to 1821 inclusive.' 
 
 The fourth religious society to be founded in Genesee county was the 
 Freewill Baptist church at West Bethany, which was organized in 1809 
 by the Rev. Nathaniel Brown. Every town in Genesee county, ex- 
 cepting Bethany, received from the Holland Land Company a grant of 
 one hundred acres of land for religious purposes. But this neglect on 
 the part of the Land Company did not dampen the spiritual ardor of 
 the adherents of the Baptist denomination in Bethany, as is demon- 
 strated by the very early establishment of their church society. This 
 church experienced a steady, though not rapid, growth from the start. 
 Lack of means, however, deterred the society from erecting a house of 
 worship for three decades, the first edifice, a frame building, not being 
 erected until 1839. 
 
 The first church in the town of Byron was of the Baptist denomina- 
 tion. This society was organized at Byron Centre in 1810, but after 
 a few years it disbanded. Religious services had been conducted in 
 that town, however, a year before the establishment of this pioneer 
 society, by the Rev. Royal Phelps, a Presbyterian missionary from 
 Cayuga county. In the same year (1810) the Rev. Joshua Spencer, a 
 Congregational minister, held services in Pembroke and organized a 
 Congregational church at Long's Corners, now Corfu. This was the 
 first religious society in the town of Pembroke. Its existence covered 
 but a brief period. 
 
 The East Elba Methodist Episcopal church began its existence by 
 the formation of a class of eleven under the leadership of Joseph Wal- 
 ton, an exhorter of that denomination. Among those who thus asso- 
 ciated themselves together for worship were Elder Grant, John Howe, 
 Seth Howe, Zalmofl Luttington, Fayette Luttington and others. The 
 class was organized by the Rev. Ralph Lanning. A year later the 
 Rev. Marmaduke Pierce became the first regular pastor of the society, 
 and in 1814, so greatly had the organization prospered, that the erec- 
 tion of a small house of worship was found practicable. In 1830 a new 
 church was dedicated, and Levi Barnes, John Taylor, Phineas Howe, 
 William Knapp, Isaac Barber and Locklin Norton were chosen to be 
 its trustees. 
 
 In 1811 a public library, the first in the county, was established in 
 
 1 This church afterward became the First Presbyterian church of Batavia. 
 
90 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Alexander. The trustees were Alexander Rea, Harvey Hawkins, Seba 
 Brainard, Samuel Latham, Henry Hawkins, Noah North and Ezra W. 
 Osborn. 
 
 It was not until February 7, 1812, that the first Presbyterian church 
 of Le Roy was organized, although religious services had been held in 
 that town with some degree of regularity ever since 1800, when they 
 were inaugurated by the Rev. David Perry, a missionary from Massa- 
 chusetts. The Le Roy church of 1812 at once was increased in num- 
 bers by the admission into membership of the local adherents of the 
 Congregational denomination. The organization of the society was 
 perfected by the Rev. Oliver Ayer and the Rev. Reuben Parmalee. 
 David Anderson was the first to be ordained to the deaconate. The 
 Rev. David Fuller, the first resident clergyman, served the society for 
 a short time, when the Rev. Calvin Colton was installed as the first 
 regular pastor. A substantial house of worship was erected by the 
 society in 1826. 
 
 The old arsenal at Batavia, which was abandoned about 1816, was 
 erected just prior to the war of 1812. This was one of the numerous 
 measures for defense adopted by the State Government for the pro- 
 tection of the frontier as soon as it was seen that hostilities were in- 
 evitable. About 1810 the State entered into a contract with Joseph 
 Ellicott for the construction of a building twenty feet square and twelve 
 feet in height, to be used for the storage of military supplies. The 
 arsenal remembered by the present generation was not built until after 
 the close of that war. 
 
 In 1811 a Protestant Episcopal church was established in Sheldon 
 (Bennington), then in Genesee county, this being the first church of 
 that denomination organized upon the Holland Purchase. The first 
 wardens were Joshua Mitchell and Fitch Chipman, and the first vestry- 
 men were John Rolph, John W. Coleman, Seneca Reed, James Case, 
 Philo Welton and James Ward. The Union Religious Society was es- 
 tablished in 1812 at Warsaw, then also in Genesee county. The first 
 trustees were Isaac Phelps, Abraham Reed, John Munger, William 
 Bristol, Zerah Tanner and Shubael Goodspeed. The first Baptist 
 church of Sheldon was organized in 1812 with the following trustees: 
 Pelatiah Case, Darius Cross, Justin Loomis, Solomon King, William W. 
 Parsons and Ezra Ludden. 
 
THE PIONEERS OF THE COUNTY. 91 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 PIONEERS OF GENESEE COUNTY. 
 
 The settlement of the territory west of the Genesee river was re- 
 tarded greatly by reason of the continued Indian troubles. Immediately 
 after the close of the war a number of New England farmers, princi- 
 pally from the western part of Connecticut, started out with their fam- 
 ilies to build new homes in the already famous "Genesee country;" 
 but soon after entering the State of New York they lea,rned of the 
 dangers that beset the whites in that locality, and abandoned the pro- 
 ject. Some returned to the locality whence they had come, and others 
 located in the Mohawk valley or in Saratoga county. As early as 1783 
 two families, named Reynolds and Rogers, left Canaan, Connecticut, 
 with the intention of settling west of the Genesee river, but their jour- 
 ney ended in Saratoga county. 
 
 While the tide of immigration in the direction of the rich and productive 
 plains of the famed Genesee country was not very strong until the close 
 of the eighteenth century, still a number of daring seekers after new 
 homes found their way into this region prior to 1805. In a preceding 
 chapter appear the names of most of the taxpayers west of the Genesee 
 river in 1800. Just when they came and where they located has never 
 been ascertained in some cases. The pioneers of those days, while 
 building for posterity, did not keep a record of their movements and 
 other important events, consequently later generations have been com- 
 pelled to live on with but msagre knowledge of the careers of their 
 ancestors, excepting rare cases. 
 
 It is probable that the first white man to locate in the territory now 
 comprised within the confines of the county of Genesee, and perhaps 
 the first to locate permanently at any point on the Holland Purchase, 
 was Charles Wilbur, who, in 1793, began the cultivation of a farm 
 which subsequently became a part of the site of the village of Le Roy. 
 Wilbur erected a small log house, which he used as a residence and a 
 tavern. There has been some difference of opinion on this point, but 
 modern research, reinforcing the records of the past, leads to the con- 
 
93 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 elusion that Wilbur was the first white man to found a home in that 
 part of New York State west of the Genesee river. 
 
 While Wilbur was the pioneer settler, his residence at this point cov- 
 ered a comparatively brief period, and he did little to perpetuate his 
 name or fame. It is to the Ganson family that the credit for pioneer 
 progress and industi'y properly belongs. 
 
 Captain Ganson was born in Bennington, Vt., in 1750. At the be- 
 ginning of the Revolutionary war he enlisted as a private in the patriot 
 army, went at once with a Vermont regiment to Boston, arriving there 
 in time to participate in the battle of Bunker Hill. During that en- 
 gagement a British musket ball carried away one of his fingers. Soon 
 after he was commissioned as captain, and kept command of a com- 
 pany until the close of the war, when he returned to his home at Ben 
 nington. 
 
 During a part of the war Captain Ganson was a member of the com- 
 mand of General, Sullivan, and as such participated in the latter's ex- 
 pedition against the Seneca Indians. During his brief sojourn in the 
 borders of the famed "Genesee country" he was impressed by the 
 remarkable fertility of the land and the agreeable climate. It was to 
 him an ideal spot for a home and for carrying on agricultural pursuits. 
 Compared with the rugged hills of Vermont, it was little short of a 
 paradise for a farmer. 
 
 With the close of the war Captain Ganson decided to make a still 
 further personal investigation of the wonderful new country, and the 
 fear of the dreaded Seneca Indians did not deter him from starting out 
 on his trip of inspection. In 1789 he left Bennington, accompanied by 
 his two sons. Of these, John was fourteen years of age and James was 
 twelve. Late in the fall of that year they reached a point about two 
 miles south of the site of the village of Avon, where he purchased land 
 on which to build his future home. 
 
 Leaving his sons in the custody of a friendly Seneca he returned to 
 Vermont for the purpose of bringing the remainder of his family west 
 with him. But soon after reaching home his wife died, and it was not ' 
 until late in the spring of 1790 when he began his final journey west- 
 ward with the remnant of his family. At this time there were few 
 settlements west of Utica, and most of the latter part of the journey 
 had to be made over Indian trails. From Canandaigua to the Genesee 
 river, a distance of over twenty miles, hardly a white habitation was to 
 be seen. Soon after settling upon the Genesee the GansonS erected 
 
THE PIONEERS OF THE COUNTY. 93 
 
 the first grist mill located upon that river. It was a log structure and 
 a primitive affair, but it proved a great convenience to the pioneers for 
 miles around. 
 
 In 1797 Captain Ganson and his sons decided to remove to the west 
 side of the river, and the former purchased the farm and house owned 
 by Charles Wilbur. This place was the beginning of what subsequently 
 became generally known as "the Ganson settlement, " the neighborhoo.d 
 which ultimately developed into the thriving village of Le Roy. Here, 
 a few years later, following the completion of the Holland Land Com- 
 pany's surveys, came immigrants in large numbers, and for many years 
 the tavern of John Ganson, who as a lad of fourteen came west with 
 his father, was one of the most noted between the Hudson river and 
 the Great Lakes. 
 
 Both Stafford and Le Roy have long laid claim to the honor of being 
 the location of the first permanent settlers in Genesee county. Though 
 Captain Ganson purchased the Wilbur farm in 1797, it is generally be- 
 lieved that he did not remove there until the following spring. On 
 this point there is some doubt. In 1798 James Brisbane, the first mer- 
 chant on the Holland Purchase, came to Stafford with a load of sup- 
 plies and general merchandise for sale to the surveyors at work under 
 direction of Joseph Ellicott. He at once opened a store, on the site of 
 the present village of Stafford, which was called the Transit store- 
 house ; but its exact location is not now known. Though the truth 
 is not definitely known, there are many reasons for believing that Cap- 
 tain Ganson had moved upon his newly acquired property in Le Roy a 
 short time before Brisbane built his store, where he also at first re- 
 sided. It is not likely that the mooted question will ever be definitely 
 decided. 
 
 Settlements were also made at Batavia in 1798. These are more 
 fully described in the chapter devoted to the history of the village of 
 Batavia. 
 
 To revert to "the Ganson settlement: " Immigration hither assumed 
 large proportions immediately after the completion of the surveys made 
 by the Holland Land Company. Capt. Jotham Curtis, one of the 
 earliest to come, was a farmer and tavern keeper. Joseph Hewitt and 
 Daniel Davis came soon after. All three were there, however, before 
 1802, the year when the surveys were completed. Chapman Hawley 
 located east of Le Roy village about 1801, and was well known as "the 
 fiddler" for that section. For some time he was an important func- 
 
94 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 tionary at local dances and other entertainments. Richard M. Stod- 
 dard, who came to this neighborhood in 1803, was the first local agent 
 for the Triangle tract. Ezra Piatt, who removed here from Canandai- 
 gua, either in 1801 or 1803, probably the latter date, was the first to re- 
 ceive the appointment of judge of Genesee County Court of Common 
 Pleas. Stephen A. Wolcott, who came from Geneva in 1803, was the 
 first cabinet-maker and builder in town. 
 
 Daniel Davis, whose settlement here has already been noted, married 
 Naomi Le Barron soon after his arrival. She came from Killing- 
 worth, Conn., with the family of Philemon Nettleton. Their marriage 
 was the first in the Ganson settlement and their daughter, Naomi 
 Davis, was the first white child born there. Charles Wilbur, the firsc 
 justice of the peace, performed the wedding ceremony. At the same 
 time and place Gardner Carver and Lydia Davis were married by Jus- 
 tice Wilbur. Davis's farm was about two miles east of that of the 
 Gansons, near the eastern edge of the present town. 
 
 Hinds Chamberlin was one of the very earliest pioneers, and one of 
 the most enterprising and useful citizens in the community. In all 
 public movements he was conspicuous as a leader for many years. He 
 opened the first road from the Genesee river to Ganson's, over the old 
 Indian trail, under direction of Richard M. Stoddard. The farm he 
 first opened he sold in 1801 to Asher Bates, who in that year came 
 from Canandaigua. 
 
 Richard M. Stoddard was one of the most conspicuous and influen- 
 tial men of the community in its early days. He came from Canan- 
 daigua with Ezra Piatt. In May, 1801, Joseph EUicott, then acting as 
 special agent for Le Roy and Bayard, engaged Mr. Stoddard to make a 
 survey of the Triangle tract, giving explicit directions as to the laying 
 off of a tract of five hundred acres at " Buttermilk Falls." This tract, 
 which was purchased in 1803 by Mr. Stoddard and Ezra Piatt, is now 
 entirely covered by the village of Le Roy. They erected on the Oatka 
 a grist mill, which is believed to have been the first west of the Genesee 
 river. Mr. Stoddard became the first sheriff of Genesee county and to 
 his efforts is due in a very large measure the peaceful conditions which 
 surrounded the inhabitants of this county during a portion of the first 
 decade of the present century. He also built a commodious tavern 
 and several other houses. He was a man of wide influence, which he 
 invariably exercised for good. 
 
 In 1799 Gilbert Hall began the cultivation of the farm known in 
 
THE PIONEERS OF THE COUNTY. 95 
 
 recent years as the Phelps farm. Friend Hall came soon after and 
 located near by. Jabez Fox and James Davis, jr., settled in town 
 about 1800. Lyman Prindle built a home on West Main street in 1801. 
 The following year Richard Waite came from Canandaigua. His home 
 was frequently used in the early days as a house of worship. Daniel 
 D. Waite, for many years editor of the Batavia Advocate, was his son. 
 Captain James Austin was an early millwright in Le Roy, and Thad- 
 deus Keyes had the first tannery there. Ebenezer Fox, one of the 
 pioneers, conducted a singing school for some time. Aaron Scribner 
 and Samuel Davis removed to this town about 1803. The latter was 
 the proprietor of an early tavern. In a drunken brawl which occurred 
 in his house he met his death at the hands of his son, James, and Elijah 
 Gray, sr. Both were tried and convicted of the murder. Gray was 
 sentenced to State prison for life, but sentence was subsequently com- 
 muted. James Davis was hanged for the crime, at Batavia, in 1839. 
 Among others who settled in the town prior to 1803 were Captain 
 Nathaniel Buel, John Sweatland and Orange Judd. 
 
 In 1805 Jeremiah Hascall came from Connecticut and settled upon 
 the farm east of the village which in more recent years has been known 
 as "Dreamland." He had four sons— Jeremiah, Amasa, John and 
 Augustus P. — and two daughters. 
 
 In 1808 Simon Pierson located near Fort Hill. He was a descendant 
 of Abraham Pierson, the first president of Yale University. He served 
 as a major in the war of 1813, and enjoyed a reputation as an authority 
 on Indian antiquities. He made numerous excavations in the ancient 
 Indian fort near his home and discovered large numbers of Indian 
 relics. Some of these he found below the largest trees, proving that 
 the works were very ancient. 
 
 Contemporaries of Major Pierson were George W. Blodgett, the first 
 saddler and harnessmaker, who settled upon the farm afterward occu- 
 pied by his daughter, Mrs. J. R. Anderson ; Mr. Brown, who was the 
 pioneer blacksmith; John Gilbert, a blacksmith and axe maker, father 
 of the distinguished artist; Levi Farnham, the first manufacturer of 
 clothing; Captain Isaac Marsh, who built an early saw mill, probably 
 the first in town; John Hay, the first stone mason, who built the first 
 Episcopal church ; William Whiting, who came from Canandaigua in 
 1806; Colonel William Olmsted, who came from Williamstown, Mass., 
 in 1806, father of John R. Olmsted of Le Roy. 
 
 Among others who located in the town of Le Roy prior to the begin- 
 
96 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 ning of the war of 1813 were Heman J. Redfield, who became a dis- 
 tinguished citizen of Genesee county; Augustus H. Ely, Stephen Still- 
 well, Daniel Woodward, David Anderson, Alexander Anderson, Joseph 
 Austin, Jonathan Wright, Benjamin Webb, Joel Butler, Thankful 
 Buel, Joy Ward, Captain William Thomas, Edmund Beach, Jonas Bart- 
 lett, Christopher Cadman, Joseph Cook, Amasa Clapp, Lee Comstock, 
 Thomas Studley, Thomas Severance, James Roberts, Elias Peck, 
 Henry Goodenow, Ezekiel Hall, Israel Herrick, Daniel Pierson, Rus- 
 sell Pierson, Ebenezer Parmelee, David W. Parmelee, Zalmon Owen, 
 William Holbrook, Moses McCollum, Alfred Morehouse, Jesse Beach, 
 Philip Beach, Colonel Norton S. Davis, Dudley Saltonstall, whose 
 daughter became the wife of Richard M. Stoddard; Phineas Bates, 
 Cyrus Douglass, Dr. David FaircEild, Jabez Fox, Amos Hall, Nathan 
 
 Harvey, Alexander McPherson, Abel Nettleton, Scofield, Amzi 
 
 Stoughton, Richard Waite, Stephen A. Wolcott, Dr. William Coe, Cal- 
 vin Davis, John McPherson, Samuel B. Wolley, Daniel White, David 
 White, Allen McPherson, Gideon Fordham, John Franklin, Jacob Mc- 
 Collum, Robert Nesbit, Captain David Scott, Asa Buell, Moses Lilly, 
 Isaac Perry, George A. Tiffany, David Emmons, Jason Munn, Philo 
 Pierson, Simon Pierson, the author; Abram Butterfield, Ithamar Coe, 
 John Elliott, Dr. Frederick Fitch, Dr. Benjamin Hill, Captain Theodore 
 Joy, H. Johnson, Silas Lawrence, Hugh Murphy, R. Sinclair, Stephen 
 P. Wilcox, Major Nathan Wilcox, Harry Backus, Timothy Backus, 
 Ebenezer Miles, Salmon Butler, Chester Barrows, Willis Buell, Ward 
 Beckley, Jacob Coe, Silas Fordham, William Harris, Seth Harris, Mar- 
 tin Kelsey, Uriah Kelsey, James McPherson, jr., Captain Isaac Marsh, 
 Graham Newell, Stephen Olmsted, Harvey Prindle, Elias Parmelee, 
 Dr. Chauncey P. Smith, Dr. William Sheldon, Thaddeus Stanley, 
 Alanson Stanley, J. Harlow Stanley, Thomas Tufts, Thomas Warner, 
 Chester Waite, Captain John Webb, Washington Weld, Joseph. Annin, 
 Abraham Buckley, Nathan Bannister, Joseph Curtis, Levi Farnham, 
 Julius Griswold, Samuel Gilbert, Ebenezer Lawrence, Pliny Sanderson, 
 Elisha Stanley, John Thwing, Stephen Taylor, Stephen Walkley. 
 
 The mill of Stoddard & Piatt was the first erected in Le Roy, its 
 operation beginning in 1803. This mill antedates that which the Hol- 
 land Land Company erected at Batavia. 
 
 The year before a wooden bridge had been erected over the Oatka. 
 These two institutions served to attract people to Le Roy from the sur- 
 rounding country, and were in a measure responsible for its early 
 
THE PIONEERS OF THE COUNTY. 97 
 
 growth. The bridge was built by James Ganson, under direction o£ 
 Charles Wilbur and Jotham Curtis, commissioners of highways. The 
 town voted $50 towards paying the expense of construction, and $200 
 more was raised by popular subscription. The work was finished five 
 days after it had been begun, as men from all the adjacent country 
 participated in the work, donating their services. 
 
 The post office at Le Roy was established in 1804, Asher Bates being 
 the first to officiate as postmaster. Richard M. Stoddard and James 
 Ganson were his immediate successors. 
 
 Richard M. Stoddard was the first to offer any merchandise for sale 
 in town, but he did no general business. The first regular store in 
 town was opened in 1806 by George F. Tiffany on the east side of the 
 Oatka. Philo Pierson was also an early merchant, opening a store at 
 the corner of Main and North streets in Le Roy about 1810. David 
 Emmons and Captain Theodore Joy were proprietors of a general store 
 at this point during the period under discussion. Captain Joy was one 
 of the best known merchants between Canandaigua and Buffalo. M. 
 & B. Murphy and James Annin located very early here. The latter 
 first had a store on the east side of the Oatka, but like several others, 
 he removed to the west side of the creek as soon as it became evident 
 that that locality was to be the business centre of the village. 
 
 Dr. William Coe was the fii'st regular practitioner to locate in Le 
 Roy, where he settled in 1803. Besides practicing his profession he 
 taught several of the higher branches of learning in the evening. Many 
 of the prominent persons of the generation succeeding him owe to Dr. 
 Coe the education they obtained. Dr. Frederick Fitch, Dr. Ella Smith, 
 Dr. Chauncey P. Smith and Dr. William Sheldon practiced in town 
 during this period. Graham Newell was the pioneer lawyer in town. 
 
 The name of the town was changed to Caledonia in 1807. In 1811 it 
 was called Bellona, from the goddess of war, nearly every able-bodied 
 man in town having enlisted in the American arm}' to fight against the 
 British. The name was not changed to Le Roy until 1813. 
 
 In the year 1798, Joseph and Benjamin Ellicott and James Brisbane 
 are recorded as inhabitants of the town of Batavia. The separate 
 chapter in the history of the village of Batavia furnishes more detailed 
 information regarding these noted pioneers and some of their contem- 
 poraries. The early records show that John Branan located in town in 
 1800. In the township outside the village the first settlers were Isaac 
 Sutherland, who built a substantial log house on his farm about two 
 
 7 
 
98 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 miles west of the land office in the village, and General Worthy L. 
 Churchill and Colonel William Rumsey, who located in the eastern sec- 
 tion of the town. Soon after Benjamin Morgan, John Lamberton and 
 Samuel F. Geer settled in the town. 
 
 The life and services of Joseph EUicott, the founder of Batavia, have 
 been touched upon in extenso elsewhere in this work. Let us now 
 take a retrospective view of some of the less distinguished, though 
 prominent and influential pioneer inhabitants, than the first agent of 
 the Holland Land Company. Perhaps James Brisbane deserves the 
 first place in the list. 
 
 Mr. Brisbane was born in Philadelphia, of Irish parentage, October 
 13, 1776. At the age of twenty-two years he left the City of Brotherly 
 Love with a large quantity of supplies and general merchandise for sale 
 to the corps of men then engaged in surveying the Western New York 
 wilderness under the direction of Joseph Ellicott. Mr. Brisbane and 
 those who accompanied him first stopped at Stafford, where a building 
 called the Transit storehouse was erected. This was in 1798. January 
 3, 1800, he accompanied Mr. Ellicott back to Philadelphia. Returning 
 in the spring of 1802 he located permanently in the new village of Ba- 
 tavia, which was laid out in that year, offering for sale the first lot of 
 general merchandise ever shipped to that point. July 31, 1803, Gideon 
 Granger, postmaster-general, commissioned him as the first postmaster 
 of Batavia. This was the second post-office west of the Genesee, that 
 at Lewiston being the first. Isaac Sutherland and Samuel F. Geer had 
 erected a building on the northeast corner of Main and Church streets, 
 which was immediately rented for use as a store by Mr. Brisbane, and 
 afterward purchased by him. In 1806 he resigned the postmastership 
 and Ebenezer Cary was appointed in his place. At the same time he 
 disposed of his stock of goods and rented his store to Trumbull Cary. 
 He soon after went to New York and engaged in the book business for 
 two years. Returning to Batavia in 1808 he resumed business at his 
 original stand, remaining there until 1831. During the earlier years 
 of his residence in Batavia he purchased large parcels of real estate, 
 which soon became exceedingly valuable. In 1833 he became the prin- 
 cipal incorporator and largest shareholder of the Tonawanda railroad. 
 Mr. Brisbane was married in 1807 to Mary Lucy Stevens, a sister of 
 James W. Stevens, the first clerk of Genesee county. His death oc- 
 curred May 39, 1851. He was survived by two sons: Albert, born in 
 1809, and George, born in 1813. 
 
THE PIONEERS OF THE COUNTY. 99 
 
 Among the other pioneers of the town, prior to the war of 1813, were 
 the following: 
 
 James W. Stevens, a native of New Jersey and a graduate of Prince- 
 ton College, came in 1800. At the earliest period of its land sales in 
 Western New York he became connected with the Holland Land Com- 
 pany, and remained in that capacity until the affairs of that concern 
 were closed up. He was the first clerk of Genesee county, holding 
 office from 1804 to 1810. No man in all Genesee county was more 
 highly esteemed than he. 
 
 David E. Evans, a nephew of Joseph Ellicott, came from his home 
 in Maryland to assume a clerical position in the Holland Land office. 
 He was elected to the State Senate in 1818 and served in that body 
 four years. He became a member of congress in 1826, but resigned 
 in that year in order to accept the agency of the Holland Company, to 
 succeed Jacob Otto, a position he filled with great fidelity until 1837, 
 when the affairs of the company were closed up. His death occurred 
 in 1850. Mr. Evans was a public-spirited man, and a liberal contrib- 
 utor to all worthy enterprises, public or private. ' 
 
 Ebenezer Cary accompanied Mr. Ellicott as a surveyor to the Hol- 
 land Purchase, and served the company for some time in various ca- 
 pacities. He was an early merchant in Batavia, succeeding James 
 Brisbane. 
 
 Dr. David McCracken and Roswell Graham came in 1801, and James 
 Cochrane in 1802. The latter was the proprietor of a bell foundry on 
 Bank street. He died in 1826. 
 
 Trumbull Cary, brother of Ebenezer Cary, was born in Mansfield, 
 Conn., August 11, 1787. He came to Batavia in 1805, and after spend- 
 ing four years as clerk for James Brisbane and Ebenezer Cary, bought 
 out that firm and remained in business until 1840. He also served as 
 postmaster for part of that time. He served in both branches of the 
 State Legislature, and was an adjutant in the war of 1813. He was 
 the founder of the Bank of Genesee, and was for many years one of the 
 most successful business men and financiers in this section of the State. 
 He died June 30, 1869. 
 
 Ebenezer Mix was born at New Haven, Conn., December 31, 1789. 
 In 1809 he came to Batavia and worked at his trade as a mason in the 
 summer and taught school in the winter. In 1810 he began the study 
 of the law with Daniel B. Brown, but in the spring of 1811 entered 
 the employ of the Holland Land Company, where he remained as 
 
100 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 contracting clerk for twenty-seven years. During this period he was 
 for twenty-one years surrogate of Genesee county. While serving in 
 that office, he codified the State laws relating to the descent and distri- 
 bution of estates. He served with distinction in the war of 1813, act- 
 ing as the volunteer aide of Gen. Peter B. Porter at the memorable 
 sortie at Fort Erie, September 17, 1814. He was recognized as one of 
 the best mathematicians in the State, and was the author of a work en- 
 titled "Practical Mathematics." He also assisted Orsamus Turner in 
 the compilation of his " History of the Holland Purchase." March 30, 
 1815, Mr. Mix married Jemima Debow. His death occurred in Cleve- 
 land, O., January 13, 1869. 
 
 Aaron Van Cleve, who came to Batavia in 1809, was born in New 
 Jersey in 1768. In 1791 he married a daughter of Benjamin Stevens 
 and a sister of James W. Stevens. In 1799 he assisted Joseph EUicott 
 in running the West Transit Line. In 1809 he removed to Batavia, 
 and two years later was appointed sheriff, serving until 1814. He also 
 held other offices of trust. 
 
 In addition to those persons mentioned in the foregoing, the follow- 
 ing are recorded as holders of property in Batavia village or township 
 as early as 1803 : 
 
 Elisha Adams, Joseph Alvord, Dr. J. Arnold, Thomas Ashley, Will- 
 iam Blackman, Hiram Blackman, Russell Crane, Charles Cooley, Silas 
 Chapin, Daniel Curtis, James Clements, Jeremiah Cutler, James Coch- 
 rane, Gideon Dunham, Garrett Davis, Dr. C. Chapin, John Forsyth, 
 E. Gettings, Samuel F. Geer, Rufus Hart, James Holden, Paul Hink- 
 ley, Paul Hill, Jesse Hurlburt, Joseph Hawks, John Lamberton, P. 
 Lewis, Daniel McCracken, Rufus McCracken, James McKain, Ben- 
 jamin F. Morgan, David Mather, Elisha Mann, R. Noble, Zerah Phelps, 
 Peter Powers, Benjamin Porter, Stephen Russell, Benjamin Russell, 
 H. Rhodes, Abel Rowe, Amos Ranger, Rowland Town, E. Tillottson, 
 Henry Wilder, Aaron White, J. Washburn, William Wood, Elijah 
 Spencer and Isaac Spencer. 
 
 Beside these the following are on record as having been owners of 
 property between the year 1803, when Batavia village was founded, 
 and the outbreak of the war of 1813: 
 
 John Alger, David Anderson, David Bowen, William H. Bush, Ben- 
 jamin Blodgett, Ephraim Brown, Isaiah Babcock, Daniel B. Brown, 
 M. Brooks, William Curtis, Benjamin Gary, Elisha Cox, Nathaniel Cole- 
 man, Eleazer Cantling, L. L. Clark, Simeon Cummings, Peleg Doug- 
 
THE PIONEERS OF THE COUNTY. 101 
 
 lass, Levi Davis, Silas Dibble, jr., Hugh Duffy, John Dorman, L. Dis- 
 brow, John De Wolf, Andrew A. Ellicott, Gideon EUicott, John B. 
 Ellicott, William Ewing, Seymour Ensign, Phineas Ford, Libbeus 
 Fish, Eden Foster, Ezekiel Fox, Othniel Field, David Goss, R. Godfrey, 
 Thomas Godfrey, Linus Gunn, Alanson Gunn, Hugh Henry, James 
 Henry, John Herring, Hinman Holden, Samuel C. Holden, General 
 Amos Hall, David Hall, Winter Hewitt, James G. Hoyt, H. Jerome, 
 Samuel Jacks, Seymour Kellogg, Zenas Keyes, Chauncey Keyes, Will- 
 iam Keyes, Solomon Kingsley, John S. Leonard, Henry Lake, William 
 Lucas, Amos Lamberton, Reuben Lamberton, Thomas Layton, A. 
 
 Lincoln, Leonard, Asa McCracken, E. Messenger, Azor Marsh, 
 
 David C. Miller, N. Miner, William Pierce, Blanchard Powers, Patrick 
 Powers, James Post, Nathan Rumsey, Samuel Ranger, J. Z. Ross, 
 Reuben Town, L Norman Town, Benjamin Tainter, Joel Tyrrell, Jona- 
 than Wood, Reuben W. Wilder, Oswald Williams, Ellas Williams, Abel 
 Wheeler, John B. Watkins, Abraham Starks, Joshua Sutherland, David 
 Smith, Isaac Smith, Henry Starks, J. P. Smith, S. Stoughton, N. 
 Walker. 
 
 James Brisbane, the first settler in the town of Stafford and the 
 first merchant on the Holland Purchase, remained in that town but 
 a short time. In 1802, when Mr. Ellicott began the work of laying 
 out the village of Batavia, one of the first men to take advantage of 
 the superior opportunities for trade which that locality offered was 
 Mr. Brisbane. He had abandoned his storehouse, which probably was 
 located on the west side of the creek, north of the bridge, in the 
 present village of Stafford, some time before. 
 
 In 1799, the year after the arrival of Mr. Brisbane, James Dewey, 
 one of the surveyors employed by Mr. Ellicott for the Holland com- 
 pany, was induced by Mr. Brisbane to clear about ten acres of land 
 just west of the Transit, which he sowed with oats. 
 
 Frederick Walther located in Stafford during or prior to 1800. He 
 was one of the first men to accept the offer of the company in 1800, re- 
 garding the establishment of taverns. Paul Busti, the general agent 
 of the company at Philadelphia, had given authority " to contract with 
 six reputable individuals to locate themselves on the road from the 
 Transit Line to Buffalo Creek, about ten miles apart, and open houses 
 of entertainment for travelers," in consideration for which they were 
 to have "from fifty to one hundred and fifty acres of land each, at a 
 liberal time for payment, without interest, at the lowest price per acre." 
 
103 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 In accordance with this offer Walther took a tract of one hundred and 
 fifty acres west of and adjoining the Eastern Transit Line, including 
 the company's storehouse. He had already located on a part of this 
 tract, but how long he had been there at this time is unknown. His 
 stay was brief in this community on account of his unpopularity. 
 
 One of the earlist permanent settlers of whom any record has been 
 left was Colonel William Rumsey, who came from Hubbardton, Vt. , 
 in 1802 and located on Stafford Hill. Colonel Rumsey also was a sur- 
 veyor employed under direction of Mr. Ellicott, and a man of sterling 
 worth. He became one of the most influential men in the town and 
 county. His son, Joseph E. Rumsey, settled here the same year, but 
 subsequently removed to Chicago. 
 
 In 1803 Nathan Marvin bought a large tract of land, upon which he 
 settled, but he eventually sold the property and moved to Ohio. 
 
 General Worthy Lovell Churchill, who became one of the most con- 
 spicuous men in Genesee county in its early days, settled upon a farm 
 near that of Colonel Rumsey in 1803. He served as an officer in the 
 war of 1812, commanded the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regiment 
 of New York State Militia, and served as sheriff of the county from 
 1820 to 1825. I 
 
 John Debow and Zenas Bigelow began the cultivation of farms in 
 Stafford in 1804. From that time to 1812 newcomers were quite nu- 
 merous. Among those who came to town during that period were Eben 
 Eggleston, who kept a tavern on the Big Tree road; D. Hall, Leonard 
 King, Henry Rumsey, Josiah Churchill, Phineas White, John Bean, 
 
 Malachai Tyler, Amos Stow. Seymour Ensign, Falconer, Nathan 
 
 Bannister and Betsey Bigelow. Tyler operated a small wood turning 
 shop, where he turned out chairs, spinning wheels, bowls and other 
 wooden implements. He also did blacksmithing. Amos Stow built a 
 saw mill on Bigelow creek in 1811, and in the same year Seymour Ensign 
 built a grist mill in the same neighborhood. The latter also conducted 
 quite a business in wool-carding and cloth dressing. Captain Nathan 
 Cash and Elisha Prentice removed to the town in 1812. Nathaniel Wat- 
 son and Daniel Prentice located about 1812 on the Pultney lands of the 
 Connecticut tract. 
 
 In 1806 Esther Sprout opened a private school on or near the present 
 site of the village of Stafford. This undoubtedly was the first school 
 in town. Nothing is known of any other schools which may have ex- 
 isted during this period. 
 
THE PIONEERS OF THE COUNTY. 103 
 
 Beside the Walther tavern referred to, Jonathan Bemis kept a public 
 house in Stafford as early as 1804. David Danolds was another early 
 landlord, his tavern being on the site of the one Walther had occupied, 
 just west of the building occupied by Mr. Brisbane as a storehouse. 
 Eben Eggleston's tavern on the Big Tree Road, opened in 1809, for 
 many years was a famous hostelry. 
 
 Religious services were held in town as early as 1810, by the Rev. 
 William Green, a Baptist preacher. The earliest meetings were held 
 at the house of Colonel Rumsey. From these services sprang the first 
 Baptist church of Stafford. 
 
 The town of Oakfield was first settled in 1801, when Erastus Wolcott 
 and Aaron White built homes and began the cultivation of farms. 
 Gideon Dunham located here soon after, in the same year, his neigh- 
 borhood soon becoming known as Dunham's Grove. A little later in 
 the same year Erastus Wolcott, Peter Rice and Christopher Kenyon 
 moved into the town. Peter Lewis immigrated from Vermont in' 1803 
 and settled on a farm near that of Gideon Dunham. Daniel Ayer and 
 Job Babcock also came in 1802. The records show the following as 
 having located here in 1803 : Hiram Smith, James Robinson, Lemuel 
 L. Clark, Silas Pratt, William McGrath, Philip Adkins, Darius Ayer 
 and George Lathrop. Rufus Hastings, Roraback Robinson, Samuel 
 Jerome, sr., Samuel Jerome, jr., Benjamin Chase and Solomon Baker 
 came in 1804, and Caleb Blodgett, sr., Caleb Blodgett, jr., Micajah 
 Green, George Hoge, Ezra Thomas, William Parrish, David Clark, 
 Eldridge Buntley, George Harper, John Harper, David Woodworth, 
 Nicholas Bentley and James Crossett came in 1806. In 1807 Elijah 
 Blodgett, a native of Vermont, came from Ontario county and settled 
 at what is now Mechanicsville. William McCrilless settled here in 1810 
 and George W., John and Jeremiah H. Gardner in 1811. In the latter 
 year George Driggs located on the north line of the Reservation. He 
 cut that portion of the Lewiston road from Alabama to Walsworth's 
 tavern. Other early settlers included John Orr, Russell Nobles, Othniel 
 Brown, Harvey Hubbard and Laurens Armstrong. 
 
 The first mills in Oakfield were those built by Christopher Kenyon 
 in 1811. Gideon Dunham was the first tavern keeper. 
 
 The earliest inhabitant of Bergen was Samuel Lincoln, who pur- 
 chased a farm in that town in 1801. Soon afterward, in the same year, 
 Benajah Worden, George Letson, William Letson, James Letson, David 
 Scott, Gideon Elliott, Richard Abbey, Jesse Leach and Solomon Levi 
 
104 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 settled in various portions of the town, mostly in Lincoln's neighbor- 
 hood. From that timfe to 1812 the following were recorded as settlers 
 in Bergen, all being landholders: Alexander White, Alexander Bissell, 
 Amos Hewitt, A. E. Wilcox, John Landon, Abram Davis, Captain 
 James Austin, James Landon, Isaac Wallace, Orange Throop, Joseph 
 Throop, David Potter, Levi Bissell, Aaron Bissell, Wheaton South- 
 worth, John Gifford, Samuel Butler, Jesse Barber, Jedediah Crosby, 
 Captain William Peters, Samuel Gleason, Oliver Avery, Aaron Arnold, 
 Eben Arnold, Deacon Benjamiii Wright, Deacon Pitman Wilcox, Deacon 
 John Ward, Deacon Levi WanJ, Deacon Timothy Hill, James Munger, - 
 Joarab Field, Wickham Field, Joel Wright, Stephen R. Evarts, David 
 H. Evarts, Captain Phineas Parmelee, Nathan Field, Uriah Crampton, 
 Captain Samuel Bassett, Selah M. Wright, Bela Munger, William H. 
 Munger, Harvey Field, Joshua Field, Dr. Levi Ward, Colonel W. H. 
 Ward, Hamilton Wilcox, General Daniel Hurlburt, M. C. Ward, Josiah 
 Pierson, Simeon Pierson, John Pierson, Philo Pierson, Linus Pierson, 
 Russell Pierson (brothers), David Franklin, Ishi Franklin, Sylvanus 
 Franklin, Reuben Franklin, Daniel Franklin (brothers), Harvey Kelsey, 
 Captain Daniel Kelsey, Uriah Kelsey, Martin Kelsey, Charles Kelsey, 
 Thomas Stevens, Daniel Stevens, Jesse Griswold, Josiah Buell, Job Sew- 
 ard, Roswell Parmelee, Ebenezer Parmelee, Abner Hull, Ebenezer Hull, 
 Phineas Nettleton, John Smith, Samuel Smith, Deacon Selden, Major 
 Nathan Wilcox, Calvin Seward, Augustus Buell and Jonathan Wright. 
 
 Hamilton Wilcox was a member of a colony which came from East 
 Guilford, Conn., in 1808. At the age of sixteen years he began 
 teaching school in Bergen. In the winter of 1813-14, when troops 
 were called for, he left his schtfbl to take command of a company. On 
 the night of December 30, 1813, as the British were crossing the river 
 at Black Rock, he was wounded by a bullet. He was taken back to 
 Bergen, where his arm was amputated, causing his death four weeks 
 later. 
 
 Aaron Arnold was the oldest son of Enoch Arnold, and was born in 
 Berkshire county, Mass., in 1781. In 1806 he married Eliza Allen 
 of Canaan, Conn., and the following year he removed to Bergen and 
 began farming. He became a man of wealth and influence, and served 
 his town several terms as supervisor. 
 
 Ebenezer Arnold, youngest son of Daniel Arnold, came from East 
 Haddam, Conn., in 1802. He was for many years a deacon in the First 
 Congregational church of Bergen. 
 
THE PIONEERS OF THE COUNTY. 105 
 
 Wickham Field came from Killingworth, Conn., in June, 1809, in 
 company with several other pioneers of Genesee, and settled about two 
 miles west of Bergen village. 
 
 AbnerHull, who came also from Killingworth, Conn., in 1808, served 
 as justice of the peace and supervisor of Bergen for many years. He 
 was a man of upright character, noted far and wide for his integrity. 
 One of his sons, Ferdinand H. Hull, was sheriff of Genesee county 
 from 1860 to 1863 inclusive. Carlos A. Hull, who has served as county 
 clerk continuously since 1867, is another son. Abner Hull's wife was 
 Rachael Parmelee. 
 
 The first religious organization in Bergen of which there is any record 
 was the Congregational church organized January 35, 1808, at the 
 house of Deacon John Ward. But before this date religious services 
 had been held by Rev. Calvin Ingalls, a missionary, in the barn of 
 David Franklin. ^^ 
 
 Harvey Kelsey was the earliest school teacher. Titus Wilcox, Joshua 
 Field and Hamilton Wilcox were other teachers of the pioneer days. 
 
 Jared Merrill erected the first saw mill in Bergen. The store of Dr. 
 Levi Ward, opened in 1808, and that of Josiah Pierson, opened in 1811, 
 are believed to have been the first in town. In 1809 Samuel Butler 
 opened a tavern, the first public house in Bergen. 
 
 The earliest settlements in Bethany were made in the year 1803, when 
 John Torrey, Orsamus Kellogg, John Dewey, Charles Culver, Captain 
 George Lathrop, Richard Pearson, Samuel Prindle, L. D. Prindle, 
 David Hall, O. Fletcher, Nathaniel Pinney, Horace Shepard and Jed- 
 ediah Riggs took up farms in town. Whether all these actually settled 
 here in that year or not is not shown by the records. Captain George 
 Lathrop settled in town in that year, but he had two neighbors who 
 were there before him. Captain Lathrop was an officer in the war of 
 1813. Solomon Lathrop came in 1804, but remained but a short time. 
 Henry Lathrop, who settled here the same year, resided in town until 
 his death. Richard Pearson, sr., came from Lyme, Conn., in 1803, and 
 purchased a good sized tract, but did not perrftanently settle in Bethany 
 until 1815. Richard Peck, who located here in 1806, was a lieutenant 
 in Colonel Rumsey's regiment in the war of 1812. Jedediah Lincoln 
 located in town in 1805, and Peter Putnam a short time afterward. 
 
 Among the other inhabitants of the town who are recorded as having 
 resided herebeforethe war of 1813 were the following: Solomon Kings- 
 ley, Peter Adley, John Boynton, William Coggeshall, W. B. Cogge- 
 
106 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 shall, James Cowdrey, Jeremiah Cowdrey, Lewis Disbrow, Peleg 
 Douglass, John Grimes, Elisha Giddings, Joseph Hawks, Thomas 
 Harding, John Halsted, Alanson Jones, John Roberts, Israel Shearer, 
 David Tyrrell, Joel S. Wilkinson, Isaac R. Williams, William Williams, 
 David Anderson, Israel Buell, Abel Buell, Erastus Bennett, James 
 Bennett, Jeremiah Bennett, Joseph Bartlett, Eli Bristol, Jason Bixby, 
 Jonathan Bixby, John Chambers, Ezekiel Fay, John Greenough, John 
 Huntington, Thomas Halsted, Asher Lamberton, Gershom Orvis, Eli 
 Perry, Alfred Rose, Richard Stiles, Josiah Southard, Elisha Wallace, 
 Peter Wilkinson, Isaac Wilson, Philo Whitcomb, Joseph Adgate, Elisha 
 Andrews, Lewis Barney, D. W. Bannister, Peter Davidson, Chester 
 Davidson, Moses Goodrich, Liberty Judd, David Ingersoll, David Mor- 
 gan, Henry Miller, Mather Peck, Thomas Starkweater, David Stewart, 
 Joseph Shedd, Eben Wilson, Heman Brown, Buell Brown, Sylvester 
 Lincoln, jr., Moses Page, Elisha Hurlburt, Nathaniel Brown, Calvin 
 Barrows, Eleazer Faunce, O. Walker, W. Waite, sr., Israel Cook, Al- 
 exander Grimes, Daniel Marsh, Jesse Rumsey, Judge Wilson, Charles 
 Smead, Robert Lounsbury, Israel Fay. 
 
 The first mill in Bethany was built about 1808, at Linden, by a man 
 named Coles. The dam was twenty four feet high. In 1810 another 
 mill was built at that point by Judge Isaac Wilson. In 1809 or 1810 
 Calvin Barrow erected a carding and woolen mill, which was widely 
 patronized for many years. Judge Wilson had one of the first general 
 stores in town. He was also a justice of the peace for several years, 
 and the first postmaster at Linden. Joseph Chamberlain was the pro- 
 prietor of the first tavern at that point. The first tavern in the town, 
 however, was that kept by Sylvester Lincoln and opened for business 
 in 1805. At Canada a mill was in operation very early, perhaps as early 
 as 1808. Its proprietor was a man named Bennett, and the locality 
 was known for some time as Bennett's Mills. Nathaniel Brown built a 
 grist mill at West Bethany in 1811. 
 
 Religious services were held in Bethany as early as 1810, when the 
 Methodist brethren conducted camp meetings at "Bennett's." The 
 year following services were held by Benjamin Barlow, a local preacher. 
 Brother Howe and Father Waller. Dr. Jonathan K. Barlow was the 
 pioneer physician of the town. 
 
 The first inhabitant of Darien was Orange Carter, who came from 
 Vermont in 1803 and located near Darien village, or Darien City. The 
 year following Isaac Chaddock, also from Vermont, located in the same 
 
THE PIONEERS OF THE COUNTY. 107 
 
 vicinity. Stephen Parker opened a tavern in 1808, which was the first 
 in town. Amos Humphrey built the first saw mill in town in 1809. It 
 was located on the banks of Eleven Mile creek. 
 
 Saxton Bailey, accompained by his son Joshua, removed to Darien in 
 1806 and purchased a farm of six hundred acres. His family followed 
 two years later. Of these one son, Daniel, became a captain in the war 
 of 1812. John Bard well and his family, including his son Dexter, re- 
 moved here from Orange county, Vt. , in 1810. Peleg Bowen, a native 
 of Galway, Saratoga county, N. Y., removed to Darien in 1811. He 
 spent his life upon his farm, and served with honor in the war of 1812. 
 Owen Curtis, a native of Warren, Conn., came to Darien in 1808 and 
 bought a farm, on which he resided for seventy years. 
 
 The pioneer Orange Carter was born December 23, 1774, in Connec- 
 ticut. His wife was Betsey Rumsey of Vermont. Mr. Carter had been 
 employed for several years assisting in the survey of the Holland Pur- 
 chase, and the farm he selected in the north part of the town was one 
 of the finest in Genesee county. For a year his nearest neighbor lived 
 three and one-half miles distant, in Alexander, and he had to travel six 
 miles to find a grist mill. Mr. Carter served in the war of 1812. He 
 died in Wisconsin in 1855, aged eighty-one years. 
 
 Brazilla Carter, a native of Connecticut, settled in 1812 in Darien, 
 after a trip of six weeks, with an ox sled and cart, from his New Eng- 
 land home. He died at the age of eighty-six years on the farm where 
 he first settled. 
 
 Abner C. Colby, Reuben Colby and Daniel Colby removed to Darien 
 from Canaan, N. H., in 1812, taking contracts for land at three dollars 
 per acre, with ten years' time for payment. Their farms adjoined one 
 another and the settlement became known as the Colby neighborhood. 
 
 Jonathan Durkee, a graduate of Dartmouth College, came to Darien 
 in 1810 and took up four hundred acres of land. He became promi- 
 nent in the affairs of the town, serving as justice and supervisor. 
 
 Alva Jefferson and Ichabod Jefferson were pioneers of 1812, locating 
 in the southern part of the town. 
 
 Colonel Abraham Matteson, a native of Bennington, Vt., removed 
 from that place to Darien in 1808, with his wife, formerly Betsey 
 Woodard of Bennington. He entered the war of 1812 as a private 
 and was mustered out as a colonel. He held numerous offices, serving 
 as a justice for sixteen years. He also represented Genesee county in 
 the State Assembly. -He died in 1831. 
 
108 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Henry Saulsbury, born atSchodack, Rensselaer county, N. Y., about 
 1790, removed to Darien in 1810, residing there the balance of his life. 
 He held numerous local offices and was a man of influence. 
 
 Other pioneers of Darien of this period included George Wright, 
 David Goss, Rufus Kidder, Israel Doane, James Day, Captain Jonathan 
 Bailey, Benjamin Carter, David Carter, John Long, David Long, John 
 Lamberton, Stephen Parker, Joseph Peters, Samuel Carr, S. D. Cleve- 
 land, A. L. Clemens, Owen Curtis, Amos Humphrey, John Sumner, 
 James G. Tiffany, H. G. Tiffany, D. Tiffany, Major William Thayer, 
 Jonathan Vaughan, Daniel Jones, Levi Jones, Jotham Sumner, Orris 
 Boughton, E. N. Boughton, John Ball, Peleg Brown, Nathaniel Jones, 
 John Murray, Jerome Sumner, Joel Sutherland, Harry Stone, Jonas 
 Kinne, Winslow Sumner, Tyler Sumner, David Sutherland, John Suth- 
 erland, John Stickney, Daniel Carter, Frank Chapin and Ira J. Tisdale. 
 Elba was first settled in 1804, July 11, 1803, the Holland Land Com- 
 pany issued to John Young a deed to land south of Elba village. In 
 the spring of the following year Mr. Young and his wife came from 
 Virginia on horseback, and located on their new farm. For a while 
 they endured great hardships and privations. It is related that their 
 first bed was a large cotton bag which they purchased of Mr. Brisbane 
 at the Transit storehouse and filled with the down of "cat tails." Mr. 
 Young at once set to work to clear up and cultivate his land, and soon 
 found himself in possession of a most fertile and productive farm. His 
 log house was the first erected in the town of Elba. 
 
 Soon after the arrival of John Young, in 1804, John Roraback estab- 
 lished himself at the point which afterwards became known by the 
 name of Pine Hill. He was a weaver, and for many years manufac- 
 tured "homespun" for most of the settlers within a radius of several 
 miles. A little later Bannan Clark, Thomas Turner and Ephraim 
 Wortman settled in the same community. Patrick O'Fling was also a 
 very early inhabitant. He and his three sons and a son-in-law fought 
 in the war of 1813. Mr. O'Fling had previously served in the Revolu- 
 tion. The Drake family — -Samuel, John, Jesse and James — came to 
 town in 1811. Lemuel Foster came about the same time. In 1808 
 Eleazer Southworth, Asa Sawtelle, Sherrard Parker and Daniel Mills 
 located here. George and John Mills settled near the latter, and that 
 community was known for years as the Mills neighborhood. Near the 
 latter Locklin Norton located about 180^. In 1808 Isaac Higley 
 founded a home in the eastern section of the town. Borden Wilcox, 
 
THE PIONEERS OF THE COUNTY. 109 
 
 Dudley Sawyer, Deacon Seymour, Sylvanus Humphrey and Enos Kel- 
 logg were also residents of the town during or prior to 1812. The ex- 
 isting records also show the names of Dr. Daniel Woodward, Reuben 
 Perry, Col. E. J. Pettibone, David Kingsley, Elisha Kellogg, John 
 Willis, Archibald Whitten, Thomas Parker, Nathaniel Johnson, Hiram 
 Smith, Col. Samuel Hall, Mark Turner, Nelson Parker, Phineas Barr, 
 Loren Barr, John Lamberton, Ira Howe, Isaac Barber, John Howe, 
 Phineas Howe, Simeon Hosmer, Cornelius Barr, Richard Edgerton, 
 Dudley Sawyer, Samuel Cummings, Nathan Miner, Silas Torrey, Ed- 
 mund Burgess, Horace Jerome, Joel Jerome, Joseph Mills, Aaron 
 White, Stephen Harmon, Mason Turner, Asa Babcock and Samuel 
 Laing. 
 
 Horace Gibbs and Comfort Smith erected the first saw mill and grist 
 mill on Spring creek in 1810. 
 
 Mason Turner opened a school on Gifford Hill, at the house of J. W. 
 Gardner in 1811. This was the first school established in Elba. 
 
 Dr. Daniel Woodward probably was the first physician to practice in 
 this town. 
 
 The exact date of the first permanent settlement within the limits of 
 the present town of Alexander is not definitely known. Early gazet- 
 teers state that Alexander Rea or Rhea located here in 1803, and that 
 John Oney (Olney), Lewis Disbrow, George Darrow and William 
 Blackman followed in 1802 and 1803. It is known that Alexander 
 Rhea, for whom the town was named, obtained a deed to a tract of 
 land in 1802, but it is doubtful if he settled upon it in that year. He 
 erected a saw mill on the site of Alexander village in 1804, but may 
 have become a resident before that date. Mr. Rhea was one of the 
 surveyors employed by the Holland Land Company. Later on he was 
 a brigadier-general of the State militia, and also served as State senator 
 for several terms. He was a man of influence and amassed a fortune. 
 In 1809 he removed from his first farm and took up a larger tract, since 
 known as the Pearson farm. 
 
 Some authorities refer to William Blackman as the first actual set- 
 tler, though it probably never will be known whether his occupation of 
 land in the town antedated that of Rhea. EHjah Root and William 
 Johnson came in 1803 or 1804. In the latter year Lillie Fisher, Caleb 
 Blodgett, Benham Preston, Joseph Fellows, Elisha Carver, Elias 
 Lee, John Lee, Solomon Blodgett, Samuel Russell and Elijah 
 Rowe were recorded as owners of land. Some of those who took up 
 
no OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 land in 1806 were John Churchill, David Clark, Henry Rumsey, Jonas 
 Blodgett, Isaac Chaddock, Captain Ezekiel T. Lewis, Alexander Little, 
 B. Lyman, J. McCoUister, David Carter, John Chamberlin, Aaron 
 Gale, Timothy Fay, Henry Williams, Elnathan Wilcox and Amos 
 Jones. The latter taught the first school in the town, Ezekiel Church- 
 ill, G. W. Wing, Philo Porter, S. Bradway, Rudolphus Hawkins and 
 Joseph Gladden settled here in 1807. Timothy Hawkins came during 
 this period from Tolland, Conn. William Adams, who located in the 
 village about 1807, built a saw mill and grist mill soon afterward. He 
 was for some time a lieutenant in the State militia. 
 
 William Parrish and his son Isaac came from Randolph, Vt., in 1806. 
 The latter was pressed into service during the early part of the war of 
 1812, while on a business trip to Batavia, but was allowed to return 
 home after reaching Buffalo. Hon. Abel Ensign and Harvey Hawkins 
 settled in town in 1808, and were proprietors of the first tavern and 
 store. The year following Lyman Riddle, John Squires, Thomas Rice, 
 Shubael Wing and Edmund Tracy purchased land and founded homes. 
 Levi Thompson and Moses M. Page located here in 1810, and soon 
 afterward Colonel Seba Brainard settled in the same neighborhood. 
 John and Samuel Latham, who came about the same time, erected the 
 first frame dwelling in Alexander. In 1810 and 1811 Gehial Stannard, 
 William Waite, Spencer Waldo, John Cady and Return B. Cady be- 
 came their neighbors. Captain Elisha Smith, who settled at Alexander 
 village in 1812, was a native of Washington county, N. Y. , and a soldier 
 in the war of 1812. Timothy Mooers built the first mill at Alexander 
 village. Leverett Seward, another pioneer, was a soldier in the war of 
 1812 and served twice in the Assembly. 
 
 The early history of Pembroke is closely identified with that of 
 Darien, and the names of most of the early settlers of the former town 
 are contained in the preceding pages of this chapter devoted to the pio- 
 neer history of Darien. David Goss made the first settlement in 1804. 
 He came from Massachusetts and erected a dwelling which he also used 
 as a tavern. Dr. David Long, from Washington county, N. Y., John 
 Long, his son, and Samuel Carr settled in town in 1808, and Joseph 
 Lester, from Connecticut, in' 1809. Samuel Carr built the first grist 
 mill and saw mill, and also kept a tavern, believed to have been the 
 first in Pembroke. The Longs located at what is now Corfu, and for 
 many years that neighborhood was known as Long's Corners. Dr. 
 Long was the first medical practitioner to establish himself in Pem- 
 
THE PIONEERS OF THE COUNTY. Ill 
 
 broke. Anna Horton opened a school in 1811, the first in town. Jonas 
 Kinne, who came to Long's Corners in 1812, soon after erected a com- 
 modious two story tavern, which became a famous public house for 
 those days. 
 
 Although the old gazetteers affirm that Peter Crosman, who located 
 in Pavilion in 1809, was the first settler in that town, recent research 
 shows that settlements were made within the present limits of the town 
 at least four years earlier than that date. Isaac D. Lyon, who removed 
 to this town in 1805, doubtless was the pioneer white inhabitant. The 
 next record extant shows that in 1807 Richard Walkley and the Law- 
 rence family established homes in the town. Peter Crosman came in 
 1809, and in the same year we find settlements made by Levi and James 
 McWethy, Solomon, Ezra and Laura Terrill. Reuben Burnham, Dr. 
 Benjamin Hill, William Halbert, Orange Judd, Rowland Perry, Joshua 
 Shumway, Calvin Spring, Erastus Spring, Amos Spring, Elliott Ter- 
 rill and Ezra Walker came in 1810; Barber Allen, Amasa Allen, 
 Issachar Allen, William Almy, Leman Bradley, Samuel Bishop, H. B. 
 Elwell, Libbeus Graves, Calvin Lewis, Daniel Lord, Samuel Phelps, 
 Elijah Phelps, Page Russell, Cyril Shumway, Noah Starr, Isaac Storm, 
 Jesse Sprague, Daniel Walker, Isaac Walker, Loomis Walker and Syl- 
 vanus L. Young in 1811 ; and Harry Conklin, Lovell Cobb, Francis Her- 
 rick, Richard Pearson, W. E. Pearson, D. W. Matteson, Isaac Shepard, 
 Hazel Thompson, Dr. Abel Tennant and Dr. Daniel White during or 
 before 1812. 
 
 Ezra Terrill, one of the most prominent of the earliest pioneers, came 
 from Vermont in 1809. He bought four hundred and eighty acres near 
 Union Corners, and erected thereon a log house. He married Rox- 
 anna Elliott. Daniel Lord was a tailor, and he and his wife made 
 many suits of clothing for the soldiers of the war of 1812. Captain 
 James Sprague, a native of Connecticut, in company with Aaron 
 Spaulding, built the first saw mill in the neighborhood, on the Oatka. 
 Amasa Allen and his wife, formerly Lucinda Loomis, was one of those 
 who came in 1811. Captain Issachar Allen, his son, was an officer in 
 the State militia. Dr. Daniel White, the first physician in town, was 
 a surgeon in the war of 1812. 
 
 James Walsworth, who came to Alabama in 1806, and opened the 
 first tavern there, was the first settler in that town. As far as can be 
 ascertained from careful study of the records he was the only one to lo- 
 cate in that town prior to 1812. 
 
112 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Benham Preston, who originally located in Batavia, and who removed 
 to Byron in 1807 or 1808, was the first permanent settler in that town. 
 
 In 1808 Elisha Taylor and Hoskins took up land and built homes 
 
 there. Mr. Taylor came from Otsego county, N. Y. The following 
 year the colony was increased by the arrival of Wheaton Carpenter 
 from Rhode Island, Elisha Miller from Pennsylvania and Chester T. 
 Holbrook from Cayuga county. In 1810 Nathan Holt came from 
 Otsego county, and in 1811 Asa Merrill immigrated from Oneida county. 
 Chester T. Holbrook taught the first school, which was opened in 1810. 
 The earliest religious services were held in 1809 by Rev. Royal Phelps, 
 a Presbyterian clergyman from Cayuga county. The first religious so- 
 ciety in town was the Baptist church organized in 1810 by Elder Ben- 
 jamin M. Parks. The first grist mill and saw mill were erected by 
 Samuel Parker in 1809 or 1810. 
 
 In addition to those already mentioned as pioneers of Byron, the fol- 
 lowing are recorded as having settled in the town in the years men- 
 tioned: 1806, Sherrard Parker; 1807, Benoni Gaines; 1808, Elijah 
 Loorais; 1809, Asahel Cook; 1810, Richard G. Moses, Elijah Brown, 
 Elkanah Humphrey, E. Taylor; 1811, John Bean, David Cook, An- 
 drew Dibble, Benajah Griswold, Amasa Walker; 1812, Paul Bullard, 
 David Shedd, Ezra Sanford, Zeno Terry, William Terry. 
 
 According to the survey of the Holland Purchase into ranges and 
 townships, the various counties and their towns, as at present organ- 
 ized, were included in the ranges and townships of the original survey 
 as follows: 
 
 Allegany County. — Bolivar, Township 1, Range 1. Wirt, t. 3, r. 1. 
 Friendship, t. 3, r. 1. Belfast, t. 4, r. 1. Caneadea, t. 5, r. 1. Hume, 
 t. 6, r. 1. Genesee, t. 1, r. 2. Clarkesville, t. 2, r. 2. Cuba, t. 3, r. 
 2. Belfast, eastern part of t. 4, r. 2. New Hudson, western part of t. 
 4, r. 2. Rushford, t. 5, r. 2. Centreville, t. 6, r. 2. 
 
 Wyoming County. — Pike, t. 7, r. 1. Gainesville, t. 8, r. 1. War- 
 saw, t. 9, r. 1. Middlebury, t. 10, r. 1. Eagle, t. 7, r. 2. Weathers- 
 field, t. 8, r. 2. Orangeville, t. 9, r. 2. Attica, t. 10, r. 2. China, t. 7, 
 r. 3. Java, t. 8, r. 3. Sheldon, t. 9, r. 3. Bennington, t. 10, r. 3. 
 China, t. 7, r. 4. Java, t. 8, r. 4. Sheldon, t. 9, r. 4. Bennington. 
 t. 10, r. 4. 
 
 Genesee County.— Bethany, t. 11, r. 1. Stafford, eastern part of t. 
 12, r. 1. Batavia, western part of t. 12, r. 1. Elba, t. 13, r. 1. Alex- 
 ander, t. 11, r. 2. Batavia, t. 12, r. 2. Elba, eastern part of t. 13, r. 
 
THE HOLLAND PURCHASE. 113 
 
 2. Oakfield, western part of t. 13, r. 2. Darien, t. 11, r. 3. Pem- 
 broke, t. 12, r. 3. Alabama, t. 13, r. 3. Darien, t. 11, r. 4. Pembroke, 
 t. 12, r. 4. Alabama, t. 13, r. 4. 
 
 Orleans County. — Barrre, t. 14, r. L Barre, southern part of t. 15, 
 r. 1. Gaines, northern part of t. 15, r. 1. Carlton, t. 16, r. 1. Barre, 
 t. 14, r. 3. Ridgeway, western tier of lots in t. 15, r. 2. Barre, south- 
 eastern part of t. 15, r. 2. Gaines, northeastern part of t. 15, r. 2. 
 Carlton, t. 16, r. 2. Shelby, t. 14, r. 3. Ridgeway, t. 15, r. 3. Yates, 
 t. 16, r. 3. Shelby, t. 14, r. 4. Ridgeway, 1. 15, r. 4. Yates, t. 16, r. 4. 
 
 Cattaraugus County. — Portville, t. 1, r. 3. Portville, southern part of 
 t. 2, r. 3. Hinsdale, northern part of t. 2, r. 3. Hinsdale, southern part 
 of t. 3, r. 3. Rice, northern part of t. 3, r. 3. Lyndon, t. 4, r. 3. Far- 
 mersville, t. 5, r. 3. Freedom, t. 6, r. 3. Olean, t. 1, r. 4. Olean, 
 southern part of t. 2, r. 4. Hinsdale, northern part of t. 2, r. 4. Hins- 
 dale, southern part of t. 4, r. 4. Rice, northern part of t. 3, r. 4. Lyn- 
 don, eastern part of t. 4, r. 4. Franklinville, western part of t. 4, r. 4. 
 Farmersville, t. 5, r. 4. Machias, southwestern corner lot of t. 6, r. 4. 
 Freedom, residue of t. 6, r. 4. Burton, t. 1, r. 5. Burton, t. 2, r. 5. 
 Humphrey, t, 3, r. 5. Franklinville, t. 4, r. 5. Machias, t. 5, r. 5. Ma- 
 chias, southern tier of lots in t. 6, r. 5. Yorkshire, part of t. 6, r. 5. 
 Yorkshire, southeastern part of t. 7, r. 5. Carrolton, t. 1, r. 6. Carrol- 
 ton, southern part of t. 2, r. 6. Great Valley, northern part of t. 2, r. 6. 
 Great Valley, t. 3, r. 6. Ellicottville, t. 4, r. 6. Ellicottville, southern 
 part of t. 5, r. 6. Ashford, northern part of t. 5, r. 6. Ashford, south- 
 ern part of t. 6, r. 6. Little Valley, t. 1, r. 7. Little Valley, t. 2, r. 7. 
 Little Valley, t. 3, r. 7. Mansfield, t. 4, r. 7. Otto, t. 5, r. 7. Otto, 
 southern part of t. 6, r. 7. Ashford, part of t. 6, r. 7. South Valley, 
 t. 1, r. 8. Cold Spring, t. 2, r. 8. Napoli, t. 3, r. 8. New Albion, t. 4, 
 r. 8. Otto, eastern part of t. 5, r. 8. Persia, western part of t. 5, r. 8. 
 Otto, southeastern part of t. 6, r. 8. Persia, southwestern part of t. 6, 
 r. 8. South Valley, t. 1, r. 9. Randolph, t. 2, r. 9. Connewango, t. 3, 
 r. 9. Leon, t. 4, r. 9. Dayton, t. 5, r. 9. Perrysburgh, t. 6, r. 9. 
 
 Erie County. — Sardinia, northwestern part of t. 6, r. 5. Sardinia, 
 northern and western parts of t. 7, r. 5. Holland, t. 8, r. 5. Wales, 
 t. 9, r. 5. Alden, 1. 11, r. 5. Newstead, t. 12, r. 5. Newstead, southern 
 part of t. 13, r. 5. Sardinia, northeastern part of t. 6, r. 6. Concord, 
 northwestern part of t. 6, r. 6. Sardinia, eastern part of t. 7, r. 6. Con- 
 cord, western part of t. 7, r. 6. Colden, t. 8, r. 6. Aurora, t. 9, r. 6. 
 Lancaster, 1. 11, r. 6. Clarence, t. 12, r. 6. Clarence, southern part of 
 
114 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 t. 13, r. 6. Concord northeastern part of t. 6, r. 7. Collins, north- 
 western part of t. 6, r. 7. Concord, eastern part of t. 7, r. 7. Collins, 
 western part of t. 7, r. 7. Eden, western tier of lots in t. 8, r. 7. Bos- 
 ton, eastern part of t. 8, r. 7. Hamburg, t. 9, r. 7. Black Rock, two 
 western tiers of lots in t. 11, r. 7. Amherst, northern tier of lots in t. 11, 
 r. 7. Cheektowaga, residue of t. 11, r. 7. Tonawanda, two southeast- 
 ern lots in t. 12, r. 7. Amherst, residue of t. 12, r. 7. Amherst, south- 
 ern part of 1. 13, r. 7. Collins, northern part of t. 6, r. 8. Collins, t. 7, 
 r. 8. Eden, t. 8, r. 8. Evans, southwestern part of t. 9, r. 8. Ham- 
 burg, residue of t. 9, r. 8. Buffalo City, as constituted in 1850, south- 
 western part of t. 11, r. 8. Black Rock, residue of t. 11, r. 8. Tona- 
 wanda, southern and eastern parts of 1. 12, r. 8. Brandt, southern part 
 of t. 8, r. 9. Evans, northern part of t. 8, r. 9. 
 
 Niagara County. — Royalton, northern part of t. 13, r. 5. Royalton 
 t. 14, r. 5. Hartland, t. 15, r. 5. Somerset, t. 16, r. 5. Royalton, 
 northeastern part of t. 13, r. 6. Lockport, northwestern part of t. 13, 
 r. 6. Royalton, eastern part of t. 14, r. 6. Lockport, western part of 
 t. 14, r. 6. Hartland, eastern part of t. 15, r. 6. Newfane, western 
 part of t. 15, r. 6. Somerset, eastern part of t. 16, r. 6. Newfane, 
 western part of t. 16, r. 6. Pendleton, northern part of t. 13, r. 7. 
 Lockport, eastern part of t. 14, r. 7. Cambria, western part of t. 14, 
 r. 7. Newfane, eastern part of t. 15, r. 7. Wilson, western part of 
 t. 15, r. 7. Wheatfield, northwestern part of t. 12, r. 8. Wheatfield, 
 t. 13, r. 8. Cambria, eastern part of t. 14, r. 8. Lewiston, western 
 part of t. 14, r. 8. Wilson, eastern part of t. 15, r. 8. Porter, western 
 part of t. 15, r. 8. Niagara, t. 13, r. 9. Lewiston, t. 14, r. 9. Porter, 
 t. 15, r. 9. 
 
 Chautauqua County. —Carroll, t. 1, r. 10. Poland, t. 2, r. 10. Elling- 
 ton, t. 3, r. 10. Cherry Creek, t. 4, r. 10. Villanovia, t. 5, r. 10. Han- 
 over, t. 6, r. 10. Ellicott, northern tier of lots in t. 1, r. 11. Carroll, 
 southeastern part of t. 1, r. 11. Busti, southwestern part of t. 1, r. 11. 
 Ellicott, t. 2, r. 11. Gerry, t. 3, r. 11. Charlotte, t. 4, r. 11. Ark- 
 wright, t. 5, r. 11. Hanover, four lots in the southeastern part of t. 6, 
 r. 11. Sheridan, residue of t. 6, r. 11. Busti, eastern part of t. 1, r. 12. 
 Harmony, western part of t 1, r. 12. Busti, southeastern part of t. 2, 
 r. 12. Harmony, southwestern part of t. 2, r. 12. Ellery, northern 
 part of t. 2, r. 12. Stockton, northern tier of lots in t. 3, r. 12. Ellery, 
 residue of t. 3, r. 12. Stockton, t. 4, r. 12. Pomfret, t. 5, r. 12. Pom- 
 fret, t. 6, r. 12. Harmony, t. 1, r. 13. Harmony, t. 2, r. 13. Stock- 
 
PURCHASERS OF HOLLAND LANDS. 115 
 
 ton, northeastern lot in t. 3, r. 13. EUery, residue of the eastern tier 
 of t. 3, r. 13. Chautauqua, western part of t. 3, r. 13. Stockton, east- 
 ern tier of lots in t. 4, r. 13. Portland, northwestern part of t, 4, r. 13. 
 Chautauqua, residue of t. 4, r. 13. Portland, t. 5, r. 13. Clymer, t. 1, 
 r. 14. Sherman, t. 3, r. 14. Chautauqua, eastern part of t. 3, r. 14. 
 Westfield, western part of t. 3, r. 14. Chautauqua, southeastern part 
 of t. 4, r. 14. Westfield, residue of t. 4, r, 14. French Creek, t, 1, r. 15. 
 Mina, t. 3, r. 15. Ripley, t. 3, r. 15. 
 
 The names of all the purchasers of land in Genesee county, from the 
 commencement of the land sales up to January 1, 1807, are given be- 
 low. They appear in the order in which the contracts were taken each 
 year, their locations being designated by townships and ranges. 
 Reference to the plan of Genesee county as it appears in the foregoing 
 tabulation will show in what towns these settlements were made, and 
 what year : 
 
 1801. — Batavia village, Abel Rowe, Stephen Russell, David Mc- 
 Cracken. 
 
 Township 13, range 1, Worthy L. Churchill, William Rumsey, Daniel 
 Curtis, William Blackman, Hiram Blackman, William Hunger, Eleazer 
 Cantling, Nathaniel Walker, John A. Thompson, Peter Stage, Jesse 
 Rumsey, John Dewey, Zenas Bigelow. 
 
 Township 13, range 3, Gideon Dunham, Isaac Sutherland, Samuel 
 F. Geer, Peter Lewis, John Forsyth, John Lamberton, Russel Noble. 
 
 Township 13, range 5, Orlando Hopkins, Otis Ingalls, David Cully, 
 Peter Vandeventer. 
 
 Township 13, range 3, Aaron White, Peter Rice. 
 
 1803. — Batavia village, Charles Cooley, James McKain, Elisha Gett- 
 ings, Joseph Alvord, Zerah Phelps, Elijah Tillotson, James W. Stevens, 
 Hezekiah Rhoads, Rufus Hart, Israel M. Dewey, James Brisbane, Will- 
 iam Wood, Major Nobles, Russell Crane, Oswald Williams, Rowlen 
 Town, Silas Chapin, Ebenezer Cary, Paul Hinkley, Timothy Washburn, 
 Moses Hayse, James Holden, Elijah Spencer, Benjamin Russell, Paul 
 Hill, Peter Powers, Daniel Curtis, Libbeus Fish, Henry Wilder, Jesse 
 Hurlbut. 
 
 Township 11, range 3, Lewis Disbrow. 
 
 Township 13, range 1, Elisha Adams, Roswell Graham. 
 
 Township 11, range 3, Alexander Rea," John Olney, George Darrow. 
 
 Township 13, range 3, Samuel F. Geer, Benjamin Morgan. 
 
 ' This name appears on the records as both Rea and Rhea. 
 
116 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Township 13, range 2, Daniel Ayer, Job Babcock. 
 
 1803. — Batavia village, John S. Leonard, James Clement, Jeremiah 
 Cutler, Elisha Mann. 
 
 Township 11, range 1, John Torrey, Charles Culver, Abner Ashley, 
 Elisha Wallace, David Hall, Sylvester Lincoln, M. Scott, Nathaniel 
 Pinney, Orsamus Kellogg, George Lathrop, Solomon Kingsley, Jedediah 
 Riggs, Horace Shepherd, John Dewey, Lyman D. Prindle, Samuel 
 Prindle, Oliver Fletcher. 
 
 Township 13, range 1, Lewis Disbrow, Ebenezer Eggleston, Peter 
 Powers, Enos Kellogg, Charles Culver, John Henry, Moses Dimmick, 
 Robert Berry, Stephen Wickham, Lemuel T. Pringle, James Guttridge, 
 James Fuller, John Berry, John Spencer, Burgess Squire, Moody Stone, 
 Asa Osborne, Elisha A. Eades, Parley Fairbanks. 
 
 Township 13, range 1, Archileus Whitten, David Kingsley, Thomas 
 Parker. 
 
 Township 11, range 3, Ezekiel Churchill, George Darrow, Elijah 
 Root, Joseph Fellows, Miles Wilkinson, Benedict Ames. 
 
 Township 13, range 3, Peleg Douglass, Alanson Gunn, Benjamin 
 Tainter, Henry Lake, John Lamberton, Hugh Henry, Amos Lamberton, 
 Joshua Sutherland, William Pierce, Elisha Cox, David Bowen, Abraham 
 Starks, William Lucas. 
 
 Township 13, range 3, Hiram Smith, Silas Pratt, William McGrath, 
 George Lathrop, Darius Ayer, Philip Adkins, Lemuel L. Clark, James 
 Robinson. 
 
 Township 13, ^range 3, Jesse Tainter, Abner Lamberton, Micajah 
 Brooks. 
 
 1804. — Township 11, range 1, Peter Adley, Isaac Wright, Elijah 
 Bristol, Israel Shearer, Alanson Jones, Joseph Hawks, Joel S. Wilkin- 
 son, Peleg Douglass, Isaac R. Wright, Elisha Giddings, John Smith, 
 Abner Ashley, Charles Culver, William Coggshall, William B. Cogg- 
 shall, John Halstate, John Grimes, James Cowdry, John Roberts, David 
 Tyrrill. 
 
 Township 13, range 1, Nathaniel Walker, Pardon Starks, ZenosKeyes, 
 Benjamin Cary, Alfred Lincoln, Horace Jerome, Nathan Miner. 
 
 Township 13, range 1, John S. Sprague, Nathaniel Johnson. 
 
 Township 11, range 3, Elijah Root, Samuel Russell, Benham Preston, 
 Elisha Carver, Elias Lee, Jesse Hawkins, Solomon Blodgett, Rufus 
 Blodgett, John Lee, Ezekiel T. Lewis, Elijah Rowe. 
 
 Township 13, range 3, Elizur Messenger, Isaac Smith, Levi Davis, 
 Azor Marsh, David Smith. 
 
PURCHASERS OF HOLLAND LANDS. 117 
 
 Township 13, range 3, Rufus Hastings, Roraback Robinson, Benja- 
 min Chase, Solomon Baker, Samuel Jerome, sr., Samuel Jerome, jr. 
 
 Township 12, range 3, David Goss. 
 
 Township 12, range 4, John Richardson, Stephen B. Tilden, Jacob 
 Farnham. 
 
 Township 13, range 4, James Walworth. 
 
 1805. — Batavia village, William Ewing. 
 
 Township 11', range 1, Phineas Smith, Harvey Prindle, Cyrenus 
 Glass, William Williams, David Anderson, Solomon Lathrop, Jonathan 
 Bixby, John Bixby, Ezekiel Fox, Philo Whitcomb, John Greenough, 
 Gershom Orvis, Heman Brown, Nathaniel Brown, Peter Putnam, Pat- 
 rick Alvord, Alford Rose, Richard Stiles, John Chambers, Thomas Hal- 
 stead, John Boynton, Eli Perry, Abel Buell, Joseph Barlett, David Mor- 
 gan, Asher Lamberton, Israel Buell, William Bannister, Amasa Robbins, 
 Jesse Cowdry, Isaac Wilson, Josiah Southard, John Grimes. 
 
 Township 12, range 1, Asa Webster, James Heacocks, OliverSweat- 
 well, Asa Osborn, Hiel Chapman, Abel McKain, Nathan Graham, Jo- 
 seph Bentley. 
 
 Township, 13, range 1, Hiram Smith, Colonel Samuel Hall, Horace 
 Carr, Benjamin Chase, Elisha Kellogg, Dudley Sawyer, Samuel Cum- 
 mings, Nathan Miner, Silas Torrey, Edmund Burgess. 
 
 Township 11, range 2, John McCormick, Levi Harris, William Prout, 
 Asa Buckley, Ezra Blodgett, Noah Brooks, Asa Frost, Nathanial East- 
 man, Thomas Lee, Daniel Rawson, David Rowland, Elisha Fox, Seth 
 Landon, Stephen Day, Abijah Warren, Samuel Reed, Daniel Davis, 
 Manna Chase, Amos Adams, Joseph Gladden, Joseph Cady, John Olney, 
 Gurdon Williams, Jonas Marsh, Charles C. Jackson, Elisha Sutton, Will- 
 iam Burton, William King, Isaac King, Samuel Benedict. 
 
 Township 12, range 3, Timothy Washburn, Thomas Godfrey, Reuben 
 W. Wilder, Rufus McCracken, AzorNash, Lemuel L. Clark, Joel Tyrrell, 
 Hugh Duffy, James Henry, Richard Godfrey, John Algur, John Herring, 
 Jonathan Wood, Reuben Lamberton, Amos Lamberton, Paul Hill, Silas 
 Dibble, jr. 
 
 Township 11, range 3, Orange Carter, Israel Doane, Samuel Russell, 
 James Jones, David Clark. 
 
 Township 12, range 4, Francis B. Drake, David Sarles, Noah Pease, 
 Ephraim Pease. 
 
 1806. — Township 11, range 1, Daniel W. Bannister, Jerry Cowdry, 
 Thomas Starkweather, Mons Goodrich, Lewis Barney, David Morgan, 
 
118 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Ebenezer Wilson, David Filkin, Peter Davidson, Chester Davidson, 
 Franklin Putnam, David Stewart, Lyman D. Prindle, Joseph Shedd, 
 Henry Miller, Orsamus Kellogg, Ebenezer Eggleston, Henry Rumsey, 
 Elisha Bristol, Elijah Andrews, David IngersoU, Joseph Bartlett. 
 
 Township 13, range 1, Solomon Sylvester, Daniel B. Brown, Israel 
 Graham, -Moses Norton, Peter Putnam, Amos Jones, Alvah Jones, Ste- 
 phen Powell, Webster Powers, Robert Norton, Benjamin Graham, Jo- 
 seph Savacool, Henry Stringer, jr. , Samuel Ranger, Peter Stage, Gur- 
 don Huntington, John Gould. 
 
 Township 13, range 1, Joel Jerome, James Mills, Horace Jerome, 
 Aaron White, Enos Kellogg, Ephraim Wortman, Benjamin Chase, Syl- 
 vester Eldridge, Silas Torrey, John Roraback. 
 
 Township 11, range 2, Elijah Root, jr., Ezra Whipple, John Hum- 
 phrey, James Clisby, Jacob Thomps:on, Amos Thompson, George Har- 
 rick, Joseph Carpenter, David S. Clement, William Wood, Noah Brooks, 
 Benjamin C. Goodrich, Joel Munn, Phineas Munn, John W. Lawson, 
 Andrew McLean, Ebenezer Seeley, John Olney, Joseph Van Debogart. 
 
 Township 12, range 2, Newcomb Godfrey, Elijah Clark, Richard God- 
 frey, William J. McCracken, Edmund Badger, William H. Bush, Othniel 
 Field, James Post, Caleb Blodgett, Samuel Risey, Elisha A. Eades, 
 Joshua Barrett, Elisha Morehouse, Thomas Godfrey. 
 
 Township 13, range 2, Micajah Green, Caleb Blodgett, jr., George 
 Hoge, Eldridge Buntley, Nicholas Bentley, George Harper, James Cros- 
 sett, John Harper, David Woodworth, David Clark, William Parrish, Ezra 
 Thomas, Caleb Blodgett. 
 
 Township 11, range 3, Amos Jones, Joseph Fellows, Timothy Fay, 
 Henry Rumsey, David Carter, Elnathan Wilcox, John Chamberlin, 
 Alexander Little, Nahum Thompson, Jonas Blodgett, Isaac Chaddock, 
 John McCoUister, Burnhan Lyman, Henry William, David Clark, John 
 Churchill, jr., Reuben Nichols, Joseph Peters, Aaron Gale. 
 
 Township 12, range 4, John Richardson, Jariel Scott, Samuel Carr. 
 
 Following are the names of the first persons who took contracts and, 
 in most instances, became pioneer settlers in the various towns of Gene- 
 see county embraced within the limits of the Holland Purchase in 
 which no contracts were taken previous to January 1, 1807. The names 
 of those who settled in the county previous to that date are found in a 
 list which appears in previous pages: 
 
 1810. — Township 13, range 3, town of Alabama, Jesse Lund, David 
 Gary, Charles Bliss, Levi Smith, John S. Wolcott, Nathan McCumber. 
 
THE COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1812. 119 
 
 1807. — Township 11, range 4, town of Darien, William Humphrey, 
 Emery Blodgett, Joshua Bailey, Josiah Lee, Rufus Kidder, Amos 
 Humphrey, David Long. 
 
 1822. — Township 13, range 4, town of Alabama, Benjamin Patterson, 
 Solomon Force, Augustus L. Barton, Joseph Barber, Ezra N. Russell. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 The War of 1813, and the Part Taken Therein by the Inhabitants of Genesee 
 County. 
 
 While the United States and Great Britain were ostensibly at peace 
 during the period from 1783 to the beginning of 1813, the two nations 
 were far from being on friendly terms. Great Britain continued her 
 depredations wherever practicable. She maintained military posts on 
 the Canadian frontier, despite the treaty stipulations to the contrary, 
 and constantly menaced our trade and commerce and our frontier 
 settlements. When Congress, realizing probably that another conflict 
 was inevitable, began to build a navy. Great Britain took offense. In 
 1797 this country put into commission three frigates — the Constitution, 
 the Constellation and the United States. Each carried a full comple- 
 ment of guns. At the close of the year 1798 the United States had a 
 navy of twenty-three vessels, with an aggregate of four hundred and 
 forty-six guns. 
 
 As soon as it was learned that this country was placing itself on a 
 war footing, the British formed a plan to cripple the American navy. 
 The first intimation of the intentions of Great Britain came November 
 16 of that year, when Captain Phillips, in command of the American 
 cruiser Baltimore, sailed from the harbor of Havana, Cuba, to escort a 
 number of merchant vessels to Charleston, S. C, and protect them 
 from attack by French privateers, which then infested the western 
 waters of the Atlantic. Just outside the harbor Captain Phillips met a 
 British squadron and advanced toward the Carnatick, the flagship, to 
 speak with the commander as an act of courtesy. 
 
 Then, without a word of warning, the British squadron bore down 
 upon the American merchantmen and seized three of them. Captaiii 
 
120 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Phillips went on board the Carnatick to protest, but was informed that 
 every man on the Baltimore who could not prove that he was a native- 
 born American would be compelled to enter the British service then 
 and there. Captain Phillips announced that he would prefer to make a 
 formal surrender, but this privilege was denied him. Upon returning 
 to his own vessel he found that a British officer was mustering the 
 American sailors. Fifty- five of these were transferred to the Carnatick, 
 but later, when Phillips struck his flag, all but five of them were re- 
 turned. These five men, with the three merchant vessels seized, were 
 carried away by the British squadron. 
 
 Great Britain at that time was the acknowledged mistress of the seas, 
 consequently all that the United States government could do was to pro- 
 test against the outrage. Not only was no attention paid to the protest, 
 but Great Britain continued to prey upon American commerce upon the 
 high seas, impressing into her service the best American sailors during 
 the next fourteen years. Great Britain claimed the right of search, not 
 only as regarded American vessels, but also all neutral vessels, her de- 
 sire being to look for British subjects to press them into the British naval 
 service for her war with France. Every time America offered to en- 
 deavor to reach a friendly understanding with Great Britain on the 
 subject the offer was rejected or not noticed. 
 
 In 1807 Napoleon, in his attempt to compel the United States to be- 
 come his ally as against Great Britain, issued a decree declaring all ves- 
 sels which submitted to the right of search and impressment by Great 
 Britain to be denationalized and subject to capture if caught going to 
 or coming from a British port, or on the high seas. Spain and Hol- 
 land, desirous of pleasing Napoleon, issued similar decrees. These 
 acts placed the commerce of the United States in a dangerous position. 
 The menace was all the greater by reason of the fact that our principal 
 foe maintained a naval force along the American coast for the purpose 
 of preying upon our commerce. 
 
 Early in 1807 the British frigate Leopard fired upon the United States 
 frigate Chesapeake upon the refusal of Commodore Barron, in com- 
 mand of the latter vessel, to grant to the British commander the privi- 
 lege of searching his vessel, killing and wounding twenty men. As 
 soon as the American colors werp hauled down the Chesapeake was 
 boarded by officers of the Leopard. Commodore Barron tendered his 
 vessel as a prize, but Captain Humphrey, the British commander, re- 
 fused to accept her, knowing that such anact would give the Americans 
 
THE COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1812. 131 
 
 a valid claim against his government. The crew of the Chesapeake 
 was then mustered. Three Americans who had once been impressed 
 into the British service were placed in irons, and John Wilson, a British 
 seaman who had deserted, was taken on board the Leopard. All four 
 were sentenced to be hanged, and Wilson was executed, but the three 
 Americans reprieved upon condition that they should enter the British 
 naval service. 
 
 This act naturally aroused an intense feeling of resentment upon the 
 part of the people of the United States. The British government dis- 
 claimed the act and recalled Humphrey from service in the navy; but 
 two of the captured Americans sailors were held in slavery on British 
 ships for five years, while the third died in the service. 
 
 Up to this time the strife between the Federalist and Democratic 
 parties in America had been so fierce that a great civil war was feared. 
 Taking advantage of the situation, Great Britain endeavored to increase 
 this antagonistic feeling by establishing a propaganda of anti-democ- 
 racy. John Henry, an Irishman, who was a naturalized citizen of the 
 United States, residing in the State of Vermont, contributed to the 
 press some letters denouncing the federal officials for their incom- 
 petency and declaring that the country was incapable of self-govern- 
 ment. His letters were noticed by Sir James Craig, governor of Can- 
 ada, who in 1806 sent the author an invitation to come to Montreal. In 
 that city arrangements were made by which Henry was to devote his 
 entire time to the propagation of popular discontent in the United 
 States, Sir James promising him ^30,000 if he should succeed in in- 
 citing the Americans to civil war. He was granted authority to offer 
 the Federalists the support of British influence, should such a promise 
 be needed to encourage them. After five years of steady work this 
 project failed, and Henry was refused compensation for his labors. 
 Piqued at his treatment, he came to the United States and revealed the 
 entire plot to President Madison. All knowledge of the plot was denied 
 by the British ministry, but when it was proposed to submit to a court 
 of inquiry all the correspondence in Henry's possession, the proposition 
 was voted down by the House of Lords. 
 
 In 1807 the United States Senate passed an embargo bill prohibiting 
 all ships then in American ports from sailing for any foreign port, ex- 
 cepting that foreign ships might sail in ballast. This act was a decla- 
 ration to the world that the United States would voluntarily sever all 
 connections with the rest of the world until Great Britain, France, 
 
122 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Spain and Holland should end their obnoxious practices and allow 
 American ships to sail the seas unmolested. The effect of this act was 
 to annihilate the commerce of this country, and in 1809 it was repealed 
 upon the urgent solicitation of the business men of the country. In its 
 place was passed a non-intercourse act, which simply prohibited trade 
 with Great Britain and France. A little more than a year later this 
 act was also repealed. Madison now having succeeded Jefferson as 
 president, upon the recommendation of the former another embargo 
 act, to obtain for sixty days, was passed, and the country, the limit of 
 its endurance having been reached, began preparations for war.' 
 
 War was formally declared June 19, 1812. At that time the British had 
 in Upper Canada a force of fifteen hundred regulars, besides six thousand 
 in the valley of the St. Lawrence. Canada had a British population of 
 four hundred thousand and a militia of forty thousand to draw from. 
 They also had formidable strongholds along the American frontier. Op- 
 posite Buffalo stood Fort Erie ; near the falls of Niagara was Fort Chip- 
 pewa, and at the mouth of the Niagara river stood Fort George. At sea 
 they were simply overwhelming in strength, as compared with the United 
 States. The only forts the Americans possessed in this vicinity were 
 at the mouth of the Niagara river and at Oswego. To handicap us still 
 further thirty five hundred American sailors were at that time practi- 
 cally held in slavery on board of British men-of-war, where they would 
 be compelled to fight against their own country. 
 
 The population of the entire region west of the Genesee at the begin- 
 ning of the war probably was between twenty five and thirty thousand. 
 The^population principally centered upon the Buffalo road and in the 
 few small villages. Away from this thoroughfare the population ex- 
 isted in small neighborhoods and isolated families. The region was 
 poorly prepared for war. There were no perfect military organiza- 
 tions, although there were several small local militia companies, organ- 
 ized more for parade than anything else. Their training, when it came 
 to a question of actual warfare, amounted to practically nothing. But 
 the American spirit was the same in 1813 as in '76, and the peaceable 
 pioneers were transformed as if by magic from raw and inexperienced 
 soldiers into brave and effective fiyhting men. The spirit of patriotism, 
 of liberty, became the father to the genius of warfare. The backwoods- 
 men of Genesee county were among the bravest and hardiest soldiers 
 who served in that crisis in the affairs of the American commonwealth. 
 
 ' These events have been cited simply to explain the causes leading up to the stirring 
 events which took place in and near the original county of Genesee during the years of 1812-1814. 
 
THE COUNTY IN THE WAR OP 1813. 123 
 
 The proclamation of President Madison, carried by couriers mounted 
 on fleet-footed horses, traveling by relays, reached Fort Niagara June 
 26 and Black Rock, the headquarters of Colonel Swift, the same day. 
 As these couriers passed through the country they spread the news as 
 they rode, so that the entire community was informed of the advent 
 of war almost as soon as the official intelligence had been received by 
 the officers on the frontier. There was a general feeling of insecurity, 
 almost of helplessness for, the moment, as it was known that the enemy, 
 close at hand, were fully prepared for a war, and even for invasion of 
 our territory, while the preparations for defense upon our side were 
 almost wholly lacking. Some of the more timid, magnifying the 
 danger which menaced them, fled eastward across the Genesee. At 
 the same time immigrants from New England and other eastern points, 
 fearless and undismayed, continued their journey into the heart of the 
 famed " Genesee county," willing and anxious to take up arms to repel 
 the invader if necessary. 
 
 Unfortunately the news of the declaration of war reached Canada at 
 least twelve hours before the officers on the American frontier had 
 been informed. John Jacob Astor, who had immense fur interests in 
 Canada, dispatched a messenger from New York to notify Thomas 
 Clark, his representative at Queenston. This measure was adopted by 
 Mr. Astor for the purpose of insuring, if possible, the safety of the 
 immense cargoes of furs coming down the Great Lakes. As soon as 
 the news had been received in Canada all Americans in that country 
 were arrested, and preparations for hostile actions were immediately 
 begun. The first intelligence the people of Buffalo had of the inaugu- 
 ration of hostilities was when a small vessel, bound up Lake Erie from 
 Black Rock with a cargo of salt, was captured and taken to Fort Erie. 
 
 May 21, 1812, the armed force upon the Canadian frontier of New 
 York consisted of about six hundred men only, excepting the garrison 
 at Fort Niagara. These men had been called out by the governor of 
 the State in pursuance of an act of Congress. While the governor's 
 requisition was for a draft of the militia, most of these soldiers were 
 volunteers, under command of Colonel Swift. July 4, eight days after 
 the news of the declaration of war was received, this force had been 
 increased to about three thousand. General William Wads worth first, 
 assumed general command, but he was soon succeeded by General 
 Amos Hall, who in turn was succeeded, August 11, by General Stephen 
 Van Rensselaer, who made his headquarters at Lewiston. The Cana- 
 
134 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 dian troops_were in command of General Brock, the acting governor 
 of the province. 
 
 " One of the most fruitful sources of apprehension and alarm in the 
 earlier stages of the war was the fear that the Seneca Indians would 
 revive their ancient predilections and be found allies of the British and 
 Canadian Indians. Their position was at first enigmatical — undefined. 
 Their chiefs, prominent among whom was Red Jacket, at that period, 
 counseled and maintained neutrality ; and neutrality was unfavorably 
 construed by the border settlers. Their position of neurrality was, 
 however, early secured by a talk in council. But when these appre- 
 hensions were partially quieted, every breeze that came from Canada 
 or from the west brought with it to the scattered border settlements of 
 the Holland Purchase rumors rife with accounts of contemplated Indian 
 leagues, and banded descents with the tomahawk and scalping knife. 
 Judge Erastus Granger, the then government Agent of the Senecas, 
 took an early opportunity to hold a council with them and get assur- 
 ances of neutrality. In a letter from Mr. Ellicott to Mr. Busti, dated 
 July 7, 1813, he assures him of the entire safety of the country from 
 invasion — of comparative quiet, and adds: — 'I send by the mail that 
 carries this letter our last newspaper, which contains a speech made by 
 an Indian chief to the inhabitants of this village, and our reply, by 
 which it will be seen that our Indians are disposed to be on good terms 
 with us — and that they have declared the Mohawk Indians, residing in 
 Canada, out of the confederation of the Six Nations, and of course, 
 "enemies in war, in peace, friends."' This position of neutrality, 
 partially preserved in the first stages of the war, was not long main- 
 tained. The Senecas, rightly determining their true position and in- 
 terests, soon became fast friends to the United States, — useful armed 
 allies, in several contests." ' 
 
 At a council held by the Indians in the summer of 1812 a formal dec- 
 laration of war Was adopted and placed in writing by an interpreter." 
 It read as follows : 
 
 We, the chiefs and counselors of the Six Nations of Indians, residing in the State 
 of New York, do hereby proclaim to all war chiefs and warriors of the Six Nations 
 that war is declared on our part against the provinces of Upper and J^ower Canada. 
 Therefore, we command and advise all the war chiefs and warriofs of the Six Nations 
 to call forth immediately the warriors under them, and put them in motion to pro- 
 tect their rights and liberties. 
 
 ' Turner's History of the Holland Purchase, pages 588 and 589. 
 2 This is probably the only document of the kind ever issued by an Indian nation or tribe. 
 
THE COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1813. 135 
 
 Despite this formidable declaration, and through the influence of 
 such of their chiefs as desired to maintain a strictly neutral attitude 
 during the war of 1812, the Indian share in the work of the battlefield 
 during that struggle was very small. Doubtless the early American 
 disasters had something to do with causing this proclamation to remain 
 practically a dead letter. 
 
 The hastily organized militia which began to hurry to the frontier 
 was enthusiastic, but the organization of these bodies was imperfect and, 
 for the most part, the discipline very poor. When this militia finally 
 reached the field of actual hostilities and the smell of burning powder 
 and the rattle of artillery and musketry reached its members, it is 
 hardly remarkable that the trial was too much for most of them. 
 
 The plan for the campaign of 1813 embraced the invasion of Upper 
 Canada, at Detroit and at Niagara, and the employment of regulars, 
 volunteers and militia. Governor Hull of Michigan, who was in Wash- 
 ington in the spring of this year, told the president that the British, 
 anticipating war with this country, had sent throughout the northwest 
 emissaries bearing arms and presents to the Indians and endeavoring 
 to procure an alliance with them. For this reason Hull objected to the 
 invasion of Canada from Detroit, as this would leave Michigan open to 
 attacks from the savages. In pursuance of his advice. Commander 
 Stewart was sent to Lake Erie with orders to construct a fleet. The 
 president also called upon Governor Meigs of Ohio for twelve hundred 
 militia, which, with a regiment of regulars, assembled at Dayton. May 
 35 Hull arrived and assumed command. When he arrived at Detroit 
 on July 4 he found the British erecting fortifications at Sandwich, 
 across the river. Hull's defense of Detroit was a complete and shame- 
 ful failure, largely the result of his own incompetency, and August 16 
 the fort and the troops, about two thousand, were surrendered to the 
 enemy. Hull was afterward court-martialed, convicted of cowardice 
 and sentenced to be shot, but his age and service in the Revolution 
 caused the court to recommend mercy, and he was pardoned by the 
 president. 
 
 Early in the campaign it became evident that American success on 
 the northern and Niagara frontiers could be achieved only with abso- 
 lute control of Lake Ontario. The Americans therefore built a small 
 navy on Lake Ontario. During the summer important events occurred 
 on the Niagara frontier, which was thinly settled at that time. August 
 13 Major-General Stephen Van Rensselaer, in command of the detached 
 
136 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 militia of New York State, arrived at Fort Niagara. At this time the 
 condition of Niagara was pitiable. Five thousand men had been 
 promised to General Van Rensselaer, but as late as September 1 his 
 entire force on the Niagara frontier was but six hundred and ninety. 
 Two weeks later he asked Governor Tompkins and General Dearborn, 
 who was highest in command in the Lake region, for reinforcements, 
 explaining in detail the precarious situation in which his army and the 
 frontier then was. By October 1 detachments of regulars and bodies 
 of militia began arriving, the former, under command of General Alex- 
 ander Smyth, halting at Buffalo, and the latter, under General Amos 
 Hall, being stationed at Lewiston. In the latter were numbers of men 
 from Genesee county. 
 
 The plan to be carried out by Van Rensselaer, if possible, was to 
 concentrate the regulars near Niagara, where they were to cross the 
 river, and storm and take Fort George from the rear. At the same 
 time the militia, under the personal command of Van Rensselaer, were 
 to cross the river from Lewiston and take the heights of Queenston. 
 But through the delay and disobedience of General Smyth, a proud 
 Virginian attached to the regular army, who "could not bend to the 
 necessity of obedience to a militia general," ' Van Rensselaer was 
 greatly delayed in undertaking offensive operations. 
 
 In the meantime Lieutenant J. B. Elliott of the United States Navy 
 had captured the Detroit and the Caledonia off Fort Erie. The former 
 was originally the brig Adams, taken by the British at the surrender 
 of Hull, and the latter was the property of the Northwestern Fur Com- 
 pany, laden with a cargo valued at two hundred thousand dollars. Un- 
 fortunately the captors were compelled to burn the Detroit and set her 
 adrift to keep her from again falling into the hands of the forces of 
 General Brock, but the Caledonia was saved and afterwards did service 
 under Commodore Perry on Lake Erie. This daring exploit caused 
 unbounded enthusiasm throughout the United States, and correspond- 
 ingly depressed the enemy." 
 
 After tolerating the insolent conduct of Smyth until the American 
 troops were on the verge of mutiny, October 10 General Van Rensselaer 
 prepared to move upon Queenston Heights. The force under his com- 
 
 ' Lossing. 
 '' General Brock, in a letter to Sir George Prevost, October 11, 1813, said : " The event is par- 
 ticularly unfortunate, and may reduce us to incalculable distress. The enemy is making every 
 exertion to gain a naval superiority on both lakes, which, if they accomplish it, I do not see how 
 we can possibly retain the country." 
 
THE COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1812. 137 
 
 mand comprised thirty-six hundred and fifty regulars and twenty-six 
 hundred and fifty militia, stationed at Niagara, Lewiston and Black 
 Rock, while the British force numbered seventeen hundred and fifty, 
 including two hundred and fifty Indians under John Brant. The enemy 
 had planted batteries at every formidable point, commanding the land- 
 ings at both Lewiston and Queenston. It was decided to make the at- 
 tack upon Queenston at three o'clock on the morning of October 11, 
 the invading force to be under command of Colonel Solomon Van 
 Rensselaer. The attack was destined to be delayed, however. The 
 troops assembled for embarkation at the hour designated, but Lieu- 
 tenant Sims boarded the first boat and rowed away in the darkness, 
 preventing the dispatching of the remaining boats, all the oars for the 
 expedition having been stored in the boat taken by him. Passing a 
 considerable distance beyond the point selected for landing, he stepped 
 on shore and fled at his utmost speed. Whether this act was the result 
 of cowardice or treachery will never be known. This incident neces- 
 sarily resulted in the temporary abandonment of the plans. 
 
 At three o'clock in the morning of October 13 the troops crossed the 
 river, and the regulars, under command of Captain John E. Wool, 
 charged gallantly up the heights, which were soon gained. The ap- 
 proach of the Americans was soon noted by the enemy, and lively 
 firing began, Colonel Van Rensselaer and Captain Wool both being 
 wounded. When the battle began General Brock was at Fort George, 
 seven miles down the river. He at once proceeded to the scene of the 
 action at full speed, accompanied by his staff, but Wool and his men 
 came upon them as soon as they had reached the heights. The entire 
 company of officers fled in dismay, and the American flag was soon 
 floating over the battery near which they stood. Brock's next step was 
 to lead a body of his troops to drive Wool from the heights. The su- 
 perior force of the British pressed the Americans back to the edge of 
 the precipice, which rises perpendicularly two hundred feet above the 
 Niagara; but at this critical moment, when they seemed to be lost. 
 Wool's heroism and cheering words inspired the little band of Amer- 
 icans, who turned furiously upon the enemy, driving them in utter rout 
 down the hill. 
 
 A few moments later, as Brock was rallying his men at the foot of 
 the hill preparatory to an attempt to take the position from which they 
 had been forced, he fell, mortally wounded. 
 
 Until Gen. William Wadsworth of the New York militia arrrived to 
 
128 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 take command, Wool was left in charge of the heights. In the mean- 
 time General Sheaffe assumed command of the forces of the enemy, 
 which he again rallied. Lieut. -Col. Winfield Scott had crossed the 
 river and joined the Americans on the heights as a volunteer, and at 
 the request of General Wadsworth assumed active command. Early in 
 the afternoon a band of Indians under the leadership of John Brant 
 attacked the American pickets with great fury. The militia were 
 about to flee, when the loud voice and towering form of Scott checked 
 them. Then, an instant later the entire body under him, about six 
 hundred, turned on the savages and drove them into the woods. 
 
 By this time General Van Rensselaer was endeavoring to forward re- 
 inforcements from Lewiston ; but these refused to go, evidently through 
 cowardice, announcing that they were not compelled to leave the soil 
 orf the United States. They therefore remained safely at Lewiston, 
 while their fellow countrymen were being killed bj' the score. While 
 Van Rensselaer was entreating these troops to accompany him across 
 the river, the troops engaged in the action were fairly overwhelmed by 
 the enemy, and soon were compelled to surrender. Their loss had 
 been one hundred and ninety killed and wounded. Nine hundred were 
 made prisoners, and sent to Newark. The loss of the enemy in killed, 
 wounded and prisoners was only about one hundred and thirty. 
 
 Thoroughly disgusted by the unaccountable conduct of the militia 
 and the jealousies of some of the regular officers, General Van Rensse- 
 laer now resigned his command to the boastful and proud General 
 Smyth, who at once began to concentrate troops at Buffalo preparatory 
 to the invasion of Canada. While these preparations were being made, 
 the enemy began the bombardment of Fort Niagara, on November 21, 
 from breastworks in front of Newark. At nightfall the fort had been 
 considerably damaged, but it was gallantly and successfully defended 
 by its little garrison. 
 
 General Smyth had planned his invasion of Canada for the morning 
 of the 28th. But before moving he had issued innumerable proclama- 
 tions, which gave the enemy all the information they needed about the 
 contemplated movements of the American army. The landing on 
 Canadian soil was effected at three o'clock in the morning, but by a 
 small force only. The general embarkation, for some mysterious rea- 
 son, was postponed one day, while those who had reached the western 
 shore of the river fell captives to the enemy. By this time the whole 
 American force was thoroughly disgusted with the actions of the wordy 
 
THE COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1812. 129 
 
 Smyth. The general embarkation began at three a. m. on Tuesday, 
 December 1, when 1,500 men entered the boats. General Porter was 
 to lead and direct the landing. But by the time everything was in 
 readiness to proceed Smyth astonished his officers by suggesting — in 
 fact, ordering — that the invasion be not made at all that season. Con- 
 sequently the troops were all ordered ashore, the militia and many of 
 the volunteers were sent to their homes, and the regular army went 
 into its winter quarters. 
 
 So great was the indignation against the incompetent Smyth for this 
 act of tremendous folly that he was more than once fired upon when he 
 left his tent. General Porter charged him with cowardice, and in the 
 quarrel which ensued Smyth challenged his accuser to mortal combat. 
 Porter accepted the challenge and a meeting was had. After each had 
 fired, and neither had been injured, the two men apologized to each 
 other and shook hands. Smyth resigned December 33, being suc- 
 ceeded by Col. Moses Porter. Thus closed the campaign of 1813. 
 
 The campaign of 1813 opened almost at the same time on the shores 
 of Lake Ontario, on the coast of Virginia and in the valley of the 
 Maumee. General Harrison's operations in the West were successful, 
 and he was able to protect the inhabitants on the borders of Lake Erie. 
 But the spring was well advanced before much activity was seen on the 
 Niagara frontier. At this time General Dearborn was in command of 
 the entire northern frontier. April 35 he sailed from Sackett's Harbor 
 in Commodore Chauncey's fleet, with seventeen hundred troops under 
 the immediate command of General Zebulon Pike. The plans of both 
 the navy and army were to attack York (Toronto), Fort George, Fort 
 Erie and Chippewa, and then proceed to Kingston. April 27 the fleet 
 appeared before Toronto and began the attack; but the British, in des- 
 peration, blew up their powder magazine located on the lake shore, 
 killing fifty-two Americans and wounding one hundred and eighty. 
 General Pike and ten of his aids were among those mortally wounded. 
 The British lost forty killed in the same explosion. The place soon 
 after surrendered, but the Americans, deeming it of little strategic 
 value, abandoned it. 
 
 On account of tempestuous weather the attack upon Fort George 
 was delayed a week. Commodore Chauncey, General Dearborn and 
 other officers of the fleet and army proceeded in advance of the main 
 body and chose a landing place four miles east of Fort Niagara. At 
 that time the force of the enemy in and near Fort George, all under 
 
 9 
 
130 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 command of General Vincent, numbered about eighteen hundred. 
 May 8 the American troops landed at the place designated, and Chaun- 
 cey returned to Sackett's Harbor for reinforcements and supplies. May 
 22 he reached the American camp east of Fort Niagara. Oliver Haz- 
 ard Perry reached that point the evening of the same day. 
 
 May 27 the troops were taken to a spot a short distance west of the 
 mouth of the Niagara, where a landing was effected under cover of 
 the guns of the fleet. Under the leadership of Colonel Scott and the 
 dashing young Perry, and in the face of a terrific fire the brave Amer- 
 icans ascended the bluff which skirts the shore at that point, and the 
 British retreated a short distance. After spiking their guns and de- 
 stroying their ammunition, the enemy abandoned the fort and retreated 
 to Beaver Dams, where they had a stock of supplies. 
 
 While the victory at Fort George was being accomplished, the garri- 
 son at Fort Erie opened a brisk cannonade upon Black Rock ; but the 
 following morning the British exploded their guns and magazine, de- 
 stroyed their stores, and abandoned the fort, which was immediately 
 occupied by the Americans under Colonel Preston. Within a brief 
 time the enemy had destroyed everything else that could be of value 
 to the Americans and which was located near the river on the Canadian 
 side, leaving the latter in full possession of the entire Niagara frontier. 
 
 By midsummer General Dearborn's operations had progressed so 
 little and met with such small success that he was superseded, on July 
 6, by Major-General Wilkinson. Meanwhile five vessels which had 
 been quietly fitted out at the mouth of Scajaquada creek sailed away, 
 on June 15, and joined Perry's fleet at Erie. 
 
 In June General Dearborn had withdrawn the regular soldiers from 
 Buffalo and Black Rock, leaving a large quantity of stores practically 
 unprotected. Realizing his error, probably, he stationed ten artillery- 
 men in the block house at Black Rock and issued a call for five hun- 
 dred militia from neighboring counties. A few days before Dearborn 
 relinquished command about three hundred of these militiamen arrived 
 and were posted in the warehouses at Black Rock, under command of 
 Major Parmenio Adams of Genesee county. Before the work of gar- 
 risoning this point was completed, however, a British expedition of 
 about four hundred men under Colonel Bishopp started to attack the 
 place. On the afternoon of July 10 this force left its headquarters at 
 Lundy's Lane, rowed up the river and at daylight of the 11th landed a 
 mile below the mouth of the Scajaquada. Soon the forces under Major 
 
THE COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1813. 131 
 
 Adams learned of the advance of the enemy, and fled precipitately, 
 without firing a gun or making the slightest show of resistance. The 
 British at once occupied the camp which the American militia had 
 abandoned, and small detachments started out to capture officers and 
 prominent citizens at their homes. General Porter managed to escape 
 just before the British reached his home, but left his arms and part of 
 his clothing. As he was approaching the village he met a body of one 
 hundred regulars under Captain Cummings, whom he ordered to sta- 
 tion themselves near by and await reinforcements. At Black Rock fifty 
 citizens placed themselves under Captain Bull and went to reinforce 
 Cummings's command. About one hundred of Adams's retreating mili- 
 tia, who had been kept together by Lieutenant Phineas Staunton, rallied 
 for the recapture of the position. Chief Farmer's Brother of the Sen- 
 ecas also gathered a band of his warriors together and joined the 
 American forces. Volunteers came in from other places in the neigh- 
 borhood, all eager to make the attack upon the unsuspecting British, 
 who believed they had effected a victory whose results would be per- 
 manent. 
 
 At eight o'clock the assault was ordered. The surprise of the enemy 
 was complete. Colonel Bishopp fell from his horse badly wounded, 
 and his men became demoralized. When the American regulars 
 pressed forward the entire British force fled in confusion to the bank 
 of the river. The militia, which had fled in fright a few hours before, 
 now fought like veterans, springing to their work with the utmost enthu- 
 siasm and bravery. The forest resounded with the war-whoops of the 
 Senecas engaged in the fight. After retreating as far as Black Rock 
 the enemy embarked in boats found there, but the pursuing Americans 
 kept up a strong fire on the craft, mortally wounding the gallant Colo- 
 nel Bishopp, who died five days later. The boat in which he lay was 
 the last to leave the shore, and immediately after he fell it signalled its 
 surrender. The entire British loss during this expedition in killed, 
 wounded and missing has been variously estimated at from seventy to 
 one hundred. The Americans lost three killed and five wounded. The 
 British did not destroy more than one- third of the valuable naval stores 
 at Black Rock, destined for the use of Perry, nor did they succeed in 
 reaching the military stores at Buffalo. 
 
 During the succeeding few weeks several minor engagements took 
 place. August 12 Perry and his little Heet left Erie, reaching Put-in 
 Bay on the 15th, where a plan of campaign was arranged with General 
 
133 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Harrison. On September 10 occurred his memorable battle with the 
 British fleet under Captain Robert H. Barclay, after which he sent to 
 General Harrison the historic dispatch: " We have met the enemy and 
 they are ours." 
 
 This remarkable naval victory gave the Americans undisputed con- 
 trol of Lake Erie, and inspired the entire country. Other successes 
 followed during the balance of the year, and the feeling of discourage- 
 ment which had pervaded many sections of the country gave way to 
 general expressions of joy.' But while success rewarded the valor of 
 American arms elsewhere, the campaign along the Niagara frontier 
 was wretchedly managed during the ensuing few months. General Wil- 
 kinson unwisely withdrew the main body of his troops to the lower end 
 of Lake Ontario, though strongly advised not to do so by General 
 Porter and other officers. Porter, Chapin and McClure offered to raise 
 a thousand men to aid him in making a sally from Fort George; or, if 
 provided with artillery, they offered to invade the enemy's country and 
 conquer the British. Wilkinson's stubborn refusal to see the wisdom 
 of either of these suggestions was the beginning of the mismanagement 
 which marked operations on the frontier from that time until the spring 
 following. 
 
 When Wilkinson left Fort George he turned over the command of 
 that post to General McClure, who now had one thousand militia, sixty 
 regulars and two hundred and fifty Indians. The terms of enlistment 
 of volunteers and militia were rapidly expiring. He endeavored to 
 retain them by offering small bounties, but they declined to remain in 
 the service. Soon after the news came that Generals Drummond and 
 Riall had arrived on the peninsula with reinforcements from Kingston, 
 and that a body of troops under Colonel Murray was moving on Fort 
 George. Upon being apprised of this movement McClure determined 
 to abandon his post and post his garrison in Fort Niagara. Before do- 
 ing so, however, he notified the inhabitants of the village of Newark 
 that he intended to burn that place, which he did a few hours after 
 notice had been given. Of the one hundred and fifty houses in that 
 village but one was left standing, and a large number of women and 
 children were driven from their homes to face the blasts of a severe 
 winter with no other protection than that afforded by the clothing they 
 
 ' "The people were becoming more and more a unit in opinion concerning the righteousness o£ 
 the war on the part of the Government, and its beneficial effects in developing the internal re- 
 sources of the country; also in demonstrating the ability of a free government to protect itself 
 against a powerful foe," — Lossing. 
 
THE COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1813. 133 
 
 wore and could carry with them. This cruel and totally unnecessary 
 act was roundly condemned by many of McClure's officers, but it had 
 been sanctioned by the War Department.' 
 
 After abandoning Fort George and making an attempt to destroy it 
 by explosion, McClure stationed one hundred and fifty regulars in Fort 
 Niagara, and on December 12 proceeded to Buffalo, whither he called 
 two hundred additional regulars from Canandaigua. Soon after Col- 
 onel Murray, with five hundred British soldiers and Indians, occupied 
 the ground which the Americans had abandoned. 
 
 General McClure's unwise and unnecessary act in devastating New- 
 ark was justly censured by those who believed in honorable warfare, 
 and particularly, as an imprudent measure, by those who felt confident 
 of the retributive blow that soon was to follow. 
 
 Soon after the British had taken possession of Fort George, the 
 awful work of devastation on the part of themselves and their Indian 
 allies began, in retaliation for the burning of the village of Newark. 
 About sunrise of December 19 a party of Indians who had left the main 
 body reached Lewiston, where a small force was stationed under com- 
 mand of Major Bennett. The Americans retreated with the loss of 
 half a dozen men. Among those killed in the indiscriminate slaughter 
 that followed the attack was Dr. Alvord, one of the pioneer physicians 
 of Batavia. As soon as the assault began the inhabitants of that part 
 of the frontier began a retreat eastward. With them went the Tus- 
 carora Indians, whose village was in that vicinity. The invaders met 
 with no formidable resistance, except upon Lewiston Heights, as they 
 attempted to advance to Niagara Falls. Here Major Mallory and a 
 small body of volunteers, who had been stationed at Schlosser, drove 
 the enemy down the hill ; but the lost ground was soon recovered, and 
 there was a fine show of resistance all the way to the mouth of Tona- 
 wanda creek. 
 
 During the summer of 1814, the British being in possession of Fort 
 Niagara, parties of Indians from that stronghold occasionally ventured 
 out and attacked inhabitants who had returned to their homes. -^ In 
 these expeditions the Indians — and frequently the British, too — inflicted 
 great damage upon the inhabitants of that region. Terror reigned in 
 
 * The Secretary of War, then at Sackett's Harbor, addressed General McClure, " or officer 
 commanding at Fort George," as follows, under date of October 4, 1813: " Understanding thatthe 
 defense of the post committed to your charge may render it proper to destroj' the town of New- 
 ark, you are hereby directed to apprise the inhabitants of this circumstance, and invite them to 
 remove themselves and their effects to some place of greater safety. JOHN ARMSTRONG." 
 
134 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 all the territory west of the Genesee. Anticipating a further march of 
 the invading force, and an attack upon Batavia, where there were an 
 arsenal and considerable military stores, General Hall soon collected a 
 force from General Wadsworth's brigade, and a number of volunteers 
 from Genesee county, and established headquarters at Batavia. On 
 Christmas day, a considerable force having been organized and armed, 
 the troops started to march to Buffalo. There he found a disorganized 
 and confused body of troops, and all were in consternation and dismay. 
 These were organized with the force already under his command and 
 preparations for resisting the enemy were made at once. 
 
 About midnight of December 39 news was received at Buffalo that a 
 British force had crossed the Niagara river near the head of Grand 
 Island, fired on a patrol of mounted men, and taken possession of a 
 battery located upon the site of the lower village of Black Rock, Gen- 
 eral Hall at once ordered out the troops at Buffalo, but believing that 
 the attack at Black Rock was intended simply to draw off the main 
 force at Buffalo, in order to enable the enemy successfully to attack 
 that place, he decided not to proceed against the British. Colonels 
 Warren and Churchill, who were in command at Black Rock in the 
 absence of General Hopkins, were ordered by General Hall to attack 
 the enemy, dislodge them from their position they had taken and drive 
 them from their boats. The attack was hastily prepared and made 
 under cover of intense darkness, but failed to accomplish its purpose. 
 The attacking force was dispersed; whereupon the main body of troops 
 at Buffalo v/as ordered to proceed toward Black Rock. A small corps 
 of men headed by Colonel Chapin and Major Adams made a second as- 
 sault upon the battery, but this force, too, was dispersed. These two 
 failures foreshadowed what was to come. The story of the events of 
 the morning of December 30 is told in the following extract from an 
 official dispatch from General Hall to Governor Tompkins: 
 
 As the day dawned I discovered a detachment of the enemy's boats crossing to 
 our shore, and bending their course toward the rear of Gen. Porter's house. I im- 
 mediately ordered Col. Blakeslie to attack the enemy's force at the water's edge. I 
 became satisfied as to the disposition and object of the enemy. Their left wing, 
 composed of about one thousand regulars, militia, and Indians, had been landed be- 
 low the creek, under the cover of the night. With their centre, consisting of four 
 hundred royal Scots, commanded by Col. Gordon, the battle was commenced. The 
 right, which was purposely weak, was landed near the main battery, merely to divert 
 our force; the whole under the immediate command of Lieut. Col. Drummond, and 
 led on by Maj. Gen. Riall. They were attacked by four field pieces in the battery at 
 
THE COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1813. 135 
 
 the water's edge, at the same time the battery from the other side of the river opened 
 a heavy fire upon us, of shells, hot shot and ball. The whole force now opposed to 
 the enemy was, at most, not over six hundred men, the remainder having fled, in 
 spite of the exertions of their oflScers. These few but brave men, disputed every 
 inch of ground, with the steady coolness of veterans, at the expense of many valu- 
 able lives. The defection of the militia, by reason of the ground on which they must 
 act, left the forces engaged, exposed to the enemy's fire in front and flank. After 
 standing their ground for half an hour, opposed by an overwhelming force and 
 nearly surrounded, a retreat became necessary to their safety, and was accordingly 
 ordered. I then made every effort to rally the troops, with a. view to attack their 
 columns as they entered the village of Buffalo, but all in vain. Deserted by my 
 principal force, I fell back that night to Eleven Mile creek, and was forced to leave the 
 flourishing villages of Black Rock and Buffalo a prey to the enemy, which they have 
 pillaged and laid in ashes. They have gained but little plunder from the stores ; the 
 chief loss has fallen upon individuals. 
 
 This disaster was the culmination of a series of e\rents in a badly 
 managed campaign. The efficient forces upon that part of the frontier 
 had been withdrawn and untrained and unorganized militia from West- 
 ern New York assigned to the important duty of defending one of our 
 most vulnerable points. The entire invading force under General Riall 
 was but a little over one thousand, while our force was numerically 
 superior; but the enemy had the advantage of thorough organization 
 and fair discipline. 
 
 Though the cowardice and flight of many of the soldiers who partic- 
 ipated in this engagement, not to speak of the panic-stricken ones who 
 fled without making a show of resistance, was a disgrace to American 
 arms, the records show that the untrained soldiers from Genesee county 
 who volunteered their services behaved most admirably. This county 
 complied promptly with the military requisitions made upon it, though 
 the majority of those who so bravely went to the front made greater 
 personal sacrifices than the representatives of most communities who 
 fought in that war. The growing crops, whose failure meant little less 
 than the desolation of many homes, were deserted when the call to 
 arms was issued ; and this meant much in a new country like that west 
 of the Genesee. The absence of the tillers of the soil and the conse- 
 quent neglect of the crops produced unusual distress and suffering 
 among the inhabitants. 
 
 The volunteer militia performed valiant service, frequently equal to 
 that of the regulars; but as a rule the work of the men who waited to be 
 drafted was wretched, cowardly. It was the latter class that permitted 
 itself to be so completely routed by General Riall's forces.. 
 
136 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 About three o'clock on the afternoon of the 30th, after the invading 
 forces had reduced Buffalo and Black Rock to ashes, the enemy crossed 
 the river from the latter point with the public and private property 
 they had captured. They also took with them about ninety prisoners, 
 about half of whom were from Colonel Blakeslie's troops. More than 
 forty were killed and denuded and their mutilated bodies left upon the 
 snow. Among the Americans slain, the highest ofi&cer was Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Boughton of Avon. The enemy lost about thirty killed and 
 sixt}' wounded ; but not an officer was killed, and only two were wound- 
 ed. Had the two thousand Americans been well disciplined and in com- 
 mand of thoroughly efficient officers in all cases, there is little doubt 
 that the enemy might have been driven back across the river and held 
 at bay, temporarily at least, and much loss and suffering averted. 
 When General Hall reached Williamsville he rallied a few hundred 
 fugitives and called for reinforcements, but this step was taken too late, 
 as there was no more fighting. 
 
 The scenes and incidents of that memorable day, December 30, along 
 the principal thoroughfares leading eastward, including the Big Tree 
 road, can never be properly described. In the rush was an indiscrimi- 
 nate mob of militia, citizens, sleighs, ox-sleds, wagons, horsemen and 
 horsewomen, children and infants, all with one thought uppermost in 
 their minds — to get as far from Buffalo and Black Rock as possible, 
 and with the greatest speed. "An ox sled would come along bearing 
 wounded soldiers whose companions had pressed the slow team into 
 their service ; another with the family of a settler, a few household 
 goods that had been hustled upon it, and one, two or three wearied 
 females from Buffalo, who had begged the privilege of a ride and the 
 rest that it afforded ; then a remnant of some dispersed corps of militia, 
 hugging as booty, as spoils of the vanquished, the arms they had neglected 
 to use; then squads and families of Indians, on foot and on ponies, the 
 squaw with her papoose upon her back, and a bevy of juvenile Senecas 
 in her train ; and all this is but a stinted programme of the scene that 
 was presented. Bread, meats and drinks soon vanished from the log 
 taverns on the routes, and fleeing settlers divided their scanty stores 
 with the almost famished that came from the frontier." ' The news of 
 the disaster flew faster than the fugitives, and many homes were found 
 deserted. 
 
 January 1 a body of the enemy again appeared at Buffalo and burned 
 
 ' Turner's History of the Holland Purchase. 
 
THE COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1813. 137 
 
 the few remaining houses, excepting one occupied by an aged woman 
 and her two daughters. Just as the work of destruction was completed 
 a detachment of mounted men was seen crossing Scajaquada, and the 
 British hastily mounted and rode down the hill. The Americans fired 
 upon them and Adjutant Tottman, who was in command, was killed. 
 
 For weeks the frontier remained deserted and desolate. The vil- 
 lages of Buffalo, Black Rock, Niagara Falls, Lewiston and Youngstown 
 and the intervening tenements and farm houses presented one long 
 panorama of ruin. 
 
 Batavia, being the principal place at a comparatively safe distance 
 east of Buffalo, became the final rallying point of what was left of the 
 American army, and the headquarters for the homeless refugees from 
 the frontier. The most valuable articles, including the records, of the 
 Land Office, were carried east of the Genesee river. Mr. EUicott's 
 residence was converted into headquarters for the officers of the army, 
 and his office into a hospital ; barns and sheds were occupied and many 
 private houses were thrown open. Had it not been for the hospitality 
 of the inhabitants of Batavia the condition of the fugitives would have 
 been inestimably worse than it was. The following letter will give some 
 idea of the condition of the country west of Batavia during the period 
 immediately succeeding the disaster on the Niagara frontier: 
 
 Canandaigua, 8th Jan., 1814. 
 Gentlemen ; 
 
 Niagara county and that part of Genesee which lies west of Batavia are completely 
 depopulated. All the settlements in a section of country forty miles square, and 
 which contained more than twelve thousand souls, are effectually broken up. These 
 facts you are undoubtedly acquainted with; but the distresses they have produced, 
 none but an eye-witness can thoroughly appreciate Our roads are filled with 
 people, many of whom have been reduced from a state of competency and good pros- 
 pects to the last degree of want and sorrow. So sudden was the blow by which they 
 have been crushed, that no provision could be made either to elude or meet it. The 
 fugitives from Niagara county especially were dispersed under circumstances of so 
 much terror that in some cases, mothers find themselves wandering with strange 
 children, and children are seen accompanied by such as have no other sympathies 
 with them than those of common sufferings. Of the families thus separated, all the 
 fnembers can never again meet in this life ; for the same violence which has made 
 them beggars, has forever deprived them of their heads, and others of their branches. 
 Afflictions of the mind so deep as have been allotted to these unhappy people, we 
 cannot cure. They can probably be subdued only by His power who can wipe away 
 all tears. But shall we not endeavor to assuage them? To their bodily wants we 
 can certainly administer. The inhabitants of this village have made large contribu- 
 tions for their relief, in provisions, clothing and money. And we have been ap- 
 
138 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 pointed, among other things, to solicit further relief for them, from our wealthy and 
 liberal minded fellow citizens. In pursuance of this appointment, may we ask you, 
 gentlemen, to interest yourselves particularly in their behalf. We believe that no 
 occasion has ever occurred in our country which presented stronger claims upon in- 
 dividual benevolence, and we humbly trust that whoever is willing to answer these 
 claims will always entitle himself to the precious reward of active charity. We are, 
 gentlemen, with great respect, Wm. Shepard, 
 
 Thad's Chapin, 
 Moses Atwater, 
 
 N. GORHAM, 
 
 Myron Holley, 
 Thomas Beals, 
 Phineas p. Bates, 
 Committee of Safety and Relief at Canandaigua. 
 To the Hon. Philip S. Van Rensselaer, 
 
 Hon. James Kent, 
 
 Hon. Ambrose Spencer, 
 
 Stephen Van Rensselaer, Esq. , 
 
 Elisha Jenkins, Esq., 
 
 Rev. Timothy Clowes, 
 
 Rev. William Neill, 
 
 Rev. John M. Bradford. 
 
 In response to this appeal the State Legislature immediately appro- 
 priated $50,000; the Common Council of Albany, $1,000; the Common 
 Council of New York, $3,000. Liberal subscriptions were also made 
 by residents of New York, Albany, Canandaigua and other localities, 
 including $2,000 by the Holland Land Company and $300 by Joseph 
 Ellicott. The entire relief fund amounted to about $63,000, which did 
 much toward relieving the immediate wants of the sufferers from the 
 war. 
 
 As soon as the intelligence of the invasion reached the national cap- 
 ital, President Madison directed General Lewis Cass to proceed to the 
 scene, investigate the causes of the disaster and suggest such measures 
 of relief and defense as should appear necessary. In a letter written 
 by General Cass to the Secretary of War, dated January 12, 1814, the 
 former says: 
 
 The fall of Niagara has been owing to the most criminal negligence. The force 
 in it was fully competent to its defence. The commanding officer. Captain Leonard, 
 it is confidently said, was at his own house, three miles from the fort, and all the 
 other officers appear to have rested in as much security as though no enemy was 
 near them. Captains Rogers and Hampton, both of the 34th, had companies in the 
 fort. Both of them were absent from it. Their conduct ought to be strictly inves- 
 tigated. I am also told that Major Wallace of the 5th was in the fort. He escaped 
 
THE COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1812. 189 
 
 and is now at Erie. The circumstances attending the destruction of Buffalo you 
 will have learned before this reaches you. But the force of the enemy has been 
 greatly magnified. From the most careful examination I am satisfied that not more 
 than six hundred and fifty men, of regulars, militia and Indians, landed at Black 
 Rock. To oppose these we had from two thousand five hundred to three thousand 
 militia. All except a very few of them behaved in the most cowardly manner. They 
 fled without discharging a musket. The enemy continued on this side of the river 
 until Saturday. All their movements betrayed symptoms of apprehension. A vast 
 quantity of property was left in the town uninjured, and the Ariel, which lies four 
 miles above, is safe. Since the first inst. they have made no movement. They con- 
 tinue to possess Niagara, and will probably retain it until a force competent to its 
 reduction arrives in its vicinity. 
 
 The campaign of 1814 was as brilliant and successful, as a whole, as 
 that of 1813 had been disastrous. Experience had been a bitter, hut 
 competent, teacher, and the campaign was now conducted by the 
 Americans with more vigor and judgment. In the spring troops be- 
 gan to arrive on the frontier. New officers were in command, and 
 rigid discipline and general efficiency were inaugurated. General 
 Riall commanded the Canadian frontier and had headquarters on 
 Queenston Heights. The One Hundredth Regiment of the British 
 army was stationed along the river from Chippewa to Fort Erie. April 
 10 General Winfield Scott arrived at Chippewa. A few weeks later 
 Major-General Jacob Brown arrived on the frontier and assumed the 
 chief command. His forces comprised two brigades, commanded re- 
 spectively by General Scott and Colonel Eleazer W. Ripley, to each of 
 which was attached a, small body of artillery. There was also a small 
 troop of cavalry. All were under excellent discipline and high spirits. 
 In addition to these troops were about eleven hundred volunteers from 
 New York and Pennsylvania, and about six hundred Indians who had 
 been inspired to help the Americans by the eloquence of the famous 
 Red Jacket. These volunteers and Indians were under the chief com- 
 mand of General Peter B. Porter. 
 
 In the latter part of May General Scott removed his headquarters to 
 Buffalo, where the troops were constantly drilled and perfect discipline 
 maintained. By July 1, the Americans were ready for action. The 
 day following Generals Brown, Scott and Porter reconnoitered Fort 
 Erie and laid plans for its capture. The capture of these works was 
 comparatively easy. Sunday morning the army passed over the river. 
 General Scott's brigade and the artillery corps of Major Hindman 
 landed nearly a mile below Fort Erie, between two and three o'clock in 
 the morning. General Ripley and his brigade landed, about the same 
 
140 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 distance above the fort. A little later a small force of Indians crossed 
 over. The enemy was completely surprised. The fort was approached 
 on both sides by the army, while the Indians skirted the woods in the 
 rear. 
 
 General Brown demanded the surrender of the garrison, giving the 
 commander two hours to reach a determination. Meantime a battery 
 of "long eighteens " was planted where it commanded the fort. But 
 the enemy was overawed and surrendered at six o'clock, being im- 
 mediately sent over the river to the American shore. The prisoners 
 numbered over one hundred and seventy, all being in command of 
 Major Burke. Several pieces of ordnance and some military stores 
 were also captured. During the brief period of firing which took 
 place in the morning one man was killed and two or three wounded 
 on each side.' 
 
 This almost bloodless capture of Fort Erie was but the beginning of 
 a vigorous and successful campaign. July 4 Scott and his brigade pro- 
 ceeded to Black Creek, a few miles above Chippewa. Ripley advanced 
 on the afternoon of the same day. The next day Scott was joined by 
 General Porter with his volunteers and Indians. General Riall was 
 still in command of the British forces, which in the meantime had also 
 been considerably reinforced. 
 
 About daybreak of July 5 operations began by attacks on the Ameri- 
 can picket lines, the chief purpose of the enemy being to divert atten- 
 tion from the main attack against the American centre. But this plan 
 failed. The American commander, feeling sure of his position and 
 strength, gradually drew in his pickets and thereby led the enemy into 
 a general action. The Indians fought splendidly under command of 
 General Porter, Red Jacket and Captain Pollard, and the British were 
 soon forced back towards Chippewa with heavy loss. General Porter's 
 command followed, but on reaching the outskirts of the woods he en- 
 countered the main body of the enemy, and most of his men, being un- 
 accustomed to the din of battle, broke away in confusion. The re- 
 mainder of the army, however, soon came upon the scene, and after a 
 sharp conflict the entire British force broke and fled to the entrench- 
 ments below Chippewa creek, destroying the bridge and thus prevent- 
 ing the victorious Americans from pursuing them. In this battle the 
 American loss was sixty-one killed, two hundred and fifty-five wounded 
 
 'This account o£ the capture of Fort Erie is taken from the story published in the Buffalo 
 Gazette in its issue next succeeding the event described. 
 
THE COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1813. 141 
 
 and nineteen missing. The British loss was six hundred and four, of 
 whom two hundred and thirty- six were killed. 
 
 General Riall, in his retreat, proceeded to Queenston, occupying 
 Fort George with part of his troops and making his headquarters 
 twenty miles to the westward, near Lake Ontario. General Drum- 
 mond, completely chagrined over the defeat of the British veterans by 
 what he considered raw American troops, resolved that the British arms 
 should redeem themselves. He therefore at once organized a large 
 army, and with a force one third larger than that of the Americans 
 under General Brown, advanced to give battle. Brown in the mean- 
 time had moved forward to Queenston, where he hoped to find Chaun- 
 cey's fleet awaiting on the Niagara river to co-operate with the land 
 forces. But Commodore Chauncey's fleet did not appear and the army 
 was compelled to prepare to fight it out alone. Rial!, however, had 
 received considerable reinforcements in the meantime. General Brown 
 therefore ordered a retreat to Chippewa. On the morning of the 35th 
 news came from Lewiston that the British were at Queenston and on the 
 Heights in considerable numbers, and that five of the enemy's fleet had 
 arrived and were proceeding up the river. Soon after it was learned 
 that they were landing at Lewiston. General Drummond had arrived 
 from Kingston with reinforcements, while Riall's troops at the same 
 time had been put "in motion. That morning a large part of the forces 
 under Lieutenant Colonel Pearson held a commanding position on an 
 eminence in and near Lundy's Land. Brown evidently had not re- 
 ceived intelligence of this movement, for he made plans to attack him 
 at Queenston. Late in the afternoon he ordered a forward movement. 
 Soon after he was informed that a large British force had been seen at 
 Niagara Falls, but he believed that it was Drummond and his troops 
 going up the river to capture the store of supplies at Schlosser. For 
 the purpose of recalling the enemy he decided to menace the forts at 
 the mouth of the river. Accordingly, about four o'clock he ordered 
 General Scott to march rapidly after them with Towson's artillery and 
 all the mounted men at his command. 
 
 Within twenty minutes after receiving his orders Scott's command 
 was in motion. About half past five he crossed the Chippewa, believ- 
 ing that a large body of the enemy was on the other side of the Niagara 
 instead of directly in his front. But he soon learned the true situation. 
 He met the forces of Riall, and the memorable battle of Lundy's Lane 
 followed. 
 
143 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Scott's command consisted of about 1,200 men. The British force 
 was greatly superior in point of numbers. Retreat would have been 
 fatal to the Americans, and Scott heroically decided to fight, though 
 the odds were so greatly against him. Halting a moment to send a 
 dispatch to his commonder notifying the latter of the true situation, he 
 began the attack. General Brown realized that the battle was in prog- 
 ress even before he had received Scott's dispatch, for he could plainly 
 hear the report of musketry and the cannonading. Ordering the brig- 
 ade under Ripley to follow him, he hastened to the field at .the head 
 of his personal staff. Meeting Scott's messenger, he ordered the latter 
 to continue on and bring the whole force into the field. As soon as 
 Ripley's brigade reached the field, General Brown, seeing that Scott's 
 brigade was becoming greatly exhausted by the severe fighting they 
 had been doing, interposed a new line between them and the enemy, 
 thereby holding the latter in readiness for a new conflict. 
 
 The British now fell back, their right resting on a height command- 
 ing the whole plain on which they and the American forces were 
 moving. It was now perceived that this height must be carried or the 
 Americans would lose the battle. McRee was ordered to detach Col. 
 James Miller with the Twenty-first Regiment for this hazardous and 
 difficult duty, and to proceed with the remainder of the Second Brigade 
 down the Queenston road in order to divert the attention of the enemy 
 from his right, which was to be attacked. Turning to Colonel Miller, 
 General Brown said: 
 
 " Colonel, can you storm that work and take it ?" 
 
 " I'll try, sir," was the laconic response. And he did take it. 
 
 Miller's assault was a brilliant one.' The British retired in confusion 
 from the line of advancing bayonets, leaving their cannon and several 
 prisoners in possession of the Twenty-first Regiment. About the same 
 time Ripley's brigade advanced and encountered the enemy on the 
 right of Miller's operations. A part of his brigade was broken under 
 the galling fire of the British regulars, but the line was immediately 
 formed again and brought into action. At this moment Major Jesup, of 
 Scott's brigade, who had been ordered to act independently on the right 
 
 > With three hundred men he moved up the ascent steadily in the darkness, along a fence 
 lined with thick bushes that hid his troops from tlie view of the gunners and their protectors who 
 lay near by. When within a short musket range of the battery, they could see the gunners with 
 their glowing linstocks, ready to act at the word, fire. Selecting good marksmen. Miller directed 
 each to rest his rifle on the fence, select a gunner and fire at a given signal. Very soon every 
 gunner fell, when Miller and his men rushed forward and captured the battery. — Lossing. 
 
THE COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1812. 143 
 
 of the American army, after capturing and sending to camp General 
 Riall and several other British officers, proceeded toward the heights as 
 far as the Queenston road. At this point he was joined by General 
 Brown, who directed him to advance up Lundy's Lane and form on the 
 right of Ripley's brigade, whose left was resting upon the height de- 
 fended by the captured cannon. Meantime General Porter had arrived 
 with his command and was formed on Ripley's left. 
 
 Fresh troops had been sent from Queenston and Fort George to re- 
 inforce the enemy, which now advanced in strong force. At the first 
 fire, however, the British fled in great confusion. A second attack was 
 made, and the enemy fought with great obstinacy, but two or three 
 volleys sufficed to drive them down the height. Soon another desper- 
 ate assault was made, but this, too, was repulsed after a terrific hand 
 to hand contest, the enemy fleeing in great disorder and leaving many 
 prisoners in the hands of the victorious Americans. In the last assau.lt 
 both Generals Brown and Scott were wounded. The former was shot 
 twice, but remained on his horse. General Scott, however, was disabled 
 and carried from the field. 
 
 The Americans now fell back to Chippewa, having effectually re- 
 pulsed the enemy. Here General Brown ordered Ripley, upon whom 
 the command had devolved, to rest awhile and then reoccupy the bat- 
 tlefield. The latter disobeyed orders and remained at Chippewa, and 
 this so irritated General Brown that he sent to Sackett's Harbor for 
 General Edmund P. Gaines with orders for the latter to assume tempo- 
 rary command on the Niagara frontier. Through Ripley's disobe- 
 dience the Americans were deprived of the substantial advantages of 
 the hardly-earned victory, for the British returned, captured most of 
 the cannon and again occupied the field.' 
 
 While the Americans were really the victors, the British also laid 
 claim to the honor by reason of their having taken possession of the 
 battlefield after the Americans had left it. In this engagement the 
 American loss was one hundred and seventy-one killed, five hundred 
 and seventy-one wounded and, one hundred and ten missing. The loss 
 of the enemy was eighty-four killed, five hundred and fifty-nine wound- 
 ed, one hundred and ninety-three missing, and forty-two prisoners. 
 
 On the morning of the day following the battle General Brown, Gen- 
 
 ' This battle was fought entirely between sunset and midnight. The moon was shining 
 brightly, and as there was no breeze its later and more sanguinary incidents occurred among 
 dense clouds o£ smoke caused by the burning powder. 
 
144 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 eral Scott, Major Jesup and the other wounded officers were taken to 
 Buffalo, Colonel Ripley being left with orders to hold his strong posi- 
 tion at Chippewa until he could be reinforced. Hardly had the wound- 
 ed officers left the scene when Ripley destroyed the military works and 
 stores, demolished the bridge and fled with his army to the Canadian 
 end of the Black Rock ferry. But for the strenuous opposition offered 
 by McRee, Wood, Towson, Porter and other officers he would have 
 crossed with the army to the American shore. He actually rode to 
 General Brown and asked for orders to do so, but that valiant com- 
 mander treated the proposition with justifiable scorn, and ordered Rip- 
 ley to move his army to a good position on the lake shore just above 
 Fort Erie, strengthen the fort and erect new defenses in expectation of 
 a siege.' 
 
 Within two or three days Drummond, having received eleven hun- 
 dred reinforcements, prepared to move up the river. August 3 the 
 enemy drove in the American outposts surrounding the fort and camped 
 two miles from the fort. In the meantime the works around the fort 
 had been strengthened and three armed schooners were anchored near 
 at hand. Within a few days a detachment of the enemy met two hun- 
 dred and forty riflemen under Major Lodowick Morgan, near the Sca- 
 jaquada creek ; but the British were driven back across the river. 
 While this fight was transpiring Drummond opened a cannonade on 
 Fort Erie. This was of short duration, and at its close both sides 
 worked hard for several days in strengthening their respective posi- 
 tions. 
 
 August 4, General Gaines arrived at Fort Erie and assumed the chief 
 command, Ripley again takmg command of his brigade. On the 7th 
 the British began the siege by a heavy cannonade, which continued for 
 a week. On the evening of the l-4th a British shell exploded with ter- 
 rific force in an empty magazine in the fort, and the enemy, believing 
 that this would result in the demoralization of the American force, pre- 
 pared for a direct assault upon the fort. At two o'clock on the morn- 
 ing of the loth a picket of one hundred men was attacked, and a few 
 moments later fifteen hundred of the enemy assailed Towson's battery 
 and an abattis between that work and the shore of the lake. After a 
 brief but desperate struggle they retired. In the meantime the Doug- 
 lass battery, a stone work with two guns on the extreme American 
 
 ' Had General Drummond known of the weakness o£ the American force at this juncture he 
 might have successfully assailed their position. 
 
THE COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1813. 145 
 
 right, was attacked by five hundred infantry and artillery of the enemy. 
 This force was soon repulsed, when a body under Drummond endeav- 
 ored to force an entrance over the walls with the aid of scaling-ladders. 
 After being repulsed twice at this point, the gallant British commander 
 went around the ditch and, in the face of a hot fire and after several 
 attempts, he reached the parapet with one hundred of the Royal 
 Artillery. 
 
 The success of this endeavor fairly crazed Drummond. Ordering no 
 quarter for the Americans, he posted a band of Indians where they 
 could rush into the works at the first opportunity and aid in the anni- 
 hilation of the garrison. The British now made a fierce bayonet charge, 
 mortally wounding several American officers who were standing the 
 brunt of the attack. Lieutenant McDonough was killed by Drummond 
 himself after asking for quarter. The latter fell a minute later with a 
 bullet through his heart. Three attempts were then made to drive the 
 enemy from the fort. Just as a fourth charge was to be made the mag- 
 azine was blown up, whether by accident or design has never been 
 learned. Many of the enemy were killed in the explosion, and the 
 remnant, being instantly attacked by artillery and infantry, broke and 
 fled from the fort in the greatest confusion. The explosion of the mag- 
 azine doubtless saved the American force from the utter annihilation 
 which otherwise might have been their fate. In this terrible fight the 
 British lost two hundred and twenty-one killed, one hundred and seventy- 
 four wounded and one hundred and sixty-eight prisoners. The Ameri- 
 can loss was seventeen killed, fifty-six wounded and eleven missing. 
 
 From this time until about the middle of September the Americans 
 spent their time in strengthening their position and increasing their 
 force. The British did likewise. Until the first of the month the en- 
 emy threw shells, hot shot and rockets into the fort. During this 
 bombardment, August 28, General Gaines was so injured by an ex- 
 ploding shell that he was compelled to retire to Buffalo for the treat- 
 ment of his wounds. Upon learning of this General Brown proceeded 
 from Batavia and placed Ripley in command of the forces occupying 
 the fort; but learning of the unpopularity of this officer he almost im- 
 mediately assumed personal command, though still suffering from the 
 wounds he had received in the previous action. 
 
 September 17 General Brown ordered a sortie, during which two of 
 the British batteries were captured after thirty minutes' hot fighting, 
 General Porter's forces accomplishing this victory. Immediately after- 
 
 10 
 
146 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 wards a block-house in the rear of another battery was taken, the gar- 
 rison made prisoners, the cannon destroyed and the magazine blown up. 
 But this brilliant victory was dearly purchased, for Brigadier General 
 Daniel Davis,' Colonel Gibson and Lieutenant Colonel Wood all fell 
 mortally wounded. In the meantime General Miller had taken two of 
 the enemy's batteries and seized the block-houses in the rear. Toward 
 the close of the action Ripley's reserve was ordered up and he was 
 severely wounded. Within forty minutes after the beginning of the at- 
 tack the Americans were in possession of the entire British works, and 
 Fort Erie was saved. Not only this, but in all probability this magnifi- 
 cent victory saved the entire Niagara frontier and Western New York. 
 This sortie is recorded in history as more skillfully planned and gal- 
 lantly executed than any other, and as one of the very rare instances in 
 which a single sortie resulted in the raising of a siege. The Americans 
 lost seventy-nine killed and two hundred and fourteen wounded. The 
 British lost five hundred killed, wounded and missing and four hundred 
 prisoners. So- complete was the demoralization of the enemy that on 
 September 31 Drummond broke up his camp and retired to the in- 
 trenchments behind Chippewa creek. 
 
 This splendid victory at Fort Erie was the most important closing 
 event of the war on the Niagara frontier. Soon after. General Izard 
 proceeded from Sackett's Harbor to Lewiston, reaching the latter place 
 October 5. Six days later his forces encamped about two miles north 
 of Fort Erie, where he assumed chief command, General Brown re- 
 turning to his former post at Sackett's Harbor. Izard's command soon 
 numbered eight thousand troops, with which he made preparations to 
 march against the army under command of Drummond. Leaving Fort 
 Erie well garrisoned, he proceeded toward Chippewa and endeavored 
 to draw the enemy into an engagement — but in vain. The British 
 commander had seen enough of the undisciplined Yankee farmers, and 
 fell back to Fort George with as much haste as he could make without 
 giving evidence of undue fear. Izard then returned to Black Rock 
 
 * Brigadier General Daniel Davis resided in Le Roy and was the commander of the local 
 volunteer soldiers. He was a man greatly beloved by those who served under him, though a 
 strict disciplinarian. In the first military organization in Le Roy, in 1801, he was chosen lieuten- 
 ant. He had a strong passion for military life. He was among the first to enlist in the war of 
 1812, and was rapidly promoted for his coolness and bravery until he attained the rank of briga- 
 dier general. These characteristics were especially conspicuous during the sortie from Fort 
 Erie. With sword in his hand he led in advance of his division, and ascended the parapet, though 
 warned not to do so. Reaching this point he instantly was shot through the neck, falling into the 
 arms of his aide-de-camp, who had bravely accompanied him. He was buried at Le Roy. 
 
FROM 1813 TO 1841. 147 
 
 ferfy, whence the entire American army crossed over to the American 
 side, abandoning Canada. This practically ended the war, as far as the 
 participation of the inhabitants of Genesee county and Western New 
 York therein was concerned. If some of the inhabitants of Genesee 
 county had exhibited those traits in the early part of the war which 
 brought upon their heads deserved censure, those who participated in 
 the events of the last year of the war won undying fame by reason of 
 their high patriotism, their coolness and bravery, their splendid obedi- 
 ence to the commands of their officers and their general behavior dur- 
 ing the most critical periods of the contests in which they took part. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Changes Along the Various Lines of Endeavor in Genesee County from the Close 
 of the War of 1813 to the Erection of the Present County of Genesee in 1841 — Some 
 of the Settlers of Those Days — Early Hotels — The Establishment of Important 
 Manufacturing Industries — Schools — Many New Churches Founded — Effort to Re- 
 move the County Seat' to Attica — The Farnsworth Trial — The Morgan Episode — A 
 New Jail — The Land Office War — Discontent Among the Land Holders — Formation 
 of the County Agricultural Society — Erection of the New Court House — Division of 
 the Old and Creation of a New Genesee County. 
 
 At the close of the war of 1813 the county of Genesee was in a lament- 
 able condition. Money was scarce, commerce and industry in its vari- 
 ous branches either paralyzed or seriously crippled, and the settlement 
 of the new districts almost at a standstill. Strangely enough, during 
 the war many brave immigrants had taken up lands within the confines 
 of the county, while, as soon as the war was ended, such settlement 
 almost ceased. Batavia and Le Roy suffered less from the effects of 
 the war than most other communities, yet even these centres of popu- 
 lation were in a deplorable condition. A few persons from the East, 
 possibly not realizing the situation, or not fearful of the probable hard- 
 ships which they might be called upon to endure, had the hardihood to 
 come west and locate in the county. In Batavia the following are re- 
 corded as settling during the few years succeeding the war: 
 
 1814, R. O. Holden, John Hickox, Silas Hollister, Alpheus Reynolds, 
 T. B. Campbell, Joseph Wheaton; 1815, Guilliam Bartholf, T. Beck- 
 
143 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 with, Samuel Thomas, Richard Williams, M. Wurts, Alva Smith,' E. 
 M. Cook; 1816-1817, Libbeus Allen, Dr. John Cotes, Andrew Dibble, 
 Richard Dibble, Oren Follett, Thomas Green,- George W. Lay, Thomas 
 McCulley, Lemon Miller, Tracy Pardee, Moses Taggart, James Wal- 
 ton, William Sullings, Richard Smith, William Seaver, William Wat- 
 kins; 1818, Ira Boutwell, James A. Billings^ Clement Carpenter, Daniel 
 Upton, Moses Wilcox, Aaron Wilcox; 1819, J. I. Bartholf, Thomas 
 Bliss, Andrew Adams; 1820, Wheaton Mason, Seth Wakeman. 
 
 These settlements were recorded in the tow^ of Le Roy during the 
 same period: 
 
 1814, Levi Beardsley, William Le Roy Bishop, Manley Colton, Paul 
 E. Day, John Gilbert, P. McVane, Abel Noyes, John Richards, Elisha 
 Severance, A. Williams; 1815, Jeremiah Buell, James Ballard, James 
 Campbell, John Deming, Daniel Foster, Timothy Fitch, W. G. Gustin, 
 Harry Holmes, Timothy Hatch, Joseph Keeney, Marshfield Parsons, 
 Joseph Tompkins; 1816, Versal Bannister, Isaac Crocker, Elijah 
 Crocker, Jacob Gallup, Daniel Harris, Timothy Judd, Harry Lathrop, 
 Solomon Root, Deacon Clark Selden, Elliott L. Stanley, Joel White, 
 Parker Weld; 1817, C. Butler, Nathaniel Farnham, E. Hart, Uni 
 Hurlburt, A. Perry; 1818, Samuel Bishop, Silas Jo-nes^ Miles P. Lamp- 
 son, Thomas C. Ladd, Charles Morgan, S. Tiffany, Levi Ward, jr. ; 
 1819, Dr. S. O. Almy, Albert Hill; 1830, S. M. Gates, Daniel Le 
 Barron. 
 
 In Alabama: 
 
 1814, John Richardson, James Richardson, jr., Hannah Carr, Samuel 
 Sheldon; 1815, William Daniels; 1817, Jonas Kinne, Benjamin Gumaer, 
 Henry Howard; 1819, E. F. Norton; 1821, Robert Harper, James Peter, 
 Joseph Holmes; 1822, James Gardner; 1824, Samuel Whitcomb; 1825, 
 Samuel Basom; 1826, Selah Vosburgh ; 1827, Thomas R. Wolcott; 
 1828, Jesse Lund, Gideon M. Taylor, David Webster, Leonard Webster, 
 Nahum Loring; 1829, Sterling Hotchkiss; 1830, Daniel Thayer, Ryal 
 Ingalsbe, Elijah B. Ingalsbe ; 1832, Gideon Howland, Parley V. In- 
 galsbe; 1834, Elijah and Ebenezer Ingalsbe, Samuel Burr, James Burr, 
 Isaac Duell, N. Baker, jr.; 1835, Jacob Martin, David Martin; 1836, 
 Anson Norton; 1837, James Filkins, George Wight, Abbott Wight. 
 
 Numerous settlements were made in Alexander during, these years. 
 Among those who located in that town, despite the calamity which had 
 befallen Western New York, were the following, most of whom came 
 in 1815: 
 
FROM 1812 TO 1841. 149 
 
 General Josiah Newton, Captain Marcellus Fellows, Asahel Warner, 
 Stephen Day, Josiah Goodrich, Wolcott Marsh, Emory Blodgett, Solo- 
 mon Blodgett, Frederick Balch, Luther Chaddock, Thomas Chaddock, 
 Dennis B, Chaddock, Newcombe Demary, Nathaniel Loomis, Joshua 
 Rix, all of whom came during or just previous to 1815; Noah North, 
 James A. North, and Eben North, sons of Noah North (a pioneer of 
 1808), Daney Churchill, Cherrick Van De Bogart, Timothy Haskins, 
 James R. Jackman, G. Kelsey, James Lewis, Lyman Brown, Ira Newton, 
 N. Manson, J. G. Tiffany, who came in 1816; Silas Southwell, Jonas 
 Stimars, James Stimars, Ezra W. Osborn, S. C Spring, David Halsted, 
 ^1817; Ebenezer Scoville, Guy Shaw, Philip Cook, 1819; Daniel F.Bowen, 
 S. B. Brainard, Sanford Riddle, C. J. Hawkins, S. B. Smith, 1820; Eliph- 
 alet Peck, Horace B. Houghton, Benjamin Simonds, John Simonds, 
 Moses Dickinson, Philo Porter, O. T. Fargo, 1824; Charles Austin, 1825. 
 
 Among those who located within the limits of the present town of 
 Bergen during the few years succeeding the war were William P. Mun- 
 ger, William Gorton, Lathrop Farnham, Linus Beech er and Alva Ste- 
 vens, who established homes there between 1814 and 1816. The tem- 
 perance society established in town in 1836 had these members : Rev. 
 Josiah Pierson, Rev. Heman Halsey, Deacon Pitman Wilcox, Deacon 
 John Spencer, H. H. Evarts and Henry D. Gifford. Others who resided 
 in town during this period, some of whom may have come before the 
 war, included Rev. R. Darwin, John T. Bliss, David Fancher, Milton 
 Bird, Thomas Templeton, Daniel Robinson, Levi Ward, Levi Ward, jr., 
 Benjamin Wright, Alexander White, John Gifford, Simon Pierson, Selah 
 Wright, Rev. Allen Hollister, Russell Pierson, Luther C. Pierson, Rev. 
 Elisha Mason. 
 
 Most of the settlements in Bethany were made before the war of 
 1812. Among those who located there after that event or during the 
 last year of the war were the following : 
 
 1813, Abner Ashley, S. Bowers, Josiah Churchill, Captain Lodowick 
 Champlin, W. R. Dixon, John Eastland, I. Everest, John Metcalf, 
 Harvey Prindle, John Page, Nathan Rumsey; 1814, Thomas Adgate, 
 Charles Dixon, T. Fay, Alanson D. Lord, Rufus Munger, W. F. Nor- 
 ton; 1815, James Bennett, jr., Charles Brisbee, Richard B. French, 
 John Green, John Lincoln, A. Parsons, J. Saunders, James Stewart, 
 Benjamin Smith; 1816, G. Cottrell, J. Rolfe, Asahel Shepard, James 
 Shepard; 1817, Daniel Hyde, B. Barlow; 1818, David Merritt, Jared 
 S. Lord; 1819, S. Debow, Gardner; 1824, James Baker; 1825, 
 
150 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Orange Allen, R. R. Brown; 1828, Aaron Bailey; 1829, E. C. Dibble; 
 1832, Nathaniel Huggins; prior to 1825, Richard Powers, Ira Waite, 
 Matilda Wedge, Samuel Jolles, C. J. Lincoln. 
 
 Some of those who settled in Byron were: 
 
 1813, Abner Thompson, Andrew Hunter Green, William Shepherd; 
 
 1814, John Searls, Ira Newburg, Asa Williams; 1815, Seth C. Lang- 
 don, Jason Adams, James Tillotson, Asa Merrill; 1816, Chester Mann, 
 A. Norton, Abner Chase, William Warn, Lyman Warn, Milo Warn; 
 1817, Joseph Barker, Marcus Barker, Andrew Adams, Jonathan 
 Wright, William Peckhafn, David Mann, Charles Beswick; 1818, Moses 
 Gillett, Levi Fish, Calvin Wells; 1819, Harmon Norton, Erastus Nor- 
 ton, W. S. Miller; 1828, Miles G. White; 1818, Rev. Herman Halsey; 
 1823, Jacob Bushman; 1822, Milton Allen; 1826, Pierpont E. Bull. 
 
 In Darien these settlements are recorded : 
 
 1813, Harvey Butler, Anson Ackley, Jonathan Hastings, Hiram 
 Hedges, John A. Lathrop, Josiah Lee, William Vickery, Thomas 
 Vickery, John McCoUister, Thorp Wildman; 1814, Daniel Marsh, 
 Horace Sloan, William B. Garfield, John Webb, Jonathan Vickery; 
 
 1815, Baxter Gilbert, Ezra Clark, A. Hutchinson, Shadrach Harmon, 
 Quartus Lee, D. J. Lee, Obadiah Jenks, Elijah Lamb, Joshua Peters, 
 jr., David Salisbury, Ephraim Sumner; 1816, David Anderson, Col- 
 onel Jesse Safford, Benajah Griswold, William Cole, Daniel C.Stoddard, 
 John L. Hoyle, Julius Wildman, John Seaver; 1817, C. Dodge, John 
 W. Brown, Elisha H. Lathrop, Davis Huntley, Hugh Wallis, Noah 
 Winslow; 1818, Elijah Lee, Philo Farnham, Lemuel Stickney, Adna 
 Tiffany, Silas Tiffany; 1819, James Booth, Justus Fales, L. H. Colby, 
 Samuel Harroun, Oliver Harper, Zebulon Jones, Stephen King, Anson 
 Lathrop, Caroline Lathrop, William Shumway, John W. Willett, Ben- 
 jamin Sloan. 
 
 In Elba the following located during this period: Chester Scott 
 about 1817; Nathaniel Ford and Thomas Griffin, 1820; prior to 1822, 
 Washington Gardner, James Fuller, John Wilson, Elisha Buck, Robert 
 Irwin, Abraham Sleeper, James Harris, Richard Shotwell, Isaac Shot- 
 well, Smith Lane, Wanton Aldrich, Israel Hoag, Miles Britton ; about 
 1819, Samuel Laing; and the following, the years of whose coming are 
 unknown, though all were residing in the town in 1820; Lemuel Foster, 
 Mason Turner, George Mills, Charles Woodworth, John Underbill, 
 Erastus Wolcott, Isaac Benedict, Jeremiah Wilford, Mark Turner, 
 Dudley Sawyer, Isaac Higley, Eleazur D. Davis, Ichabod Hinckley 
 
FROM 1812 TO 1841. 151 
 
 Samuel White, Nehemiah Ingersoll, Martin Wilson, Joseph Jones, 
 
 Abraham Gifford, Joseph Walter. 
 
 Few settlements were made in Oakfield during these years. Aaron 
 
 Brown came from Chili in 1815, John Underhill and his son, Alfred 
 
 Underhill, came at the same time. Isaac Stringham and Reuben Norton 
 
 came about 1818. David C. Reed came in 1825. 
 
 Among those who removed to Pavilion were the following : 
 
 1813, Aaron Tufts, Ezra Coe, Harry Coe, Isaac Crocker, Francis 
 
 Ruby; 1814, J. E. Holcomb, Leonard Anson, Elijah Cheney, John 
 
 Hendee, Elijah Olmsted, W. C. Smead, Marshall Smead, Jesse Snow; 
 
 1815, T. Butler, Naomi Davis, Rufus Glass, William Glass, Seth Miles, 
 Darius Howe, James Nobles, John Reed, Elijah Rogers, Seth Smith, 
 James Tompkins, Daniel Ward, Washington Weld, Samuel Webb ; 
 
 1816, Chester Hannum, Horace Hannum, Eli Carr, Joel Crofoot, Fran- 
 cis Royce, Amos Halbert, Bial Lathrop, Daniel Knowlton; 1817, 
 Horace Bates, Erastus Bailey; 1818, Chauncey Tillotson, John Ward; 
 1819, Oswald Bond, Carlton Cooley, Albert Hill, Charles Hill; 1820, 
 William Gilmore, George Tubbs; 1822, Jason Duguid, Asa Higgins; 
 1823, Dr. Warren Fay; 1834, John Doty; 1825, Horace S. Coe, George 
 Murray, Simeon Dutton, Alexander Boyd; 1826, Edward Lauderdale; 
 -1827, Ira Townsend. 
 
 The number of settlements in Pembroke during this period was lim- 
 ited. Calvin Cummings came in 1816, Reuben Millett in 1827, Rev. 
 Hugh Wallace in 1816. Other early settlers, the dates of whose arriv- 
 als are not known, included Benjamin Wells, Daniel McCracken, George 
 Porter, Henry Porter, Selah Kidder, George Dennison, Burnham Barber. 
 
 The records show the names of the following settlers in the town of 
 Stafford : 
 
 1813, Merritt King; 1814, Peter Stage; 1815, Eden Foster, Noble 
 Daniels; 1816, Adget Lathrop, David McCracken; 1817, Abel Cross; 
 1818, Chester Scott; 1819, Joel Philleo, B. Clark, J. J. Reynolds, John 
 S. Blair; 1821, B. Bristol. Beside these the following located on the 
 Craigie tract: 
 
 1815, J. Bushnell, D. Biddlecome; 1817, C. Sweetland; 1820, E. 
 Northrup; 1821, D. Laid; 1823, E. Wright; 1824, S. Plant; 1827, E. 
 W. Cobb. Other early inhabitants included families named Lent, 
 Bannister, Coon, Snow, Tomlinson, Tanner, Pratt, Lewis, Beckley, 
 Reynolds, Terry, Drury, Hubbard, Bangs, Kelsey, Ellis, Danolds, 
 Kendall, Judd, Blish, Stutterd, Hinsdale, Kellogg, Smith and Randall. 
 
152 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 The newcomers were for the most part men in rugged health, vig- 
 orous intellects, indomitable courage and possessed of the true spirit of 
 enterprise. No prospects of hardships daunted them. Whatever prob- 
 lem confronted them, they uniformly rose superior to the occasion. 
 By reason of their efforts the country was rapidly developed. New 
 mills, new shops, foundries, stores and other forms of industry dotted 
 the country here and there, replacing the half dead community with 
 signs of life and activity on all sides. They built school houses and 
 founded churches. Obstacles, sometimes seemingly insurmountable, 
 were finally overcome by the sturdy and determined inhabitants, and 
 Genesee county took on a new lease of life. 
 
 The industrial development during the period between the close of 
 the war of 1812 and the beginning of the war of the Rebellion — four 
 years less than half a century — was gradual, but steady and, best of all, 
 of the most substantial and beneficent character. Batavia experienced 
 greater results than any other section of the country.' Second to Ba- 
 tavia came Le Roy. 
 
 The development of the village of Le Roy fortunately had not ceased 
 during the war, though of necessity the inhabitants suffered greatly. 
 Even while the war was in progress, in 1812, J. & A. Nobles built a 
 carding factory in the village. Another was in operation during and 
 after the war by a man named Stewart. Brick yards were conducted 
 by Martin O. Coe and Uni Hurlburt. There were several distilleries 
 — for, while corn would not pay for its transportation, the whiskey 
 which could be made from it would. Thomas Tufts was the first to 
 open a distillery. Elisha Stanley soon after built one on Fort Hill. 
 Others were conducted by William Morgan, J. & M. Colton, J. H. Lent, 
 Dickey, Lampson, Merry and Foot. In 1823 Joseph Annin built the 
 largest distilling plant in Western New York at that time, manufactur- 
 ing proof spirits for the eastern trade. 
 
 In 1817 Elijah Warner began the manufacture of potash, which he 
 continued until 1823. Thaddeus Joy and Mr. Sherman also engaged in 
 the same business soon after Mr. Warner opened his ashery. In 1815 
 or 1816 an oil mill was started by Martin O. Coe. This afterwards be- 
 came successively the property of L. C. Morgan, Foreman, Starr & 
 Co., I. M. Foreman, and Mr. Rogers. In 1820 James Ballard began 
 the manufacture of hats, which he continued for about a dozen years. 
 
 ' An account of the industrial, commercial, educational, religious and social development of 
 this town appears in the chapter devoted to the history of Batavia, 
 
FROM 1812 TO 1841. 153 
 
 About the same time A. E. Hutchins and D. Seavey operated a small 
 chair factory. 
 
 In 1831 John Tomlinson built a large grist and flour mill two miles 
 southwest of Le Roy village, on the Oatka. Several years after a mill 
 was operated at the same point by Thomas Tufts. In 1833 Jacob Le 
 Roy built a flouring mill about a mile north of the village. In 1869 
 this property was sold to W. F. Jones, who made wrapping paper there 
 until 1887, when it was destroyed by fire. An early tannery, located 
 on the flats below Tomlinson's mill, was conducted by D. & W. Graves. 
 Samuel Clifford began the operation of a carding mill in 1833. Thomas 
 Ladd opened a wagon shop in 1818, working there at his trade for about 
 forty years. In 1854 his son, M. A. Ladd, constructed a two-story 
 stone building, in which he continued the business established by his 
 father. 
 
 Le Roy was well supplied with taverns in these early days. In 1819 
 Major James Ganson, eldest son of Captain John Ganson, sr., built the 
 Eagle hotel on Main street, on the site of the original Eagle tavern, 
 which had been previously conducted by "Auntie" Wemple. He also 
 built a tavern on the corner of Main and North streets, which he after- 
 ward sold to Mr. Hosmer of Avon. The Globe and Eagle tavern, built 
 in 1816, was first conducted by Rufus Robertson. Mr. Walbridge suc- 
 ceeded to the management in 1837, and after him Elisha Stanley, J. H. 
 Stanley, Lyman Ballard, A. G. Collins and others were proprietors. 
 John Lent also had a tavern on the hill. 
 
 The malting industry was inaugurated at Le Roy at an early day, 
 but there is in existence no authentic record regarding it. The 
 flouring mill built by Jacob Le Roy, which has been referred to, was 
 sold by him, upon his removal to New York, to Joshua Lathrop. After 
 various changes the property came into possession of C. F. Prentice 
 and J. D. Cameron in 1866. 
 
 So great had been the development of Le Roy, and so progressive 
 was the spirit of its inhabitants, that in 1834 it was decided to ask the 
 Legislature to grant it a charter. This was done on May 5, 1834. By 
 this act incorporating the village, the corporation limits were defined as 
 follows: 
 
 All that part of the town of Le Roy, in the county of Genesee, bounded as follows, 
 to wit; Beginning at a point in the centre of the Niagara road, where a road run- 
 ning north by Israel Rathbun's west line intersects the Niagara road; thence along 
 said north road so far that a line running west drawn parallel with the Niagara road 
 
154 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 shall intersect the triangular road at George W. Blodgett's north line ; thence west 
 on said line to a line running south, drawn parallel to the west side of John Lent's 
 farm ; thence south on said line so far as to intersect a line running east parallel to 
 the Niagara road, by the south side of the widow Munn's land; thence east on said 
 line so far as to intersect a line running north, to the place of beginning; thence 
 north to the place of beginning. 
 
 The charter further provided as follows: 
 
 The first annual meeting . . . shall be holden on the first Monday in June 
 next, at two o'clock in the afternoon, at the house now kept by Theodore Dwight. 
 
 At this election Joshua Lathrop, John Lent, Rufus Robertson, Theo- 
 dore Dwig-ht and Dennis Blakely were chosen trustees. S. M. Gates 
 was elected clerk and Heman J. Redfield treasurer. 
 
 With the rapid increase in the business of various kinds transacted in 
 Le Roy came the necessity of better banking facilities, and the mer- 
 chants and manufacturers of the town decided, in 1838, to establish a 
 bank in that village. This institution was organized as the Genesee 
 County Bank December 8, 1838, with these directors: Israel Rathbun, 
 Miles P. Lampson, John Lent, Elisha Stanley, jr., Samuel Skinner, 
 Isaac N. Stage, Alfred Wilcox, Marshall Smead, Lucius Parks, Noah 
 Starr, James C. Ferris, Warren Fay and John B. Skinner. The first 
 officers of the bank were: Israel Rathbun, president; John Lent, vice- 
 president; Miles P. Lampson, cashier; Samuel Skinner, attorney. From 
 the date of its incorporation to the present time there has been no break 
 in the operation of the bank, though it has been reorganized and re- 
 named on several occasions. In 1865 it was succeeded by the First 
 National Bank of Le Roy, with these directors : Miles P. Lampson, 
 William Lampson, Miles P. Lampson, jr., Benjamin F. Ballard, Ran- 
 dolph Ballard and Miles F. Bixby, who were also its first shareholders. 
 The capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars was increased June 
 5, 1865, to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Miles P. Lampson 
 was the first president, William Lampson the first vice-president, and 
 Benjamin F. Ballard the first cashier. Miles P. Lampson died March 
 37, 1869, having served continuously as an officer of the bank from the 
 date of its organization. 
 
 January 3, 1886, the National Bank of Le Roy was authorized to be- 
 gin business with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars, suc- 
 ceeding to the business of the First National Bank. Of this bank the 
 first directors were William Lampson, Miles P. Lampson, jr., Ran- 
 dolph Ballard, John Maloney and Butler Ward, who were also the only 
 
LE ROY, 1812—1841. 155 
 
 shareholders. The National Bank of Le Roy went out of existence 
 July 1, 1889, and upon the same day its successor, the Bank of Le Roy, 
 a State institution, which still transacts business under that name, be- 
 gan its career. Amid all these changes the original bank and its suc- 
 cessors have always occupied the old building on the northeast corner of 
 Main and Bank streets. Miles P. Lampson, jr., died December 14, 
 1896; William Lampson died February 14, 1897, and Butler Ward, the 
 present chief officer of the bank, assumed the duties of his position 
 February 23, 1897. 
 
 In the existing records of the bank there is a hiatus, from August, 
 1855, to the date of the organization of the First National Bank in 
 1865. The records show the following officers of the Genesee County 
 Bank from 1838 to 1855: 
 
 Presidents.— 1838-40, Israel Rathbun ; 1841-44, John Lent ; 1845-47, 
 
 Marshall S mead; 1848-49, John Lent; 1850 , Miles P. Lampson. (It 
 
 is known, however, that Mr. Lampson remained president as long as 
 the bank existed). 
 
 Vice-presidents.— 1838-40, John "Lent; 1841-43, Marshall Smead ; 
 1843, Rufus H. Smith; 1844-47, James C. Ferris; 1848-50, Elisha 
 Stanley; 1851 , John Lent. 
 
 Cashiers. — 1838-49, Miles P. Lampson; 1850-51, H. U. Howard; 
 
 1852 , S. T.Howard. (Mr. Howard served as cashier as late as 1860, 
 
 and perhaps later). 
 
 The officers of the First National Bank of Le Roy were as follows: 
 
 Presidents. — 1865-68, Miles P. Lampson; 1869-85, William Lampson. 
 
 Vice-presidents. — 1865-68, William Lampson; 1869-71, Charles Mor- 
 gan; 1772-77, Elisha Stanley; 1878-82, Randolph Ballard; 1883-85, 
 Miles P. Lampson, jr. 
 
 Cashiers.— 1865-72, Benjamin F. Ballard; June, 1872, to 1885, But- 
 ler Ward. 
 
 Assistant Cashiers. — 1868, Miles P. Lampson, jr. ; 1884-85, Robert 
 L. Taft. 
 
 During its brief career the National Bank of Le Roy had these offi- 
 cers, without change : 
 
 President, William Lampson ; vice-president. Miles P. Lampson, jr. ; 
 cashier, Butler Ward ; assistant cashier, William C. Donnan. 
 
 The Bank of Le Roy has had the following officers: 
 
 Presidents.— 1889-97, William Lampson; February 23, 1897, to the 
 present time, Butler Ward. 
 
156 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Vice-presidents.— 1889-96, Miles P. Lampson; 1897-98, John Ma- 
 loney. 
 
 Cashiers.— 1889-97, Butler Ward; 1897-98, William C. Donnan. 
 
 Assistant Cashiers.— 1889-96, William C. Donnan; 1897-98, Harold 
 B. Ward. 
 
 Le Roy's citizens at an early date adopted measures for protection 
 against the ravages of fire. For many years the custom of keeping fire 
 buckets distributed conveniently about the village was in vogue, and 
 many an incipient blaze was thereby quenched before it could make 
 any considerable headway. In 1834 the village authorities purchased a 
 hand engine operated by two hand cranks. A few years later a small 
 brake engine was purchased for the use of the fire company. February 
 8, 1851, a regular fire department was organized. In the same year 
 the Le Roy Firemen's Benevolent Association was chartered, its mem- 
 bership being limited to active members of the fire department. 
 
 Among the enterprises founded in Stafford during these years of 
 commercial and manufacturing development were the Roanoke roller 
 mills, which were built in 1835 by the firm of Lay, Ganson & Co. They 
 were located on the Oatka. In 1887 they became the property of H. C. 
 Duguid & Son. 
 
 In 1836 Holland Earl built a flour and grist mill on Tonawanda creek 
 at North Pembroke, which he operated for many years. In later years 
 the mills became known as the Excelsior flouring mills. 
 
 In 1817 or 1818 Erastus Bailey and Bial Lathrop built a grist mill on 
 the site which afterward became generally known as Bailey's Mills. A 
 new dam was built in 1828. In 1835 the property was sold to Mr. Bos- 
 ley, in 1840 to D. W. Olmsted, and in 1843 to Erastus Bailey, the orig- 
 inal part owner, who built a stone mill five years later. 
 
 In 1840 S. Pierce began the operation of a woolen factory at Stafford 
 which had been built several years before by a man named Northrup. 
 In 1845 it became the property of Knowlton, Rich & Co., and in 1853 
 was owned by Shaffer & Hardy. It was destroyed by fire in the latter 
 year. 
 
 While devoting the main part of their energies to the development 
 of the resources of the county, the establishment of various commercial 
 institutions and manufacturing industries, etc., the inhabitants of Gen- 
 esee county were not unmindful of the education of the youth ' in their 
 charge or the fostering and healthful development of the spirit of piety. 
 
 ^ See Chapter on Education in Genesee County. 
 
CHURCHES, 1812—1841. 157 
 
 The first church to be organized during the period covered by this 
 chapter was St. James Protestant Episcopal church of Batavia.' This 
 society was formally organized at a meeting held in the court house on 
 June 6, 1815. 
 
 In the same year a stone house of worship was built by the Baptist 
 congregation in Stafford, nearly half a mile west of the East Transit 
 Line on the road to Batavia. The earliest services of this denomination 
 in Stafford were conducted in 1810 by the Rev. William Green, who 
 preached at the house of Colonel Rumsey. The first regular pastor of 
 this church was the Rev. William Lampson. In 1816 a Christian 
 church was organized by the Rev. Joseph Badger, and was at once 
 consolidated with the Universalist society there. The Rev. H. Thomp- 
 son was the first pastor, and the house of worship was built in 1833. In 
 1870 the church became purely Christian. Another society of the same 
 denomination built a church in the eastern part of the town in 1836 ; but 
 in 1867 the property was sold and the society ceased to exist. In 1821 a 
 Congregational church was organized, under the charge of the Presby- 
 tery. For the first four years of its career the Rev. Mr. Huxley acted 
 as pastor. Subsequently a Congregational and Presbyterian union 
 church was formed, but dissatisfaction arose over the occupancy of the 
 building and disorganization resulted. 
 
 In 1816 Elder Leonard Anson established the first Baptist church in 
 Pavilion, with fourteen members. For several years meetings were 
 held at various places in the neighborhood, and it was not until 1834 
 that the society erected a house of worship for its use. The cemetery 
 adjoining this church is one of the oldest in the county, the first inter- 
 ment therein, that of Peter Crosman, having been made in 1812. 
 
 Four new churches were formed in the county in 1817. Of these the 
 First Presbyterian church of Pembroke was organized under the direc- 
 tion of the Rev. Hugh Wallis, who acted for several years as general 
 missionary for the Presbyterian church on the Holland Purchase. This 
 church, small in numbers at first, experienced a steady and substantial 
 growth. The Rev. F. B. Reed served as stated supply in 1825. The 
 Rev. L. B. Sullivan became pastor in 1828, and three years later the 
 first house of worship, a frame building with a seating capacity of one 
 hundred, was erected. 
 
 St. Mark's Protestant Episcopal church of Le Roy was also organized 
 
 ' A more complete history of the various religious organizations in Batavia will be found in 
 the chapter devoted to " The Village of Batavia." 
 
158 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 in 1817, under the direction of Rev. Samuel Johnson. As early as 1803 
 or 1804 Episcopal services had been held in Le Roy by the Rev. Da- 
 venport Phelps, a missionary for Western New York. The number of 
 adherents of this denomination continued to increase until it was finally 
 deemed advisable to establish a parish. The first officers, chosen in 
 1817, were: Wardens, Timothy Hatch, Hugh Murphy; vestrymen, 
 Abel Noyes, Solomon Root, George A. Tiffany, Ezra Piatt, Thaddeus 
 Stanley, Elisha Stanley, Manly Colton and Graham Newell. In 1836, 
 during the rectorship of the Rev. Seth W. Beardsley, a stone church 
 was erected on the site of the present edifice on Church street, on land 
 donated for the purpose by Jacob Le Roy, who also gave one thousand 
 dollars toward defraying the expense of constructing the building. 
 The church was consecrated August 7, 1827, by Bishop Hobart. This 
 house of worship served the parish until 1869, when it was torn down 
 to make way for a new church, the corner stone of which was laid April 
 24, 1869, under the pastorate of the Rev. J. H. Waterbury. The edi- 
 fice was formally opened for worship December 32, 1870, but was not 
 consecrated until November 23, 1876, when the Rt. Rev. Arthur Cleve- 
 land Coxe, bishop of Western New York, performed that ceremony. 
 The Rev. Dr. T. M. Bishop was serving as rector at the time of the 
 consecration. The rectors of the parish who succeeded the Rev. Mr. 
 Beardsley have been: 1830, J. M. Rogers; 1831, Dr. H. F. Cummings; 
 1833, Dr. .Kendrick Metcalf; 1841, George D. Gillespie; 1846, T. D. 
 Chipman; 1850, George H. McKnight; 1856, R. J. Parvin; 1862, A. M. 
 Wylie; 1864, A. H, Gesner; 1868, J. H. Waterbury; since which time 
 the parish has been served successively by Revs. T. M. Bishop, D. D., 
 L. D. Ferguson, J. H. Weibel, Arthur W. Sloan and Pierre Cushing, the 
 present rector. 
 
 The Stafford Christian church, located at Morganville, was organized 
 October 30, 1817, by the Rev. Joseph Badger and Levi Hathaway, with 
 eleven members. The house of worship was built some time prior to 
 1835. The first pastor was the Rev. Hubbard Thompson. Succeeding 
 him the following have served the society: 1820, Jeremiah Gates; 1839, 
 Daniel Call; 1831, Joseph Badger; 1832, Allen Crocker; 1833, Thomas 
 Fiske; 1835, David Millard; 1836, Ebenezer Adams; 1842-45, R. A. 
 Burgess and A. C. Parker; 1845, Joseph Weeks; 1861, J. Burlingame; 
 1864, I C. Tryon; 1868, William G. Wade; 1871, J. Worden; 1873, I. 
 C. Tryon; 1876, P. R. Sellon; 1881, William Case; 1887, L C. Tryon; 
 1888, J. B. Clark; 1890, J. H. Carr; 1893, A. J. Wayman; 1895, Alden 
 Allen, the present pastor. 
 
CHURCHES, 1812—1841. 159 
 
 The Congregational church of Bethany, located at East Bethany, was 
 founded June 17, 1817, by John Bliss, a missionary from Connecticut. 
 Its original membership numbered eleven. For several years this 
 church was without a regular pastor. The first to serve in that capacity 
 was the Rev. Reuben Hard, who located there in 1823. The following 
 year a brick house of worship, costing three thousand dollars, was 
 erected; and in the same year the society abandoned the Congregational 
 form of government and united with the Presbytery of Genesee, since 
 which it has remained a member of the Presbyterian denomination. 
 
 Two churches were organized in 1818 — the First Baptist church of 
 Le Roy, and the First Congregational church of Byron. 
 
 The first Baptist service held in Le Roy was when Elder Peck, a 
 missionary of that church, visited the settlement in 1806 and preached 
 in the school house there. A few months later Elder Bennett, another 
 Baptist preacher, delivered a sermon in the same place. In 1810 Hinds 
 Chamberlain's barn was opened as a temporary house of worship, and 
 Elder Witherell preached a sermon therein. After that several sermons 
 were delivered by the Rev. Donald Mann, the pastor at Caledonia, and 
 Elder Leonard Anson. The number of adherents of this faith contin- 
 ued to increase, and on June 35, 1818, the First Baptist church was for- 
 mally organized at the school house near Oliver Langworthy's, Rev. 
 E. Vining acting as moderator and Henry Slayton as clerk. Twenty- 
 six persons received the right hand of fellowship. Elder Ames Lamp- 
 son was selected for the first pastor, and Hinds Chamberlain as deacon. 
 In 1823 the society began the erection of the present church edifice on 
 the eastern part of Main street, which was completed in 1829. Six 
 years later it was removed to Church street, on land purchased of Joshua 
 Lathrop. The church was incorporated as " The First Baptist Society 
 of Le Roy" in May, 1841, with Austin Phelps as president of the board 
 of trustees and P. M. Smith as clerk. In 1858 a parsonage costing 
 nearly two thousand dollars was built on Wolcott street ; but this was 
 afterward exchanged for a residence on Church street, which was rebuilt 
 in 1881. Those who have acted as pastors of this church, in the order 
 of their service, are Amos' Lampson, E. M. Spencer, David Morris, 
 John Minor, Barach Beckvvith, Ely Stone, A. Willey, John Miller, W. 
 I. Cram, Ichabod Clark, William Hutchinson, H. Daniels, A. C. Bar- 
 rell, D. Moore, O. A. F. Spinning, I. Clark, W. F. Basten, E. P. Brig- 
 ham, D. D. Reed, A. L. Wilkinson, C. M. Rupe, O. C. Kirkham, and 
 D. L. Martin, who became pastor September 1, 1881. In 1895 the so- 
 
160 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 ciety purchased the F. C. Lathrop property on East Main street, which 
 will be held as a site for a future new house of worship. 
 
 The First Congregational church of Byron was organized November 
 20, 1818, at the house of John Thompson of Batavia, by the Rev. Her- 
 man Halsey, a minister sent out by the New York Evangelical Society 
 of Young Men. The original members numbered eleven. In 1819 the 
 place of worship was moved to a brick school house about one and one- 
 half miles south of Byron Centre. In 1823 it was fixed at Byron. In 
 1837 the First Congregational Society of Byron was chartered accord- 
 ing to law. The society met in various places in Byron Centre until 
 1830 when a church edifice was erected and dedicated. In 1834 the so- 
 ciety united with the Genesee Con association of the Congregational 
 Church, and transferred its relation to the care of the Genesee Presby- 
 tery in 1831. In 1845 it was changed to the Presbyterian form of gov- 
 ernment, under the pastorate of Rev. John B. Preston. In 1866 the 
 church edifice was extensively repaired at an expense of about $3,300. 
 In 1893 a beautiful new parsonage was erected, a gift of the Boynton 
 estate. In 1896 the floor of the auditorium was raised and a suite of 
 rooms added below. The following ministers have served the church, 
 now known as the Byron Presbyterian church : Revs. Herman Halsey, 
 1818; William P. Kendrick, 1826; Lot B. Sullivan, 1838; Lewis Cheese- 
 man, 1830; Herbert A. Reed, 1831; B. B. Gray, 1833; A. Sedgwick, 
 1837; Eber Childs, 1839; Francis Danforth, 1843; John B. Preston, 
 1844; J. Partington, 1850; A. O. Wightman, 1855; R. H. Dexter, 1856; 
 N. M. Clute, 1857; John M. Ballou, 1863; T. M. Hodgman, 1866; Ed- 
 win Allen, 1873; J. F. McLaury, 1885; J. W. Stitt, 1890. 
 
 St. John's Methodist Episcopal church of Batavia' was organized in 
 1819, and became connected with the " New Amsterdam Circuit and 
 Genesee District," but no house of worship was erected until 1823-34. 
 
 The three churches organized in the year 1820 were the First Bap- 
 tist of Bethany, the Freewill Baptist of Byron and the Friends' Society 
 of Elba, now defunct. The first of these, the First Baptist church of 
 Bethany, was, founded May 7 of that year with a membership of 
 twenty-six. In 1840 it reported a membership of one hundred and 
 forty, but owing to great changes in the population of the town it has 
 since decreased in members. The original house of worship, built in 
 1826, is still standing. Those who have served as pastors are: 1820-21, 
 John Blain; 1822-35, John Mudge; 1826-28, Bartemus Brayman; 1829- 
 
 ' A full history of this society will be found in the chapter relating to the village of Batavia. 
 
CHURCHES, 1812—1841. 161 
 
 31, William Gildersleve; 1832-33, Daniel Peck; 1835-36, William 
 Smith; 1836-40, H. R. Stimpson; 1841-42, Henry Shute; 1842-43, R. 
 C. Palmer; 1844-45, Bela Palmer; 1846-47, Hobart Leavenworth; 1847- 
 49, L. W. Olney; 1850-53, A, M. Starkweather; 1853-55, James Mal- 
 lory; 1856-58, William Buxton; 1860-64, Smith Hulse; 1864-68, Jesse 
 Elliot; 1869-71, F. B. Mace; 1873-74, T. A. Edwards; 1874-76, C. 
 Townsen; 1876-98, J. M. Scarff. 
 
 The Freewill Baptist 'church of Byron, located at North Byron, was 
 organized in 1820 by the Revs. Nathaniel Brown and Harmon Jenkins. 
 The first house of worship was erected in 1833. A Baptist church was 
 established in Byron as early as 1810, but it ceased to exist many years 
 ago. The First M. E. church of that town, founded about 1822, has 
 also been extinct many years. 
 
 The Friends' Society organized in Elba in 1820 originally consisted 
 of forty-eight heads of families in that town, besides several others from 
 adjoining towns. Among the leading members at the foundation were 
 Jonathan Ramsdale, Elijah Pond, Abraham Giflford, Ira Lapham, Will- 
 iam Cromwell and Joseph Jones. The first house of worship, a log 
 structure erected in 1820, was replaced in 1838 by a stone church. The 
 society has always been in a prosperous condition. Rev. James D. 
 Wood is the present pastor. 
 
 The First Presbyterian church of Elba was organized as a Congrega- 
 tional society with sixteen members October 8, 1822. It remained 
 Congregational in form, although for a part of that time under the care 
 of the Presbytery, until November 3, 1866, when it became a duly or- 
 ganized Presbyterian church. The Rev. Solomon Hibbard was the 
 first pastor of the church. The first church, erected in 1822, of wood, 
 was supplanted in 1875 by a commodious structure costing seven thou- 
 sand dollars. Revs. E. H. Stratton, R. Whiting and G. S. Corwin were 
 early pastors. The present pastor is the Rev. Farley Porter. 
 
 The Second Baptist church of Elba was formed September 13, 1822, 
 with sixteen members. Two years later a house of worship was erected. 
 The Rev. John Miner acted as the first pastor of the society. The first 
 church was destroyed by fire in 1837, and not rebuilt until 1849-1850. 
 
 St. Philip's Protestant Episcopal church of Stafford dates from the 
 year 1823. As early as February 16 of that year Lucius Smith, Rich- 
 ard Smith and E. Mix ' of Batavia organized a church under that 
 name." In February, 1833, a parish was regularly organized at the 
 
 ^ Probably Ebenezer Mix. ^ No records of this early church are in existence. 
 
 11 
 
163 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 village of Stafford and given the name of Trinity parish. The Rev. 
 John P. Robinson was the first rector in charge. The records of the 
 church in the year following show that there were forty communicants. 
 For a few years services were held in the old union stone church. In 
 1841 the society began the erection of an edifice for its own use, and 
 this was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Delancey in 1842 under 
 the name of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal church. The Rev. George 
 
 D. Gillespie, afterwards bishop of Western Michigan, was the first rec- 
 tor, and John Warren, sr., and Richard Warren were the first wardens. 
 Those who have served as pastors are: Stephen C. Millet, John P. 
 Calhoun, Milton Ward, Philemon E. Coe, Richard Radley, Rev. Mr. 
 Edson, E. R. Armstrong. 
 
 The Presbyterian church of North Bergen was organized November 
 18, 1833, in the house of Jonah Guthrie, by the Rev. A. Darwin, Josiah 
 Pierson, John T. Bliss and David Fancher. It was first known as the 
 Congregational church of Bergen, Byron and Clarendon, and had 
 twenty-one members when organized. April 11, 1827, it united with 
 the Rochester Presbytery, and D. Fancher, Milton Bird, Thomas Tem- 
 pleton and Daniel Robinson were chosen elders. Milton Bird was the 
 first to be ordained deacon. The Rev. N. Clapp, the first pastor, was 
 ordained and installed February 25, 1827. April 2, 1829, the society 
 was named after the post-office of that time — -Lyme — but in 1840, when 
 the name of the post-office was changed to North Bergen, the name of 
 the church was likewise changed. In 1833 a commodious frame edifice 
 was constructed. This has been remodeled several times. In 1892 .a 
 parsonage was built. The following have served as pastors of the soci- 
 ety, in the order given: Rev. Mr. Clapp, ordained and installed Febru- 
 ary 5, 1829; Revs. Colton Meade, Isaac Bliss, John Walker, Lemuel 
 Clark, L. Cheeseman, Bela Fancher, Hiram Gregg, N. M. Clute, 
 Albert Bigelow, L. W. Billington, O. H. Barnard, L. W. Billington, 
 
 E. W. Brown, C. W. Remington, John H. Perkins, Shubal Carver, 
 L. C. Butler, Mr. Boon, A. R. Vosburg, and Rev. J. C. Long, the pres- 
 ent pastor. 
 
 The Freewill Baptist church of Alabama was organized in 1824 
 through the instrumentality of Elder Samuel Whitcomb, who was not 
 only its first pastor, serving for many years, but also for a long period 
 the only preacher in the town of Alabama. 
 
 A Baptist mission church was organized on the Tonawanda Indian 
 Reservation in 1825 and placed in charge of the Rev. Mr. Bingham. 
 
CHURCHES, 1813—1841. 163 
 
 Several years later the society built a brick church, which is still in use. 
 The membership has never been very large. 
 
 In 1826 Zion Protestant Episcopal church of Bethany was founded. 
 The corner-stone of the house of worship was laid July 4 of that year 
 under the direction of the Masonic fraternity, on which occasion an 
 oration was delivered by William Mitchell, afterwards first judge of the 
 Court of Common Pleas. The early records of this church are not in 
 existence. 
 
 The First Congregational church of Darien, which ceased to exist in 
 1860, was organized May 9, 1823, at Darien Centre, with the Rev. 
 Hugh Wallace as pastor and twelve members. A wooden church was 
 built in 1839. Among those who served as pastors were the Revs. T. 
 Baldwin and L. A. Skinner. 
 
 The Free Baptist church of Wheatfield, in the town of Alabama,' 
 was organized in 1826 and reorganized in 1837. Joseph Holmes and 
 Holland Fuller were the first deacons. The present church building 
 was built in 1850. The pastors of the church, in the order of their 
 service, have been: Revs. H. Gilman, H. Blackmer, Horace Perry, 
 
 E. P. Talman, R. Martin, Smith, L. Johnson, W. Peck, C. H. 
 
 Hoag, S. R. Evans. Mr. Evans, the last resident pastor, left his charge 
 in 1890. 
 
 A society known as the Batavia and Pembroke Baptist church was 
 established at East Pembroke February 18, 1826, by Daniel McCracken, 
 Benjamin Wells, Chauncey Wolcott, William Upton, Mary A. Mc- 
 Cracken, Lydia Wolcott and Sally Harrington. The Rev. Amos 
 Lampson was chosen as the first pastor. The first church, a frame 
 building built in 1840, was superseded in 1867 by a fine brick edifice 
 costing seven thousand dollars. 
 
 The Alexander M. E. church was organized in 1827. The earlier 
 records are not in existence. The church now standing is the first one 
 built by the society. The various pastors since 1851, as far as shown 
 by the records, have been: 1851, M. Scott; 1853, E. R. Keyes; 1855-57, 
 M. W. Riply; 1861, D. B. Worthington ; 1862-63, J. N, Simpkins; 1864, 
 R. D. Miller; 1865, P. Woodworth; 1866, E. W. Hill; 1867, G. De La 
 Matyr; 1868, M. W. Riply, 1870-71, T. E. Bell; 1872, F. W. Conable; 
 1873-74, T. W. Chandler; 1875, R. L. Waite; 1876, H. J. Owens, 
 R. L. Waite, J. McEwen; 1878, T. H. Perkins and R. L. Waite; 1879- 
 80, T. H. Perkins; 1882-84, C. S. Daly; 1885, J. McEwen; 1887-88, W. 
 L. Moore; 1889, F. E. King; 1890-94, H. A. Slingerland; 1895, A. B. 
 Taylor; 1896, William Magovern; 1897-98, A. H. Mason, 
 
164 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal church of Le Roy was not organized until 
 September, 1828, though preaching service had been held there for 
 several years and a class had been organized as early as 1823, composed 
 of Alfred Morehouse and his wife, Orange Scott and his wife, Asenath 
 Judd, John Hay, Julia Herrick, I. Herrick and his wife, Alanson Stan- 
 ley, Mrs. Stanley and Henry Goodenow. The Rev. Micah Seager was 
 the first regular pastor of the society. For a year services were held 
 every two weeks in the school house east of the village. In 1829 a 
 small brick church was built at a cost of $950 and dedicated by Bishop 
 Roberts. In 1884 this church was ruined by fire, and plans for a new 
 building were at once made. The corner-stone of the handsome new 
 edifice on Trigon Park, East Main street, was laid May 20, 1885, by the 
 Rev. J. E. Bills, D. D., presiding elder of the Genesee district of the 
 Genesee conference, and the structure was dedicated September 17, 
 1886. It is of grey sandstone and cost $26,000. Those who have 
 served as pastors of this church, and the years of their appointment, 
 are: 1823, Micah Seager; 1824, J. Hustes; 1825, C. V. Adgate; 1827, 
 W. Hoag;1829, S. Madison; 1830, R. Parker; 1831, Micah Seager; 
 1832, S. Madison; 1833, R. L. Waite; 1834, L. B. Castle; 1835, I. 
 Chamberlyne; 1836, G. Osband; 1837-38, J. Latimer; 1839-40, P. E. 
 Brown; 1841, D. D. Buck; 1842, M. Seager; 1843, P. Woodworth; 
 1844-45, A. Steele; 1846-47, C. C. Houghton; 1848-49, R. L. Waite; 
 1850, H. R. Smith; 1851-52, J. M. Fuller; 1853-54, A. P. Ripley; 
 1855, S. C. Clark; 1856-57, J. McEwen; 1858, G. De La Matyr; 1859- 
 60, P. R. Stover; 1861-62, E. A. Rice; 1863, C. Shelling; 1864-66, K. 
 D. Nettleton; 1867-69, P. R. Stover; 1870-71, W. S. Tuttle; 1872, J. 
 Hartwell; 1873, J. Morrow; 1874-75, J. B. Wentworth; 1876, R. F. 
 Kay; 1877-78, R C. Brownlee; 1879, K. P. Jervis; 1880-82, M. C. 
 Dean; 1883-85, G. H. Dryer; 1886-89, W. C. Wilbor; 1889-90, I. M. 
 Dalby; 1891-92, J. A. Smith; 1893-98, G. M. Harris; from October 
 1898, Frederick S. Parkhurst, Ph. D. 
 
 The Second Congregational church of Le Roy and Bergen, now 
 known as the " Presbyterian Society of Stone Church," is the offshoot of 
 the First Congregational church of Bergen, and was founded March 18, 
 1828, with S. Dibble and J. Ward as deacons and Russell Pierson, 
 David Byam and Luther C. Pierson as assistants. The original " Stone 
 church '' was begun September 24, 1828. In 1864 a frame edifice was 
 built upon the site of the first church and was dedicated the following 
 year. October 28, 1828, the Rev. Elisha Mason became the first pas- 
 
CHURCHES, 1813—1811. 165 
 
 tor of the society. The society changed from the Congregational to the 
 Presbyterian form of government in 1882. 
 
 The Methodist society was organized in Bethany in 1830 by Dr. 
 Jonathan K. Barlow, the pioneer physician in that town, but its ex- 
 istence was brief. A Bethany Union church was formed in 1838 and a 
 second M. E. society in 1832, but all are now extinct. 
 
 The second Presbyterian church in Bethany was organized October 
 30, 1829, by Messrs. Whiting, Bliss, Watts and a few other persons. 
 The first pastor was the Rev. W. Whiting. In 1839 the society erected 
 a house of worship, which since that time has been repaired several 
 times. 
 
 The Universalist church of Le Roy was organized in 1831, though 
 services had been held there by preachers of that denomination as early 
 as 1812. Among the early ministers after the formation of the society 
 were Tomlinson, Knapp, Kelsey, Peck, Brayton, and others. The so- 
 ciety held its meetings in the old "Round House." In 1858 the Rev. 
 Charles Cravens was chosen pastor, and the society was reorganized. 
 The " Round House " was purchased in 1859 and razed to the ground. 
 In its place was erected the present church edifice, costing at that time 
 about $8,000. After a severe and protracted struggle the society paid 
 for the building, and it remains to this day unincumbered. Mr. Cra- 
 vens, after a long and successful pastorate, retired, and was followed 
 by Rev. F. M. Hicks. He was succeeded by the Revs. Charles Datton, 
 G. W. Powell, E. W. Fuller, M. L. Hewitt, H. B. Howell, M. D. 
 Shumway, William Knott, C. L. Haskell, J. A. Copeland and E. L. 
 Conklin, in the order named. 
 
 The First Methodist Episcopal church of Bergen was organized April 
 5, 1831. The records of the society show that Rev. Reeder Smith 
 founded asociety prior to this date, which was called the " First Society 
 of the Methodist Episcopal church of Bergen." In 1838 an edifice 
 costing $1,000 was erected. In 1853 the society removed to the present 
 site, purchased the former edifice, and beautified and enlarged it at a 
 cost of over $3,000. In 1873 the society was a part of the Churchville 
 circuit, but under the labors of Rev. T. E. Bell, the membership in 
 that year swelled to one hundred and eighteen, and sixteen probation- 
 ers, and a separate existence was created. In 1876 a parsonage was 
 erected at a cost of $1,200, and August 3, 1883, the present elegant 
 brick edifice, built in Gothic style, was dedicated, with Rev. J. B. 
 Countryman, pastor. In 1898 a chapel was built at a cost of $1,200. 
 
166 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 The records show the following to have served as pastors. The list is 
 not complete, but no further data is in existence. 1831, Reeder Smith ; 
 1832-33, Benajah Williams and Preston R. Parker; 1836, G. Taylor 
 and Salem Judd; 1839, Gideon Laning and David Nutten; 1840, N. 
 Fellows, G. Taylor and E. O. Hall; 1841-44, Daniel Anderson; 1845, 
 
 H. Ryan Smith; , Amos Smith; 1852-53, Micah Seager, John 
 
 Fuller; 1854, John B. Lanckton ; 1855-56, Sheldon H. Baker; 1857, 
 Richard Cooley ; 1858, James M. Fuller; 1859, John McEwen ; 1860-61, 
 Sumner C. Smith; 1862-63, Benjamin F. McNeal; 1864, John Kennard; 
 1865, Chauncey S. Baker; 1866-67, Henry W. Annis; 1868, J. N. 
 Simpkins; 1869-70, N. Jones; 1871, E. S. Furman; 1872, W. L. 
 Warner; 1873, Thomas E. Bell; 1874, J. L. Fprster; 1875-78, H. C. 
 Woods; October, 1878, to October, 1879, T. C. Hitchcock; 1879-82, 
 J. B. Countryman; 1882-85, Thomas Cardus; 1885-88, T. T. Rowe; 
 1888-91, J. A. Smith; 1891-94, C. G. Stevens; 1894 to the present time, 
 John R. Adams. 
 
 The First Universalist society of Pavilion was organized October 10, 
 1831, by James Sprague and Elijah Olmsted, with thirty-eight mem- 
 bers. The year following a house of worship was erected. The first 
 pastor was the Rev. L. L. Sadler. Others who have acted as pastors 
 named in the order of their service have been the .Revs. Alfred Peck, 
 A. Kelsey, J. Davy, J. S. Brown, N. M. Fisk, Orville Brayton, Charles 
 Cravens, Charles Dutton and M. D. Shumway. 
 
 The Oakfield and Alabama Baptist church at Great Valley was also 
 one of the four churches organized in Genesee county in 1831. No- 
 vember 25, 1829, a meeting was called at the house of Mrs. Betsey 
 Barker at Oakfield Five Corners. Brother Shears and wife, Brother 
 Calkins, and Sisters Dickinson and Barker were constituted a branch 
 of the Baptist Church at Elba. December 27, 1831, a council was con- 
 vened at Shears school-house one mile east of South Alabama, and this 
 branch became the church of Oakfield with twenty-five members. 
 During the first ten years the society had eight pastors — Rev. Messrs. 
 Gould, Brown, Hall, Griswold, Fuller, Blood, Fairchild and South- 
 worth. January 24, 1839, the society voted to unite with the Alabama 
 church and build a house of worship. This was completed in 1840, 
 and has been repaired three times — in 1855, 1870 and 1883. The pas- 
 tors since 1840 have been as follows, named in the order of their service: 
 
 Revs. A. Warren, James Mallory, Reed, R. Baker, R. D. Pierce, 
 
 R. C. Palmer, Eli Stone, W, D. Corbin, L. Atwater, L. L. Gage, B. 
 
CHURCHES, 1812—1841. 167 
 
 F. Mace, Charles Berry, J. M. Derby, William Garnet, J. M. Coley, B. 
 F. Mace, Marion Forbes, M. W. Hart, P. W. Cranell, W. H. Holt, J. C. 
 Newman,, G. F. Love, A. A. Shaw, D. E. Burt. 
 
 Asbury M. E. church of Pavilion was built at Union Corners in 1832, 
 chiefly through the efforts of the Rev. Hiram May, who was then 
 preaching on that circuit. The society disbanded in 1876. The old 
 church was occupied for a time by the Free Methodists, but was finally 
 abandoned. The Union church was built at Pavilion Centre at an early 
 day, and was used by all denominations. It subsequently was con- 
 verted into a public hall. 
 
 The Alabama Baptist church was organized in 1832 by Elijah In- 
 galsbe, Mr. Bennant and wife, Charles P. Brown and wife, Adna 
 Ingalsbe and wife and others. Elder Hall was the first pastor, Mr. 
 Bennant and Adna Ingalsbe the first deacons and Charles P. Brower 
 the first clerk. The church united with the Niagara Association in 
 1833. The next year one of the greatest revivals in the history of the 
 county occurred. Seventy persons were baptized in one day, three 
 ministers being in the water together and baptizing at the same time. 
 Soon after this Hiram K. Stinson became pastor and baptized eighty- 
 one more, making the total of one hundred and fifty-one baptisms for 
 that associational year. Mr. Stinson was ordained to the ministry in 
 this town. In 1880 the house of worship was thoroughly repaired, 
 making it practically a new building. Four years later a parsonage 
 was built. Since Mr. Stinson's pastorate the following have served the 
 society: 1836, Augustus Warren; 1840, J. Packer; 1843, Alexander 
 Mede; 1845, E. J. Corey; 1846, I. A. Whitney; 1848, J. Packer; 1850, 
 
 C. Clutz; 1854, Augustus Warren; 1876, Mace; 1877, L. S. 
 
 Stowell; 1879, Fowler; 1882, D. J. Ellison (supply); 1885, H. H. 
 
 Thomas; 1886, J. B. Lemon; 1888, I. Child; 1890, O. N. Fletcher 
 (supply); 1892, F. Redfern; 1894, G. R, Schlanch; 1896, J. S. Nas- 
 m'lth. 
 
 The year 1833 witnessed the establishment of no less than five church 
 organizations in Genesee county. These were the Universalist church 
 in Alexander, an M. E. church in Darien, a Methodist Protestant 
 church in Elba, a Presbyterian church in Oakfield, and an Episcopal 
 church in Stafford. 
 
 The First Universalist church of Alexander built and dedicated a 
 frame house of worship in June, 1833, the year of the organization of 
 the society. The first trustees of the society were Colonel Nelson, 
 
168 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Capt. Royal Moulton and Joseph Rix. The pastors of the church and 
 the years of the beginning of their pastorates follow: 
 
 1833, J. S. Flagler; 1839, Samuel Goff ; 1843, B. B. Bunker; 1845, W. 
 B. Cook; 1848, E. W. Locke; 1850, William McNeal; 1852, C. F. Dodge; 
 1858, T. J. Whitcome; 1863, C. C. Cravens; 1871, G. W. Powell; 1874, 
 B. Hunt; 1876, George Adams; 1878, C. C. Richardson; 1881, M. D. 
 Shumway; 1884, H. W. Hand; 1889, H. W. Carr; 1891, T. E. Potterton; 
 1893, C. R. East; 1893, Miss Frankie Cook. 
 
 The first Methodist Episcopal church of Darien was organized March 
 18, 1833. The society had but a brief existence, and the records can- 
 not be found. The present M. E. church in that town was organized 
 in 1841 by Rev. J. W. Vaughn with fifty-three members. The present 
 church building was erected in 1848. Services at Darien Centre were 
 held until 1874 in the Congregational church, when through the efforts 
 of the pastor. Rev. E. S. Furman, aided by Jacob Nichols of Darien 
 Centre, the present church building was erected. 
 
 The names of the pastors in the order of their service are: Revs. 
 J. W. Vaughn, 1841; H. M. Ripley, 1843-43; A. Herrick, 1844-45; P. 
 Woodworth, 1846; P. Roberts, 1847; K. D. Nettleton, 1848; J. W. 
 Vaughn, 1849-51; J. Hagar, 1853; J. Torrey, 1853; J. N. Simpkins, 
 1854; H. Butlin, 1855-56; J. R. Wooley, 1857-58; A. P. Ripley, 1859- 
 60; J. McClelland, 1861-63; D. D. Cook, 1863-64; C. Eddy, 1865-66; 
 
 A. Plumley, 1867-68; C. S. Baker, 1869-71; E. S. Furman, 1873-74; W. 
 
 B. Cliff, 1875-77; R. F. Kay, 1878-79; J. B. Peck, 1880-81; L. E. Rock- 
 well, 1883-83; W. S. Tuttle, 1884; W. Magovern, 1885; J. Criswell, 
 1886; H. A. Slingerland, 1887-88; G.A. Bond, 1889; I. Harris, 1890-93; 
 E. W. Pasko, 1893-95; E. W. Shrigley, 1896; L. J. Muchmore, 1897-98. 
 
 The first Methodist Protestant church of Elba was organized with 
 twenty-five members in 1833 by the Rev. Isaac Fister. The following 
 year a church edifice was constructed. This was remodeled and en- 
 larged in 1878. This property was originally deeded by Asa Babcock 
 and wife to a board of trustees consisting of Eden Foster, James Fuller, 
 Loring Barr, Martin Scofield and Jeremiah Wilcox. Among those who 
 have served as pastors are Isaac Fister, E. A. Wheat, D. S. Skillman, 
 O. P. Wildey and B. Poste, who was appointed to the charge in 1898. 
 
 The Rev. C. Fitch established the Oakfield Presbyterian church De- 
 cember 10, 1833, with seven members. The first church edifice, a 
 frame building, still in use, was not erected until 1843. The dedica- 
 tory sermon was preached by the Rev. William C. Wisner, D. D. The 
 
COUNTY BUILDINGS. 109 
 
 Rev. Ebenezer H. Stratton, the first paator, assumed his relations with 
 the society in 1834. 
 
 The Episcopal church of Stafford, organized in 1833, is the successor 
 of the first Episcopal church in that town — St. Philip's — established in 
 1823. Its history is found in preceding pages. 
 
 The First Baptist church of Batavia dates from July 8, 1 834, though 
 organization was not perfected until November 9, 1837.' 
 
 The First Methodist Episcopal church of Pavilion was established in 
 connection with one at Moscow, N. Y., and one at Covington, and 
 moved from Covington to Pavilion in 1840. The house of worship was 
 erected in the latter year. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal church at Roanoke was founded as a Union 
 church in 1840, with about fifty members and the Rev. Daniel Burke 
 as pastor. In 1843 a house of worship costing fifteen hundred dollars 
 was built. 
 
 In the interval covered by this chapter numerous changes took place 
 throughout the county at large, in addition to those noted in the various 
 towns. 
 
 In 1818 and 1819 a strong effort was made by the inhabitants of the 
 southern part of the county to secure the removal of the county seat to 
 Attica. During the same time a movement to divide the county was 
 also inaugurated. It being apparent to all at this period that the old 
 court house, erected in 1802 and 1803, was inadequate and inconvenient 
 for the purposes for which it was intended, Mr. EUicott, determined to 
 save the county seat to Batavia, addressed a letter to the judges of the 
 county courts and the board of supervisors of the county recommend- 
 ing the erection of a new court house. He also offered, as the repre- 
 sentative of the Holland Land Company, to convey to the supervisors, 
 for the comparatively small sum of three thousand dollars, the triangu- 
 lar piece of land bounded by Ellicott, Main and Court streets ; also a 
 strip of land one hundred feet wide, located about midway between 
 Main and Ellicott streets and extending from a point on what is now 
 Clark place, back of the store occupied by M. H. Bierce; also a strip 
 about thirty-five feet in width extending from Main street to the other 
 strip mentioned, the last-named piece of land being known on the map 
 of the village as lot No. 81. The offer of Mr. Ellicott was accepted, 
 and a few years afterward a new jail was completed." About the same 
 
 • For a history of this church see the chapter devoted to the Village of Batavia. 
 " This is the building now used as the headquarters of the hoolj and ladder company. 
 
170 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 time a county clerk's office was erected in the northeast corner of the 
 triangle. Both were built of brick.' 
 
 The Genesee County Bible Society was organized July 14, 1818. 
 Rev. Calvin Colton, then pastor of the church of Le Roy, and after- 
 wards distinguished as the author of " Life and Times of Henry Clay," 
 and other works, was corresponding secretary, which office he contin- 
 ued to fill for several years. Colonel Martin O. Coe of Le Roy was 
 chosen the first president. Deacon Hinds Chamberlain and Samuel Gran- 
 nis, vice-presidents; Seth M. Gates, recording secretary, and Colonel S. 
 M. Gates, treasurer. The society was organized two years after the Amer- 
 ican Bible Society was founded. As the records of the society from 
 from 1818 to 1833 have been lost, but few items of its early history can 
 be furnished. Theodore F. Talbot of Batavia was president in 1834, 
 Isaac Wilson of Middlebury in 1836, William Seaver of Batavia in 1838 
 and 1839, and Gains B. Rich of Attica in 1830. In 1833 the society 
 was reorganized and a constitution adopted. Colonel Martin O. Coe 
 of Le Roy was chosen president and was re-elected to that office for 
 several successive years. The records furnish no data of any meeting 
 from 1834 to 1839. In 1839 Colonel Coe was again elected president, 
 continuing in that office for several years. In 1841 the county of Gen- 
 esee was divided, and the society has operated since that year within 
 the present bounds of Genesee county. Since 1840 these persons have 
 served as president of the society : 
 
 1840, P. L. Tracy; 1851, J. E. Tompkins; 1853, P. L. Tracy; 1864, 
 John Fisher; 1867, A. J. Bartow; 1873, John Fisher; 1873, A. D. Lord; 
 1875, R. L. Selden; 1876, A. D. Wilbur; 1881, William Swan; 1883, 
 John W. Sanborn; 1884, William W. Totherob; 1888, A. D. Draper; 
 1891, W. L. Lloyd; 1893, J. H. Durkee; 1895, Thomas Cardus. 
 
 One of the most remarkable trials ever occurring in any court in 
 Genesee county, and in many respects one of the most peculiar on 
 record in any court, took place in the court house at Batavia in July, 
 1833. A man named Farnsworth was arrested and committed to jail 
 on the charge of having forged " United States land warrants," and a 
 special session of the United States District Court was ordered to be 
 held for the trial of the case against him. The court was convened (by 
 what authority is unknown) in July. Hon. Roger Skinner presided as 
 United States district judge, and Jacob Sutherland, afterward one of 
 
 ' The clerk's office was used as such until the present court house was built, in 1&1.3, when the 
 clerk's office was removed to the basement of the same. The office remained there until the con- 
 struction of the present county clerk's and surrogate's office in 1873. 
 
A REMARKABLE TRIAL. 171 
 
 the judges of the Supreme Court of New York State, acted as United 
 States district attorney. 
 
 The grand jury which had investigated the charges against Farns- 
 worth was composed of men of intelligence, some of whom were quite 
 prominent in the community. After due deliberation they presented 
 a true bill, and the accused was immediately arraigned for trial. Public 
 interest in the case was intense, and the sentiment of the populace was 
 almost unanimously against the accused. People came from remote 
 sections to hear the proceedings, which were of an unparalleled char- 
 acter. 
 
 On both sides able counsel was employed. District Attorney Suth- 
 erland was considered learned in the law and a man of great sagacity. 
 General Ethan B. Allen, who conducted the defense, was a lawyer of 
 considerable prominence and enjoyed a wide reputation as an orator. 
 Nevertheless subsequent events proved that the presiding judge and 
 the prosecuting attorney knew a little more law than that laid down on 
 the statute books. The trial was a long one. The judge charged the 
 jury adversely to the interests of the prisoner, and the intelligent jurors 
 soon returned with a verdict of guilty. The only penalty known to the 
 court for such an atrocious offense as that of which the accused had 
 been convicted was death, and Farnsworth accordingly was sentenced 
 to be hanged on the gallows on September 30 following. 
 
 Farnsworth's attorney, satisfied that the verdict was an unjust one, at 
 once sent to President Monroe a petition for a pardon or commutation of 
 the death sentence, but the grounds on which he based his request are 
 not known. Few persons believed that the president would overturn 
 the decision of the august and learned court, and the inhabitants pre- 
 pared to convert September 30 into a gala day. Little sympathy was 
 expressed for the culprit who had violated one of the most sacred of 
 the federal laws, and thousands of persons from far and near flocked to 
 the village to witness the execution of the death penalty. 
 
 Much to the surprise and chagrin of the assembled witnesses a mes- 
 sage from the chief magistrate of the nation was received just as the 
 final preparations for the hanging were being conducted, and the local 
 authorities were compelled to announce to the disappointed throng that 
 the execution had been suspended for six months, during which time 
 the merits of the case were to be investigated. To take the edge off 
 the keen disappointment of those who had assembled to witness the 
 hanging, it is said that the turnkey, without the knowledge and consent 
 
172 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 of the sheriff, took Farnsworth from his cell, seated him on a platform 
 at the north end of the old court house, which at that time was hidden 
 from public view by a high board fence, and admitted a large number 
 of visitors into the jail yard to behold the monster who, temporarily at 
 least, had escaped from the gallows. Each visitor, however, was re- 
 quired to pay a shilling as an admission fee. 
 
 The farcial character of the whole proceedings is illustrated in the 
 subsequent events. President Monroe and his legal advisers made a 
 thorough examination of the case, with the result that it was ascer- 
 tained that Farnsworth had violated no law of the United States, and 
 that his arrest, trial and conviction were without legal authority ! The 
 accused was, therefore, pardoned and discharged from custody. 
 
 A most extraordinary event, and one which temporarily disrupted 
 the order of Free and Accepted Masons in the United States,* prompted 
 the organization of a political party which had for its aim the annihila- 
 tion of that great and powerful secret order and threatened to involve 
 the country in civil war, transpired partly within the limits of Genesee 
 county in 1826. The details of the transaction are too generally 
 known to need more than a brief description here. The event is 
 known in history as the " Morgan affair." 
 
 William Morgan, then residing in the village of Batavia, was arrested 
 and conveyed to Canandaigua on a criminal warrant issued by a magis- 
 trate of the latter place, the charge against him being the larceny of 
 certain articles of small value. He was found innocent of that charge 
 and acquitted, but was immediately rearrested for a debt of about two 
 dollars and again thrown into jail. That evening he was discharged 
 from jail, but was abducted and taken in a closed carriage from Canan- 
 daigua by way of Rochester and Lewiston to Fort Niagara. From this 
 point no absolute evidence as to what disposition was made of him was 
 ever obtained, though it was the popular belief that he was killed for 
 the purpose of preventing him from divulging the secrets of Free 
 Masonry. 
 
 Prior to his arrest members of the Masonic fraternity learned that 
 Morgan, in connection with David C. Miller, was planning to issue a 
 publication disclosing the unwritten secrets of Masonry. Consequently 
 his sudden and mysterious disappearance and reported violent death at 
 the hands of members of that powerful order created a tremendous 
 sensation, not only in Western New York, but throughout the entire 
 country; and this feeling resulted, first, in a lengthy and vigorous in- 
 
THE MORGAN EPISODE. 173 
 
 vestigation which resulted in satisfying the majority of the public that 
 Morgan had met his death at the hands of conspirators among cer- 
 tain members of the fraternity whose secrets he was about to expose, 
 and second, in the formation of a strong Anti-Masonic political party 
 whose slogan was "Death to Masonry!" The most commonly ac- 
 cepted belief as to the fate of the missing man was that he had been 
 drowned either in Lake Ontario or the Niagara river near its mouth. 
 A prolonged search for his remains was made, but no body that could 
 be positively identified as that of the missing man was found. 
 
 In October of the following year, about eleven months after Morgan's 
 disappearance, a dead body was found on the Lake Ontario beach near 
 the mouth of Oak Orchard creek. An inquest was held but no one 
 recognized the body. A verdict of accidental drowning -was rendered 
 and the body was buried, but the clothes found upon it were preserved. 
 Soon afterward the sensational story that this body was that of Morgan 
 spread, creating intense excitement. Committees from Batavia and 
 Rochester were sent to disinter and examine the body, and they re- 
 ported, after a most critical investigation, that the remains were not 
 those of Morgan. 
 
 This report did not satisfy a certain class who had been making po- 
 litical capital out of the lamentable tragedy, and the body was again 
 disinterred and brought to Batavia, where a spectacular parade was 
 held and the body declared to be that of the missing man. Mr. Morgan's 
 widow (taking it for granted that the man was dead at this time) was 
 the chief mourner in the funeral procession. The body was buried in 
 the village cemetery. 
 
 Several weeks before these gruesome scenes were enacted, a man 
 named Timothy Monroe was drowned at the mouth of the Niagara 
 river, and from the description of the body found at the mouth of Oak 
 Orchard creek it was believed that it might be that of Monroe. His 
 widow, then residing near Toronto, was notified of the finding of the 
 body, and her description of the clothing he wore when last seen alive 
 corresponded so exactly with that of the clothing taken from the 
 mooted body that unprejudied people everywhere believed that the 
 body interred at Batavia as that of Morgan in reality was that of Tim- 
 othy Monroe. The result of this disclosure was the holding of another 
 inquest at Batavia, when, after an exhaustive investigation, the coro- 
 ner's jury determined that the body in question was that of Monroe.' 
 
 ' The statements contained above are substantially those made by William Seaver of Bata- 
 via, an eye witness to some of the deplorable events described, in his history of Batavia. 
 
174 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Another account of the " Morgan affair " contains statements of in- 
 terest that do not appear in the story as told in the foregoing. The 
 following account appears in " Historical Collections of the State of 
 New York," written by John W. Barber and Henry Howe and pub- 
 lished in 1841, and is a synopsis of the oflficial report of Mr. Whittlesey 
 and others at the United States Anti-Masonic convention held in Phil- 
 adelphia, September 11, 1830: 
 
 Morgan, it appears, was born in 1774 in Culpepper county, Va. His occupation 
 was originally that of a bricklayer and stone mason. He removed from Virginia in 
 1821, and went to York, U. C. ; from thence he removed to Rochester. From vari- 
 ous misfortunes, he became quite reduced in circumstances, and in the summer of 
 1826 he resided in the village of Batavia. While here, he became connected with 
 D. C. Miller, a printer, for the purpose of publishing a work disclosing masonic obli- 
 gations, secret signs, &c. Morgan, it appears, was a royal arch mason ; and when 
 the fact became known that he "was preparing a work to reveal the secrets of ma- 
 sonry, many of the masonic fraternity became much excited, and appeared deter- 
 mined to put an end to his disclosures For this purpose, his character was assailed 
 jn the public prints. In July, 1826, Morgan was arrested on a civil suit at Batavia, 
 and gave bail ; he was afterward arrested and hurried to jail, without time being 
 given him to procure bail, and search was made at his lodgings for his papers on 
 some pretended process, the sheriff in the meantime absenting himself. An attempt 
 was afterward made to burn down Miller's printing office, where " Morgan's Book " 
 was printing. 
 
 On Sunday, Sept. 10th, application was made to J. Chipman, Esq., a magistrate 
 of Canandaigua, for a warrant to apprehend Morgan for stealing a shirt and cravat, 
 which it appeared afterward he had only borrowed. The warrant being issued, the con- 
 stable at Canandaigua, attended by five other persons from that place, immediately 
 set out for Batavia, where they arrived in the evening. Early the next morning 
 (Monday), Morgan was arrested and taken to the public house where the party had 
 slept ; an extra stage-coach was procured, and the party left Batavia for Canandai- 
 gua, with Morgan in their custody. Miller attempted to procure the release of Mor- 
 gan just as the carriage was starting, but he was pushed aside, and the driver was 
 urged to drive fast till he should get out of the county. Having arrived in Canan- 
 daigua, Morgan in the evening was taken before the magistrate who had issued the 
 warrant, and was by him examined and discharged. One of the party immediately 
 applied to the same magistrate for a warrant against Morgan for a debt of about 
 $2, which he said had been assigned to him by a tavern keeper. Judgment was en- 
 tered against Morgan for $2.69, debt and costs, and an execution immediately issued. 
 Morgan took off his coat and offered it to the constable to levy upon for the debt. 
 The constable declined receiving it, and Morgan was committed to the Canandaigua 
 jail the same evening, where he remained until the evening of the next day. 
 
 On the 12th of Sept., about 9 o'clock in the evening, the wife of the jailer, at the 
 request of the plaintiff in the execution, consented to let Morgan out of the prison. 
 As he was leaving the jail steps, he was violently seized by two persons; he strug- 
 gled and cried " murder," a number of times. Two other persons now came up, one 
 
THE MORGAN EPISODE. 175 
 
 o£ whom stopped Morgan's outcry by thrusting a handkerchief, or something similar, 
 into his mouth. Ai a signal given by one of the party, a two-horse carriage now 
 drove up; two of the party thrust Morgan into the carriage, and then got in 
 themselves. This carriage arrived in Rochester about day-dawn the next morning. 
 Another carriage was procured, and relays of horses were obtained. When the party 
 arrived at New Fane, about 3 miles from Lockport, they sent to the sheriff of Niagara 
 county, to assist them in getting Morgan into Canada. The sheriff accordingly left 
 Lockport, attended the party, and assisted them in procuring horses, &c. They 
 arrived at Lewiston about midnight ; here another carriage was procured, and the 
 party was driven to the burying ground near Fort Niagara. Here they left the car- 
 riage and proceeded with Morgan in their custody to the ferry, and crossed over to 
 the Canada side. After conferring with a number of persons in Niagara village, 
 Morgan was brought back, as arrangements had not been completed for his recep- 
 tion. This event it appears had been anticipated. Morgan was taken to the inaga- 
 zine of Fort Niagara, and locked in before day-dawn, on the morning of the, 14th of 
 September. 
 
 On the day that Morgan was put into the magazine, a royal arch chapter was in- 
 stalled at Lewiston, which event called together a considerable assemblage of Ma- 
 sons from the vicinity. In the evening, 20 or 30 persons came to the fort from 
 Lewiston. About midnight, 7 persons, stated to be royal arch masons, held a con- 
 sultation on the plain near the graveyard, as to the manner in which Morgan should 
 be disposed of. The prevailing opinion among them appeared to be, that Morgan 
 had forfeited his life for a breach of his masonic obligations, and that they ought to 
 see the penalty executed by drowning him in the river ; some of the company dis- 
 covering a reluctance to go to such lengths, the project was abandoned at that time. 
 On the night of the 16th, a similar consultation was held between four persons, but 
 nothing was decided on. As to the disposition of Morgan, after the evening of the 
 14th of September, nothing has yet been known judicially, but circumstances are 
 strong, to induce the belief that he was put to death on the night of the 19th of Sept. 
 1826, by being cast into the depths of Niagara river. 
 
 Recent investigation into the case seems to prove that Morgan was 
 never made a Mason. By some means he obtained enough knowledge 
 of the craft to induce a Mr. Warren of Batavia, a Mason in good stand- 
 ing, to believe that he had joined the order in Canada. Mr. Warren 
 vouched for him, and he gained admission to the lodge in Batavia. In 
 1826 a charter was secured for a chapter in Batavia. On account of 
 his dissolute habits Morgan was refused membership, and this caused 
 him to become furious in his opposition to Masonry. The only lawful 
 degree that he ever received was in the Royal Arch, at Le Roy, May 
 31, 1835, after the deceit practiced upon Mr. Warren, who was his em- 
 ployer. But that did not make him a member of the craft. 
 
 As soon as the chapter rejected his application for admission he be- 
 gan his crusade against the order. His colleagues were David C. Mil- 
 
176 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 ler, editor of the Batavia Advocate, and his three partners. Miller had 
 received the degree of Entered Apprentice ; but further advancement 
 was denied him, and he, too, was bitter against the order. 
 
 An interesting, and now believed by many to be a trustworthy ac- 
 count of Morgan's disappearance, is thus given by Robert Morris, a 
 Masonic writer of high repute: 
 
 In September, 1836, Morgan was on the jail limits on judgments for debts. The 
 limits were a mile square, with the jail for the centre. John Whitney and Morgan 
 met in Donald's tavern and set down to supper together. In answer to Whitney's 
 inquiries Morgan said he was in a bad fix ; that he had not a friend but his wife, and 
 she ought not to be on account of his treatment of her. She had a baby only three 
 weeks old and cried continually, fearing that they were going to starve. He was 
 out of work ; the Masons made him no more donations and threatened to kill him ; 
 he said he had sold himself to Miller, who had promised him half a million dollars; 
 he never had more than a shilling at a time, and that with abuse. 
 
 " I am authorized," said Whitney, "to give you relief. I will give you fifty dol- 
 lars in cash with which to buy yourself suitable clothes and help your family in its 
 present need if you will go to Canada and settle there. When you are located in 
 Canada you shall have five hundred dollars, and your family shall be sent to you. 
 I pledge you that they shall be provided for until they rejoin you." 
 
 Morgan quickly accepted the offer and consented to submit to a legal process for 
 his removal for trial to Canandaigua on the charge of having stolen a shirt and neck- 
 tie from the landlord there. This charge was not pressed and Morgan, following out 
 a preconcerted plan, went to Canada, escorted to Fort Niagara by six men whose 
 names are well known. He was rowed across the river and received on the Canada 
 side by two Masons who were in the arrangement. Morgan was paid his five hun- 
 dred dollars and went away quite happy. Among those who were with the party 
 that saw Morgan over the border was Colonel King. He was very conscientious 
 about the matter and insisted upon knowing the full circumstances. In answer to 
 the queries which his persistency brought out, Morgan made the following statement : 
 " That he had contracted with Miller and others to write an expose oi Masonry; that 
 he had never been a Mason in any lodge, but had received the Royal Arch degree in 
 a regular manner and felt bound by that obligation, and never intended to reveal 
 the secrets of that degree ; that he had been treated kindly by the gentlemen who 
 formed his escort ; that he was willing and anxious to be separated from Miller and 
 from all ideas of a Masonic expose; wished to live in habits of industry and respect- 
 ability; to go to the interior of Canada and settle down as a British citizen and have 
 his family sent to him ; was sorry for the uproar his proceedings had made and for 
 the disgrace he had caused his family." . . . 
 
 The Anti-Masons succeeded in carrying the State that fall upon the strength of 
 of their opposition to Masonry and the display they made in prosecuting the persons 
 who were engaged in Morgan's deportation. Colonel King became alarmed, and he 
 sent a confidential messenger into Canada to look for'AIorgan and bring him back. 
 Morgan had changed his name, changed his clothes, bought a horse and left the vil- 
 lage within forty-eight hours of the departure of those who took him there. The 
 
NEW JAIL. 177 
 
 colonel sent a second messenger, who employed an old Indian scout, thoroughly 
 posted in the calling, to follow Morgan up. It was learned that he had gone east at 
 the rate of fifty miles a day to a point down the river not far from Port Hope. He 
 had sold his horse and disappeared. Doubtless he boarded a vessel there and sailed 
 out of the country. At any rate that was the last trace of him ever obtained. 
 
 The Anti-Masonic movement which originated in 1826 was, to a cer- 
 tain extent, complicated with an increasing opposition to the Holland 
 Land Company. Many farms were still burdened with debt to the 
 company, and though the latter had treated the debtors liberally by 
 accepting farm produce in lieu of cash, though losing money by the 
 operation, many of the farmers found it next to impossible to meet 
 their maturing obligations. The situation was made still more distress 
 ing by persistent reports that the company was preparing to advance 
 the prices of all lands oh which the original time of payment had 
 elapsed. About this time Mr. Otto was succeeded by Mr. Evans in the 
 conduct of the local affairs of the company, and under the administra- 
 tion of the latter contracts were somewhat modified in favor of the 
 purchasers of laiid. But the general dissatisfaction continued to in- 
 crease, manifesting itself in questioning the validity of the company's 
 titles, in recommending heavier taxation of the property of the com- 
 pany, and in various other ways. The rising sentiment of opposition 
 to this company was bound, in later years, to bring about serious 
 trouble. It led, in fact, directly to what is known in local history as 
 "The Land Office War." 
 
 The act of the State Legislature passed March 19, 1831, authorizing 
 the erection of a new jail in Genesee county contained the following 
 provisions: 
 
 The supervisors of the county of Genesee shall cause to be assessed . . . for 
 the purpose of erecting a new jail in said county, the sum of three thousand dollars. 
 . . . The said jail shall be built on the pubUc ground now belonging to said 
 county, in the village of Batavia, and David Scott of Attica, Ziba S. Beardsley of 
 Alexander, Daniel H. Chandler, Hinman Holden and Benjamin Porter junior, of 
 the town of Batavia, are hereby appointed commissioners to superintend the build- 
 ing of the said jail, and they, or any three of them, are hereby authorized to fix or 
 lay out the site, and devise a plan for the same. . . . The said commissioners 
 shall be allowed the sum of one dollar and twenty-five cents per day for their serv- 
 ices in the actual performance of their duty. . . . 
 
 The jail was built under the direction of the commissioners named, 
 and still stands on the south side of West Main street, in Batavia. 
 By act of the Legislature April 26, 1831, Nathan Rumsey, Henry C. 
 
 12 
 
178 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Jones and James Sprague, second, were appointed commissioners to 
 lay out a public highway from Angelica, Allegany county, to Batavia. 
 By the opening of this road traffic between the two points named was 
 greatly expedited, and the rural community particularly were bene- 
 fited by the improvement. 
 
 One of the most noteworthy events in the history of Genesee county 
 in these days was the disturbance which since has been generally known 
 as " the land office war." Though some of the principal scenes in this 
 uprising transpired in the village of Batavia, the trouble was not con- 
 fined to that community, but was widespread throughout Genesee 
 county and over a large portion of the Holland Purchase. Batavia was 
 seriously involved in the trouble as the principal land office of the com- 
 pany was located in that village. Several accounts of this little "war" 
 have been written. One of the most trustworthy appears in William 
 Seaver's " Historical Sketch of the Village of Batavia," which is here 
 reproduced : 
 
 The origin of tlie difficulty, as we understand it, was briefly this: Early in 1836 
 certain companies purchased of the Holland company all its unsold lands, mortgages, 
 contracts, &c., indeed, all its remaining interest in these western counties, and im- 
 mediately instituted a new order of things in reference to the settlers. Previous to 
 this, however, a restive spirit, (engendered as it was said, by certain lawyers, anx- 
 ious for a fee) had for some time been manifested against the company in reference 
 to its original Title to the lands, so that when the new landlords came in, the settlers 
 were by no means in the most amiable mood towards either the old or the new pro- 
 prietors. 
 
 This state of things did not deter the new owners (or some of them at least) from 
 going forward in the exercise of their legal rights and adopting some new and more 
 stringent measures than had before existed for the collection of land debts, and by 
 way of stimulus to prompt payment, a little addition to the price of the land was 
 also proposed in case the old contracts were not fulfilled. All this had the effect 
 to exasperate many who were directly interested, and their indignation at length 
 broke forth in open acts of violence, intended not only to affect the interests of 
 the new proprietors, but also the old company in consequence of whose transfer the 
 new order of things had been introduced. 
 
 In Chatauque and the south part of Erie and Genesee counties the excitement 
 prevailed with more intensity than in any other sections. Large and enthusiastic 
 public meetings were there held, for the purpose, either by argument or intimida- 
 tion, of inducing the proprietors to rescind some of their measures and adopt a more 
 lenient system, but as these movements failed of producing the designed effect, open 
 war was declared, and the belligerent forces were marshalled for the conflict. 
 
 The first object was to destroy the Land Office at Mayville, and for that purpose a 
 large mob assembled on the night of Feb. 6th, 1836, commenced the grand assault, 
 and without meeting the slightest resistance demolished the whole superstructure, 
 
THE "LAND OFFICE WAR." 179 
 
 laying it even with the ground. They tore open the vault whose impregnable walls 
 withstood their efforts for three hours, and having collected all the books and papers 
 in one pile on the green, the torch was applied, and they were offered up as a burnt 
 sacrifice to the demon of mobocracy. 
 
 Exulting in the complete success of this brilliant achievement, the belligerents, 
 taking courage from victory, began to pant for wider fields of glory, and having 
 proved the temper of their " maiden swords " on the Fortress of Mayville they re- 
 solved upon the higher and more chivalrous feat of undertaking to storm and de- 
 molish the very citadel of Land Office power at Batavia. Accordingly emissarys 
 were sent in every direction to rouse up all the disaffected forces, and congregate 
 them on a certain night prepared for the grand assault. 
 
 Meantime David E. Evans Esq., who then held the Land Office keys, and who 
 had been informed of the transactions at Mayville, was also apprised of the threat- 
 ened attack at Batavia, but not knowing when the demonstration might be made, 
 he took the precaution to send all the books and valuable papers to Rochester be- 
 yond the reach of danger in any untoward emergency. Thus several weeks passed 
 on, and as no hostile movement appeared, the books &c. were brought back and 
 hopes were entertained that the storm would quietly subside. These hopes, how- 
 ever, were of short duration, for the fires of discontent had only been smouldering 
 preparatory to breaking forth with renewed violence. 
 
 To give some idea of the feeling which prevailed in the south part of Erie county 
 we quote the language of an agent sent into that quarter, who reported that " all 
 labor is suspended, the whole adult male population meeting at taverns and stores, 
 vowing vengeance against the ' land sharks,' threatening to burn their houses, and 
 intimating that assassination will be the consequence of attempts to enforce the 
 terms proposed by the new purchasers." 
 
 Without dwelling upon further preliminaries it will be sufficient to say that the 
 ferment continued to increase until about the 13th of May, when intelligence was 
 received that a very large nlob from the south part of this and Erie counties were 
 gathering, with the avowed intention of marching to this place and tearing down 
 the land office, and the jail (in which two of their friends were imprisoned), and of 
 committing other depredations on some of our citizens who had become obnoxious to 
 them. 
 
 To know that such an attempt would be made was sufficient for our people at 
 once to resolve upon the most firm and united resistance, and accordingly our public 
 authorities both civil and military, aided by the citizens, made immediate prepa- 
 rations to repel the foe. The Laud Office was converted into a sort of fortification, 
 well stored with arms and ammunition, and thus matters rested in suspense, not 
 knowing when the attack would be ma'de, until about midnight on the 13th of May, 
 when messengers arrived post haste from Attica and Alexander giving information 
 that the mob was concentrating at the latter place in great force, supposed to be 
 from 700 to 1,000, and that it would soon be upon us. 
 
 No sooner had this intelligence been received than all the bells in the village rang 
 the alarm and a general muster of our "fighting" men immediately followed. 
 Videtts were sent out by the sheriff on the different roads, to reconnoiter the enemy, 
 and men were sent to the arsenal for a sufficient supply of muskets to arm all our 
 citizens. Two boxes of ball cartridges of 1,000 each were also brought up, one of 
 
180 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 which was left at the Land Office, and the other taken to the Court House where the 
 sheriff (Nathan Townsend), who was the commanding officer on the occasion, held his 
 headquarters, surrounded by the "chivalry" of the village ready for the conflict. 
 What then followed we cannot better describe than in the language of a letter, from 
 D. E. Evans, to J. J. Vanderkemp, written soon after the event and from which we 
 are permitted to make the following extracts: 
 
 "Our force in the Land Office consisting of fifty men, remained patiently await- 
 ing the arrival of the enemy till about sun rise, and none appearing we concluded 
 they had abandoned the enterprise, and we appointed a committee to go to Alexan- 
 der to ascertain what number had been there and who their leaders were. Col. Sea- 
 ver. Col. Davis, and myself (the committee) immediately started, and meeting Mr. 
 Cary near the bridge took him with us. We had proceeded but two miles when we 
 met two of our expresses returning at full gallop, who told us they had just left the 
 mob at Fargo's Tavern, two miles distant, forming in order to march to Batavia. 
 They estimated the whole number at 700, about 400 of which were armed with fire- 
 arms, and the residue with bludgeons, crow-bars and sledge hammers. 
 
 Previous to leaving the office I requested Mr. Chandler to remain at it with thirty 
 men, till we either returned or sent him positive information that the mob had dis- 
 persed. On receiving information that the mob had really advanced to Fargo's, the 
 committee lost no time in returning, and taking such requisite steps to reassemble the 
 citizens, most of whom had gone to their respective homes. The mob soon after 
 appeared in sight and halted on the road east of Judge Stevens's House, where they 
 were met by Gen. Verplanck, and asked what they wanted ? They answered " to 
 right themselves." He asked in what manner? and was answered, " that it was 
 none of his business." He then said it was his duty to inform them that if they com- 
 mitted any outrages in an organized body, upon either public or private property, 
 they would be fired upon. Some of them then said they wished to have a conference 
 with me, and he promised to inform me of it, and came to the office and did so. I 
 desired him to return and say, that I positively declined having any communication 
 whatever with an armed mob. Their number he estimated at about five hundred 
 men. 
 
 Soon after he returned they put themselves in motion, crossed the bridge, 
 marched to the office, and I supposed we should soon come to blows. After having 
 halted in front of the office, and become sensible that an attack upon it would be at- 
 tended with danger, it was evident to all spectators that they felt the awkwardness 
 of their situation. After remaining still for a few minutes, four men came under the 
 window in which I was sitting, and requested a conference with me, which I de- 
 clined, refusing in a peremptory manner to have anything to do with them, and bid 
 them defiance in no measured terms. 
 
 About this time I saw a sudden movement among them which I could not account 
 for, but which I soon learned was occasioned by the (to them) unexpected appear- 
 ance of Sheriff Townsend, with 120 men, armed with bright muskets, with bayonets 
 fixed, in full march for the Office. He halted his men in front of my house, and ad- 
 vanced himself with three or four attendants, towards the mob, and was met by sev- 
 eral of them. He told them his object in meeting them was to say, that if they at- 
 tempted to destroy any building in the village, he should, without any further notice, 
 fire a full volley among them. One of them was proceeding to argue the legality of 
 
THE "LAND OFFICE WAR." 181 
 
 his doing it, but he cut the matter short by assuring them that he should do it 
 whether legal or not, and advised them to be off very quickly. 
 
 They soon after went down the street half a mile, and had a boisterous consult- 
 ation, some professing to wish to return and attack the Office, but by far the greatest 
 part thought it best to go home. Some forty or fifty continued on westward, and 
 the residue returned as they came, passing the Office without apparently looking at 
 it. The most of them re crossed the Bridge and went off, but a few lurked about 
 the Village, some of whom were apprehended and committed to prison, and among 
 the number their reputed leader, a man by the name of Hill, a Constable in Holland, 
 Erie County. 
 
 As you may readily imagine, our Village remained for several days, in a high state 
 of excitement. The Military were called out, and two Cannons, assigned to Artillery 
 Companys at Le Roy and Bethany, were sent for, and brought to the Village, and 
 strong guards, composed of the Villagers only, were kept at night, as great appre- 
 hensions were entertained that the Village would be set on fire by incendiaries, which 
 was threatened by the mob on their retreat, and those threats were reiterated from 
 sections of the Country where we had reason to expect better things. Almost all 
 business was at a stand in the Village, the Country people afraid to come to it, and 
 the consequence was, the Mercantile men. Tavern-keepers, Grocers, and Mechanics, 
 became apprehensive that the business of the place would go elsewhere. 
 
 It therefore became obvious, that either the office must be removed from this place, 
 or some means devised to defend it with a few men, and I determined on erecting 
 two strong block houses, one on the northeast, and the other on the southwest cor- 
 ners. They are made of solid timber from 10 to 13 inches thick, and each armed 
 with thirty muskets, and amply supplied with ammunition, and twelve men in each, 
 would drive a mob of 1,000 men from the vicinity of the office in a very short time. I 
 have employed four men as a night guard, with directions to keep three of their 
 number in the Block-houses, and one on the look-out on the outside. I now consider 
 the office secure. 
 
 After the mob had taken their departure, and the citizens their breakfast, notice 
 was given that a meeting would be held at the Court House to take measures for the 
 security of the village. At this meeting, Messrs. Wm. Seaver, D. H. Chandler, 
 and myself, were appointed a committee of safety, the duties of which -I found vastly 
 more arduous and unpleasant than I imagined. Having received positive informa- 
 tion that a considerable number of persons, residents of Chautauque, Erie, and Gen- 
 esee counties, were passing from town to town, endeavoring to raise another and 
 larger, and in every respect more efficient force than the last, we concluded to lay 
 the case before the Governor, and ask him to issue a proclamation, not that we sup- 
 posed it would tend to allay the irritation against the new land company, but to sat- 
 isfy the malcontents, that the state Government was not friendly to their proceed- 
 ' ings, which they had been made to believe. Accordingly we despatched Dr. Van 
 Tuyl to Albany, deeming it advisable to send a person who could give a clear 
 and distinct account of the actual state of the country. 
 
 When the Doctor arrived in Albany the Governor was at Saratoga Springs, but re- 
 turned next day, and very promptly issued the proclamation. He also authorized us 
 to retain the two six-pounders we had, as long as we might want them, sent us two 
 more with a supply of powder and round and canister shot, and several thousand 
 
182 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 musket cartridges, and authorized us to take two twelve pounders from the arsenal 
 at Canandaigua. 
 
 The captain of an artillery company at Bennington, by the name of Norris, having 
 stated that he and his company and gun, a brass three pounder, were ready at any 
 moment's notice, to turn out and attack Batavia, we represented the case to the Gov- 
 ernor, who immediately directed the commissary general to order Capt. Norris to 
 deliver the gun to the keeper of the arsenal at this place, forthwith. The Capt. 
 was very unwilling to obey the order, pleading as an excuse that the people in the 
 neighborhood would not permit the gun to be taken away but on being threatened 
 to have his delinquency reported to the commissary general, and told that the conse- 
 quence would be very serious to himself, he concluded to bring it." 
 
 Having been apprised of our formidable preparations for a. determined resistance 
 to mobocracy, the malcontents were not slow in coming to the wise conclusion that 
 "prudence was the better part of valor," and all further attempts to attain their ob- 
 ject by violent means, was at once abandoned as utterly hopeless. 
 
 Thus terminated the " Land Office War," and so far as the people of this place 
 were concerned, it is but justice to say that they acquitted themselves in a. manner 
 worthy of all praise. No matter what may have been their individual opinions in 
 regard to the origin of the difficulty, no sooner did they know that lawless violence 
 was about to be committed, and that an enfuriated mob, perhaps with the midnight 
 torch, was preparing to invade us, than the fire of '76 kindled in every bosom, and 
 they were prepared to resist, even at the price of their blood, the threatened aggres- 
 sion. As the ' Times ' well said, "never before ha4 we witnessed the interesting 
 spectacle of a whole village of peaceful and quiet citizens transformed at the mo- 
 ment, and by a common impulse, from the varied and ordinary pursuits of business 
 into efficient citizen soldiers — all, from highest to lowest, actuated by a common im- 
 pulse — that of self defense at any and every hazard." The affair satisfied us by 
 ocular demonstration that there is nothing so potent to quell a mob as ball and bay- 
 onet, and sure we are that had it not been for a fear of those articles in the hands of 
 resolute citizens, and a perfect assurance that they would be used "to kill" in case 
 the slightest aggression had been committed, the mob would have destroyed at least 
 the Land Office and the Jail. 
 
 An event which occurred in Erie and Niagara counties in 1836 was of 
 interest to many of the inhabitants of Genesee county. Benjamin Rath- 
 bun, a daring speculator residing in Buffalo, who seemed not to have 
 profited by the financial disasters and ominous conditions of 1836, made 
 plans for carrying on his speculations on a gigantic plan. He bought 
 .land and laid out a magnificent city at Niagara Falls, advertising an 
 auction sale of lots for August 3. Just before this David E. Evans of 
 Batavia, agent for the Holland Land Company, had made the discovery 
 while on a visit to Philadelphia that Rathbun had forged his name on 
 notes for large amounts. Returning to Buffalo after Rathbun had con- 
 ducted his great sale at Niagara Falls, Mr. Evans confronted the swind- 
 ling speculator, who confessed his crime and admitted that the paper 
 
OPPOSITION TO THE LAND COMPANY. 183 
 
 bearing Mr. Evans's name was but a small item in a large list of similar 
 forgeries. The forgeries had reached nearly a million dollars. Rath- 
 bun's arrest followed at once. His trial began in Batavia March 29, 
 1837, and he was found guilty and sentenced to State prison for five 
 years. 
 
 The general discontent and feeling of discouragement produced by 
 the stringency of the money market augmented and intensified the 
 opposition to the Holland Land Company. The holders of many farms 
 owed not only the principal but the interest for many years on the 
 debts on their lands, and the scarcity of money rendered payment more 
 difficult than ever. Meetings were held in various places, not only in 
 Genesee but in other counties whose territory was included in the Hol- 
 land Purchase, where this dissatisfaction and opposition was publicly 
 expressed. At these meetings the company was denounced, a modifi- 
 cation of its terms of payment demanded, legislative interference re- 
 quested, and the attorney-general called upon to contest the title of the 
 company. 
 
 In February, 1837, a meeting termed an " agrarian convention " was 
 held at Aurora, the counties of Genesee, Erie, Niagara and Chautauqua 
 being represented. Dyre Tillinghast of Buffalo acted as president, 
 Charles Richardson of Java and Hawxhurst Addington of Aurora as 
 vice-presidents, and H. N. A. Holmes of Wales and A. M. Clapp of 
 Aurora as secretaries. Resolutions were adopted expressive of the 
 sentiment of those present as indicated in the foregoing, and those who 
 favored the company were termed " Judases " and strongly censured. 
 In some sections actual resistance to the agents of the company was 
 offered. If an agent made an attempt to take possession of a farm, 
 the holder of which was in arrears, threatening notices were placed be- 
 fore his eyes, and armed men so terrified him that he was glad to es- 
 cape without having accomplished his mission. The Legislature refused 
 to accede to the request of the farmers, knowing full well that there 
 was no ground for contesting the title. In many of the towns the ma- 
 jority of the settlers succeeded in discharging their indebtedness. In 
 a few localities the resistance was so stubborn and long continued that 
 the company deferred the final resort to force until the holders acquired 
 title to their farms by adverse possession, in which they were sustained 
 by the courts. This condition of affairs in the rural communities un- 
 doubtedly tended to cripple the energies of the settlers, prevent progress 
 and seriously delay improvements which would have been made under 
 
184 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 more favorable circumstances. And all this time the conditions in 
 favor of an ultimate open armed revolt were ripening. 
 
 Though the existing Genesee County Agricultural Society was not 
 organized until 1839, an association with a similar aim and scope had 
 been founded in Genesee county just a score of years previous to that 
 date. On June 33, 1819, a number of representative men of Batavia 
 and vicinity met at the home of Hinman Holden in that village and 
 made arrangements for holding annual fairs. An agricultural society 
 was organized at that meeting, with Joseph Ellicott for president, Hon. 
 Samuel M. Hopkins president protem., and Parmenio Adams treasurer 
 pro tem. It was decided to hold a meeting and exhibit in the month 
 of October following, and those present agreed to raise five hundred 
 dollars to defray the expenses of the event. Of this amount three 
 hundred and fifty dollars was appropriated for premiums. Colonel 
 Green and Colonel Towner were appointed marshals of the day. Little 
 is known of this early agricultural society, but it must have been pros- 
 perous to a certain degree, as it was in existence for nearly, if not 
 quite, twenty years. 
 
 The present society was organized in 1839. For twenty years the 
 annual fairs were held in various places, sometimes on the Mix prop- 
 erty, opposite the jail; some on Walnut street across the creek; others 
 on the Clark property, at the head of Jackson street. But by the end 
 of that time the society had reached such proportions, and its facilities 
 were so limited that it was decided to purchase a permanent site for 
 the annual fair and erect thereon buildings adequate to the needs of the 
 growing organization. A half-mile track for horse racing and stock 
 exhibits was constructed, on the old grounds on Ellicott street, costing 
 $3,047, and the expositions held annually under the auspices of the 
 society became more successful with every succeeding year. The so- 
 ciety was. incorporated with the secretary of state. May 34, 1856, with 
 these officers: President, Eden Foster; vice-president, John F. Plato; 
 secretary, Horatio N. Wright; treasurer, Chauncey Kirkham, jr. In 
 1890 the society sold its old grounds to the Buffalo and Geneva Rail- 
 road Company and voted to purchase what was known as the Redfield 
 grounds, the price agreed upon being six thousand dollars. This is 
 the old " driving park property " of nearly twenty-four acres, and eight 
 and one-half acres additional on the east side of the track, which in- 
 cludes an oak grove of two and one-half acres. A short time after- 
 ward the society purchased two additional acres of Mr. Redfield, mak- 
 ing its total possessions about thirty-five acres. 
 
THE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 185 
 
 Unfortunately the records of the society prior to 1870 are missing. 
 Since that year, however, the principal officers have been as follows: 
 
 1870.— President, I. A. Todd; secretary, Lucien R. Bailey; treasurer, 
 Augustus N. Cowdin. 
 
 1871.— President, George Burt; secretary, L. R. Bailey. 
 
 1873.- President, E. G. Townsend; secretary, G. H. Robertson; 
 treasurer, A. R. Warner. 
 
 1873.— President, M. N. Moulthrop; secretary, F. M. Jameson; treas- 
 urer, A. R. Warner. 
 
 1874.— President, S. B. Lusk; secretary, J. H. McCulley; treasurer, 
 
 A. R. Warner. 
 
 1875.— President, Warren J. Tyler; secretary, J. H. McCulley; treas- 
 urer, A. R. Warner. 
 
 1876. — President, Cortland Crosman; secretary, E. R. Hay; treas- 
 urer, A. R. Warner. 
 
 1877. — President, I. S. Durfee; secretary, E. R. Hay; treasurer, A. 
 R. Warner. 
 
 1878. — President, Albert Parker; secretary, J. H. Robson; treas- 
 urer, E. L. Kenyon. 
 
 1879. — President, C. W. Van De Bogart; secretary, Nelson Bogue; 
 treasurer, Robert A. Maxwell. 
 
 1880. — President, C. W. Van De Bogart; secretary. Nelson Bogue; 
 treasurer, Robert A. Maxwell. 
 
 1881. — President, John H. McCulley: secretary, George W. Pratt; 
 treasurer, Robert A. Maxwell. 
 
 1883. — President, Eli Taylor; secretary, J. B. Neasmith; treasurer, 
 J. Holley Bradish. 
 
 1883. — President, D. L. Hodgson; secretary. Nelson Bogue; treas- 
 urer, O. Town, jr. 
 
 1884. — President, Nelson Duguid; secretary, J. M. McKenzie; treas- 
 urer, B. George Kemp. 
 
 1885. — ^President, Nelson Duguid; secretary, J. M. McKenzie; treas- 
 urer, B. George Kemp. 
 
 1886.— President, B. F. Peck; secretary, J. M. McKenzie; treasurer, 
 
 B. George Kemp. 
 
 1887. — President, Nelson Bogue; secretary, J. M. McKenzie; treas- 
 urer, B. George Kemp. 
 
 1888. — President, E. J. Ingalsbe; secretary, Frank B. Redfield ; 
 treasurer, William Torrence. 
 
186 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 1889. — President, R. R. Losee; secretary, L. F. Rolfe; treasurer, 
 Frederick B. Parker. 
 
 1890. — President, James Z. Terry; secretary, L. F. Rolfe; treasurer, 
 Frederick B. Parker. 
 
 1891. — President, Dwight Dimock; secretary, Greenville R. SafEord; 
 treasurer, Frederick B. Parker. 
 
 1892. — President, J. M. McKenzie; secretary, Albert E. Brown; 
 treasurer, Frederick B. Parker. 
 
 1893-1894.— President, Wolcott Vandebogart; secretary, Albert E. 
 Brown; treasurer, Frederick B. Parker. 
 
 1895. — President, W. E. Sumner; secretary, Albert E. Brown; treas- 
 urer, Frederick B. Parker. 
 
 1896. — President, Cyrus P. Bell; secretary, Albert E. Brown; treas- 
 urer, Charles D. Harris. 
 
 1897. — President, J. N. Parker; secretary, Albert E. Brown; treas- 
 urer, Charles D. Harris. 
 
 1898. — President, F. T. Miller; secretary, Albert E. Brown; treas- 
 urer, Charles D. Harris. 
 
 In May, 1840, the State Legislature passed an act providing for the 
 erection of a new court house in Genesee county, appointing Walter 
 Hubbell, Joshua A. Spencer and Amos P. Granger commissioners to 
 locate the site and authorizing a loan of $10,000 from the State to the 
 county to defray the expense of building. Batavia having always been 
 the county seat of the old Genesee county, the inhabitants of that vil- 
 lage naturally expected that the proposed new court house would be 
 erected there; but after the erection of Orleans county, Batavia was 
 considered north of the geographical centre of the county, and the in- 
 habitants of the southern towns made an effort to secure the location 
 of the court house at a more central point. The discussion that fol- 
 lowed was sharp and for a time bitter, but the advocates of a more 
 southerly location finally withdrew their objections to Batavia's claim, 
 with the understanding that residents of the northern part of the county 
 would not oppose its division and the erection of a new county, a sub- 
 ject which began to be agitated at the time the court house project was 
 instituted. The commissioners thereupon selected Batavia as a site for 
 the new county building, soon after which the board of supervisors ap- 
 pointed Paul Richards of Orangeville and John Tomlinson of Le Roy 
 as building commissioners. They contracted with Elias Pelton to do 
 the mason work and Ira E. Phillips and Jonathan Hutchinson to con- 
 
DIVISION OF THE COUNTY, 187 
 
 struct the wood work. Knowlton Rich and Consider Warner of Le 
 Roy furnished the cut stone and Samuel- R. Clifford of Le Roy fur- 
 nished and put in position the pillars, caps, etc., of Lockport stone. 
 
 May 19, 1841, soon after the work of construction was begun, the 
 county was divided, Wyoming county being erected from the southern 
 portion of what was then Genesee county. The law dividing the county 
 contained these provisions, among others: 
 
 All that part of the county of Genesee lying and being on the south side of a line 
 beginning at the northwest corner of the town, of Bennington, in the county afore- 
 said, and running thence east on the north line of the towns of Bennington, Attica 
 and Middlebury, to the west line of the town of Covington; thence south on the east 
 line of Middlebury to the southwest corner of the Craigie tract ; thence east on the 
 south line of said Craigie tract, and on the south bounds of the forty thousand acre 
 tract to the east line of the said town of Covington, shall be a separate and distinct 
 county of the State of New York, and be known by the name of Wyoming, and en- 
 titled to and possessed of all the benefits, rights, privileges and immunities, and sub- 
 ject to the same duties as the other counties of this State, and the freeholders and 
 inhabitants thereof shall possess and enjoy all the rights and immunities which the 
 freeholders and inhabitants of the several counties of this State are by law entitled 
 to possess and enjoy. All the remaining part of the present county of Genesee shall 
 be and remain a separate and distinct county by the name of Genesee, 
 
 All that part of the town of Covington which lies north of the aforesaid line, shall 
 be and remain, from and after the passage of this act, a separate and distinct town 
 of the said county of Genesee, by the name of Pavilion. . . . 
 
 There shall be a meeting of the board of supervisors of the present county of 
 Genesee, on the second Tuesday of June next, at the court house in the village of 
 Batavia, to transact such business as may be necessary in consequence of the pas- 
 sage of this act. . . . 
 
 The said supervisors when so convened as aforesaid, shall have power to form 
 themselves into two separate and distinct boards, those residing in the county of 
 Genesee to be considered as the board of supervisors in and for the said county of 
 Genesee, and those residing in the county of Wyoming to be considered as the board 
 of supervisors in and for the county of Wyoming. . . . 
 
 It shall be the duty of the treasurer of the county of Genesee and of the treasurer 
 of the county of Wyoming, so to be appointed as aforesaid, to meet with the said 
 supervisors at their said special meetings ; and the said supervisors and treasurers 
 when so assembled in joint board, shall apportion and divide all debts owing by the 
 said county of Genesee, or to said county, and shall make such arrangements in re- 
 lation to the poor-house property and the support of the county poor, as shall be just 
 and equitable. 
 
 The said county of Genesee shall be entitled to elect two members of assembly, 
 and the said county of Wyoming shall be entitled to elect two members of assembly, 
 in the same manner as other counties of this State are by law entitled to elect mem- 
 bers of assembly ; and the said counties of Genesee and Wyoming shall compose the 
 twenty-ninth congressional district. 
 
188 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Paul Richards, one of the building commissioners for the new court 
 house, being a resident of the newly formed county of Wyoming, re- 
 signed that office and Pardon C. Sherman was named as commissioner 
 in his place. The building, excepting the basement, was completed in 
 1843, and the first court therein was held in February of that year. 
 Horace U. Soper and Moses Taggart were afterward appointed com- 
 missioners to complete the county clerk's office in the basement. The 
 cost of the completed edifice was about $17,000. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 From the Erection of the Present County of Genesee to the Beginning of the War 
 of the Rebellion — Two Decades of Steady Industrial and Commercial Development 
 — New Churches Organized During That Period — Creation of the Town of Oakfield 
 — Railroads Built in Genesee County — The Long Era of Peace Rudely Ended. 
 
 The period beginning with the erection of the new county of Gen- 
 esee in 1841, and terminating with the inauguration of that terrific in- 
 ternecine struggle known in history as the war of the Rebellion, was 
 characterized by few stirring or unusual incidents in Genesee county. 
 In all communities, however, there were constant evidences of a steady, 
 healthful development. Here and there new industries were founded 
 and old ones strengthened, increasing the wealth of the community and 
 enhancing values everywhere. In no case was there anything resem- 
 bling a forced development. The inhabitants were then, as they are 
 now, too conservative and thoughtful for that. The development was 
 slow, steady, sure, permanent. Great pride was also shown by the 
 inhabitants of the county in their educational institutions. The relig- 
 ious spirit, too, continued to thrive, and now and then the Christian 
 people in the various communities organized themselves into church 
 societies, and erected substantial, and in several cases handsome, 
 houses of worship. The commercial world also became broader ; and 
 the establishment of banking institutions indicated the increasing pros- 
 perity along all lines. The opening of a railroad as far west as Batavia 
 as early as 1837 gave a tremendous impetus to trade, which was still 
 further increased in 1843 by the extension of the line to Buffalo. This 
 was but the beginning, for within a few years the county was intersected 
 
FROM 1841 TO 1861. 189 
 
 again and again by new steel thoroughfares, until it was furnished with 
 transportation facilities excelled by those of no other county in the 
 Empire State. 
 
 The first official act under the law dividing the county was performed 
 June 8, 1841, when the board of supervisors of the new civil division 
 met in Batavia and, in accordance with the provisions of the law en- 
 acted on May 19, organized the new county of Genesee with twelve 
 towns, as follows: Alabama, Alexander, Batavia, Bergen, Bethany, 
 Byron, Darien, Elba, Le Roy, Pavilion, Pembroke and Stafford. The 
 town of Pavilion was increased in size March 23, 1842, by the annexa- 
 tion thereto of parts of the towns of Le Roy and Stafford. The town 
 of Oakfield' was erected from a portion of Elba April 11, 1842. That 
 portion of the legislative act creating the new town provided as fol- 
 lows: 
 
 From and after the first Monday of March next, all that part of the 
 town of Elba, in the county of Genesee, lying west of a north and south 
 line, beginning at the southwest corner of lot three, section five, town- 
 ship thirteen, range two of the Holland Land Company's land, running 
 north upon said line of lots to the north bounds of said town, shall be a 
 separate town by the name of "Oakfield," and the first town meeting 
 thei-ein shall be held at the house of Isaiah Olcott, on the first Tuesday 
 in March, eighteen hundred and forty-three, at which Perez Rowland, 
 John C. Gardner and Clitus Wolcott shall preside. 
 
 The remaining part of the town of Elba shall be and remain a sepa- 
 rate town by the name of Elba. 
 
 In May, 1842, a treaty between the Six Nations and commissioners 
 on the part of the United States, the States of New York and Massa- 
 chusetts and the Ogden Company, was held at Buffalo. By this con- 
 vention it was agreed that the Ogden Company should have immedi- 
 ate possession of the unimproved lands on the Buffalo arid Tonawanda 
 Reservations, and that within two years from that date the Indians 
 should leave the improved lands also on those reservations and go to 
 those of Allegany and Cattaraugus counties, which they were to re- 
 tain during their pleasure. The lands thus thrown into possession of 
 the company were promptly surveyed, divided among the members 
 and placed on the market. 
 
 The first religious society of which any record is left as having 
 
 > So named by reason of the large area of oak timber laud comprised within its limits in the 
 early days. 
 
190 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 been organized during this period of nearly a score of years was the 
 Second Methodist Episcopal church of Byron, which was established 
 at South Byron September 26, 1843. John Cook was one of the leaders 
 in the movement which resulted in the organization. The first pastor 
 was the Rev. Alva Wright. In 1853 a church edifice was erected at a 
 cost of about $3,500. The First Methodist Episcopal church estab- 
 lished at Byron Centre at an early day has been extinct many years. 
 
 A public meeting held at the house of Adna Tenny in Darien Jan- 
 uary 7, 1843, adopted a set of resolutions unique in their character. 
 This action on the part of the inhabitants of that town was simply an 
 incident of the hard times of that period. The resolutions adopted 
 were as follows: 
 
 Resolved, That we as citizens of the State of New York, do hold, that a true and 
 strict equality ought to be instituted between man and man in this free and enlight- 
 ened Republic ; and that all privileged orders ought to be unknown in a land of 
 Freemen, where every man has a right to claim the equality we advocate. 
 
 Resolved, That we will use our united efforts as true andloyalcitizens to establish, 
 through our public servants that equality we now claim. 
 
 Resolved, That in order to effect this equality we will recommend to the Legisla- 
 ture of this State to instruct our Senators and recommend to our Representatives in 
 Congress the necessity and propriety of reducing the wages of the members of Con- 
 gress, at least one-half, or to an equality with the compensation received by the 
 Farmer and Mechanic for their labor. 
 
 Resolved, That we will recommend to the Legislature of this State the necessity 
 of reducing the fees of the Surrogate in said county of Genesee, and that all other 
 officers in the several counties and in the State, or in other words to the county and 
 State officers to an equality with that standard of comj)ensation by which the labor- 
 ing part of the community are governed and to which they are made to submit. 
 
 Resolved, That we recommend and petition the Legislature of this State, to abro- 
 gate that part of our Common School law requiring the board of .Supervisors in each 
 of the counties in this State, to appoint a Deputy Superintendent in their county. It 
 creates an office of which we do not approve, and which we believe is not called for 
 by a majority of the people of this State, and which is considered a drain to our 
 common school fund which carries more out than it is able to return back again, by 
 its best exertions, into that fountain from which it is taken, and we do further peti- 
 tion the legislature of this State to amend that part of our common school law relat- 
 ing to inspectors of common schools in the town of Darien so as to limit the meeting 
 of such inspectors to two days in each year, one day in the fall, for the inspection of 
 teachers. 
 
 One of the most important occurrences in the history of Genesee 
 county was the construction of the early railroad lines extending 
 into and through the territory embraced within the county. The 
 first railroad communication eastward from any part of Genesee 
 
FROM 1841 TO 1861. 191 
 
 county came with the opening of that portion of the Buffalo and 
 Rochester railroad extending from Rochester as far west as Bergen, 
 in 1836. During the following year the road was completed and 
 put in operation as far as Batavia. The Attica and Buffalo rail- 
 road, chartered in 1836, was opened late in 1842. The Tonawanda 
 railroad, chartered in 1832, was also first put in operation in 1842. 
 By 1843 the first road named was also in operation between Buffalo 
 and Rochester, thus forming a continuous chain of transportation by 
 way of steam railroads from Buffalo to Albany and thence to New 
 York. The first through train from Rochester to Buffalo was run, 
 via the Attica and Buffalo line, January 8, 1843. The Buffalo and 
 Rochester road was formed December 7, 1850, by a consolidation of 
 the Attica and Buffalo and the Tonawanda railroads. In 1852 this 
 company opened a direct road from Buffalo to Batavia, maintaining 
 that part of the Attica and Buffalo line between Attica and Buffalo as 
 a branch. Though the Attica and Buffalo line was organized prior to 
 1836, its operations were postponed by the financial panic of that time. 
 Auburn and Syracuse had been connected by rail since 1838, and Utica 
 with Syracuse since 1839, while in August, 1841, a road was opened 
 from Auburn to Rochester. These were the early-forged links in the 
 great New York Central consolidation of 1853, and greatly facilitated 
 passenger and freight transportation to and from the East. 
 
 The Niagara Bridge and Canandaigua railroad, originally the Can- 
 andaigua and Niagara Falls railroad, filed, articles of incorporation 
 March 1, 1851, was opened for traffic April 1, 1854, and leased to the 
 New York Central Railroad Company September 1, 1858. The road 
 has since been merged in the New York Central & Hudson River Rail- 
 road. 
 
 In 1852 the Buffalo and New York City Railroad Company' opened 
 a line of road from Buffalo to Batavia, thence eastward to Avon, and 
 thence southeastward to Corning. In a short time, however, the track 
 between Batavia and Buffalo was taken up, while the line beyond Ba- 
 tavia became thg property of the Erie Railroad Company. 
 
 In May, 1853, the various companies and roads between Buffalo and 
 Albany were consolidated under the name of the New York Central 
 Railroad. The importance of this road was still further increased in 
 1869 by the absorption of the Hudson River road. 
 
 ' In 1857 the name was changed to Buffalo, New York and Erie. Its road was subsequently 
 leased to the Erie Railroad Company. 
 
193 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 An idea of the passenger transportation facilities of these days may 
 be gleaned from a report of a convention of delegates representing all 
 the railroad companies between the Hudson river and Buffalo, namely, 
 the Attica and Buffalo, the Tonawanda, the Auburn and Rochester, the 
 Auburn and Syracuse, the Syracuse and Utica, the Utica and Schenec- 
 tady, the Mohawk and Hudson, and the Troy and Schenectady rail- 
 roads, held at the American hotel in Albany, January 31, 1843. On 
 this occasion resolutions as follows were adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That it is expedient to run two daily lines between Buffalo and the 
 Hudson river, connecting with the morning and night boats out of Albany and Troy, 
 and that each line be run in 35 honrs, including stops, and that the same be appor- 
 tioned as follows: 
 
 Buffalo to Rochester, 6 hours ; Rochester to Auburn, 6 hours ; Auburn to Syracuse, 
 3 hours; Syracuse to Utica, 4 hours; Utica to Albany and Troy, 7 hours — 25 hours. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Resolved, That during the winter months the train shall leave Buffalo at 7 in the 
 morning, reach and remain over night at Syracuse ; and leave Albany at 9 o'clock in 
 the morning, and stay over night at Auburn, so that a passenger may make the 
 passage between Albany and Buffalo in two days. 
 
 In 1845 the Rev. A. C. Paine, M. D., gathered together fifteen ad- 
 herents of the Methodist faith in the town of Pembroke, at Corfu, and 
 organized the "First Methodist Protestant church of Pembroke." 
 After worshiping in various places for eight years, the society, in 1853, 
 erected a brick house of worship at a cost of three thousand dollars. 
 The society had a prosperous career. 
 
 Three churches were founded in Genesee county in 1849. The First 
 Christian church of Pembroke, located at North Pembroke, was organ- 
 ized June 30 of that year, with fifteen members, by the Rev. Joseph 
 Weeks. A year later they built an edifice, which was enlarged and re- 
 modeled in 1888. 
 
 April 8, 1849, St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church of Batavia' be- 
 gan its existence as an independent church and parish, under the pastoral 
 charge of the Rev. Father Edward Dillon, who was appointed to the 
 charge by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Timon. The first services were held in 
 the historic brick school house on the corner of Main and Eagle streets. 
 The present edifice, located on the corner of East Main and Summit 
 streets, which cost forty-five thousand dollars, was not erected until 
 18«4. 
 
 It was through the efforts of Father Dillon of Batavia that St. Peter's 
 
 ' See History of the Village o£ Batavia, 
 
FROM 1841 TO 1861. 193 
 
 Roman Catholic church of Le Roy was organized, in 1849, a short time 
 after his appointment to the newly organized parish in Batavia. With- 
 in a few weeks after coming to Batavia Father Dillon visited Le Roy 
 and said mass in the famous old Round House, on the site of the pres- 
 ent Universalist church. Monthly services were held thereafter for 
 some time, and during July Bishop Timon made his first visit to the 
 congregation In September following Father Dillon purchased a lot 
 on Pleasant street and erected thereon a frame church, in which the 
 first mass was celebrated on Christmas night following. From October, 
 1850, to October, 1863, various pastors conducted services. On the lat- 
 ter date the Rev. Francis O'Farrell assumed charge, remaining four 
 years. In the meantime he also served the churches at Batavia and 
 Attica. Father Brown and Father McGlew succeeded him in turn. 
 Owing to the growth in the membership of the church he, bought a lot 
 on Myrtle street. The Rev., Thomas Cunningham, who came in 1860, 
 bought eight acres of land on Exchange street, laid out St. Francis's 
 cemetery, increased the church accommodations and established a fund 
 for a new church. A parish was organized in December, 1868, and the 
 Rev. Daniel De Lacy Moore became the first resident priest. He 
 purchased a lot on Lake street and made plans for a new church. Un- 
 der his ministrations the work of construction was begun. But he died 
 in January, 1871, and the Rev. L. Vanderpool, the present pastor, who 
 had assumed charge in December, 1870, completed the task. The 
 church was dedicated in December, 1873, by Bishop Ryan of Buffalo. 
 A parochial school house was opened September 2, 1889. 
 
 The Presbyterian church of Pembroke and Batavia was organized 
 December 24, 1854, through the offices of the Rev. William Lusk of 
 Batavia. The original members numbered twenty-two, and the Rev. 
 Daniel C. Houghton was the first pastor. The first church edifice, 
 built in 1855, a frame building, cost five thousand dollars. 
 
 St. Michael's Episcopal church of Oakfield dates from 1858. It has 
 had an unusually interesting career. In 1856 the Rev. G. V. C. East- 
 man became head master of Cary Collegiate Seminary. Finding in 
 town several people who had been attached to the Church of England, 
 he began to hold services in the chapel of the seminary. The move- 
 ment soon acquired sufficient strength to warrant the organization of a 
 parish. The records show that June 14, 1858, a meeting was held for 
 that purpose. The Rev. Mr. Eastman presided ; two wardens, A. C. 
 Dodge, Cyrus Pond, and eight vestrymen were elected. In 1861 the 
 
 13 
 
194 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Rev. H. V. Gardner became rector and was succeeded, May 4, 1865, 
 by the Rev. James R. Coe, who held the rectorship until his death, 
 March 16, 1874. 
 
 After Mr. Coe's death, the Rev. Henry A. Duboc served a brief but 
 acceptable rectorship. His successor was the Rev. Charles H. Kellogg, 
 who resigned May 2, 1878. The following October the Rev. H. M. 
 Brown assumed the rectorship, which he held till 1881. Subsequently 
 for several years the parish was served by R. H. Coe as lay reader, 
 with occasional services by the Rev. Dr. Hitchcock and other clergy- 
 men. The Rev. A. J. Warner was then called and was rector from 
 November, 1886, to September, 1889. The Rev. C. C. Gove, deacon, 
 was elected minister-in-charge October 4, 1889, and having been ad- 
 vanced to priest's orders in St. Michael's church by Bishop Coxe, on 
 St. Thomas day, 1891, was then made rector and is the present incum- 
 bent. 
 
 Until February 1, 1885, the services were held in the chapel of the 
 seminary. On that day services were celebrated for the first time in 
 St. Michael's church. June 18 following. Bishop Coxe of Buffalo, as- 
 sisted by five clergymen, consecrated the edifice. 
 
 Though the First Roman Catholic church of Bergen was organized 
 about 1850, the house of worship was not erected until 1859. The Rev. 
 Father McGowan, who for several years had pastoral charge of the 
 congregation, was chiefly instrumental in the erection of the church. 
 In 1883 the original building was torn down and the present handsome 
 edifice erected, under the supervision of Father Maloy. The parish 
 had no resident priest until 1886, when the Rev. Father O'Riley came. 
 
 Ingham Collegiate Institute of Le Roy ' was incorporated April 6, 
 1852. The trustees named in the charter were A. P. Hascall, A. S. 
 Upham, Allen Ayrault, I. Chandler, M. L. R. P. Thompson, William 
 C. Wisner, John Chester, Charles N. Mattoon, G. H. McKnight, J. B. 
 Shaw, W. W. Evarts, D. C. Houghton, Stephen G. Austin, Pelatiah 
 Perit, A. F. Barton, Aristarchus Champion ,Mi]es P. Lampson, Marshall 
 Smead, Dennis Church, James R. Bond, Albert Brewster, James Falk- 
 ner, Phineas Stanton and M. M. Ingham. 
 
 In 1853 the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank, which had been estab- 
 lished in Batavia in 1838, was removed to Buffalo, principally through 
 the influence of Elbridge G. Spaulding, who was elected president in 
 1852. The first board of trustees consisted of E. G. Spaulding, Rufus 
 
 ' See the chapter on Education in Genesee Connty. 
 
FROM 1841 TO 1861. 195 
 
 L. King, John S. Ganson, William R. Gwinn and H. Pompelly. The 
 original capital of the bank was one hundred thousand dollars. 
 
 In the meantime noticeable improvements were effected in the various 
 towns of the county. The industrial development was steady, though 
 not rapid, as the increase in population was not v^ry marked during 
 this period; Among the first of the new industries to be established 
 were the Oakfield mills, located on a branch of Oak Orchard creek in 
 the town of Oakfield. These mills were built in 1842 by Stephen Olm- 
 sted, who operated them successfully for fourteen years. In 1856 they 
 were purchased by Calvin Nobles. He continued their operation alone 
 until 1883, when he sold them to his son, N. C. Nobles, who remodeled 
 the mills and put in modern roller machinery, using both steam and 
 water for motive power. In 1842 Stephen Olmstead purchased the old 
 Nobles mill at Oakfield. In 1856 he constructed, in connection there- 
 with, a plaster mill, the original capacity of which was twenty-five tons 
 per day. The stone has always been taken from the town, in the vicin- 
 ity of the mill. In 1893 the business went into the hands of the Olm- 
 sted Stucco Company, consisting of F. A. Olmsted, C. P. Olmstead and 
 H. W. Olmsted. The plant was destroyed by fire in August, 1893, and 
 was rebuilt on a larger scale and in operation again in December fol- 
 lowing. In 1896 the enterprise was sold to the Otto B. Englisch Plas- 
 ter company, which still operates it. It is one of the principal indus- 
 tries of the town. 
 
 In 1837 Caryville, the principal village in Oakfield, changed its name 
 to Plain Brook. Soon after the name was changed to Oakfield, under 
 which name it was incorporated in 1858. August 7 of that year the 
 first officers under the charter were elected, as follows : Trustees, An- 
 drew Thompson, Virgil C. Calkins, Asa A. Woodruff, Abner C. Dodge, 
 S. P. Champlin ; assessors, Rice Baldwin, Samuel Fellows, Horace R. 
 Holt; clerk, Solomon H. Parmalee; treasurer, Cyrus Pond; collector, 
 Thomas Brown; poundmaster, De Witt C. Colony; inspectors of elec- 
 tion, Samuel March, A. A. Woodruff, S. P. Champlin. 
 
 Batavia experienced many changes during these two decades. In 
 1850 John Enger purchased the old stone church on West Main street, 
 built by the Methodist society in 1827, which he converted into a 
 brewery. In 1855 the Batavia Gas Light Company was organized 
 with a capital of $33,500. In 1857 Eh Fish built large ale vaults on the 
 site of the old brewery built by Libbeus Fish in 1837. 
 
 In Le Roy prosperity was in evidence on all sides. But the place 
 
196 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 had been devastated by several fires in earlier years, and the inhab- 
 itants were now awakening to the necessity of securing better protec- 
 tion against the ravages of the destructive element. Consequently a 
 fire department was organized February 8, 1851, with John W. Shedd 
 as chief engineer, John G. Barber as first assistant chief, and A. O. 
 Comstock as secretary. The department for many years consisted of a 
 chemical company, a hose company and a hook and ladder company. 
 For nearly thirty years Samuel F. Comstock was secretary of the de- 
 partment. He died in 1893, since which time F. A. Steuben has served 
 in that office. The Le Roy Chemical Engine Company was organized 
 October 5, 1885, with these members: F. M. Comstock, W. C. Boak, 
 
 F. L. B. Taft, T. W. Larkin, C. E. Curtiss, J. K. Boak, F. H. Morgan, 
 S. D. Gilbert, W. F. Huyck, Hobart S. Kelsey, L. W. Steuben, Frank 
 W. Ball, Charles M. Rider, W. F. McKenzie, Edward P. Freeman, John 
 C. Ross, W. M. Chapman, Edward Priester, H. H. Falkner, S. H. 
 Murdock, W. E. Humelbaugh and J. W. Olmsted. November 2, 1896, 
 the village trustees engaged a steam engine of the Silsby Manufactur- 
 ing Company of Seneca Falls, paying therefore twenty dollars per week, 
 until the completion of the new waterworks system in that village. 
 The chief engineers of the fire department have been as follows: 
 
 1851, Colonel John W. Shedd; 1852-1856, John G. Barber; 1857, 
 Samuel T. Howard; 1858, records missing; 1859-1861, John G. Barber; 
 1862, Angus L. Tompkins; 1863, John G. Barber; 1864-1867, James 
 Allison; 1868-1873, W. S. Brown; 1873-1874, A. S. Tryon; 1875, John 
 
 G. Barber; 1876, Gideon Fordham (removed by the village trustees 
 and W. S. Brown elected in 1877 to succeed him); 1878-1886, Angus 
 L. Tompkins; 1887-1890, John Wiss; 1891-1893, Frank Siez; 1893- 
 1895, Sephrine D. Gilbert; 1896-1898, Stanley M. Smith. 
 
 The Le Roy Firemen's Benevolent Association was incorporated 
 April 11, 1853, the first officers being: President, John J. J. Tompkins; 
 vice-president, Abram D. Lampkins; secretary, John H. Lent; treas- 
 urer, Charles Morgan; directors, John H. Stanley, Seaman T. Wright, 
 Samuel T. Howard. The following is a list of the presidents of the 
 association : 
 
 1853, John J. J. Tompkins; 1854, A. O. Comstock; 1855, Solomon T. 
 Wright; 1856-57, John H. Stanley; 1858-63, John J. J. Tompkins; 
 1864-76, John G. Barber; 1877, W. S. Brown; 1878-79, Gideon Ford- 
 ham; 1880, Angus L.Tompkins; 1881-85, Edwin L. Bishop; 1886-98, 
 S. Percy_Hooker. 
 
FROM 1841 TO 1861. 197 
 
 The charter of Le Roy was amended by act of the Legislature passed 
 April 6, 1857. By this instrument the boundaries of the village were 
 defined as follows : 
 
 All that district of country hereafter described shall be known and distinguished 
 by the name of the village of Le Roy, that is to say; all that part of the town of Le 
 Roy, in the county of Genesee, bounded as follows, to wit: Beginning at a point in 
 the centre of the Niagara road, on the west line of James R. Lynn farm ; thence 
 along said west line north, so far that a line running west dra>vn parallel with the 
 Niagara road shall intersect Brockport street at George W. Blodgett's north line; 
 thence west on said parallel line with the Niagara road, until it strikes a line run- 
 ning north from the east line of land formerly known as the Benjamin Wilcox farm ; 
 thence south on said line to the east line of said Wilcox farm, on said Niagara road; 
 thence continuing south on the east line of said Wilcox farm, so far as to intersect a 
 line which, running due east, will meet the road crossing Allen's creek, near Has- 
 kin's mill, where the same intersects the Bethany road; thence easterly along the 
 said road crossing Allen's creek, to where said road intersects the Pavilion road, by 
 the south side of land formerly owned by widow Munn ; thence east on a parallel 
 line with said Niagara road, so far as to intersect a line drawn due south from the 
 place of beginning; thence north to the place of beginning. 
 
 The first trustees of the village under the new charter were A. P. 
 Hascall, S. S. Bryant, S. Chamberlin, A. G. Carpenter and J. H. Stan- 
 ley. 
 
 Le Roy has suffered from numerous destructive fires, one of the most 
 disastrous of which, during the period under discussion, occurred at 
 three o'clock on the morning of January 17, 1855. The flames origin- 
 ated in an old wooden building occupied by the printing office of the 
 Genesee Herald, owned by Mr. Grummon, and Mr. Pinney's tobacco 
 store. Among those whose places of business were destroyed were 
 Samson & Elmore, Foreman & Sons, Barton & Olmstead, James Annin, 
 Browning & Kelsey, Hascall & Bangs, Mr. Olmsted and Mr. Adams. 
 The total loss was about one hundred thousand dollars. 
 
 The Le Roy Gas Light Company was organized in July, 1860, with 
 a paid-in capital of twenty-five thousand dollars. Lucius N. Bangs 
 and Chauncey L. Olmstead were largely interested in establishing the 
 company. The first officers were : President, NathanJRandall ; treas- 
 urer, Patrick H. Agan; secretary, superintendent and inspector, Charles 
 M. Randall. The works, located at Allen's creek between the Central 
 and Erie railroads, were opened in 1861. In 1890 the company added 
 an electric light plant to its establishment, but the village now operates 
 that plant under condemnation proceedings instituted in 1897. Nathan 
 Randall served as president of the gas company until 1865, when he 
 
198 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 was succeeded by Chauncey L. Olmstead. General C. Fitch Bissell 
 became president in 1874, and his son, D. Jackson Bissell in 1889, the 
 latter still serving in that office. 
 
 Among the other industries established in Le Roy during this period 
 were the broom factory of Jerome French, which was started in 1849 
 in the old Rockwell hotel, two and one half miles south of the village. 
 In 1854 M. A. Ladd established a, carriage shpp in the village, erecting 
 a stone building of two stories. 
 
 In Darien Henry L. Harlow, in 1844, began the manufacture of car- 
 riages in a small way at Harlow's Corners. Soon after he admitted his 
 younger brothers, Jefferson P. and Charles J. Harlow, into partner- 
 ship. From time to time the business increased and the market was 
 extended until at one time the firm employed thirty-five men and sold 
 the product of its factory in seven or eight different States. The busi- 
 ness was continued in Darien, and then in Lancaster, for a period of 
 about forty years. 
 
 While Genesee county, in common with the country at large, was 
 enjoying an era of prosperity following the financial panic of 1857, the 
 country passed through the most important presidential campaign 
 which had occurred since the formation of the Union. This was the 
 campaign of 1860 — the forerunner of the tremendous crisis in the affairs 
 of state which terminated in the Civil war. There were four national 
 tickets in the field, headed respectively by Abraham Lincoln, John C. 
 Breckinridge, John Bell and Stephen A. Douglas. Of the three hun- 
 dred and three electoral votes, Lincoln received one hundred and 
 eighty, Breckinridge seventy-two. Bell thirty-nine, and Douglas twelve. 
 The result produced great rejoicing in the triumphant Republican 
 party in the Northern States, but with it was intermingled an ever- 
 increasing volume of dissatisfaction and rage, which came up from the 
 South like a tidal wave, culminating in open rebellion and the seces- 
 sion of several of the Southern States. Before the country could real- 
 ize the catastrophe which had overtaken it, Sumter had been fired upon 
 and the nation was involved in all the horrors of what proved to be a 
 sanguinary civil war, the greatest in the history of the world. 
 
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 199 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 
 
 On the morning of April 15, 1861, the daily newspapers which 
 reached Batavia bore the sorrowful tidings of the bombardment of Fort 
 Sumter on the 13th and 13th of the month. On that day business of 
 all kinds, public and private, was neglected for the discussion of the 
 portentous event. War was the sole topic of conversation; but even 
 yet it was believed by most men of intelligence and judgment that the 
 moment that the powerful arm of the government was uplifted against 
 the offenders they would abandon their treasonable outbreak and bow 
 in submission to the federal authority. Many months elapsed, how- 
 ever, blood was shed in the border States, and millions of treasure 
 were expended before even the highest government officials realized 
 that a long and desolating war had begun. 
 
 April 15, the day of the evacuation of Fort Sumter, President Lin- 
 coln issued a proclamation calling for seventy-five thousand militia for 
 three months' service. This call in itself was sufficient evidence of the 
 general belief at the national capital that the war would prove to be no 
 more than a summer-long conflict. The quota of New York State un- 
 der this call was 13,380, and it was more than filled. May 3 another 
 call for troops was issued, under which, and acts approved July 22, 
 half a million men were required. No sooner was the first call for 
 troops made public than Genesee county was plunged into a fever of 
 martial enthusiasm. Flags were unfurled to the breeze from hundreds 
 of windows, and an intensely war-like spirit pervaded the atmosphere 
 everywhere. An enthusiastic meeting was held immediately at Batavia, 
 when twenty volunteers were enrolled. The same evening a meeting 
 was held at Le Roy, and others in the various towns of the county fol- 
 lowed. 
 
 April 18, the county authorities received official information that 
 five hundred men would be needed from Genesee county. In accord- 
 ance with this demand public meetings were held on the afternoon and 
 evening of Saturday, April 20, at Concert hall, in Batavia, at which 
 
200 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 forty-eight young- men were enrolled. On that occasion Trumbull 
 Gary, John Fisher, Junius A. Smith, Seth Wakeman and James M. 
 Willett were named as a committee to solicit subscriptions to a fund for 
 the support of the families of those who enlisted. For a similar pur- 
 pose a committee of three was appointed in each town, as follows: 
 
 Alabama. — Chauncey Williams, George H. Potter, Edward Halsey. 
 Alexander. — Heman Blodgett, Earl Kidder, E. G. Moulton. 
 Bethany. — Lemuel F. Lincoln, A. G. Torrey, Carlos Huggins. 
 Bergen. — Horatio N. Reed, Samuel Richmond, Josiah Pierson. 
 Byron. — J. T. Boynton, Loren Green, Addison Terry. 
 Darien.— J. W. Hyde, Colonel A. Jefferson, T. C. Peters. 
 Elba.— Alva U. Willis, A. Hulett, C. H. Monell. 
 Le Roy.— Hon. A. S. Upham, Walter Gustin, A. O. Comstock. 
 Oakfield. — Charles H. Chamberlin, John C. Gardner, William Dunlap. 
 Pavilion. ^ — -Oswald Bond, Warren Fay, George Toralinson. 
 Pembroke.— G. W. Wright, D. N. Wells, R F. Thomson. 
 
 From the beginning of the work, local recruiting progressed rapidly. 
 April 29 the formation of the first company in the county was com- 
 pleted, and under the command of Captain Augustus I. Root it left the 
 county to become part of the Twelfth Regiment, N. Y. Vol. Inf. May 
 14 a second company, in command of Captain James R. Mitchell, left 
 to join its regiment. The third company, commanded by Captain Will- 
 iam L. Cowan, followed May 15. 
 
 While these military companies were being formed, the patriotic 
 women of Genesee county began the organization of associations for 
 providing for the soldiers in the field comforts, and even luxuries, which 
 the government did not furnish — such as flannels, havelocks, articles 
 of clothing, medicines, etc. These things were supplied in liberal 
 quantities, and accomplished much toward the amelioration of the far 
 from pleasant condition of the men who had gone to the front for the 
 , preservation and maintenance of the American Union. Among those 
 who were leaders and most active workers in this noble and gracious 
 cause, were Mrs. Gad B. Worthington, Mrs. Richard Cotes, Mrs. John 
 Fisher, Mrs. George H. Holden, Mrs. Alva Smith, Mrs. E. R. Pratt, 
 Mrs. Levi Jackson, Mrs. Wright, Mrs. N. G. Clark, Mrs. Putnam, Mrs. 
 Thomas Yates, Mrs. John Wood, Mrs. Seth Wakeman, Mrs. Levant 
 B. Cotes, Mrs. S. C. Holden, Mrs. Junius A. Smith, Mrs. Dean Rich- 
 mond, Mrs. H. U. Howard, Mrs.' Macy, Miss M. Mallory, Miss Parsons, 
 Miss Carrie Pringle and many others. 
 
 The first engagement participated in by any company sent to the 
 
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 201 
 
 front by Genesee county occurred on Monday, July 18, 1861. On that 
 day the Twelfth Regt. N. Y. Vol. Inf., of which Company K was or- 
 ganized in Batavia, took a leading part in the sharp skirmish at Bull 
 Run Creek, Va., the preliminary movement in the memorable battle of 
 Bull Run, which occurred three days later. About 2 p. m. Richardson's 
 Brigade of Tyler's Division, consisting of the First Massachusetts, Sec- 
 ond Michigan, Third Michigan and Twelfth New York Regiments of 
 Infantry, with the New York Regiment in advance, arrived at Centre- 
 ville after a long and weary march from Vienna, and turned to the left 
 from Centreville Heights towards Bull Run. The division had ad- 
 vanced to a point about a mile and a half south from Centreville, when 
 the rebels opened fire upon it with artillery. Company K, commanded 
 by Captain A. I. Root, being on the left flank, was nearest the rebel 
 battery and was among the first to feel the effects of its fire. The New 
 York regiment was immediately formed in line of battle in an open 
 field and two companies, deployed as skirmishers, at once advanced 
 toward a thicket of small pines where the rebels were supposed to be 
 in force. They were followed and supported by the remaining eight 
 companies of the regiment, and these were followed and supported by 
 the balance of the brigade. As the skirmishers approached the woods 
 they were received with a heavy fire from the enemy's advance posted 
 there, but were promptly and nobly sustained by the regiment. The 
 order was: 
 
 " Twelfth New York, fix bayonets and clear the woods! " 
 Bayonets were fixed, an intervening fence was scaled, and the regi- 
 ment rushed double quick into the woods ten or twelve rods with bay- 
 onets at charge, when the boys were met with a sudden and fierce fire 
 from Longstreet's entire division of the rebel army. The bullets fell 
 like hailstones. Fortunately the rebels were not experienced fighters 
 and the bullets flew high. The rattle of the balls against the trees was 
 terrific, and branches and leaves fell like grass before the mower. The 
 regiment was thrown into confusion and compelled to retire to form in 
 line again, and it fell back to the other side of the field over which it 
 had just charged In this charge the regiment suffered a loss of over 
 four hundred men in killed, wounded and prisoners. Company K, of 
 Batavia, lost Privates Lathrop, mortally wounded; Grimes, severely 
 wounded ; and Charles Durant and Johnson, taken prisoners. 
 
 While the regiment was being re-formed a youthful lieutenant, fresh 
 from West Point, and on that day acting as aid to General Tyler, rode 
 up and said : 
 
203 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 " I know some of those boys. They are from Batavia. Let me lead 
 their regiment down through this ravine and attack the rebel flank. " 
 
 The desired permission was not granted, however, though the opin- 
 ion has been expressed, by several who participated in that action, that 
 it could have been a wise and successful one. That young lieutenant 
 was a Batavia boy, Emory Upton, afterwards Major General! 
 
 There was no more fighting that day. The division fell back to Cen- 
 treville Heights, where it remained until it advanced to participate in 
 the bloody battle of Bull Run of July 21. 
 
 The action of July 18 was Company K's first " baptism of fire." Bat 
 the members of this company afterwards participated in many of the 
 battles of the war. Its captain attained the rank of colonel and died at 
 the head of his regiment — the Fifteenth New York Cavalry — in one of 
 the closing battles of the war. Its orderly sergeant became major — 
 Major S. D. Ludden. Its second sergeant became captain — Captain 
 Charles F. Rand. Private John B. Foote became a lieutenant. This 
 company, the first to organize in Genesee county, and the first to depart 
 from Batavia for the scene of the conflict, had the following officers: 
 
 Captain, Augustus I. Root; lieutenant, William P. Town; ensign, Lucius Smith 
 sergeants, Samuel D. Ludden, Charles F. Rand, James F. Taylor, Thomas Tanzey 
 corporals, Samuel McChesney, William P. Jones, James P. Taylor, Joseph L. Hunt 
 musicians, Albert A. Mead, Francis M. Lincoln. 
 
 The privates were as follows: 
 
 William B. Aird, George W. Baars, John W. Bartlett, John C. Beach, Almon G. 
 Bentley, Franklyn Billings, James Brayley, John Briggs, Henry R. Casler, James 
 Clifton, Zelotus R. Colby, James Conway, James E. Cross, Charles F. Davenport, 
 Robert Dearlove, Michael Delano, Charles Durant, William Enwright, Harrison 
 Ferguson, John B. Foote, Daniel W. Ford, Alvin Fox, Patrick Garrity, John G. 
 Gartner, Jasper Gibbs, John Glansbroth, William Graham, Jacob Heiber, Charles A. 
 Hickox, William Johnson, Barney Karker, George Keem, William Lathrop, William 
 H. Leonard, Peter Mischlin, Frank Murphy, William H. Nickols, Robert Peard, 
 Cornelius W. Post, George W. Reynolds. Michael Roach, Michael Ryan, Frank 
 Searnons, James Shepard, George Smith, Hiram W. Smith, Parmenis Skinner, 
 Albert P. Stage. John Stone, William Thompson, Timothy Tierney, Horace F. 
 Tracy, William Wheeler. 
 
 The Twelfth Regiment, of which Captain Root's company formed a 
 part, was commanded by Col. Ezra L. Walrath and was mustered into 
 the service May 13, 1861. 
 
 The Twenty-eighth Regiment, N. Y. Vol. Infantry, was organized 
 at Albany to serve two years. The companies of which it was com- 
 
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 303 
 
 posed were raised in the counties of Genesee, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans 
 and Sullivan. The members of the regiment left Batavia May 13, 1861, 
 and on May 23 the organization was mustered into the service of the 
 United States at Albany. The Genesee county company, organized by 
 Captain James R. Mitchell, afterwards major, was in command of Cap- 
 tain Charles H. Fenn. Its other officers were: 
 
 First lieutenant, William W. Rowley; second lieutenant, George M. Ellicott; ser- 
 geants, Lucien R. Bailey, Charles D. Searles, George W. Sherwood, Edward J. Watts ; 
 corporals, Leander Hamilton, Chandler Gillam, Robert E. Whitney, Darwin Fel- 
 lows; musicians, John Frost, Silas Bragg. 
 
 The following persons went out with the company as privates: 
 
 Calvin Anuis, George H. Allen, William F. Albro, Edmund Bragdon, Byron 
 BrinkerhofE, James F. Bennett, Riley Blount, George Barnard, Lafayette Baker, 
 Oscar Barnes, Philip Bettinger, George H. Bolton, Henry Baldwin, John S. Barber, 
 William H. Colburn, Roswell Coddington, Robert Chappell, Henry Close, Charles 
 H. Crandell, Alexander Comyns, Henry Dykeman, Joshua C. Davis, Melvin Dodge, 
 Decatur Doty, Irvin H. Ewell, Kirkland Ewell, Theodore Eldridge, Joseph Ennis, 
 George Griffin, Cleveland Gillett, Joseph Gibson, Peter Howland, William Rowland, 
 Porter Howard, Truman M. Hawley, George M. Hamilton, Isaac Hotchkiss, James G. 
 Lawton, Charles G. Liscomb, Joseph Luce, John Moran, Barnard Murray, Lyman 
 B. Miner, William McCracken, Richard Outhardt, Charles A. Perkins, Flavius Per- 
 kins, Edward C. Peck, Erastus Peck, Franklin Peck, Michael Quirk, Charles B. 
 Rapp, Harlow M. Reynolds, Michael Ryan, Howard M. Snell, Henry Scott, William 
 B. Simmons, Stephen Tayler, Robert Thompson, Milton Tripp, George Thayer, 
 John Van Buren, Francis M. Weatherlow. 
 
 The regiment of which this company formed a part remained at 
 Camp Morgan, Albany, about three weeks, and was then ordered to 
 Washington. The next orders carried them to Martinsburg, Va. 
 Soon after, at Harper's Ferry, it was attached to the Third Brigade, 
 Ninth Army Corps, under command of General George H. Thomas, 
 and spent the summer and fall in doing picket duty along the Potomac, 
 Early in the winter the regiment went into quarters at Frederick, 
 Md. January 1, 1863, it moved to Hancock, Md., where it remained 
 two months. March 1, the day designated for the grand move of the 
 Army of the Potomac, the Twenty-eighth proceeded to Virginia, pass- 
 ing the summer in the Shenandoah Valley. In the fall it marched to 
 Martinsburg again, thence to Culpepper Court House. In this place 
 and vicinity a month was passed. After the battle of Chancellorsville 
 it proceeded to Washington, and soon afterward left for the North. It 
 was mustered out of the service of the United States at Lockport, June 
 3, 1863. 
 
204 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 The regiment participated in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Antie- 
 tam and Chancellorsville. At the battle of Cedar Mountain Colonel 
 Donnelly, commanding the regiment, received wounds which resulted 
 in his death August 15, 1862; Lieutenant Colonel Edwin F. Brown had 
 an arm shot ofif; Major Elliott W. Cook was made a prisoner; Adjutant 
 Charles B. Sprout was killed in action, and Lieutenant Bailey of Com- 
 pany F was wounded. The regiment lost heavily in this engagement. 
 The record of the officers of this regiment who went from Genesee county 
 follows : 
 
 Major.— James R. Mitchell, commissioned June 30, 1861 ; resigned September 30, 
 1861. 
 
 Captains.— William W. Rowley, commissioned November 10, 1862; mustered out 
 
 with regiment. James R. Mitchell, commissioned ; promoted to major June 20, 
 
 1861. Charles H. Fenn, commissioned July 4, 1861 ; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 First Lieutenants — Charles H. Fenn, commissioned ; promoted to captain May 
 
 19, 1861. William W. Rowley, commissioned July 4, 1861 ; promoted to captain No- 
 vember 10, 1863. George M. Ellicott, commissioned November 10, 1863; mustered 
 out with regiment. 
 
 Second Lieutenants. — William W. Rowley, commissioned ; promoted to first 
 
 lieutenant May 19, 1861. George M. Ellicott, commissioned July 4, 1861 ; promoted 
 to first lieutenant November 10, 1863. Lucien R. Bailey, commissioned February 
 7, 1863; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Capt. William L. Cowan's company (Company D) of the Fourteenth 
 Regiment, New York Volunteer Militia, was recruited in Genesee 
 county, organized at Batavia, inspected May 8, 1861, and mustered into 
 the service of the United States May 17, 1861, for two years. Captain 
 Cowan was a resident of Darien. The other officers commanding the 
 company were: 
 
 First lieutenant, Robert H. Foote, of Batavia; second lieutenant, George E. Gee of 
 Darien ; sergeants, Thomas R. Hard wick of Pembroke, Almon C. Barnard, Jesse R. 
 Decker of Batavia, Irwin H. Crosman of Alexander; corporals, David W. Manning, 
 Harry Parsons, Hiram H. Van Dake, Thomas L. Ostrom; musicians, James B. Pot- 
 ter and Gregory Shaver. 
 
 The following were mustered as privates : 
 
 Orlando Aldrich, Charles Archer, Charles Averill, Lucius F. Brown, James Bailey, 
 Freeman F. Barber, William H. Barnett, Martin W. Bliton, Thomas Bowie, John H. 
 Brown, Warren P. Burr, Austin A. Bagley, George Carpenter, George Chamberlin, 
 Daniel Chamberlin, Martin Coon, Ira S. Cross, William E. Crissey, Ellery L. Delano, 
 James Derick, George Drain, Stephen Eunis, Henry Farnham, George Fisher, De- 
 metreus Glenn, Clark E. Gould, Abram Haner, Bruce Herington, Henry Hike, Na- 
 than B. Hopkins, Lowell Howe, Nelson Jenkins, Daniel Johns, Phillip Lapp, An- 
 drew Lee, James A. Lewis, John Lyon, Artemas Maxon, Richard P. Merrill, James 
 
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 205 
 
 McDermit, Arthur O'Niel, Martin Pilgrim, William H. Randall, Almon Secord, Rob- 
 ert Scovell, Joseph Shaw, William Shaw, William Smith, Francis D. Smith, Andrew 
 Seiber, Andrew Strobel, Paddock L. Tucker, Charles H. Tessey, Carmel D. Townsend, 
 Edward Tibbits, Randolph Tubbs, Arthur Tumalty, Peter Van Valkenburg, Charles 
 
 B. Vickery, Ira Woodin, Benjamin Winans, Amos B. Wyman, Millard D. York, 
 Menden Younge. 
 
 As the quota of New York State was filled when Captain Cowan or- 
 ganized his company, when he left Batavia for Albany with his com- 
 mand, May 15, 1861, he acted entirely upon his own responsibility. 
 Upon arriving at Albany, however, he succeeded in having his com- 
 pany assigned to the Fourteenth Regiment, commanded by Colonel 
 James McQuade. Soon afterward the regiment proceeded to the front, 
 being first stationed at Camp Douglas, where it received its arms and 
 equipments. Upon leaving Camp Douglas, it proceeded to Miner's 
 Hill, Va., where for some time it performed picket duty. March 16, 
 1862, it joined McClellan's army. It participated in several of the 
 most important battles of the war. The complete list is as follows: 
 Gaines's Mill, Turkey Bend, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Big Bethel, Chan- 
 cellorsville, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Hanover Court House, 
 Mechanicsville, White Oak Swamp, Fredericksburg, Siege of Yorktown, 
 Warrenton Junction, Snicker's Gap and Williamsburg. 
 
 Captain Walter B. Moore's company of the One Hundredth Regi- 
 ment of Infantry was recruited principally among the inhabitants of 
 Genesee county. The regiment, popularly known as the Second Regi- 
 ment of the Eagle Brigade, commanded by Colonel James M. Browi^, 
 was mustered for three years' service. The Genesee county company 
 consisted of the following : 
 
 Captain, Walter B. Moore; lieutenants, Melancthon Howell Topping, Martin S. 
 Bogart; sergeants, Rodney Dexter, Leonard D. Howell, Edward S. Peck, Peabody 
 Pratt, Myron P. Pierson; corporals, William Wheeler, William M. Thomson, Donald 
 McPherson, Norman H. Meldrum, John C. Davis, Milo L. Olmstead; musicians, 
 Joseph O. Price, Samuel Makers ; wagoner, Willard Josslyn. 
 
 Privates, Irvin Austin, Robert Brears, Edward E. Boyd, Benjamin Bain, Henry 
 
 C. Bolton, George N. Benjamin, Charles Clough, William N. Crosby, Edward P. 
 Cooley, Benjamin C. Coon, Henry G. Copeland, Mortimer L. Daniels, Fritz Dato, 
 Ord. M. Davis, Leonard R. Delamater, George Eberhart, Jacob Edgarton, George 
 C. Fales, James Fox, Charles D. Foot, William H. French, Barney Growney, Theo- 
 dore O. Geer, John Golland, Philip Geize, Henry M. Haskins, Albert Howell, John 
 Jordan, Andrew Lynd, John J. McCall, George Moore, Timothy McMullin. Joseph 
 Maud, Gordon B. Meldrum, John McFhail, Thomas McCann, Daniel Mclntyre, 
 Charles Meyrer, James McPherson, Mather Moore, William Newton, William Olm- 
 sted, John B. Ott, Albert J. Pervorce, Joseph P. Pierson, John C. Presbry, Albert 
 
206 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Russell, Hiram Robison, Phillip Ryan, William P. Swift, James V. Swarthout, "Will- 
 iam Seeley, Chester F. Swift, George Swift, Peter Treehouse, Robert Trimball, Ly- 
 man Taylor, Sanford C. Thomson, Peter Tracy, Louis H. Todd, Stephen Walkley, 
 Augustus P. Weller, John G. Wicks, Abram L. Wood, Matthias Winkle, Albert U. 
 Ward, James Walker. 
 
 The One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, N. Y. Volunteer Infantry, 
 was recruited largely from among the residents of Genesee county. The 
 names of the officers and men from Genesee county, as they appear 
 upon the State muster rolls, follow: 
 
 Field and Staff. — -Colonel, James M. Fuller, Le Roy; lieutenant-colonel, Henry S. 
 Achillis, LeRoy; major, John W. Shedd, Le Roy; quartermaster, Charles Strong, 
 Le Roy; surgeon, David C. Chamberlin, Le Roy; chaplain, Byron P. Russell, Le 
 Roy; commissary sergeant, Jerome J. Shedd, Le Roy. 
 
 Company A. — Second lieutenant, George W. Dickey, Batavia; first sergeant, 
 George H. Smith, Batavia; sergeant, Harrison Barber, Elba; corporals, Marony 
 Shadbolt, Alexander; Clinton Brace, Batavia; George S. Winslow, Batavia; Leman 
 T. Miner, Batavia ; musician, Lonson R. Chaffee, Le Roy ; privates, Samuel Avery, 
 Frederick Bramsted, Edward Brewer, Jefferson Curtain, Lorenzo Croft, Alonzo 
 Croft, Oliver N. Campbell, William Dingman, John Free, Alvirus D. Harrington, 
 George F. Hundredmark, John Killen, Burr Keuyon, John Nash, Malcom G. Petti- 
 bone, Henry H. Ruland, Lewis Skinner, John Tyrrell, Henry E. Thomas, John 
 Thomas, William Thomas, Isah Thomas, Abram Vanalstine, Andrew Whitney. 
 
 Company B. — Corporal, Merit White; privates, Philip S. Frost, Cornelius Ryan, 
 William Rose. 
 
 Company C. — Corporal, Edward Thompson ; privates, Joseph M. Cook, Charles 
 H. Hodge, Peter A. Mclntyre, Malcom Mclntyre, Edward Mercer, Erasmus R. Ste- 
 phens, William H. Thompson, Orrin Thompson, John B. Way. 
 
 Company D. — Sergeant, George W. Griffith, Le Roy; musicians, John Foster and 
 Emogine Daniels, Le Roy; privates, Charles H. Miller, James Shine. 
 
 Company E. — Captain, George Babcock, Batavia; first lieutenant, Willis Benham, 
 South Byron ; second lieutenant, John J. White, Batavia ; sergeants, Edwin J. Hyde 
 and Lucius F. Rolfe, Bethany, Patrick H. Graham, Batavia ; corporals, George W. 
 Mather, Herbert Stacey and Edward Brennan, Batavia, James A. Sherwood, Byron, 
 Clarence H. McCabe, Darien, Taylor Hart, Alexander, Newell J. Hamilton, Oak- 
 field; teamst&r, Philbrook Holden, Batavia; privates, John F. Armstrong, William 
 
 F. Albro, Chauncey Bowen, John Blake, John Barnard, iHerrick C. Crocker, William 
 E. Crane, Thomas Cady, Owen Gaskin, William H. Heal, Jacob Hagisht, Lawrence 
 Henesey, Wesley Hawkins, James H. Hogan, Edwin S. Heath, John Keenan, James 
 
 G. Lawton, Ezro Mann, John Moore, William Martin, Robert C. Odion, David 
 Powell, James Parshall, WiUiam Riley, Michael Strieff, Levi Schrem, Joseph Sco- 
 field, Harlam Trumbull, James P. Thomas, James H. Turner, Franklin Terry, Isaac 
 Wakeley, Isaac P. Wakeley. 
 
 Company F —Corporal, William J. Deshon, Bethany; privates, Arthur Carmel, 
 Thomas Close, Edward Hibbison, Oliver B. Olin, Sylvester Primmer, George 
 Schuab. 
 
 Company G. — Private, Thomas Coady. 
 
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 207 
 
 Company K. — Corporal, Sheldon I. Brown, Oakfield; privates, Frederick Ellris, 
 George Fauset, John Johnson. 
 
 This regiment was mustered into the service of the United States in 
 March, 1863, and consolidated with the Ninety-Fourth New York Vol- 
 unteers in March, 1863. The regiment participated in the following 
 battles: Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock Station, Thoroughfare Gap, 
 Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericks- 
 burg. The names of the officers and their records follow : 
 
 Colonels: 
 
 James M. Fuller, commissioned April 10, 1862 ; resigned August 2, 1863. 
 
 Howard Carroll, commissioned August 2, 1863 ; not mustered as colonel. 
 
 John W. Shedd, commissioned October 10, 1863: mustered out at consolidation. 
 March 17, 1863. 
 Lieutenant-Colonels: 
 
 Henry L. Achilles, commissioned March 24, 1863 ; resigned March 35, 1863. 
 
 Howard Carroll, commissioned April 10, 1863; died September 29, 1862, of wounds. 
 
 Richard Whiteside, commissioned October 10, 1862; mustered out at consolidation. 
 Majors: ' 
 
 John W. Shedd, commissioned April 10, 1862; promoted to colonel October 10, 1862. 
 
 Daniel A. Sharp, commissioned October 10, 1862 ; mustered out at consolidation. 
 A dj tit ants: 
 Daniel A. Sharp, commissioned April 10, 1862 ; promoted to major October 10, 1863. 
 
 John L White, commissioned November 24, 1863; mustered out at consolidation. 
 Quartermasters : 
 
 Charles Strong, commissioned April 10, 1863; discharged August 12, 1863. 
 
 Jerome J. Shedd, commissioned December 17, 1862; transferred to Ninety-fourth 
 Regiment. 
 Surgeon : 
 
 David C. Chamberlain, commissioned April 10, 1863; transferred to Ninety-fourth 
 Regiment. 
 Assistant Surgeons : 
 
 James W. Casey, commissioned April 10, 1863; mustered out at consolidation. 
 
 John T. Brown, commissioned September 17, 1862; transferred to Ninety-fourth 
 Reginent. 
 Chaplain : 
 
 Byron P. Russell, commissioned April 10, 1863; resigned September 12, 1863. 
 
 Captains : 
 
 Richard Whiteside, commissioned April 10, 1863; promoted to lieutenant-colonel 
 October 10, 1862. 
 
 John C. Whiteside, commissioned November 19, 1862; transferred to Ninety- 
 fourth Regiment. 
 
 James B. W. De Long, commissioned April 10, 1862; discharged October 1, 1862. 
 
 Charles F. Rodgers, commissioned November 24, 1862; transferred to Ninety-fourth 
 Regiment; brevet major N. Y. V. 
 
208 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Henry E. Smith, commissioned April 10, 1863; discharged October 13, 1862. 
 
 Thomas A. Steadman, commissioned November 19, 1862; mustered out at consoli- 
 dation. 
 
 Isaac S. Tichenor, commissioned April 10, 1862 ; mustered out at consolidation ; 
 brevet colonel U. S. V. 
 
 George Babcock, commissioned April 10, 1862 ; discharged October 6, 1868. 
 
 Willis Benham, commissioned November 24, 1862 ; transferred to Ninety-fourth 
 Regiment. 
 
 Abraham Moore, commissioned April 10, 1862 ; transferred to Ninety-fourth Regi- 
 ment. 
 
 John McMahon, commissioned April 10, 1862; transferred to Ninety-fourth Regi- 
 ment. 
 
 Patrick W. Bradley, commissioned April 10, 1863; mustered out at consolidation. 
 
 Thomas Purcell, commissioned April 10, 1863; discharged September 17, 1862. 
 
 Joseph E. Conway, commissioned December 23, 1862; not mustered as captain. 
 
 Salah J. Wilber, commissioned April 10, 1863; discharged January 16, 1863. 
 First Lieutenants: 
 
 John C. Whiteside, commissioned April 10, 1863 ; promoted to captain November 
 19, 1863. 
 
 Benjamin Whiteside, commissioned December 33, 1862; transferred to Ninety- 
 fourth Regiment. 
 
 Charles F. Rodgers, commissioned April 10, 1862; promoted to captain November 
 34, 1862. 
 
 Frederick J. Massey, commissioned November 24, 1862; transferred to Ninety- 
 fourth Regiment. 
 
 Thomas A. Steadman, commissioned April 10, 1862; promoted to captain Novem- 
 ber 19, 1862. 
 
 John De Graff, commissioned November 34, 1862 ; not mustered as first lieutenant. 
 
 Horace D. Bennett, commissioned April 10, 1863; dismissed October 17, 1863. 
 
 Augustus Field, commissioned December 33, 1863; transferred to Ninety-fovirth 
 Regiment. 
 
 Willis Benham, commissioned April 10, 1863 ; promoted to captain November 34, 
 1862. 
 
 Lucius F. Rolfe, commissioned February 20, 1863; mustered out at consolidation; 
 brevet captain N. Y. V. 
 
 William Clark, commissioned April 10, 1862; discharged September 13, 1863. 
 
 William Knowles, commissioned November 34, 1863; transferred to Ninety- 
 fourth Regiment. 
 
 Dennis Graham, commissioned April 10, 1862; discharged October 9, 1862. 
 
 Isaac Doolittle, commissioned October 30, 1863; transferred to Ninety-fourth 
 Regiment. 
 
 David C. Smith, commissioned April 10, 1863; resigned November 38, 1863. 
 
 George W. Connelly, commissioned February 19, 1863; not mustered as first heu- 
 tenant. 
 
 Michael McMuUen, commissioned April 10, 1863; mustered out at consolidation. 
 
 David Gould, jr., commissioned April 10, 1863; resigned July 13, 1862. 
 
 Eli D. Wood worth, commissioned July 21, 1862; mustered out at consolidation. 
 
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 309 
 
 Second Lieutenants: 
 
 George W. Dickey, commissioned April 10, 1862; discharged September 10, 1862. 
 
 Thomas Burrows, commissioned December 22, 1862 ; transferred to Ninety-fourth 
 Regiment. 
 
 Frederick J. Massey, commissioned April 10, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant 
 November 24, 1862. 
 
 Charles T. Mesler, commissioned December 22, 1863, transferred to Ninety-fourth 
 Regiment. 
 
 John De GrafiE, commissioned April 10, 1862 ; missing since December 13, 1863. 
 
 James H. Bushnell, commissioned December 33, 1862 ; mustered out at consolida- 
 tion. 
 
 Augustus Field, commissioned April 10, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant Decem- 
 ber 22, 1862. 
 
 Oscar F. Hawkins, commissioned December 33, 1862; transferred to Ninety-fourth 
 Regiment. 
 
 John J. White, commissioned April 10, 1862 ; promoted to adjutant November 24, 
 1862. 
 
 Lucius F. Rolfe, commissioned November 24, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant 
 February 30. 1863. 
 
 William Knowles, commissioned April 10, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant No- 
 vember 24, 1862. 
 
 Edwin A. Dayton, commissioned December 22, 1862; transferred to Ninety-fourth 
 Regiment. 
 
 Isaac Doolittle, commissioned April 10, 1863; promoted to first lieutenant October 
 
 30, 1863. 
 
 George W. Connelly, commissioned December 22, 1862 ; mustered out at consolida- 
 tion. 
 
 John Hayes, commissioned February 10, 1868; not mustered. 
 
 Joseph E. Conway, commissioned April 10, 1862; mustered out at consolidation. 
 
 George French, commissioned December 22, 1862 ; not mustered. 
 
 Charles C. Buckley, commissioned April 10, 1862; killed in action at Antietam, 
 Md., September 17, 1862. 
 
 Garwin Longmuir, commissioned January 31, 1863; not mustered. 
 
 Eli D. Woodworth, commissioned April 10, 1863 ; promoted to first lieutenant July 
 
 31, 1862. 
 
 George Wilbur, commissioned July 31, 1862; mustei'ed out at consolidation. 
 
 The One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Regiment of New York Vet- 
 erans was recruited largely from Genesee county. It was organized at 
 Lockport, to serve three years, and was mustered into the service of 
 the United States as an infantry regiment August 32, 1863. In Febru- 
 ary, 1863, it was changed from infantry to heavy artillery and desig- 
 nated as the Eighth N. Y. Heavy Artillery. It belonged to the Second 
 Army Corps. 
 
 Two additional companies were organized for this regiment in Janu- 
 
 14 
 
310 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 ary, 1864. The entire organization was raised in the counties of Gene 
 see, Niagara and Orleans, comprising the Twenty-ninth Senate district. 
 Companies G, H, I and K were transferred to the Fourth New York 
 Artillery June 4, 1865. Companies L and M were transferred to the 
 Tenth New York Volunteer Infantry, and the remaining six companies 
 were mustered out June 5, 1866, in accordance with orders from the 
 War Department. This regiment participated in the following battles, 
 according to the official report of the adjutant-general of the State of 
 New York : Spottsylvania, Tolopotomoy, Cold Harbor, North Anna, 
 Petersburg, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, Ream's Station and Boyd- 
 ton Road. The casualties of this regiment during the campaign which 
 closed with Lee's surrender, were officially reported at 1,171 officers 
 and men. As far as can be learned the following is a list of the Gene- 
 see county members of this regiment. 
 
 Major. — James M. Willett. 
 
 Company G. — Captain Elbridge T. Sherwin ; lieutenants, J. R. Cooper, Orrin C. 
 Parker; sergeants, John H. Nichols, John F. Hutton, John J. Thomas, James W. 
 Young, George Ford ; corporals, J. D. Safford, Lewis Teller, Wm. H. Bennett, M. 
 M. Kendall. Peter Welch, W. W. Burton, M. Manahan, Thomas Cuthbert, James H. 
 Horton, Peter Barber ; musicians, M. McNamara, Joseph H. Horton ; artificer, John 
 G. Foster. 
 
 Privates. — Albert Amidon, John Adams, Nelson F. Bowen, Wm. A. Burris, Charles 
 Brooks, John Bisher, H. L. Bennett, Charles Buell, L. C. Briggs, M. Birmingham, 
 Wm. Brower, Charles Collins, James H. Charles, Christopher Cooper, Wm. Cleve- 
 land, George A. Cole, J. Cook, J. Donnigan, L. C. Dorman, A. E. Darrow, A. J. 
 Denham, Anthony Davis, Delos Eddy, Nicholas Felter, Harry Fernerstein, Edward 
 W. Flanders, Charles H. Fuller, George A. Fuller, Peter Fowldin, Frank Gleaser, 
 Warner Howe, Henry Helfrrian, Wm. Hutton, Christopher Johnson , Henry Johnson, 
 Lyman C. Kendall, Wm. H. Kendall, John Kimmerling, Daniel W. Kinnie, Wm. 
 Morford, Norman Martin, Moses Millington Peter McDermid, Daniel McDermid, 
 Charles W. McCarthy, Cain Mahaney, Joseph Murdock, Peter Metzler, George 
 Metzler, S. Myres, J. McLaughlin, John Munz, George Merlan, Conrad Merlan, 
 Abram Norris, Van A. Pratt, Robert Peard, Wm. J. Pindar, M. S. Parker, F. W. 
 Rice, Fernando Robbins, Charles H. Rice, Nathaniel Rowan, Wm. H. Ship, John J. 
 Sherman, Wm. Smith, Devolson Smith, Henry Thomas, Joseph Thompson, George 
 W. Thomas, Lewis Van Dyke, G. H. Van Alstine, Reuben Van Wart, S. A. Wil- 
 son, W. W. Wyman, W. Ward, W. P. Wright. Joseph Willett, Leroy Williams, N. 
 W. Wakeman, Wm. Wood, R. H. Waite, Richard Welch. 
 
 Those recruited and sent on after the regiment had gone to the front 
 were: 
 
 F. A. Altmeyer, John W. Amlong, N. F. Bowen, William N. Barton, Mark Bossard, 
 Joseph Bongordon, John W. Babcock, A. J. Bennett, M. F. Bowe, John Brown, Will- 
 iam Boehme, W. H. Bennett, Peter Barber, P. Colson, Henry Conklin, G. R. Cochran, 
 
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 211 
 
 John Camp, Hibbard Chase, John Collins, James B. Clark, Patrick Collins, Daniel 
 Dibble, Hugh Duflfy, C. M. Dodge, Robert Denham, M. W. Elston, Abram Elston, 
 Robert A. Erwin, Lawrence Flynn, Christopher Follett, K. B. Finley, Matthew 
 Gleaser, J. M. Gilson, Charles C. Gilson, George F. Jones, Ezra Kirby, James Moore, 
 John McNamara, Virgil Marsh, Hiram Marsh, A. J. Mahew, F. B. Maynard, N. A. 
 Mitchell, M. Manion, N. Martin, Charles Nichols, R. Ovendan, Thomas E. Peard, 
 John Perkins, George W. Parshall, D. M. Pannell, M. W. Parker, George Perry, W. 
 O. Robinson, John Reed, Charles Sanford, J. B. D. Sawtell, Martin Steves, William N. 
 Smith, Jacob M. Smith, Joseph Steffin, Horatio Thomas, John Thomas, Cassimere 
 Thomas, O. Tiramerson, N. Truesdall, Seth J. Thomas, Thomas Wilson, John Was- 
 chow, Albert Wilber, Rowley Wilson, Luke White, Edwin Wade, C. M. Whitney, J. 
 Walsh, J. M. Wiggins, F. F. Waterman, E. A. Perrin, Silas Smith. 
 
 Company H. — Captain, Stephen Connor; lieutenants, George Wiard, J. H. Rob- 
 son, W. H. Raymond, Archibald Winnie; sergeants, Henry Bickford, W. H. Rober- 
 son, William Grant, Louis Mather, Stephen Vail, O. E. Babcock, A. W. Aldrich, R. T. 
 Hunn; corporals, E. P. Cowles, Charles Cox, E. J. Winslow, A. M. Allen, C. Chamber- 
 lain, William Jones, W. H. Fidinger, W. H. Griffin, E. A. Whitman, Joseph Webber, 
 H. B. Salisbury, L. H. Robinson; musicians, C. D. Davis, Henry C. Ward; artificers, 
 F. Krager, W. Cole ; wagoner, R. Crosby. 
 
 Privates. — Orrin Allen, Arthur Allen, Ed. Anthony, Frank Anthony, Thomas 
 Anthony, Henry Anthony, J. O. Aldridge, H. L. Austin, Albert Algo, J. Armidick, 
 
 D. H. Bailey, F. Burgomaster, J. K. Brown, H. E. Brooks, J. C. Beach, Ira Baker, 
 Henry Britton, James Bush, John S. Barber, W. R. Crook, Eli Cope, J. M. Cook, 
 J. W. Chappel, Joseph Cheney, Robert Caple, P. Carlton, Robert Conroy, Edward 
 Dyer, Alvin Dyer, Ferdinand Dorf, H. E. Duell, Charles Derby, Frank Derson, M. 
 T. Bailey, N. J. Eaton, William Fenner, Daniel Fenner, Irvine Fenner, Leon Feller, 
 N. Frenberger, C. Foster, J. C. Fidinger, A. J. Frayer, J. E. Friesman, W. B. Gra- 
 ham, Jacob Gleaser, R. L. Gumaer, W. J. Gregg, John C. Gray, G. A. Haight, J. E. 
 Haight, Sam Haight, G. Z. Howard, J. B. Hescock, J. D. Henderson, S. B. Holmes, 
 James Heal, Robert Heal, Jonas Holmes, John Hix, J. W. Hildun, Charles Havens, 
 
 E. G. Havens, F. M. Harden, O. S. Holcomb, F. Johnson, D. V. Johnson, Frank 
 Jones, W. S. Joslyn, H. D. Johns, Thomas Johns, Daniel Johns, F. A. Kenyon, W. 
 P. Kidder, J. W. Kasson, B. R. Lamkins, Fred Lord, C. Lafleur, D. E. Lamphear, 
 William Lewis, James Laighbody, Charles Lilly, J. D. Mason, W. J. Moore, J. K. 
 Merrill, W. A. McMillan, N. N. Morse, Pat Murphy, H. D. Myers, J. McDaniels, J. 
 McAllister, W. H. Mattison, J Mahannah, A. T. McCracken, Byron Murdock, W. L. 
 Norton, Alfred Riker, G. W. Reynolds, John Radford, A. E. Spauldmg, Paul Ste- 
 vens, D. Sherman, Festus Stone, H. T. Sautell, Moore Smith, W. I. Skidmore, A. 
 V. Simmons, H. F. Snook, Arba Shaw, J. Spaulding, H. Suits, Daniel Suits, H. C. 
 Searls, M. Sutfin, Thomas Steele, H. C. Timby, Samuel Throop, George Thomas, 
 M. O. Tyrrel, E. Tibbitts, S. D. Tuttle, W. B. Tallman, B. K. Tallman, H. L. Van 
 Dresser, M. L. Watson, J. A. Wall, Robert Walker, W. M. Walker, John H. Wea- 
 ver, B. F. Wood, James W. Wood, Julius Wies, Jacob Wies, Thomas Warner, War- 
 ren West, J. H. Williamson, Edson Weed, E. G. Webster, J. M. Warren, Alpha 
 Warson, N. H. Winslow, A. B. Ward, W. F. Young, Peter Stevens, John Shum, 
 George Walker, J. M. Zimmerman. 
 
 Company L— Captain, Alexander Gardner; lieutenants, M. M. Cook, S. R. Staf- 
 
213 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 ford, E. R. Loomis, Edward Gillis; sergeants, Thomas J. Dean, Seth C. Hall, M. 
 Duguid, M. Van Antwerp, J. B. Arnold, N. S. Nier, John P. Thomas, E. H. Norton ; 
 corporalSi J. R. Perry, J. H. Taggart, L. A. Clark, S. J. Feagles, E. B. Randall, W. 
 H. Elwell, Marcus Wilcox, Thomas Houston, Charles Pindar, Fred. Walter, W. L. 
 Benedict, Orville Bannister; musicians, W. F. Osborne, George W. Lower; artificers, 
 George Kelley, W. F. Perkins; wagoner, W. H. Miller. 
 
 Privates. — J. D. Ames, James Agett, jr., James Avery, W. Allen, A. C. Bushman, 
 John Byzn, James Byzn, Leonard Bland, J. F. Bell, J. B. Beardsley, C. Cook, Fred 
 Cook, Joseph Cook, Joseph Cook, 2d, John Cook, Ebenezer Cook, D. Chamberlain, 
 H. A. Church, W. L. Calvert, Elias Chappell, H. T. Clark, Jerome Clark, Charles 
 Carpenter, J. B. Curtis, Thomas Cauffield, G. J. Chandler, Peter Campbell, S. B. 
 Doty, Albert De Wolf, W. H. Dayton, A. K. Damon, F. Eberhardt, Fidelo Eddy, 
 
 A. Etherefington, John Fulton, W. H. Fuller, W. L. Farr, Sylvester Farr, F. H. 
 Fordham, F. Furey, John Folk, W. H. H. Gillett, C. Gibhartt, Peter Gallagher, 
 Nich. Gossie, W. H. Gordon, G. H. Holmes, George Heath, E. P. Hoyt, Sylvester 
 Hoyt, John Houston, William Houston, E. N. Henderson, James Hunter, W. A. 
 House, E. W. Herrick, D. Y. Hallock, W. H. Howell, Elmer Howell, Dauiel Jones, 
 E. M. Kline, John Kelley, Philip Lougle, Joseph Lougle, H. J. W. Lewis, Seymour 
 Lewis, Alonzo Lewis, P. McDonnell, William McGuire, M. H. McNeil, D. McMartin, 
 
 B. F. McHenry, P. Mingus, Michael Mahan, Alfred Murdock, Dwight Mann, John 
 Monroe, Nicholas Nowe, Alonzo Nichols, F. H. Olmsted, W. D. Perkins, J. B. 
 Palmer, Lewis Payne, S. A. Pease, George Phillips, D. Russell, Robert Reid, Ash- 
 ley Randall, E. P. Ross, A. J. Reibling. T. C. Rawson, R. E. Robertson, W. W. 
 Stamp, Ed. Stamp, Ed. Sharp, William Sharp, F. A. Shipley, J. A. Sherwood, J. M. 
 Sherwood, L. K. Spafford, E. D. Shader, Delos Shattuck, James .Sifert, Almon 
 Secor, Ed. Strouch, Riley Stevens, Alexander Shaw, S. L. M. Stafford, Emory M.~ 
 Tone, J. A. Tone, John Thomas, Amos Topliff, H. W. Trobridge, A. E. Townsend, 
 A. N. Van Antwerp, William Waynian, J. W. Wilson, John Walter, H. A. Williams, 
 Harry Wilhs, Joel Willis, John Woltz, Charles Wooliver, E. A. White, F. C. Waltby, 
 E. B. Clark, C. S. Holbrook, J. H. Hoyt, John Shipley, W. H. Thompson, A. R. 
 Terry, G. W. Terry, J. E. Young. 
 
 Company L. — ^Captain, S. Dexter Ludden; lieutenants, Hiram H. Van Dake, 
 George H. Robertson, W. L. Totten; sergeants, Darwin L. Fellows, E. T. Forman, 
 W. O. Bartholomew, E. H. Ewell, Joseph Shaw, C. A. Whipple, Edward Bannister, 
 W. H. Hunn ; corporals, D. K. Austin, Allen Buell, J. A. Clark, Robert Chappie, 
 James Drain, Kirk Ewell, Harrison Ferguson, E. F. Ives, G. W. Kendall, George 
 Metzger, William Page, Edward Williams; musicians, Julius Kassler, William Kisor; 
 artificers, G. A. Barner, Loren Hedger ; wagoner, Eugene Plumley. 
 
 Privates.— W. H. Anderson, P. Anthony, N. Armstrong, J. Babcock. Charles G. 
 Ball, Samuel Barnes, William Battersby, Joseph Bloedt, M. Buck, O. S. Burgess, D. 
 W. Burleigh, George Cacner, A. E. Carpenter, C. B. Carpenter, J. S. Carpenter. E. 
 L. Carpenter, W. T. Chapman, James H. Childs, O. A. Churchill, W. H. Clancey, 
 Chauncey Clark, Lewis Clark, James Conway, James Courtney, William Craig, I. S. 
 Cross, Orrin Crocker, M. M. Cummings, H. V. Day, D. M. Dean, E. M. Doty, A. J. 
 Drake, Thomas Duffy, Harley Dunham, James Ellis, M. Filkins, James Fluker, G. 
 W. Freelove, W. M. Fuller, Robert Gibson, C. N. Goodenow, G. W. Gould, E. J. 
 Stratton, H. N. Goodenow, D. P. Goodrich, David Greening, Adam Grile, Charles 
 
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 313 
 
 Hale, S. Hamilton, John Hersch, John G. Hersch, John Hewitt, Thomas Hellman, 
 W. H. H. Holden, R. D. Holley, Edwin Hoops, C. A. Howland, Ira Howland, W. 
 R. Howland, Riley Ingalsbe, Joel B. Jewett, Jefferson Judd, W. M. Kendall, Alfred 
 Keyser, Henry Knapp, E. G. Moulton, John Kunst, Lewis Kraft, William Lewis, A. 
 W. Lingfield, Mortimer Lingfield, Charles Loomis, O. D. Lyman, L. D. Mapes, 
 Morris Marquot, W. C. McCabe, Daniel McMullen, Morris McMuUen, M. Myers, 
 Stephen Myers, Charles Mertz, Caleb Miller, James Morton, William Nixon, Dennis 
 O'Connor, H. Z. Owen, Isaac Page, F. G. Passmore, R. H. Perkins, A. D. Petrie, 
 G. W. R. Pettibone, Harris Phillips, E. P. Pierce, F. Prescott, William Radley, 
 Frank Reinhart, E. H. Rich, E. Robinson, Wesley Robinson, George Rose, E. K . ' 
 Sage, Frank Sage, I. H. S.anford, Ira Smith, Joseph Sorrell, H. R. Stevens, M. B. 
 Stevens, John Thomas, George Totterdale, D. C. Tracey, C. D. Vickery, George 
 Walker, Tooker Walker, W. H. Walker, H. I. Wallace, H. C. Warner, William 
 Welch, E. Wentworth, L. Whipple, E. G. Wurtz, Charles Youngs. 
 
 The following is a list of officers who served in the regiment, with 
 the dates of their commission, and their promotion, discharge, dismissal, 
 transfer, or death : 
 
 Colonels: 
 
 Peter A. Porter, commissioned September 10, 1863; killed in action at C old Har- 
 bor, Va., June 3, 1864. 
 
 Willard W. Bates, commissioned June 14, 1864; not mustered. 
 
 James M. Willett, commissioned July 13, 1864; discharged January 14, 1865, 
 
 Joel B. Baker, commissioned January 30, 1864; transferred to the Tenth N. Y. In- 
 fantry June 4, 1865. 
 Lieutenant Colonels : 
 
 Willard W. Bates, commissioned August 18, 1863; died June 35, 1864, of wounds 
 received in action. 
 
 James M. Willett, commissioned June 14, 1864; promoted to colonel July 13, 1865. 
 
 Lawrence Kipp, commissioned June 13. 1864 ; declined. 
 
 Joel B. Baker, commissioned January 13, 1865 ; promoted to colonel January 30, 
 1865. 
 
 Joseph W. Holmes, commissioned January 30, 1865 ; mustered out with regiment 
 June 5, 1865. 
 Majors : 
 
 James M. Willett, commissioned September 10, 1863 ; promoted to lieutenant-colo- 
 nel June 14, 1864. 
 
 Joel B. Baker, commissioned June 17, 1864; promoted to lieutenant-colonel Janu- 
 ary 13, 1865. 
 
 S. Dexter Ludden, commissioned January 17, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Edwin L. Blake, commissioned February 10, 1864 ; died June 19, 1864, of wounds 
 received in action. 
 
 Joseph W. Holmes, commissioned September 14, 1864 ; promoted to lieutenant- 
 colonel January 30, 1865. 
 
 James Low, jr., commissioned January 30, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Erastus M. Spaulding, (brevet lieutenant-colonel N. Y. Vols.), commissioned Febru- 
 ary 33, 1864 ; discharged December 10, 1864. 
 
214 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLli. 
 
 Henry M. Starr, commissioned December 33, 1864 ; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Adjutant : 
 
 Edwin L. Blake, commissioned September 10, 1863 ; promoted to major February 
 10, 1864. 
 
 Quartermasters : 
 
 George B. Wilson, commissioned September 10, 1863; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Franklin J. Fejlows, commissioned May 10, 1865 ; not mustered (see second lieu- 
 tenants). 
 
 Surgeons : 
 James M. Leet, commissioned September 10, 1863; resigned October 34, 1863. 
 Alonzo Churchill, commissioned November, 1863; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 A s sis t ant Surgeons : 
 Henry C. Hill, commissioned September 10, 1863 ; discharged December 3, 1863. 
 Charles H. Pegg, commissioned March 19, 1863; discharged November 28, 1864. 
 Julius A. Freeman, commissioned January 31, 1865; not mustered. 
 Simon G. Place, commissioned March 33, 1865 ; mustered out with regiment. 
 Richmond S. Hayes, commissioned September 10, 1863 ; resigned June 7, 1863. 
 John W. Freeman, commissioned June 34, 1863 ; discharged February 33, 1864. 
 William A. Wiser, commissioned February 23, 1864; discharged May 7, 1864. 
 Francis P. Casey, commissioned May 11, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Chaplains : 
 
 Gilbert De La Matyr, commissioned September 10, 1863 ; discharged January 9, 
 1865. 
 
 Joshua Cooke, commissioned April 6, 1863 ; transferred to Tenth N. Y. Infantry. 
 
 Captains : 
 
 Erastus M. Spaulding, commissioned September 10, 1863 ; promoted to major Feb- 
 ruary 33, 1864. 
 
 Henry M. Starr, commissioned February 23, 1864 ; promoted to major December 
 38, 1864. 
 
 Samuel K. Green, commissioned December 33, 1864 ; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Joel B. Baker, commissioned September 10, 1863 ; promoted to major June 17, 
 1864. 
 
 James Low, jr., commissioned August 23, 1864; promoted to major January 30, 
 1865. 
 
 David L. Pitcher, commissioned January 30, 1865 ; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Riley M. Tinkham, commissioned September 10, 1863; resigned July 8, 1863. 
 
 George A. Hoyt, commissioned August 17, 1863 ; died July 5, 1864, of wounds re- 
 ceived in action. 
 
 George D. Church, commissioned July 27, 1864; discharged December 3, 1864. 
 
 George H. Robertson, commissioned March 30, 1865; transferred to 10th N. Y. 
 Infantry. 
 
 James Maginnis, commissioned September 10, 1863; killed in action at Ream's 
 Station, Va., August 35, 1864. 
 
 Morris R. Blodgett, commissioned October 31, 186i; not mustered (see first lieu 
 tenants). 
 
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 215 
 
 Joseph W. Holmes, commissioned September 10, 1863; promoted to major Sep- 
 tember 14, 1864. 
 
 Roderick Baldwin, commissioned September 16, 1864; not mustered (see first lieu- 
 tenants). 
 
 Stephen R. Stafford, (brevet major U. S. V.), commissioned December 23, 1864; 
 mustered out with regiment. 
 
 William J. Hawkins, commissioned September 10, 1863; died June 24, 1864, of 
 wounds received in action. 
 
 Samuel Sully, commissioned July 16, 1864; not mustered (see first lieutenants). 
 
 Eli S. Nichols, commissioned November 30, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Elbridge T. Sherwin, commissioned September 10, 1862; died July 30, 1864, o£ 
 disease, at City Point, Va. 
 
 John R. Cooper, commissioned August 13, 1864 ; transferred to 10th N. Y. Infantry. 
 
 Stephen Connor, commissioned September 10, 1863 ; discharged October 17, 1864. 
 
 George Wiard, commissioned October 31, 1864; not mustered (see first lieutenant). 
 
 Archibald Wmne, commissioned March 35, 1865 ; not mustered (see first lieutenant). 
 
 Samuel B. Dinsmore, commissioned May 10, 1865; transferred to 10th N. Y. In- 
 fantry. 
 
 Alexander Gardner, commissioned September 10, 1862; killed in action at Cold 
 Harbor, Va., June 3, 1864. 
 
 Marshall N. Cook, commissioned June 31, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 James B. Pratt, commissioned September 10, 1863 ; discharged October 30, 1864. 
 
 Simon P. Webster, commissioned October 81, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 S. Dexter Ludden, commissioned February 33, 1864 ; promoted to major January 
 17, 1865. 
 
 Thomas Low, commissioned January 36, 1865 ; died April 35, 1865, of wounds re- 
 ceived in action. 
 
 George B. Wilson, commissioned May 10, 1865 ; not mustered (see first lieutenants). 
 
 Hazard A. Sheldon, commissioned March 15, 1864; discharged October 28, 1864. 
 
 Orrin C. Parker, commissioned November 30, 1864 ; mustered out with regiment. 
 First Lieutenants : 
 
 Henry M. Starr, commissioned September 10, 1862 ; promoted to captain February 
 33, 1864. 
 
 Judson Thomas, commissioned March 15, 1864; discharged September 33, 1864. 
 
 DeWitt C. Wickham, commissioned November 30, 1864; mustered out with regi- 
 ment. 
 
 Edwin L. Blake, commissioned September 10, 1863; appointed adjutant September 
 10, 1863. 
 
 Samuel K. Green, commissioned February 10, 1864 ; promoted to captain December 
 33, 1864. 
 
 Thomas Mayberry, commissioned December 33, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 James Low, jr., commissioned September 10, 1862; promoted fo captain August 
 23, 1864. 
 
 David L. Pitcher, commissioned August 23, 1864; promoted to captain ' January 
 80, 1865. 
 
 Henry A. Botsford, commissioned March 13, 1865 ; transferred to Tenth N. Y. In- 
 fantry. 
 
216 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Eli S. Nichols, commissioned February 10, 1864; promoted to captain November 
 30, 1864. 
 
 Romeo G. Burnes, commissioned November 30, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 George A. Hoyt, commissioned September 10, 1863 ; prornoted to captain August 
 17, 1863. 
 
 Charles H. West, jr., commissioned August 17, 1863; killed in action at Ream's 
 Station, Va., August 25, 1864. 
 
 William B. Gardner, commissioned September 10, 1862 ; resigned March 14, 1864. 
 
 George W. Webster, commissioned March 30, 1864; dismissed December 12, 1864. 
 
 William M. Sloan, commissioned December 30, 1864; not mustered. 
 
 Morris R. Blodgett, commissioned February 10, 1864 ; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 John E. Owens, commissioned October 31, 1864; dismissed December 12, 1864. 
 
 Michael Metzger, commissioned March 18, 1865; transferred to Tenth N. Y. In- 
 fantry. 
 
 Roderick Baldwin, commissioned September 10, 1862; discharged December 
 5, 1864. 
 
 Joseph Willett, commissioned August 23, 1864; not mustered (see second lieuten- 
 ants). 
 
 Henry R. Swan, commissioned February 10, 1864; died June 14, 1864, of disease, 
 at Cold Harbor, Va. 
 
 Frank H. Boyd, commissioned July 16, 1864; dismissed October 10, 1864. 
 
 Charles H. Kugel, commissioned October 31, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Samuel Sully, commissioned September 10, 1862 ; discharged November 5, 1864. 
 
 Lewis C. Hosmer, commissioned October 31, 1864; not mustered (see second lieu- 
 tenants). 
 
 William H. Wescott, commissioned March 13, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 George W. Rector, commissioned February 10, 1864; died October 29, 1864, of 
 wounds received in action at Hatcher's Run, Va. 
 
 William Leggett, commissioned November 30, 1864 ; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 John R. Cooper, commissioned September 10, 1862; promoted to captain August 
 13, 1864. 
 
 John Nichols, commissioned August 13, 1864; not mustered (see second lieuten- 
 ants). 
 
 John D. SafEord, jr., commissioned October 31, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Owen C. Parker, commissioned February 10, 1864 ; promoted to captain November 
 30, 1864. 
 
 James W. Young (brevpt captain U. S. A.), commissioned November 30, 1864; 
 mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Martin W. Roberts, commissioned September 10, 1862; discharged December 
 3, 1862. 
 
 George Wiard, commissioned December 17, 1863 ; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Joseph Clapsaddle, commissioned March 13, 1865; transferred to Tenth N. Y. In- 
 fantry. 
 
 Joseph H. Robson, commissioned February 10, 1864; discharged October 28, 1864, 
 on account of wounds received at Cold Harbor. 
 
 E. H. Taylor, commissioned March 13, 1865 ; transferred to Tenth N. Y. Infantry. 
 Marshall N. Cook, commissioned September 10, -1863; promoted to captain June 
 21, 1864. 
 
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 317 
 
 Edwin R. Loomis, commissioned June 31, 1864; not mustered (see second lieu- 
 tenants). 
 
 Stephen R. Stafford, commissioned February 10, 1864; promoted to captain De- 
 cember 22, 1864. 
 
 Seth C. Hall, commissioned December 23, 1864 ; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 George D. Church, commissioned September 10, 1863 ; promoted to captain July 
 37, 1864. 
 
 Archibald Wmne, commissioned September 16, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Le Roy Williams, commissioned March 30, 1865; transferred to the Tenth New 
 York Infantry. 
 
 Simon P. Webster, commissioned February 10, 1864; promoted to captain October 
 31, 1864. 
 
 Ellis P. Wolcott, commissioned October 81, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 George H. Robertson, commissioned February 23, 1864; promoted to captain Octo- 
 ber 81, 1864. 
 
 William H. Raymond, commissioned March 30, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Hiram H. Van Dake, commissioned February 23, 1864; discharged September 6, 
 1864; recommissioned. 
 
 Darwin L. Fellows, commissioned October 31, 1864; not mustered; killed in action. 
 
 Henry H. Van Dake, commissioned December 8, 1864; not mustered. 
 
 Erwin H. Ewell, commissioned January 38, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Frederick R. Derrick, commissioned March 15, 1864; discharged October 37, 1864. 
 
 Walter J. Collins, commissioned November 30, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Adelbert G. Clapp, commissioned March 15, 1864; died November 31, 1864, of 
 wounds received in action. 
 
 William H. Crowley, commissioned January 19, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 George B. Wilson, not commissioned, but name on the records of the War De- 
 partment; mustered out with regiment. 
 Second Lieutenants: 
 
 Charles H. West jr., commissioned September 10, 1863; promoted to first lieuten- 
 ant August 17, 1863. 
 
 George N. Webster, commissioned August 17, 1863 ; promoted to first lieutenant 
 March 30, 1864. 
 
 Robert Glass, commissioned March 80, 1864; died July 15, 1864, of wounds re- 
 ceived in action. 
 
 Joseph Clapsaddle, commissioned October 31, 1864; promoted to first lieutenant 
 March 18, 1865. 
 
 Edgar B. Lewis, commissioned March 13, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Judson Thomas, commissioned January 18, 1864; promoted to first lieutenant 
 March 15, 1864. 
 
 Samuel B. Dinsmore, commissioned March 15, 1864 ; promoted to captain May 10, 
 1865. 
 
 A. J. Budlong, commissioned May 13, 1865; not mustered. 
 
 Eh S. Nichols, commissioned September 10, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant 
 February 10, 1865. 
 
 Fayette S. Brown, commissioned February 17, 1864; killed in action at Cold Har- 
 bor, Va., June 8, 1864. 
 
218 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Romeo G. Burnes, commissioned January 31, 1864; promoted to first lieutenant 
 ■November 30, 1864. 
 
 Franklin J. Fellows, commissioned December 7, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Daniel L Pitcher, commissioned February 17, 1864 ; promoted to first lieutenant 
 August 23, 1864. 
 
 William H. Crowley, commissioned August 22, 1864 ; promoted to first lieutenant 
 January 19, 1865. 
 
 Eugene C. Fuller, commissioned January 16, 1865 ; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Nathan J. Cornell, commissioned September 10, 1862 ; resigned November 6, 1862. 
 
 William D. Lord, commissioned November 24, 1862 ; resigned June 27, 1863. 
 
 Samuel K. Green, commissioned August 16, 1863; promoted to first lieutenant 
 February 10, 1864. 
 
 John Safford, jr., commissioned August 22, 1864; promoted to first lieutenant Oc- 
 tober 31, 1864. 
 
 James Young, commissioned October 31, 1864; promoted to first lieutenant No- 
 vember 30, 1864. 
 
 Le Roy Williams, commissioned November 30, 1864; promoted to first lieutenant 
 March 30, 1865. 
 
 Eugene K. Sage, commissioned March 30, 1865 ; transferred to Tenth N. Y. In- 
 fantry. 
 
 Walter Collins, commissioned February 24, 1864; promoted to first lieutenant No- 
 vember 30, 1864. 
 
 Owen C. Hibbard, commissioned November 30, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Morris R. Blodgett, commissioned September 10, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant 
 February 10, 1864. 
 
 John E. Owens, commissioned February 17, 1864; dismissed December 12, 1864. 
 
 William A. George, commissioned October 31, 1864; transferred to Tenth N. Y. 
 Infantry. 
 
 Arthur L. Chase, commissioned February 13, 1864; killed in action at Cold Har- 
 bor, Va., June 3, 1864. 
 
 Charles B. Lacker, commissioned July 18, 1864; not mustered; discharged as en- 
 listed man. 
 
 William Grant, commissioned November 30, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Henry R. Swan, commissioned September 10, 1862 ; promoted to first lieutenant 
 February 10, 1864, 
 
 Francis H. Boyd, commissioned February 17, 1864 ; promoted to first lieutenant 
 July 16, 1864. 
 
 Charles H. Kugel, commissioned July 16, 1864; promoted to first lieutenant Oc- 
 tober 31, 1864. 
 
 Edward Taylor, commissioned November 30, 1864 ; promoted to first lieutenant 
 March 13, 1865. 
 
 Charles T. Behan, commissioned May 13, 1865; transferred to Tenth N. Y. In- 
 fantry. 
 
 Ellis P. Wolcott, commissioned March 21, 1864; promoted to first lieutenant Oc- 
 tober 31, 1864. 
 
 William Wescott, commissioned October 31, 1864; promoted to first lieutenant 
 March 13, 1865. 
 
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 319 
 
 Reed Pierce, commissioned March 13, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 George W. Rector, jr., commissioned September 10, 1862; promoted to first lieu- 
 tenant February 10, 1864. 
 
 Lewis C. Hosmer, commissioned February 17, 1864 ; discharged December 9, 1864. 
 
 Charles Moore, commissioned January 19, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Archibald Winne, commissioned March 23, 1864; promoted to first lieutenant Sep- 
 tember 16, 1864. 
 
 William M. Sloan, commissioned September 16, 1864; promoted to first lieutenant 
 December 30, 1864. 
 
 Samuel W. Waldo, commissioned March 13, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Orrin C. Parker, commissioned September 10, 1862 ; promoted to first lieutenant 
 February 10, 1864. 
 
 John Nichols, commissioned February 17, 1864; discharged September 32, 1864. 
 
 Melvin M. Kendall, commissioned August 13, 1864; not mustered. 
 
 Walter P. Wright, commissioned February 17, 1864 ; killed in action before Peters- 
 burg, Va., June 16, 1864. 
 
 Thomas Mayberry, commissioned February 23, 1864 ; promoted to first lieutenant 
 December 23, 1864. 
 
 Samuel B. Butler, commissioned December 29, 1864 ; not mustered. 
 
 John G. Lacey, commissioned March 30, 1865 ; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 George Wiard, commissioned September 10, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant De- 
 cember 17, 1862. 
 
 Joseph H. Robson, commissioned December 17, 1862 ; promoted to first lieutenant 
 February 10, 1864. 
 
 William H. Raymond, commissioned February 17, 1864; promoted to first lieu- 
 tenant March 30, 1865. 
 
 William H. H. Bickford, commissioned July 16, 1864; died March 9, 1865, of dis- 
 ease, at Camp Parole, Annapolis, Md. 
 
 Myron H. Hale, commissioned March 30, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Joseph W. Caldwell, commissioned March 3, 1864; killed in action at Cold Harbor, 
 Va., June 3, 1864. 
 
 De Witt C. Wickham, commissioned June 31, 1864; promoted to first lieutenant 
 November 30, 1864. 
 
 Henry A. Botsford, commissioned November 30, 1864 ; promoted to first lieutenant 
 March 13, 1865. 
 
 Myron Sherwood, commissioned March 3. 1865; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Stephen R. Stafford, commissioned September 10, 1863; promoted to first lieu- 
 tenant February 10, 1864. 
 
 Edwin R. Loomis, commissioned February 17, 1864 ; discharged April 12, 1865. 
 
 Joseph Dean, commissioned June 31, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Edgar Gillis, commissioned February 17, 1864; discharged October 17, 1864. 
 
 Manfred Duguid, commissioned October 31, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Simon P. Webster, commissioaed September 10, 186'i; promoted to first lieuten- 
 ant February 10, 1864. 
 
 Thomas Westcott, commissioned February 17, 1864 ; discharged October 4, 1864. 
 
 Erwin H. Ewell commissioned January 19, 1865 ; promoted to first lieutenant Jan- 
 uary 28, 1865. 
 
220 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Edward T. Forman, commissioned February 10, 1865 ; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Wallace B. Hard, commissioned February 17, 1864; killed in action at Cold Har- 
 bor, Va., June 3, 1864. 
 
 Ashley P. Hawkins, commissioned June 21, 1864 ; discharged January 25, 1865. 
 
 James M. Cook, commissioned March 13, 1865 ; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 William L. Totten, commissioned February 13, 1864; discharged January 14, 1865. 
 
 James M. Waite, commissioned February 13, 1865 ; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Joseph M. Willett, commissioned February 23, 1864; died February 17, 1865, at 
 Danville, Va. 
 
 William O. Bartholomew, commissioned August 23, 1864; mustered out with regi- 
 ment. 
 
 Oliver M. Campbell, commissioned March 15, 1864 ; killed in action at Cold Har- 
 bor, Va., June 3, 1864. 
 
 Michael Metzger, commissioned January 19, 1865; promoted to first lieutenant 
 March 13, 1865. 
 
 Hosmer G. Curtiss, commissioned March 13, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 George W. Gladden, commissioned March 15, 1864; killed in action at Cold Har- 
 bor, Va., June 3, 1864. 
 
 William H. Stearns, commissioned June 31, 1854; discharged January 30, 1865. 
 
 Augustus Riebling, commissioned March 30, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 Samuel Wilson, commissioned March 30, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 
 
 In February, 1864, this regiment was recruited to the maximum 
 number, eighteen hundred and thirty-nine. The records of the de- 
 partment disclose the fact that the loss sustained at the battle of Cold 
 Harbor was larger than that sustained by any other regiment in any 
 battle of the war, with the single exception of a Maine artillery regiment. 
 This interesting fact was published in one of the Century Magazine war 
 articles. The "Eighth Heavy" contained far more Genesee county 
 men than were enlisted in any other regiment, and its record is one of 
 bravery and unflinching fidelity to duty. 
 
 The following from Genesee county were members of the Fifteenth 
 N. Y. Cavalry Regiment: 
 
 Company E. — Quartermaster-sergeant, Noah B. Lincoln ; sergeants, Thomas 
 Gormley, William Hawkins; corporals, Franklin H. Wells, William Lake, John 
 James, Thomas H. Scott, George W. Sherwood; saddler, William Cooper; privates, 
 William Houghton, Franklin Busbee, Charles H. Butler, Melvin C. Dodge, Charles 
 DufEner, Civilian Halbert, John Hayes, William Heal, Alonzo Heath, George Lear- 
 man, Richmond Lilley, John Metzler, John P. Michels, Peter Michlian, Richard 
 Oothoudt, Max Pagefall, Sylvester Primmer, Peter Sabel, William Smith, Frank 
 Whitney. 
 
 The Fifteenth Regiment was organized at Syracuse to serve three 
 years. The companies of which it was composed were raised in the 
 counties of Genesee, Onondaga, Erie, Ontario, Orange, Oneida, Chau- 
 
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 321 
 
 tauqua, Cattaraugus and Tompkins. It was mustered into the service 
 of the United States from August 8, 1863, to January 14, 1864. It 
 was consolidated with the Sixth New York Cavalry, June 17, 1865, 
 the consolidated force being designated the Second New York Pro- 
 visional Cavalry, which was mustered out of service August 9, 1865. 
 The latter organization was in command of Colonel Charles L. Fitz- 
 hugh and Lieutenant-Colonel Harrison White. 
 
 Following is a list of the officers from Genesee county who served 
 with the Fifteenth Cavalry, with the dates of their commissions, and 
 their promotion, discharge, dismissal, transfer or death. The list is 
 as nearly complete as can be gleaned from the existing records: 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel. — Augustus I. Root, commissioned November 30, 1863; killed 
 in action April 8, 1865.' 
 
 Major. — George M. EUicott, commissioned June 17, 1865; not mustered as major. 
 
 Adjutant. — Sidney Tuttle, commissioned November 30, 1863; resigned May 33, 
 1864. 
 
 Captain. — George M. Ellicott, commissioned November 30, 1863; discharged at 
 consolidation. 
 
 First Lieutenants. — Ralph D. Short, commissioned November 20, 1863; died Jan- 
 uary 20, 1865. Edson Griffis, commissioned January 6, 1864; resigned January 7, 
 1865. Heman H. Griswold, commissioned August 26, 1864; not mustered; declined. 
 
 The Twenty-second New York Independent Battery was organized 
 in Genesee county by Captain John D. Newman of Niagara county and 
 mustered into the service of the State of New York at Lockport Sep- 
 tember 4, 1862. October '28 following it was mustered into the service 
 of the United States at Elmira by Major A. T. Lee, and soon after- 
 ward all but seven members of the command were transferred to the 
 Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, commanded by Colonel Joseph Well- 
 ing and William H. Seward, jr. The officers and men when mustered 
 into the United States services were : 
 
 Captain, John D. Newman; senior first lieutenant, Melancthon D. Brown, of Alex 
 ander ; junior first lieutenant, D. D. W. Pringle, of Batavia ; senior second lieuten- 
 ant, Robert C. Worthington, of Bethany ; junior second lieutenant, Edwin F. Clark 
 sergeants, James M. Waite, Francis N. Parrish, Asahel M. Abby, Daniel E. Waite 
 William I. Parrish, William E. Wright, John Oldswager and Josiah T. Crittenden 
 corporals, Hugh T. Peters, Edward F. Moulton, William H. Maltby, Thomas Walsh 
 Eugene B. Wing, Robert Fowles, Henry Nulty, Orville Thompson, John Connor 
 John D. Bartlett, George Brown and James G. Hatch; musicians, Charles Foster 
 and Edson H. Pond; artificers, Levi T. Garrett, Henry Wood; guidon, William M. 
 Moulton; stable sergeant, Edwin Lock; company clerk, George Avery; privates, 
 Hezekiah Brown, William T. Barrett, E. J. Benton, John Bower, Seymour S. Brown, 
 Thomas C. Barnard, C. W. Brown, Charles W. Bradley, Truman Bailey, jr., Miles 
 
322 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 T. Brown, Isaac Bruett, Charles J. Cleveland, George T. Chase, Rowland Champion, 
 John Carmel, John Cox, Alva N. Colt, James W. Case, Michael Carney, James Car- 
 ney, Thomas Cook, Henry Connelly, Benjamin Cox, Zina W. Carter, Oran H. 
 Conant, William B. Cole, Jerome Canfield, Dioclesian Covey, William H. Chappie, 
 George D. Dodson, James Dunn, Earl A. Dodson, Sylvester Deraary, Dennis Dibble, 
 George Edwards, William R. Eddy, Elias Eastwood, James Emory, Orson J. Forbes, 
 Robert Finley, Charles Fairfield, William Faber, Harmon Fitch, Ansel Ford, John 
 E. Field, John Griffis, George Gann, Cyrus A. Gowing, Charles R. GrifEn, Paul 
 Glor, Amos Humphrey, John Harmon, Ira E. Haight, Edward J. Hollenbeck, Archie 
 Hollenbeck, John Hassett, David Hill, Henry Johnson, John L. Kingdon, Albert 
 Knapp, Patrick Keating, Stephen R. King, James Kidder, Silas Knapp, John Kell- 
 ner, Libbeus King, Henry L. Kreatzer, George B. Lawrence, Henry Lapp, Samuel 
 Lathrop, Benjamin Lewis, Henry Leverington, James M. Lapp, Elias Lyons, 
 Charles Loplow, Thomas McManis, Marion F. Meredith, Jacob Moore, Elias Martin, 
 David Milles, Albert H. Moulton, Archie McMillen, John Munt, Alexander Mc- 
 Donald, Angus Mcintosh, Lucius A. Munger, Joseph Marsh, Moses Nichols, Michael 
 O'Donnell, Robert Plant, Thomas W. Paden, James Porter, John J. Peard, Norman 
 M. Putnam, George Rogers, Frederick Reichert, Mortimer Rich, Alonzo Rich, 
 Ambrose Rich, Nathan E. Rumsey, Charles E. Smead, Henry Shafer, Gilbert 
 Shader, David S. Spring, Edwin Shadbolt, John D. Shiller, Edsil Shaw, Charles A. 
 Smith, Wallace M. Smith, Edward B. Smith, Stephen Thompson, Frederick Tanger, 
 Homer L. Tisdale, Stephen Taylor, Henry Vishon. Charles Van Kuren, Frederick 
 Vickens, Gilbert Wade, Jonah C. Wicker, John J. Warren, Edwin Ward, John 
 Worthington, Warren West, Stephen T. Wing, William Welch, John W. Williams, 
 Walter S. Wright and Christian Zwetsch. 
 
 The original company numbered one hundred and sixty-eight, seven 
 of whom were transferred to the Billinghurst Battery. By reason of 
 his mismanagement, Captain Newman was discharged April 18, 1863. 
 Lieutenant Brown was discharged April 16, 1863, and Lieutenant 
 Pringle October 28, 1864. Lieutenant Worthington resigned January 
 29, 1863. Lieutenant Clark was discharged September 4, 1862, never 
 having reported for duty. The company served with the Ninth New 
 York Heavy Artillery, as Company M, until June 25, 1865, when it was 
 consolidated with the Second New York Artillery. After the discharge 
 of Captain Newman the company was commanded by Captain Anson S. 
 Wood, until the latter was promoted to major, when Captain William 
 L Parrish assumed command. Captain Parrish entered the company 
 as a sergeant, and was promoted from one rank to another until April 
 4, 1864, when he received a commission as a captain. He remained in 
 command of Company M until it was discharged from the service Sep- 
 tember 29, 1865. He was also brevet major of New York Volunteers. 
 
 This company fought in the following engagements: Cold Harbor, 
 Petersburg, Monocacy, Charlestown, Second Winchester, Cedar Creek, 
 
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 323 
 
 Second Petersburg, Sailor's Creek and Lee's surrender. During these 
 battles the regiment was attached to the Second Brigade, Third Divis- 
 ion and Sixth Army Corps. After the battle of Petersburg, June 22, 
 1864, the command was the color company of the regiment, remaining 
 in this post of honor until the close of the war. At the battle of Cedar 
 Creek Lieutenant John Oldswager was killed by a shell. He was a 
 resident of the town of Alexander, and was the only officer in the com- 
 pany killed during the war. The number of men in the company who 
 were killed was small, compared with the losses sustained by other 
 companies; but the loss in wounded and prisoners was as large as that 
 sustained by any other company in the regiment. Of the one hundred 
 and sixty-eight men who left for the front but sixty-five were left in 
 the command to be discharged at the close of the war. 
 
 The Twenty-fifth Independent Battery of Light Artillery was re- 
 cruited in the counties of Genesee, Orleans and Niagara. It was mus- 
 tered in at Lockport in September, 1862, went to New York the follow- 
 ing December, and joined the forces of General Banks. The company 
 sailed thence to Fortress Monroe, and from there to Ship Island, but 
 was wrecked on the coast of Florida, The men were picked up by a 
 Union gunboat and landed at Key West, and in January, 1863, sailed 
 to New Orleans. The company participated in the siege of Port Hud- 
 son, the battle of Lafourche, and in the Red River campaign. In the 
 spring of 1865 they went on the expedition to Mobile, and August 5 
 of that year were mustered out at Rochester. The Genesee county 
 members of the battery were as follows: 
 
 Second Lieutenant, Irving D. Southworth ; sergeant,' Edgar A. Fisher, corporals, 
 Aaron Hartwell, Henry C, Denton, John Kersch; privates, Rodney Alexander, Jo- 
 seph Brill, Peter Busser, Lewis Beck, Albert Cook, John Clark, Peter Clench, James 
 Darkin, Wallace W. Fisk, William R. Fisher, Harvey M. Graves, Addison Gates, 
 Fred Hartwick, William J. Hemstreet, Charles Hartley, Charles A. Kendall, Peter 
 Linn, Nathan Leonard, Arthur Little, James McMullen, Frank D. Murdock, Jacob 
 Miller, Francis McCann, John Madagan, William Moss, Paul Notham, John Oberton, 
 William J. Pike, Cunningham Primrose, Valentine Ricker, E. Fitch Rapp, John J. 
 Snyder, William Sheldt. Patrick Sage, William Squires, Peter Tarnisch, William 
 Willgin, Field B. Wright, William Walton, Henry Wall, John Wright, William 
 Young. 
 
 The officers of the Twenty-fifth Battery and their records were as 
 follows : 
 
 Captains: 
 John A. Grow, commissioned November 29, 1862 ; discharged August 19, 1864. 
 
224 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Irving D. Southworth, commissioned December 7, 1864 ; mustered out with battery. 
 First Lieutenants: 
 
 William H. Perry, commissioned November 29, 1862; resigned May 11, 1863. 
 
 Irving D. Southworth, commissioned December 19, 1863; promoted to captain 
 December 7, 1864. 
 
 John C. Flanders, commissioned February 14, 1865 ; mustered out with battery. 
 
 Albert Cook, commissioned February 14, 1865 ; mustered out with battery. 
 Second Lieutenants ; 
 
 Irving D. Southworth, commissioned November 39, 1862 ; promoted to first lieu- 
 tenant December 19, 1868. 
 
 John C. Flanders, commissioned December 29, 1863 ; promoted to first lieutenant 
 February 14, 1865. 
 
 James F. Emery, commissioned February 14, 1865; mustered out With battery. 
 
 David F. Burgess, commissioned December d, 1862; discharged December 19, 1862. 
 
 David H. Parks, commissioned February 14, 1865 ; mustered out Vifith battery. 
 
 The Forty-ninth Regiment, N. Y. Vol. Infantry, was organized at 
 Albany to serve three years. The companies of which it was composed 
 were raised in the counties of Genesee, Erie, Niagara and Chautauqua. 
 It was mustered into the service of the United States from August 32 
 to September 30, 1861. The original members, excepting veterans, 
 were mustered out on the expiration of term of service, and the regi- 
 ment, composed of re-enlisted men and recruits, was retained in ser- 
 vice until June 27, 18G5, when they were mustered out. The Forty- 
 ninth Regiment participated in the following battles: Drainesville, 
 Yorktown, Williamsburg, Golding's Farm, Savage Station, White Oak 
 Swamp, Malvern Hill, Crampton's Gap, Antietam, Fredericksburg, 
 Marye's Heights, Salem Heights, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, 
 Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Fort Stevens, 
 Opequan, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. 
 
 The members of this regiment from Genesee county were Peter 
 Thomas, Ferdinand Thomas, French W. Fisher, Joseph Mark, Ser- 
 geant Hare, Charles Hayden and Sergeant Slingerland. Of these, 
 French W. Fisher rose from the ranks to second lieutenant; was pro- 
 moted to first lieutenant September 30, 1864; was promoted to captain 
 and commissioned May 17, 1865, but was not mustered as captain. He 
 was afterward brevetted captain of United States Volunteers. 
 
 In addition to the organizations mentioned, Genesee county contrib- 
 uted men to the One Hundred and Fourth Regiment of Infantry. 
 Unfortunately it is impossible at this late day to ascertain the names 
 of those from this county who served in this command. The records 
 in the ofifice of the adjutant-general refer to this organization as fol- 
 lows: 
 
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 335 
 
 "The One Hundred and Fourth Regiment, N. Y. Vol. Infantry, was 
 organized at Albany to serve three years. The companies of which it 
 was composed were raised in the counties of Genesee, Albany, Rensse- 
 laer, Livingston, Monroe and Steuben. The regiment was mustered 
 into the service of the United States from October, 1861, to March 
 1862. Upon the expiration of its term of service the original members 
 excepting veterans, were mustered out, and the organization, com 
 posed of veterans and recruits, was retained in service until July 17 
 1865, when it was mustered out. The One Hundred and Fourth Reg 
 iment fought in the following battles: Cedar Mountain, Second Bull 
 Run, South Mountain, Mine Run, Wilderness, Fredericksburg, Antie 
 tam, Chantilly, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, North Anna, Spottsyl 
 vania, Bethesda Church, Weldon Railroad and Petersburg." The reg 
 iment was commanded by the following colonels, in the order given 
 John Rorbach, commissioned May 17, 1863; discharged October 31 
 1862. Lewis C. Skinner, commissioned November 34, 1862; not mus 
 tered as colonel. Gilbert G. Prey, commissioned December 3, 1863 
 discharged March 3, 1865. John R. Strang, commissioned March 17, 
 1865 ; not mustered as colonel. 
 
 Among the other organizations which this county helped to fill were 
 the following: Fifteenth Infantry, Twenty-sixth Infantry, One Hun- 
 dred and Fortieth Infantry, Fourteenth Artillery, Nineteenth Battery, 
 Second Mounted Rifles, Forty-ninth Infantry, One Hundred and Thir- 
 tieth Infantry, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Infantry, Ninth Artil- 
 lery, First Dragoons, Sixth Michigan Cavalry, Forty- fourth Infantry, 
 Ninety-sixth Infantry, One Hundred and First Infantry, One Hundred 
 and Thirty-ninth Infantry, One Hundred and Fifty-first Infantry, One 
 Hundred and Sixtieth Infantry, Ninth Artillery, Thirty-Ninth Artil- 
 lery, Thirty- first Connecticut Infantry, Twelfth Indiana Infantry, 
 Twenty-fourth Wisconsin Infantry, Seventeenth U. S. Infantry, Six- 
 teenth Infantry, One Hundred and Forty-Sixth Infantry, Third Cav- 
 alry, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Sixth U. S. Cavalry, Twentieth 
 U. S. Colored Infantry, Seventh Ohio Infantry, Thirty-third Infantry, 
 Ninety-fourth Infantry, One Hundred and Seventh Infantry, One 
 Hundred and Eighty-eighth Infantry, Eighteenth U. S. Infantry, 
 Sixty- fourth Illinois Infantry. 
 
 One of the most distinguished soldiers who served during the Civil 
 war was Gen. Emory Upton, a native of the town of Batavia.' At the 
 
 ' A sketch of the life and services of General Upton wiU be found elsewhere in this work. 
 15 
 
226 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 battle of Winchester he commanded the Second Brigade of the First 
 Division of the Sixth Army Corps. During the early part of the day 
 there had been heavy skirmishing, and an advance was anticipated by 
 the troops. Our soldiers were discouraged and disheartened, for they 
 had been beaten repeatedly. Earthworks had been erected, behind 
 which the Union soldiers lay in comparative security. 
 
 Orders were given for a general attack on the rebel line. Realizing 
 the condition and feeling of the men, General Upton mounted his horse 
 and, accompanied by his full staff, rode along the line. At every con- 
 venient point he stopped, dismounted, mingled freely with the men, 
 and conversed with them in cheering tones, counseling economy in the 
 use of ammunition, a liberal use of the bayonet, and a short, sharp and 
 decisive fight when the bugle should sound the command to advance. 
 His influence was magnetic. The stimulus he inspired among them 
 was marked, and there was not a member of the command who did not 
 feel better for the kindly admonition. 
 
 The charge which followed was stoutly resisted by the rebels. Every 
 inch of the ground was stubbornly disputed for hours. Soon General 
 Upton succeeded to the command of the division. He had been 
 wounded in both legs by rebel bullets ; but no sooner was he apprised 
 of the condition of things than he directed the detailing of eight men 
 from the ambulance corps and the procurement of a stretcher. On this 
 he was at once carried to the front, and during the remainder of the 
 engagement he was constantly at the line of battle directing the move- 
 ment of the troops in person, with perfect calmness, though in the midst 
 of a furious storm of shot and shell. He was then a young, graceful, 
 dashing, handsome man, brave, quick in action, and greatly beloved 
 by his troops. As he raised himself slightly on his elbow and darted 
 his restless eyes over the scene of battle, giving his orders in quick, im- 
 petuous tones, he seemed to the soldiers like some chained lion, fretting 
 and chafing because he could not dash into the midst of the conflict. 
 History records the success of the Union troops in this engagement, 
 but few of the published histories of the day note the fact that to Gen- 
 eral Upton was due that notable success of the Union arms. All day, 
 until the eagle of victory perched upon the Stars and Stripes, he re- 
 mained upon the field, his presence fortifying the troops, and his ring- 
 ing voice, heard above the din of battle, lending additional enthusiasm 
 to their efforts. 
 
 An endeavor has been made to give, in this chapter, as complete as 
 
FROM 1865 TO 1898. 327 
 
 possible a list of the inhabitants of Genesee county who fought in the 
 war of the Rebellion. It is a fact deeply to be regretted that the rec- 
 ords in the office of the adjutant-general of the State of New York do 
 not give the places of residence of those mustered into the service of 
 the country for this war. In 1865 a law was passed directing the town 
 authorities throughout every State in the Union to make a complete 
 record of the soldiers sent from each town. The law was generally 
 ignored throughout New York State, and the record made in Genesee 
 county is very incomplete and unsatisfactory. In all probability an 
 authentic and complete list of Genesee county soldiers can never be 
 compiled. This chapter is founded upon the official reports as found 
 in the office of the adjutant-general at Albany and in the office of the 
 clerk of Genesee county. It is authentic, though not as nearly com- 
 plete as would have been possible had the various town officers hold- 
 ing office in 1865 and 1866 acted in accordance with the law of 1865 
 referred to. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 From the Close of the Civil War to the Present Time — Establishment of the Mod- 
 ern Manufacturing Industries of the County — Banks and Banking Since the War — 
 Le Roy and Its Numerous Manufactures — Mills and Milling — The Malting Industry 
 —The Salt Wells of Le Roy and Pavilion and Their Development— The Great Marl 
 Bed in Bergen— Disastrous Fires in Bergen, Oakfield and Le Roy— Organization of 
 the Genesee County Pioneer Association — Building of the Buffalo, Rochester and 
 Pittsburg Railway— Bergen Again Laid Waste by Fire— The West Shore Railroad 
 —The Lehigh Valley Railroad— Fatal Railroad Accidents— Remains of a Mastodon 
 Unearthed Near Batavia— Genesee County's Participation in the War With Spain- 
 Fatal Accident on the New York Central Railroad Near Corf u— Churches Established 
 in Genesee County During This Period. 
 
 The condition of the inhabitants of Genesee county at the conclusion 
 of the war of the Rebellion was wretched in the extreme. Business of 
 most kinds was either at a standstill, or had been annihilated. The 
 few industries of the county which had been spared were struggling 
 feebly to continue their existence. Others apparently were dead past 
 all hopes of resurrection. Money was scarce, provisions were costly, 
 credit in most cases was ruined or greatly impaired. Every man 
 
238 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 looked at his fellows with a doubtful eye. During the war period little 
 of importance transpired to add to the story of military operations. 
 Aside from the establishment of a few minor concerns, which con- 
 tributed but slightly to the general welfare and prosperity of the com- 
 munity, the induscrial development of the county was practically at a 
 standstill. 
 
 It was not until ten years after the restoration of peace that the 
 establishment of the great modern industries of Genesee county began, 
 though a few steps in the' march of progress along these lines were 
 taken before that period. Among the latter was the venture of N. B. 
 Keeney of Le Roy, who in 1864 established an extensive produce busi- 
 ness in that village. He first purchased of I. B. Phelps a building on 
 Lake street, near the railroad. This warehouse being destroyed by 
 fire in 1874, the year after he rebuilt on a more extensive scale. So 
 great was the increase in the business that in 1888 the firm— now N. B. 
 Keeney & Son — built a six-story iron clad building west of the original 
 one, equipped with all the modern appliances for conducting their 
 business. This industry soon became one of the most important in Le 
 Roy, giving employment to a large number of persons. 
 
 In 1865 C. F. Prentice bought the mill property built at Le Roy by 
 Jacob Le Roy in 1822 and established his present extensive business. 
 In 1896 Mr. Prentice organized the Le Roy Power & Milling Company, 
 with himself as president and D. C. Howard Prentice as secretary and 
 treasurer, continuing the business which had been operated by the 
 former since 1865. The concern now has a daily capacity of one hun- 
 dred and seventy-five barrels of flour, besides large quantities of feed, 
 meal, buckwheat, etc. Mr. Prentice is also president of the Hydraulic 
 Electric Company of Le Roy, organized in 1896, and with his son, D. 
 C. H. Prentice, owns the entire plant of the company. 
 
 In 1866 Schuyler C. Wells came to Le Roy and entered into partner- 
 ship with his brother-in-law, L. S. Hooker, as Hooker & Wells, in the 
 drug business. Three years later this partnership was dissolved, and 
 in 1871 Mr. Wells began the manufacture of Shiloh's family remedies. 
 In 1877 he erected the four-story brick building on Church street for 
 the accommodation of his wonderfully increasing business, to which an 
 addition was built in 1883. In the latter year he sold a half interest in 
 the business to his brother, George H. Wells, the firm becoming S. C. 
 Wells & Co. The latter retired in 1893, and in 1897 a stock company 
 was organized for carrying on the business. The enterprise is one of 
 the best known of its kind in the country. 
 
FROM 1865 TO 1898. -229 
 
 The banking house of Francis C. Lathrop of Le Roy was established 
 in 1867, and conducted by him until August 9, 1893, when the financial 
 depression which afflicted the country compelled him to make an as- 
 signment. The business has never been re-established. 
 
 The first concern of its kind to be established in Genesee county was 
 the Byron cheese factory. This factory was built in 1867 by a stock 
 company, which at once began the manufacture of cheese intended 
 especially for the markets of England. The factory was built about 
 three-quarters of a mile southwest of Byron Centre, and from the be- 
 ginning has been successful. 
 
 The Le Roy Library Association, which has been one of the most 
 valuable of the public institutions of that town for a quarter of a cen- 
 tury, was founded in 1873 by a number of ladies residing in the vil- 
 lage. Mrs. John R. Olmsted was chosen to be the first president, and 
 has served continuously since that time in that oflfice. 
 
 In 1874 James McElver purchased the old Cummings foundry in 
 Byron and began the manufacture of agricultural implements, his in- 
 dustry soon becoming one of the most important in that town. 
 
 Large deposits of limestone of a fine quality and perfectly adapted 
 for building purposes having been discovered in the town of Le Roy, 
 they were exploited about 1870, and from that time on have been 
 worked with profit to the operators. George H. Holmes, Livingston 
 D. Howell, and Morris & Strobel were among the first to enter upon 
 this important enterprise. Mr. Holmes at one time employed as 
 many as one hundred and thirty-five men. The business is still suc- 
 cessfully carried on in the town, but the number of men employed is 
 not so great as formerly. 
 
 The planing mill built in 1872 at Le Roy by Olmsted & McKenzie 
 was the successor of the first mill of the kind erected there about half 
 a century before by Chauncey Olmsted. While owned by the latter 
 this mill was twice burned and rebuilt. It then passed into the hands 
 of William Olmstead, then Laramee & Smith, Olmsted & McKenzie, 
 McKenzie, King & Sag^e, Hartwell & Sage, Frost & Murdoch, S. H. 
 Murdoch. Another enterprise established in 1873 was the fruit distil- 
 lery of Decker & Titman, the only one in Genesee county. In 1875 
 Thomas Gallagher & Sons started a broom factory on Exchange street. 
 In 1878 J. T.Warren purchased the old Catholic church and there estab- 
 lished a foundry and machine shop, engaging chiefly in model and nov- 
 elty work. 
 
230 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 In 1876 the famous Wiard Plow Company moved its works from East 
 -V Avon to Batavia, and the county seat of Genesee county experienced 
 an industrial impetus which within a few years had placed it foremost 
 among the manufacturing villages of the country.' Old manufac- 
 turing concerns soon appreciated the manifold advantages which 
 would accrue to them by locating in that village, with the result that 
 within the next few years the county seat of Genesee could boast of 
 being the site of half a dozen or more of the most important manufac- 
 tures in the country. The effect was beneficial not only to Batavia, but 
 to practically the entire country surrounding. 
 
 In 1873 C. B. Rogers & Co. established a sash, door and blind fac- 
 tory at what is known as the old oil mill, on the banks of the Oatka, in 
 Le Roy. It was operated as such by that firm until the fall of 1889, 
 when it was leased to F. C. Rogers, the present proprietor. He pur- 
 chased the property in the spring of 1892. The machinery for wood 
 working purposes subsequently was removed to Mr. Rogers's new mill 
 on Lake street, which is operated by steam. Water power was used 
 in the old mill. Six to eight hands are employed regularl)'. 
 
 The American Malting Company's plant at Le Roy was originally 
 founded in 1874 by W. D. Matthews & Co. In 1880 Edward Rogerson 
 became associated with the firm, remaining until Mr. Matthews's death 
 in 1888, when the business was continued by Mr. Rogerson and Wilmot 
 D. Matthews. 
 
 In 1895 it was incorporated as the W. D. Matthews Malting Co., and 
 in 1897 it became part of the possessions of the American Malting Co., 
 whicli organization also operates a considerable number of other similar 
 plants in this and other States. The plant in Le Roy is located on the 
 line of the Erie, N. Y. C, and B., R. & P. railroads, and comprises four 
 commodious malt-houses, which are constructed of stone, and a large 
 frame elevator attached. They are fully equipped with improved ap- 
 pliances for economical production, including steam power and electric 
 lights. The output of the plant is about seven hundred thousand bush- 
 els of malt per season, and employment is given to sixty skilled malt- 
 sters and assistants. The product is especially noteworthy for high 
 quality, and only the finest selected grain is used in its manufacture. 
 The product is shipped chiefly to the large brewers of New York and 
 
 ' Historical sketches of the Wiard Plow Company and the other great industries o£ Batavia 
 will be found in the chapter devoted to the Village of Batavia. 
 
FROM 1865 TO 1898. 331 
 
 Boston. The management of the enterprise is in the hands of Edward 
 Rogerson. 
 
 Though the first discovery of salt in Le Roy was made as early as 
 February, 1879, it was not until five years later that actual operations 
 for the market were successfully inaugurated. The salt interests of 
 Le Roy are among the most important in Genesee county. Soon after 
 the discovery of this mineral in Wyoming county in 1878, some of the 
 citizens of Le Roy, believing that it existed beneath the surface of that 
 town, were induced through the efforts of N. B. Keeney to subscribe 
 to a fund of fifteen hundred dollars for the purpose of making the de- 
 sired tests. With the guarantee of this sum, C. M. Everest of Roch- 
 ester agreed to bore for salt to the Niagara formation, or not to exceed 
 one thousand feet in depth. While Mr. Everest believed salt might be 
 found, he was more anxious to discover oil. He engaged C. B. Mat- 
 thews of Wyoming to look after his interests, and the latter in turn con- 
 tracted with Mr. Higley of Bradford, Pa., to drill for the salt or oil. 
 
 The work was inaugurated December 4, 1878, and by the end of two 
 months such progress had been made that both gas and brine were 
 reached at a depth of five hundred feet. At this point in the operations 
 Mr. Matthews, upon the advice of Mr. Everest, ceased work and de- 
 manded payment for what he had already done. The contract not hav- 
 ing been carried out, the citizens of Le Roy who had guaranteed the 
 expenses of the work refused to honor the demand thus summarily 
 made upon them. Litigation followed until the fall of 1881, when Mr. 
 Everest, learning that the people of Le Roy undoubtedly were in the 
 right, proposed to drill another well. The proposition was accepted 
 and work was begun by Curtis & Whitaker under the superintendence of 
 A. E. Miller, John Eyres representing the citizens, who had guaranteed 
 Mr. Everest thirteen hundred dollars if he would assume all the risks. In 
 this well brine and a salt vein twenty to twenty- five feet thick were found 
 at the depth of six hundred and fifteen feet. 
 
 Satisfied with the result of the experiments the four Le Roy citizens 
 back of the enterprise continued the work. The first well, which had 
 been obstructed with iron implements, was cleaned, at considerable ex- 
 pense, the work not being completed until the summer of 1883. From 
 that time work was practically abandoned until the spring of 1883, 
 when a plant capable of an output of a hundred barrels per day was 
 put in operation under the direction of the American Chemical Com- 
 pany of West Bay City, Mich. In September of that year the first 
 
232 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 salt manufactured — one carload — was shipped from the works. But 
 the process of this company proved a failure, and early in the summer 
 of 1884 the works were remodeled and the grainer process adopted. 
 
 At this juncture, and after the failure of the American Chemical 
 Company, it became necessary for those interested in the enterprise to 
 determine whether the future business would warrant an increase in 
 capital sufficient to continue operations on a more extensive scale. It 
 was therefore determined to put down another salt well, this time at 
 the junction of the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburg and the Delaware, 
 Lackawanna and Western railroads on the Gilmore farm three miles 
 south of Le Roy, in the town of Pavilion. At the depth of eight hun- 
 dred and forty feet that well developed a vein of salt fifty- one feet thick 
 between two strata of limestone. Completely satisfied as to the suc- 
 cess of future operations, the experimenters decided to establish a per- 
 manent plant at Le Roy. Accordingly, in the fall of 1884, C. F. Pren- 
 tice, S. C. Wells, A. E. Miller and N. B. Keeney organized and incor- 
 porated the Le Roy Salt Company, Mr. Miller being placed in complete 
 charge of the works. Two grainers were put in with four boilers. 
 With the aid of fourteen workmen fourteen thousand barrels of salt 
 were shipped from the factory that fall. 
 
 While this result was satisfactory for a new business in which a small 
 force was employed, it was evident to all interested that the output 
 could be increased with enlarged facilities. Consequently additions 
 were made to the buildings, new grainers were erected, boilers intro- 
 duced, and a capital of $30,000 employed, all proving successful. 
 
 Changes, however, were constantly made for more economical pro- 
 duction, and by the energy and enterprise of the company under the 
 careful management of A. E. Miller, the production reached, on August 
 31, 1891, six hundred barrels per day. At this time a large part of the 
 works was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of some $25,000. Through 
 the unusual business ability and energy of Mr. Miller, the burnt por- 
 tions were rebuilt and manufacturing resumed in January, 1892. Owing 
 to overwork and the strain necessary to carry on this work, his health 
 began to fail and he died August 38, 1892, and was buried on the 31st, 
 exactly a year after the fire. 
 
 As the demand for Le Roy salt was constantly increasing, large addi- 
 tions were made from time to time until the plant has become one of 
 the largest in the country. In spite of the depression incident to hard 
 times and free trade in salt, the business increased every year and in 
 
FROM 1865 TO 1898. 333 
 
 1897 the average output was one thousand barrels per day. The force 
 employed is one hundred and twenty five hands. Nineteen boilers 
 aggregating two thousand horse power furnish the steam and motive 
 power. The salt is made in twenty grainers, operated day and night, 
 and a storage capacity is provided of nearly two hundred thousand 
 bushels, which is crowded to its limits. The first block erected in 1883 
 was thirty-six by three hundred feet. As rebuilt in 1891 it was one 
 hundred and thirty-six by three hundred feet, with an addition of forty 
 by seventy-six feet. As it now stands the main building is three hun- 
 dred and twelve by three hundred and sixty-two feet, with an addition 
 of eighty-six by one hundred and sixty- eight feet. The company op- 
 erates eleven wells, averaging six hundred and fifty feet in depth, and 
 the furthest one being one mile from the works. The officers of the 
 company at present are C. P. Prentice, president; John Burden, vice- 
 president; C. N. Keeney, secretary and treasurer; J. P. Samson, man- 
 ager. 
 
 Oakfield has shared in general prosperity of the county in these days. 
 In 1878 Henry Fishell established in that town a plant for the manu- 
 facture of all kinds of agricultural machinery, which he continued to 
 operate for eleven years. Albert Rowland succeeded to the business 
 in that year. In 1883 Olmsted & Staples built a plant for the manufac- 
 ture of barrel heads and staves, a short time afterward adding a plaster 
 manufacturing establishment. At the same time a barrel and lumber 
 mill was in operation by Harmon Parker. In 1886 M. B. Tarba erected 
 a mill of a similar nature in the northeastern part of the town. This 
 was burned in the spring of 1889, but was immediately rebuilt. 
 
 In Stafford, John Simmons built an extensive grist mill at Morgan- 
 ville in 1878, on the site of the mill erected in 1820 by Adget Lathrop. 
 In 1886 Albert H. White embarked in the manufacture of wagons, 
 ,__c§.rriages, sleighs, potato diggers, etc., in the shop built in 1853. 
 
 In Pembroke, Gillmore & Carpenter built the present roller mills at 
 Indian Falls in 1879. They are located at the falls in Tonawanda creek, 
 which at this point furnishes a splenid water power, the fall being forty- 
 one feet. The mill is still operated by the firm of S. Gillmore & Co. 
 The Indian Falls grist and flour mill was established about the same 
 time about a quarter of a mile above the falls. D. K. Chaddock was 
 an early proprietor. 
 
 In the town of Byron, Rowley H. Douglass built the Genesee rolling 
 mills in 1880. They are located on Black creek, about half a mile east 
 
234 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 of Byron Centre, on the site of the mills originally built many years 
 before by James Taggart. McKenzie & Bennett succeeded Mr. Doug- 
 lass as proprietors. 
 
 In Bergen, Peter Weber began the manufacture of baskets by hand 
 in 1864. The business subsequently assumed extensive proportions. 
 In 1879 O. J. Miller began the manufacture of steam engines of various 
 kinds in that village. Under his skillful management the industry has 
 become one of considerable importance. He is still the sole proprietor 
 of the business. 
 
 The F. W. Miller Manufacturing Company, composed of F. W. Miller 
 and C. W. Bradley, manufacturers of machinery and agricultural im- 
 plements, is the successor to the business started by F. W. Miller in 
 Caledonia in 1880. Mr. Miller's father died in 1886. The industry was 
 removed to Le Roy in 1895, and in May, 1897, the present company 
 vjsis formed. The manufacturing plant wras erected in 1895, and the 
 average number of hands employed is twenty-five. The products com- 
 prise Miller's bean harvesters, bean planters, steel land rollers, wood 
 stave land rollers, potato coverers, chilled plows, wheel cultivators, 
 etc. 
 
 The lumber yard of George H. Church at Bergen was started in 
 1877. Since 1885 a saw mill and planing mill has been operated in 
 connection therewith, the whole enterprise forming a valuable contri- 
 bution to the industrial welfare of Bergen. 
 
 About 1880 Alva O. Barden erected in Corfu a large frame building, 
 designed for use as a public hall and for stores. The structure was 
 named Barden hall, after its owner, but was not a financial success. It 
 is now used jointly by a broom factory and the natural gas company of 
 Corfu. 
 
 Laban H. Robinson of Darien built his feed and saw mills at the vil- 
 lage of Darien in 1881, locating them on Murder creek, on the site of 
 the mills built in 1854 by Stephen Douglas. Zeno Griswold's grist, 
 saw and cider mills were established previous to the former date at 
 Sawens, also on Murder creek. 
 
 In Pavilion, J. Quincy D. Page established a cooper works in 1886 
 for the manufacture of barrels, tubs, etc. The output has always been 
 large. In 1888 Henry Chilson erected a steam grist mill and saw mill 
 having a capacity of three hundred bushels of grain per day. About 
 that time John C. Doty erected a warehouse for produce and grain on 
 the site of two earlier warehouses built by Dr. William B. Sprague, 
 
FROM 1865 TO 1898. 335 
 
 ' both of which had been burned. Another enterprise established at 
 this time was the fruit evaporator of B. F. Trescott, located where Dr. 
 Sprague formerly was engaged in the same line of business. 
 
 In Alabama, William Price erected a substantial steam saw mill in 
 1872 on the site of his original mill, built in 1861, but burned in the 
 year first mentioned. Soon after he began the operation of a second 
 mill. In 1888 S. S. Parker built the model creamery, for the manufac- 
 ture of both butter and cheese. 
 
 Early in the period covered by this chapter Judge Ira Rix and 
 Alonzo T. Mooers engaged in the grain and milling business in Alex- 
 ander. The Messrs. Moulton were extensive millers about the same 
 time. George Jones began the manufacture of sash and blinds and Hor- 
 ace Hunn operated a saw mill in the sixties. 
 
 In 1881 George Perry built a grist mill in Bethany. Daniel Merritt's 
 cooper shop was in operation before that year. 
 
 Some of the principal industries established in Elba prior to 1868 
 were Phineas Barr, jr.'s saw mill and shop, E. Murphy's stave and 
 barrel factory, French & Co.'s stave and heading mill, Thomas Grif- 
 fin's saw mill. Hall & Grimes's woolen mill, Southwick & Staples's stave 
 factory, E. M. Whitney's flouring mills, James Bray's woolen mill and 
 Frank Kurtz's woolen mill. 
 
 The cold storage warehouse business of P. Gleason, started at Le 
 Roy on a small scale in 1887, has developed into one of the most im- 
 portant enterprises of its kind in Western New York. The present 
 warehouse was built by Mr. Gleason in 1891. Adjoining it is a large 
 bean elevator, both of which are fully equipped. Mr. Gleason annually 
 handles enormous quantities of apples, pears and beans. Railroad 
 tracks adjoin both the houses. The cold storage capacity is about fifty 
 thousand barrels of apples at one time, and the annual shipment from 
 the plant amounts to about one hundred and fifty thousand barrels of 
 apples and pears and three hundred thousand bushels of beans. A 
 force of fifteen men and eighty girls is employed by Mr. Gleason, who 
 also maintains several other similar establishments in Western New 
 York. 
 
 The fruit evaporating establishment of Benjamin F. Trescott at 
 Pavilion was constructed in 1880 by Mr. Trescott. It does an exten- 
 sive local business. 
 
 I One of the most important industries of the town of Pembroke is the 
 / cultivation of flowers in greenhouses for the wholesale and retail mar- 
 
236 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 ket. This business was established in 1883 by Mrs. Irene Tyrrell, who 
 now owns four greenhouses at Corfu. Since that time twenty-six 
 greenhouses have been built there. Of these William Scott of Buffalo 
 owns and operates four large ones. Six are owned by Edward Gid- 
 dings, eight by Thomas Webb and two by James Farnham. 
 
 The Exchange Bank of Oakfield, a private institution, was established 
 in 1883 by F. E Wright. It was located in the Jackson block for 
 several years, but in the fall of 1898 moved into its own building, a 
 handsome stone and brick structure. Mr. Wright has always been 
 president of the bank. 
 
 In 1883 Orator F. Woodward began the manufacture of patent medi- 
 cines at Le Roy. In 1896 he added the manufacture of Grain-O, a 
 product now known all over the United States. Four large buildings, 
 all owned by Mr. Woodward, are now devoted exclusively to this busi- 
 ness. 
 
 Another important enterprise was added to the industries of Bergen 
 when the Cold Spring Creamery Company of that town was incorporated 
 in March, 1888. The original capital stock of $1,400 was soon increased 
 to $3,000, on account of the unanticipated increase in the company's 
 business. Francis W. Fanson was chosen superintendent, secretary and 
 treasurer. The annual production of butter ranges from forty to sixty 
 thousand pounds. The fence works of Michael Doran at Bergen were 
 established in 1889. Mr. Doran's cider and vinegar factory has been 
 in operation since 1873. 
 
 Salt was discovered in the town of Pavilion in the year 1890. The 
 Pavilion Salt Mining Company was organized in that year, and at once 
 secured title to seven hundred and forty acres of land, at a total cost of 
 $188,480. This land is a part of the "salt basin" of Western New 
 York, being on a direct line between the Retsof mines, ten miles to the 
 southeast, and the Le Roy salt wells, four miles to the northwest. 
 Salt was struck at the depth of eight hundred and seventy-five feet. 
 The upper stratum consisted of a deposit sixteen feet thick, followed 
 by a layer of dividing rock six feet thick, then another layer of salt 
 thirty-one feet thick. There was no brine, however, and as there was 
 no water in abundant quantities convenient the work was abandoned 
 temporarily. Subsequently the Le Roy Salt Company began to work 
 the Pavilion field. A history of the operations of this company has 
 been given in the preceding pages. 
 
 The Pavilion Salt Company, a copartnership, was organized in the 
 
FROM 1865 TO 1898. 237 
 
 spring of 1891 by the Hon. Lester H. Humphrey of Warsaw and Mar- 
 cus E. Calkins of Ithaca. The present partners are the foregoing and 
 O. S. Humphrey of Warsaw, son of L. H. Humphrey. The company 
 began drilling for salt in the southern part of the village of Pavilion in 
 May, 1891. The vein of rock salt which had previously been discovered 
 at Warsaw, Wyoming coutity, and at other points in Western New 
 York, including Le Roy, was struck at Pavilion at the depth of ten 
 hundred and twelve feet, and was found to be more than seventy feet 
 in thickness. The salt was found to be of exceptionally fine quality, 
 being entirely free from the chlorides which make so much of the salt 
 sold in this country unfit for table and dairy purposes. Most of the 
 salt is made in open iron pans by direct heat, which is the process 
 mainly employed in England. The output for seven years has been 
 six hundred and fifty thousand barrels of two hundred and eighty 
 pounds each. Two thirds of the product has been fine table and dairy 
 salt, and about one-third what is called common fine and coarse salt. 
 The company employs from thirty to forty persons, men and women, 
 and is the most important industry in the town of Pavilion. 
 
 One of the most important industries in that part of the county out- 
 side of Batavia is the Oakfield Fertilizer Company, which was incorpo- 
 rated in March, 1893, with a capital stock of $350,000. The incorpo- 
 rators named in the articles filed in the office of the secretary of state 
 were Charles Mager, Horace J. Harvey, Frank P. Vandenbergh, George 
 Sandrock, Philip Houck, Aaron D. Coffin, William W. Stevens, Albert 
 A. Grinnell, Jacob Davis, John Irlbacker, Charles E. Benedict and 
 Francis J. Henry. From the start the concern has been very success- 
 ful, the output finding a market in all parts of the Union. It is noticed 
 by a bulletin of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station 
 appearing in August, 1896, that the Oakfield Fertilizer Company's 
 brands were found to be of a higher percentage of value than was 
 guaranteed by the company. 
 
 Several new industries were organized in 1894, and some changes in 
 the established enterprises occurred. Frank Richards in that year suc- 
 ceeded C. S. Thompson as owner and operator of the Star Roller Mills 
 at Alexander, the principal industry in that town. At Le Roy Kroner 
 & Lapp established a large plant for the manufacture of sash, doors, 
 blinds, mouldings, cisterns, etc., and at once erected a commodious 
 building for carrying on their business. The Randall Fence Company 
 of Le Roy was also founded in 1894. The Randall fencing was de- 
 
338 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 signed by William P. Randall and first introduced by him in 1890. The 
 fabfic, being new to the trade, had to be made by specially prepared 
 machinery, worked by hand power, which was also designed by Mr. 
 Randall. The industry soon became quite well known by sales to a 
 prominent seedman in New York city, who used the fabric for garden 
 trellis. Accordingly in 1894 Mr. Randall organized a stock company 
 with a capital stock of $15,000 and these officers: President, George 
 F. Lowe ; vice-president, William P. Randall ; secretary and treasurer, 
 Calvin E. Bryant. In 1895 Mr. Bryant sold his interest to S. C. Doug- 
 las, and in 1897 Mr. Lowe sold his interest to William F. Huyck. Mr. 
 Randall remains vice-president, Mr. Huyck is president and treasurer, 
 and Mr. Douglas is secretary. The company enjoys a trade scattered 
 through twenty- six States. 
 
 Le Roy Lodge No. 73, I. O. O. F., was organized at Le Roy April 
 19, 1895, with thirty-one members and Henry Duguid as noble grand. 
 The Le Roy Bicycle Club was organized June 15, 1896, with the follow- 
 ing officers: President, T. W. Larkin; vice-president, J. P. Muller; 
 secretary, Frank Woodruff; treasurer, Walter Given; collector, Ralph 
 Wilcox; captain, A. J. Hooker; first lieutenant, Carl Wells; second 
 lieutenant, George G. Seyffer. 
 
 About this time Clarence O. Richards, who for some time had been 
 operating the old flour, feed and saw mill near the depot at Corfu, en- 
 larged his plant and increased his facilities for the manufacture of cider. 
 The industry has become one of considerable importance in the town of 
 Pembroke. 
 
 At Pavilion R. L. Hutchinson built a large flour and feed mill near 
 the railroad in 1893, and has since remained its proprietor. 
 
 In the spring of 1894 the creamery at East Pembroke was built and 
 opened for business in April. The first officers of the company oper- 
 ating it were: President, James F. Bennett; treasurer, D. L. Wilkin- 
 son; secretary, L. C. Case; directors, J. F. Bennett, Henry P. Ellin- 
 wood, Abraham Mook, William Uphill, John Moore. The Byron 
 cheese factory was also opened for business in May of this year. Dur- 
 ing the year the Oakfield and Alabama Fish and Bird Protective 
 Association was organized with the following officers: President, 
 Seneca Allen; vice-presidents, G. H. Craft, Thomas O'Reily, Frederick 
 B. Parker; secretary and treasurer, E. F. Hickey. The Co-operative 
 Insurance Company of Wyoming and Genesee Counties was organized 
 February 22, 1892. 
 
FROM 1865 TO 1898. 239 
 
 The year 1895 witnessed the inauguration of an important industry 
 in the town of Pembroke — the development of the natural gas found 
 beneath the surface of the earth in the vicinity of Corfu. The first gas 
 well, located about a quarter of a mile north of that village, was driven 
 early in the summer of 1895 by the Corfu Gas Company, of which 
 George W. Archer of Rochester is president. The balance of the stock 
 of the company is held by the estate of Robert Roy of Bradford, Pa. 
 Soon after five other wells were sunk, and a plant costing twelve thou- 
 sand dollars was erected at Corfu. The gas was first discovered on the 
 farm of Wilder E. Sumner. 
 
 At Le Roy the roller mills of McEwen & Cole were constructed and 
 began operation in 1896. The year following E. W. Miller came from 
 Caledonia and established his iron foundry. Both are located near the 
 depot of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg Railroad. 
 
 In response to a demand for local banking facilities, the private 
 banking house of W. S. & C. E. Housel was established in Bergen 
 September 25, 1896. W. S. Housel became president and C. E. Housel 
 cashier, both still remaining in those respective offices. This is the 
 first and only banking institution to be established in Bergen. 
 
 Nicholas Schubmehl came from Cohocton, N. Y., to Bergen January 
 1, 1897, and started a cigar factory in the latter village under the style 
 of Schubmehl & Co. The factory employs from thirty to forty hands, 
 and manufactures cigars only, for the jobbing trade. The output 
 averages about three million cigars annually. 
 
 John J. Ellis established at Darien Centre a few years ago a grain 
 and produce business which has undergone many changes and improve- 
 ments, until it is to day an enterprise of considerable proportions. It 
 is one of the most important establishments of its kind in Genesee 
 county, outside of the village of Batavia. 
 
 Though yet in its infancy, with the product undeveloped, there ex- 
 ists in the town of Bergen the foundation for one of the most important 
 industries in all Western New York. Early in the summer of 1897 a 
 gentleman who is superintendent of a large manufacturing plant was 
 traveling through Genesee county on the West Shore railroad, when 
 his attention was attracted to the peculiar formation of the earth, 
 almost white in color, through which a cut had been made in the con- 
 struction of the railroad. So impressed was he that he alighted from 
 the train at the next station, walked back to the cut, procured samples 
 of the earth, and proceeded to his destination on the next train. Plac- 
 
340 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 ing the samples thus secured in the hands of a chemist for analysis, 
 he was surprised to learn that the earth was almost pure lime, contain- 
 ing 97.6 per cent, of this mineral. Subsequent investigation showed 
 that the deposit covered about three hundred acres of land, and that 
 the average depth was ten feet. Large quantities of blue clay were 
 also discovered in the immediate vicinity. Other experiments were 
 conducted, and from these two materials a superior quality of Portland 
 cement was made. Early in 1898 the Iroquois Portland Cement Com- 
 pany was organized at Buffalo, and incorporated under the laws of 
 West Virginia. The company at once secured the rights to the land, 
 containing at dry weight over five million cubic yards of marl, which 
 will be sufficient to supply a plant with a capacity of one thousand 
 barrels per day for forty years. The company is capitalized at one 
 million dollars. Its officers are: President, Jacob Davis; secretary, 
 John C. Bertand; vice-president, A. D. Coffin; treasurer, Edward L. 
 Davis; attorney, William E. Webster. These, with John S. Hertel 
 and Eugene Bertand, are comprised in the board of directors. The 
 development of this great marl bed has not yet begun, but plans are 
 being made to carry on the work. 
 
 Another concern incorporated in 1897 was the Diamond Wall Cement 
 Company of Oakfield. The broom factory of Nelson Brown was 
 started at Corfu in November, 1898. E. W. Boyce, manufacturer of 
 machinery supplies, etc. , established his business in Oakfield April 1, 
 1898. 
 
 The first industry of its kind existing in the town of Bergen for a 
 period of half a century is the concern known as the Bergen Roller 
 Mills, which were constructed in Bergen village in 1898 by Thomas J. 
 Tone. These mills, having a capacity of fifty barrels per day, employ- 
 ing seven hands and being operated by steam power alone, began run- 
 ning December 13, 1898, manufacturing flour and feed. They are 
 among ths best equipped mills in the country. 
 
 Standard's sash, door and blind factory at Bergen was erected in the 
 fall and winter of 1898. 
 
 In March, 1898, Miller Bros. & Co. purchased of Daniel J. McPherson 
 his grain and coal business and elevator at Bergen. This business was 
 established many years ago by Platts & McPherson. In 1882 the junior 
 partner, Donald McPherson, purchased the interest of Henry Platts 
 and took his son, Daniel J. McPherson, into partnership. In 1896 
 D. J. McPherson assumed sole control of the business, retaining it until 
 its sale to Miller Bros. & Co. 
 
- FROM 1865 TO 1898. 341 
 
 A destructive fire laid a large part of the village of Bergen in ruins 
 on the night of Monday, January 15, 1866. The flames originated 
 about eleven p. m. in the hardware store and tin shop occupied by Sam- 
 uel C. Tulley, located at the foot of Main street adjoining the New 
 York Central railroad, and within two hours "every building on the 
 west side of the street up to the crossing of the main street, running 
 east and west, together with the large and commodious warehouse in 
 the rear, belonging to Beecher & Marvin, was in ruins." The latter 
 was considered one of the finest buildings of its kind in Western New 
 York. The section destroyed embraced nearly all the business portion 
 of the village. Among the principal buildings burned, beside the 
 warehouse referred to were the two-story shoe store owned by Lawrence 
 Crosby, the three-story dry goods store of E. F. Hubbard, the new dry 
 goods store of J. D. Doolittle, Smith & Co., S. C. TuUey's hardware 
 store, Harvey Mullen's shoe store, John H. Parish's flour and feed 
 store, Samuel C. Carpenter's clothing store and residence, residence 
 and oyster saloon occupied by Augustus C. Hamlin and owned by Sam- 
 uel C. Carpenter, a building owned by J. D. Doolittle and occupied by 
 W. Thopson and wife as a dwelling and dressmaking establishment, 
 harness shop owned by Lawrence L. Crosby and occupied by William 
 H. King, dwelling of Eleanor Crosby, dwelling of W. N. Beardsley. 
 The total number of buildings destroyed was seventeen, and the loss 
 aggregated between $40,000 and $50,000. 
 
 On Friday night, June 1 5, 1866, fire originated in A. A. Woodruff's 
 hardware store in the village of Oakfield, and before the flames were 
 quenched the following buildings were destroyed: A. A. Woodruff's 
 hardware store, loss $11,000; John D. Stedman's shoe store, loss $1,000; 
 E. T. Jacquith's shoe store, loss $500; C. H. Jacquith's cabinet shop, 
 loss $600; A. C. Dodge's harness shop, loss $1,300; George Stegmen's 
 harness shop, loss $300; C. H. Chamberlain's dry good store, loss about 
 $6,000; millinery store and meat market of Mrs. George W. Brown, 
 loss.$600 ; dwelling house owned by Mrs. Calder and occupied by George 
 Chamberlain. 
 
 A destructive fire visited Le Roy on the evening of Thursday, Janu- 
 ary 28, 1869. The flames originated in the cabinet shop of G. & H. 
 Steuber, and before they could be quenched they had destroyed several 
 large buildings. Among the heaviest losers were the Steuber Brothers, 
 loss $11,000; W. S. Brown & Co.'s carriage works, loss $11,000; John 
 
 16 
 
243 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Wiss's hotel, $4,000; L. J. Bissell's bakery, loss $3,500; Morton & 
 Dean's shoe store ; and other establishments. 
 
 The Genesee County Pioneer Association had its genesis in a meeting 
 held at Union hall in Batavia, August 25, 1869, at which a number of 
 the pioneer settlers of Genesee county were present. The meeting was 
 presided over by Stewart Chamberlain, and Marcus L. Babcock acted 
 as secretary. Before the meeting adjourned it was decided to form an 
 association of the living descendants of the pioneers of the county, and 
 Hon. Moses Taggart of Batavia, Marcus L. Babcock of Batavia, Syl- 
 vester Willis of Oakfield, Alanson Fisher of Darien, Samuel Scofield of 
 Elba, Stewart Chamberlain of Le Roy, and Augustus P. Hascall of 
 Le Roy were named as a committee to draft a constitution and by-laws 
 to govern the contemplated society. This committee presented a con- 
 stitution at an adjourned meeting held in the court house at Batavia 
 October 5, 1869, when the organization was perfected by the election 
 of the following officers : 
 
 President, Hon. Heman J. Redfield; vice-president, Hon. Seth 
 Wakeman; secretary, Phineas Ford; assistant secretary, Augustus P. 
 Hascall; treasurer, James P. Mitchell; vice-presidents for their respec- 
 tive towns: Alabama, Joseph Lund; Alexander, Earl Kidder; Batavia, 
 James S. Stewart; Bergen, Ebenezer Scofield; Bethany, Luman Stevens; 
 Byron, Cyrenus Walker ; Darien, Alanson Fisher ; Elba, Samuel Sco- 
 field; Le Roy, Stewart Chamberlain; Oakfield, Sylvester Willis; Pa- 
 vilion, Chester Hannum; Pembroke, David Anderson ; Stafford, Daniel 
 Prentice. 
 
 Since that time the officers of the society have been as follows : 
 
 1871. — President, Moses Taggart; secretary, David Seaver. 
 
 1872. — President, Alden S.Stevens; secretary, David Seaver. 
 
 1873.— President, Benjamin Pringle; secretary, David Seaver. 
 
 1874. — President, Benjamin Pringle; secretary, David Seaver. 
 
 1875. — President James P. Mitchell; secretary, J. M. Waite. 
 
 1876. — President, James P. Mitchell; secretary, J. N. Beckley. 
 
 1877. — President, Albert Rowe; secretary, Safford E. North. 
 
 1878. — President, Albert Rowe; secretary, Safford E. North. 
 
 1879. — President, Albert Rowe; secretary, Safford E. North. 
 
 1880. — President, Israel M. Peck; secretary, Safford E. North. 
 
 1881. — President, James P. Mitchell; secretary, Frank S. Wood. 
 
 1882. — President, Lucius Atwater; secretary, Frank S. Wood. 
 
 J.883. — President, Lucius Atwater; secretary, Frank S. Wood. 
 
FROM 1865 TO 1898. 343 
 
 1884. — President, Albert Rowe; secretary, Frank S. Wood. 
 
 1885.^President, Lucius Atwater; secretary, Frank S. Wood. 
 
 1886. — President, Lucius Atwater; secretary, Frank S. Wood. 
 
 1887. — President, Lucius Atwater; secretary, Frank S. Wood. 
 
 1888.— President, E. C. Walker ; secretary, John H. Yates. 
 
 1889. — President, Lucius Atwater; secretary, John H. Yates. 
 
 1890. — President, Lucius Atwater; secretary, John H. Yates. 
 
 1891. — President, S. B. Lusk; secretary, John H. Yates. 
 
 1893. — President, S. B. Lusk; secretary, John H. Yates. 
 
 1893. — President, S. B. Lusk; secretary, John H. Yates. 
 
 1894.— President, Adin G. Gage; secretary, John H. Yates. 
 
 1895.— President, Sylvanus Ford; secretary, John H. Yates. 
 
 1896. — President, Sylvanus Ford; secretary, John H. Yates. 
 
 1897. — President, Sylvanus Ford; secretary, John H. Yates. 
 
 1898. — President, Jacob Nichols; secretary, John H. Yates. 
 
 1899. — President, Jacob Nichols; secretary, John H. Yates. 
 
 A number of the leading citizens of Stafford met in 1870 and organ- 
 ized the Stafford Benefit Association, a mutual insurance association. 
 The institution was reorganized in 1877 and incorporated according to 
 the laws of the State of New York in 1881. The society soon became 
 one of the most prosperous in the State, and its officers have been the 
 most highly esteemed residents of the town of Stafford. 
 
 In the summer of 1875 Le Roy was again visited by a destructive 
 fire, which laid in ashes the Starr block, with an adjacent block, con- 
 taining stores, oifices and the public library. The loss of the latter 
 could not be replaced, as it contained many rare books of value. 
 
 The Rochester and State Line Railroad Company secured a charter 
 from the State of New York October 6, 1869, to build a railroad from 
 Rochester, the northern terminus, southwest through the Genesee and 
 Wyoming valleys to Salamanca, a distance of one hundred and eight 
 and one-half miles. The section between Rochester and Le Roy, 
 twenty-four and one-tenth miles, was opened for business September 
 16, 1874. At this time the following officers and directors were in 
 charge: President, M. F. Reynolds; treasurer, G. E. Mumford; sec- 
 retary and assistant treasurer, D. McNaughton; engineer and superin- 
 tendent, C. S. Masten, all of Rochester; directors, M. F. Reynolds, C. 
 F. Smith, Thomas Leighton, G. H. Perkins, Edward Harris, George 
 Darling, George E. Mumford, of Rochester; D. D. S. Brown, Scotts- 
 ville, N. Y. ; Oliver S. Allen, Mumford, N. Y. ; William Bristol, War- 
 saw, N. Y. 
 
244 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 The line to Salamanca was completed and opened for traffic May 16, 
 1878. When originally commenced the intention was to build to the 
 bituminous coal fields of Western Pennsylvania. The city of Roches- 
 ter put $600,000, and the towns along the line $500,000, into the enter- 
 prise. In 1879 the Vanderbilts acquired the control of the road, in- 
 tending to make it a connecting link between the old Atlantic and Great 
 Western Railroad (now Chicago and Erie Railroad) and the New York 
 Central and Hudson River Railroad. The authorities of the city of 
 Rochester concluding that the Vanderbilts were responsible for the 
 company, and that the original intention of building to the coal fields 
 had been abandoned, brought action against the company and the Van- 
 derbilts for upwards of one million dollars, and at the same time the 
 contractor commenced legal proceedings for a large amount. These 
 actions were tried and dismissed by the court. 
 
 Finding that it was impossible to obtain an undisputed title to the 
 property without long and tedious litigation, the Vanderbilts abandoned 
 the road, and default being made on the bonds, a foreclosure was com- 
 menced, and Mr. Sylvanus J. Macy appointed receiver February '^3, 
 1880. In January, 1881, the property was sold under foreclosure pro- 
 ceedings, and reorganized as the Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad 
 Company. 
 
 With this change disappeared all connection of local men with the 
 road. In 1884 the road again passed into the hands of a receiver by 
 reason of a default on its second mortgage bonds. Sale under fore- 
 closure proceedings took place in October, 1885, when the property was 
 purchased by Adrian Iselin of New York, and associates, and reorgan- 
 ized under the name of the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railway 
 Company, its present title. The road now operates four hundred and 
 eighty-nine miles of track. 
 
 Practically the entire business portion of the village of Bergen was 
 destroyed by fire on the night of Sunday, February 29, 1880. The 
 buildings burned comprised thirty-one business houses, seven residences 
 and five barns. The principal sufferers and the amount of the loss on 
 the part of each was as follows : 
 
 S. K. Green, dry goods and groceries, $18,000; Samuel C. Tulley, 
 hardware, $17,000; George H. Church, hardware, $6,000; Mrs. Har- 
 ford, Brennan hotel building, $4,000; John Walker, dwelling house, 
 barn and two tenement houses, $6,000; H. S. Andrews, grocery, $1,400; 
 L. A. Pratt, store, $1,000; H. A. King, grain warehouse, $5,000; Harvey 
 
FROM 1865 TO 1898. 245 
 
 Mullen, boot and shoe store, $1,500; Southworth & Tone, grain ware- 
 house and barn, $10,000; V. C. Calkins, drug store, $3,000; William 
 P. Hunger, King warehouse, $2,650; F. M. Merrill, printing office, 
 $4,000; G. F. Buell, grocer, $3,000; E. E. Spencer, grocer, $1,800; 
 A. T. Southworth, house and barn, $3,800; Miss Chalker, millinery, 
 block and stock, $1,000; Morey and Son, empty block, $3,300; S. Car- 
 penter & Son, clothing store and Fisher drug store building, $6,800; 
 Parish block, $1,000; A. S. Fisher, drug store, $4,500; Mrs. B. M. 
 Hall, dwelling and contents, $3,000; Morton Bros., clothiers, $3,500. 
 
 Soon after the fire Benedict Harford erected a hotel on the site of the 
 Brennan hotel, now known as the Harford house. The new hotel was 
 at first conducted by Patrick Brennan, then by John Brennan, then 
 Mr. Eckler, and finally by Benedict Harford, who has been proprietor 
 since 1885. The Walker house on the opposite corner was also erected 
 in 1880 by William C. Walker, who has been its proprietor since that 
 year. 
 
 The New York, West Shore and Buffalo Railroad was opened 
 through for traffic in January, 1884. Its line passes through the north- 
 ern tier of towns in Genesee county. December 5, 1885, the property 
 was transferred to the newly organized West Shore Railroad Company, 
 and on the same date the line was leased to the New York Central 
 and Hudson River Railroad Company for four hundred and seventy- 
 five years. 
 
 The village of Bergen having been a great sufferer by fire in preced- 
 ing years, the agitation in favor of adopting a system affording better 
 protection against the ravages of the destructive element resulted in 
 the organization of the Bergen Fire Department on November 17, 1886. 
 The first officers elected were: George O. Emerson, president ; Michael 
 F. Bergin, vice-president; Daniel S. Thompson, secretary; Homer L. 
 Gage, treasurer; William A. Bowen, chief engineer. Fifty one origi- 
 nal members signed the department roll. Of these, Charles T. Good- 
 win, W. T. Bergin, S. J. Getman, Richard Haley, Eugene Snyder, 
 Grant W. Buell, Harvey Boyce and E. L. Fisher were selected as mem- 
 bers of the hose company. The remaining sixty-three members of the 
 department were assigned to the engine company. Grant W. Buell 
 v;as chosen foreman and Charles T. Goodwin assistant foreman of the 
 hose company, and N. A. Eckler was chosen foreman and Myron H. 
 Parmelee assistant foreman of the engine company. The apparatus of 
 the department has always consisted of a hand engine and a hose cart. 
 
246 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Three reservoirs, located at convenient points throughout the village, 
 furnish the supply of water for use at fires. 
 
 The chief engineers of the department have been as follows: William 
 A. Bowen, elected in December, 1886, died in office April 17, 1888; 
 James R. McKenzie, elected December, 1888; Myron H. Parmelee, 
 1889; John W. Day, 1893; John S. Gleason, 1894; George M. Gillette, 
 1898. The first secretary, D. S. Thompson, was succeeded by Mr. 
 Emerson, who in turn was succeeded in 1895 by Daniel J. McPherson, 
 the present secretary. 
 
 A terrific thunderstorm occurred in Genesee count}' on the afternoon 
 of Tuesday, July 3, 1889. In Batavia it is recorded as having been the 
 worst in the history of the county seat. Streets were flooded, cellars 
 were filled with water, and the sewers, inadequate to the extraordinary 
 demands made upon them, overflowed. In several business places in 
 town stock in cellars was ruined or badly damaged by the flood, and 
 considerable damage was done by lightning. The electric fluid also 
 shocked many individuals, but none was injured seriously. The year 
 1889 was also marked by the incorporation of the Buffalo and Geneva 
 Railroad. 
 
 A catastrophe accompanied by the loss of three lives occurred De- 
 cember 31, 1890. Workmen were employed on the Lehigh Valley 
 Railroad extension on the farm of John Simmonds near Morganville, 
 in the town of Stafford. During the discharge of a heavy blast large 
 quantities of earth and stone were thrown among the body of laborers, 
 three of whom — Andrew Hunt, John Nosky and Andrew Hoodock — 
 were either instantly killed or died soon after the occurrence, by 
 reason of the injuries received. The Buffalo extension of this road 
 was completed the following year and opened for traffic September 
 1, 1892. 
 
 The Le Roy Business Men's Association was formed August 32, 1890. 
 The first officers, chosen on that date, were as follows: President, Ed- 
 ward Rogerson; vice-presidents, Thomas B. Tuttle, Charles F. Pren- 
 tice, J. B. GiUett; secretary, William E. Humelbaugh; treasurer, George 
 H. Wells; directors, C. N. Keeney, Dennis Scanlon, JohnWiss, D. Jack- 
 son Bissell, S. Loucks. 
 
 The Lehigh Valley Railway Company was organized June 33, 1890. 
 This road was formed by the consolidation of sundry roads outside of 
 Genesee county, and of the Buffalo and Geneva Railroad, projected to 
 run from Buffalo to Geneva, N.Y., and to traverse the county, and or- 
 
FROM 1865 TO 1898. 247 
 
 ganized about May 1, 1889. The Lehigh Valley Railway was com- 
 pleted and opened for business about September 1, 1893. The road 
 runs from the Pennsylvania State line north of Sayre, Pa., to Buffalo, 
 N. Y., and through the towns of Le Roy, Stafford, Batavia, Pembroke 
 and Darien. The Lehigh Valley Railway was leased to the Lehigh 
 Valley Railroad Co. — a Pennsylvania corporation — January 1, 1891, 
 and has since been operated by the latter company. 
 
 July 26, 1891, a disastrous fire occurred in the village of Oakfield, 
 causing a loss of about seventeen thousand dollars. The flames orig- 
 inated in the basement of J. C. Doolittle & Co.'s bakery in the north 
 end of Seymour Reed's brick block. The other business places burned 
 were C. H. Griffin's store, in the Reed block; J. C. Black & Co.'s meat 
 market, A. C. Dodge's harness store, and Warner H. Smith's blacksmith 
 shop, in the building owned by Charles H. Chamberlain. August 31 
 of the same year the plant of the Le Roy Salt Company at Le Roy was 
 damaged by fire to the extent of thirty thousand dollars, but the estab- 
 lishment was soon rebuilt. In the following October the East Elba M. 
 , E. church, a structure which had been built sixty-one years before, was 
 destroyed by fire. It was at once rebuilt, the dedication taking place 
 May 5, 1893. January 19, 1894, the plant of the Matthews Malting 
 Company at Le Roy was damaged by fire to the extent of thirty thou- 
 sand dollars. 
 
 An accident attended by the loss of the lives of five persons, which 
 occurred near the village of Le Roy on Sunday, August 30, 1893, 
 brought sorrow to the hearts of the inhabitants of Genesee county. 
 Lorenzo J. Bovee of Le Roy, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Adelia 
 Bovee ; his daughter. Miss Ola Bovee ; and Miss Emma Bowden of New 
 York and Miss Lena Wicks of Le Roy, was driving from his home near 
 the village to services in the Le Roy Presbyterian church. On the 
 Lake road crossing of the Lehigh Valley Railroad the vehicle was struck 
 by an express train and all five persons were instantly killed. Mr. 
 Bovee was fifty-eight years of age and one of the best known residents 
 of eastern Genesee county. He had for several years carried on an 
 extensive lumber business at Tonawanda, and was the owner of large 
 tracts of timber land in Michigan. 
 
 The village of Oakfield, was again visited by a most disastrous fire 
 on May 11, 1895. The flames originated in the rear of Harris & Cha- 
 pin's hardware store in the Chamberlin block, owned by Charles H. 
 Chamberlain. In this block were located, beside Harris & Chapin's 
 
248 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 store, Dr. Pugsley's drug store, Eugene T. Chamberlin's dry goods 
 store, and the offices of Dr. A. G. Zurhorst and B. F. Hawes, justice of 
 the peace, all of which were destroyed. Beside these the following 
 were burned: L. A. Weaver's furniture store, R. B. McVea's store, 
 both located in a building owned by the former; H. C. Martin & Son's 
 store, with the office of I. J. Stedman, justice of the peace, located in 
 the same building; Callan & Gilmore's meat market, John B. Arnold's 
 hotel and barns, and two private dwelling houses. August 28 of this 
 year the Le Roy Power and Milling Company of Le Roy was incorpo- 
 rated with a capital stock of sixty-five thousand dollars, and these 
 directors: Charles F. Prentice, Dr. C. H. Prentice, Calvin E. Keeney, 
 John P. Sampson, William F. Huyck. The Le Roy Hydraulic Electric 
 Company was incorporated on the same day. 
 
 May 15, 1896, a number of the leading business men of Bergen or- 
 ganized the Bergen Board of Trade, having these officers: President, 
 D. J. McPherson; vice-president, C. N. Carpenter; secretary, A. A. 
 Roberts; treasurer, J. S. Gleason. 
 
 In 1897 an event of considerable note occurred in Le Roy in the 
 the death of William Lampson, the wealthiest resident of that town 
 and for many years the president of the Bank of Le Roy, on February 
 14. When his will was opened it was found that the bulk of his estate, 
 valued at about six hundred and fifty thousand dollars, was bequeathed 
 to Yale University, of which he was a graduate. Mr. Lampson was 
 a son of Miles P. Lampson, founder of the Bank of Le Roy, and for 
 many years was one of the most prominent men in Genesee county. 
 
 In November, 1896, a number of the fruit growers of Genesee county 
 met at Batavia and organized the Genesee County Fruit Growers' 
 Union, with these officers: President, Nelson Bogue; vice-president, 
 J. G. Fargo; secretary and treasurer, D. L. Dodgson; executive com- 
 mittee, N. H. Green, George Douglass, W. H. Chaddock. 
 
 The Citizens' Bank of Le Roy was incorporated as a State institution 
 in November, 1896, and was opened for the transaction of business 
 January 1, 1897. The charter directors were Wilbur F. Smallwood, 
 Frederick R. Green, Thomas B. Tuttle, Mathias Muller, William F. 
 Huyck, John P. Sampson and Edward H. Butler, and the capital stock 
 is fifty thousand dollars. The present officers of the bank have held 
 office since its organization. They are : President, Wilbur F. Small- 
 wood; vice-president, Thomas B. Tuttle; cashier, Frank E. Chaddock. 
 
 Two events of importance to the village of Le Roy occurred in 1897. 
 
FROM 1865 TO 1898. 349 
 
 March 30 the taxpayers of the corporation of Le Roy voted in favor of 
 corporation ownership of the electric light plant in that village. The 
 village therefore pui'chased for $27,750, of General C. Fitch Bissell, 
 owner of the gas and electric light plants of Le Roy, that industry. 
 The Supreme Court subsequently decided that the action of the tax- 
 payers of the village was illegal and ordered the corporation to turn the 
 property over to the original owner. General Bissell refused to accept 
 the title to the concern, and the case was carried to the Court of Ap- 
 peals, where it now lies. The charter of the village of Le Roy was 
 amended by the Legislature in 1897, one of the principal features of 
 the act being a provision for the election of the village president di- 
 rectly by the people. Prior to that time the presiding officer had been 
 chosen by the trustees from among their number. The first person to 
 serve as village president under the amended charter was L. T. Will- 
 iams, who was chosen at the corporation election in 1897. 
 
 September 8, 1897, while workmen were making excavations in a 
 swamp on the farm of General C. Fitch Bissell of Le Roy, located on 
 the Alexander road a short distance south of the village of Batavia, por- 
 tions of the remains of a prehistoric animal, probably a mastodon, were 
 unearthed. The day following additional relics were found. These in- 
 cluded large tusks of ivory, portions of ribs, a jaw bone holding two 
 enormous teeth, vertebrae, etc. Prof. H. L. Ward of Rochester, a 
 naturalist, expressed the opinion, after investigating the remarkable 
 discovery, that the bones had been under the earth from three to six 
 thousand years, and that the weight of the animal, when alive exceeded 
 five tons. Twelve or fifteen years before this discovery, the antlers of 
 a prehistoric animal were unearthed on Dr. Horn's farm on the State 
 road. The remains of the mastodon found in 1897 are now on exhi- 
 bition in the Holland Land Office in Batavia. 
 
 A new era in the agricultural development of Genesee county began 
 in 1897, when about one hundred and fifty of the farmers of the county 
 began the culture of sugar beets. Expert authorities expressed the be- 
 lief that the soil of this county is unusually adapted to the culture of 
 this product. Though the industry is still in its infancy, the outlook is 
 that the culture of sugar beets eventually will become a most important 
 factor in the agricultural interests of the county. 
 
 The Genesee County Volunteer Firemen's Association was organized 
 in Batavia January 12, 1898, at which time these officers were chosen: 
 President, Stanley M. Smith of Le Roy; first vice-president, James A. 
 
250 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Le Seur of Ratavia; second vice-president, D. J. McPherson of Bergen ; 
 secretary, Edward A. Short of Bata\da; treasurer, L. W. Stuber of Le 
 Roy; executive committee, Anthony Harsch of Batavia, J. S. Gleason 
 of Bergen, Wilder E. Sumner of Corfu, John S. Brown of Le Roy, 
 Warner Smith of Oakfield, and Dr. W. O. Burbank of Pavilion. 
 
 When President McKinley issued his first call for volunteers to serve 
 in the war with Spain in the summer of 1898, Genesee county re- 
 sponded promptly to the summons. Patriotism was instantly apparent 
 on all sides, but unfortunately the volunteers from this county were 
 destined to get no nearer the scene of conflict than Virginia or Tennes- 
 see before the peace protocol was signed and the order for the return 
 home of most of the troops was issued. 
 
 The total number of residents of Genesee county who were connected 
 with the armed forces of the nation during this brief war was thirty- 
 nine. Of these thirty-six served in the army and three in the navy. 
 The largest delegation went with the Two Hundred and Second Regi- 
 ment, N. Y. Volunteer Infantry, which eventually was in service in 
 Cuba. In the Two Hundred and Second Regiment were the following 
 from Genesee county: 
 
 Batavia. — William Cope, Burnett F. Crowell, Frederick W. Griffis, 
 Joseph A. Michaels and Mortimer E. Stringham of Company K ; David 
 L. Parsons, Otto Ackerman and Peter Crowley of Company H ; Harry 
 W. Dodge and Willis J. Rumsey of Company I. 
 
 Alexander. — Corporal Lucien B. Greene, George Harrison and 
 Charles C. Baldwin of Company L; Howard Carroll of Company H. 
 
 Elba. — William H. Baube and Harvey Merrills of Company F; John 
 F. Duggan of Company K. 
 
 Oakfield. — Charles L. Pinder, Zonoah Reed and Alfred Watts of 
 Company I. 
 
 Pembroke. — Robert D. Owen, F. A. Redman and Peter Wolf of 
 Company I. 
 
 Alabama. — Stanton E. Barrett of Company K. 
 
 Le Roy. — Charles H. Valentine of Company K. 
 
 Residents of Batavia who entered the Sixty-fifth Regiment, N. Y. 
 Volunteers were: Frank S. Holdeu, quartermaster's clerk; Robert D. 
 Wallace, John B. Roy, James A. Boyd, J. F. Haller, George W. Fotch, 
 privates. Company D; Roger Donoghue, cook. Company K; William 
 H. Coon, flute player, regimental band. Elba was represented by 
 George Swartz, company clerk, and Frank Eckert, private. Albert 
 
FROM 1865 TO 1898. 351 
 
 Murray Steel of Batavia was a corporal in Company H of the Third 
 New York. Arthur Beals of Alabama and Morton S. Rundel of Oak- 
 field were also members of the Third Regiment. Stephen Moll of 
 Batavia, John D. Toll of Bethany and Richmond L. Rathbone of Oak- 
 field served in the navy, the latter as an assistant engineer, with the 
 rank of ensign. Miss Minnie E. Bates of Batavia went out as nurse, 
 and for some time was located at Fort McPherson, Ga. 
 
 Former Genesee county men who served in the Sixty-fifth Regiment 
 were: J. Wesley Jewell, William Bentley, Harry W. Diepold, William 
 A. Town, formerly of Batavia; Captain George H. Norton, formerly 
 of Pembroke; James McPartlin, formerly of Bergen; Lieutenant Nel- 
 son T. Barrett, formerly of Alabama. Other former Genesee county 
 men who served in the army were : Roscoe D. Ives, formerly of Batavia, 
 Seventy-first Regiment N. Y. Vols. ; Peter Reagan, formerly of Bata- 
 via, First Battalion of Engineers, Cleveland, O., Grays; Charles L. 
 Brockway, formerly of South Byron, captain of Company F., First 
 Regiment, South Dakota Vols. ; Frank N. Robinson, formerly of Bata- 
 via, second lieutenant, First Separate Battalion, District of Columbia 
 Vols. ; Charles Anthony, formerly of North Oakfield, Thirteenth N. Y. 
 Vol. Infantry. Arthur Carlisle of Le Roy accompanied one of the ex- 
 peditions to the Philippine Islands as a soldier in the infantry. Joseph 
 F. Hall of Batavia accompanied the Sixty-fifth Regiment as a newspa- 
 per correspondent. Color Sergeant Richard Silvey of the Marine 
 Corps, who had the distinction of being the first to plant the American 
 flag on Cuban soil at Guantanamo bay, was born in Oakfield. 
 
 There was great disappointment over the sudden termination of the 
 war on the part of many of the zealous patriots who evinced such anxi- 
 ety to see actual service. Not only was the disappointment experienced 
 by those whose connection with the army has been noted, but also by 
 hundreds of other inhabitants who stood ready to respond quickly to 
 their country's call. April 7, 1898, Captain Lina Beecher of Batavia 
 received instructions from the War Department to receive the names 
 of men who desired to enlist in the Volunteer Cavalry Regiment to be 
 organized in Genesee, Orleans and Monroe counties. April 11 he 
 opened a recruiting station at No. 3 Jackson street in Batavia. A few 
 days later the counties of Niagara, Wyoming and Allegany were em- 
 braced in the order. So enthusiastic were the young men of Genesee 
 over the project that by April 20 three hundred and seventy-five names 
 had been enrolled. April 20 a second recruiting station was opened in 
 
353 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Pembroke by First Lieutenant George W. Thayer. The whole num- 
 ber enrolled exceeded two thousand, who were offered either as cavalry 
 or infantry. As early as April 6 the services of this organization had 
 been tendered the adjutant-general of New York State by letter. 
 April 36 Senator Humphrey of Warsaw, Wyoming county, went to 
 Albany to urge the adjutant-general to accept the services of the com- 
 mand, but as the supply of men greatly exceeded the demand, the ten- 
 der could not be accepted. The field officers in command of the regi- 
 ment at this time were: Colonel, Lina Beecher of Batavia; lieutenant- 
 colonel, W. B. Tallman of Perry; majors, M. J. Woodworth of Warsaw, 
 J. A. Smith of Attica; surgeon, Dr. H. A. Morse of Batavia; assistant 
 surgeon. Dr. B. F. Showerman of Batavia. 
 
 An accident resulting in the loss of eight human lives occurred on 
 the New York Central Railroad at Winspeare bridge, near Corfu, on 
 the morning of Tuesday, December 13, 1898. A body of men shovel- 
 ing snow from the tracks stepped from one track to avoid a freight 
 train, and an east bound passenger train dashed among them, instantly 
 killing eight men and injuring four others. Those killed were John 
 Warner and Henry Gunnison of Buffalo, and six men supposed to be 
 Poles. All resided in Buffalo. 
 
 Churches. — During the entire period of the Civil war but three relig- 
 ious societies were organized. These were an Evangelical church in 
 Batavia, one of the same denomination in Pembroke, and an Advent 
 church in Darien. 
 
 A society of the Evangelical Association was organized in the village 
 of Batavia, by the Rev. M. Pfitzinger, February 30, 1863. The first 
 church building was erected on the corner of EUicott and South Liberty 
 streets, and was dedicated March 15, 1863, under the pastorate of the 
 Rev. J. Siegrist. In the year 1871 this edifice was sold and the present 
 brick structure erected on the corner of Center and School streets and 
 dedicated September 28, 1873, the Rev. Theodore Schneider having 
 charge at the time. Daring the pastorate of the Rev. C. A. Wiessemann 
 1879-81, a parsonage was built on Center street next to the church. 
 Both the church and parsonage have undergone extensive repairs. 
 The following ministers have had charge of the church: M. Pfitzinger, 
 F. Klein, Theodore Schneider, C. F. Boiler, Philip Bahn, J. Siegrist, J. 
 Greneback, Philip Miller, C. A. Wiessemann, G. Gelser, L. Hermann, 
 William Mentz, F. E. Her, G. F. Buesch, S. B. Kraft, H. A. Schneider. 
 
 The Advent Church of God was organized at North Darien, January 
 
FROM 1865 TO 1898. 253 
 
 16, 1864, by Elder C. W. Low. The original membership was forty. 
 The Rev, A. C. Newell served the congregation as its first pastor. In 
 1867 the society built its first house of worship, which has since served 
 for the purposes for which it was intended. 
 
 A church of the Evangelical Association was established at Indian 
 Falls, in the town of Pembroke, in 1865, chiefly through the efforts of 
 the Rev. John Siegrist, a member of the association. It began with 
 sixteen members, and at the end of its first year built a church edifice 
 at an expense of $1,100. The society has enjoyed a steady growth 
 since its formation. The Church of the Disciples of Christ was organ- 
 ized at Richville, in Pembroke, in 1867, by J. C. Goodrich. It started 
 with seventy-five members and the Rev. W. H. Rogers as the first 
 pastor. A house of worship was erected in 1868. 
 
 St. Mary's Roman Catholic church at East Pembroke was organized 
 in 1868. Its first house of worship was erected in 1890. The corner 
 stone was laid September 38, 1890, by the Rev. Father Barrett. 
 
 The Free Baptist church at Indian Falls, Pembroke, was foundedjune 
 13, 1869, with nine members. W. B. Hopkins was elected the first 
 deacon, and still serves in that office. The house of worship was com- 
 pleted and dedicated in 1878. Some of the records have been lost, but 
 as nearly as can be learned these pastors have served the society: Revs. 
 J. F. Smith, L. Johnson, M. H. Blackman, W. H. Peck, O. B. Buffum, 
 D. M. L. Rollin, H. N. Plumb, G. Donnocker, F. O. Dickey, F. L. 
 Foster, S. W. Schoonover, W. W. Holt, E. L. Graves, A. J. Osborn 
 and E. Jones, the present pastor. 
 
 In 1870 the Presbyterians of Alabama organized a mission, under 
 Asher Wright. They subsequently erected an edifice costing two 
 thousand dollars. In the same town a mission of the M. E. church was 
 organized in 1888 by the Rev. S. S. Ballon. 
 
 The Episcopal church in Bergen was organized as a mission in June, 
 1872, by the Rev. E. L. Wilson. In 1874 Mrs. Cynthia L. Richmond 
 gave to the trustees of the parochial fund of the diocese a deed of a lot 
 as a memorial to her late husband, Dean Richmond, upon which the 
 ceremony of laying the corner stone of the new church was held June 
 6, 1874, Bishop Coxe presiding. The structure was dedicated January 
 6, 1875, and consecrated June 15, 1880. The church is known as St. 
 John's. 
 
 A number of the German inhabitants of Batavia met and organized 
 the society known as St. Paul's German United Evangelical church 
 
254 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 April 20, 1873. The first pastor chosen to preside over the congrega- 
 tion was the Rev. George Field, and the first officers of the society 
 were: President, John Friedl)'; treasurer, Martin Wolfley; secretary, 
 Louis Uebele. In the following year a Methodist Episcopal church was 
 erected by the society at Darien Centre. 
 
 In May, 1876, the first Episcopal services were held by the Rev. Jay 
 Cooke at Corfu. The denomination continued to grow in that town, 
 and June 14, 1880, the corner stone of a church costing three thousand 
 dollars was laid. The society is the outgrowth of a mission started at 
 Corfu by the members of St. James's Episcopal church of Batavia. All 
 Souls' Union church at Corfu was organized in July, 1881, by the Rev. 
 C. C. Richardson, with about twenty-five members. Mr. Richardson 
 became the first pastor, and' through his efforts a house of worship cost- 
 ing four thousand dollars was erected during the first year of the so- 
 ciety's history. 
 
 In January, 1885, the First Freewill Baptist church of Batavia was 
 organized. Four years later a church .structure was built at a cost of 
 about ten thousand dollars. The society had its inception in a meeting 
 held in Odd Fellows' hall September 38, 1884, at which the Rev. J. H. 
 Durkee presided. 
 
 November 1, 1886, the Rev. Carl Stocker, Lewis Shultz, Carl Bloom, 
 John Harloff, Gottlieb Wayback and Fred Harloff organized the Ger- 
 man M. E. church of Oakfield, which started with thirty members and 
 the Rev. Carl Stocker as pastor. A frame house of worship was 
 erected in 1886 at a cost of about two thousand dollars. 
 
 The Evangelical Lutheran Concordia Congregational church of Byron 
 Centre was founded May 5, 1887, by Rev. Voegele of Le Roy, as the 
 Evangelical Lutheran Trinitatis Congregation. August 25, 1889, the 
 Rev. L. Gross became the first pastor. The church was incorporated 
 under its present name October 24, 1889, and the house of worship was 
 dedicated December 18 of the same year. The pastors have been : Rev. 
 
 L. Gross, 1889-1891; P. F. Becker, 1892-1893; August Stein and 
 
 Euchler 1894; Otto Poesche, 1895; E. F. Holls, 1895-1898; August 
 Klein, 1898. 
 
 The Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's church of East Oakfield was 
 founded in 1891 by the Rev. G. Bartling of Medina, N. Y., and incor- 
 porated in the same year. November 23, 1891, the church was dedi- 
 cated. The trustees at that time were C. Voss, C. Pasel and Fr. Beck. 
 The Rev. G. MUhlhauser of Roseville, Mich. , the first pastor, was called 
 
DEDICATION OF THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM. 255 
 
 January 30, 1892. He was succeeded August 13, 1893, by the Rev. E. 
 F. Holls of Bayonne, N. Y. The present pastor, the Rev. A. B. Klein, 
 succeeded Mr. Holls in August, 1898. This society, and that at Byron 
 Centre became connected with the Synod of Missouri in 1894. 
 
 The Roman Catholic church at South Byron was erected through the 
 efforts of the Rev. Father Kean of Bergen, and dedicated July 36, 1892, 
 by Bishop Ryan of Buffalo. 
 
 The German Evangelical Lutheran Salem church at Le Roy was 
 founded March 23, 1895. The house of worship was consecrated July 
 21 of that year, the principal address on that occasion being delivered 
 by the Rev. G. Helmkamp of Rochester. August Dringeman is presi- 
 dent of the society, and the Rev. Karl Edward Wenzel is pastor. 
 
 The Catholic church at Corfu was built in 1898 through the efforts of 
 the Rev. Father F. L. Burns of East Pembroke. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 DEDICATION OF THE HOLLAND LAND COMPANY'S OFFICE AS A 
 HISTORICAL MUSEUM. 
 
 An event which marked an epoch in the history of Genesee county 
 occurred October 13, 1894, when the ancient office of the Holland Land 
 Company, located on West Main street in the village of Batavia, was 
 dedicated as a historical museum. The occurrence was a most note- 
 worthy one, and called to the county seat many distinguished person- 
 ages from all parts of the country. 
 
 The first sign of interest shown by the public in the project for the 
 saving' and restoration of the old building was a special meeting of Up- 
 ton Post, G. A. R., held in Batavia on the evening of Friday, July 28, 
 1893, for the purpose of taking action toward this end. At this meet- 
 ing the members of that body resolved that an attempt should be made 
 to obtain possession of the structure and place it in possession of a his- 
 torical society. 
 
 On the evening of Tuesday, August 1, 1893, a number of Batavia's 
 representative citizens assembled at the rooms of the board of education 
 to take further action in the matter. Daniel W. Tomlinson, president 
 
256 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 of the Bank of Batavia, explained the object of the meeting and called 
 for suggestions. After a general discussion of the matter, on motion 
 of Dr. J. W. Le Seur a committee consisting of William C. Watson, 
 Daniel W. Tomlinson, John H. Ward, Prof. John Kennedy and Carlos 
 A. Hull was appointed to formulate a plan of action and devise means 
 to secure the building. The matter drifted on for over a month, but 
 on the afternoon of September 18 the committee decided to raise by 
 popular subscription a sum sufficient to purchase the building — two 
 thousand dollars — making the minimum subscriptions one dollar and 
 the maximum ten dollars. Soon after an option was secured on the 
 property for one thousand eight hundred and fifty dollars, the option 
 to expire October 20, 1893. The plan of the citizens' committee was to 
 raise eight hundred and fifty dollars, paying that amount in cash and 
 giving a mortgage for the balance. The members having charge of 
 the subscription papers pushed matters vigorously, but up to within a 
 week before the expiration of the option but five hundred dollars had 
 been secured. The balance, however, was soon pledged, and on the 
 morning of November 13, 1893, a deed was filed in the county clerk's 
 office conveying to Daniel W. Tomlinson the Land Office property, the 
 consideration being one thousand eight hundred and fifty dollars. 
 From that time subscriptions continued to pour in, each one making 
 the donor a charter member of the Holland Purchase Historical So- 
 ciety. 
 
 A meeting was held on Friday, January 12, 1894, to discuss the de- 
 tails preparatory to drawing up articles of association, constitution and 
 by-laws. February 6 incorporation papers were prepared to be sent to 
 Albany. It was decided that the society should be known as the Hol- 
 land Purchase Historical Society, and officers were elected as follows: 
 
 President, Mrs. Mary E. Richmond; vice president, William C. Wat- 
 son; recording secretary, Herbert P. Woodward; corresponding secre- 
 tary arid librarian, Arthur E. Clark; treasurer, Levant C. Mclntyre; 
 managers, Gad B. Worthington, George Bo wen, Frank B. Red field, 
 John Kennedy, Mrs. Adelaide R. Kenny, John H. Ward, Daniel W. 
 Tomlinson, Julian J. Washburn and George D. Weaver. 
 
 July 17 Vice-President Watson named a general committee to prepare 
 a programme for the dedication. This committee consisted of the fol- 
 lowing: 
 
 Dr. J.W. Le Seur, chairman; Hon. SaffordE. North, Frank S.Wood, Daniel W. Tom- 
 linson, Hinman Holden, Dr. H. J. Burkhardt, Louis B. Lane, J. J. Patterson, E. A. 
 
DEDICATION OF THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM. 257 
 
 Washburn, A. W. Caney, John H. Yates, John H. Ward, Frank B. Redfield, F. A. 
 Lewis, John McKenzie, A.W. Skelley, Fredd H. Dunham, C. A. Snell, D. D. Lent, C. R. 
 Winslow, A. E. Clark, R. S. Lewis, W. E. Webster, Dr. Ward B. Whitcomb, G. S. 
 Griswold, J. A. LeSeur, John M. Hamilton, A. J. McWain, William C. Watson, J., 
 H. Bradish, J. F. Hall, B. R. Wood, J. C. Barnes, Nelson Bogue, W. D. Sanford, 
 H. T. Miller, C. W. Hough, D. Armstrong, Dr. C. L. Baker, F. E. Richardson, A. 
 D. Scatcherd, M. H. Peck, jr., C. Pratt, E A. Dodgson, Delos Dodgson, C. H Dol- 
 beer. Rev. J. H. Durkee, S. Masse, Rev. Thomas P. Brougham, Arthur Ferris, 
 Rev. C. A. Johnson, Carlos A. Hull, John Dellinger, S. A. Sherwin, W. T. Eager, 
 H. O. Bostwick, John Glade and J. W. Holme.s. 
 
 Hon. Robert A. Maxwell of Batavia, then fourth assistant postmaster- 
 general, from the outset had manifested great interest in the project. 
 Soon after the organization of the historical society he began to inter- 
 est his friends in President Cleveland's cabinet in the forthcoming ded- 
 ication, with the idea of securing their attendance. Therefore, when 
 Judge Safford E. North, representing the society, visited Washington 
 on August 33, 1894, to see Secretary Carlisle, who had virtually prom- 
 ised to deliver the dedicatory address, and have a date fixed for the 
 ceremony, he found the way made easy for him. Judge North, in com- 
 pany with Mr. Maxwell, visited other cabinet officers, several of whom 
 promised to accompany Secretary Carlisle. Arrangements for the ded- 
 ication were then perfected as speedily as possible. 
 
 Those who first proposed the preservation and enlisted in the movement resulting 
 in the dedication had in mind an unostentatious transfer of the Land Office property 
 to a society organized to hold and maintain it. The old structure was considered to 
 have a historic value as the office where the sales of lands to the early settlers were 
 consummated. It was the office whence deeds of the pioneers' lands were issued, 
 and where the original purchasers from the Holland speculators paid their money 
 for their possessions ; and these facts attached to it an interest that seemed sufficient 
 to warrant it being held in veneration. Prof. John Kennedy, superintendent of 
 schools in Batavia, became engrossed in the subject, however, and in a number of 
 admirably written articles, the first appearing in the News of July 20, 1893, connected 
 Robert Morris of Revolutionary fame with the old office, through his sale to the Hol- 
 landers of the greater part of the territory west of the Genesee river. These articles 
 attracted considerable attention, and when the Land OfBce finally was secured by the 
 Historical society Prof. Kennedy's suggestion that it be dedicated to the memory of 
 Robert Morris and made a National affair, by reason of its consecration to his mem- 
 ory, being a tribute to the first financial officer of the Federal Government, was in 
 its main parts favorably acted upon.' 
 
 On the day set for the dedication, thousands of visitors thronged the 
 streets of Batavia. The parade held in the morning was the largest 
 
 » Batavia Daily News, October 13, 1894. 
 17 
 
258 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 and most imposing ever seen in Genesee county. Practically all in- 
 terests — industrial, religious, educational and civic — were represented. 
 Upon passing the historical Land Office the column was reviewed by 
 officers of the day and distinguished guests, including the orator of the 
 day. Here the tablet erected to the memory of Robert Morris was 
 unveiled by Hon. Walter Q. Gresham, secretary of state, and a dedi- 
 catory prayer delivered by the Rt. Rev. Stephen Vincent Ryan, bishop 
 of the Catholic diocese of Buffalo. The order of the parade was as 
 follows : 
 
 Advanced guard o£ mounted men under command of W. L. Colville; aids, George 
 Douglass, L. A. Terry and M. S. Dunlap. 
 Marshal, James A. Le Seur; chief of staff, I. D. Southworth; adjutant, L. L. 
 Crosby; orderlies, J. F. Read and Burt Williams; marshal's staff, C. S. Pugsley, A. 
 D. Lawrence, Collis Samis, Asher Davis, Harry Ames, Prank Harris, William Tor- 
 rance, Roy Barringer, George Parish, Frank Lusk and William Lusk. 
 
 First Division. 
 
 G. W. Stanley, assistant marshal ; W. W. Plato, Dwight Dimock and Walter Chad- 
 dock, aids. 
 Sixty-fifth Regiment Band and Drum Corps. 
 National Guard. 
 G. A. R. Posts. 
 Sons of Veterans. 
 Continental Drum Corps. 
 High School Cadets. 
 Clerks from Erie County Clerk's Office. 
 Indian Band. 
 Indians. 
 
 Second Division. 
 
 Captain Timothy Lynch, assistant marshal; James McMannis, John Leonard, 
 
 William Burnes and P. Buckley, aids. 
 
 Select Knights' Band. 
 
 C. M. B. A. 
 
 C. B. L. 
 
 A. O. H. 
 
 Le Roy Total Abstinence Society. 
 
 St. Aloysius Society. 
 
 Third Division. 
 
 F. Lewis, assistant marshal ; Ira Howe, William H. Walker and I. W. White, aids. 
 
 Citizens' Band. 
 
 Johnston Harvester Company, 
 
 Wiard Plow Works. 
 
 Ott & Fox. 
 
DEDICATION OF THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM. 359 
 
 Batavia Wheel Works. 
 
 Wood Working Company. 
 
 Cope Brothers. 
 
 L. Uebele. 
 
 Fourth Division. 
 
 C. H. Reynolds, assistant marshal ; Wolcott Van De Bogart, C. B. Avery, Edward 
 
 Moulthrop, aids. 
 
 Le Roy Band. 
 
 Le Roy Chemical Engine Company. 
 
 Bergen Fire Department. 
 
 I. O. O. F. 
 
 A O. U. W. 
 
 Turners. ' 
 
 School Children. 
 
 Fifth Division. 
 
 G. A. Wheeler, assistant marshal, R. I. Page, Lewis Johnston, George Constable, 
 
 aids. 
 
 Bergen Band. 
 
 Pioneers in Carriages. 
 
 Officers in Carriages. 
 
 The exercises at the State Institution for the Blind in the afternoon 
 were impressive and interesting. The programme carried out was as 
 follows : 
 
 Selections by the Sixty-fifth Regiment band; music, "To Thee, O 
 Country," chorus; prayer, by Rt. Rev. Arthur Cleveland Coxe, bishop 
 of Western New York; music, " Zion, Awake," chorus; dedication 
 poem by John H. Yates, read by the author; music, " O Columbia, 
 Columbia Beloved," from Lucretia Borgia, chorus; address, Hon. John 
 G. Carlisle, secretary of the treasury; music, "America," chorus; clos- 
 ing prayer and benediction by Rev. Philos G. Cook, the oldest clergy- 
 man on the Holland Purchase. 
 
 Perhaps no better idea of the life and services of Robert Morris can 
 be gained than from the address delivered by the Hon. John G. Carlisle. 
 Such extracts of that memorable address as are deemed appropriate in 
 in this connection follow : 
 
 Robert Morris, or, as he was sometimes called, Robert Morris, jr. , was for many 
 years one of the con.spicuous figures in the galaxy of great men whose statesman- 
 ship and courage achieved the independence of the American colonies, and to him 
 more than to any other man in a civil station, the people were indebted for the suc- 
 cessful termination of the Revolutionary war. . 
 
 It is alike creditable to the patriotism and the liberality of the citizens of Western 
 
260 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 New York that they have organized the first public association and inaugurated the 
 first practical movement for the purpose of paying a long deferred tribute to the 
 memory of a man who, notwithstanding all the malignant accusations made against 
 him while in the public service, has left a record in which the critical researches of a 
 hundred years have failed to discover a trace of dishonor, or any lack of unselfish 
 devotion to the true interests of his countrymen. . . . 
 
 Robert Morris was born at Liverpool, England, on the 31st day of January, new 
 style, and, according to a statement in his father's will, came to America in the year 
 1748. . . . 
 
 By a contract, or treaty, entered into at Hartford on the 16th day of December, 
 1786, between commissioners of the State of New York and the State of Massachu- 
 setts, the conflicting claims of the two States to certain territory west of a line drawn 
 northwesterly from the eighty-second milestone on the boundary of Pennsylvania to 
 Lake Ontario, except a strip one mile wide the length of the Niagara river on its 
 east side, were adjusted, Massachusetts ceding to New York full sovereignty and 
 jurisdiction over the land, and New York yielding to Massachusetts the pre-emption 
 or proprietary right. The tract thus described was supposed to contain about six 
 million acres. In 1788 the State of Massachusetts sold all the land to Phelps and 
 Gorham, but they failed to pay the whole purchase money and in March, 1791. re- 
 conveyed about 3,750,000 acres to the State. On the 12th of March, 1791, the State 
 sold to Samuel Ogden, who was acting for Robert Morris, all the land, excepting one 
 million acres, or thereabouts, which Phelps and Gorham had paid for and retained. 
 This purchase embraced all Western New York west of a line which corresponds, 
 substantially, with the Genesee river, or, in other words, nearly all that part of the 
 State west of Rochester. In 1792 and 1793 Morris sold 3,400,000 acres of this land 
 to the Holland Land Company, but the conveyances were at first made to other par- 
 ties, probably on account of the alienage of the Hollanders. Afterwards, however, 
 conveyances were made direct to the individuals composing the company, of which 
 Wilhelm Willink, through whom one of the public loans in Holland had been nego- 
 tiated while Morris was Superintendent of the Finances, appears to have been the 
 president. After this purchase a colony of Germans, consisting of seventy families, 
 was formed at Hamburg and sent over to settle on the land. They were furnished 
 with tools and put to work to construct a road from Northumberland to Genesee, but, 
 having come mainly from cities, they were unaccustomed to such labor and the set- 
 tlement finally broke up in a riot. After this, an office was opened by the company 
 and the land was sold and conveyed in parcels to suit purchasers until 1839, when 
 its affairs were closed. In 1803 its office was removed to Batavia, and in 1804 the 
 building which you are here to day to dedicate to the memory of Robert Morris, was 
 erected, and for more than a third of a century the titles to the homes of the people 
 who now inhabit the counties of Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Niagara, except 
 the Indian reservations, and nearly all thecountiesof Orleans, Genesee,Wyoming and 
 Allegany were prepared and executed within its walls. Thus it is that nearly every 
 home in the western part of the beautiful valley which suggested the Indian name, 
 of the river which flows through it, is connected with the name of Robert Morris, 
 and, though all others may neglect his memory, and even forget the name of the 
 great financier of the Revolution, his fame will live on in this historic region as long 
 as the people love the land on which their children were born and in which their 
 fathers sleep. 
 
DEDICATION OF THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM. 261 
 
 Morris's pecuniary affairs grew worse from day to day, and finally his creditors be- 
 came so importunate that he was compelled to remain constantly in his home to avoid 
 them. They watched his house, even at night, and lighted fires on his premises in 
 order that he might be intercepted if he attempted to escape. One of them, a 
 Frenchman, went so far as to threaten to shoot him if he made his appearance at the 
 window. In January or February, 1798, he was committed to a debtor's prison, 
 where he remained for more than three years and a half. It was his habit, while 
 confined, to walk around the prison yard fifty times each day and drop a pebble at 
 the completion of each circuit in order to keep the count. During the hardest of his 
 misfortunes he never became despondent or uttered a complaint, except to express 
 his profound regret that he was unable to discharge his honest obligations. He 
 never referred to the great service he had rendered his country, or appealed to the 
 sympathy or charity of the public, but silently submitted to unjust accusations, to 
 prolonged imprisonment and to the indifference and ingratitude of his countrymen 
 with the heroic fortitude of a great and noble mind. 
 
 No period of his long and honorable career better illustrates the stalwart and in- 
 dependent character of the man than those closing years of his life. He had stood 
 on the very pinacle of fame and listened to the enthusiastic plaudits of his emanci- 
 pated countrymen and had received even the forced homage of their defeated an- 
 tagonists. He had been the confidential adviser and trusted agent of the govern- 
 ment, when a serious mistake would have been fatal to its existence, and had proved 
 his statesmanship and patriotism by the wisdom of his counsels and the cheerful 
 sacrifice of his personal interests. He had been the bosom friend of Washington 
 and nearly all of the great Americans whose names have come down to us from the 
 last half of the eighteenth century and had been the peer of the greatest among 
 them. He had lived in luxury and had at his command all that wealth and political 
 influence and official station could procure ; but now he was broken in fortune, im- 
 prisoned for debt, denounced as a reckless speculator, separated from his old per- 
 sonal friends and ungenerously neglected by the government and the people he had 
 served so long and so well. But he endured it all without a murmur, and after his re- 
 lease from prison went uncomplainingly to his dismantled home, and by the practice 
 of close economy managed to live in a tolerably comfortable condition, for which he 
 was mainly indebted to the Holland Land Company, which paid to Mrs. Morris as 
 long as she lived an annuity of $1,500. 
 
 Morris died on the 8th day of May, 1806, in the seventy-third year of his age, and 
 was buried in a little churchyard on Second street in Philadelphia, where his remains 
 now rest, with no monument over them except an ordinary stone slab. The great 
 country which he helped to rescue from the domination of its oppressors has grown 
 rich and powerful under the constitution he helped to frame ; the three million people 
 whose liberties he helped to establish, have multiplied until they largely outnumber 
 the population of the mother land ; the thirteen feeble States on the shores of the 
 Atlantic, which he helped to unite under a compact of perpetual peace and mutual 
 protection, have become the progenitors of a mighty sisterhood of prosperous com- 
 monwealths, whose confines are limited only by their western seas ; and still, no 
 obelisk rises to tell the story of his great services, his unselfish patriotism, his honor- 
 able life, and its melancholy close. 
 
262 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Following is the dedication poem written for the occasion by John 
 H. Yates of Batavia and read by him : 
 
 When to the banks of Jordan's rolling tide 
 The hosts of God from far off Egypt came — 
 
 With cloudy pillar their long march to guide, 
 Past Sinai's awful mount of-smoke and flame, 
 
 The found no passage the dark waters o'er. 
 
 No way to cross the overflowing stream, 
 And Israel's warriors stood upon the shore 
 
 But could not reach the Canaan of their dream. 
 
 Then Joshua, their leader, strong and true. 
 
 Lifted his voice and soul to God in prayer. 
 While angel hands the billows backward threw, 
 
 And made a passage for God's people there. 
 
 The ark of God moved on at his command. 
 
 And forward moved the host o'er Jordan's bed ; 
 
 Their feet as dry as when, through burhing sand, 
 Their weary way the cloudy pillar led. 
 
 Then reared they high a monument of stone, 
 
 To tell to generations yet unborn 
 How he, the King of Kings, on throne of thrones. 
 
 Held back the waters on that glorious morn. 
 
 In after years, when sunny youth inquired 
 
 " What mean these stones?" the gray-haired fathers told 
 
 The story that again their bosoms fired, 
 The story of deliv' ranees of old. 
 
 Before us stands this monument of ours. 
 That hath these many years the storms withstood ; 
 
 Reared 'mid the perfumes of the forest flowers, 
 In shadows cast by monarchs of the wood. 
 
 Reared on the banks of Ton-a-wan-da's stream, 
 Which, fed by living springs and rippling rills, 
 
 Winds down the vale as gentle as a dream. 
 From the blue domes of the Wyoming hills. 
 
 Reared at the junction of two Indian trails. 
 Where chieftains met to seal some white man's doom ; 
 
 Where war cries mingled with the night-wind's wails 
 And council fires lit up the forest's gloom. 
 
 To-day, when sunny youth of us inquires 
 
 " What mean these stones?" we stop with pride to tell 
 
 Of wonders wrought by high Ambition's fires, 
 And honest toil, o'er every hill and dell. 
 
DEDICATION OF THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM. 263 
 
 As sea shells sing forever of the sea, 
 
 Though borne inland a thousand miles away, 
 So do these walls give forth to you and me 
 
 The sounds and songs of our forefathers' day. 
 
 I hear the echo of the woodman's stroke 
 
 Resounding through the aisles of forest gray ; 
 The crash of giant elm and sturdy oak, 
 
 As they for towns and fertile fields make way. 
 
 I hear the stage horn's blast at close of day. 
 
 The wheels that rumble o'er the rugged road. 
 While feeding deer affrighted speed away. 
 
 To tangled thickets of their wild abode. 
 
 I hear the postman as he hastens here 
 From forest op'nings, where the blue smoke curled, 
 
 O'er winding pathways, desolate and drear, 
 Where now are beaten highways of the world. 
 
 The breaking twigs in thicket dense I hear, 
 
 Where stealthy panther creeps upon his prey ; 
 The victim's struggle and his cries of fear. 
 
 Which fainter grow, and die, at last, away. 
 I hear the whirring of the spinning wheel. 
 
 The crackling of the logs on fireplace bright, 
 The scythe stone grinding on the blade of steel, 
 
 The owl complaining through the lonely night. 
 
 I hear the merriments of olden times, 
 
 The apple-parings and the husking bees ; 
 The laughter ringing out like merry chimes 
 
 From rustic haunts beneath the forest trees. 
 
 " What mean these stones ? " They tell of honest men. 
 Who lived in years now flown away. 
 Who toiled for us with hammer, plow and pen. 
 From rosy morn until the evening gray. 
 
 Their grandest castles, builded in the air, 
 
 When they at noon sought rest in shady dell. 
 Were not, though fancy painted, half so fair 
 
 As these in which their children's children dwell. 
 
 We now enjoy the fruitage of their toil. 
 
 From where the Genesee's bright waters flow. 
 To where Niag'ra's billows in turmoil 
 
 Plunge o'er the precipice to depths below. 
 
 All honor to those noble men who laid 
 
 The firm foundation of our wealth and pride ! 
 They rest to-day beneath the maple's shade, 
 
 All undisturbed by traffic's surging tide. 
 
264 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 O, could they wake from slumber of the tomb, 
 What changes would they note beneath these skies 
 
 A wilderness transformed to Eden bloom, 
 With wonders everywhere to greet their eyes. 
 
 What though their forms have crumbled into dust, 
 Their deeds shall shine resplendent as the sun ; 
 
 What though their plowshares are consumed by rust. 
 The work they wrought will never be undone. 
 
 All honor to that man who forward came 
 In " times that tried men's souls," long years ago, 
 
 And gave his wealth and pledged his spotless name. 
 To drive forever from our shores the foe. 
 
 The memory of Morris long shall stand. 
 With honor crowned beneath these sunny skies ; 
 
 The sons and daughters of our favored land 
 Will not forget his love and sacrifice. 
 
 'Twas he who wakened from their wild repose 
 These hills and valleys, stretching far away, 
 That now unfold their beauty like the rose 
 That gives its dew drops to the kiss of Day. 
 
 When armies falterecl for the lack of bread. 
 When bugles ceased to call and drums to beat, 
 
 He came with patriot heart and hasty tread. 
 And laid his millions at his country's feet. 
 
 Freedom's immortal Declaration bears 
 The name of Morris on its sacred page ; 
 
 With changing years his record brighter wears. 
 While granite crumbles at the touch of Age. 
 
 Then dedicate this structure to his name. 
 While music sweet floats out upon the air. 
 
 The walls shall to the earth speak forth his fame, 
 And this fair valley shall be still more fair. 
 
 As sea shells sing forever of the sea. 
 Bear them away from ocean where thou wilt. 
 
 So shall ye sing, O walls, through years to be, 
 Of great success on firm foundation built. 
 
 The storms and tempests of the rolling years 
 Have beat thy granite walls by night and day. 
 
 Yet thou hast stood, amid man's hopes and fears. 
 To see the hands that made thee mould away. 
 
 Thou shalt remain to bid this land rejoice. 
 Till these fair youths who gaze upon thee now 
 
DEDICATION OF THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM. 205 
 
 Shall speak thy praises with a trembling voice, 
 When hoary hairs adorn each wrinkled brow. 
 
 The waves of progress which have swept away 
 Thy brother landmarks, built of wood or stone. 
 
 Broke at thy feet and vanished into spray. 
 And left thee, gray old monarch, here — alone. 
 
 "A thing of beauty " thou hast always stood, 
 
 "A thing of beauty" thou shalt ever stand, 
 At first the glory of the lonely wood. 
 
 But now the glory of the teeming land. 
 
 Sing on, O walls, though years their changes bring, 
 
 Sing on while all the bells of progress chime. 
 Sing of the past, of future glory sing. 
 
 While thy quaint form defies the march of time ! 
 
 The chorus which participated in the exercises of the day consisted 
 of about a hundred voices under the direction of Prof. E. F. Crane, as 
 follows : 
 
 Sopranos — Mrs. E. Kirby Calkins, Mrs. I. E. Mecorney, Mrs. W. R. 
 Durfee, Mrs. Frederick H. Fargo, Mrs. P. Welch, Mrs. Charles Scott, 
 Mrs. Sarah Peck, Mrs. C. B. Peck, Mrs. Bessie Carpenter, Mrs. Kate 
 Crosby, Mrs. Lounsbury, Mrs. B. H. Bean, Mrs. Preston Case, Mrs. 
 George Crofoot, Mrs. Lord, and Misses Ella Hirsch, Ida Kellar, Miriam 
 Kellar, Emily Carr, Mary A. Lewis, E. Alice Smith, Edna King, Bes- 
 sie Kellar, Emily Hartshorn, Gracia Morse, Minnie Ingersol, Frankie 
 Ingersol, Cornelia Brownell, Rachael McNab, Mertie McNab, Lizzie 
 Shepard, Ada Mockford, E. Maud Baker, Edith M. Knapp, Mertie 
 Knapp, Grace Perkins, Lillian Hatch, Jessie Wallace, Cora J. Gardner, 
 Alice Parmelee, Ora Rapp, Mary Poultridge, Mary Maltby, Ruth Ben- 
 jamin, H. A. Langdon, Adelle Clark, Eva Milward, E. F. Wood, Nellie 
 Day. 
 
 Contraltos — Mrs. W. C. Gardiner, Mrs. E. E. Leavenworth, Mrs. F. 
 A. Lewis, Mrs. Clara Mills, and Misses Lottie Rogers, Mary Milward, 
 Helen M. Iveson, Cora W. Palmer, Gertrude Cardus, Bertha L. John- 
 son, Agnes C. Rimmer, Hattie Hartshorn, Jean Brownell, Louise H. 
 Morse, Nellie McNair, Blanche Lewis, Fannie Stanley. 
 
 Tenors — J. T. Whitcomb, Frank E. Howe, Clarence Meserve, George 
 Mower, A. H. Plock, S. P. Stephens, E. L Nott, Edward Gamble, 
 Charles B. Peck, F. C. Chadwick, F. A. Lewis. 
 
 Bassos — Henry Chiswell, Matthew Robinson, William Mills, E. H. 
 Perry, William C. Gardiner, C. A. Snell, Rev. Thomas Cardus, Lucius 
 
266 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 A. Parmelee, John C. Squires, Frederick H. Fargo, E. E. Leaven- 
 worth, George W. Pratt, Myron A. Pratt, Myron A. WilHams, W. H. 
 Kearns, John Skehan, Harry C. Norton, Thomas Trick, Wilbur 
 Trick. 
 
 Lunch was served in the corridors of Hotel Richmond at one o'clock 
 p. M. Among the guests who sat at the table were Robert Morris of 
 Johnsonburg, Pa., a great-grandson of Robert Morris; S. Fisher Morris 
 of Eckman, W. Va., also a great-grandson of the distinguished patriot; 
 Mrs. Morris, a descendant of the family of George Washington ; Mr. 
 and Mrs. John B. Church of Geneva, the latter being a descendant of 
 Robert Morris; Hon. Walter Q. Gresham, secretary of State; Hon. 
 John G. Carlisle, secretary of the treasury; Hon. Daniel S. Lamont, 
 secretary of war; Hon. Wilson S. Bissell, postmaster-general; Hon. 
 Hilary A. Herbert, secretary of the navy; Hon. Hoke Smith, secretary 
 of the interior; Hon. Frank Jones, first assistant postmaster- general; 
 Hon. Thomas E. Benedict, public printer; and a number of other in- 
 vited guests. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 
 
 Hon Joseph Ellicott was the founder of Batavia. Late in the summer 
 of 1797 he came from Philadelphia to Genesee to attend a convention 
 for the purpose of entering upon a treaty with the Indians at that place, 
 when the lands west of the Genesee river were purchased from them 
 by Robert Morris. In September of that year the treaty was concluded, 
 and after having made arrangements for the survey of the Holland 
 Company's lands, Mr. Morris returned to Philadelphia in the following 
 February. In May, 1798, he again started for the Genesee country, 
 accompanied by his brother, Benjamin Ellicott, and Ebenezer Gary. 
 He arrived at Buffalo in June. 
 
 April 18, 1798, James Brisbane and John Thompson left Philadelphia 
 with a supply of stores for Mr. Ellicott and the men who were to sur- 
 vey the Morris Purchase. May 15 they arrived at the mouth of the 
 Genesee river, having traveled from Oswego in batteaux, via Lake 
 Ontario. At this point Mr. Brisbane proceeded up the Genesee river 
 
JOSEPH ELLICOTT. 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 267 
 
 to WilHamsburgh, taking with him one batteau loaded with stores. 
 Mr. Thompson proceeded westward on the lake until he reached the 
 mouth of the Niagara river, whence he proceeded to Buffalo with the 
 remainder of the stores. Mr. Brisbane remained at WilHamsburgh, 
 located between Mount Morris and Geneseo, until October, 1798, when 
 he removed with the stores in his charge to what is now the village of 
 Stafford. Headquarters were maintained here until January 2, 1800, 
 when the entire party — consisting of Joseph and Benjamin EUicott, 
 Mr. Gary, Mr. Brisbane and James W. Stevens, started to return to 
 Philadelphia. November 1 of that year Joseph Ellicott received the 
 appointment of general agent for the great Holland Land Company. 
 A few days afterward he returned to Buffalo, arriving there early in 
 January, 1801. Late in that winter he removed to Ransom's Tavern, 
 in what is now the town of Clarence, Erie county, where he opened an 
 office for the disposal of the lands of the Holland Company. 
 
 At a very early date, probably before March, 1801, Mr. Ellicott de- 
 termined to make the present site of Batavia the location for the land 
 office of the company he represented, deeming it a fine location for the 
 village he hoped to found.' As the fact became known, a number of 
 persons visited the spot with a view to making it a place of residence. 
 Among them was Abel Rowe, who arrived in March, 1801, and erected 
 the first building in the village, on the lot directly opposite that selected 
 for the site of the land office. The building, which was made of logs, 
 was used for a tavern, and for some time was widely known as " Rowe's 
 hotel." Soon afterward Stephen Russell erected a log house on the 
 land subsequently occupied by the Genesee house. 
 
 It was the original intention of Mr. Ellicott to name the place Busti- 
 ville or Bustia, in honor of Paul Busti, general agent of the Holland 
 Land Company. He communicated the fact to Mr. Busti, but the 
 latter entreated him to use another name, suggesting Ellicottstown ; 
 but Mr. Ellicott refused to honor himself in this manner, and announced 
 that the place should be known as Tonnewanta. But this name evi- 
 dently did not satisfy the founder of this village, for a few months later 
 
 ' February 17, 1801, writing from Ransomville to Richard M. Stoddard at Canandaigua, Mr. 
 Ellicott said : " I expect to make my establishment at or near the Bend of Tonnewanta, and 
 there let the Genesee Road fork, one to be directed to Buffalo and the other to Queenston, and 
 place my office in the fork looking Eastward." The " fork*' subsequently became the site for the 
 arsenal. In a letter to Stephen Russell at Blooomfield, written in May, 1801, he says : '' I expect, 
 shortly, to have all the Lots laid out at the Bend. Since I saw you I conceived it best to post- 
 pone them for the present, in order to attend to laying out a piece of Road before the leaves 
 became so thick as to prevent us from seeing the country," 
 
268 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 he began referring to it as Batavia, in accordance with a suggestion 
 made by Mr. Busti. November 7, 1801, Mr. Ellicott wrote to Mr. 
 Busti, dating the letter " Batavia." ' 
 
 One of the first steps taken by Mr. Ellicott after deciding to make 
 " the Bend " his headquarters was the erection of a dam in the creek 
 and a saw mill. The latter was completed about the middle of Decern - 
 ber, 1801, and kept in constant operation manufacturing planking and 
 boards for the houses which were planned by the pioneers of Batavia." 
 
 As there was no pine timber nearer the mill than at a point six miles 
 distant, in the present town of Elba, Mr. Ellicott engaged Isaac 
 Sutherland to cut a road to the Pinery (Pine Hill), and the work was 
 begun January 18, 1803. 
 
 The first land office building was completed in December, 1801. It 
 was a two-story log structure and was situated on the north side of 
 West* Main street, nearly opposite the site of the old land office now 
 standing. Immediately after its completion this building was occu- 
 pied by John Thompson and others in the employ of the company as a 
 boarding place ; but Mr. Ellicott did not remove his office from Ran- 
 som's until the spring of 1802. 
 
 February 20, 1803, John Lamberton was engaged by Mr. Ellicott to 
 cut a public road through the village of Batavia. Lamberton, assisted 
 by a man named Mayo, began the work the day following, cutting a 
 road one hundred feet wide and two miles long, its western terminus 
 being in front of the arsenal. This roadway, the clearing of which 
 cost twelve dollars per acre, or about two hundred and ninety dollars, 
 was completed in the following May. It at once became, and always 
 has remained, the principal thoroughfare in Batavia — Genesee, now 
 Main, street. The land now occupied by this street was at that time 
 covered with timber. Mr. Lamberton's contract called for the cutting 
 away of this timber and preparing it for logging. The road was con- 
 structed, probably, by the owners of lots fronting on the new street. 
 
 The necessity of a grist mill manifested itself at an early date. The 
 first allusion to the enterprise is contained in letters from Mr. Ellicott 
 to Mr. Busti, dated at Batavia, February 28, 1803, and forwarded by his 
 
 ' In this letter Mr. Ellicott wrote : "In regard to the name of this place, it heretofore was 
 called the Bend, from the circumstance of the Bend of the Creek, and is generally known by that 
 name, but I have Baptized it by the Name of Batavia." 
 
 " This saw mill was torn down about 1822. 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 269 
 
 brother, Benjamin Ellicott.' This mill was not completed until late 
 in the year 1804. 
 
 When the Holland Land Company mapped out the village of Batavia 
 in 1801, they divided it into about one hundred lots. These lots had 
 a frontage of twenty rods each on what is now Main street. They were 
 marked from No. 1 up, the even numbers being on the north side of 
 the street and the odd numbers on the south .side. Each lot was in- 
 tended to be one mile deep, and the extent of land covered in the 
 original map was much larger than that of the present corporation. 
 The western boundary line ran through the spot formerly occupied by 
 the State arsenal. From what is now Jackson street to the court house 
 the lots were subdivided, and in the original map did not contain as 
 much land as the others. Main street was then called Batavia street 
 west of the court house and Genesee street east of that point. 
 
 The first sale recorded on the old records, and doubtless the first 
 sale of village property, was made January 1, 1803, the purchaser being 
 Stephen Russell. The lot was bounded on the east by what is now 
 State street, was of sufficient depth to comprise an area of eight and 
 one-half acres, and was sold for five dollars per acre, or forty- two dol- 
 lars and a half for the whole lot. A four-acre lot having a frontage on 
 Main street was sold April 30, 1807, to James Cochran, also for five 
 dollars per acre. The lot on what is now the west corner of Jackson 
 and Main streets, extending west to a point about the centre of the old 
 Holden store, was sold March 21, 1810, to Samuel Peck and Benjamin 
 Blodgett, for one hundred and fifty dollars. 
 
 A contributor to the Batavia Spirit of the Times of April 39, 1883, 
 thus describes the improvement of the sanitary condition of Batavia 
 from 1800 to 1883: 
 
 The first settlers were prostrated with bilious, typhus, typhoid fevers, ague and 
 fever, dysentery, jaundice, and all the aggravated disorders of the liver to such an 
 extent that there were not enough of the well to take care of the sick. Sickness 
 compelled many who had located here to leave. Many of the settlers from New 
 England went to Wyoming county, where the surface of the country was hilly and 
 the water was soft. Even in 18ii9 the ague and fever prevailed to such an extent 
 that the usual fall militia drill and militia exercises were dispensed with. Malaria 
 with its attendant diseases still prevailed to a very great extent and created the 
 greater portion of the sickness of that time. 
 
 ' In this letter Mr. Ellicott, after alluding to certain business matters to be explained by his 
 brother, the writer says: " His object is also to procure such necessaries in the Lower Country, 
 as will be required for the completion of the Grist Mill erecting on account of the Company, and 
 also to procure if practicable, a good Mill- Wright to construct the running gear of said mill." 
 
370 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 The early physicians of that day were David McCracken, Ephraim Brown, Winter 
 Hewitt, John Cotes, Levant B. Cotes, Chester Bradford, John Z. Ross, Richard 
 Dibble, Truman H. Woodruff, Charles E. Ford, who ranked high in their profession 
 and were skilled in the treatment of the malarial diseases of the country. Their in- 
 vestigation of the causes and their story of the character of the prevailing diseases 
 and their conviction of the urgent necessity for their prevention made them strong 
 advocates of surface drainage as the only effectual safeguard against sickness. This 
 period closed with the year 1830, with some modification and abatement in the ma- 
 lignant type of the disease. 
 
 The second term ranges from 1830 to 1860. During this time a marked change 
 was produced, resulting from a thorough and more extensive system of surface 
 drainage. The Tonawanda Railroad drained the ponds at Mount Lucy, and filled 
 the streets along its line nearly three feet. The village authorities inaugurated an 
 effective system of surface drainage on the north and south sides of Main street. 
 The spring, fall and winter overflow of the creek was checked by raising the road 
 and making a dyke along its banks at Toad Point. The genial rays of the sun evap- 
 orated the latent miasma from a soil freed from the stagnant waters. The plow and 
 the spade lent a helping hand, and the village to a certain extent was liberated from 
 the slimy pools of water which had hitherto dotted its surface. Still the medical 
 faculty insisted that many instances of malarial disease were constantly occurring 
 where the drainage was iniperfect. Dr. John Cotes, Levant B. Cotes, Truman H. 
 Woodruff, Charles E. Ford, Holton Ganson, John Root, John R. Cotes O. P. Clark 
 were the leading physicians of this period. A still more efficient mode of drainage 
 was Strongly advocated by all these medical men. They admitted that the sanitary 
 condition of the place showed marked improvement, and that they were not obliged 
 to resort to the violent remedies of former years. 
 
 The last term extends from 1860 to 1882. During this time another marked 
 change has taken place. The system of surface drainage has been abandoned and 
 the tile system has been adopted. The population of the village has doubled and 
 houses have been erected in close proximity to each other. No sanitary restraints 
 have been enforced in regard to the position of wells and outhouses, and the contents 
 of water closets and house drainage are poured into closed tile sewers running to the 
 creek, the grade of which is so small that it produces a sluggish and impeded move- 
 ment of its slimy contents. The outlet empties into the creek at low water mark, 
 subject to have its malarious germs swept back into every cellar during the high 
 floods of the creek. Below the outlet the waters of the creek are polluted with the 
 offensive sewage and exhale a pestiferous miasma, poisoning the atmosphere along 
 its banks. This has produced a return to the malarious condition of the time from 
 1830 to 1830. Ague and fever, bilious, typhus and typhoid fevers, dysentery, dis- 
 ordered action of the liver have again reappeared, and with them that class of dis- 
 eases engendered by sewer gas, diphtheria, scarlet fever, roseola, malarial fever, 
 mental depression, loss of vitality, general lassitude and debility and all the various 
 types of nervous maladies which are the marked characteristics resulting from the 
 poisonous emanations of sewer gas. Among the physicians of the last term. Dr. Le- 
 vant B. Cotes was the veteran survivor of all his compeers. Dr. Ganson followed 
 next in seniority, than in succession John Root, John R. Cotes, O. P. Clark, N. G. 
 Clark, L. L. Tozier, John F. Baker, H. S. Hutchins, Hamilton, Morse, Davidson, 
 Rand, Walkinshaw and others. 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 271 
 
 It was almost entirely through the efforts of Mr. Ellicott that the 
 county of Genesee was erected, with Batavia for a county seat. The 
 population of the new village was increasing at a satisfactory rate, and 
 the legislative act de.signating Batavia as the capital of the new county 
 gave it a prestige which instantly proved most beneficial. Determined 
 that the village which he had founded should enjoy the full benefits 
 which naturally should follow its selection for this important purpose, 
 Mr. Ellicott at once began plans for the erection of a court house and 
 jail, having stipulated, in his agreement with the Legislature, that 
 these buildings should be constructed at the expense of the Holland 
 Land Company. In a letter to Mr. Busti, written May 8, 1802, he 
 said: 
 
 I am happy in the promptness with which you have agreed to carry into efEect 
 the erection of the Court House and Jail, as stipulated to be erected at the expense 
 of the Company, by Mr. D. A. Ogden and myself. This stipulation was one of the 
 principal inducements towards our effecting the passage of the Law establishing the 
 new County. This money I conceive to be well laid out, for had we not have pro- 
 cured this Act for establishing the County, and bounded it as we have fortunately 
 done, the Company would, in all probability, have had to erect another Court House 
 and Jail, as well as that at Canandaigua, at their expense, and in which they would 
 have been but little benefited. 
 
 It was in contemplation by Mr. James Wadsworth, and interest was actually mak- 
 ing for that purpose, so to divide the county of Ontario, as to make his residence in 
 the town of Hartford [now Geneseo], on the Genesee River, the County town of a 
 County. . . . 
 
 In regards to the Court House and Jail, your ideas perfectly accord with my own, 
 in erecting them in such a maner as will be the most economical, and at the same 
 time answer well the purposes intended. I have received a Plan from New York, 
 which my friend, D. A. Ogden, was kind enough to procure from an Architect of 
 that place. It is not, in my opinion, calculated for the meridian of this Western 
 World, this Century, but might probably answer for the meridian of the cities of 
 London or Amsterdam. 
 
 Mr. Ellicott engaged Isaac Sutherland and Samuel F. Geer as archi- 
 tects for the court house, which was to be built after his own plan, and 
 of wood. The frame was set up about November 1. Its raising " was 
 a Herculean task of three days, and inconsequence of the sparsenessof 
 population, required all the men that could be mustered in the surround- 
 ing country, even from Buffalo. The timber was exceedingly heavy, 
 being almost exclusively oak, and we are told that the workmanship 
 was so perfect, as to elicit the admiration of every one who saw it. Not 
 the slightest mistake was discoverable, and when the frame was put 
 
272 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 together, every joint was as perfect as mallet and chisel could make it. ' ' 
 Though the building was not completed until 1804, the work had pro- 
 gressed so far b)' the spring of 1803 that the first sessions of the courts 
 after the organization of the county were held in it at the time last 
 named. 
 
 The first frame building in the village was erected by Isaac Suther- 
 land in the spring of 1803, about two months before the construction of 
 the court house was begun. It stood west of the Presbyterian meeting 
 house, and was occupied as a residence by Mr. Sutherland and his fam- 
 ily. About the same time Mr. Sutherland and Samuel F. Geer built 
 another frame house on the ground subsequently occupied by the Pres- 
 byterian church, intended for their own use as a joiner's shop. 
 
 In the spring of 1803 James Brisbane visited New York and pur- 
 chased a stock of groceries, provisions and general wares with which to 
 stock a store which he had arranged to conduct under the patronage of 
 the agents of the Holland company. Arriving with his stock at Batavia 
 about the middle of May, he rented the building which Sutherland and 
 Geer had erected for use as a joiner's shop and at once began business 
 as a merchant — the first in town. A few weeks later he purchased the 
 building and occupied it until 1833, when it was removed to make room 
 for the Presbyterian meeting house. 
 
 Several other improvements were made in 1803. During the sum- 
 mer of that year William Munger erected the west part of what after- 
 ward became the Keyes house, which he conducted as a tavern. He 
 was succeeded by Mr. Rowe, and then by William Keyes, under whose 
 management it became the principal hotel in the village. About the 
 same time Mr. EUicott erected a frame building for use as a land office, 
 tearing bown the original log building and moving the records of the 
 office into the new one about January 1, 1803. This building was after- 
 ward altered and became a portion of the residence occupied for many 
 years by D. E. Evans. Stephen Russell also erected a two-story frame 
 building as an annex to his log tavern, on the site which afterward was 
 occupied by the Genesee house. It will thus be seen that the develop- 
 ment of the village of Batavia was progressing at a most satisfactory 
 rate as early as 1803. 
 
 The indomitable energy and public spirit of the founder of Batavia 
 is everywhere in evidence. On every possible occasion he promoted 
 the welfare of the village. All legitimate enterprises were encouraged 
 
 ' Historical Sketch of the Village o£ Batavia, by William Seaver. 1849. 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAYIA. 37r, 
 
 by him in a practical way and he was never slow to take the initiative 
 when he believed the young village would be benefited by his projected 
 act. May 15, 1802, he addressed to Gideon Granger, postmaster- gen- 
 eral, a petition for the establishment of a post-office at Batavia, and 
 recommending the appointment of James Brisbane as postmaster. In 
 his petition Mr. EUicott said : 
 
 Although I cannot flatter the Post Master General with much augmentation to the 
 revenue which may arise from an establishment of this kind, yet as the country is 
 fast settling, and the Land Office is kept here for the sale of a large extent of coun- 
 try, there is little doubt but that in a short period, a considerable revenue will arise 
 from this establishment, as well as be productive of great convenience to the inhab- 
 itants. 
 
 The postmaster-general promptly appointed Mr. Brisbane postmaster ; 
 but there already being a post-office named Batavia in Greene county, 
 the new office was designated Genesee Court House. The commission 
 for the first postmaster was dated July 21, 1802, and the following 
 month he entered upon the discharge of his duties, maintaining the 
 office in his store. The mail was carried once in two weeks, either on 
 foot or on horseback. The route west was from Canandaigua to Ba- 
 tavia, Lewiston and Fort Niagara, and eastward from Fort Niagara to 
 Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Williamsville, Van Deventer's, the Indian Vil- 
 lage, Batavia and Canandaigua and other points east. Soon afterward 
 the increasing population warranted the establishment of a weekly mail 
 from Canandaigua to Buffalo direct, Batavia being a post on the route. 
 
 An idea of the population of Batavia, and of Genesee county, in 1802, 
 may be gained from a statement made in a letter written by Mr. EUi- 
 cott to Seth Pease May 15, 1802: 
 
 As you were acquainted with this part of the country before any settlement took 
 place, it may not be altogether uninteresting to be informed of the number of votes 
 given in at this village last election, for Members of Congress, which will be some 
 data to form an opinion of the progress of settlement. 
 
 Oliver Phelps, Esq., Republican, 50 votes. ^ 
 
 Nat. W. Howell, Esq., anti-Republican, 1 vote. 
 
 In this county, (Genesee), in consequence of the sparse settlements, not more than 
 one third of the people could with any convenience attend the election polls, therefore 
 we only voted 133, of which 117 were Republican and for Oliver Phelps, and the res- 
 idue for Nat. W. Howell, so that it appears this county may be styled Republican. 
 
 The organization of Genesee county took place in 1803. The first 
 court was held in the new court house June 14, when Richard Smith 
 was admitted to practice as an attorney and counselor. November 8 
 
 18 
 
374 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 the second court was held, at which Daniel B. Brown was admitted to 
 practice. 
 
 During the early days of the village a favored few were permitted to 
 purchase from twenty to forty acres of land fronting on Genesee, now 
 Main, street, running back one mile in length. These had all been 
 well schooled in the arbitrary doctrines of a landed aristocracy, the po- 
 litical creed of Joseph EUicott. For years these men held their broad 
 acres undiminished by a sale. They were hostile to the idea of any 
 street parallel to Main, which they would have considered an invasion 
 of their sacred rights. They held their corn and pasture lands for their 
 own pleasure and convenience, claiming that the public had no right 
 to sacrifice them for highway purposes ; that public necessities were 
 subject to their private interests. As a natural consequence Main 
 street was filled with handsome residences. For years all taxes and 
 improvements were lavished upon that broad thoroughfare. The re- 
 sult was that a residence upon that fine avenue became, to a certain 
 extent, the arbiter of social position. 
 
 In the original village plot, as planned by Joseph Ellicott, all the 
 streets converge at the bridge. He designed that the business part of 
 the village should be built around the mill site and west on the banks 
 of the creek. The business location was largely determined by the low 
 prices at which Stephen Russell sold his subdivisions of lots 20 and 22. 
 The first new street to be opened by the necessities of the pioneers was 
 Mechanic street, now State. Then followed Center, then Bank, Lib- 
 erty, Summit, South Liberty, Evans, Swan and Ross. They were 
 generally occupied and built upon before they were legally opened as 
 highways, becoming streets from the demands of a growing population 
 and not in conformity to any plan laid down in the original village 
 plot. North street was the only parallel street on the north side of 
 Main. It was opened as a highway in 1842 and 1843. Ellicott avenue 
 was laid out by the State. 
 
 The year 1807 was noteworthy by reason of the establishment of a 
 printing office in the village, the press used being the first ever seen 
 west of the Genesee river. Soon after the opening of the office the 
 first newspaper in the county, the Genesee Intelligencer, was published 
 b)'- Elias Williams. Unfortunately publication was suspended in the 
 following October. The early history of the press in Batavia is graph- 
 ically told in a letter written by Benjamin Blodgett, one of the first ed- 
 itors, to Frederick Follett, in November, 1846. A part of this interest- 
 ing letter follows : 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 375 
 
 The first paper published in this County was in the spring of 1807. Elias Williams 
 purchased in Manlius, an old Ramage Printing Press that had been laid aside as 
 useless, and a box of old type in pi, intended to sell as type metal, and brought them, 
 in the winter of that year, to Batavia. After a laborious winter's work of assorting 
 his old type, and patching up the old press, he published the first number of a paper 
 called the "Genesee Intelligencer." This paper was printed upon a half sheet of 
 medium size, with a subscription list of 100, and two or three columns of advertise- 
 ments from the Holland Land Company, one Elopement, and one runaway appren- 
 tice Boy, for whose apprehension a bag of bran was offered as a reward. This was 
 all the advertising patronage, if my recollection serves me right, that the paper com- 
 menced with. The paper was a sorry looking thing — the mechanical execution 
 being so bad that it would have puzzled a Philadelphia Lawyer to find out what it 
 was. I ought to have preserved a copy— it would be looked upon by the craft at 
 this day, not only as a literary but a mechanical curiosity. Williams, becoming 
 disheartened at the shabby appearance of his paper, and about to fail for the want of 
 funds, induced me to go into partnership with him. Anxious to see my name at the 
 head of a newspaper, as Printer, Publisher, and Editor, too, of the "Genesee Intelli- 
 gencer," I embarked my all of this world's effects into the enterprise, which 
 amounted to the vast sum of forty-eight dollars and seventy-five cents, the hard 
 earnings of the summer before, as Pack Horseman and Cook to a Company of Sur- 
 veyors on the Holland Purchase, a pursuit better fitted to my capacity at that day, 
 than Editor of the " Genesee Intelligencer.'' 
 
 About the first of July, 1807, the firm of Williams & Blodgett resumed the publi- 
 cation of the "Intelligencer," with an increased subscription list and advertising 
 patronage. After publishing 13 numbers, Williams went to Alexander to attend a 
 Military Review, and has never since been seen or heard of in this country. This 
 unceremonious leave-taking of Williams put a mighty damper upon the prospects of 
 Mr. Editor Blodgett, who instead of realizing the golden dreams he had anticipated, 
 found himself involved in debt about $300, flat on his back with the fever and ague, 
 which continued about six months without intermission ; and for the want of help, 
 not being a practical Printer myself, was obliged to abandon the publication of the 
 "Intelligencer." However, in the spring of 1808, 1 rallied again, and in company 
 with a man by the name of Peek, I started the " Cornucopia," (a very classic name,) 
 with an enlarged sheet and new type, under the firm of Peek & Blodgett, with a sub- 
 scription list of about 300. In the fall of 1811, Peek was taken sick and died, and 
 with his death the " Cornucopia" went down. 
 
 I then, under the mechanical superintendence of David C. Millar, (afterwards 
 Colonel, with his little cane and breeches,) commenced the publication of the "Re- 
 publican Advocate,'' with a new Press and new type, and continued its publication 
 for several years, when I sold out to Colonel Millar, who became sole proprietor of 
 that paper.' 
 
 Up to the year 1810 James Brisbane and Ebenezer Gary were the only 
 merchants in town. In that year Ephraim Hart opened a mercantile 
 establishment of extensive proportions, the management of which he 
 intrusted to Clark Heacox. 
 
 ' From the History of the Press in Western New York, by Frederick Follett. 
 
276 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 For the first half dozen years in the history of Batavia no regular 
 religious organization was supported, though meetings were held 
 occasionally by laymen and itinerant preachers. The first religious 
 society was organized September 19, 1809, when "a regular meeting 
 was held at the Center School House in this place, this afternoon, 
 agreeable to previous notice being given, for the purpose of forming a 
 Congregational Church. The Rev. Royal Phelps, a missionary from 
 the Hampshire Missionary Society in the Commonwealth of Massachu- 
 setts presided, and officiated in the transactions of the day. We spent 
 the meeting with a sermon adapted to the occasion, from Joshua 24th 
 Chap. 15th Verse, 2d Clause." ' 
 
 At the conclusion of the sermon Silas Chapin, David Anderson, Ezek- 
 iel Fox, Solomon Kingsley, Eleanor Smith, Elizabeth Mathers, Eliza- 
 beth Peck, Esther Kellogg, Hulda Wright, Patience Kingsley, Esther 
 Kingsley and Polly Branard, signed the Articles of Faith and Church 
 Covenant and were pronounced the constituent members of the new 
 Congregational church. September 24, 1809, Rev. Royal Phelps 
 preached "at Jes.se Rumsey's barn " and administered the ordinance of 
 the Lord's Supper, this doubtless being the first occasion of that kind 
 in the history of the town. The church was regularly incorporated in 
 February, 1811. The first regular pastor of the congregation was Rev. 
 Ephraim Chapin, who received a call January 23, 1818, and served four 
 years. 
 
 The impending hostilities between Great Britain and America which 
 were inaugurated in 1812 prompted the State government to adopt 
 measures for the protection of the Canadian frontier from invasion. 
 The plans for defense included the erection of an arsenal for the storage 
 of arms and ammunition at Batavia. In 1810 or 1811 the State made a 
 contract with Joseph EUicott for the erection of a log building twenty 
 feet square and twelve feet high to be used for this purpose. This 
 "arsenal," not a very imposing edifice, but large enough and possibly 
 strong enough for the purposes for which it was intended, was situated 
 above the mill, on the opposite side and near the bend of the creek, on 
 the Alexander road. It was abandoned soon after the close of the war 
 of 1812, when the old stone arsenal in the west end of the village was 
 erected by the State, under the supervision of Major Isaac Sutherland. 
 
 June 6, 1815, after a series of services according to the ritual of the 
 Protestant Episcopal church had been conducted by Rev. Alanson W. 
 
 ' From the church records. 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 277 
 
 Welton, a number of the resident adherents of that denomination met 
 in the court house for the purpose of organizing a Protestant Episcopal 
 church. Rev. Mr. Welton presided, and these officers were chosen: 
 Wardens, John Hickcox, Samuel Benedict; vestrymen, Richard Smith, 
 Isaac Sutherland, Isaac Spencer, John Z. Ross, Chauncey Keyes, Da- 
 vid C. Miller, Aaron Van Cleve, Oswald Williams. It was decided 
 that the society then organized should be known as St. James's church 
 in Batavia. The record was certified by the chairman, S. Cummings, 
 and Trumbull Gary, in the presence of Samuel Risley and Isaiah Bab- 
 cock, acknowledged before Hon. D. McCracken, one of the judges, of 
 the Genesee county courts, and recorded in the county clerk's office by 
 Samuel Lake, deputy county clerk. At the first meeting of the vestry, 
 held at Hickcox's inn, July 1, 1815, Richard Smith was appointed 
 clerk, and it was resolved that Isaac Sutherland, John Z. Ross and 
 Chauncey Keyes " be a Committee to wait on the Agent of the Holland 
 Land Company, to ascertain what aid may be obtained frorn the said 
 Company towards the erection of a Protestant Episcopal Church, in 
 the Village of Batavia, and that the said Committee report at the next 
 meeting of the Vestry." July 15 the committee reported " that in be- 
 half of the Holland Land Company, the Agent would make a donation 
 towards the erection of a Protestant Episcopal Church, if of Wood, of 
 One thousand Dollars, and if of Brick, of Fifteen hundred Dollars." 
 At a subsequent meeting of the vestry at Hickcox's inn, which occupied 
 the southern part of the court house, Aaron Van Cleve and Isaac 
 Sutherland were appointed a committee to ascertain from the agent of 
 the Holland Land Company what site might be obtained for the church. 
 October 21 of that year Isaac Sutherland was designated to superintend 
 the erection of a brick church. At the same time Richard Smith, the 
 clerk of the vestry, was appointed treasurer and Chauncey Keyes and 
 Isaac Spencer collectors. Major Sutherland declining to act as super- 
 intendent, another person was appointed in his place. The vestry im- 
 mediately contracted with David Canfield and Thomas McCulley of 
 Schenectady to perform the mason work, and on April 10, 1816, ground 
 was broken and the erection of the new church was begun. The 
 church was not completed until 1823. The first regular rector. Rev. 
 Levi S. Ives, subsequently bishop of North Carolina, did not enter 
 upon his duties until 1822, and his minstrations closed in summer of 
 1823. 
 
 Soon after the organization of St. James's church, a Methodist Epis- 
 
278 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 copal class, which had been organized as early as 1816, perhaps prior 
 to that time, began to take steps toward the organization of a regular 
 church society. December 15, 1819, a meeting of the local Methodists 
 was held at the court house. Rev. Elisha Howse presided, assisted by 
 Jeremiah Bennett, and Thomas McCulley, Samuel F. Geer, Jeremiah 
 Bennett, Seymour Ensign and Silas Hollister were elected trustees of 
 a congregation which it was then and there decided should be known 
 as the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Batavia. The first church 
 edifice was not erected until 1833. 
 
 The Batavia branch of the Genesee County Bible Society was organ- 
 ized April 5, 1819. The meeting was held in the old brick school 
 house, and Rev. Mr. Chapin acted as moderator and Thomas Mc- 
 Culley as secretary. The society was organized by the election of 
 these ofificers: Chairman, Ephraim Towner; clerk, Thomas McCulley; 
 treasurer, Parmenio Adams; collector, Urial Spencer; distributing 
 committee, Lemuel Foster, Amherst Crane, Ahimaz Brainard, Thomas 
 McCulley. 
 
 A fair idea of the commercial and industrial progress made by the 
 village during the period closing with the year 1819 may be gathered 
 by reference to the following list of business men in town in that year: 
 
 Merchants, James Brisbane, Gary & Davis, Jonathan Lay, William H. Wells, J. P. 
 & A. Smith, William R. Thompson, W. S. Moore & Co. Druggists, H. Tisdale, 
 Hewitt & Billings. Leather and shoe store, Ephraim Towner. Jeweler, C. C. 
 Church. Milliner, Miss Ann Forbes. Tailors, James Cawte, H. B. Pierpont, Sam- 
 uel Mead. Hatter, Nathan FoUett. Tavernkeepers, William Keyes, Hinman Hol- 
 den, Horace Gibbs, Mrs. Leonard, Joseph Baker. Lawyers, Richard Smith, Daniel 
 B. Brown, P. L. Tracy, Ethan B. Allen, T. C. Love, C. Carpenter. Physicians, 
 D. McCracken, Ephraim Brown, John Cotes, Winter Hewitt, John Z. Ross. Sad- 
 dler, Simeon Cummings. Cabinet and chairmaker, Thomas Bliss. Tanners, E. 
 Towner, Oswald Williams. Meat market, Mr. Folsom. Book store, Oran FoUett. 
 
 The year 183^1 was marked by the first fire of any importance which 
 occurred in Batavia. The number of buildings destroyed and the 
 pecuniary losses appear small when compared with the great fires 
 which are so common in these days, but the destruction of even $10,- 
 000 worth of property was heavily felt by the citizens of Batavia over 
 three-quarters of a century ago. The Spirit of the Times describes the 
 fire, which occurred on the night of December 32, as follows: 
 
 The flames were discovered to proceed from a block of buildings occupied as stores 
 and shops on the north side of Main street, and exhibited to the agitated minds of 
 our citizens a scene terrible and alarming in the highest degree ; the destructive ele- 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 279 
 
 ment was raging with the greatest fury in the heart of our village, and a prospect 
 almost inevitable of the fairest portion of it being laid in ashes. The fire had made 
 such progress before it was discovered, as to forbid all attempts to save the buildings 
 situated on either side of Mr. L. Baker's Silversmith shop where it is supposed the 
 fire originated. The active exertions of the citizens were turned to prevent it ex- 
 tending its ravages to the adjacent building. The struggle was long and doubtful, 
 but the cool and deliberate action of a few individuals, favored by the stillness of 
 the night, and the constant pouring of water over the sides of the exposed buildings, 
 accomplished at last what the most sanguine hardly dare hope. 
 
 Mr. Gibb's dwelling house on the west, and the Grocery Store of Mr. Davis at the 
 east, were situated but a few feet from the building burnt, yet they were saved with 
 no other means than the use of buckets. The injury they sustained is trifling. 
 
 The destruction of property is of considerable amount. Three buildings destroyed. 
 One of them was occupied by Messrs. Mo ore &_F inch as a Dry-goods store and . 
 owned by Mr. Horace Gibbs. Another by L. Baker as a Silver-smith shop, also 
 owned by Mr. Horace Gibbs. The other was occupied by Mr. James P. Smith, Mer- 
 chant, Charles C. Church, watch-maker. The upper part was occupied by D. C. 
 Miller, Esq., as the Advocate Printing Office, which was totally destroyed. The 
 building was owned by Messrs. F. & T. Palmer. Mr. Miller is probably the great- 
 est sufferer in this dreadful calamity, having lost the whole of his printing apparatus, 
 list-books, accounts, etc. 
 
 The amount of property destroyed may be estimated at about $10,000. The great- 
 est amount was consumed in the building occupied by Messrs. Moore & Finch, but 
 it gives us pleasure to state, that their loss, between 5 & |6,000 was covered by an 
 insurance. 
 
 /> 
 
 The first direct result of the fire, aside from the temporary set-back 
 to the business development of the village, was an agitation for the es- 
 tablishment of an adequate system of fire protection and the incorpora- 
 tion of the village. June 23, 1832, a mass meeting of citizens was held, 
 when Silas Finch, William H. Wells and Trumbull Gary were appoint- // 
 ed a committee to petition the State Legislature for an act of incorpora- 
 tion. For some reason the first attempt in this direction failed ; but at 
 the next succeeding session of the Legislature a charter was granted, 
 on April 33, 1833. Following is the original act incorporating the vil- 
 lage of Batavia. 
 
 Be it enacted by the people of the State of New York represented in Senate and 
 Assembly: That the inhabitants resident within all that part of the Village of 
 Batavia in the county of Genesee as Surveyed by Joseph EUicott bounded as follows ; 
 Beginning at a point in the East line of lot Number forty-four in said Village eighty 
 rods north from the centre of Genesee street thence westwardly parallel with the 
 centre of Genesee and Batavia streets Eighty rods therefrom to the western bounds 
 of Lot Number Three in said Village thence southerly on the west line of said lot 
 number fourteen to the Southwest corner of said Lot, thence continuing in the same 
 direction to the south bank of Tonnewanta Creek thence up the Southern bank of 
 
280 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Tonnewanta Creek to a point eighty rods south of the Centre of Genesee Street 
 thence eastwardly parallel with said Genesee Street to the East line of Lot Number 
 Forty-five thence northerly on said line to the place of beginning shall be a corpo- 
 ration by the name and Style of the Trustees of the Village of Batavia and by that 
 name they and their Successors may have perpetual succession, shall be known in 
 law ; shall be capable of suing of being sued and of defending and being defended 
 in all Courts and places whatsoever and in all manner of actions and causes and 
 they and their Successors may have a common Seal and may alter the same at 
 pleasure and shall be in Law capable of purchasing holding and conveying any real 
 or personal Estate for the use of said corporation and shall have power to erect and 
 keep in repair one or more fire Engine or Engines and Ladder fire hooks and other 
 instruments for extinguishing fire ; to improve the streets and sidewalks and remove 
 and prevent encroachments thereon ; to prevent horses cattle and swine from run- 
 ning in the streets; to erect hay scales and regulate the assize of bread and to raise 
 money by Tax to carry into eflEect the above mentioned powers and for defraying 
 the incidental expenses of supporting the several bye laws and regulations. Which 
 money to be raised shall not exceed the sum of three hundred dollars annually Pro- 
 vided that no part of the said sum to be annually raised shall be applied to the mak- 
 ing or repairing sidewalks, and shall be assessed upon the freeholders and inhab- 
 itants of said Village who are voters there in proportion to their property real and 
 personal within said Corporation by the Trustees thereof and collected by the Col- 
 lector of said Village in the same manner as the Taxes of the County of Genesee 
 and collected by virtue of a warrant to him directed signed by a majority of the 
 Trustees of said Corporation and by him paid into the hands of the Treasurer 
 thereof; provided that no tax shall be levied or monies raised for any of the pur- 
 poses aforesaid nor any public buildings erected nor any purchase or sale of any real 
 or personal estate be made nor any fire Engine house or houses erected or disposed 
 of without the consent of the freeholders and inhabitants of said Corporation as- 
 sembled qualified to vote as hereinafter mentioiied or a majority of them to be 
 given at a public meeting duly notified as hereinafter mentioned. 
 
 And be it further Enacted That the Inhabitants residing within said Corporation 
 and who shall have been in possession of real property within said Corporation for 
 six months next Previous to the time of voting and shall have paid highway or other 
 Taxes within the limits of said Village may on the first tuesday of June next meet at 
 some proper place within the said Corporation to be appointed by any two Justices 
 of the Peace of the town of Batavia a notice whereof shall be put up in at least three 
 Public Places within said Corporation ten days previous to said first Tuesday of June 
 next and then and there proceed to Elect five discreet persons resident within said 
 Corporation and who shall have resided therein for the space of one year then next 
 previous to such election and having freeholds therein to the value of Five hundred 
 Dollars or other property to the value of One thousand Dollars to be the Trustees 
 thereof and who when Chosen shall possess the Several rights and powers hereafter 
 specified and Such Justices shall preside at such meeting and shall declare the Sev- 
 eral Persons having the greatest number of votes duly Elected Trustees and on every 
 first tuesday of May after the Election of Trustees there shall in like manner be a 
 new election of Trustees for said Corporation and the Trustees so elected shall hold 
 their offices for one year and until others are Elected in their stead and the said 
 
THE VILLAGE OP BATAVIA. 381 
 
 Trustees or a majority of them shall after the first Election as aforesaid perform the 
 duties required from the said Justices in respect to notifying the inhabitants of Said 
 Village and presiding at Such Election. 
 
 And be it further Enacted That it shall be lawful for the said Trustees of said Vil- 
 lage or a major part of them and their Successors to make ordain constitute and Pub- 
 lish such prudential bye Laws rules and regulations as they from time to time shall 
 deem correct and proper and for the benefit of said Village relating to the objects 
 mentioned in the first section of this act and not inconsistent with the Laws of the 
 State or of the United States and shall further be lawful for the said Trustees to or- 
 dain constitute and publish such fines and forfeitures for the breaking any such laws. 
 
 And be it further Enacted That the inabitants of said Village qualified to vote for 
 Trustees as aforesaid at their first and annual meetings thereafter shall and they 
 are hereby authorized and empowered to choose one Treasurer and one collector 
 being inhabitants of said Village and having resided therein One year next previous 
 to such election and the persons having the greatest number of Votes for each 
 office respectively shall be deemed duly chosen and in case a vacancy shall happen 
 in either of the above Offices by death removal from said Village or refusal to 
 serve the trustees shall have the power to appoint some other person of the Qual- 
 ification aforesaid to supply such vacancy until the annual meeting and the person 
 so appointed shall be liable to the same penalties and restrictions as if duly 
 elected at the annual meeting which said Treasurer and Collector shall be entitled 
 to receive for their several services such suitable compensation as the legal voters 
 of said Corporation or a majority of them at their annual meeting shall deem proper. 
 
 And be it further Enacted That the Trustees Treasurer and Collector shall 
 before they proceed to execute their several offices and within ten days after their 
 election respectively take and subscribe an oath or affirmation before any Justice 
 of the peace of the town of Batavia for the faithful Execution of the Office or 
 trust to which they may be severally elected Provided nevertheless That the said 
 Treasurer and Collector before they take the oath or affirmation aforesaid shall re- 
 spectively give security to the Trustees of said Village for the faithful discharge 
 of their respective Offices in such sum and in such manner as the majority of them 
 shall deem sufficient. ' 
 
 And be it further Enacted That it shall be lawful for the Trustees of said Vil- 
 lage or a majority of them to appoint not exceeding fifty firemen out of the inhab- 
 itants of said Village and the same or any of them to remove at pleasure and to 
 appoint others in their stead and to regulate the times of meeting and exercise of 
 said Company of firemen to appoint their Captain and other officers and to make such 
 bye laws rules and regulations for the government of said Company and regulate 
 ordain and establish such penalties for the breaking or disobeying of such bye Laws 
 rules and regulations as they may deem expedient Provided that no penalty shall be 
 inflicted on any fireman exceeding the sum of fifteen Dollars for any one offence and 
 that the said Trustees or a majority of them shall have the power of remitting such 
 fine or any penalty when they may deem it expedient. 
 
 And be it further Enacted That the Trustees within twenty days after their election 
 or a major part of them shall and it is hereby made their duty to assemble at some 
 convenient place in said Village and there choose and appoint some one suitable per- 
 son of their body to be President of the said board of Trustees and some other suit- 
 
282 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 able person being a taxable inhabitant of said Village to be Clerk to said board of 
 Trustees and it shall be the duty of the President when present to preside at the 
 mee'tings of the Trustees, to order extraordinary meetings of the Trustees whenever 
 he may conceive it for the interest of the Village ; to hear and receive complaints of 
 the breach of any of the laws of said Corporation to see that all the bye laws rules 
 and regulations of said Village are enforced and faithfully executed to prosecute in 
 the name of the Trustees all offenders against or violators of the bye laws ordained 
 and published as aforesaid to keep the seal of said village and to affix it together 
 with his signature to all such rules and regulations as a majority of the Trustees 
 shall deem proper and in case of the Death removal or inability of the President to 
 discharge the duties of the Office it shall be the duty of the Clerk to notify the other 
 Trustees of such death removal or inability who shall within ten days thereafter 
 meet and elect another President out of their body to hold his office until the next 
 annual meeting: and it shall further be the duty of the President to take care of pro- 
 tect and preserve all the property belonging to said Village as a Corporation to pre- 
 side over all public meetings of the villagers for the purposes and to do all such other 
 acts and things as may be proper for the President of the Trustees'to do and it shall 
 be the duty of the Clerk to keep the minutes of all such votes orders rules and reg- 
 ulations as are made by the freeholders and inhabitants of such Village at their pub- 
 lic meetings, and also to attend the meetings of the trustees and record all the bye 
 laws rules and regulations passed by them ; and the Trustees shall have power to re- 
 move such clerk and to appoint a new one, and to appoint one pro tempore in case of 
 the absence of the Clerk as a majority of them shall agree, and the Clerk shall re- 
 ceive such compensation for his services as a majority of the trustees shall deem suf- 
 ficient to be paid out of the funds of said Village. 
 
 And be it further Enacted That it shall be the duty of the Trustees and their Suc- 
 cessors annually to assess on the several inhabitants and freeholders residing in said 
 village the amount of the taxes which the freeholders and inhabitants of said Village 
 shall at the annual meetings determine to be raised levied or collected in proportion 
 to their property real and personal within said village and they shall likewise exer- 
 cise the office of fire wardens in said village in case of fire. 
 
 And be it further Enacted That the Collector shall within such time as shall be 
 hereafter limited by the bye laws of said Corporation after the receipt of his 
 warrant for collecting of any Tax that may have been ordered to be raised collect and 
 pay the same to the Treasurer and that such collector shall have and exercise the 
 same power in the Collecting such Taxes by distress and sale as the several collect- 
 ors of Towns have in the levying and collecting of Taxes and that all monies which 
 may at any time be in the hands of the Treasurer shall be liable to be drawn out by 
 the Trustees or a majority of them and applied and disposed of as shall have been 
 directed by the freeholders and Inhabitants of said Village or agreeably to the pro- 
 visions of this act; Provided nevertheless that the Trustees shall have the Power to 
 apply and dispose of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated for any 
 purpose or purposes for the benefit of said Corporation in their discretion anything 
 in this act to the contrary notwithstanding. 
 
 And be it further Enacted That the said Trustees shall keep an account of their 
 necessary disbursements and shall exhibit the same to the Taxable inhabitants of 
 said Village at their annual meeting or any other legal meeting of said Corporation 
 when required by a vote thereof. 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 383 
 
 And be it further Enacted That if any one of the inhabitants of said Village qual- 
 ified as aforesaid shall hereafter be elected and chosen a trustee and shall refuse or 
 neglect to serve as such it may be lawful for the Trustees duly qualified or the major 
 part of them to impose and inflict upon such person so neglecting or refusing such 
 reasonable fine or fines as they may think proper Provided That such fine for any 
 one offence shall not exceed the sum of Ten dollars to be recovered in the same man- 
 ner that other fines or penalties are recoverable by this act and that in all cases when 
 the Trustees of the Village of Batavia shall sue or prosecute by virtue of this act it 
 shall be sufficient for the said Trustees to declare generally that the Defendent is 
 indebted to them by virtue of this act to the amount of twenty five dollars or under 
 and give any special matter in evidence under such declaration and in any action or ac- 
 tions which may be brought for or against the Trustees or for or against any other 
 person or persons for anything done under this act the freeholders or Inhabitants of 
 said Village shall be and they are hereby declared Competent Witnesses or Jurymen 
 for either party in such action. 
 
 And be it further Enacted That it shall be the duty of the President of the Board 
 of Trustees to give notice to the Inhabitants of said Village of all public meetings at 
 least one week previous thereto in such manner as a majority of the Trustees may 
 deem proper and that it shall be lawful for the Trustees or a majority of them to 
 call a public meeting of the inhabitants of said Village when they may think it ex- 
 pedient. 
 
 And be it further Enacted That all fines penalties and forfeitures and all monies 
 obtained in any manner whatever by virtue of this act shall be paid into the hands 
 of the Treasurer for the public use of said Village and the Treasurer shall and he is 
 hereby authorized in case any person having so received any money by virtue of this 
 act to and for the use and proper benefit of said Village and shall refuse or neglect 
 to pay the same to him to prosecute every such Offender in the name of the Trustees 
 of said Village for monies had and received to and for the use of said Village. 
 
 And be it further Enacted That each and every individual owning or being in 
 possession of land in the said Village adjacent to the Street of said Village shall 
 make and improve side walks in front of such land under the direction and superin- 
 tendence of the Trustees Provided nevertheless that no individual shall be compelled 
 to expend a greater sum than Ten Dollars in any One year for such purpose and in 
 case any person shall neglect or refuse to build or repair such side walk in front of 
 his or their land after being duly notified by the Trustees the said Trustees may 
 erect or repair the same and charge such person or persons therewith and recover 
 the same in the same manner that other penalties are recoverable by virtue of this act. 
 
 And be it further Enacted That this act be and the same is hereby declared to be 
 a public act and shall be construed in all Courts of Justice within this State benignly 
 and liberally to effect every beneficial purpose therein mentioned and contained. 
 
 A supplementary act passed April 9, 1834, contained the following 
 provisions : 
 
 Be it enacted by the people of the State of New York represented in Senate and 
 Assembly That in addition to the powers vested in the Trustees of the Village of 
 Batavia in and by the act of which this is a supplement that the said Trustees 
 have full power and authority to determine the number of groceries to be kept in the 
 
284 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 said Village and to license such and so many thereof for such sum or sums of money 
 as they the said Trustees or a majority of them shall determine to be just and 
 proper which said money shall be paid into the hands of the Treasurer of the said 
 Corporation for the use of the said Corporation the said Trustees shall also have full 
 power and authority to compel each and every house keeper or person being in pos- 
 session of any building in said village to keep their fire places chimneys and stoves 
 clean and in good repair also to order and direct each and every person who shall be 
 in possession of any building in said Village to provide themselves with one or more 
 fire buckets the said Trustees shall also have full power and authority to suppress 
 and prevent nuisances generally and may make and ordain such prudential by-laws 
 rules, and regulations in reference to the above objects as to them or a majority of 
 them shall seem meet and proper. 
 
 And be it further Enacted That the person or persons in possession of any real 
 estate in said Village at the time any tax is assessed shall be liable to pay the 
 amount assessed thereon and if such person or persons is or are not bound by con- 
 tract or otherwise to pay such tax or any part thereof he she or they shall and may 
 recover the same from the owner or owners of such real estate or other person whose 
 duty it was to have paid the same. 
 
 And be it further Enacted That it shall be lawful for the freeholders and inhab- 
 itants resident in t^le Village of Batavia qualified to vote at their annual meeting in 
 each and every year to choose and elect by ballot a Village Constable who when 
 elected shall be vested with the same powers and authority and subject to the same 
 duties in all cases civil and criminal as by law appertain or belong to constables 
 chosen at the annual Town meetings of the Town of Batavia Provided however that 
 the said Constable shall not have power or authority to execute any civil process ex- 
 cept the Corporation of said Village shall be a party thereto or interested therein 
 and provided further that the said Constable shall within ten days after his election 
 and before he enters upon the Duties of his ofiice shall take and subscribe an oath 
 or affirmation before any justice of the peace faithfully to execute the Duties of his 
 office and shall also give security to the Trustees for the faithful discharge of the 
 duties of his office in such sum and in such manner as Majority of the said Trustees 
 shall deem proper and sufficient. 
 
 And be it further Enacted That it shall be and is hereby made the duty of the 
 Trustees of the Village of Batavia at each and every annual meeting of the inhab- 
 itants of said Village to exhibit a just and true account of the expenditure of all 
 monies which shall have been assessed or otherwise received for the use of the Cor- 
 poration of said Village. 
 
 In accordance with the provisions of this charter a meeting of the 
 inhabitants of the village was held June 3, 1823, at the tavern of James 
 Ganson. C. Carpenter and D. Tisdale, justices of the peace, presided, 
 and the following were chosen officers for the first year : 
 
 Tru.stees, Daniel H. Chandler, David E. Evans, Nathan Follett, Simeon Cum- 
 mings, Silas Finch ; treasurer, Trumbull Cary; collector, Parley Paine. 
 
 These officers met June 14 and made these appointments: 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 385 
 
 President, Daniel H. Chandler; clerk, Oliver G. Adams; assessors, SiUs Finch , 
 Nathan Follett; superintendent of streets and sidewalks, Simeon Cummings; pound- 
 keeper, Robert P. Betts. 
 
 While the original charter of the village of Batavia and its supplement 
 are quaint documents, they are hardly more interesting than the first 
 ordinances adopted June 5, 1833, by the trustees, signed by Daniel H. 
 Chandler as president, and printed and posted in conspicuous places 
 throughout the village. These ordinances related exclusively to the 
 subject of impounding stray animals, fast riding or driving, and defin- 
 ing sidewalks. After describing the duties of pound master and the 
 limitations of owners of animals, the first ordinance provides that ' ' such 
 Pound keeper shall receive for his services the following fees, to wit : 
 for driving each swine to pound, six cents, and six cents for each day 
 he shall keep the same; and for driving each horse to pound, twelve 
 and an half cents, and twelve and an half cents for each day he shall 
 keep the same; and six cents for advertising, and six cents for selling 
 each swine or horse impounded as aforesaid. '* Sidewalks were defined 
 as " the space of twelve feet, on each side of the streets." It was also 
 ordained that "there shall be no running or racing of horses in the 
 several streets within the boundaries of the Corporation of the Village 
 of Batavia. . . . Each and every person running a horse upon any 
 of the streets within the said Corporation, shall forfeit and pay to the 
 trustees of the said corporation, the sum of one dollar, with costs of 
 suit; and each and every person running a single horse, with a carriage, 
 sled or sleigh, on any of the streets aforesaid, shall forfeit and pay as 
 aforesaid, the sum of Two Dollars ; and each and every person running 
 a pair or span of horses, with a carriage, sled or sleigh, on any of the 
 streets aforesaid, shall forfeit and pay as aforesaid, the sum of Five 
 Dollars ; and each and every person, who shall a second time be guilty 
 of a violation of this ordinance, shall forfeit and pay as aforesaid, double 
 the amount for each and every offence above enumerated, with costs of 
 suit as aforesaid." 
 
 From this time on the village began to realize the benefits of incor- 
 poration. Streets were improved, sidewalks constructed, street lights 
 were provided for and measures were taken to guard against the rav- 
 ages of fire. The first fire company was not organized, however, until 
 April 30, 1834. The "Rules and Regulations enacted by the trustees 
 of the Village of Batavia in relation to the Fire men and Fire Company 
 in said Village April 30th, 1834," read as follows: 
 
286 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 There shall be one fire company established in the village of Batavia to consist of 
 twenty-five men, and shall be denominated Batavia Fire Company, and located at 
 such place as the Trustees may hereafter designate. 
 
 The following persons are hereby appointed fire men in said company: 
 
 William Seaver, Jun., Captain; Nathan Follett, Hinman Holden, Norman Town, 
 William R. Thompson, Benjamin Allen, Stephen Grant, Naham Loring, John S. 
 Moon, Jonathan Lay, Horace Gibbs, David M. Gardner, Rufus Burnham, Walter 
 Seymour, Daniel H. Chandler, Frederick Follett, William Purcel, Parley Paine, 
 Oran FoUet, William Piatt, Daniel Gates, Ralph Stiles, Hezekiah Piatt, William 
 Dickinson, Charles C. Church. 
 
 The members of said Company shall hereafter elect their captain by a plurality of 
 the votes of the members present, and, such person so elected shall be respected in 
 his office, and shall discharge the duties of the same and shall hold his office for one 
 year, and until another shall be elected. . . . 
 
 It shall be the duty of the members of said company, in the event of fire, to repair 
 with all possible dispatch to the place of rendezvous, and conduct themselves in an 
 orderly and efficient manner in discharging their duties in extinguishing fire, under 
 the penalty of Five Dollars for each offense, to be prosecuted for and recovered and 
 applied according to law. 
 
 In case of fire ... it shall be the duty of every person present to obey the 
 directions of the Trustees of the Village, in the formation of Bucket Lines, and to 
 render such other assistance as may be required, and any person present who shall 
 refuse to comply with such orders, shall for each offense, pay to the Trustees for the 
 use of the Inhabitants of said Village, a fine of five dollars. 
 
 This was the first fire company organized in Batavia, and the found- 
 ation of the modern fire department of the village. 
 
 May 4, 1824, the board of trustees of Batavia, consisting of Daniel 
 H. Chandler, David E. Evans, Silas Fink and Nathan Follett, reported 
 that they had expended the sum of $395.51 for street improvements; 
 also that " the trustees have very recently expended fl7. in construct- 
 ing a sluice way across the street near Mr. Burnhams in order to drain, 
 a pond, which threatens, unless speedily removed, to create consider- 
 able sickness." 
 
 A tragic event, the notorious " Morgan affair," which had its incep- 
 tion in Batavia, transpired in the year 1826. The details of this lament- 
 able occurrence are given in an earlier chapter on the history of the 
 county. 
 
 The brewing industry in Batavia had its inception in a brewery and 
 malt house established in 1827 by Libbeus Fish. The business grew 
 steadily until by 1860 the annual output amounted to eight thousand 
 barrels. Libbeus Fish was sole proprietor until 1835, when his son, 
 Eli H. Fish, became proprietor. In 1862 the latter sold the business 
 to Boyle & Smith, who in turn sold it in 1864 to Mr. Fish. The build- 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 387 
 
 ings were burned in 1865. The same year Mr. Fish erected a malt 
 house on the site, conducting it until 1871, when he formed a partner- 
 ship with Robert A. Maxwell. Early in 1872 Maxwell & Ensign suc- 
 ceeded to the business. The plant was destroyed by fire in December, 
 1873, but within a few months had been rebuilt by Mr. Fish, who then 
 formed a partnership with A. H. King. In 1876 the interest of Mr. 
 Fish was purchased by A. H. King & Son. Fire again destroyed the 
 plant in May, 1883; but King & Son at once rebuilt it, increasing its 
 capacity twofold. In 1886 Mr. King became sole owner, and in 1888 
 the property passed into the hands of Upton & Warner. 
 
 In 1850 John Eager bought the old stone Methodist Episcopal church 
 on West Main street, which he converted into a brewery. This he con- 
 ducted until 1862, when it was destroyed by fire. He then erected a 
 commodious brick building on the opposite side of the street, in which 
 he continued the business. Mr. Eager died December 23, 1869. His 
 widow conducted the business for a short time, since which it has been 
 in the hands of his sons and daughter, Wellington T. Eager, Herbert 
 B. Eager, and Mrs. E. M. Whitcomb. 
 
 In 1857 Eli H. Fish constructed capacious ale vaults on the site of 
 the original Fish brewery. This plant changed hands several times 
 until, in 1880, it came into possession of William Gamble, who operated 
 it until 1887, in which year the buildings were burned. Soon after the 
 Batavia Brewing Company was formed, with William Gamble as super- 
 intendent, and this company erected a new building in the eastern part 
 of the village in the fall of 1889. 
 
 The Bank of Genesee of Batavia was incorporated in 1829 with the 
 following directors: Alva Smith, James C. Ferris, Oliver Benton, 
 Henry Hawkins, Gains B. Rich, Jacob Le Roy, Trumbull Gary, kufus 
 H. King, Jonathan Lay, Roswell L. Burrows, Israel Rathbone, Phineas 
 L. Tracy, Joseph Fellows. 
 
 Its capital stock originally was one hundred thousand dollars, but 
 this was increased the first year to one hundred and fifty thousand dol- 
 lars. The first president was Trumbull Gary and the first cashier Will- 
 iam M. Vermilye. In 1851 the institution was reorganized as a State 
 bank. In March, 1865, it became a national bank, under the name of 
 National Bank of Genesee, having a capital stock of one hundred and 
 fourteen thousand four hundred dollars. In 1885 the charter was re- 
 newed and it continued business as a national bank until June, 1888, 
 on which date the charter was surrendered and the bank was reorgan- 
 
288 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 ized as a State bank having a capital of seventy- five thousand dollars. 
 Among those who at various times have served as directors of the Bank 
 of Genesee are Jacob Le Loy, Oliver Benton, Trumbull Gary, Alva 
 Smith, James C. Ferris, Gains B. Rich, Rufus H. King, Henry Hawk- 
 ins, Phineas L. Tracy, Israel Rathbone, Joseph Fellows, Jonathan Lay, 
 R. S. Burrows, John Foot, G. W. Lay, David E. Evans, James Wads- 
 worth, Horatio Stevens, John S. Ganson, Samuel Skinner, C. M. Lee, 
 John B. Skinner, Benedict Brooks, Horatio Averill, Thomas Otis, 
 William M. Sprague, J. E. Robinson, Benjamin Pringle, S. Grant, 
 Aaron D. Patchen, Walter Gary, J. S. Wadsworth, T. H. Newbold, 
 Miles P. Lampson, Thomas Brown, William Lampson, H. U. Howard, 
 E. H. Fish, R. T. Howard, Augustus N. Gowdin, Trumbull Gary, Dr. 
 Gharles Gary, J. N. Scatcherd, and H. F. Tarbox. The following 
 have served as officers of the bank: 
 
 Presidents. — Trumbull Gary, from the organization to March 31, 
 1840; Phineas L. Tracy, 1840-1851; Benjamin Pringle, 1851-1855; 
 H. U. Howard, 1855-1885; Augustus N. Gowdin, 1885-1898; Trum- 
 bull Gary, 1898 to present time. 
 
 Vice-Presidents.— Y\Ary%ss, L. Tracy, 1834-1840; J. C. Ferris, 1840- 
 1844; J. B. Skinner, 1844-49; Benjamin Pringle, 1849-1851; Alva 
 Smith, 1851-1853; H. U. Howard, 1853-1855; Alva Smith, 1855-1857; 
 J. B. Skinner, 1857-1870; E. H. Fish, 1870-1879; Walter Gary, 1879- 
 1883; W. Lampson, 1882-1885; H. F. Tarbox, 1891-1894; J. N. 
 Scatcherd, 1894-1898. 
 
 Cashiers. — William M. Vermilye, from organization to May, 1830; 
 J. S. Ganson, 1830-1838; J. E. Robinson, 1838-1851; T. G. Kimberly, 
 1851-1858; M. L. Babcock, 1858-1859; Augustus N. Gowdin, 1859- 
 1885; Trumbull Gary, 1885-1898; Lewis F. McLean. 
 
 For many years the Bank of Genesee was the only financial institu- 
 tion in this section of the State, and its business extended over nearly 
 all of Western New York. 
 
 The first official record of any fire engine in the village of Batavia is 
 found in the annual report of the board of trustees for 1830: 
 
 An attempt had made some years ago, to organise a fire Company ; but it had 
 failed, probably, because the Corporation had no Engine ; an essential object, to con- 
 centrate and direct the attention and discipHne of such a company. 
 
 In September last, a small Engine, upon an improved and cheap plan, was bro't to 
 this village, exhibited for several days to the inhabitants, and offered for sale on a 
 year's credit, at $370, with interest. 
 
 A Memorial was presented to the trustees, signed by forty-seven persons, contain- 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 389 
 
 ing the names of the most respectable inhabitants, and heaviest taxpayers in the 
 Corporation, praying the trustees to purchase said Engine, and pledging themselves 
 to vote for a tax to meet the payment for the same. 
 
 In compliance with so respectable, and so reasonable and proper request, the trus- 
 tees purchased said Engine, and gave a Note for the same, under the seal of the 
 Corporation, on interest. 
 
 The faith and credit of the Village are therefore pledged for the payment of it, 
 and it is hoped and presumed they will be honorably redeemed. 
 
 Immediately upon the purchase of the Engine, a Fire Company was organized, 
 under the command of William Seaver Esq., Captain. 
 
 This organization was known as Triton Fire Company. Its officers 
 and members were as follows: 
 
 Captain, William Seaver ; first engineer, Daniel H. Chandler; second 
 engineer, Nathan Follett ; secretary, Abraham Van Tuyl ; treasurer, 
 John S. Ganson; members, Henry Tisdale, Daniel Latimer, Ralph 
 Stiles, B. Humphrey, James B, Lay, John Wilson, Alva Smith, Joseph 
 Clarke, Albert Hosmer, James Milnor, Homer Kimberly, Stephen 
 Grant, V. M. Cummings, Frederick Follett, George A. Lay, Norman 
 Town, D. C. McCleary, John Chatfield, L N. Town, Junius A. Smith. 
 
 In the annual report for 1831 the trustees said: 
 
 It will be recollected that in the year 1829 an Engine was purchased for the use of 
 this Village. That the Engine was purchased in good faith, by the then acting Trus- 
 tees, there can be no doubt, — indeed they did not venture upon its purchase, without 
 first obtaining the consent of the citizens of the village to do so. The Engine was 
 purchased, and a Corporation Note, for $370 given for the payment thereof, payable 
 in one year from date. The Note became due, we believe in September last. At 
 the last annual meeting of the Electors of the Village, a vote was taken to raise $300 
 by tax, in order to meet the payment of said Note. Before the Note became due, 
 the Trustees were satisfied, that the Engine did not answer the recommendation 
 given of it at the time it was purchased. It therefore became a subject of some 
 moment, whether it should be paid for, or not. In order to determine this question, 
 it was thought best to refer the subject back to the inhabitants of the Village for their 
 decision. A meeting for this purpose was called — and it was the unanimous opinion 
 of those present, that a compromise should be made, if possible, with the owners of 
 the Note, by paying them for all damages which the Engine might have sustained, 
 during the time it has been in our possession, and that they take the same back — 
 and in case they would not do this, the Trustees were advised to stand trial, on the 
 suit, if one should be commenced. The President of the Village, accordingly wrote 
 to the Agent of the Company, who resided in New York. The only answer which 
 has ever been received to this letter, was one from a Lawyer in that city, informing 
 that the Note had been left with him for collection, and that unless immediately 
 paid, the same would be prosecuted. Some four or five months have since elapsed, 
 but no prosecution has been commenced. That the Engine is, comparatively, good 
 for nothing, there can be no doubt. It may perhaps, be well for the Electors now as- 
 
290 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 sembled, to take some order on this subject. We leave this, however, entirely to 
 your good judgment. 
 
 Two destructive fires occurred in Batavia in 1833. The first of these 
 occurred about two o'clock on the morning of March 4, and was first 
 discovered in a wooden building on Main street, near the corner of 
 Jackson street, in which was located a billiard parlor. This building 
 was destroyed, together with one on the west side occupied by William 
 Manley as a saddler's shop, and two small buildings on the east side, 
 
 occupied respectively by G. C. Towner as a law office and by 
 
 Wentworth as a shoe shop. Most of the contents of these buildings 
 were saved. 
 
 A more disastrous fire occurred April 19, 1833, the flames first being 
 discovered between one and two o'clock in the morning in a small 
 wooden building nearly opposite the Eagle Tavern. It spread with 
 great rapidity along Main street "until its progress eastward was 
 arrested, though with difficulty, at the intersection of Mechanic street, 
 and westward by the new three-story Arcade Buildings erected by A. 
 Champion of Rochester. The following buildings were destroyed: 
 The Tavern House at the corner of Genesee and Mechanic streets, to- 
 gether with its appurtenances, occupied by Harvey Rowe, and owned 
 by Messrs. Lamberton and Hurlburt. Mr. Rowe's goods and furniture 
 were principally saved. Loss of buildings, about $1,200. An uncom- 
 pleted building, owned by Joseph Wilson, which was fitting up for a 
 grocery, valued at about $300. A small building occupied by R. 
 Blades as a Tailors' shop. Loss of building about $150. Some of Mr. 
 Blade's goods and furniture were destroyed. A building owned and 
 occupied by Joseph Wilson as a grocery, together with most of the 
 goods. Loss about $500. The Store of Messrs. Sherman and Cran- 
 dall, occupied by them as a Dry Goods and Book Store, and Book 
 Bindery, most of the goods were saved. Whole loss about $3,000. A 
 building owned by William Dickinson, and occupied by J. T. Allen, 
 Watch-maker and Jeweller, and Messrs. Gilbert & Seward, Tin and 
 Sheet Iron manufacturers. Mr. Dickinson's loss $400; Mr. Allen 
 about $100. A small building owned by Mrs. Ross, occupied by Hugh 
 Evans as a grocery and Bakers shop, Valued at about $100. A two- 
 story building, owned also by Mrs. Ross, and occupied by W. P. Gold- 
 smith as a Tailors shop; Charles Seward as a dwelling; E. C. Dibble, 
 Attorney at Law, and Doct. L. B. Cotes, as a Druggist Store. In the 
 basement was a grocery, kept by Caleb Allen. Building estimated at 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 291 
 
 $800, insured $300. A share of the loss is sustained by G. W. Allen, 
 to whom the building was leased for a term of years, and who had 
 fitted it up and rented it to the present occupants. Although the num- 
 ber of buildings was considerable, yet as will be perceived, some of 
 them were not of very great value. The aggregate loss of buildings is 
 estimated at about $4,000. There has, however, been some consider- 
 able other loss, but to what amount we are unable to state.'" 
 
 The report of the village trustees, submitted May 7, 1833, shows 
 that the village paid John Anderson the sum of five hundred dollars 
 for a " fire engine and apparatus; " and that the further sum of $49.89 
 was paid to William Dickinson for "hooks and ladders, axes, etc." 
 The year following one hundred dollars more was paid to John Ander- 
 son "for engine;" $18.50 to D. Latimer "for storing engine;" and 
 $40 to William Dickinson "for carriage for hooks and ladders." 
 
 A still more disastrous fire than that of 1833, which might properly 
 be dignified by the name of conflagration, occurred in Batavia May 30, 
 1834. The buildings destroyed burned with great fury. There had 
 been no rain for some time and everything was quite dry. Added to 
 this, a strong wind was blowing from the southwest. The local fire 
 company responded quickly to the alarm, bringing the little fire engine 
 called the "Triton." William Seaver, the historical writer, who was 
 foreman of the fire company at that time, in referring to this apparatus 
 says that it " could only be worked by six men at a time, three on each 
 crank, like turnmg a grind-stone, and its effect on that fire was about 
 equal to a pewter syringe on the crater of Mount ^tna." As soon as 
 the roofs of the two big hotels caught fire, the gale drove the blazing 
 shingles to great distances, at one time threatening to destroy the whole 
 village. Fortunately, about half an hour after the fire started the wind 
 suddenly veered to the northeast. The most authentic account of this 
 conflagration appeared in the Advocate of June 3, 1834: 
 
 The most destructive fire ever known in this county, broke out in this village on 
 Friday last, about 5 o'clock p. M. It was first discovered in some combustible ma- 
 terials near the barns and stables connected with the Eagle Tavern. The out-houses 
 were quickly one mass of flame, and being situated near the Eagle Tavern, it was 
 found to be impossible to prevent the destruction of that noble edifice, and soon the 
 devouring element was seen bursting in large volumes from its windows. A gentle 
 gale was blowing from the southwest nearly in the direction of Genesee street, which 
 caused the flames to expand along the line of buildings on the south side of that 
 street with alarming rapidity, and to progress in that direction in spite of every effort 
 
 • From the Batavia Advocate of March 5, 1833. 
 
393 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 to avert them, till every building was a blazing heap of ruins from the Eagle Tavern 
 to Mr. Latimer's house near the corner of Jackson street, where by indefatigable and 
 persevering efiforts of the Fire Company, the march of the destroyer was at length 
 stayed. 
 
 The fire extended south from the Eagle Tavern along Court street to Mr. Wood's 
 blacksmith shop on Bigtree street. The spectacle presented by the conflagration 
 was truly appalling. The following estimate of the number of buildings destroyed, 
 the amount of Insurance, loss &c. on each, will be found nearly correct. 
 
 Genesee street. — B. Humphrey's Eagle Tavern, estimated loss of buildings, barns, 
 sheds &c. 110,000. Insured $7,000. 
 
 Tavern house occupied by H. Rowe, and owned by A. Champion of Rochester, no 
 insurance. Loss $3,000. 
 
 Taggart & Smith's Law Office, no insurance. Loss $300. 
 
 Jones & Leech, tailors shop, owned by M. Taggart Esq., no insurance. Loss $300. 
 
 Law Office and dwelling house, owned by T. Fitch Esq., no insurance. Loss $1,300. 
 
 Building owned by E. B. Seymour, and occupied by Mr. Buxton as a Cabinet 
 shop, by Gilbert & Seward as a Tin Factory, and by T. Cole as a tailor's shop. In- 
 sured $300. Loss of building $600. 
 
 Dwelling House owned by Mrs. Hewett, no insurance. Loss $800. 
 
 Dwelling house owned and occupied by Richard Smith Esq., no insurance. Loss 
 $400. 
 
 Allen & Chandler's Law Office. 
 
 Dwelling house owned by E. B. Allen, and occupied by Mr. Ottoway, and Wm. 
 Fursman. Loss $1000. 
 
 Two small buildings, one occupied as a grocery and the other as a dwelling. 
 
 Court Street. Two dwellings owned by H. & E. C. Kimberly. Loss $600. 
 
 Barns and sheds owned by A. Hosmer. Loss $500. 
 
 Big-Tree Street. — Two dwelling houses owned by Jesse Wood. Loss $900. In- 
 sured $500. 
 
 Considerable furniture and other property were also destroyed, of which it is im- 
 possible to form an estimate. 
 
 The whole number of buildings, including dwellings, barns, &c, is about 35. Ag- 
 gregate loss of property, it is supposed cannot be less than $30,000. 
 
 By this fire a large number of persons were rendered homeless, and 
 the central and most conspicuous and valuable portion of the village 
 was annihilated. 
 
 For many years the " Snake Den tavern," located on the corner of 
 Main and State streets, was a largely patronized hostelry. This hotel 
 was built in 1834 by Truman Hurlburt, sr., and named the Genesee 
 house. It was also popularly known as the Snake Den tavern. 
 
 The fourth church established in Batavia, the Baptist church, was 
 organized November 19, 1835, at a meeting held in the court house. 
 Gideon Kendrick and P. S. Moflfit presided over the meeting. It was 
 voted that the society be called the " Baptist Society of Batavia Vil- 
 
THE VILLAGE OP BATAVIA. 393 
 
 lage," and Richard Covell, jr., John Dorman, William Blossom, Will- 
 iam D. Popple and Calvin Foster were elected the first trustees. Rev. 
 J. Clark was at once engaged as the first pastor, and a house of wor- 
 ship was erected on Jackson street in the same year by T. J. Hoyt and 
 Thomas McCulley, on land donated to the society by William D. Popple. 
 
 Even before the territory devasted by the great fire of 1834 had been 
 again improved by the reconstruction of the edifices destroyed, another 
 fire, though not of such serious proportions, occurred. It orignated 
 early on the evening of November 8, 1837, in a building on the north 
 side of Genesee street owned by William Blossom and occupied as a 
 dwelling by John Kenyon, which, with the building occupied by the 
 Misses Vaughns as a millinery establishment and Mr. Staniford as a 
 tailor's shop, were consumed. The flames then continued in an east- 
 erly direction, destroyed the barber shop, G. W. Allen's jewelry store, 
 H. Noble's tailor shop and John Kenyon 's grocery store. The progress 
 of the fire was stopped by tearing down a frame building occupied by 
 D. N. Tuttle as a hat factory and Isaac M. Joslyn as a gunsmith shop. 
 
 One of the most exciting events in early times in Batavia was the 
 attempt of a mob to assault and destroy the office of the Land Company 
 during the so-called " Land Office war " in 1836. Fortunately the in- 
 habitants of the village were apprised of the impending trouble in ample 
 time to arm themselves, and when the mob reached the village they 
 found that such a determined and organized resistance had been pre- 
 pared that all efforts on their part looking to the destruction of the land 
 office or any other property would be accompanied by the death of 
 greater or less numbers of the invading party. Consequently they re- 
 tired and the threatened attack was never made.' 
 
 The Exchange Bank of Genesee was organized at Alexander in 1838, 
 by Samuel Benedict, jr.. Earl Kidder, Henry Martin, Van Rensselaer 
 Hawkins, Henrj'' Hawkins, Jesse Hawkins, Stephen King, Josiah New- 
 ton, Charles Kendall and others, with a capital stock of one hundred 
 thousand dollars. Among those who served as cashiers at various times 
 during the career of this institution were Heman Blodgett, E. S. 
 Warner, H. T. Cross and J. E. Pierpont. The bank was authorized 
 by the Legislature on March 11, 1848, to change its place of business 
 from Alexander to Rochester, but with the proviso that it continue an 
 office at Alexander for the purpose of closing up its business there, for 
 a period not exceeding one year. But the institution never took the 
 
 ■ A more detailed account of this disturbance will be found in a preceding chapter. 
 
2^4 OUk COtrNtY AlSfD Its t'EOPLfi. 
 
 step authorized by the Legislature. Soon after his removal to Alex- 
 ander D. W. Tomlinson bought up all the stock and removed the bank 
 to Batavia, where it finally discontinued business about 1858. 
 
 The Batavia Lyceum was incorporated April 17, 1843, "for the pur- 
 pose of establishing and maintaining a library, reading room, and rooms 
 for debates and lectures on literary and scientific subjects; and such 
 other means of promoting moral and intellectual improvement, with 
 power for such purposes to take by purchase, devise, gift or otherwise, 
 and to hold, transfer and convey real estate and personal property, to 
 the amount of ten thousand dollars ; and also further to take, retain 
 and convey all such books, cabinets, library furniture and apparatus as 
 may be necessary to obtain the objects and effect the purposes of said 
 corporation." The incorporators named in the charter were HemanJ. 
 Redfield, Trumbull Gary, Lucius A. Smith, Isaac A. Verplanck, Joshua L. 
 Brown, William G. Bryan, John F. Ernst, Joel Allen, Brannon Young, 
 Seth Wakeman, Frederick Follett, John L. Dorrance and their associ- 
 ates. 
 
 By the amendment to the village charter passed April 33, 1844, the 
 bounds of the village of Batavia were fixed as follows : 
 
 Beginning at a point in the east line of lot number forty-four in said 
 village, one hundred rods north from the centre of Genesee street ; 
 thence westerly parallel with the centre of Genesee and Batavia streets 
 one hundred rods therefrom to the westerly bounds of lot number nine 
 in said village; thence southerly on the west line of said lot number 
 nine, to the southwest corner of said lot; thence continuing in the 
 same direction to the north bank of Tonewanta creek, thence up the 
 northern bank of said creek to a point one hundred rods south of the 
 centre of Genesee street; thence eastwardly parallel with the centre 
 of Genesee street to the east line of lot number forty-five; thence 
 northerly on said line to the place of beginning. 
 
 In 1847 the trustees reported that, pursuant to the vote at the pre- 
 ceding annual town meeting, they had " proceeded to the selection of 
 a site and commenced the building of a suitable Engine and Hook and 
 Ladder House, and to complete the same they were compelled to bor- 
 row Two Hundred Dollars." The trustees further reported that the 
 engine owned by the village was not satisfactory, and continued: 
 
 Inasmuch as the corporation now own a good and sufficient Engine House, the 
 Trustees flatter themselves that the citizens will carry out the work of encouraging 
 the Fire Department by purchasing a good and substantial Engine, and one that 
 will give satisfaction to the Firemen as well as the citizens. 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 395 
 
 In accordance with the recommendation of the board and the res- 
 olution then adopted by the voters, the trustees purchased of Thomas 
 Snooks a fire engine, paying therefor seven hundred dollars. 
 
 In 1851 the trustees reported that they had "caused to be built, pur- 
 suant to the vote of the electors of said village, two large reservoirs, 
 and have caused a well to be dug and furnished with a pump and en- 
 closed with good and substantial railing, so that each reservoir can be 
 filled and kept supplied with water for the use of the Fire Department. 
 They have also exchanged the old fire engine Red Jacket for a new En- 
 gine, for which they have given their official note for $200. " 
 
 In 1852 they report: "The Engine which was procured by the ex- 
 change of the old Engine Red Jacket was found upon trial not to be of 
 sufficient power, and the trustees have sold that for the sum of $200, 
 and have purchased a new engine for the sum of $756. . . . They 
 have also sold the old Engine house (located on Jackson street) and 
 have procured in place thereof a permanent Lease of the basement of 
 the Old Court house for the use of the Fire department. They have 
 also purchased a new Hose Cart for the use of Engine No. 2; also 200 
 feet of new Hose." 
 
 By the amended charter adopted in April, 1853, the bounds of the cor- 
 poration were fixed as follows : 
 
 The territory embraced within the following bounds, that is to say: Beginning in 
 the east line of lot number forty-six (as laid down on the map or survey of the village 
 of Batavia into village lots made by the Holland Land Company by Joseph Ellicott, 
 surveyor) at a point half a mile northwardly fi-om Genesee street : thence westwardly 
 parallel to said Genesee street and half a mile distant therefrom to a point two chains 
 and fifty links westwardly of the east line of lot number sixteen; thence still west- 
 wardly parallel to Batavia street and half a mile distant therefrom to the west line of 
 lot number eight; thence southwardly on the west line of lot number eight to Batavia 
 street, thence continuing southerly in the same direction to the south bank of the 
 Tonawanda creek ; thence up said creek on the south bank thereof to the west line 
 of lot number fifty seven ; thence southerly upon the said west line of lot number 
 fifty seven to the plank road of the Buffalo and Batavia Plank Road Company ; thence 
 easterly along said plank road to the west line of lot number fifty five; thence south- 
 erly on the west line of said lot number fifty five to the south line of the second or 
 straight line of railway of the Buffalo and Rochester Rail Road Company ; thence 
 easterly on the southerly line of said railway to the western bank of the Tonawanda 
 Creek ; thence up said creek on the westerly and southerly bank thereof to a point 
 twenty rods due south from the street or highway now known as Chestnut street ; 
 thence eastwardly to the northerly bank of the Tonawanda creek, at the point where 
 the east line of lot number twenty nine intersects the same : thence eastwardly in 
 a direct line to the point where the east line of lot number forty seven intersects 
 
3^6 obR COUlSI'tY Akb t'ts pfeoi'Lfe. 
 
 Bigtree street ; and thence northwardly on the east line of lots number forty sevetl 
 and forty six to the place of beginning, shall constitute the village of Batavia, and 
 the bounds thereof are altered and extended accordingly. 
 
 It is interesting to note at this juncture the names of the persons en- 
 gaged in the various branches of trade, in the professions, etc., half a 
 century ago, as illustrating the commercial development of the village 
 of Batavia during that period of its career. The following is the list 
 as it was published in 1849.' 
 
 Ministers. — J. A. BoUes, Byron Sunderland, S. M. Stimpson, Allen Steele, D. C. 
 Houghton. 
 
 Doctors. — John Cotes, Levant B. Cotes, H. Ganson, C. E. Ford, John F. Baker, 
 Chauncey D. Griswold, J. Delamater. 
 
 Lawyers.— Richard Smith, P. L. Tracy, G. W. Lay, H. J. Redfield, B. ' Pringle, 
 E. C. Dibble, I. A. Verplanck, M. Taggart, J. L. Brown, J. H. Martindale (district 
 attorney), H. J. Glowackie, W. G. Bryan, S. Wakeman, J. D. Merrill, T. Fitch, M. 
 W. Hewitt, H. Wilber, H. U. Soper (Judge of Genesee county), J. F. Lay, M F. 
 Robertson, E. Pringle, B. Young (county treasurer), J. H. Kimberly. 
 
 Forwarding and Commission Merchants. — L. A. Smith, J. Foot, J. Ganson & Co. 
 
 Dry Goods Merchants.— Wm. H. Wells & Son, Smith c& Warren, G. A. Lay, Na- 
 than T. Smith, Thorn & Holden. 
 
 Hardware Merchants. — Belden Otis & Co., R. Haney. 
 
 Hotels. — American, B. G. Tisdale, Genesee House, S. N. Bierce, Western Hotel, 
 I. Backus, Eagle Tavern, E. Hall, Railroad Depot, S. Frost, Dutch Tavern, A. 
 Biechel. 
 
 Livery Stable. — Ferren & McCormick. 
 
 Cabinet Makers.— C. Kirkham, C. T. Buxton, J. T. Buxton, O. Griffith. 
 
 Carpenters and Joiners. — O. Dustin, R. W. Craig, D. Palmer, J. Coleman, S. 
 Tuttle, J. L. Gardner, W. Lowden, L. Knapp, Mr. Rice, H. Graham, J. Palmer, J. 
 R. Hart, L. Barner. 
 
 Blacksmiths.— F. Baxter, A. Tyrell, M. Kellogg, G. W. Miller, S. Lynn, J. Clark, 
 J. Trumbull & Son. 
 
 Gunsmith. — L M. Joslyn. 
 
 Saddle and Harness Makers.— Wm. Manley, A. J. Ensign, J. T. Carr. 
 
 Masons. — T, McCully, H. Murphy, J. Holten, D. Johnson, A. Wilcox. 
 
 Stonecutter. — Fellows & Co. 
 
 Furnacemen. — T. Hurlburt, J. R. Smith. 
 
 Baker.— B. C. & O. Page. 
 
 Cradle Maker. — H. Naramor. 
 
 Cooper. — Z. York. 
 
 Brewer.- E. H. Fish. 
 
 Barbers — J. Leonard, D. Leonard. 
 
 Butchers. — R. Fowler, R. Winn. 
 
 Druggists and Booksellers. — Wm. Seaver & Son, Fellows & Co. 
 
 > This list appears on the last page of Wm. Seaver's History of Batavia, 
 
THE VILLAGE OP BATAVtA. 29'? 
 
 Grocers. — C. A. Russell, John Wilson, John Kenyon, J. McCuUant, Wilson & 
 Austin, S. A. Wilson, G. Knowles, J. & R. Eager. 
 
 Jewellers.— J. A. Clark, E. S. Dodge. 
 
 Hatters.— H. & E. M. McCormick, P. Warner. 
 
 Boot and Shoe Store.— T. Yates, A. Joslyn, H. M. Warren, Spencer & Merrill, M. 
 Rupp, J. P. Phillips, J. Baker. 
 
 Milliners. — Mrs. Denslow, Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Griffith, Mrs. Showerraan & Halbert. 
 
 Tailors.— G. B. Hurlburt, D. Ferguson, J. Jordan, J. M. Royce, Nathan Smith, 
 John Allen, Biessenger & Rebstock. 
 
 Printers. — Wm. Seaver & Son, D. D. Wait. 
 
 Book Binder. — G. Kiesz. 
 
 Painters.— H. W. Ashling, Howe & Barnard, P. S. MoflEett, E. Woolsey, O. N. 
 Sanford, W. Mclntyre. 
 
 Carriage Makers. — J. Clark, G. W. Miller, A. Peck. 
 
 On February 17, 1850, Batavia was visited by the most destructive 
 fire in the history of the village up to that time. The fire originated 
 about 11.30 A. M. in the two story wooden building on the north side of 
 Genesee (Main) street, occupied by R. Haney as a hardware store. 
 The wind was blowing strong from the west and the flames swept 
 eastwardly until every building to the corner of Genesee and Bank 
 streets was consumed. Among the principal buildings destroyed were 
 the hardware store of R. Haney, loss $8,000; the office and residence 
 of Dr. H. Ganson, loss $2,000; store of S. C. Holden, loss $1,200; store 
 owned by Hinman Holden and occupied by C. Kirkham as a cabinet 
 shop ; next the American hotel, the largest and most expensive build- 
 ing in the village, having cost over $25,000, owned by Alva Smith 
 and kept by B. G. Tisdale; a two story brick building owned by D. W. 
 Tomlinson, who was fitting it up for the use of the Exchange Bank of 
 Genesee, then located at Alexander ; a building owned by Moses Tag- 
 gart and occupied by Dr. J. Delamater as an office and dwelling, by 
 Dr. Stevens, dentist, and by Mrs. Williams as a residence. 
 
 The year 1850 was marked by the organization of companies for the 
 construction of plank roads between Batavia and Buffalo and between 
 Batavia and Oakfield. The work of construction was begun soon after 
 the formation of the companies referred to. 
 
 The Spirit of the Times of December 14, 1852, contained the follow- 
 ing: 
 
 There is no mistake but this ancient Capital of the " Holland Purchase," is des- 
 tined to maintain its rank and dignity, through all the changes that are constantly 
 going on within and around it. To satisfy any of this fact, they have only to look 
 at our thronged streets, and the business-like appearance of our stores, shops and 
 
298 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 warehouses, all indicating continued, if not increasing prosperity. . . . We have 
 now the great Central Railroad, with its six daily trains, beside the cross road to 
 Attica, connecting us with the Buffalo and N. Y. City R. R. These, to which wilj 
 soon be added the Canandaigua and Niagara Falls road, now nearly completed from 
 this place westward, and the Buffalo and Conhocton Valley road to be finished next 
 season, all combine to give us greater facilities for business or pleasure than an,y 
 other town in the interior can boast, and tend directly to point out Batavia as "the 
 greatest place of its size " in Western New York. 
 
 While thus blowing the trump of fame for the generalities of our Village, we must 
 not omit to notice some of its new embellishments, prominent among which is the 
 elegant Brick Block recently erected by Messrs. Dodge, Yates and the Odd Fellows, 
 on the corner of Main and Jackson streets. The part owned by Mr. Dodge, on the 
 Corner, is finished off in elegant style as a Jewelers store, and filled with his new 
 stock of glittering wares, presents a splendid appearance. The other store belong- 
 ing to Mr. Yates, is fitted up for a Shoe and Leather store, in a style and beauty, 
 favorably comparing with that of Mr. Dodge. Both together, with their wide, ele- 
 gantly finished doors, and immense sized glass set in metallic sash richly plated 
 with silver, present a front truly magnificent, and the whole does honor to the en- 
 terprising proprietors. 
 
 The three story brick building erected by Mr. Godfrey, for Messrs. Onderdonk 
 and Carr, as a Saddlery establishment, adjoining the store of W. H. Wells & Son, is 
 now completed in a substantial and tasteful manner, and adds much to the beauty- 
 of that part of the village. Another decided improvement has been made by Mr. 
 John Kenyon, in erecting a large addition to his old store. . . . 
 
 The Stone building formerly occupied by Mr. Ganson's Bank, is also undergoing 
 improvements in the front, preparatory to its being occupied by Mr. Tomlinson with 
 his Exchange Bank. 
 
 The Batavia Gas and Electric Light Company was organized as the 
 Batavia Gas Light Company in 1855, with a capital of thirty two thou- 
 sand five hundred dollars and these directors: George Brisbane, Dan- 
 iel W. Tomlinson, Gad B. Worthington, S. C. Holden, Alva Smith, 
 Frank Chamberlain and R. Merrifield. Mr. Tomlinson was president, 
 secretary and treasurer, and W. H. Tompkins Was superintendent. 
 The first gas holder had a capacity of thirteen thousand five hundred 
 feet. A new gas holder, with a capacity of thirty-five thousand feet, 
 was built in 1878. Early in the year 1885 new works were erected 
 for the manufacture of gas from crude petroleum. In 1886 the com- 
 pany established an electric lighting and heating plant, which it has 
 since operated in conjunction with its gas plant. 
 
 The Batavia Fire Department was incorporated April 32, 1863, with 
 the following trustees: David Seaver, Sanford S. Clark, Albert R. 
 Warner, William M. Tuttle, Louis M. Cox, Benjamin Goodspeed, 
 William H. Brown, Joljin Passmore, Marsden J. Pierson, William D. 
 
ttiE Village of bataVIA. S9S 
 
 W. Pringle, George D. Kenyon, Hollis McCormick, Henry G. Champ- 
 lin, James Nugent and Samuel Jennison. The charter officers were: 
 President, David Seaver ;' vice-president, Sanford S. Clark; secretary, 
 Albert R. Warner; treasurer, George P. Pringle. 
 
 July 28, 1862, the board of trustees of the village adopted an "or- 
 dinance establishing fire districts" as follows: 
 
 District Number One. — All that portion of the village of Batavia 
 lying north of Main and west of Bank street. 
 
 District Number Two. — All that portion of the village lying north 
 of Main and east of Bank street. 
 
 District Number Three. — All that portion of the village lying south 
 of Main and east of Jackson street. 
 
 District Number Four. — All that portion, of the village lying south 
 of Main and west of Jackson street. 
 
 The ordinance also provided that ' ' at each and every fire it shall 
 be the duty of the Sexton, or person or persons ringing the Fire 
 Alarm Bell, to ring a general alarm for at least one minute, or until 
 the district wherein the fire occurs, can be ascertained, and immedi- 
 ately thereafter to strike the number, then to repeat the general 
 alarm for one minute, and afterwards the district alarm, continuing 
 the repetitions at proper intervals for at least thirty minutes, or 
 until the said alarm shall be ascertained to be false." It was also pro- 
 vided that " any watchman, sexton or other person who shall first 
 ring the correct district alarm of any actual fire, shall be entitled to 
 one dollar for each actual fire it is so rung. " 
 
 The fire department, it was ordained, should consist of a chief en- 
 gineer and two assistant engineers, in addition to the trustees of the 
 village of Batavia, "and such fire engine men, hose men, hook and 
 ladder men, axe men and bucket men as are and may from time to 
 time be appointed by the Trustees of the Village of Batavia." 
 
 Before the organization of the department several fire companies had 
 been in existence in Batavia. Reference to some of these is found in 
 preceding pages. As early as September, 1829, Triton Fire Company 
 was organized. A hook and ladder company was formed in 1836, 
 while in 1850 two companies were formed — Pioneer Hook and Ladder 
 Company No. 1 and Neptune Engine Company No. 2. Red Jacket 
 Engine Company was another old fire company which existed for many 
 years. Hose Company No. 3 was organized in 1863 and Alert Hose 
 Company No. 1 in 1868. The old Rescue Engine Company No. 1 was 
 
300 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 formally disbanded October 10, 1870. The first officers of Alert Hose 
 Company were : President, C. E. Fish; vice-president, J. A. Mackey; 
 foreman, J. E. Warren; assistant foreman, J. B. Hewitt; secretary, 
 D. W. Tomlinson. The company, the oldest in the department, was 
 incorporated May 5, 1879, the directors being J. M. Hamilton, Hinman 
 Holden, M. K. Young, Ellis R. Hay and George J. Austin. The first 
 fire attended by this company was that in the Western hotel, which 
 stood on the site of the Schafer Commercial building, soon after the 
 organization of the company. 
 
 At a meeting of the trustees of the fire department held July 14, 
 1863, the following persons were confirmed as firemen and the first 
 members of the department: 
 
 Pioneer Hook and Ladder Ladder Company No. 1. — Henry S. Morse, 
 George B. Edwards, William H. Preston, John Westphal. 
 
 Neptune Engine Company No. 3. — James E. Rosecranse, Patrick 
 Donahue, Ernst Welker, Martin Erion, John Menger, Lemuel L. Tozier, 
 Frank Nelo, Josiah P. Pierson, Michael Moran, Wm. E. Blake, Lyman 
 Kraing, Henry Erbleding, Frank McDonald. 
 
 Neptune Hose Company No. 2. — Louis Mann, Byron S. Cotes, James 
 H. Royce, Jeremiah O'Connell, Horatio Thomas, Daniel A. Lynch, 
 John Corby. 
 
 Rescue Engine Company No. 1. — John Munger, Henry Steuber, 
 Frank Newell, Brainard E. Forbes, Gottlieb Greishaber, Lewis Tevinn, 
 John Strong, Horace Ford, Anson T. Bliss, James Giddings, James 
 McKay, Adam Feurstein. 
 
 Rescue Hose Company No. 1. — Frank Decott, Frank Riley, Charles 
 Morris, Daniel Councils, Thomas Kinney. 
 
 At the meeting held August 11 the following additional members 
 were approved : 
 
 Neptune Engine Company No. 2. — James Buckley, James Whitman, 
 Christian Wolf. 
 
 Neptune Hose Company No. 2. — Peter Lane, Charles A. Hastings, 
 Ambrose N. Hanna, Collins Pratt. 
 
 Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company No. 1. — Joseph Houltman, A. 
 F. Lawrence, Peter Warner. 
 
 Eagle Hose Company No. 1 was organized in 1862 and disbanded April 
 8, 1865. In the same year it was reorganized, and in 1868 it was again 
 disbanded and Alert Hose Company organized in its place. Amphitrite 
 Hose Company No. 2 and Union Hose Company No 3 were organized in 
 
l^^'^r^ciyi-iy^^^ 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 301 
 
 1863. Amphitrite Hose Company was disbanded in 1867 and Richmond 
 Hose Company No. 2 was formed in its place. The original Neptune En- 
 gine Company was disbanded August 33, 1869. Citizens' Hook and Lad- 
 derCompany was formed in 1872, disbanded in 1874, reorganized in 1874, 
 again disbanded in 1877, and once more reorganized in the latter year un- 
 der the present name of Rescue Hook and Ladder Company. Zephyr Hose 
 Company No. 3 was formed January 7, 1885, and Ellicott Hose Company 
 No. 4 in November, 1896. The department at the present time consists of 
 Alert Hose Company, Richmond Hose Company, Zephyr Hose Com- 
 pany, Ellicott Hose Company and Rescue Hook and Ladder Company. 
 
 The chief engineers of the department have been as follows: David 
 Seaver, 1862-63; Albert R. Warner, 1864; Hollis McCormick, 1865; 
 Pepworth Crabb, 1866; John L. Foster, 1867-71; Hollis McCormick, 
 1872-74; James M. Walkenshaw, 1875; Alvin J. Fox, 1876; O. J. Wa- 
 terman, 1877-78; James M. Walkenshaw, 1879-1881; Joseph H. Rob- 
 son, 1882; Cornwell D. Morgan, 1883-84; L. S. Croaker, 1885-86; 
 Cornwell D. Morgan, 1887; Clarence B. Austin, 1888-97 (died in 
 office); L. W. Hahn, 1897-98. 
 
 The Farmers' Bank of Batavia was established in 1856 as the Far- 
 mers' Bank of Attica, at Attica, by Leonidas Doty. The bank was 
 moved to Batavia in 1860, and in 1862 the name Was changed to the 
 present one. Mr. Doty was also one of the founders of the First 
 National Bank of Batavia. A few years ago the Farmers' Bank erect- 
 ed a commodious banking house at the southeast corner of Main and 
 Jackson streets. A few year before that date John H. Ward had been 
 admitted into partnership with Mr. Doty, and the former has been, 
 since Mr. Doty's death in 1888, manager of the business. Since the 
 death of Mr. Doty his widow, Mrs. Selina A. Doty, has controlled 
 the interest of her husband in the bank. 
 
 The First National Bank of Batavia was founded March 21, 1864, 
 with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars and the following officers : 
 R. H. Farnham, president; C. H. Monell, cashier; R. H. Farnham, 
 Tracy Pardee, Henry Monell, Charles H. Monell and George Bowen, 
 directors. Mr. Monell never held the position of cashier, Marcus L. 
 Babcock being elected to the position June 4, 1864. May 31, 1865, the 
 capital stock was increased to seventy-five thousand dollars, and Jan- 
 uary 9, 1883, it was further increased to one hundred thousand dollars. 
 The following have served as officers of the bank : 
 
 Presidents.— R. H. Farnham, March 21, 1864, to June 29, 1865; Tracy 
 
803 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Pardee, June 29, 1865, to January 10, 1884; Levant C. Mclntyre, Jan- 
 uary 10, 1884, to 1898; Samuel Parker, from April 21, 1898, to date. 
 
 Cashiers. — Charles H. Monell, March 21, 1864 (did not act); Marcus 
 L. Babcock, June 4, 1864, to February 8, 1865; Daniel E. Waite, Feb- 
 ruary 8, 1865, to August 13, 1866 ; Levant D. Mclntyre, August 13, 
 1866, to January 16, 1884; Jerome L. Bigelow, January 16, 1884, to 
 date. 
 
 Assistant Cashier. — George F. Bigelow, January 22, 1896, to date. 
 
 The various changes in the directorate of the bank have been as fol- 
 lows: 
 
 1864, Reuben H. Farnham, Tracy Pardee, Henry Monell, Charles 
 H. Monell, George Bowen; 1866, John McKay, to succeed Henry 
 Monell; 1867, Leonidas Doty; 1868, John Fisher, to succeed John 
 McKay ; 1869, number of directors increased to seven, and Tracy Par- 
 dee, Reuben H. Farnham, Leonidas Doty, John Fisher, George Brown, 
 Gad B. Worthington and Cyrus Walker were elected; 1874, number of 
 directors decreased to six, and all but Reuben H. Farnham were re- 
 elected; 1881, E. B. Wilford; 1882, Daniel W. Tomlinson, to succeed 
 E. B. Wilford; 1883, Samuel Parker, to succeed John Fisher, and Le- 
 vant C. Mclntyre to succeed Tracy Pardee ; 1898, E. A. Washburn, to 
 succeed Levant C. Mclntyre, deceased. 
 
 The Genesee & Venango Petroleum Company was organized in Ba- 
 tavia in the winter of 1864-65, with a capital stock of three hundred 
 thousand dollars, for the purpose of mining for petroleum in the oil 
 regions of Pennsylvania. The charter officers of the corporation were : 
 President, Reuben H. Farnham; vice-president, Ellas A. Lewis; treas- 
 uter, Eli H. Fish; secretary, William H. Story; trustees, Trumbull 
 Cary, Eli H. Fish, E. M. McCormick, Elias A. Lewis, Johnson B. 
 Brown, Tracy Pardee, Lyman Terry, H. L. Onderdonk, R. H. Farnham. 
 
 The funeral services held at Batavia in honor of President Lincoln on 
 Wednesday, April 19, 1865, were of a most impressive character. Up- 
 on the conclusion of religious services held in the respective churches, 
 a procession formed in front of EUicott hall at 1.30 p. m., under the di- 
 rection of Hon. H. U. Soper, marshal, and J. Haskell, S. B. Lusk, 
 Capt. Robert L. Foote and Lucas Seaver as assistant marshals. The 
 large funeral car was draped in mourning and covered with the Amer- 
 ican flag. Beside it marched the following pall bearers: Daniel W. 
 Tomlinson, Harry Wilber, J. C. Wilson, W. S. Mallory, E. A. Lewis, 
 D. D. Waite, H. I. Glowacki, Seth Wakeman, Wilber Smith, John 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 303 
 
 Fisher, M. H. Bierce and R. O. Holden. On either side of the car the 
 following gentlemen were mounted on horseback as a guard of honor: 
 Captain L. Phillips, E. Wakeman, C. H. Dolbeer, B. S. Cotes, E. Stim- 
 son, O. S. Pratt, P. H. Smith and George Foote. Following them 
 came the village officers, the Batavia fire department, public offi- 
 cers, veterans of the civil war and civic organizations. The pro- 
 cession marched down Main street to the Oak Orchard road, thence 
 back along Big Tree street to Jackson, to Main, to Cemetery street to 
 the front of the court house, where the following exercises took place : 
 
 Music, "Old Hundred," choir; prayer. Rev. Morelle Fowler; music, 
 "The Departed," choir; address, Rev. Mr. Mussey; music, "Dead 
 March, " from Saul, Batavia band ; address, Judge Soper ; music, ' ' Amer- 
 ica," choir; address, Wm. G. Bryan; benediction. Rev. S. M. Stimson. 
 
 The Western Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company for many years 
 was a strong institution in Genesee county. In 1866 its officers were: 
 President, Samuel Richmond ; vice-president, Samuel Heston ; secretary 
 and treasurer, Horace M. Warren; directors, Samuel Willett, Heman 
 J. Redfield, Samuel Richmond, Joseph Vallett, Elijah Piatt, Samuel 
 Heston, James L. Paine, Jacob Grant, Alvin Pease, Daniel Rosecrance, 
 Hiram Chaddock, L. Douglass and John F. Plato. 
 
 The "Commercial building," located on the south side of Main street 
 a short distance west of Jackson street, was originally occupied as a 
 hotel. In 1837 a tavern known as the Central house was opened there 
 by Daniel Latimer. In 1840 it became the property of Lamont H. 
 Holden, brother of Hinman and Samuel C. Holden, who changed its 
 name to that of Farmer hotel. It was in this hotel, while under the 
 management of Mr. Holden, that the meetings of Batavia Lodge No. 
 88, F. & A. M., were held for some time. The property finally became 
 known as the Western hotel. It was destroyed by fire May 20, 1860. 
 Subsequently a commodious brick building was erected on the site, and 
 for many years was run as a hotel under the names of Washburn house, 
 Parker house, and others. In 1892 the property was repaired and re- 
 modeled for mercantile purposes, and is now one of the principal busi- 
 ness blocks in Batavia. 
 
 The Batavia Farmers' Club was organized at Batavia in February, 
 1862, with these officers: 
 
 President, Henry Ives; vice-president, P. P. Bradish; secretary, J. 
 G. Fargo; treasurer, Sanford Wilber; directors, Charles Gillett, C. D. 
 Pond and Addison Foster. 
 
304 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 The Batavia Library Association was incorporated by act of the Leg- 
 islature April 37, 1872. The first trustees named in the charter were 
 Gad B. Worthington, Edward C. Walker, Myron H. Peck, Sidney A. 
 Sherwin, Robert B. Pease, Wilber Smith, Daniel W. Tomlinson, 
 Henry F. Tarbox and George Bowen. By an act of the Legislature 
 passed in 1887, the corporation was dissolved. The library, consisting 
 of about 4,000 volumes together with $3,500 in money, was turned 
 over to the trustees of the Union Free School District, No. 2. The 
 condition of the gift was that the fund should be kept forever intact 
 and the income derived therefrom used, so far as needed, to maintain a 
 reading room which the trustees were authorized to provide for, in con- 
 nection with the Richmond Memorial Library. 
 
 The Bank of Batavia, now recognized as being one of the strongest 
 financial institutions outside of the larger cities in Western New York, 
 was incorporated July 11, 1876, with Jerome Rowan as president and 
 William F. Merriman as cashier. Its original capital stock was fifty 
 thousand dollars. Mr. Merriman. resigned in September, 1878, and 
 Marcus L. Babcock was elected to succeed him. In February, 1879, 
 Mr. Babcock resigned and was succeeded by H. T. Miller. Mr. Rowan 
 resigned as president in February, 1882, at which time Daniel W. Tom- 
 linson was elected to succeed him. Up to this time the bank had not 
 been successful ; but with the change in management new life was put 
 into the establishment, and from the smallest institution of its kind in 
 Batavia, it soon grew to be the largest, its capital being increased 
 twice — from fifty thousand to one hundred thousand dollars in March, 
 1883, and to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars in March, 1891. 
 The payment of dividends was begun in the fall of 1883, since which 
 time they have been regularly paid twice each year. At the same 
 time the bank has built up a surplus of over one hundred thousand 
 dollars, with resources exceeding one million one hundred thousand dol- 
 lars. In 1895 the new fire proof building on the south side of Main 
 street was erected. This is probably the finest building occupied ex- 
 clusively by any country banking house in New York State. 
 
 Considerable enthusiasm over military affairs developed in Batavia 
 in 1876, with the result that a number of the citizens of the village 
 made application to General Franklin Townsend of Albany, adjutant- 
 general of the State of New York, for permission to organize a separ- 
 ate company of the National Guard of the State of New York. The 
 desired permission was granted in the following order by the adju- 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 305 
 
 tant-general, the company having previously been formed and officers 
 elected : 
 
 General Headquarters, State of New York, 
 Adjutant-General's Office. 
 
 Albany, July 28, 1876. 
 Special Order No. 120. 
 
 Application having been made in proper Corra for the organization in the village 
 of Batavia, Genesee county, of a Company of Infantry, to be attached to the 31st 
 Brigade, 8th Division, National Guards, State of New York, said Company is here- 
 by organized with the following named Officers, who will be commissioned with 
 rank from July 22, 1876: 
 
 Captain, Orrin C. Parker ; first lieutenant, George W. Griffis ; second lieutenant, 
 Alvin J. Fox. 
 
 Said Company will be known and designated as the Fifth Separate Company of 
 Infantry of the 81st Brigade, National Guard, State of New York. 
 By Order of the Commander-in-Chief. 
 
 (Signed) Franklin Townsend, 
 
 Adjutant-General. 
 
 The original members of the company in 1876 were as follows: 
 Captain, Orrin C. Parker; first lieutenant, George W. Griffis; second 
 lieutenant, Alvin J. Fox; first sergeant, James M. Waite; quarter- 
 master-sergeant, Lawrence L. Crosby; second sergeant, Henry C. Fish; 
 third sergeant, Charles V. Hooper; fourth sergeant, John G. Johnson; 
 fifth sergeant, Peter Thomas; first corporal, George Crawford ; second 
 corporal, Andrew Rupp; third corporal, William H. Kendall;" fourth 
 corporal, Thomas Gallagher ; fifth ' corporal, Henry A. Thompson ; 
 sixth corporal, Robert Peard; seventh corporal, John A. Mackey; 
 eighth corporal, Frederick F. Smith ; musicians, William H. Bradish, 
 Herbert L. CoUamer. 
 
 Privates, Aaron Alpaugh, Ira Brady, Harlan J. Brown, Hiland H. 
 Benjamin, George H. Buisch, Frank W. Biddleman, William H. Buck- 
 holts, John Buckholts, Levant Bullock, Henry Crego, Frank S. Cross, 
 Henry A. Cross, Henry Curry, James C. Cummings, Thomas Cum- 
 mings, John Cummings, Frank C. Campbell, William E. Casey, John 
 P. Casey, William E. Dawson, Philip Ditzel, John Didget, Jacob Erion, 
 Chester Ford, Charles E. Fish, Pratt Flanders, Walter K. Gould, Jo- 
 seph T. Gamier, Frederick Hess, James M. Harris, Hiram Harris, Ellis 
 R. Hay, Alonzo N. Henshaw, Frank Homelius, Henry W. Homelius, 
 John M. Hamilton, Anthony Horsch, Frederick L. Hovey, George M. 
 Hermance, Newton Johns, Frank Johnson, Homer N. Kelsey, Harvey 
 W. Kendall, Benjamin F. Lowns, John B. Leonard, Edwin S. Lent, 
 
 20 
 
306 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 AlvaW. Lewis, Charles Lawson, Asa F. Lawrence, Charles Little, John 
 D. Maloy, Malcolm D. Mix, Samuel P. Mix, John W. Mix, jr., Redmond 
 Manning, Frank S. Moloney, Robert A. Maxwell, William Metzger, 
 Callaghan McDonald, John B. Neasmith, Rodger O'Donohue, Edward 
 O'Connor, Charles B. Peck, William T. Pond, Robert Peard, William 
 Powell, Van A. Pratt, Charles W. Pratt, Wirt B. Quale, Michael Reb- 
 meister, Daniel Rodgers, Joseph Roth, Marvin A. Seamans, Silas H. 
 Smith, Sanford Spalding, Frederick M. Sheffield, M. Cleveland Terry, 
 Peter Tompkins, John Thomas, Charles A. Thompson, Charles J. Tryon, 
 W. W. Whitney, Albert Weber, Frederick E. Williams. 
 
 This company, which bore the name of " Batavia Rifles," enjoyed 
 an interesting career of about seven years, and was disbanded in 1883. 
 A second independent military company, also known as the " Batavia 
 Rifles," was organized December 24, 1894, with these officers: Pres- 
 ident, C. B. Stone; secretary, Claude Giddings; treasurer, Frank Home- 
 lius; collector, Edward Thomas; captain, H. W. Homelius; first lieu- 
 tenant, W. A. Hooker; second lieutenant, Charles Moll; orderly ser- 
 geant, James Dunning ; color guard, Frank Stephenson. This company, 
 however, had but a brief existence, and never became an organization 
 of the New York National Guard. 
 
 '^ The Wiard Plow Company is one of the most celebrated establish- 
 ments in the world devoted to the manufacture of plows. The concern 
 is also the oldest of its kind in the United States, having been founded 
 in 1804 by Thomas Wiard, sr., a blacksmith and farmer residing at 
 East Avon, N. Y. His first plow was of the ancient pattern known as 
 the "bull plow," large numbers of which were made by hand by Mr. 
 Wiard for the use of the pioneers of Western New York. In 1815 
 Jethro Wood of Aurora (then Scipio), N. Y. , the inventor of the first 
 successful cast-iron plow, sold Mr. Wiard the necessary castings, which 
 the latter completed and attached wooden handles thereto in his shop. 
 Four years later he found his facilities for manufacture entirely inad- 
 equate, by reason of the increasing population of the community and 
 the consequent growing demand for the output of his little smithy ; so 
 he erected a foundry at East Avon, where he made patterns for im- 
 proved plows, manufacturing all the parts thereof himself. Here, in 
 connection with his three sons — Beth, Henry and Matthew — he con- 
 tinued the manufacture of these implements until his death about 1820. 
 One or more of these sons continued the business at East Avon until 
 1871. All were men of great ingenuity and constantly were at work 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 307 
 
 devising improvements in the plows they manufactured, until they had 
 become celebrated as the makers of the most satisfactory implements 
 of this nature in the country. 
 
 October 1, 1871, George Wiard, son of William Wiard, became half 
 owner of the establishment at East Avon. In 1871 Charles W. Hough, 
 treasurer of the company, purchased the interest of Matthew Wiard, 
 the firm becoming Wiard & Hough. 
 
 During the career of the concern at East Avon the works were de- 
 stroyed by fire and rebuilt several times. In 1876, to such proportions 
 had the business grown, it was decided to remove the industry to a 
 point where the transportation facilities would be better than those 
 offered at East Avon. Learning of the determination of the company, 
 the citizens of Batavia donated a site for the proposed new plant, lo- 
 cated on Swan street, between the New York Central and Hudson 
 River and the Erie railroads, and the company accepted the proposition 
 offered. The new plant was completed in September, 1876, and about 
 the same time a new company was organized and incorporated under 
 the name of the Wiard Plow Company, with a capital stock of fifty 
 thousand dollars. This amount was subsequently increased to one 
 hundred thousand dollars. George Wiard was the president of the new 
 corporation and C. W. Hough the secretary and treasurer. The other 
 incorporators were Eli Fish, John Green and Joseph H. Smith. Mr. 
 Wiard also assumed the duties of superintendent. These gentlemen 
 still occupy the same offices in the company, excepting that J. J. Wash- 
 burn acts as secretary, relieving Mr. Hough of a share of his duties. 
 Mr. Washburn succeeded Mr. Smith in the concern in May, 1880. The 
 original capital stock of the company, sixty-three thousand dollars, was 
 increased at the end of the first year to one hundred thousand dollars, 
 and five years later to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, the pres- 
 ent capital. While the principal business of the company is the man- 
 ufacture of its widely celebrated plows, it is also the inventor of im- 
 provements in sulky hay rakes, which it has been manufacturing for 
 several years. The establishment turns out many varieties of plows, 
 adapted to all kinds of soil and all other conditions. It also manufac- 
 tures hop and potato cultivators, patent sulky plows. Emperor sulky 
 rakes, Morgan patent spading harrows, Wiard disc harrows, Wiard ad- 
 justable weeders, and automatic hand corn planters. The company's 
 territory includes everything east of Lake Michigan and as far south as 
 Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky, including those States, and 
 
308 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 many foreign countries. The present plant covers about five and a 
 half acres. Numerous improvements thereto have been made from 
 time to time, among the latest being the new office building erected in 
 1897. An average of one hundred hands is employed the year around. 
 It is a notable fact that the company has never shut down in its history, 
 excepting for a few days in the summer of each year for the purpose of 
 making the necessary repairs. Its employes are for the most part 
 thoroughly skilled workmen. 
 
 The Batavia Preserving Company is an institution which could flour- 
 ish in few places as it does in the geographical centre of Western New 
 York, the most famous fruit-growing country in the world. The en- 
 terprise was established originally in 1879 by John Pierson, who began 
 canning fruits and vegetables for the market, at Bushville. Though 
 supplied with all the necessary appliances, lack of proper attention to 
 the details of the business rendered it pecuniarily unsuccessful at the 
 beginning. In 1881 the establishment became the property of the Bank 
 of Batavia, which for one year conducted the, business at Bushville. 
 The following year it was purchased by Sprague, Warner & Co. of 
 Chicago, who a year afterward removed it to the village of Batavia, 
 where a marvelous development of the business was begun. So great 
 was the increase in the demand for the product of the establishment 
 that the erection of more commodious and convenient buildings was 
 necessary. Into these the industry was removed in May, 1888. The 
 business still growing at a wonderful rate, the present company was 
 incorporated in 1891, and placed under the management of C. H. Fran- 
 cis. To-day the company controls three factories — at Batavia, Middle- 
 port and Brockport, N. Y., located in the heart of what undoubtedly 
 is the finest fruit and vegatable growing section of the world. The 
 Batavia factory has a floor area of over fifty thousand square feet, and 
 the other factories are nearly as large, and of similar character. The 
 Batavia factory is run exclusively, during the season, upon green peas 
 and sweet corn, using the production of hundreds of acres of the best 
 farming lands in Genesee county. Nowhere in the world are better 
 vegetables grown than in Western New York, and nowhere are they 
 better prepared for the trade with more skill and care than in the fac- 
 tories operated by this company. Each of the factories devotes itself 
 only to such products as can best be raised in that locality and market- 
 ed at their doors in best condition. Thus the factory at Brockport 
 packs small fruits, tomatoes, string beans and apples ; while the plant 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 309 
 
 at Middleport is devoted to peaches, pears, squash, etc. The company 
 also cans Bahama pineapples, baked beans, jams, jellies, preserves and 
 crushed fruits, fruit syrups and juices for soda-fountains. Chicken and 
 turkey are also canned in large quantities. The industry naturally is 
 closely identified with the prosperity of the rural sections of Genesee 
 county and Western New York. 
 
 The Genesee County Bank, of Batavia, was organized April 4, 1879, 
 as the Genesee County National Bank, with a capital stock of fifty 
 thousand dollars, and the following officers : President, Solomon Masse, 
 vice-president. Dean Richmond, jr.; cashier, William F. Merriman; 
 directors, Solomon Masse, Dean Richmond, jr., Dr. H. S. Hutchins, 
 Charles R. Gould, Henry Craft, William C. Watson, William F. Merri- 
 man, J. C. Guiteau, Edwin Darrow, H. A. Huntington, and F. C. 
 Lathrop. December 31, 1884, the bank surrendred its charter to the 
 federal government and was reorganized as a State bank. At its an- 
 nual meeting January 14, 1890, the bank voted to go into voluntary 
 liquidation, and is still engaged in closing up its business. The officers 
 of the bank have been : 
 
 Presidents. — Solomon Masse, April 4, 1879, to July 14, 1885; Royal 
 T. Howard, July 14, 1885, to September 10, 1894; H. A. Huntington, 
 September 10, 1894, to date. 
 
 Vice-Presidents. — Dean Richmond, jr., April 4, 1879, to January 12, 
 1882; Dr. H. S. Hutchins, January 12, 1882, to January 9, 1883; Will- 
 iam C. Watson, January 9, 1883, to date. 
 
 Cashiers. — William F. Merriman, April 4, 1879, to June 2, 1880; 
 Charles R. Gould, June 22, 1880, to August 28, 1882; Jerome L. Bige- 
 low, August 28, 1882, to January 18, 1884; Jphn W. Smith, January 
 18, 1884, to date. 
 
 An institution which has proven a great boon to a large number of 
 inhabitants of Batavia is the Genesee County Permanent Loan and 
 Building Association, which was organized April 15, 1879. Organiza- 
 tion was perfected by the election of the following officers: 
 
 President, Wilber Smith; vice-president, Charles H. Howard; secre- 
 tary, Frederick M. Sheffield ; treasurer, Frank S. Wood ; attorney, Saf- 
 ford E. North; directors — three years, Royal T. Howard, Charles H. 
 Howard, Dr. Horace S. Hutchins; two years, George Wiard, Wilber 
 Smith, Lucien R. Bailey; one year, Theron F. Woodward, James R. 
 Mitchell, Charles Houghton. 
 
 The capital of the association consists of shares of one hundred and 
 
310 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 twenty-five dollars each, payable in weekly installments of twenty-five 
 cents for each share. The charter provides that the number of shares 
 outstanding at any one time shall not exceed five thousand. 
 
 Wilber Smith was succeeded as president in 1881 by George Wiard, 
 who has served continuously in that office since that time. Hon. Saf- 
 ford E. North has served as attorney for the association continuously 
 since its organization. The officers of the association in 1897 were: 
 President, George Wiard: vice-president, M. B. Adams; secretary, W. 
 G. Pollard; treasurer, J. W. Pratt; attorney, Safford E. North; direc- 
 tors, George Wiard, M. B. Adams, J. W. Pratt, Safford E. North, W. 
 W. Lewis, G. S. Griswold, John P. Casey, F. W. Board and George J. 
 Austin. 
 
 On the 4th day of August, 1880, General Garfield, then the Republi- 
 can nominee for the presidency, passed through Batavia. Although at 
 a very early hour in the morning General Garfield was dressed and ap- 
 peared at the rear platform of the car where he spoke a few words to 
 the large crowd which had assembled. He introduced Gen. Benjamin 
 Harrison who spoke about three minutes, when the train' moved away. 
 Batavia thus had the unusual distinction of having within its borders at 
 the same time two men destined to become president. 
 
 The only time Grover Cleveland ever appeared in public at Batavia 
 was during the famous grape sugar trial in 1880. He was one of the 
 attorneys for the plantiff. Hon. Loran L. Lewis of Buffalo, who has 
 since won distinction as a justice of the Supreme Court, was the lead- 
 ing counsel for the plaintiff. He examined most of the witnesses, 
 opened the case to the jury and summed it up with the masterly skill 
 for which he is justly famed. Associated with him were Mr. Cleveland 
 and Addison G. Rice of the Buffalo bar and Hon. George Bowen of Ba- 
 tavia. The defendants were represented by Sherman S. Rogers and 
 Franklin D. Locke of Buffalo and William G. Watson of Batavia. The 
 title of the case was John L. Alberger against the Buffalo Grape Sugar 
 Company, Cicero J. Hamlin and William Hamlin. Hon. Albert 
 Haight presided. The trial began November 30 and on the 10th of 
 December the jury rendered a verdict for the plaintiff for $247,135; 
 this was by all odds the largest verdict ever rendered in Genesee 
 county and one of the largest verdicts ever rendered by a jury in this 
 State. No appeal was ever taken and the judgment was promptly paid 
 with costs. 
 
 This case, in some respects the most remarkable ever tried in Gene- 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 311 
 
 see county, originated in Erie county, the venue being laid there. A 
 trial at Buffalo resulted in a disagreement of the jury; the place of trial 
 was removed to Genesee county on the ground that the case had at- 
 tracted so much attention in Erie <5ounty that an impartial jury could 
 not be obtained. A struck jury was ordered, the only one ever drawn 
 in Genesee county. Forty-eight prominent citizens Were selected by 
 the county clerk as provided by law, and from this number eleven ju- 
 rors were obtained, the panel was then exhausted and William Carpen- 
 ter, who happened to be sitting in the court room, was drawn as a 
 talesman. The jurors were as follows: Perry Randall, foreman; El- 
 bert Townsend, Miles B. Adams, Henry P. Ellenwood, Edward A. 
 Brown, Sherman Reed, Joseph F. Stutterd, Robert S. Fargo, David 
 C. Holmes, Richard Pearson, Ancil D. Mills and William Carpenter. 
 
 Mr. Cleveland's firm were not the attorneys of record in the case. 
 He acted as advisory counsel throughout the trial and conducted the 
 direct examination of Williams, the plaintiff's principal witness, and 
 who was understood to be the real party in interest. 
 
 The E. N. Rowell Company, manufacturers of paper boxes at Bata- 
 via, was originally instituted in 1881. It is an offshoot of one estab- 
 lished before 1860 at Utica, N. Y., by Dr. A. S. Palmer, who made his 
 own pill boxes with implements of his own. invention. After Dr. 
 Palmer's death the business was carried on by his children until 1881, 
 when it was removed to Batavia. The business increased rapidly, and 
 in 1890 a stock company was incorporated by Edward N. Rowell, the 
 former sole owner of the business, Edward G. Buell and William W. 
 Dorman. The factory is located in a three-story brick building located 
 on Ellicott street, at its junction with Main, where about one hundred 
 and twenty-five persons are employed. The present officers of the 
 company are : President and treasurer, Edward N. Rowell ; vice-presi- 
 dent, Edward G. Buell; secretary, C. H. Ruprecht. 
 
 The Batavia Club was founded July 28, 1882, with nine directors, as 
 follows: Lucien R. Bailey, Daniel W. Tomlinson, John HoUey Bradish, 
 Arthur E. Clark, Frank S. Wood, Augustus N. Cowdin, John H. Ward, 
 A. T. Miller and W. L. Otis. Daniel W. Tomlinson was elected the 
 first president, J. H. Bradish vice-president, A. T. Miller secretary, 
 Frank S. Wood treasurer, and Lucien R. Bailey, W. L. Otis and Arthur 
 E. Clark house committee. January 4, 1883, the club took possession 
 of its first quarters, located on East Main street near Dellinger's opera 
 house. This building was destroyed by fire February 16, 1886, and 
 
313 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 April 17 following the club removed to the building it now occupies, 
 on the northeast corner of East Main and Bank streets, formerly occu- 
 pied by the Bank of Genesee. The club was incorporated April 7, 
 1888, and soon afterward purchased the building it occupies. 
 
 The Batavia Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1883 to 
 manufacture the Post sewing machines, by Lucien R. Bailey, H. I. 
 Glowacki, Columbus Buell, C. J. Ferrin, jr., and C. H. Howard. The 
 Batavia Sewing Machine Company was organized in 1884 to succeed 
 the first-named company. No machines were ever manufactured and 
 the company soon ceased to exist. 
 
 Upton Post No. 299, Grand Army of the Republic, so named in 
 honor of General Emory Upton, was organized October 25, 1882, under 
 general orders from department headquarters, dated October 14, 1882. 
 The officers who instituted the post were as follows: H. S. Stanbach, 
 Post 9, commander; L. S. Oatman, Post 9, senior vice-commander; 
 C. S. King, Post 219, junior vice-commander; A. G. Rykert, Post 219, 
 adjutant; L. F. Allen, Post 219, quartermaster; A. J. Lorish, Post 219, 
 chaplain; Jacob U. Creque, Post 226, officer of the day; G. S. Farwell, 
 Post 220, officer of the guard; E. N. Havens, Post 9, inside sentinel; 
 E. A. Halcomb, Post 219, sergeant major; Julius Baker, Post 219, 
 quartermaster sergeant. The charter members of the post were as 
 follows : 
 
 W. J. Reedy, W. H. Raymond, George Thayer, John O. Griffis, O. C. Parker, 
 Morris McMuUen, C. R. Nichols, Peter Thomas, L. L. Crosby, Russell Crosby, Tim- 
 othy Lynch, Lucius R. Bailey, Henry C. Fish, Charles A. Sloan, Irving D. South- 
 worth, William Radley, B. M. Chesley, George W. Mather, George H. Wheeler, 
 Daniel W. Griffis, William H. Hunn, Edward F. Moulton, Peter Walker, James F. 
 Bennett, Oscar D. Hammond, Charles Lilly, John K. Giddings, James Conway, 
 Frank Fanning, William Squires. 
 
 The post had for its first corps of officers the following comrades: 
 
 Commander, W. J. Reedy; senior vice-commander, W. H. Raymond; junior vice- 
 commander, George Thayer; quartermaster, John O. Griffis; officer of the day, O. 
 C. Parker; officer of the guard, Morris McMullin; chaplain, C. R. Nichols; adjutant, 
 Peter Thomas; sergeant major, L. L. Crosby; quartermaster .sergeant, Russell 
 Crosby. At the first meeting of the post the following comrades were mustered in 
 as members of the post: Edson J. Winslow, Edwin J. Fox, Edward C. Peck, George 
 McGregor, Charles McGregor, Burr Kenyon, William Gay, Fred. Kelpenberg. 
 
 Following is a complete list of the commanders and adjutants of 
 Upton Post from the date of its organization to the present time : 
 
 Commanders.— 1883-1885, William J. Reedy; 1886, Timothy Lynch; 1887, W. J. 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 
 
 313 
 
 Reedy; 1888, Whiting C. Woolsey; 1889, Edward A. Perrin ; 1890, John Thomas; 
 1891, Frank M. Jameson; 1892-1893. John Thomas; 1894, D. W. Griffis; 1895-1896, 
 George W. Stanley; 1897, George H. Wheeler; 1898, Addison G. Negus. 
 
 Adjutants.— 1883-1885, Peter Thomas; 1886-1888, L. L. Crosby; 1889-1894, Anson 
 M. Weed ; 1895-1897, Addison G. Negus. 
 
 The names of the members of the post at the present date, with their 
 residences and the names of the commands with which they served 
 during the Civil war, are : 
 
 Ahl, Henry.. Batavia 
 
 Austin, N. J __Albion 
 
 Barton, Isaac R __ Batavia 
 
 Buell, Melvin _ Batavia.. 
 
 Bo we, E. A Batavia 
 
 Burns, James M Batavia. 
 
 Birmingham, M Batavia 
 
 Bloss, E. L Batavia 
 
 Burroughs, Wm. A Pembrolce 
 
 Braley, Wm Elba 
 
 Conrad, Jacob Alexander 
 
 .Co. D, 15th H.A. 
 .Co. D, 9th Cav. 
 .Co. F, 42d Ohio Vol. 
 .Bat. L, IstN. Y. 
 .3d 76th N. Y. Vol. 
 .Co. C, 4th H.A. 
 .Co. G, 139th N. Y. Vol. 
 .Co. H, 85th N. Y. Vol. 
 .Co. G. 8th N. Y. H. A. 
 .Co. I, 81st N. Y. Vol. 
 .Co. G, 160th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Colville, W. L.. Batavia.. 
 
 Crosby, L. L Batavia . . 
 
 Crosby, R Elba 
 
 Conway, James Batavia . . 
 
 Co. L, 2dN. Y. Cav. 
 
 U. S. Signal Corps. 
 
 Co. H, 129th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Co. K, 12th N. Y. Vol. and Co. 
 
 L, 8th N. Y. H. A. 
 
 Colt, J. B .Batavia Co. A, 9th N. Y. Cav. 
 
 Collins, John Batavia Co. M, 8th N..Y. H. A. 
 
 Capel, Robert Elba Co. D, 49th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Clark, Livingston Batavia Co. I, 12th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Collins, Albert G ^ Batavia Co. I, 151st N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Cooper, James A Batavia Co. F, 110th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Crocker, George .Bethany Co. L, 8th N. Y. H. A. 
 
 Churchill, R. E Batavia Co. K, 10th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Dolbeer, Charles Batavia 24th N. Y. Battery. 
 
 Dewey, C. E Batavia Co. A, 90th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Durfey, Charles Batavia Co. G, 184th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Duffy, John Batavia Co. C, 151st N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Edwards, C. D Batavia Co. A, 140th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Elliott, Edwin R. East Pembroke Co. E, 140th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Follett, E Batavia 
 
 Foster, J. P Rochester 
 
 Foley, Tim Batavia 
 
 Ford, George Batavia , 
 
 Farnsworth, S. W. Oakfield. 
 
 Griffi.s, J. O.. Batavia 
 
 Griffis, D. W : Batavia. 
 
 Co. K, 12th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Co. A, 9th H. A. 
 
 Co. A, 11th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Co. G, 8th N. Y. H. A. 
 
 Co B, 1st N. Y. Dragoons. 
 
 22d N. Y. Battery and 2d N.Y. 
 
 H.A. 
 Co. C, 151st N. Y. Vol. 
 
314 
 
 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Giddings, John K Batavia Co. C, 44th N.Y.Vol. 
 
 Gardiner, J. A Batavia Co. F, W. Va. Vol. 
 
 Gardiner, W. C Batavia Co. D, 26th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Greene, J. O Alexander Co. A, 3d N. Y. Cav. 
 
 Gibhart, C Elba Co. I, 8th N. Y. H. A. 
 
 Hunn, William H Elba ...Co. I, 8th N. Y. H. A. 
 
 Holloran, M _ Batavia Co. I, 151st N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Hammond, O. D Batavia Co. G, 160th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Hoyt, J. H ...Elba Co. I, 8th N. Y. H. A. 
 
 Hayes, M Batavia Co. C, 151st N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Hundredmark, G. F ..Oakfield Co. A, 105th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Hough, C.W ..Batavia.. Co. E, 138th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Jones, D. M Batavia Co. M, 8th H. A. 
 
 Jameson, F. M _ Batavia Co. G, 140th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Kelley, John Batavia ...Co. H, 34th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Kelley, Seneca Auburn Co. A, 89th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Kendall, W. C. _ Batavia Co. G, 8th N. Y. H. A. 
 
 Kenyon, E Batavia.. Co. G, 8th N. Y. H. A. 
 
 Kinell, Charles _ Batavia 114th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Lynch, T Batavia Co. E., 100th N.Y.Vol. 
 
 Lock, W. G Batavia 14th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Lesler, Peter Pembroke 25th N. Y. Ind. Batt. 
 
 Lefler, G. W __- Batavia Co. G, 50th N. Y. Vol. Eng. 
 
 Lincoln, F. M Batavia Co. K, 12th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Moulton, A. H _ Alexander 32d Ind. Batt. 
 
 Muntz, John Batavia Co. G, 8th N. Y. H. A. 
 
 Moulton, E. F ._ Batavia U. S. Signal Corps. 
 
 McPhail, John Batavia Co. B, 100th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Mahoney, Cain .Batavia Co. G, 8th N. Y. H. A. 
 
 Myers, John Batavia Co. D, 49th N. Y. V. 
 
 Negus, A. G Batavia Co. G, 9th Hawkins Zouaves. 
 
 Nash, F.._ -. - Batavia Co. B, 93d N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Odion, R. C. .Batavia Co. E, 105th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Osgood, A. W. Batavia .Co. G, 23d N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Perrin, E. A Batavia Co. F, 4th N. Y. H. A. 
 
 Power, E Batavia __ Seaman on " Juniata." 
 
 Prescott, F _ Batavia __.Co. I, 8d R. Corps. 
 
 Putnam, J. H .Batavia Co. A, 76th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Quance, Willard Batavia Co. F, 94th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Raymond, W. H Elba Co. H, 139th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Radley, William Batavia Co. I, 8th N. Y. H. A. 
 
 Rolfe, Lucius .Batavia. Co. E, 105th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Robinson, W. N Batavia Co. A, 1st N. Y. Infantry. 
 
 Reed, J. E... ..Batavia Co. B, 164th Ohio N. G. 
 
 Robbins, F. J... ...Bethany 36th N. Y. Batt. 
 
 Russell, C. M.. Batavia Co. H, 38th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Stanley, G. W Batavia Co. D, 3d N. Y. Cav. 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 315 
 
 Stanley, L. B Batavia Co. I, 151st N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Southworth, L D Batavia _..35th N. Y. Ind. Batt. 
 
 Squiers, W. Batavia 35tli N. Y. Ind. Batt. 
 
 Scheer, George Batavia Co. B, 9th Ohio Vol. 
 
 Sennate, R Batavia Co. G, 26th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Smith, J -_- Batavia Co. C, 151st N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Staveley, J. Batavia E. V. C. N. Y. 
 
 Thayer, G. W _... Indian Falls Co. F, 38th N. Y. V. M. 2 M. R. 
 
 Travis, L Batavia Co. D, 3d Mich. Inf. 
 
 Taylor, Thomas Batavia Co. B, 10th N. Y. Cav. 
 
 Toll, Simon J : Bethany Co. B, 1st Iowa Cav. 
 
 Thomas, John Batavia Co. G. 8th N. Y. H. A. 
 
 Thomas, Peter ..Batavia .- Co. E, 49th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Tarbox, H. F Batavia Co. C, 108th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Tripp, A. J Oakfield Co. E, 3d N. Y. H. A. 
 
 Tournier, George M Batavia Co. G, 3d Light Art. 
 
 Thomas, Edward A. Batavia Landsmsn, ship " Shenango. 
 
 Welch, Pat Batavia Co. F, 108th N. Y. Inf. 
 
 Welch, William Alexander Co. M, 9th H. Art. 
 
 Wheeler, G. H Batavia K, 12th N. Y. V. & F, 5tK N. 
 
 Y. V. C. 
 
 Welker, Peter Elba Co. M, 8th N. Y. H. Art. 
 
 Winslow, E Batavia Co. H, 129th N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Woolsey, W. C Batavia .Co. I, 96th 111. Vol. 
 
 Weed, A. M Batavia Co. L, 50 N. Y. Vol. Eng. 
 
 Wright, C. M .Batavia Co. C, 8th N. Y. H. Art. 
 
 Ward, E ...Bergen 22d N. Y. Ind. Batt. 
 
 Whitney, C. M Ray, N. Y Co. G, 8th N. Y. H. Art. 
 
 Wagner, F Batavia Co. C, 151st N. Y. Vol. 
 
 Zurhorst, A. F Alabama Co. G, 31st N. Y. Cav. 
 
 The Batavia Carriage- Wheel Company is the outgrowth of the in- 
 dustry founded on a modest scale in 1883 by A. M. Colt, James R. 
 Colt and Moses E. True, for the manufacture of clamps, saw handles 
 and hardware specialties. In 1885 John M. Sweet became identified 
 with the original firm, styled Colt Brothers & True, and the energies 
 of these gentlemen were then directed more particularly to the man- 
 ufacture of the celebrated Sweet carriage wheels. The works were 
 then located on Exchange place. They were destroyed by fire in 1887, 
 soon after which the present stock company was incorporated and a 
 new plant built on Walnut street, adjoining the tracks of the New 
 York Central and Hudson River Railroad. The buildings and ma- 
 chinery cost upwards of forty thousand dollars. 
 
 The trade of the Batavia Carriage Wheel Company has steadily de- 
 veloped until to-day it extends throughout the entire United States and 
 
316 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 into many foreign lands. Its product includes carriage wheels of 
 every description, its specialty in recent years being wheels with rub- 
 ber tires. Besides these it manufactures Sweet's concealed band, the 
 Kenney band, and the Sarven c& Warner patent and plain wood hub 
 wheels. The concern has contributed very largely to the industrial 
 development of Batavia. Its officers are : President, Frank Richard- 
 son; vice-president, W. C. Gardiner; secretary, William W. Leaven- 
 worth; treasurer, A. M. Colt; superintendent, John M. Sweet. 
 
 The Johnston Harvester Company for seventeen years has been 
 closely identified with the welfare and progress of the village of Ba- 
 tavia. As the iron industry has made Pittsburg famous, as the collar 
 industry has made Troy famous, as the knit goods industry has made 
 Fall River and Cohoes famous, so has this great industry known as the 
 Johnston Harvester Company made the name of Batavia famous 
 throughout not only the United States but many foreign countries. 
 
 This concern is not only the most important in Batavia, but it is one 
 of the most noted of its kind in the world, and its establishment in 
 Batavia has been instrumental, more than any other single agency, in 
 directing attention to this thriving industrial centre. This mammoth 
 concern had its inception in a small machinery manufacturing firm, 
 originally instituted in Brockport, N. Y., by Fitch, Barry & Co., more 
 than half a century ago. It was in this early factory, in 1847, that the 
 McCormick reapers, now celebrated the world over, were constructed. 
 In 1850 this firm became Ganson, Huntley & Co., and in 1853 Huntley, 
 Bowman & Co. In 1868 Samuel Johnston, Byron E. Huntley and 
 others entered into a co-partnership under the firm name of Joh. a, 
 Huntley & Co., for the purpose of continuing and enlarging the busi- 
 ness being carried on at Brockport. Mr. Huntley was the principal 
 member of the firm, which at first devoted its energies principally to 
 the manufacture of the "Johnston Sweepstakes." In 1871 the com- 
 pany was incorporated under its present style, with Mr. Johnston as 
 president and Mr. Huntley as secretary and treasurer. A few years 
 later the manufacture of the old machine was abandoned and the con- 
 struction of the now celebrated Johnston harvester was begun. In 
 1874 Mr. Johnston withdrew from the corporation and left Mr. Hunt- 
 ley still at its head, though the name of the company remained un- 
 changed. 
 
 In June, 1883, while the company was enjoying a prosperous and 
 rapidly increasing business, the works at Brockport were destroyed by 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 317 
 
 fire. When the company began to consider the question of rebuilding, 
 it was decided to locate the new plant in a place offering better trans- 
 portation facilities than those which had been enjoyed at Brockport, 
 and Batavia was selected as the site for the greatly enlarged and im- 
 proved manufactory which it was determined to build. Accordingly 
 the present mammoth plant, which has been enlarged and improved 
 from time to time, was constructed and occupied, and within an incon- 
 ceivably short time after the burning of the plant at Brockport, oper- 
 ations in the present magnificent lot of factories were resumed, with 
 an increased number of employes and new and improved machinery. 
 Commodious as the present buildings are, they have proved entirely in- 
 adequate to meet the requirements of the constantly increasing busi- 
 ness of the company, and extensive additions to the plant have recently 
 been made. 
 
 The works of the Johnston Harvester Company occupy a tract of 
 about seventeen acres of land principally between and south of the lines 
 of the New York Centtal and Hudson River and the Erie railroads, 
 each building being especially designed and adapted for its particular 
 part of the work. Probably no other plant in America is arranged in 
 a more systematic and orderly manner or more independent of outside 
 assistance. Side tracks connect the works with the railways running 
 through the village. Over six hundred persons, a large proportion of 
 whom are skilled workmen, are regularly employed. The output of 
 the company's plant consists exclusively of harvesting machinery, disk 
 implements, and sugar beet cultivating and harvesting machinery. 
 The principal machines manufactured are mowers, binders, reapers, 
 rakes, headers, disk harrows, disk cultivators, corn harvesters, beet 
 cultivators, and beet harvesters, and toppers. The company has dis- 
 tributing warehouses for its products at twenty of the leading com- 
 mercial centres of the United States, and sales agencies at all points 
 throughout the agricultural sections of the country, with a European 
 office at Paris, France. The officers of the company are : President, 
 Byron E. Huntley; vice-president and treasurer, E. W. Atwater: sec- 
 retary, L. D. Collins; superintendent, G. A. Farrall. E. J. Mockford, 
 who had been vice-president, retired from the company December 1, 
 1898. 
 
 The Richmond Memorial Library was erected in 1887 by Mrs. Mary 
 E. Richmond, widow of Dean Richmond, as a memorial to her son. 
 Dean Richmond, jr., who died in 1885. The building, a handsome 
 
318 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 fireproof structure, is located on the west side of Ross street, nearly 
 opposite the high school. Its front is of light gray Fredonia sandstone 
 and red Albion stone, a combination as picturesque and suitable as any 
 that could possibly be planned. The style of architecture is Romanesque. 
 The building cost about thirty-five thousand dollars. It was completed 
 and presented to the village March 13, 1889. It has a capacity of 40,- 
 000 volumes, though the number of volumes on the shelves now is be- 
 tween 11,000 and 12,000 only. 
 
 The Young Men's Christian Association was founded in the spring of 
 1889 with these officers: President, Levant C. Mclntyre; vice president, 
 Safford E. North; general secretary, C. H. Harrington; recording 
 secretary, A. H. Thomas; treasurer, John M. McKenzie. For some 
 time the rooms were located on the corner of Main and Jackson streets, 
 but the association now has quarters in the old Alva Smith residence 
 at the head of Park avenue which for many years was used for a ladies' 
 seminary. 
 
 The Western hotel, owned by Andrew J. 'Wells, was destroyed by 
 fire September 13, 1889. A hotel on this site, then conducted by a 
 man named Hensinger, was burned in 1850. The latter was the orig- 
 inal hotel erected on the site of the old Western hotel, and was a land- 
 mark in the first half of the century. 
 
 The Baker Gun and Forging Company, celebrated as the manufac- 
 turers of the Baker hammerless shot guns, is the successor to the Syra- 
 cuse Forging and Gun Company, which removed its plant from Syra- 
 cuse to Batavia in the spring of 1889. The enterprise was originally 
 founded in Syracuse in 1886, but the company was reorganized and re- 
 named upon the removal of the establishment to Batavia. Oddly 
 enough, it began business by manufacturing an improved fifth wheel 
 for wagons, finally adding the manufacture of the new Baker gun, the 
 invention of W. H. Baker, for several years the general superintendent 
 of the company. The market for this gun extends throughout every 
 State in the Union, from five to six thousand being sold annually. 
 Besides the Baker hammerless, popular grades include the Batavia 
 hammerless, the Paragon hammerless and the Baker 1897 model, a 
 hammer gun for nitro powder. The manufacturing plant includes 
 a two-story main factory and foundry, in which about two hundred 
 skilled workmen are employed. The company's officers are: President 
 and treasurer, William T. Mylcrane; vice-president, C. W. Hough; 
 secretary, E. W. Atwater. 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 319 
 
 Hotel Richmond occupies a site that for just three-quarters of a 
 century has been occupied by hotel buildings. On that lot the first of 
 the famous old Eagle taverns stood. This was a spacious three- story 
 brick structure built by Horace Gibbs for Bissell Humphrey and first 
 opened to the public on February 1, 1823. It was destroyed by fire 
 May 30, 1834. In this tavern Batavia Lodge No. 433, F. & A. M., 
 held many of its meetings. The second Eagle tavern was erected by 
 a stock company at an expense of about fifteen thousand dollars. Its 
 doors were opened December 35, 1835, under the management of Eras- 
 tus Smith. In 1869 Albert G. Collins, Andrew J. Andrews and James 
 H. White purchased the Eagle hotel property, which was renamed 
 Hotel Richmond by Mr. Collins; but numerous residents of Batavia 
 protested over the name, believing that it had too strong political sig- 
 nificance for those days, and Mr. Collins and his partners were pre- 
 vailed upon to change the name, and the satne was changed to that of 
 St. James Hotel. Collins & Andrews were proprietors until 1884, 
 when Mr. Collins purchased the interest of his partner. In the latter 
 year the hotel was remodeled into an arcade with four stories. In that 
 year Mr. Collins rented the property to Capt. Orrin C. Parker, who 
 conducted it until January 8, 1886, when it was destroyed by fire. The 
 present Hotel Richmond, which is said by many travelers to be one of 
 the finest hostelries of its class in the country, was erected in 1889 by a 
 stock concern known as the Batavia Hotel Company. June 32, 1889, 
 the company, in which Mrs. Mary E. Richmond, widow of Dean Rich- 
 mond, was a heavy stockholder, executed a ten-year mortgage for 
 forty thousand dollars to her. In January, 1896, in defaulc of payment 
 of interest, an action of foreclosure was begun by the executors of the 
 Richmond estate against the hotel company, and March 9, 1896, the 
 property was purchased by the executors of that estate for $43,649.82. 
 The hotel has been under the management of Benjamin R. Wood since 
 June, 1891. 
 
 The Batavia roller mills, on Evans street, were established in 1884 
 by N. D. Nobles, the present proprietor. 
 
 The Ellicott street roller mills were erected by Frank G. Moulton in 
 1889. 
 
 The Consumers' Electric Light and Power Company was organized 
 and incorporated in 1889 with a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars 
 and these officers: President, Henry Craft; secretary, C. H. Caldwell; 
 treasurer, R. L. Kinsey. February 13, 1890, the plant of the Batavia 
 
330 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Gas Light Company was sold to those interested in the Consumers' 
 Electric Light and Power Company. The two companies soon after 
 were consolidated under the name of the Batavia Gas and Electric Com- 
 pany. 
 
 The Batavia and New York Wood Working Company was incorpo- 
 rated in July, 1892, soon after which it purchased the entire plant, 
 business and good will of the New York Lumber and Wood Working 
 Company, a concern which had been established about six years. The 
 company's main building, exclusive of boiler and engine rooms, is sixty 
 by three hundred feet, and three stories in height. The concern 
 makes no stock article of any kind, working only to designs and on 
 contract. The products comprise doors, sash, blinds, mouldings, in- 
 terior hardwood finish for buildings, wainscoting, stairs, office par- 
 titions, bank interiors, and fine cabinet work of all kinds, made from 
 architects' drawings and in special designs. Many of the finest com- 
 mercial and office buildings, hotels, apartment houses and private res- 
 idences in the great cities of the East have been supplied with interior 
 woodwork by this establishment. It employs regularly about two 
 hundred and fifty skilled workmen. The officers of the company are: 
 President, J. N. Scatcherd; vice-president, C. H. Honeck; secretary 
 and treasurer, A. D. Scatcherd. 
 
 The predecessor of the Batavia and New York Wood Working Com- 
 pany — the New York Lumber and Wood Working Company — sprang 
 from the Batavia Manufacturing Company, incorporated in 1884 with a 
 capital stock of two hundred thousand dollars. Soon after the firm 
 was changed to the Batavia Sewing Machine Company, with a capital 
 stock increased to three hundred thousand dollars, which contracted to 
 manufacture the Post combination sewing machine. During the sum- 
 mer of 1884 the company erected the building now occupied by the 
 wood working company, near the eastern boundary line of the village, 
 at a cost of about forty thousand dollars. The plans of the company 
 could not be carried out, by reason of financial difficulties, and in 1885 
 the building became the property of the New York Lumber and Wood 
 Working Company, formerly the New York Wood Turning Company 
 of New York city. The company, whose capital was one hundred 
 thousand dollars, was composed of residents of New York city, with 
 W. C. Andrews as president, and Charles H. Honeck as superinten- 
 dent. In 1892 it sold its business to the Batavia and New York Wood 
 Turning Company. 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 331 
 
 June 26, 1893, the taxpayers of Batavia decided by vote to authorize 
 the trustees of the village to expend twenty-three thousand dollars for 
 an electric light plant. The trustees at once acted upon the authority 
 thus conferred upon them, and the electric light plant began oper- 
 ation July 13, 1894. The apparatus was furnished by the Fort Wayne 
 (Ind. ) Electric Company, at an expense of twelve thousand five hun- 
 dred dollars, the contract for the same having been awarded January 
 
 25, 1894. 
 
 April 25, 1893, a number of the business men of Batavia held a meet- 
 ing and organized the Batavia Board of Trade. The first officers, 
 elected on that date, were: President, Charles W. Hough; first vice- 
 president, Augustus N. Cowdin; second vice-president, Ashton W. 
 Ganey ; corresponding secretary, Edward Russell ; recording secretary, 
 David D. Lent; treasurer, Joseph C. Barnes. 
 
 During the gubernatorial campaign in the fall of 1894 William Mc- 
 Kinley, then governor of Ohio, stopped in Batavia about nine o'clock 
 on the morning of October 26, and made a speech of eight minutes from 
 a platform erected for the purpose in the park at the northeast corner 
 of the Surrogate's office. The distinguished orator was greeted by a 
 vast audience of early risers from all parts of the county. He was in- 
 troduced by Judge North as the next president of the United States, a 
 prediction destined to be fulfilled. 
 
 The Batavia Street Railroad Company was incorporated February 
 
 26, 1895, to operate an electric street railroad from Batavia to Horse- 
 shoe lake, a distance of seven and one half miles. The capital stock 
 was fixed at seventy-five thousand dollars, and the company had these 
 ori'ginal directors: Amos H. Stephens, A. B. Wilgus, J. H. Wilgus, J. 
 S. Lindsay, C. C. Marsh, New York; H. R. Burdick, Maiden, Mass.; 
 E. P. Wilgus, Mark Sugarman, Brooklyn; F. G. Fadner, Chicago. 
 The road contemplated has never been constructed. 
 
 Among the other local organizations are the following: Lodge No. 
 197, LO.O.F., was instituted in August, 1868, by H. S. Andrews, D. 
 G.M., with five charter members: Weeden T. Bliss, William Hoyt, Sim- 
 eon Lothiem, Thomas Yates and B. P. Fonda. Majestic Lodge No. 
 754, I.O.O.F., was instituted June 4, 1896, with Clayton W. Shedd as 
 N.G. Richmond Encampment, No. 67, Patriarchs Militant, was insti- 
 tuted August 21, 1872. Security Lodge No. 21, A. O. U. W., was 
 chartered April 20, 1876, with C. F. Starks as CM. The Batavia 
 Farmers' Club was organized in 1872 with P. P. Bradish as president, 
 
 21 
 
322 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 J. G. Fargo as secretary and Henry Ives as treasurer. The Philhar- 
 monic Society was organized in 1883. Batavia Lodge No. 5, E. O. 
 M. A., was instituted March 15, 1879, with thirty-three charter mem- 
 bers. The Batavia Athletic Association was founded in 1887 with 
 forty members and M. F. Cross as president. The Batavia Chess Club 
 was organized in December, 1898, with Oliver A. Jones as president. 
 The Batavia Business Men's Bowling Club was organized January 7, 
 1896, with D. W. Tomlinson as president, E. J. Mockford as vice- 
 president. Dr. Burkhart as secretary, and Orrin C. Steele as treasurer. 
 The Batavia Gun Club was organized April 9, 1896, with George Lewis 
 as president and field captain, W. E. Baker as secretary, and H. M. 
 Johnson as treasurer. Upton Camp, S. of V., was organized with 
 twenty-seven members May 24, 1897, with H. H. Scott captain, George 
 A. Gardner first lieutenant and George B. Thomas second lieutenant. 
 
 The shoe factory of P. W. Minor & Son was established in Batavia 
 in 1896, and employs about one hundred hands. P. W. Minor already 
 had been engaged in the manufacture of shoes for about forty years. 
 The industry is a valuable addition to the industries of Batavia. 
 
 Smith Brothers' Shoe Company is the most recent addition to the 
 manufacturing industries in Batavia. This company, composed of 
 Louis E. Smith and Anthony C. Smith, was established in 1897. The 
 factory is located on Railroad avenue, employs from ten to eighteen 
 hands, and manufactures ladies', misses' and children's shoes exclu- 
 sively. 
 
 In the spring of 1849 the town of Batavia, at its annual town meet- 
 ing, appointed William Seaver, Samupl Heston and Seth Wakeman a 
 committee to ascertain and report at the next town meeting the matter 
 of procuring a suitable site for a town hall, specifying in such report 
 the place, the size of the building proposed and the cost thereof with 
 the requisite furnishings. About this time the grand jury of Genesee 
 county adopted this resolution : 
 
 That it is advisable that the old courthouse should be either torn down or repaired, 
 or that it should be disposed of in such manner as to insure its being kept in a decent 
 state of repair. 
 
 The town committee mentioned in the foregoing decided that the old 
 court house could be repaired and converted into a town hall, and there- 
 fore applied to the board of supervisors for its possession. November 
 7, 1849, the county legislature adopted the following resolution : 
 
 Whereas, The old court house owned by the county of Genesee, situated in the 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 333 
 
 village of Batavia, is in a perishable and dilapidated condition, and of very little use 
 to said county, and 
 
 Whereas, It is represented that the same can be repaired and converted to a use- 
 ful purpose, therefore be it 
 
 Resolved by the board of supervisors of the county of Genesee that in conformity 
 with an application presented to this board in behalf of the town of Batavia by a 
 committee consisting of William Seaver, Samuel Heston and Seth Wakeman, the use 
 and occupancy of said old court house, together with the ground upon which it stands, 
 be granted to the said town of Batavia for the purpose of converting the said build- 
 ing into a town house so long as the said building shall stand and be used for the pur- 
 pose aforesaid, upon condition that the said building shall be thoroughly repaired, 
 fitted up and appropriated to the uses and purposes set forth in the said application, 
 to which this resolution is annexed. 
 
 Resolved, further, in case the said building shall be so repaired, fitted up and 
 appropriated by the town of Batavia and kept in good repair, that for the purpose of 
 securing to the building of proper care and protection, and that it may be under the 
 control and management of some legal authority, it shall be and remain in charge of 
 such public ofBcer or officers as the electors of the town of Batavia may at their an- 
 nual town meeting by resolution designate which officer or officers shall have the 
 exclusive power to grant permission for its use and occupancy, except that it shall 
 always be free for holding of town meetings and election meetings of the Genesee 
 County Agricultural Society, and meetings for educational purposes, and except that 
 the board of supervisors may at any meeting of said board have the use of said 
 building or such part thereof as may be desired, and further if at any time the said 
 building shall be needed for the purpose of holding any of the Supreme, Circuit and 
 County Courts therein, then that it may be used for such purposes. 
 
 Resolved, That the foregoing application, preamble and resolution, be entered in 
 the minutes and proceedings of this board. 
 
 The town committee reported at the next ensuing town meeting rec- 
 ommending the acceptance of the proposition of the board of super- 
 visors, and the town of Batavia, by resolution, accepted the report and 
 offer on the part of the county authorities. Thus the old court house, 
 the oldest building now standing west of the Genesee river, became the 
 property of the town of Batavia, with certain conditions and limitations 
 attached to the proprietorship. 
 
 Instead of repairing the building, the town board of Batavia, at that 
 time consisting of John B. Pike, supervisor; Isaac M. Joslyn, town 
 clerk; Augustus Cowdin, Nathaniel Read, M. W. Hewitt and Richard 
 Smith, justices of the peace, entered into a contract with Levi Otis, 
 Benjamin Pringle, Rufus Robertson and William L. Mallory, whereby 
 the building became the property of these men, they agreeing to make 
 these repairs: Raising the building from its foundation, fitting up the 
 basement for the use and occupancy of the Batavia Village Fire Depart- 
 
334 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 ment; fitting up the first story into offices; converting the second and 
 third stories into one story arid one large room, for use as a town hall ; 
 erecting stairways in each of the two semi-octagons, thereby making it 
 conveniently accessible ; providing a new roof, new flooring, new win- 
 dows and doors, plastering, painting and papering — in short making all 
 the alterations and repairs essential to a first class public building. The 
 town agreed to pay these four men for such work the sum of one 
 thousand dollars, the latter to be entitled to all the rents and profits 
 thereof. The town board reserved the use of the building, subject to 
 the rights of the county therein, as contemplated by the resolution of 
 the board of supervisors giving the structure to the town. 
 
 The building was accordingly repaired and named Ellicott hall, in 
 memory of Joseph Ellicott, its founder, and used as a town hall up to 
 1888. 
 
 Since the transfer of the building to private ownership the title has 
 undergone several changes. In 1853 William L. Mallory sold his one- 
 fourth interest therein to the remaining three partners. In 1868 the 
 interest of Rufus Robertson was sold to Horace M. Warren. In the 
 same year the one-third interest of Benjamin Pringle was sold to Mr. 
 Warren and Levi Otis, leaving the title to the property in the hands of 
 the two latter men. In 1870 the board of supervisors deeded to Messrs. 
 Otis and Warren a strip of land sixty-six feet to the north of the build- 
 ing towards Main street and the full width of the building, for the pur- 
 pose of enlarging it and copverting it into an opera house ; but the 
 repairs were never made. In 1871 Levi Otis sold his half interest in 
 the property to H, M. Warren, who thereby became sole owner. After 
 Mr. Warren's death it became the property of his two daughters, Mrs. 
 F\,M^ Jameson and Mrs. W. W. Whitcomb. In 1893 Mrs. Whitcomb 
 sold her half interest to Mrs. Jameson. 
 
 In the winter of 1897-98 the town board conceived the idea of again 
 purchasing the property, the main thought being to preserve it as a 
 historic relic. The board therefore appointed John Thomas, supervisor 
 of Batavia, a committee to consult Mrs. Jameson for the purpose of as- 
 certaining if it could be purchased, and if so, at what price. The terms 
 proposed being considered satisfactory, the town board prepared a res- 
 olution directing the purchase, which it submitted to the voters of the 
 town at the annual town election in the spring of 1898. The resolution 
 was adopted by a large majority and the purchase was consummated. 
 Soon after, the work of repairing the structure was begun, the original 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 335 
 
 colonial style being preserved. The building to-day is considered the 
 staunchest in Genesee county. While the repairs were in progress 
 Upton Post No. 399, Grand Army of the Republic, made application 
 to the town board for the fitting tip of one of the rooms in the building 
 for their occupancy ; and the laws of the State permitting this to be 
 done, the application was granted by a unanimous vote, and the Grand 
 Army post and the local camp of the Sons of Veterans, raised the Stars 
 and Stripes over the building, the first flag being donated by Gen. 
 George W. Stanley, a member of Upton Post, G. A. R. 
 
 The dedication of this historic building took place on the evening of 
 Wednesday, October 26, 1898, Harry Burrows acting as master of cere- 
 monies. The Rev. A. M. Sherman opened the ceremonies with a brief 
 prayer. This was followed by the singing of "The Star Spangled 
 Banner " by the Alert quartette, composed of the Messrs. Telfair, C. 
 W. Hutchinson and Frank C. Fix, with Miss Stanley as accompanist. 
 John Thomas, supervisor of the town of Batavia, read an interesting 
 historical record of Ellicott Hall, prepared by him for the occasion.' 
 W. L. Colville, on behalf of Upton Post, thanked the town for giving the 
 post new quarters in the building. He was followed by the Hon. Saff ord 
 E. North, judge of Genesee county, who delivered the dedicatory ad- 
 dress. The singing of "America" by the Alert quartette and the 
 benediction by the Rev. A. M. Sherman concluded the exercises. 
 
 In the course of his address Judge North spoke as follows: 
 
 Ninety-six years ago, the thrift and energy of the men, -who, with their strong 
 arms and bright axes, blazed a way through the primeval forests, led them to erect 
 here, at this junction of two Indian trails, the building which, after the lapse of so 
 many eventful years, we are rededicating to-night. With what ceremonies it may 
 have been dedicated almost a century ago, or whether without ceremony, we know 
 not. Of all those whose hands wrought this substantial structure — whose ponderous 
 oaken timbers have withstood wind and rain these many years — not one is left to tell 
 the story. It may well be guessed, although we do not know for certain, that not 
 one even of the children of those who built so well yet survives to read in to-mor- 
 row's paper the story of how, after all the chances and changes of the eventful years 
 which lie between us and the time when this structure was erected, it was reserved 
 for those who bear the honored title of Sons of Veterans once more to dedicate this 
 structure, grown classic with historical associations. 
 
 It was only a year ago that the matter was under serious consideration whether 
 this building, grown somewhat unsightly from lack of repair, should not be demol- 
 ished. But a few men of sound judgment — and foremost among these, I was glad 
 
 ' Many of the facts contained in the above history of this time honored building were gleaned 
 from the address of Mr. Thomas. 
 
326 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 to note, was Supervisor John Thomas — said that it was too bad to tear down a struc- 
 ture surrounded by so many time-honored memories, and which had been the first 
 court house not only for Genesee county, but for all of what are now Erie, Wyoming, 
 Niagara, Orleans, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany, as well as a part of the 
 present counties of Livingston and Monroe. 
 
 And so it came about that the proposition was submitted to the voters of Batavia 
 at the town meeting in March of this year (1898), and thanks to the good sense of 
 our people, old Ellicott Hall with its interesting history and with its ninety-six years 
 was elected, not to be torn down, but to receive a fresh coat of paint, to be strength- 
 ened, renovated and repaired and to remain the common property of us all, to be- 
 come the heritage of our children and our children's children. . . . 
 
 THE CHURCHES OF BATAVIA. 
 
 In preceding pages of this chapter the details of the organization of 
 the older churches in Batavia appear in chronological order. Follow- 
 ing will be found concise historical sketches of the churches from the 
 date of their organization to the present time. 
 
 The First Presbyterian church of Batavia is the outgrowth of a Con- 
 gregational society organized September 19, 1809, by the Rev. Royal 
 Phelps, who had been sent to the Genesee country by the Hampshire 
 Missionary Society of Massachusetts. Those who signed the member- 
 ship roll upon the institution of the church were Silas Chapin, David 
 Anderson, Ezekiel Fox, Solomon Kingsley, Mrs. Solomon Kingsley, 
 Patience Kingsley, Eleanor Smith, Elizabeth Mathers, Mrs. Esther 
 Kellogg, Elizabeth Peck, Huldah Wright and Mrs. Polly Branard. 
 The ancient records show that during the same month in which the 
 society was organized a sacramental service was held in Jesse Rum- 
 sey's barn. In June, 1810, the Rev. Reuben Parmelee preached in 
 Abel Wheeler's barn. Meetings were held after this at Phelps's inn, 
 the 'Phelps school house, at Clark's settlement, and at the residences of 
 Samuel Ranger and Ezekiel Fox. In 1813 regular services were in- 
 augurated in the court house, now Ellicott hall, and continued there 
 until 1824, when the first house of worship on Main street, opposite the 
 court house, was erected. This was a frame building and cost about 
 three thousand five hundred dollars. This was occupied by the society 
 until 1856, when a handsome stone structure was erected on East Main 
 street, corner of Liberty street. Sunday school rooms were added to 
 this church in 1882, a new gallery was built in 1888, and in 1889 the 
 interior of the church was renovated and redecorated, completely re- 
 juvenating it. 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 337 
 
 Up to October 2, 1818, when the church connected itself with the 
 presbytery, the society was served by the Rev. Reuben Parmelee, the 
 Rev. John Spencer, the Rev. John Alexander, and the Rev. Messrs. 
 Ayres, Bliss, Swift, Hanning, Sweezy, Squires, Colton, Duvel, and 
 Ephraim Chapin. In 1832 the church was incorporated under its pres- 
 ent name. Since 1818 the church has had the following regular pas- 
 tors. 
 
 1818-22, Rev. Ephraim Chapin; 1823-26, Rev. Calvin Colton; 1827- 
 28, Rev. Charles Whitehead; 1829-31, Rev. Russell Whiting; 1837-39, 
 Rev. Erastus J. Gillett; 1839-43, Rev. William H. Beecher; 1843-51, 
 Rev. Byron Sunderland; 1852-55, Rev. William Lusk; 1855-58, Rev, 
 Isaac O. Fillmore; 1861-69, Rev. Charles F. Mussey; 1871-74, Rev. 
 Chester W. Hawley; 1875-77, Rev. Thomas B. McLeod; 1878-87, Rev. 
 William Swan; 1887-91, Rev. Allan D. Draper; Rev. William J. Mc- 
 Kittrick, 1891-94; Rev. Henry R. Fancher, March 4, 1895, to date. 
 
 The details of the organization of the First Methodist Episcopal 
 church of Batavia, December 15, 1819, appear in earlier pages in this 
 chapter. The society was then a member of the "New Amsterdam 
 Circuit and Genesee District," and for some time services had been 
 held either in the court house or a frame school house located a short 
 distance west of the old land office on West Main street. In 1820 and 
 1821 the Rev. James Hall and the Rev. Zachariah Paddock were in 
 charge of the circuit. James Gilmore and Jasper Bennett served in 
 1821-1822, and John Arnold and Asa Orcutt in 1822-1823. May 16, 
 
 1823, the work of raising money for a church edifice, by subscription, 
 was begun. June 33 following the trustees of the society contracted 
 with Thomas McCulley, Joseph Shaw and Seymour Ensign to build a 
 stone church forty by forty-five feet in dimensions. This church, which 
 cost about two thousand eight hundred dollars, was dedicated June 13, 
 
 1824. It stood on the corner of Main and Lyon streets. In 1839 this 
 building was sold to the First Freewill Baptist church of Batavia. Then 
 for about two years the M. E. congregation worshipped in the Nixon 
 building, subsequently a district school house, located east of St. James's 
 church. A new house of worship on the east side of Jackson street, 
 known as St. John's church, was erected in 1841 and dedicated Decem- 
 ber 3 of that year; This was sold to William M. Terry in 1866, and 
 burned July 15, 1888. After leaving the Jackson street church the 
 congregation worshipped about a year in Concert hall, corner of Main 
 and State streets. In 1868 anew brick house of worship, costing twenty 
 
328 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 thousand dollars, was erected on West Main street, during the pastorate 
 of the Rev. Sandford Hunt, D. D. The corner stone was laid June 30, 
 1868, by the Rev. E. E. Chambers, then presiding elder, and the build- 
 ing was dedicated September 14, 1869. Those who have served the 
 society as pastor, in addition to the early circuit preachers mentioned, 
 are: 
 
 1822-1841, Revs. John Arnold, Asa Orcutt, John Beggarly, Andrew Prindel, J. B. 
 Roach, Benajah Williams, Jonathan Heustis, Asa Abell, John Cosart, Ira Bronson, 
 Micah Seag'er, Glenzen Fillmore, Chester V. Adgate, S. W. D. Chase, Levi B. Cas- 
 tle, John H. Wallace, Gideon Lanning, Richard L. Waite, John B. Alverson, Will- 
 iam Fowler, G. B. Benedict, Daniel M. Murphy, Wesley Cochran, Darius Williams, 
 D. Nutter; 1841-1870, Allen Steele, Philo E. Brown, Joseph Cross, John Parker, 
 William R. Babcock, Daniel C. Houghton, Philo Woodworth. J. K. Cheeseman, 
 William M. Ferguson, Charles Shelling, E. Everett Chambers, James M. Fuller, 
 John B. Wentworth, De Forest Parsons, King David Nettleton, Joseph H. Knowles, 
 George G. Lyon, Schuyler Seager, Charles R. Pomeroy, Sandford Hunt; 1870-1871, 
 Sandford Hunt, D. D. ; 1871-1873, R. C. Brownlee; 1873-1876, James E. Bills; 1876- 
 1878, A. D. Wilbor; 1878-1881, T. H. Youngman; 1881-1883, O. S. Chamberlain; 
 1883-1885, John W. Sanborn; 1885-1888, C. W. Winchester; 1888-1891. S. W. Lloyd; 
 Jan. 1, 1893, to Oct. 1, 1892, C, W. Gushing, D. D. (appointed as supply to fill un- 
 expired year of S. W. Lloyd, who resigned Jan. 1, 1892, on account of illness) ; 1892- 
 1893, A. F. Colburn, 1893-1898, Thomas Cardus; 1898, A. F. Colburn. 
 
 The early history of St. James's Protestant Episcopal church has 
 been given in detail in earlier pages in this chapter. The first house 
 of worship, a brick structure, was consecrated by Bishop Hobart Sep- 
 tember 23, 1826. The second church, which is still in use, was erected, 
 of stone, in 1835 and 1836, and during these years the main part of the 
 old rectory was also built. David E. Evans, then agent for the Hol- 
 land Land Company, donated the lot on which the church stands, be- 
 sides presenting to the society a chandelier and the sum of fifteen hun- 
 dred dollars. Trinity church of New York also gave one thousand 
 dollars toward defraying the building expenses. 
 
 The Revs. Samuel Johnston and Lewis S. Ives conducted services 
 from the organization of the parish until 1823. Since that year the 
 rectors of St. James have been as follows: 
 
 Rev. Lucius Smith, 1823:'33; Rev. James A. Bolles, D.D., 1833-54; Rev. Thomas 
 A. Tyler, D.D., 1854r-63; Rev. Morelle Fowler, 1863-68; Rt. Rev. C. F. Robertson, 
 bishop of Missouri, a few months during 1868 ; Rev. George F. Plummer, 1868-75 ; 
 Rev. George S. Baker, 1875-77; Rev. H. L. Everest, 1878-83; Rev. William A. 
 Hitchcock, D.D., 1883-^7; Rev. A. M. Sherman, 1887-98. 
 
 The First Baptist church of Batavia was organized under the State 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 329 
 
 laws at the court house November 9, 1835, as the " Baptist Society of 
 Batavia Village." On that occasion Richard Coville, jr , John Dor- 
 man, William Blossom, William D. Popple and Calvin Foster were 
 elected trustees. March 17, 1836, a lot on the west side of Jackson 
 street was purchased of William D. Popple for $400 and work upon a 
 house of worship was begun soon after. About 1865 the church was 
 remodeled at a cost of ten thousand dollars. In 1877 the society was 
 reorganized and incorporated under its present name. December 3, 
 1833, the board of trustees decided to purchase a site for a new edifice. 
 A week later they purchased of Mrs. Mary L. Douglass, for four thou- 
 sand five hundred dollars, the lot on East Main street on which the 
 present handsome church stands. The corner stone of the new struc- 
 ture was laid June 17, 1890, by the Rev. Cyrus A Johnson, then pastor 
 of the society. The completed edifice, which cost about forty thousand 
 dollars aside from the organ, which cost about five thousand dollars, 
 was dedicated October 22, 1891, the dedicatory sermon being preached 
 by the Rev. J. A. W. Stewart, D. D , of Rochester. During the ded- 
 icatory services the sum of seven thousand dollars was contributed to 
 liquidate the indebtedness incurred by the society in constructing its 
 new home. The pastors of this church, with the date of the commence- 
 ment of thfiir work, have been : 
 
 1834, Ichabod Clark; 1837, William W. Smith; 1840, L. A. Esta; 1844, Gibbon Will- 
 iams ; l645. S. M. Stimpson ; 1852, D. Harrington ; 1855, J. B. Vrooman ; 1859, L. J. 
 Huntley; 1861, S. M. Stimpson; 1865, O. E. Mallory; 1875. D. D. Brown; 1877, Will- 
 iam C. Leonard ; 1883, Cyrus A. Johnson ; 1898, John H. Mason. 
 
 Though the Catholic congregation in Batavia was not placed under 
 the care of a regular pastor until 1849, services had then been held in 
 the village for several years. As early as 1840 the Rev. Father Gan- 
 non began to make visits to the few Catholic families then residing 
 here, and conducted services as frequently as his duties elsewhere per- 
 mitted. At that time there probably were not more than a dozen or 
 fifteen adherents of the Catholic faith in Batavia and its immediate 
 vicinity. Father Gannon continued his ministrations for a period of 
 about three years. Then, from 1843 to 1847, the Rev. Bernard 
 O'Reilly, subsequently bishop of Hartford, Conn., and his brother, the 
 Rev. William O'Reilly, both of whom were stationed at Rochester 
 during those years, conducted services here alternately. Sometimes 
 the small but increasing congregation would gather for worship at the 
 home of Edward O'Connor, and sometimes at the residence of James 
 
330 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Ronan. About 1845 the numerical increase of the congregation had 
 became such that private residences were too small to accommodate 
 them. Learning of this condition of affairs, Messrs. Otis and Worth- 
 ington tendered the society, free of charge, the use of a large room on 
 the second floor of the building occupied by Gad B. Worthington as a 
 hardware store. 
 
 In 1848 the Rev. Thomas McEvoy was appointed to succeed the 
 Rev. Fathers O'Reilly in charge of the congregation, which a short 
 time before had been established as a mission. He served in this 
 capacity until April 4, 1849, when, an independent congregation hav- 
 ing been formed, the Rev. Edward Dillon was appointed resident 
 priest by the Rt. Rev. John Timon, the first bishop of the newly or- 
 ganized diocese of Buffalo. On the following Sunday, April 8 — Easter 
 Sunday — the new priest conducted services for a congregation of 
 about seventy-five Catholics in the old brick school house located on 
 the corner of Main and Eagle streets. Prior to this time the subject 
 of a house of worship had been discussed by members of the steadily 
 increasing congregation, and now, upon the permanent location of a 
 resident pastor, the members of the society went to work to build up a 
 fund to pay for the erection of a church. About a month after Father 
 Dillon had been installed as pastor, Bishop Timon visited Batavia and 
 lectured in a hall near the Eagle Tavern (now Hotel Richmond). In- 
 terest in the project for a church edifice was at once greatly enhanced, 
 and within a few days the congregation purchased of Benjamin Prin- 
 gle, for twelve hundred dollars, a two-story stone dwelling on Jackson 
 street, which had been erected for a private school. After the neces- 
 sary alterations thereto had been made, regular services therein were 
 inaugurated and continued there for several years. Upon the comple- 
 tion of the new church this building was used for St. Joseph's parochial 
 school. 
 
 Father Dillon resigned his pastorate in November, 1850, and was 
 succeeded by the Rev. Thomas Fitzgerald. The latter was succeeded 
 September 5, 1852, by the Rev. Francis O'Farrell. December 10, 
 1855, the latter was appointed vicar-general of the diocese of Buffalo, 
 and rector of St. Joseph's cathedral in the city of Buffalo. The Rev. 
 Peter Brown was appointed to succeed him. The latter resigned Sep- 
 tember 28, 1856. The Rev. James McGlew, who followed him, was 
 succeeded December 10, 1860, by the Rev. Thomas Cunningham, with 
 the Rev. John Castaldi as his assistant. September 15, 1862, Father 
 
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA. 331 
 
 Cunningham purchased the lot on the northeast corner of East Main 
 and Summit streets, from Lawrence Timmons, for two thousand five 
 hundred dollars, and soon after began the erection thereon of the 
 present handsome and commodious church, which was dedicated to the 
 worship of God in 1864. This edifice, built of brick, cost about forty- 
 five thousand dollars. A convent was also erected on Jackson street in 
 1863. 
 
 Father Cunningham served as pastor of St. Joseph's for nearly thir- 
 teen years, being succeeded by the Rev. P. A. Maloy August 23, 1873. 
 After serving exactly one year Father Maloy retired, and was followed 
 by the Rev. Martin McDonnell. At the time of the latter's resigna- 
 tion in April, 1880, his charge numbered about two thousand two hun- 
 dred persons, and a mission had been established art Attica. In January, 
 1883, the Rev. James McManus became priest in charge of the con- 
 gregation. His continued illness prevented him from the performance 
 of his duties, and the Rev. Father Walsh, his assistant, conducted ser- 
 vices and performed the other pastoral work. Father McManus died 
 in Batavia, at the age of forty years. In February, 1883, the Rev. T. 
 B. Brougham was appointed to take charge of the congregation, and 
 still serves as pastor. During his first year in Batavia the old convent 
 on Jackson street was sold and the present convent and parochial 
 school on Summit street, north of and adjoining the church, were 
 erected. The Convent of Mercy, a brick structure, is a convent for 
 novices, who go there from all parts of this diocese. During the pas- 
 torate of Father Brougham the parish of St. Joseph's has experienced 
 great prosperity, both spiritual and temporal, and is recognized to-day 
 as one of the strongest Catholic parishes in the diocese. Not only have 
 the new convent and school been erected during his pastorate, but he 
 acquired a large lot east of the church, as a site for a pastoral residence, 
 erected in 1893. The church has also been renovated and repaired, 
 making it one of the handsomest structures in the State. 
 
 The Evangelical Association of Batavia was organized in 1863 by M. 
 Pfitizinger and Adolph Miller. The Rev. Jacob Seigrist was the first 
 pastor of the society. In the same year the first house of worship, a 
 frame structure, was erected. The present church edifice, of brick, 
 was constructed in 1871 at a cost of six thousand dollars. It is located 
 on Centre street. The society is small numerically. 
 
 St. Paul's German United Evangelical church was founded April 30, 
 1873, by the organization of a society with these officers: President, 
 
333 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 John Friedley; treasurer, Martin Wolfley; secretary, Louis Uebele. 
 The Rev. George Field was the first pastor, and the first house of wor- 
 ship was located on Ellicott street. A new church, located on Liberty 
 street, was erected in 1898, the dedication taking place during the pas- 
 torate of the Rev. E. F. Holls December 4 of that year. 
 
 The First Freewill Baptist church of Batavia was organized with about 
 twenty-five members January 17, 1886. September 28, 1884, the Rev. 
 J. H. Durkee opened a meeting in Odd Fellows hall, which was attended 
 by several adherents of this denomination. The meetings thus inaug- 
 urated were continued in Odd Fellows hall and in Lorish'shall until the 
 organization of the society. The members of the organization council 
 were the Revs. J. H. Durkee, L. P. Bickford, J. C. Steele, D. M. L. 
 Rollin, and R. E. Nesbit. The church edifice on Bank street, a com- 
 modious frame building, was completed early in the summer of 1887, 
 and dedicated June 31 of that year. Its cost was about ten thousand 
 dollars. Mr. Durkee remained as pastor until 1898, when he resigned. 
 The society is now without a pastor. 
 
 A chapel on Ellicott street in Batavia was opened by the newly 
 formed Free Methodist society March 2, 1893. The first pastor of the 
 society, who conducted services on that occasion, was the Rev. M. T. 
 Marriott. 
 
THE BENCH AND BAR. 333 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 BENCH AND BAR OF GENESEE COUNTY. 
 
 While the judicial system of the State of New York is to a large ex- 
 tent founded upon the common law of England, there are important 
 differences which are revealed by a study of the laws of our country, 
 showing that the American system, in many respects, is an original 
 growth. In the simple, yet initiative manner of entitling a criminal 
 process, for example, there is a radical difference between the American 
 method and that which must be followed in England. Here it is " the 
 People versus the criminal," while in England it is " Rex versus the 
 criminal." In the one it is a judiciary directly responsible to the peo- 
 ple; in the other it is a judiciary responsible to a monarch. This prin- 
 ciple of the sovereignty of the people over the laws, as well as their 
 dominance in other governmental matters, has had a slow, conservative, 
 yet steadily progressive and systematic growth. 
 
 In the colonial history of this State the Governor was in effect the 
 maker, interpreter and enforcer of the laws. He was the chief judge in 
 the court of final resort, while his councillors generally were his obedi- 
 ent followers. The execution of the English and colonial statutes rested 
 with him, as did also the exercise of royal authority in the province. 
 It was not until the Revolution that he ceased to contend for these pre- 
 rogatives and to act as though the only functions of the court and coun- 
 cillors were to do his bidding as servants and helpers, while the Leg- 
 islature should adopt only such laws as the executive should suggest 
 or approve. 
 
 By the first constitution the Governor was deprived of the judicial 
 power which he possessed under colonial rule, and such power was 
 vested in the Lieutenant-Governor and the State Senate, the chancellor 
 and the justices of the Supreme Court; the former to be elected by the 
 people, and the latter to be appointed by the Council. Under this con- 
 stitution there was the first radical separation of the judicial and the 
 legislative powers, and the advancement of the judiciary to the position 
 of a CO- ordinate department of the government, subject to the limitation 
 
334 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 consequent upon the appointment of its members by the Council. This 
 court, called the " Court for the Trial of Impeachments and Correction 
 of Errors," was continued by the second constitution, which was adopted 
 in 1821. 
 
 It was not until the adoption of the constitution of 1846 that the last 
 connection between the purely political and the judicial parts of the 
 State government was abolished. From this time on the judiciary be- 
 came more directly representative of the people by reason of the elec- 
 tion by them of its members. The development of the idea of the re- 
 sponsibility of the courts to the people, from the time when all of the 
 members were at the beck and nod of one well nigh irresponsible mas- 
 ter, to the time when all judges, even of the court of last resort, are 
 voted for by the people, has been very great. Through all this change 
 there has prevailed the idea of having one ultimate tribunal from 
 whose decisions there can be no appeal. 
 
 Noting briefly the present arrangement and powers of the courts of 
 this State and the elements from which they have grown, it is seen 
 that the plan is, first, a trial before a judge and jury — arbiters of law 
 and fact respectively; second, a review by a higher tribunal of the 
 facts and the law; third, a review of the law alone by a court of last re- 
 sort. To accomplish these purposes there was devised and established, 
 first and highest, our present Court of Appeals, perfected by the con- 
 ventions of 1867, 1868 and 1894, and ratified by vote of the people in 
 1869 and 1894, and taking the place of the ancient "Court for the 
 Trial of Impeachments and Correction of Errors " to the extent of cor- 
 recting errors of law. 
 
 As originally organized under the constitution of 1846, the Court of 
 Appeals was composed of eight judges, four of whom were elected by 
 the people and the remainder taken from the justices of the Supreme 
 Court having the shortest remaining time to serve. As organized in 
 1870, the court consisted of the chief judge and six associate judges, to 
 hold office for a term of fourteen years from and including the first day 
 of January succeeding their election. The court exists to-day as then 
 organized. It is continually in session in the capitol at Albany, with 
 an annual June session in the Town Hall at Saratoga Springs, except 
 as it takes recess from time to time on its own motion. It has full 
 power to correct or reverse the decisions of all inferior courts, when 
 properly brought before it for review. Its decisions are final and abso- 
 lute. Five judges constitute a quorum, and four must concur to ren- 
 
THE BENCH AND BAR. 335 
 
 der judgment. If four do not agree, the case must be reargued ; but 
 no more than two rehearings can be had, and if four judges do not then 
 concur, the judgment of the court below stands affirmed. 
 
 The State Legislature has provided by statute what, how and when 
 proceedings and decisions of inferior tribunals may be reviewed in the 
 Court of Appeals, and may, in its discretion, alter and amend the same. 
 Upon the reorganization of this court in 1869 its work was far in 
 arrears, and a Commission of Appeals to aid the Court of Appeals was 
 provided for by the constitutional amendment adopted that year. In 
 1888 the Legislature adopted a concurrent resolution that Section 6 of 
 Article 6 of the constitution be so amended that upon the certificate of 
 the Court of Appeals to the governor of such an accumulation of 
 causes on the calendar of the Court of i^Ppeals that the public interest 
 required a more speedy disposition thereof, the governor might desig- 
 nate seven justices of the Supreme Court to act as associate justices of 
 the Court of Appeals for the time being, these constituting a second 
 division of that court, to be dissolved by the governor when the neces- 
 sity for their services ceased to exist. This amendment was ratified at 
 the succeeding State election, and in accordance therewith the gover- 
 nor selected the seven Supreme Court justices, the new division was 
 organized, and began its labors March 5, 1889. Its work having become 
 completed this divisioil was dissolved in October, 1892. 
 
 Second in rank to the Court of Appeals stands the Supreme Court, 
 which is constituted of several different elements. This court was 
 originally created by act of the Colonial Legislature May 6, 1691, and 
 finally was fully established by ordinance of the Governor and Council 
 May 15, 1699. It at first was empowered to try all issues to the same 
 extent as the English Courts of King's Bench, Common Pleas and Ex- 
 chequer, except that it did not have equity powers. It had jurisdiction 
 in actions involving the sum of one hundred dollars or more, and could 
 revise and correct decisions of inferior courts. An appeal from its de- 
 cisions could be taken to the Governor and Council. There originally 
 were five judges, who made annual circuits of the counties, under a 
 commission naming them, issued by the governor, and giving them 
 nisi prius, oyer and terminer and jail delivery powers. Under the 
 first constitution this court was reorganized, the judges being then 
 named by the Council of Appointment. All proceedings were directed 
 to be entitled in the name of the people, instead of in the name of the 
 king. 
 
336 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 The constitution of 1821 made numerous and important changes in 
 the character and methods of this court. The number of the judges 
 was reduced to three, who were to be appointed by the Governor, sub- 
 ject to confirmation by the Senate, to hold office during good behavior 
 or until having attained the age of sixty years. They were removable 
 by the Legislature when a majority of the Senate and two-thirds of the 
 Assembly so voted. Four times every year this court sat in review of 
 their decisions upon questions of law. 
 
 By the constitution of 1846 the Supreme Court as it then existed was 
 abolished and a new court of the same name, having general jurisdic- 
 tion in law and equity, was established. This court was divided into 
 General Terms, Circuits, Special Terms, and Courts of Oyer and Term- 
 iner. It wa!s composed of thirty-three justices, to be elected by the 
 people. The State was divided into eight judicial districts. In the 
 first of these five of the judges were to reside, while each of the other 
 seven districts furnished four judges. By the judiciary act of 1847, 
 General Terms were to be held once in each year in counties possessing 
 more than 40,000 inhabitants each, and in other counties as often as 
 once in two years. At least two Special Terms and two Circuit Courts 
 were to be held annuall}' in every county excepting Hamilton, the pop- 
 ulation of which was, and still is, inconsiderable. The court was also 
 authorized by this act to name the time and place of holding its terms 
 and those of Oyer and Terminer. The latter was to be held by a jus- 
 tice of the Supreme Court and two justices of sessions. From 1883 to 
 to the adoption of the constitution of 1894 the Courts of Oyer and 
 Terminer were held by a single justice of the Supreme Court. 
 
 One of the old courts, the powers of which have been vested in the 
 Supreme Court, was the Court of Chancery. This court was a relic of 
 the old colonial period. It had its origin in the Court of Assizes, the 
 latter being invested with equity powers under the duke's laws. The 
 court was established in 1683. The Governor, or such person as he 
 should designate, was chancellor, assisted by the Council. In 1698 this 
 court ceased to exist by limitation ; but it was revived in 1701, again 
 suspended in 1703, and re-established the following year. At first this 
 court was unpopular in the Province of New York, the Assemby and 
 the colonists opposing it with the argument that the crown had no 
 authority to establish an equity court in the colony, and they were 
 doubtful of the propriety of constituting the Governor and Council such 
 a court. Under the constitution of 1777 the court was recognized as 
 
THE BENCH AND BAR. SS7 
 
 still in existence, but its chancellor was prohibited from holding any- 
 other office except delegate to Congress on special occasions. In 1778 
 the court was reorganized. Masters and examiners in chancery were 
 to be appointed by the Council of Appointment; registers and clerks 
 by the chancellor. The latter licensed all solicitors and counselors who 
 practiced before the court. Under the constitution of 1821 the chan- 
 cellor was appointed by the Governor, and held office during good be- 
 havior, or until he had attained the age of sixty years. Appeals lay 
 from the chancellor to the Court for the Correction of Errors Under 
 the second constitution equity powers were vested in the circuit judges, 
 whose decisions were permitted to be reviewed on appeal to the chan- 
 cellor. Soon after this general equity jurisdiction devolved upon the 
 chancellor, while the judges alluded to acted as vice-chancellors in their 
 respective circuits. The constitution of 1846 abolished the Court of 
 Chancery, and its powers, duties and jurisdiction were vested in the 
 Supreme Court. 
 
 By an act of the Legislature adopted in 1848, entitled "The Code of 
 Procedure," all distinctions between actions at law and suits in equity 
 were abolished, so far as the manner of commencing and conducting 
 them was -concerned, and a uniform method of practice was adopted. 
 Under this act appeals lay to the General Term of the Supreme Court 
 from judgments rendered in Mayor's, Recorder's and County Courts, 
 and from all orders and judgments of a court held by a single justice of 
 the Supreme Court. 
 
 The judiciary article of the constitution of 1846 was amended in 1869, 
 authorizing the Legislature, not oftener than once every five years, to 
 provide for the organization of General Terms consisting of a.presiding 
 justice and not more than three associates; but by an act passed in 1870 
 the existing organization of the General Term was abrogated and the 
 State divided into four departments, and provision was made for hold- 
 ing General Terms in each. By the same act the Governor was directed 
 to designate from among the justices of the Supreme Court a presiding 
 justice and two associates to constitute a General Term in each depart- 
 ment. By the constitutional amendment of 1882, the following year 
 the Legislature divided the State into five judicial departments and pro- 
 vided for the election of twelve additional justices, to hold office from 
 the first Monday in June, 1884. 
 
 In June, 1887, the Legislature enacted the Code of Civil Procedure 
 to take the place of the code of 1848. By this many minor changes 
 22 
 
338 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 were made, among them being a provision that every two years 
 the justices of the General Terms and the chief judges of the Superior 
 City Courts should meet and revise and establish general rules of prac- 
 tice for all the courts of record in the State, excepting the Court of 
 Appeals. 
 
 Previous to the constitution of 1821, modified in 1826, justices of the 
 peace were appointed. Since that date they have been elected. The 
 office and its duties are descended from the English office of the same 
 name, but are much less important in this country than in England. 
 Under the laws of this State they are purely the creature of the statute. 
 
 Next in authority to the Supreme Court is the County Court, held in 
 and for each county in the State, except New York county, at such 
 times and places as its judges may designate. This court had its origin 
 in the old English Court of Sessions and, like that court, originally had 
 criminal jurisdiction only. By an act passed in 1663, a Court of Ses- 
 sions, having power to try both civil and criminal causes by jury, was 
 directed to be held by three justices of the peace in each of the coun- 
 ties of the province, twice every year, with one additional term in Al- 
 bany and two in New York. By the act of 1691 and the decree of 1699, 
 all civil jurisdiction was taken from this court and conferred upon the 
 Court of Common Pleas. By the radical changes of the constitution of 
 1846, provision was made for a County Court in every county in the 
 State, to be held by an officer to be designated as the county judge, and 
 to have such jurisdiction as the Legislature might prescribe. Under 
 the authority of that constitution the County Courts from time to time 
 have been given jurisdiction in various classes of actions which need 
 not be enumerated here, and also have been invested with certain 
 equity powers in the foreclosure of mortgages, the sale of infants' real 
 estate, the partitioning of lands, in the admeasurement of dower and 
 care of persons and estates of lunatics and habitual drunkards. The 
 judiciary act of 1869 continued the then existing jurisdiction of the 
 County Courts, and conferred upon them original jurisdiction in all 
 actions in which the defendants lived within the county, and where the 
 damages claimed did not exceed one thousand dollars. This sum was 
 afterward changed to two thousand dollars. 
 
 Like the Supreme Court, the County Court now has its civil and 
 its criminal sides. Until the adoption of the constitution of 1894, in 
 criminal matters the county judge was assisted by two justices of ses- 
 sions, elected by the people from among the justices of the peace in 
 
THE BENCH AND BAR. 339 
 
 the county. It was in the criminal branch of this court, known as the 
 Court of Sessions, that all minor criminal offenses were disposed of. 
 All indictments from the grand iury, excepting for murder or some 
 very serious felony, might be sent to it for trial from the Oyer and 
 Terminer. By the codes of 1848 and 1877, the methods of procedure 
 and practice were made to conform as nearly as possible to the practice 
 in the Supreme Court. This was done with the evident design of at- 
 tracting litigation into these courts, thereby relieving the Supreme 
 Court in a measure. In this purpose comparative failure resulted, 
 however, litigants generally preferring the shield and the assistance of 
 the broader powers of the higher court. Under the codes the judges 
 can perform some of the duties of a justice of the Supreme Court at 
 Chambers. The County Court has appellate jurisdiction over actions 
 arising in Justices' Courts and, until their abolishment. Courts of 
 Special Sessions. Appeals lay from the County Courts to the General 
 Term until the adoption of the constitution of 1894, since which ap- 
 peals are taken to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. 
 County judges were appointed until 1847, since which time they have 
 been elected. By the constitution of 1894, which abolished Courts of 
 Sessions except in the city of New York, the jurisdiction of the latter 
 courts was transferred to the County Courts. 
 
 Surrogates' Courts exist in each of the counties of the State, and are 
 now courts of record having a seal. Their special jurisdiction is the 
 settlement and care of estates of persons who have died either with or 
 without a will, and of infants. The derivation of the powers and prac- 
 tice of the Surrogate's Court in this State is from the Ecclesiastical 
 Court of England through a part of the Colonial Council, which existed 
 during the Dutch dominion in New Netherland. Its authority was ex- 
 ercised in accordance with the Dutch Roman law, the custom of Am- 
 sterdam and the law of Aasdom, the Court of Burgomasters and Schep- 
 pens, the Court of Orphan Masters, the Mayor's Court, the Prerogative 
 Court and the Court of Probates. The settlement of estates and the 
 guardianship of orphans, which was at first vested in the director- 
 general and Council of New Netherland, was transferred to the 
 Burgomasters in 1653, and soon after to the Orphan Masters. Under 
 colonial rule the Prerogative Court controlled all matters in relation to 
 the probate of wills and settlement of estates. This power continued 
 until 1G93, when by act of Legislature all probates and granting of let- 
 ters of administration were placed under the hand of the governor or 
 
340 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 his delegate ; and two freeholders were appointed in each town to take 
 charge of the estates of persons dying without a will. Under the duke's 
 laws this duty had been performed by the constables, overseers and jus- 
 tices of each town. In 1778 the governor was divested of all this 
 power except the appointment of surrogates, and it was conferred upon 
 the Court of Probates. Under the first constitution surrogates were 
 named by the Council of Appointment, and under the second constitu- 
 tion by the governor, with the approval of the Senate. The constitu- 
 tion of 1846 abrogated the office of surrogate in all counties having less 
 than forty thousand population, and conferred its powers and duties 
 upon the county judge. By the Code of Civil Procedure surrogates 
 wel"e invested with all the powers necessary to carry out the equitable 
 and incidental requirements of the office. The constitution also gave 
 the Legislature authority for the election of special surrogates, who dis- 
 charge the duties of surrogate in case of inability, or of vacancies, and 
 exercise such other powers in special cases as provided by law. 
 
 The constitution of 1894 made numerous changes in the character of 
 the courts of New York State, some of which have been referred to in 
 the preceding pages. It abolished the General Term, Circuit Courts, 
 Courts of Oyer and Terminer, the Superior Courts of the city of New 
 York and of Buffalo, the Court of Common Pleas for the city and 
 county of New York, the City Court of Brooklyn, vesting their jurisdic- 
 tion in the Supreme Court. Courts of Sessions, except in the city of 
 New York, were also abolished. It also provided for the establish 
 ment of an Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, to stand second 
 to the Court of Appeals only. It directed the Legislature to divide the 
 State into four judicial departments, and defined the Appellate Divis- 
 ion as consisting of seven justices of the Supreme Court in the first de- 
 partment (the county of New York), and of five justices in each of 
 the other departments. The power of appointment to this court is 
 vested in the governor. To the Appellate Division was transferred the 
 jurisdiction exercised previously by the Supreme Court at its General 
 Term, by the General Terms of the Court of Common Pleas for the 
 city and county of New York, the Superior Court of the city of New 
 York, the Superior Court of Buffalo and the City Court of Brooklyn, and 
 such additional jurisdiction as may be conferred by the Legislature. 
 
 Under the act of February 12, 1796, this State was divided into 
 seven districts, over which an assistant attorney-general was appointed 
 by the Governor and Council of Appointment, to serve during pleas- 
 
THE BENCH AND BAR. 341 
 
 ure. The office of district attorney was created April 4, 1801, the 
 State being divided into seven districts as before, but subsequently 
 several new districts were formed. By a law passed in April, 1818, 
 each county was constituted a separate district for the purpose of this 
 office. During the period of the second constitution district attorneys 
 were appointed by the Court of General Sessions in each county. Since 
 then they have been elected by the people. 
 
 The editor of this work has been* requested by the publishers to pre- 
 pare a sketch of the lives of the men who in the past have been repre- 
 sentative members of the legal profession in Genesee county. The 
 scope of this article does not include any lawyer now living. It is only 
 of those whose earthly labors are ended that we are to speak. Within 
 the limit of space assigned it will be impossible to give more than an 
 outline of the lives of these men, many of whom have been among the 
 foremost citizens of Genesee county. It is not claimed that mention is 
 made of every lawver who has practiced here, neither does this sketch 
 include those who have pursued their studies or practiced in this county 
 for a short time, but who have made their reputations elsewhere. In 
 any community the members of the bar are always in a large sense 
 public men. Many important judicial positions are necessarily filled 
 from their ranks, while legislative and other official places are often 
 occupied by lawyers. The bar of Genesee county forms no exception 
 to this rule. There has never been a time when it did not include many 
 men of recognized ability, and the bar as a whole has always compared 
 favorably with that of any other county of anything like equal size. Of 
 those whose names are here recorded only Martindale, Wakeman, 
 Hewitt, Taggart, Peck, Glowacki, Ballard, Pringle, Bangs, Heddon, 
 H. W. Hascall, Bissell, and Crofoot were personally known to the 
 writer. The estimates given of the professional characteristics of the 
 men who form the subject of this article have been derived largely from 
 conversation with those who knew them as lawyers and citizens, and 
 partly, of course, from such printed sketches as were available. The 
 historical facts have been gathered from biographies found in many 
 different places, from newspaper files, court records, recollections of 
 old inhabitants, and in several instances from such meagre statements 
 as are chiseled in m.irble in the cemetery, or are written down in not 
 less formal phrase in the books of the surrogate's office. 
 
342 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 The first judge of the county was Joseph EUicott, the same man who, 
 as surveyor, blazed his way through the primeval forests of Western 
 New York, and laid out the counties, towns and villages of the Holland 
 Purchase. Mr. EUicott was not a lawyer. He resigned the position 
 of judge a short time after his appointment in 1803, and was succeeded 
 by Ezra Piatt. Of Judge Piatt but little information is available, ex- 
 cept that he discharged the few duties of the office until about 1813. 
 His will is recorded in book 1 of Wills in the surrogate's office, at page 
 11, and is the third will entered in the county records. The first was 
 that of Daniel Totten, recorded January 30, 1808, and the second, that 
 of David Franklin, was recorded March 30, 1809, while the record of 
 Judge Piatt's will was made January 9, 1813, making three wills in four 
 years. 
 
 The succeeding judges down to 1847 were John H. Jones, Isaac 
 Wilson, John Z. Ross, William H. Tisdale, William Mitchell, Phineas 
 L. Tracy, and Edgar C. Dibble. During the same period the surro- 
 gates of the county had been Jeremiah R. Munson, whose name does 
 not appear in any of the records of the office, Richard Smith, Andrew 
 A. EUicott, Ebenezer Mix, Harvey Putnam, Timothy Fitch, and Samuel 
 Willett. Mr. Mix filled the office from 1831 to 1840. Under the law 
 as it has existed since 1847 the functions of county judge and surrogate 
 have been performed by the same official. The duties of surrogate 
 prior to that date were few, as estates were seldom settled. 
 
 Richard Smith, whose portrait has for many years hung in the court 
 house, over the chair occupied by the presiding judge, was born in 
 Connecticut, February 17, 1779, and died December 31, 1869. He was 
 a graduate of Yale College and removed to Genesee county in 1803. 
 He was at one time a partner of Daniel B. Brown. Judge Smith sel- 
 dom, if ever, appeared in court. It is not known that any of the other 
 incumbents of the office up to that time were particularly prominent as 
 lawyers, neither is much information available as to any county judge 
 prior to Phineas L. Tracy. Judge Ross is spoken favorably of as a cit- 
 izen and lawyer. He died October 37, 1836, at the age of forty years. 
 
 Few men have been more closely identified with the history of Gene- 
 see county than Judge Tracy. He was born December 35, 1786, at 
 Norwich, Conn., and graduated at Yale in 1806. He was admitted to 
 the bar at Albany in 1811, and removed to Genesee county in 1813. 
 For many years he had an extensive and lucrative practice, and was a 
 man of marked force and ability. He was elected to Congress in 1837 
 
*rHE BENCH AND BAR. 343 
 
 and again in 1829, and in 1841 was appointed "first judge" of the 
 county by William H. Seward, then governor. After his retirement 
 from the bench in 1856 he practiced law but little. He was for many 
 years a member of the vestry of St. James's Church. His death 
 occurred December 3^, 1876. An obituary published at that time says: 
 " He would have been 90 years old on Christmas day. A good and 
 just man, full of years and ripe for the harvest, has gone to his peace- 
 ful rest." 
 
 The next county judge was Edgar C. Dibble, who held the office 
 during the year 1846, and again from 1852 to 1856. Judge Dibble was 
 a fairly well read lawyer, a man of good character, and he discharged 
 the duties of his office satisfactorily. He died February 28, 1802, at 
 the age of fifty-seven years. During the period of his professional 
 career he was at different times in partnership with Timothy Fitch, 
 John H. Martindale and Martin F. Robertson. 
 
 Judge Dibble was succeeded by Horace U. Soper, who served four 
 years. Judge Soper is said to have made a good record upon the 
 bench, but was never especially prominent as a practitioner. He was 
 an amiable and agreeable gentleman, of attractive manners and large 
 general information. He died January 15, 1878, at the age of seventy- 
 two years, leaving no descendants. 
 
 Joshua L. Brown became county judge and surrogate in 1856 and 
 held the office four years. He died at the age of forty-eight, June 19, 
 1860, a few months after the expiration of his official term, at St. 
 Louis, Mo. Judge Brown was a good citizen, and a lawyer of exten- 
 sive learning and decided ability. He is said to have possessed less 
 aptitude for the trial of causes before a jury than for the other duties 
 of his profession, although he tried a large number of cases. Before 
 the court, or as a counselor in his office, he was a strong, safe man. A 
 member of the bar now living tells how he had a habit during the. trial 
 of criminal causes, where, as often occurs, the defense was conducted 
 by some young man designated by the court, of taking a seat near the 
 junior thus assigned, when, as the trial proceeded, he would draw his 
 chair up and make suggestions. After a little he would be on his feet 
 arguing a law point, and in one case at the close of the evidence he pro- 
 ceeded at once to sum up to the jury, much to the discomfiture of the 
 young lawyer who had prepared, with great care, an address which was 
 to make his reputation. Judge Brown was for many years a partner 
 of Maj. Henry I. Glowacki. The firm of Brown & Glowacki enjoyed 
 
344 OUR COUNTy AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 for many years an extensive and lucrative practice, which was at its 
 full height at the time of Judge Brown's death. 
 
 Moses Taggart, who succeeded Judge Brown, died at his home in 
 Batavia, February 17, 1883, at the ripe age of eighty two years. He was 
 the Nestor of our bar, having been in active and continuous practice 
 for about fifty-five years. During his eventful life he had endeared 
 himself to the profession, of which he was an honored member, and was 
 universally respected in the community where he had so long resided. 
 As a lawyer he was thoroughly grounded in the elementary princi- 
 ples of legal science. Throughout his career he was esteemed for his 
 good judgment, safe counsel, and extensive research, rather than for 
 any special ability as a trial lawyer. He had little liking or aptitude 
 for the work of an advocate. A strong, helpful friend of young men, 
 he had witnessed the career of every man at the bar at the time of his 
 death, and it is safe to say that every one of the number felt a sin- 
 cere attachment for the venerable and honored father of the fraternity. 
 Judge Taggart was born at Colerain, Mass., August 21, 1799. At 
 the age of eighteen years he left his native town to find a home in 
 the newer region of Western New York, and traveled all the way to 
 Byron on foot. His legal studies were pursued in the office of Phineas 
 L. Tracy. Upon his admission to the bar he became a partner of Albert 
 Smith, who at the time was an able and noted practitioner. At dif- 
 ferent periods of his life he was in partnership with Daniel H. Chand- 
 ler, Charles Henshaw, Seth Wakeman, and during the latter years of his 
 life with his son-in-law, W. Harris Day. He was a member of the Con- 
 stitutional Convention of 1846, and in 1851 was appointed justice of the 
 Supreme Court to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Judge Sill. 
 This position he filled until the close of 1853, and during the last year 
 of his service became, under the then existing provisions of law, a mem- 
 ber of the Court of Appeals. In 1800 he was elected county judge and 
 surrogate of this county, and filled the office acceptably for two terms 
 of four years each. In 187 L Judge Taggart was appointed postmaster 
 of Batavia, which position he held for about four years. He main- 
 tained his excellent health and vigorous bearing almost to the end of 
 his life, while his intellectual powers remained unimpaired to the last. 
 
 Charles Henshaw was born at Java, Wyoming county, and studied 
 law with Gen. L. W. Thayer at Warsaw. He was elected county judge 
 and surrogate in 1808, and died in office September 18, 1870, at the age 
 of forty-eight years. A man of sterling worth, honest through and 
 
THE BEiMCH AND BAR. 345 
 
 through, he possessed qualifications which rendered him in some re- 
 spects the most remarkable lawyer who has ever practiced at our bar. 
 It is doubtful if any other lawyer of this county has acquired so exten- 
 sive a knowledge of the law itself. His memory was unfailing, and his 
 familiarity with both elementary law and judicial decisions was vast 
 and perfectly at his command. He could always say " on such a book 
 and page you will find the law." He disregarded all forms, and fash- 
 ioned his papers briefly and accurately to suit himself. Unwilling or 
 unable to try a case before a jury, he seldom if ever appeared in this 
 capacity. His judicial career, upon which he had fairly entered, gave 
 great promise, and had he lived Charles Henshaw would have filled 
 higher positions upon the bench. 
 
 Among the members of the legal profession who have practiced in 
 Le Roy there may be mentioned Jacob Bartow, Alfred F. Bartow and 
 Charles Bartow, his sons, Seth M. Gates, Charles Danforth, Samuel 
 Skinner, Perrin M. Smith, and Augustus P. Hascall. 
 
 Jacob Bartow, although never distinguished as a lawyer, was a man 
 of large attainments and rare scholarly tastes. He was a law student 
 with Aaron Burr. He died about 1845. His son, Alfred F. Bartow, 
 studied law with Heraan J. Redfield, and later became his partner. 
 He removed west and died several years ago in Chicago. Mr. Bartow 
 was an excellent practical business lawyer, and was a prominent and 
 respected citizen of Le Roy. He was for many years a member of the 
 vestry of St. Mark's church, and took much interest in the work of that 
 society. Charles Bartow studied law with A. P. Hascall, and during 
 the time he practiced in Le Roy was in partnership with Hiram W. 
 Hascall, and afterwards with John R. Olmsted. He removed to New 
 York, where he died. Augustus P. Hascall was for a longtime an hon- 
 ored and prominent citizen of Le Roy. He served as presidential 
 elector in 1848, and was a representative in the Thirty-second Congress. 
 He died June 27, 1872, aged about seventy-six years. Charles Dan- 
 forth was a graduate of Williams College, and was at one time judge 
 of Common Pleas in this county. He was a good lawyer and gave sat- 
 isfaction as a judge. Samuel Skinner was one of the earliest lawyers 
 in Le Roy, and is said to have been an able, well-read member of the 
 bar. He was a graduate of Williams College, and was possessed of 
 scholarly tastes. He died in Le Roy about the year 1853. Perrin M. 
 Smith studied law with Mr. Redfield and became a partner of Mr. Skin- 
 ner. He removed from Le Roy to the West, where he died many years 
 
346 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 ago. Seth M. Gates practiced law in Le Roy for many years, and was 
 an able man. He was proficient alike as an office lawyer and in the 
 trial and argument of cases. He was elected to Congress in 1839, and 
 soon after completing his term of service removed to Warsaw, where 
 he died about the year 1876. During his residence in Le Roy he was 
 ten years associated in business with David R. Bacon. Mr. Bacon was 
 at one time a law partner of James Summerfield, but upon becoming 
 connected with manufacturing interests several years ago retired from 
 active practice of his profession. He died November 1, 1890. 
 
 Among the more prominent of the early BataVia lawyers may be 
 mentioned Albert Smith, who in his day had a wide reputation for ex- 
 tensive legal knowledge, and for his power as an advocate. He was a 
 representative of the Twenty eighth and Twenty-ninth Congresses from 
 this district, and served in the Assembly in 1843. At different times 
 he was associated as a partner with the ablest lawyers of the county. 
 Mr. Smith removed west soon after his service in the State Legislature, 
 and has long since been dead. 
 
 Daniel B. Brown was born October 18, 1780, and died July 7, 1832, 
 leaving, it is said, no descendants or near kindred. He is reputed to 
 have been one of the most brilliant advocates whoever practiced in this 
 county. He was somewhat intemperate in habits and erratic in dispo- 
 sition, and consequently never won for himself the position which he 
 otherwise would have gained. It is hardly probable that he is prac- 
 ticing law in the other world, yet his tombstone bears the inscription, 
 copied quite likely from his sign used while living: " Daniel B. Brown, 
 Attorney and Counsellor at Law." 
 
 Levi Rumsey was a prominent citizen of this county at an early day, 
 and was intimately concerned in that class of law business connected 
 with the formative period of our history. But little information con- 
 cerning him is now available, yet an old citizen of Batavia well qual- 
 ified to know and judge says of him, that in the prime of life he was 
 not only the foremost lawyer of this county, but of Western New York. 
 He was unquestionably a man of high character and of decided ability. 
 Mr. Rumsey was district attorney of this county from 1829 to 1834. 
 He was born in Connecticut, December 8, 1776, and died December 29, 
 1833. 
 
 Ethan B. Allen was among the most prominent of the early lawyers 
 of the county, and was a man of high character and unusual attainments. 
 In personal bearing he was "a gentleman of the old school." He was 
 
THE BENCH AND BAR. 347 
 
 born in Columbia county, October 21, 1787, and died April 19, 1835. 
 He was the father-in-law of that distinguished advocate and jurist, Isaac 
 A. Verplanck. Mr. Allen was a State senator from this district from 
 1826 to 1830. Upon his tombstone are inscribed the words " intelligent, 
 virtuous, and affectionate, he fulfilled the various duties of a legislator, 
 a citizen, and a friend." 
 
 Daniel H. Chandler, who was for many years a prominent citizen of 
 this county, was born in 1795, and died March 29, 1864, at Madison, 
 Wis., where he had removed in 1847. He was district attorney of this 
 county from 1834 to 1838. Mr. Chandler was an able and thoroughly 
 equipped lawyer, combining in an unusual degree the characteristics 
 of advocate and counselor. He was a partner at one time of Senator 
 Ethan B. Allen, and later with Hon. Moses Taggart. Mr. Chandler is 
 well remembered by quite a number of our older residents, all of whom 
 attest his worth as a man and his talents as a lawyer. His ability as a 
 trial lawyer brought him actively into the management of many notable 
 cases, where he won for himself high commendation from bench, bar 
 and clients. He was the father of the late Rear-Admiral Ralph Chand- 
 ler, of the United States navy. After his removal to Wisconsin Mr. 
 Chandler acquired a large practice, and fully maintained the reputa- 
 tion he had gained here. 
 
 George W. Lay, the fourth son of John Lay, esq., was born at Cats- 
 kill, N. Y., July 27, 1798. He graduated at Hamilton College, N. Y., 
 in the class of 1817. He came to Batavia the same year and studied 
 law in the office of Hon. Phineas L. Tracy. After his admission to the 
 bar he became a law partner of Mr. Tracy. The firm of Tracy & Lay 
 did and extensive law business in the territory now embracing the 
 counties of Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans, and enjoyed a wide rep- 
 utation and extensiye acquaintance throughout the State. At that 
 time the Genesee bar was composed of lawyers of marked ability and 
 talent. John B. Skinner, Daniel H. Chandler, Ethan B. Allen, Heman 
 J. Redfield, Daniel B. Brown, Moses Taggart, Albert Smith, and many 
 others attended the courts and were in full practice. Mr. Lay was a 
 close practitioner under the old system, and was noted for his skill and 
 dexterity as a pleader. The partnership ended in 1832. Mr. Lay was 
 at that time elected to Congress. He then became a partner with 
 James G. Merrill and Horace U. Soper. In 1840 he was elected to the 
 Assembly of the State of New York, and served as chairman of the 
 canal committee. His canal report was characterized as a document of 
 
348 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 marked foresight and ability. In 1842 he was appointed charg^ 
 d'affaires at the court of Norway and Sweden, and resided three years 
 at Stockholm: After his return home his health failed, he became a 
 confirmed invalid, and died October 21, I860. 
 
 Isaac A. Verplanck, who was ranked as one of the ablest lawyers in 
 Western New York, practiced for several years in Batavia. He was 
 born October 16, 1813, and came to Genesee county in 1831. For a 
 considerable time he was in partnership with John H. Martindale, the 
 two forming a very strong law firm. Mr. Verplanck lacked the in- 
 dustry and indomitable energy which characterized his distinguished 
 partner, but compensated by his masterly abilities, by his extensive 
 knowledge of the law, and his great forensic power. He was district 
 attorney of this county from 1838 to 1842, and again in 1846. Soon 
 after this he removed to Buffalo. He was elected one of the judges of 
 the Superior Court of that city, and held the position during the re- 
 mainder of his life. For the last three j-ears he was chief judge. His 
 death occurred October 15, 1873. 
 
 Elijah Hurt}', whose early death terminated a career of marked prom- 
 ise and usefulness, was a man of scholarly tastes, genial disposition, and 
 excellent character. He was born in Bethany, in this county, and 
 when quite a young man became principal of Union School in Batavia. 
 Soon after his admission to the bar he formed a partnership with 
 Hon. George Bowen, under the firm name of Hurty & Bowen. He 
 died August 10, 1854, at the age of thirty-two years. 
 
 James G. Hoyt spent but a small portion of his professional life in 
 this county, and although a sketch of his career is hardly within the 
 scope of this article, yet so well was he known here that his name 
 cannot properly be omitted. He was born in Camden, January 25, 
 1800, and removed to Genesee county in 1812. His father died six 
 years later, leaving a widow and nine children in such poverty that 
 the future jurist was at once thrown upon his own resources. In 
 1830 he was elected a constable, and discharged the duties of his 
 office with so much promptness and intelligence as to attract the atten- 
 tion of leading business men. In 1834 he was elected justice of the 
 peace, and the same year began to read law with Moses Taggart. 
 Shortly after his admission to the bar he removed to Attica, which 
 was then included in Genesee county. He gained almost immediate 
 recognition as a lawyer of unusual industry, thoroughness and ability. 
 After a few years he removed to Buffalo, and was twice elected justice 
 
THE BENCH AND BAR. 349 
 
 of the Supreme Court. In the discharge of the exacting duties of that 
 office he gained a high reputation, and is remembered by all our older 
 lawyers as one of the ablest of the many eminent men who have filled 
 the position. He died October 23, 1863. 
 
 Probably no firm of lawyers ever enjoyed so varied and extended a 
 practice in this county as Wakeman & Bryan, who were copartners 
 from 1853 until the death of Mr. Bryan, which occurred in October, 
 1867. The combination was one of unusual strength. Seth Wake- 
 man was a successful trial lawyer, while William G. Bryan was a coun- 
 selor of learning and discretion. Mr. Wakeman was born in Vermont, 
 January 15, 1811. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and 
 died in the service, leaving a widow and a large family of children in 
 destitute circumstances. They soon removed to this county. When 
 quite a young man Mr. Wakeman was elected a constable of the town 
 of Pembroke, and it was by reason of his occasional duties at justice's 
 courts that he became interested in law. In 1838 he was elected a jus- 
 tice of the peace, and six years later, at the age of thirty-three, he was 
 admitted to the bar. After a brief partnership with Joseph Sleeper the 
 firm of Wakeman & Bryan was formed. After Mr. Bryan's death Mr. 
 Wakeman was for a time a partner of Judge Taggart, and afterwards, 
 and up to his forced retirement on account of failing health in 1875, he 
 was associated with William C. Watson, the firm doing an extensive 
 business. Mr. Wakeman was a Whig until the dissolution of that 
 party, when he became a Republican. He was elected district attorney 
 in 1850 and served two terms. In 1866 and 1857 he was a member of 
 assembly. In 1867 he was a member of the State Constitutional Con- 
 vention, and in 1S70 he was elected to the Forty -second Congress. As 
 a citizen Mr. Wakeman was generous, companionable and kind. Dis- 
 tinctively a self-made man, he was always in warmest sympathy with 
 every person whom he found struggling with adverse fortune. While 
 eminently fair as a lawyer his strongest antagonists found him " a foe- 
 man worthy of their steel." He was an admirable trial lawyer, and 
 gained a splendid practice and reputation as such. Possessed of few 
 of the graces of oratory, Mr. Wakeman was nevertheless a strong, 
 trenchant and convincing speaker. He died January 4, 1880. 
 
 William G. Bryan was born January 28, 1822, in Brighton, England. 
 He came to America and settled in Le Roy in 1830. His law studies 
 were pursued with Albert Smith and with Moses Taggart. In 1851 he 
 formed a partnership with John H. Martindale, which was soon dis- 
 
BBO OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 solved by the removal of the latter to Rochester. In politics Mr. 
 Bryan was an ardent Democrat, and wras a trusted adviser in all party 
 matters. He was a lawyer of decided ability, but from choice spent 
 his time inside his office preparing papers, giving counsel and examin- 
 ing cases. He was a man of refined tastes, of scholarly attainments, 
 and great personal worth. Between him and Mr. Wakeman the strong- 
 est attachment existed. His untimely death, at the age of forty-five, 
 was the result of an accident. He had gone to Burlington, Iowa, on a 
 visit, and while there, in endeavoring to control a frightened horse, he 
 was thrown from a carriage and killed. A public meeting of the cit- 
 izens of Batavia was held on the sad occasion. His accomplished and 
 estimable wife, Ruth Bryan, for many years principal of the Bryan 
 Seminary, died January 13, 1897, at Buffalo. 
 
 James M. Willett was born October 10, 1831. He graduated at the 
 Albany Law School in 1856. In 1859 he was elected district attorney, 
 being the first Democrat ever elected to that office in this county. He 
 entered the army in 1862 and became a major of the famous Eighth 
 New York Heavy Artillery. In the fearful ordeal through which that 
 regiment passed at Cold Harbor he was severely wounded. Upon re- 
 joining his regiment three months later, he became colonel, and to the 
 close of the war commaniJed a brigade. After leaving the army he 
 engaged in business in New York until 1870, when he removed to 
 Buffalo and formed the well known law partnership of Laning, Folsom 
 & Willett. The firm were the legal representatives of the New York 
 Central Railroad, and did a large general practice. Colonel Willett con- 
 tinued to suffer from his army wounds, his health gave way, and he 
 died June 6, 1877. He was a strong, well equipped lawyer, a genial 
 and companionable friend, a Christian gentlemen. Few men ever 
 practiced at our bar who had so strong a hold on the affections of his 
 associates and the people at large. 
 
 Martin F. Robertson was a native of Genesee county, and passed his 
 life in Batavia. He was possessed of decided ability, fair legal learn- 
 ing, and was a good trial lawyer. As a man he was very companion- 
 able and popular. He died March 21, 1868, at the age of forty-eight 
 years, never having married. 
 
 Benjamin Pringle, for many years one of the foremost citizens of 
 this county, was born in the year 1807, at Richfield, in this State. He 
 came to Batavia in 1830 and formed a partnership with Albert Smith, 
 and later became a partner of Heman J. Redfield. He was judge of 
 
THE BENCH AND BAR. 351 
 
 the county from 1841 to 1846. In 1852, and again in 1854, he was 
 elected to Congress. In 1863 he was member of assembly and ia 1863 
 President Lincoln appointed him judge under a treaty between the 
 United States and Great Britain for the suppression of the slave trade. 
 He remained in the discharge of the duties of this ofiSce for seven years 
 at Cape of Good Hope. Judge Pringle was a competent equity lawyer, 
 but without special taste for the trial of causes. As a citizen he was 
 public spirited and patriotic. In private life he was exemplary. For 
 many years he was a warden of St. James's Episcopal church, of which 
 he was a devoted member. During his old age he divided his time 
 between Batavia and Hastings, Minn., where his sons lived. He died 
 at the latter place June 7, 1887. His remains are buried in Bat.avia. 
 
 Marlbro W. Hewitt, though never particularly active as a practitioner 
 was a respected member of the bar, and an esteemed and well known 
 citizen of Batavia. He was for a great many years a justice of the 
 peace and discharged the duties of that office with fidelity and unusual 
 intelligence. Mr. Hewitt died January 23, 1880, at the age of sixty- 
 four years. 
 
 Heman J. Redfield was born in Connecticut December 27, 1788. His 
 father removed to Western New York and the son remained on the 
 farm till 1808 when he entered the Canandaigua Academy. He stud- 
 ied law with that distinguished jurist, John C. Spencer. He volunteered 
 as a private in the war of 1812 and served through two campaigns. 
 He was in the battle of Queenslon Heights and was with Gen. Har- 
 rison at Fort George where he received a brevet from the commanding 
 general for valiant service. In 1815 he began the practice of law at 
 Le Roy He was appointed district attorney in 1831; he was State 
 senator from 1833 to 1835, and during the last year of this service he 
 was appointed one of the New York commissioners to settle a boundary 
 question with New Jersey. He served as postmaster in Le Roy for 
 more than twenty years. He was offered and declined the position of 
 special counsel to assist in th6 trial of the persons accused of abducting 
 William Morgan. In 1835 he declined the office of circuit judge ten- 
 dered him by Governor Marcy; in 1836 he became the purchaser with 
 Jacob Le Roy from the Holland Land Company of its unsold possessions. 
 President Pierce appointed him naval officer of New York but he was 
 soon transferred to the office of collector of the port of New York and 
 he held this position until June 30, 1857, although James Buchanan, 
 who had then lately come into office, offered to continue him. During 
 
353 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 the Civil war Mr. Redfield was conspicuous as a War Democrat and his 
 intense loyalty was of great value to the Union cause. 
 
 A sketch of his life published many years ago, says, "On Sunday 
 evening, July 23, 1877, he sat with the members of his family on the 
 veranda of his house, enjoying the cool breezes after the heat of the 
 day, appearing in excellent health and spirits. About eight o'clock he 
 complained of a dizziness in his head, entered the house, gradually 
 grew worse, and became unconscious, and about ten o'clock he peace- 
 fully, painlessly, breathed his last. Thus closed the earthly career of a 
 good, kind-hearted, benevolent man, find a true and devout Christian. 
 During his long life he was an active and devout member of St. James 
 Episcopal Church at Batavia, -serving as vestryman and warden. Many 
 citizens attested their respect and esteem for their old neighbor and 
 friend by their attendance at the funeral service Wednesday evening. 
 The procession was one of the longest ever seen in the village. Im- 
 mediately following the hearse came the venerable roadster, so long the 
 favorite riding horse of Mr. Redfield, saddled and bridled, and led by 
 the groom." 
 
 One of the most interesting figures in the history of the bar of Gen- 
 esee county and of Western New York was Gen. John H. Martindale. 
 Although most of his professional life was passed in Rochester, whither 
 he removed in 1852, he had prior to that time served two terms as dis- 
 . trict attorney of this county, and had laid the foundation of his brilliant 
 career as an advocate and orator. Having received a military educa- 
 tion at West Point he entered the army at the breaking out of the 
 Rebellion. He did active and efficient service in the field quite early 
 in the war, and later served as military governor of the District of 
 Columbia, with the rank of major-general. He was elected attorney- 
 general of this State in 1865. General Martindale became famous in 
 his management of actions for damages for personal injuries brought 
 against railroad corporations, particularly the New York Central. His 
 most frequent antagonist was that most brilliant and admirable trial 
 lawyer, the late Albert P. Laning, of Buffalo. They tried a large 
 number of cases opposed to each other in this county, and the memory 
 of those days is an ever recurring delight. The court house was always 
 filled and the audience always entertained. The limits of this article 
 forbid what might be an interesting account of this remarkable man. 
 Always eloquent, he had the faculty of being most so in cases otherwise 
 commonplace. The writer has heard many of his addresses to juries, 
 
THE BENCH AND BAR. 353 
 
 but the most eloquent is remembered as his summing up in the case of 
 Garwood against the New York Central Railroad, an action brought to 
 recover damages for injury to plaintiff's mill power by pumping water 
 from the Tonawanda Creek into tanks for the use of locomotive boilers. 
 The theme was certainly not one which would seem to afford opportu- 
 nity for a display of oratory, yet the speaker proved superior to the oc- 
 casion, and the result was an address seldom equalled. Although of 
 agreeable disposition General Martindale was rather easily ruffled when 
 engaged in the trial of important cases. His wily opponent learned 
 well his sensitive points, and never failed to take advantage of them. 
 As General Martindale always appeared for the plaintiff in rail- 
 road cases he had the advantage of the closing address. He was 
 quite fond, in talking to a Genesee county jury, of indulging in 
 reminiscences, and often referred to his acquaintance with, the 
 fathers of some of the younger jurymen, and to old associations con- 
 nected with Batavia. On one well remembered occasion, when Mr. 
 Laning thought his florid antagonist would be apt to find opportunity 
 for a display of this kind, he turned his weapons against him in that 
 quiet and inimitable manner so strikingly in contrast with the exuber- 
 ant style of his opponent. He told the jury what the general would 
 shortly proceed to narrate in their hearing, including all that Martin- 
 dale could possibly say about his early home, his dead partner, "the 
 classic Verplanck," his friends and neighbors, the old church, etc. 
 The result was that the orator was compelled to change his tactics. 
 The contests between Martindale and Laning will always be remem- 
 bered by those who enjoyed the privilege of listening to and witness- 
 ing the efforts of these remarkable but wholly dissimilar men. In pri- 
 vate life General Martindale was greatly esteemed. His character 
 was above reproach, and he was a man of sincere piety. His personal 
 appearance and bearing attracted admiration at all times. In 1881 he 
 went to Europe in a vain search for health, but died in Nice, France, 
 on the thirteenth day of December of that year, at the age of sixty-six. 
 Lucius N. Bangs was born April i, 1825. He studied law with 
 Augustus P. Hascall, with whom, after his admission to the bar, he 
 formed a partnership. He subsequently became a partner of Elizer 
 Hinsdale, who after a few years removed to New York. In 1870 Mr. 
 Bangs was elected county judge and surrogate of this county, and held 
 the office for twelve years. During his first term Marcus L. Babcock 
 was clerk of the surrogate's court, and during his last term the position 
 
 23 
 
354 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 was filled by Frank S. Wood, now of the Batavia bar. Judge Bangs 
 did not receive a college education but he was a man of rare scholarly 
 tastes and extraordinary attainments, both in the field of his profession 
 and in literature and science. His law library was one of the finest 
 private collections in the State, while his miscellaneous library was of 
 great value, selected as it had been with discrimination and taste. The 
 latter collection was unfortunately burned in a fire which destroyed its 
 owner's residence. Judge Bangs was not fond of the work of a trial 
 lawyer, but in his arguments before the appellate courts he displayed 
 great ability and a degree of learning which was marvelous. After his 
 term of office expired he removed to Buffalo. He died in thfe city of 
 New York December 3, 1893. At a meeting of the bar of Genesee 
 county held a few days later, the Hon. George Bowen said that he had 
 collected and preserved Judge Bangs's printed briefs, and that he con- 
 sidered the discussions contained in them absolutely exhaustive of the 
 questions involved, a rare compliment from one well qualified to judge. 
 Judge Bangs was a delightful man in his social and family relations, 
 and his associates of the bar were much attached to him. 
 
 Henry I. Glowacki was born in Poland in 1816 of a distinguished 
 family. He was the son of a prominent general of the Polish war of 
 1813. Having participated in the revolutionary movement he was im- 
 prisoned for two years, and afterward, about the year 1833, was exiled 
 by the Austrian government. In New York he was favored with the 
 friendship of Albert Gallatin, who while a foreign minister had known 
 his father. Mr. Glowacki made the acquaintance of David E. Evans, 
 who offered him a position in the now historic Land Office in Batavia. 
 He came here in 1834, and continued for four years in the land office. 
 During his later years Major Glowacki used to tell that early in this 
 service he was employed to copy records, and that, although wholly 
 unable to read the English language, he performed the work by imi- 
 tating the handwriting assigned to him to copy. He was admitted to 
 the bar in 1840. He was shortly afterward appointed master in chan- 
 cery, and served until 1846. He was for several years a law partner of 
 Judge Joshua L. Brown, and the firm enjoyed a large and lucrative 
 practice. Mr. Glowacki was seldom, if ever, engaged in the trial of 
 cases, or in legal arguments, but he was a valuable and accurate office 
 lawyer. Major Glowacki was a Democrat, and was for many years 
 conspicuous in the councils of his party in State and county. He was 
 four times a delegate to national Democratic conventions. He served 
 
THE BENCH AND BAR. 355 
 
 nine years as president of the Batavia Board of Education. Major 
 Glowacki was a man of elegant and distinguished personal appearance. 
 Although he became a proficient English scholar he always retained a 
 marked foreign accent in speech. He died at his home in Batavia in 
 November, 1895, having years before retired from the practice of the 
 law. s. 
 
 Randolph Ballard died December 26, 1890, at the age of sixty-eight 
 years. He studied law with Judge A. P. Hascall. He was at one time 
 in business with Gen. C. F. Bissell. Upon the death of Judge Henshaw 
 in 1870, Mr. Ballard was appointed by the Democratic governor to fill 
 the vacancy, and served for the remainder of the year. No one who 
 ever knew him can forget his elegant manners and his fastidious dress. 
 Like qualities extended to his business and professional life. He was 
 an excellent penman and all his work was neatly, promptly and accu- 
 rately done. Judge Ballard tried some cases in court and tried them 
 well, but he was essentially a business lawyer and business man and 
 was successful as such. In the fall of 1890 he found himself obliged to 
 submit to a critical surgical operation. He was unable to rally from 
 its effects and died in Rochester on the 36th day of September. 
 
 Thomas P. Heddon was born at Stafford, N. Y., December 2, 1840. 
 He was educated at the common schools and at the Genesee and Wyom- 
 ing Seminary in Alexander. He studied law with Randolph Ballard, 
 and was admitted to the bar in 1865. Mr. Heddon was for several 
 years a justice of the peace of the town of Le Roy, and served as dis- 
 trict attorney of the county from 1878 to 1881. He was a trustee of 
 the village of Le Roy at the time of his death. He was a Republi- 
 can in politics, and his services as a public speaker were often in 
 demand at political meetings. Mr. Heddon died June 22, 1894. 
 
 Myron H. Peck was born May 28, 1827. At the age of fourteen he 
 received an injury which rendered it evident that he must choose a vo- 
 cation unattended with active physical labor, and he soon concluded to 
 make the law his profession. He studied in Canandaigua in the office 
 of Lapham & Metcalf, and after his admission to the bar he became 
 the partner of Elbridge G. Lapham, one of the members of this firm 
 and afterwards representative in Congress and United States senator. 
 The firm dissolved in 1858, and Mr. Peck removed to Batavia. He 
 was for a time associated in business with Col. James M. Willett and 
 afterwards with Hon. George Bowen, under the firm name of Peck & 
 Bowen. In 1882 he was nominated by the Democratic party for the 
 
356 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 office of county judge and surrogate, and was elected. After the ex- 
 piration of his term he removed to Buffalo, where he continued in 
 practice until his last illness. He died September 2, 1898. A meet- 
 ing of the bar was held a few days later at a term of the court. Ap- 
 propriate remarks were made by Hon. Nathan A. Woodward, William 
 Tyrrell, H. F. Tarbox and H. B. Cone. Judge North, presiding, pre- 
 sented the following memorial prepared by him, which, upon the re- 
 quest of Mr. Tyrrell, was ordered entered upon the minutes of the 
 court : 
 
 " The death of Judge Peck having occurred so soon before a regular 
 term of the court over which he presided for six years, the suggestion 
 was made by several members of the bar that it would be quite ap- 
 propriate that this court room should be selected as a place of a meet- 
 ing of the lawyers of the county to take suitable action, in open court, 
 expressive of our sorrow at the death of our associate and of our ap- 
 preciation of the intellectual qualities which rendered him one of the 
 most notable figures in the history of our bar. 
 
 " Here for thirty years he practiced his profession, and could these 
 walls speak what memories would they recall ! His thorough prepa- 
 ration in every case with which he was connected, his keen and analyt- 
 ical mind, his abounding knowledge of the law and the vehement force 
 with which he expounded it, his terse and lucid expression of legal 
 principles, the contempt with which he brushed aside matters which 
 he deemed unimportant, and the power with which he massed all his 
 virile force into a few strong points, all of these things combine at this 
 hour to bring his familiar face and voice vividly before us. 
 
 "To those of us who have served long enough to have known of these 
 qualities, it will be hard to realize that he has gone out from his place 
 for the last time, and by every member of our bar from the oldest to 
 the youngest he will be remembered as a man of unusual learning in 
 the profession which he loved, of great force and strength in the prac- 
 tice of the law and as a fair and impartial judge. 
 
 "It may well be added that although his aggressive temperament 
 made him a stern and uncompromising antagonist, yet down deep he 
 was greatly attached to the members of his own profession and to his 
 friends in general, and since his removal from this county nine years 
 ago, he has always, on the occasion of his visits to Batavia, evinced the 
 warmest interest in the welfare of his old friends and neighbors and 
 the liveliest satisfaction at every opportunity to renew old friendships. 
 
THE BENCH AND BAR. 357 
 
 " He is now numbered among those whose lives are of the past, and 
 of all of these who have practiced law here it is doubtful if there has 
 been one possessed of wider learning in the great profession of which 
 he was an honored member." 
 
 Hiram W. Hascall was born at Le Roy, December 18, 1812, and his 
 long and eventful life was wholly passed in that town. Up to about a 
 year previous to his death he had retained his vigor in a remarkable 
 degree, and was as active as at any period of his life. He was a staunch 
 adherent of the Republican party, and his devotion to the best interests 
 of that organization was proverbial. Business matters absorbed his 
 attention quite largely, and he was never particularly active as a prac- 
 titioner. He was elected county clerk in 1865, and served for two 
 terms. In 1864 he was appointed collector of internal revenue. In 
 1869 he was made postmaster of Le Roy, and filled that position to the 
 satisfaction of his townspeople for sixteen years. Mr. Hascall was a 
 man of upright life and a most kind and genial friend and companion. 
 He died December 2, 1898. 
 
 William R. Crofoot was born December 10, 1855, and was reared 
 upon his father's farm in Pavilion. He attended the Le Roy Academy 
 for some time, and graduated from Amherst College in 1880. He 
 studied law with Hon. Randolph Ballard, and after his admission to 
 the bar occupied the office with Judge Ballard until the death of the 
 latter. Mr. Crofoot was three times elected as a justice of the peace 
 of the town of Le Roy and six times village clerk. He was the attorney 
 of record for the executors of the will of William Lampson in the im- 
 portant litigation connected with the large estate left by Mr. Lampson. 
 Mr. Crofoot was a man of agreeable manners and of great kindness 
 of heart. His death occurred December 3, 1898. 
 
 C. Fitch Bissell was born in Greenfield, Mass., March 9, 1818. He 
 came to Le Roy with his parents in 1838, and resided there until his 
 death, which occurred December 11, 1898. Always a striking and in- 
 teresting personality, few men have ever been so widely known in Gen- 
 esee county. He commenced the practice of law in 1843, with Samuel 
 Skinner as a partner. Later he was in partnership with Randolph 
 Ballard. For many years before his death he had been associated with 
 his son, David Jackson Bissell. He held the position of quartermaster- 
 general on the staff of Governor John T. Hoffmann, and the title of 
 " general " clung to him the rest of his life. He served as district at- 
 torrfey from 1866 to 1809, and again from 1875 to 1878. He was a good 
 
358 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 trial lawyer and a successful business man, both in the management of 
 his own affairs and those of his clients. He was always looking out for 
 the common sense view of a question, and his keen and analytical mind 
 and his natural sense of justice were important factors in contributing 
 to his success. Possessed of an abounding humor and fond of com- 
 panionship, he made hosts of friends. His intellectual vigor remained 
 unimpaired until the end of his life. It was a remarkable circumstance 
 that three members of the Le Roy bar died within the space of ten 
 days, Hascall, Crofoot and Bissell. All had been public spirited and 
 useful citizens. 
 
 Walter H. Smith was born in West Bloomfield, Ontario county, N. Y., 
 July 35, 1853, a son of Nelson H. and Ellen B. (Pellett) Smith. His 
 mother was a native of Montville, New London county, Conn. His 
 father was a native of East Lyme, New London county, Conn., and was 
 connected with a book publishing house in Hartford, Conn., for a num- 
 ber of years. He subsequently moved to West Bloomfield, N. Y., and 
 with a brother purchased a large tract of land. He later met with an 
 accident which hastened his death. Walter H. was then an infant. 
 Subsequently his mother married Henry G. Deshon and the family 
 moved to Le Roy in 1861, where Walter H. attended the Le Roy Aca- 
 demic Institute and later Williston (Mass.) Seminary, where he fitted 
 for college. He returned to this place and entered the office of Hon. 
 Lucius N. Bangs, who was then county judge of Genesee county, and 
 studied law for four years, then entered the Albany Law School, from 
 which he was graduated with the class of 1876. He immediately began 
 the practice of his profession in Le Roy, where he has built up an ex- 
 tensive practipe. Mr. Smith has given strict attention to his business 
 and has never sought public office of any kind; he ranks with the lead- 
 ing members of the Genesee county bar. He is a member of the Ma- 
 sonic fraternity, Olive Branch Lodge, Le Roy Chapter and Batavia 
 Commandery. 
 
 Frederick S. Randall was born in Stafford, Genesee county, N. Y., 
 April 3, 1864, a son of Perry and Mary E. (Batchelder) Randall, natives 
 of Stafford and Le Roy respectively. His grandfather, Stephen Ran- 
 dall, fcame to Genesee county, February 2, 1815, from New Hampshire, 
 and purchased a tract of land at Stafford, which is now owned by Perry 
 R^an^dall. The original farm was one hundred and fifty acres. Stephen 
 died on the farm in 1859; he had a family of fourteen children. Perry, 
 the youngest, was born July 16, 1823; he now resides in the village of 
 
THE BENCH AND BAR. 35d 
 
 Le Roy and is active and in good health. Frederick S. received his 
 preliminary education at Le Roy Academic Institute and was graduated 
 from Union College with the degree A. B. in 1886. He studied law 
 with William C. Watson, Hon. S. E. North and Edward P. White of 
 Amsterdam; was admitted to practice in 1890, and followed his profes- 
 sion as a lawyer for four years at Fairport, Monroe county, N. Y. He 
 located in Le Roy, in September, 1894, where he has sinx:e been in the 
 practice of his profession He was elected to the office of district at- 
 torney in November, 1898. He is a member of the I. O. O. F, of Le 
 Roy; and politically is a Republican. He married Helene C. Garvin 
 of Schenectady and has two daughters, Dorothy and Nanette. Mr. 
 Randall is from one of the oldest families in the county, both his 
 father's and mother's families being pioneers. 
 
 William C. Watson has been one ot the leaders of the Genesee county 
 bar, and for many years a public spirited and prominent citizen of Ba- 
 tavia. He is a native of this county, bofn in the village of Pembroke 
 in 1837. His early educational opportunities were limited to the com- 
 mon schools and a short term in the seminary at Alexander, but from 
 his father, who as a justice of the peace held considerable reputation, 
 he seems to have derived a legal mind and a love for the profession. 
 He began his legal training under the direction of Col. James M. Willett, 
 and later entered the office of Wakeman & Bryan. He was admitted 
 in 1865 and practiced for a short time with Mr. Tyrrell, and subse- 
 quently with Hon. Seth Wakeman. He made rapid strides in his pro- 
 fession and soon gained substantial recognition and lucrative practice. 
 He has been particularly successful as a trial lawyer. In politics he 
 has been an active Republican and a frequent delegate to the conven- 
 tions of the party. He has served two terms as district attorney, and in 
 1882 was a candidate for member of congress. Mr. Watson has been 
 earnest in his support of education, and a frequent member of the school 
 board. He has contributed largely to the material prosperity of Bata- 
 via through his generous support of manufacturing industries. 
 
 Hon. George Bowen, son of Abiel and Anna S. (Cone) Bowen, was 
 born in Shelby, Orleans county, this State, September 28, 1831. His 
 father was a physician and practiced in Shelby and vicinity a long term 
 of years. Mr. Bowen was educated in the common schools, at Millville 
 Academy, and Cary Collegiate Institute, from which he was graduated 
 in 1848. Following graduation he was engaged as a teacher for two 
 years at Byron in Genesee county, and Royalton in Niagara county. 
 
360 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 May 10, 1851, he came to Batavia and began the study of law in the 
 office of Martindale & Bryan. He was admitted to the bar in Decem- 
 ber, 1853, and formed a partnership with Elijah Hurty, who had been 
 for a number of years principal of the Batavia Union School. Their 
 association continued until Mr. Hurty's death in the summer of 1854. 
 In the following year Mr. Bowen combined forces with N. A. Wood- 
 ward under the firm name of Woodward & Bowen, which continued 
 until 1859 when Mr. Woodward retired. For scarcely a year, beginning 
 in 1860, Mr. Bowen had as his partner William W. Rowley, who went 
 to the defense of the Union in 1861 and became an aide on the staff of 
 General Banks. In 1864 the firm of Bowen & Walker was formed (Ed- 
 ward C. Walker). The latter retired in 1866 and was succeeded by 
 Charles Henshaw, who in 1867 was elected county judge. Mr. Bowen 
 practiced alone until 1869 and in that year formed a partnership with 
 Myron H. Peck, which continued until May, 1873. From 1878 to 1883 
 he was associated with Loren Greene, who removed to Chicago in the 
 latter year. In 1889 the present firm of Bowen & Washburn was formed 
 by the admission of Edward A. Washburn, who had read law in Mr. 
 Bowen's office. Mr. Bowen has been an active Republican and has 
 acceptably filled many positions of public trust. He has served as vil- 
 lage and town clerk, corporation counsel, district attorney for three 
 years, as postmaster of Batavia under President Lincoln, trustee of the 
 State Institution for the Blind from 1869 to 1874, and as State senator 
 from 1870 to 1874. He was .one of the commissioners appointed to pur- 
 chase the park of the State Instituiton for the Blind. Mr. Bowen was 
 one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Batavia and has 
 been a director since 1864. For years he was a director and president 
 of the Holland Purchase Insurance Co. of Batavia. He married in 
 December, 1856, Emerette A., daughter of Cyrus Walker of Byron and 
 Batavia. One daughter, Anna C. Bowen, has been born of this union. 
 Benjamin F. Hawes, son of Dan and Clarissa (Church) Hawes, was 
 born in Oakfield, June 8, 1833. His father was a native of Berkshire 
 county, Mass., a soldier in the war of 1813, and came to Genesee county 
 in 1831. Mr. Hawes was educated at Cary Collegiate Seminary and 
 the Albany Law School. He was admitted in 1856 and began practice 
 in Oakfield in 1860. He has served continuously as justice of the peace 
 since January 1, 1861, and as clerk of the board of supervisors since 
 1867. Since the organization of the Union School he has been a mem- 
 ber of the board of education of which he is now president. He has 
 
THE BENCH AND BAR. 361 
 
 long been an active member and trustee of the First Presbyterian 
 church. His son, Francis L., has been employed for several years in 
 the county clerk's office and is at present special deputy clerk. In 
 that capacity he officiates as court clerk at all trial terms. 
 
 William F. Huyck was born in Le Roy, N. Y., March 33, 1866, a son 
 of William and Phoebe (Harris) Huyck, natives of Columbia county and 
 Genesee county respectively. His father came with his parents to Le 
 Roy when twelve years of age. William Huyck was a farmer and 
 accumulated considerable wealth before his death ; he was quite promi- 
 nent in the county and in the building up of the village of Le Roy. He 
 was a member of the board of education and a village trustee and presi- 
 dent and trustee of the Macpelah Cemetery Association. He owned 
 extensive farming interests and village property, among which is the 
 Eagle Hotel, which is one of the oldest buildings in the village; he died 
 in August, 1896 ; his wife is still living. William F. was the only child, 
 and was educated in the Le Roy Academic Institute and Union College 
 at Schenectady, from which he graduated in 1887. He then spent a 
 year as clerk in the Le Roy post-office; then read law with Walter H. 
 Smith for one year, when he entered the Albany Law School and was 
 graduated in 1890. He spent two years in Buffalo in the practice of his 
 profession, then returned to Le Roy. He is a member of the board of 
 education and water commissioners; is a member of Olive Branch 
 Lodge No. 39, of which he is past master; Le Roy Chapter No. 183, of 
 which he is treasurer and master third vail ; Batavia Commandery, 
 Rochester Consistory, Damascus Temple Mystic Shrine, the Knights of 
 the Red Cross of Constantine, of which he was a charter member and 
 high prelate for a time, and vestryman and treasurer of St. Mark's 
 Episcopal church. 
 
 David Dean Lent was born in the village of Corfu, in Genesee county, 
 September 3, 1866. He is the youngest child of David and Ruth Jean- 
 nett Lent, who came from Otsego county to Pembroke in 1858. He 
 received a common school education, graduating from the Batavia High 
 School in 1884. He was employed as discount clerk in the First Na- 
 tional Bank of Batavia in 1885-6, and then went to Kansas City, Mo., 
 to take a position as stenographer with Jacob Dold & Son, pork and 
 beef packers. In 1888 he returned to Batavia and entered the law office 
 of William C. Watson; he was admitted to the bar in 1892, and in 
 March, 1894, formed a law partnership with James A. Le Seur, then 
 district attorney of Genesee county. In March, 1895, Mr. Lent, in 
 
363 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 conjunction with Mr. E. K. Calkins, purchased the Spirit of the Times, 
 which is now published by the firm of Calkins & Lent, although still 
 retaining his law partnership with Mr. Le Seur. 
 
 Frank S. Wood was born in Detroit, Mich., September 14, 1856, and 
 came to Batavia with his parents in 1859. Selecting the law as a pro- 
 fession he read with William C. Watson, also with Hon. Lucius N. 
 Bangs. He was admitted to the bar in 1878 and served as clerk of the 
 Surrogate's Court from 1877 to 1883. He was elected district attorney 
 of Genesee county in 1886 and re-elected in 1889. Mr. Wood is now 
 (1899) a trustee of the New York State School for the Blind at Batavia 
 and treasurer of that institution. He enjoys the merited reputation of 
 being a discreet business lawyer, accurate and methodical in the prepa- 
 ration of papers, and a safe and judicious adviser. He married, Sep- 
 tember 4, 1884, Harriet G. Holden. 
 
 Arthur E. Clark was born in the town of Clarkson, Monroe county, 
 June 10, 1854, a son of Norris G. and Grace (Plumb) Clark. Norris G. 
 Clark was a native of Bloomfield, Ontario county, and came to Batavia 
 in 1859; he was a practicing physician until the time of his death, July 
 23, 1876, and was recognized as one of the leading physicians of West- 
 ern New York, a man whose judgment was sought and respected by 
 all who knew him. Arthur E. Clark was graduated from Yale College 
 in 1875 and read law with William C. Watson of Batavia. He was ad- 
 mitted to the bar in 1878, and remained with Mr. Watson until 1886, 
 when he established his present practice. Mr. Clark has been con- 
 nected in business with large corporate interests and has arranged suc- 
 cessfully many matters of importance for clients against corporations. 
 He has lately been successfully engaged in cases against the various 
 telephone and telegraph cortipanies for erecting poles on highways. He 
 married, in 1890, Miss Alice M. Hurd of Buffalo. 
 
 W. Harris Day, United States commissioner for the Northern Dis- 
 trict of New York for the past fifteen years, was born in Stafford, this 
 county, June 34, 1841, a son of Thomas H. and Henrietta (Hooper) 
 Day. His father was a seafaring man and for many years captain of a 
 sailing vessel. Mr. Day was educated at Alexander Academy and 
 Genesee College, now Syracuse University. He began his legal studies 
 in the office of Judge Taggart of Batavia, and in 1867 was graduated 
 from the Columbian Law School at Washington, D. C. Following his 
 graduation he practiced in the city of Chicago nearly three years and 
 then returned to Batavia and entered into a partnership with Judge 
 
THE BENCH AND BAR. 363 
 
 Taggart, which continued until the latter's death. The firm of Tag- 
 gart & Day gained considerable recognition in the profession from their 
 connection as the plaintiff's attorneys in the celebrated case of John 
 Garwood vs. the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Com- 
 pany, brought to prohibit the railroad company from taking water out 
 of Tonawanda creek for engines. The first of this class, this case at- 
 tracted widespread attention. The judgment in favor of the plaintiff 
 was affirmed by the Court of Appeals. Mr. Day is one of the execu- 
 tors of the estate of Mary E Richmond, wife of Dean Richmond. He 
 has been an active member and trustee of the Presbyterian church for 
 several years. He married, in October, 1869, Fanny Elma, a daughter 
 of Judge Taggart. Seven children were born to them, six of whom 
 survive. 
 
 Fred H. Dunham was born in 1801 at Orangeville, Wyoming county, 
 N. Y. , a son of George H. and Louisa (Virgin) Dunham. His father 
 was a farmer and well known citizen of Wyoming county, where he 
 served for several years as school commissioner. Mr. Dunham was 
 educated at the Attica Union School and Cornell University, where he 
 was graduated with the class of 1886. In the spring of the following 
 year he began the study of law in the office of Hon. A. J. Lorish of 
 Attica, but soon came to the office of Hon. Safford E. North in Bata- 
 via, with whom he remained until his admission in June, 1889. In 
 April, 1891, he formed his present partnership with F. S. Wood (Wood 
 & Dunham). 
 
 Edward A. Washburn was born in Randolph, Orange county, Ver- 
 mont, January 21, 1868, a son of Julian J. and Martha (Bigelow) Wash- 
 burn. He was educated in Batavia, whither he came in 1877. He be- 
 gan the study of law in 1885 in the office of Hon. George Bowen and 
 was admitted March 39, 1889. In the same year the present firm of 
 Bowen & Washburn was formed. Mr. Washburn is serving as referee 
 in bankruptcy for this district, a position to which he was appointed in 
 December, 1898, by United States District Judge A. C. Coxe. He is a 
 director of the First National Bank of Batavia. May 6, 1896, he mar- 
 ried Frances Virginia, daughter of James P. Marsh of Chicago. 
 
 Sidney A. Sherwin, son of Jacob R. and Amelia (Allyn) Sherwin, was 
 born in Byron, this county, August 27, 1842. He was educated at the 
 Gary Collegiate Seminary, Canandaigua Academy, and Hamilton Col- 
 lege, from which he was graduated with the class of 1867. He .went 
 from Hamilton College to the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute as in- 
 
364 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 structor in rhetoric and oratory. Later he read law and was admitted 
 to the bar in 1868, at Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. Sherwin began practice in 
 Batavia in 1869, forming a partnership with H. F. Tarbox, which con- 
 tinued until March 1, 1899, a period of thirty years. In politics he has 
 been a Republican. Governor Morton appointed him a trustee of the 
 State School for the Blind and he still retains this position. He is en- 
 gaged in insurance business and is not in active law practice. 
 
 Herbert P. Woodward, son of Nathan A. and Martha (Allen) Wood- 
 ward, was born in Batavia, March 28, 1868. He was educated in the 
 public schools and at Williams College, from which he was graduated 
 with the class of 1888. For two years following he was engaged in the 
 profession of teaching in the schools of this county and the State of 
 Virginia. Mr. Woodward began the study of law in his father's ofifice 
 and was admitted to the bar in 1893. He has served as police justice 
 four years. He married, in 1896, Bertha L., daughter of Rev. Cyrus 
 A. Johnson of Batavia. ' 
 
 Myron H. Peck, son of Myron H. and Delia M. (Bickford) Peck, was 
 born in Victor, Ontario county, June 6, 1850. He was educated at 
 Clinton Institute, and began the study of law in his father's office (Peck 
 & Bowen). Later he attended the Albany Law School, from which he 
 was graduated LL.B., May 6, 1872. Three days later he was admit- 
 ted to the bar and has since practiced in Batavia. Mr. Peck was ap- 
 pointed postmaster at Batavia in the first administration of Grover 
 Cleveland, and served for five years. He has been corporation counsel 
 for the village of Batavia for several years. He has been connected as 
 counsel in a large number of important cases, and few lawyers in the 
 county have appeared so often in the Appelate courts. He has lately 
 been associated with District Attorney Randall in the preparation of 
 the brief and upon the argumeat in the Court of Appeals of the How- 
 ard C. Benham murder case, 
 
 Henry F. Tarbox was born in Scottsville, Monroe county, N. Y., 
 March 1, 1839, a son of Henry and Julia (Brainerd) Tarbox. His father 
 was a noted anti-slavery and temperance man, and his home was one 
 of the stations of the underground railway; he died in 1859. Henry F. 
 Tarbox was educated at Genesee Wesleyan Seminary and Genesee Col- 
 lege, receiving the degree of A. M. from the latter institution. In 1862 
 he was appointed second lieutenant of Co. C, 108th N. Y. Vols., and 
 took part in the battle of Antietam, where his brother, Dr. Brainerd 
 Tarbox, was killed. He was discharged for disability in 1863 and sub- 
 
THE BENCH AND BAR. 365 
 
 sequently entered the paymaster's deparment, where he remained until 
 1864. He was commissioned brevet major for gallant and meritorious 
 services during the war, and is a member of the G.A. R. and the Loyal 
 Legion. Mr. Tarbox came to Batavia in 1864 and read law with N. A. 
 Woodward; he was admitted to the bar in 1866 and has practiced for 
 over thirty years in Batavia. In 1866 he was elected member of as- 
 sembly, served in the sessions of 1867-68, and was appointed on several 
 important committees. He has filled the office of internal revenue col- 
 lector four years, was postmaster at Batavia four years, and a presi- 
 dential elector for Garfield. As a Republican, for years he has been 
 recognized as one of the strong and inflential men of his party in West- 
 ern New York and has exercised a potential influence in its ranks. It 
 is as a lawyer that Mr. Tarbox is best known to the people of Genesee 
 county, with whom he has lived for so many years. He is careful and 
 painstaking in his profession, and through careful reading and research 
 is well grounded in the philosophy of the law. It is mostly as a coun- 
 selor that his professional efforts have been directed in late years ; he 
 is now vice-president and attorney for the Bank of Batavia. Mr. Tar- 
 box married, July 31, 1870, Elizabeth L. , daughter of Dr. Asa D. Lord 
 of Batavia, and they have three children: Russell L., practicing law in 
 New York city ; Elizabeth D., a graduate of Smith College; and Julia 
 B., a student at Vassar College. Mr. Tarbox and his family are mem- 
 bers of the Batavia Presbyterian church. 
 
 Martin Brown is a native of Montgomery county, born 1850. He 
 attended the common schools and in 1863 enlisted in Co. B, 25th Ohio 
 Vols. He was wounded in an engagement at Grahamsville, S. C, in 
 1864, but continued in the service until the close of the war. On re- 
 ceiving his discharge he came to this county and for ten years followed 
 the carpenter's trade, teaching school during the dull winter season. 
 He began the study of law in the ofifice of Myron H. Peck, with whom 
 he remained two year.=, and then entered the Albany Law School, where 
 he was graduated LL.B. with the class of 1882. He was admitted and 
 began practice the same year. Mr. Brown has served as justice of the 
 peace in Pembroke and Batavia. He married, in 1882, Mary J. Matti- 
 son, and of their union is one son, Allen G. 
 
 William E. Prentice, son of John and Sarah (Randall) Prentice, was 
 born February 23, 1859. He attended the district schools and Le Roy 
 Academy, ]jeginning active life at the early age of sixteen years as a 
 school teacher. Later he completed a college and post-graduate course, 
 
366 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 taking degrees from Vale University and Rochester University ; he also 
 did special work at Columbia College. Mr. Prentice has served two 
 terms as school commissioner of the county and accomplished much 
 in enlarging and improving the school system. He first studied law in 
 the office of William C. Watson, and later with Judge Safiford E. North. 
 He was admitted to practice in 1885. He has important business inter- 
 ests outside his profession, in which he has been very successful. Mr. 
 Prentice is descended from Stephen Randall and Elisha Prentice, early 
 settlers of Le Roy and Stafford. 
 
 William E. Webster, one of the well known attorneys of Batavia, was 
 born in East Bloomfield, Ontario county, in 1859, the son of Dr. Daniel 
 T. Webster and Hannah L. (Chamberlain) Webster. His education 
 was received at Canandaigua Academy at Canandaigua, N. Y. In 1879, 
 when he was twenty years of age, he joined the corps of instructors at 
 Cary Collegiate Seminary at Oakfield, where he remained for three 
 years. Having decided to follow the legal profession, at the end of his 
 service as teacher he entered the of6ce of William C. Watson at Batavia, 
 and in January, 1883, was admitted to the bar. For two years he prac- 
 ticed law in partnership with William Tyrrell. He then spent one year 
 in San Francisco, after which he returned to Batavia and resumed the 
 practice of his profession independently. In 1898 he entered into a co- 
 partnership, as senior member of the firm, with Bayard J. Stedman, 
 who in that year was admitted to the bar at Rochester. Mr. Webster 
 has conducted several important cases before the Supreme Court. One 
 of the most noted of these (a case which attracted attention throughout 
 the entire country) was the trial of Howard C. Benham for the murder 
 of his wife, formerly Florence Tout. This trial took place in 1897, Mr. 
 Webster appearing as one of the attorneys for the defendant. Mr. 
 Webster is attorney for the Iroquois Portland Cement Company, which 
 owns a large body of marl in the town of Bergen. He is also a member 
 of the Masonic fraternity. 
 
 Nathan Armsby Woodward was born in Fairfax, Vt., March 1), 1818. 
 a son of Joseph Woodward and Lucy (Wilmarth) Woodward. His 
 father was a direct descendant of Nathaniel Woodward, who came from 
 England and was one of the early settlers of Boston, Mass., settling 
 there in 1635. Joseph Woodward was born in Franklin, Mass., moved 
 to Fairfax, Vt. , where he resided some fifteen years and in 1834 moved 
 with his family to Western New York, where he lived several years in 
 the town of Rush and died there July 33, 1863. N. A. Woodward pre- 
 
THE BENCH AND BAR. 367 
 
 pared for college at Henrietta Academy and Canandaigua Academy ; 
 he entered Union College, from which he was graduated in 1845, re- 
 ceiving the degree of Master of Arts. He taught school several years, 
 was admitted to the bar in 1848, came to Batavia, and began the prac- 
 tice of law in 1851. He was elected town superintendent of schools in 
 Batavia and held that office two terms; he was one of the U. S. loan 
 commissioners of the county of Genesee for five years; was county 
 treasurer two terms of three years each, and issued over half a million 
 of county war bonds for the county; the most of the war bonds were 
 paid before his second term as treasurer was ended. He was elected 
 in the fall of 1893 one of the delegates to the constitutional convention 
 of 1894. During his practice of law very many litigated cases were re- 
 ferred to him to hear, try, and determine as referee. Mr. Woodward 
 has four children, as follows: Jessie M., who married Dr. Lorenzo N. 
 Phinney of Connecticut; Ida M., who married Dr. E. Clark Tracy of 
 New York ; both daughters being children by his first wife, W. Sarah 
 B. (Tarbox) Woodward ; and Edwin A. Woodward, who practices law 
 at Rochester, and Herbert P. Woodward, police justice and lawyer at 
 Batavia, are children of his second wife, Martha (Allen) Woodward. 
 In 1895 Mr. Woodward had an edition of 500 copies of his poems pub- 
 lished by Charles Wells Moulton of Buffalo. The volume contains 
 about 150 pages and is entitled " Pebbles and Boulders." This com- 
 prises but a small portion of the poems he has written. 
 
 Edward C. Walker, son of Cyrus and Anna (Hulette) Walker, was 
 born in Byron June 14, 1837. He is descended from olfi Puritan stock 
 and his paternal grandfather, Amasa Walker, was one of the first set- 
 tlers of Byron, whither he came in 1811 from Ashford, Conn., bringing 
 his family. Edward C. Walker had excellent educational advantages 
 and at an early age entered the Cary Collegiate Institute at Oakfield. 
 Later he attended Wilson Academy, Niagara county, and in June, 1861, 
 was graduated from Genesee College at Lima. He studied law and 
 was admitted' to practice in 1862, taking up his residence in Batavia, 
 where he has ever since been a valued citizen. He early entered poli- 
 tics and in 1868 was elected to the State Assembly, serving as chairman 
 of the committee on public education. In 1885 he was elected State 
 senator from the 30th Senatorial district, composed of the counties of 
 Genesee, Livingston, Niagara and Wyoming. His worth was recog- 
 nized by his appointment as chairman of the important committees on 
 banking and the manufacture of salt; he also served on the committees 
 
368 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 on railroads and insurance. In 1887 he was re-elected by an increased 
 plurality, and served as chairman of the committee on railroads. He 
 was also appointed a member of the committee which investigated the 
 Broadway Surface Railway Company of New York city, a corporation 
 which had procured its franchise through corruption. The. excellent 
 work of this committee is well known; the gigantic fraud was fully ex- 
 posed and its perpetrators brought to justice. Senator Walker was an 
 industrious and efficient legislator, a pleasing, yet forcible speaker, and 
 possessed the faculty of organization. Reintroduced many bills which 
 became laws, including the motor power bill authorizing street railway 
 companies to change from horse to any other power after obtaining the 
 consent of the railway commissioners and a majority of the property 
 holders along the line of the road; a number of bills improving the 
 banking system of the State; and the bill which prevents assignees 
 from giving to preferred creditors more than one-third of the estate. 
 He also introduced the marriage license bill, designed to prevent ill- 
 timed marriages, protect the clergy, and provide a more perfect record 
 for tracing the estates of children. He gained a high reputation in the 
 State as a safe and careful law maker and a man of sterling integrity. 
 In January, 1890, he was appointed by Hon. William Windom, secre- 
 tary of the treasury, one of three commissioners to locate the govern- 
 ment and post office building at Buffalo. Mr. Walker has done much 
 to promote the welfare of Batavia, and has been generous in support of 
 public institutions. He served several years as trustee of the State In- 
 stitution for the Blind; as trustee of Syracuse University; Ingham 
 University at LeRoy; and of the Batavia Y. M. C. A. He has long 
 been a member of the Batavia Presbyterian church, served as commis- 
 sioner of Auburn Theological Seminary, and as a delegate to the Gen- 
 eral Association of the Presbyterian church of the United States. He 
 has been a director of the First National Bank of Batavia since 1870, 
 and for many years served as a director of the Holland Purchase In- 
 surance Company. Mr. Walker married, January 14, 1861, Miss 
 Martha Marsh of Lockport, N. Y., a sister of Prof. O. C. Marsh, the 
 eminent scientist of Yale College. Two sons have been born to them : 
 Edward C, jr., and Raymond Marsh. Edward C. Walker, jr., died 
 August 15, 1895, leaving two children, Edward C. Walker, 3d, and 
 Zada Romena. 
 
 HobartB. Cone was born in Bethany, May 3, 1843, a son of Nathaniel 
 K, and Adeline (Brewer) Cone. His father was a native of Connecti- 
 
THE BENCH AND BAR. 369 
 
 cut and came to Genesee county with his parents, Zachariah and 
 Wealthy (Kingsbury) Cone, who settled in Bethany in 1840. Zachariah 
 was a well educated man and served as sheriff of Tolland county. Conn. 
 Nathaniel K. Cone was a surveyor and his maps are now on file in 
 Genesee county; he died in 1880. H. B. Cone was graduated from 
 Hobart College in 1869. He began the study of law with Hon. George 
 Bowen and was admitted to the bar in 1870, and immediately com- 
 menced his practice, which has continued ever since. In 1878 Mr. 
 Cone married Jennie E. Bentley, and they have three children : Earl 
 H., Newell K. and Marion A. Mr. Cone has for many years been a 
 member of the board of education. He has an inherited taste for higher 
 mathematics, and although actively engaged in practicing law, he has 
 always done a large amount of surveying. He enjoys the reputation 
 of being a careful, safe business man, and large interests have always 
 been entrusted to his management. 
 
 William Tyrrell, son of Amos and Salome (Harroun) Tyrrell, was 
 born in Darien, October 24, 1833. When he reached his majority he 
 began the study of law with Timothy Fitch and Henry I. Glowacki and 
 later entered the office of Verplanck & Martindale. He was admitted 
 to the bar in 1849 and since 1852 has practiced his profession in Batavia. 
 He has served the county as district attorney and in 1866 was appointed 
 postmaster of Batavia. In 1873 he was again appointed to the latter 
 office, serving until 1885. Mr. Tyrrell has always been an active Re- 
 publican and has been influential in his party, enjoying a wide acquaint- 
 ance among public men. He has at different periods been in partner 
 ship with John Kimberly, William C. Watson, Otis Miner and William 
 E. Webster. Since 1884 his partner has been Frank W. Ballard, the 
 firm name being Tyrrell & Ballard. 
 
 Louis B. Lane was born in Allegany county in 1863, a son a Rev. 
 John W. and Mary E. (Watson) Lane. He received his education 
 largely under the direction of his father, a Presbyterian minister of 
 over thirty years' service in Allegany county. He read law in the 
 office of his uncle, William C. Watson, in Batavia, and was admitted to 
 practice in 1889. Mr. Lane is a man of unusual scholarly attainments, 
 and his occasional addresses on public occasions have attracted much 
 favorable attention. While devoted to his profession, in which he is 
 successfully engaged, he finds time to indulge his tastes for science and 
 literature. 
 
 Bayard J. Stedman, son of Irving J. and Laura (Smiley) Stedman, 
 
 24 
 
370 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 was born in Oakfield, this county, August 31, 1875. He was educated 
 in Gary Collegiate Seminary and read law in the office of Sullivan, 
 Morris & Jerome of Rochester, with whom he remained three years. 
 He was admitted July 36, 1898, and formed a partnership with William 
 E. Webster, under the firm name of Webster & Stedman. 
 
 Fred A. Lewis was born in Attica, N. Y., November 27, 1865. He 
 is the son of Robert S. and Nancy (Tompkins) Lewis. In 1868 the 
 family came to Batavia, where they have since resided. Fred A. Lewis 
 graduated from the University of Rochester in 1886, taking the degree 
 of B. S. Two years later he received the degree of master of science. 
 He studied law with Safford E North and was admitted in March, 
 1889. Immediately after his admission he formed a partnership with 
 Judge North under the firm name of North & Lewis. This continued 
 until January 1, 1893, when he became clerk to the Surrogate's Court, 
 and he has held this position ever since. Mr. Lewis has found time to 
 devote considerable attention to musical matters and he is active in the 
 work of the M. E. Church, Y.P.S.C.E. and the Young Men's Christian 
 Association. 
 
 William Henry Watson, son of William C. and Jennette (Walker) 
 Watson, is a native of Batavia, born September 10, 1873. He read law 
 in his father's office, with A. E. Clark, and later attended the Buffalo 
 Law School, from which he was graduated LL, B. in 1898. After his 
 admission to the bar he began practice simultaneously with his brother, 
 forming the firm of Watson & Watson. 
 
 George W. Watson, son of William C. and Jennette (Walker) Watson, 
 was born in Batavia, November 9, 1873. In 1891 he graduated from 
 the Batavia High School. He studied law in his father's office and 
 with James A. Le Seur, subsequently attending the Buffalo Law School, 
 from which he graduated in 1898. Immediately following his admis- 
 sion he began practice with his brother William H. under the firm 
 name of Watson & Watson. Both these young men have a decided 
 taste for literature and their occasional contributions to the press have 
 attracted much favorable notice. 
 
 Frank L. Crane, son of Dr. Frank W. Crane, was born in Darien, N. 
 Y., February 12, 1863. He was educated at the Corfu Union school 
 and received two years of classical instruction under a tutor. He studied 
 law with William C. Watson in Batavia and was admitted to the bar in 
 January, 1885. Since his admission he has practiced his profession at 
 Corfu. 
 
THE BENCH AND BAR. 371 
 
 Frank W. Ballard, son of John D. and Cynthia (Bingham) Ballard, 
 was born in Allegany county in 1860. He was educated in the common 
 schools and at Pike Seminary from which he was graduated with the 
 class of 1881. He began the study of law with Richardson & Smith of 
 his native county, and subsequently attended the Albany Law School 
 where he took the LL. B. degree in May, 1884. He was admitted to 
 the bar during the same month. Mr. Ballard came to Batavia in Oc- 
 tober, 1884, and at once formed a partnership with William Tyrrell 
 under the firm name of Tyrrell & Ballard. This partnership still con- 
 tinues. 
 
 Frank E. Lawson was born in Rochester, February 35, 1873. He 
 graduated from Batavia High School in the classical course in 1891, 
 and in the fall of the same year entered Hobart College. He graduated 
 from that institution in 1895, receiving the degree of A. B. He studied 
 law with William E. Prentice and was admitted to the bar November 
 2, 1897. He remained with Mr. Prentice until the spring of 1899,- when 
 he was elected police justice for the village of Batavia and opened a law 
 office in Ellicott Hall. 
 
 Frank J. Robinson was born at Leon, Cattaraugus Co. j N. Y., Dec. 
 9, 1861. He received his education at district schools, Forestville Acad- 
 emy and at the Chamberlain Institute, Randolph. He studied law with 
 Pindar & Inman, in Salamanca, and with Farrar & Wende in Buffalo. 
 He was admitted to the bar at Rochester in 1893. Prior to his admis- 
 sion Mr. Robinson taught school for six years and for iive years was 
 the editor and proprietor of the North Collins Leader. After being 
 admitted to the bar he practiced in Buffalo until 1896, when he removed 
 to Bergen, Genesee county. Mr, Robinson was married July 1, 1885, 
 to Ella M. Hurd of Brant, N. Y. 
 
 James A. Le Seur was born in Brattlebero, Vt., November 18, 1861. 
 His father, John Le Seur, was a native of Manchester, Mass., a gradu- 
 ate of Hanover College and was a minister in the M. E. church. He 
 died in Batavia March 11, 1897, at the ripe age of ninety-five years. 
 James A. Le Seur was educated at Claverack Institute and was gradu- 
 ated in 1879 with the rank of captain. He then entered Rochester 
 University. In 1883 he went to Boston where he remained until 1887 
 when he came to Batavia. On the 1st day of June, 1889, he became 
 clerk of the Surrogate's Court, and served in that capacity until Janu- 
 ary 1, 1893, when he assumed the office of district attorney, to which he 
 had been elected the November previous, During his service in the 
 
372 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Surrogate's Court he studied law with Judge North and he was admit- 
 ted to the bar in 1891. He formed a partnership with David D. Lent, 
 which still continues under the name of Le Seur & Lent. He served 
 as district attorney for two terms of three years each. The famous 
 murder trial, resulting in the conviction of Howard C. Benham, took 
 place during his second term. In 1883 Mr. Le Seur married Carrie, 
 daughter of John Eckler, and they have two children, John E. and 
 Muriel C. Mr. Le Seur joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
 in 1893 and since that time has taken great interest in the work of the 
 order. He is a past grand and a past patriarch. At this time he is 
 grand marshal of the Grand Encampment of the State of New York. 
 Mr. Le Seur is known among his friends as a proficient, all round ath- 
 lete and he takes great pleasure in athletic sports and exercises. 
 
 David Jackson Bissell is the oldest son of the late Gen. C. Fitch Bis- 
 sell of Le Roy, and was born August 21, 1845. He married Heppie 
 S. Dix; they have four sons and one daughter; the family have always 
 lived in Le Roy. Mr. Bissell was graduated from the law department 
 of the University of Michigan in 1868, and he was associated with his 
 father in practice until the lamented death of the latter in December, 
 1898. In politics Mr. Bissell is a Democrat, and he has been active and 
 influential in the management of party matters. 
 
 John R. Olmsted was born in Le Roy, N. Y. , October 17, 1819, son 
 of Col. William and Cynthia (Franklin) Olmsted. His parents were 
 natives of Connecticut, his father coming to Genesee county in 1810. 
 John R. Olmsted was educated in the district schools and at the Round 
 House School, from which he was graduated. He studied law at Le 
 Roy and in Rochester, and was admitted to the bar in 1847. He began 
 the practice of his profession in Le Roy with the late Alfred F. Bar- 
 tow, and for half a century was engaged in practice. He never sought 
 public office. In 1896 he retired from practice. He was married in 
 1853 to Elizabeth N. Allen, of Mumford, N. Y. They have six chil- 
 dren: John B., a lawyer in Buffalo; Oliver A., in the grain business 
 in Chicago; Allen S., a manufacturer in Le Roy; Jacob, in Le Roy; 
 Mrs. E. P. White, and Lillian. Mrs. Olmsted possesses considerable 
 literary ability and_has some reputation as a poet. 
 
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 373 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 
 
 REVISED BY L. L. TOZIER, M. D. 
 
 Closely following the location of the first settlers of Genesee county 
 in their new homes came "the good physician " in nearly every com- 
 munity. In many instances, perhaps, the pioneers were compelled to 
 ride or djrive many miles through the wilderness to secure the services 
 of the men of medicine, but research into the pioneer history of the 
 county shows the names of a considerable number of medical practi- 
 tioners who braved the dangers and hardships of the then western 
 wilderness to bring comfort and health to the sturdy inhabitants. Pos- 
 sibly some of these physicians may have come here in the expectation 
 of building themselves a wealth producing practice, but if this is so the 
 majority of them were doomed to profound disappointment. There 
 was nothing in the nature of a bonanza in the necessarily laborious 
 country practice of those days, even in older and more densely popu- 
 lated districts than Genesee county, and many of the early practition- 
 ers died quite as poor as they had lived. 
 
 In the early years of the present century the State of New York, 
 unlike the New England States and Pennsylvania, had done little or 
 nothing in the direction of encouraging science, and particularly the 
 important science of medicine. Until the century was well advanced 
 there was no school of medicine worthy of the name nearer than Boston 
 or Philadelphia. In rare instances only could young men afford to at- 
 tend either of these schools for the purpose of qualifying themselves 
 for the profession, no matter how brilliant might be the prospects of 
 the future. This condition of things led to the prevailing custom among 
 the younger aspirants for medical practice to enter the office of some 
 physician already established in practice, read the science under his 
 direction and counsel for two or three years, accompany him on his 
 professional visits in the meantime, and then enter upon the independ- 
 ent practice of the profession. As laws then governing the admission 
 
374 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 and practice of physicians were practically worthless, few young men 
 failed to attain the goal sought after two or three years of study of this 
 character. The result was that some of the young practitioners of 
 those days were poorly qualified, even at that date, to say the least, to 
 enter upon a reasonably successful career as " men of medicine." 
 
 But soon reforms in the profession began to be made, chiefly through 
 the instrumentality of practitioners who beheld the mischief that was 
 being wrought by inexperienced, thoughtless and incompetent physi- 
 cians. In 180(! the State Legislature passed an act repealing former 
 laws governing the practice, and authorizing a general State Medical 
 Society and county societies in each of the counties of the State. In 
 accordance with the provisions of this act medical societies began to 
 spring up in all parts of the State, and the elevation of the standard of 
 this most important profession began. 
 
 Even before the passage of this law there was an association of phy- 
 sicians in Western New York, at that time nearly all embraced in the 
 county of Ontario, which association had been organized in 1801. 
 Among its early members was Dr. McCracken, one of the pioneer in- 
 habitants of the village of Batavia. This society met annually until 
 1807, when, in pursuance of the law of 1806 referred to, the New York 
 State Medical Society was incorporated. In the same year the Gen- 
 esee County Medical Society was organized, practically every physician 
 in the county becoming a member in that year or very soon thereafter. 
 
 In 1884 the new State Medical Association was formed. This organ- 
 ization drew away many members of the county society, which grad- 
 ually died out until it became practically extinct, though not formally 
 disbanding. In 1887 Dr. B. A. Fuller of Le Roy called a special meet- 
 ing of the members of the old society. At this meeting an attempt 
 was made to reorganize, but this endeavor failing, Dr. William B. 
 Sprague of Pavilion proposed the formation of a new and independent 
 society. This was agreed upon and Drs.»Sprague, Tozier and Town- 
 send were made a committee to prepare a constitution and by-laws. 
 This committee reported at a meeting held at Batavia August 9, 1887, 
 when a new society was organized with the following officers: 
 
 President, Dr. William B. Sprague; vice-president. Dr. Lemuel L. 
 Tozier; secretary. Dr. W. L. Bolton; treasurer, Dr. E. C. Smith. 
 
 The Genesee County Medical Society had a prosperous career for a 
 a period of about three-quarters of a century. Its last report to the 
 New York State Medical Society was rendered in 1882, at which time 
 
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 375 
 
 Dr. I. V. Mullen was president, Dr. Henry Pamphilon, vice-president, 
 and Dr. J. R. Cotes secretary and treasurer. Dr. A. P. Jackson of Oak- 
 field was sent as delegate to the State Society. In that year the fol- 
 lowing physicians were enrolled as members of the society : 
 
 Batavia — John R. Cotes, J C. Davidson, H A. Morse, C. F. Rand, L. 
 L. Tozier; Le Roy— S. Barrett, J. F. Cleveland, B. A. Fuller, R. Will- 
 iams; Alabama — S. C. Bateman, A. F. G. Zurhorst; Alexander — I. V. 
 Mullen, John N. Mullen; Corfu — F. W Crane; Bethany — Orlando R. 
 Croff, G. W. Croff; Bergen— Vlorris W. Townsend; Attica— A. G. El- 
 lenwood ; Byron — G. B. Gilbert ; South Byron — G. U. Gleason ; Oak- 
 field— A. P. Jackson, William Pardee ; Elba— J. M. Lewis, J. W. War- 
 ner; Stafford — Henry Pamphilon; East Pembroke — A. D. Smith, E. 
 C. Smith; Pavilion — William B. Sprague. 
 
 The first delegate sent from the county society to the State Medical 
 Society was Dr. Levi Ward of Bergen, who was present at a meeting 
 held at Albany, February 6, 1810. According to the records of the 
 State society, Genesee county was not represented thereafter until 
 1828,, when Dr. J. A. Billings of Batavia was in attendance. From that 
 time until 1883 the Genesee County Medical Society was represented 
 at the meetings of the State society, when the county society was 
 nearly disrupted over a division of sentiment regarding the holding of 
 consultations with physicians not attached to the regular school. 
 
 The pioneer physician of Batavia was Dr. David McCracken, who 
 came here in 1801, the year preceding the founding of the village, when 
 the community was little better than a wilderness. Unfortunately little 
 is known regarding him, before or after he removed to Batavia. He 
 practiced in that village until 1818, when he removed to Rochester. 
 The next practitioner in Batavia, as far as can be learned, was Dr. 
 Joseph Alvord, who came about 1803. He was killed during the British 
 and Indian attack upon Lewiston, whither he had removed, in 1813. 
 Dr. Asa McCracken located there during or prior to 1805. Whether 
 he was related to Dr. David McCracken is not known. Dr. Ephraim 
 Brown, who came in 1809, became very prominent in his profession and 
 in public affairs generally, practicing until his death in 1836, or soon 
 after that year. Dr. John Z. Ross was in practice there as early as 
 1811. Dr. Orris Crosby came about 1815, residing in town until his 
 death in 1863, and practicing until within a few years of his death. 
 Dr. Charles S. Rumsey and Dr. Winter Hewitt located in Batavia in 
 1816. The death of the latter occurred in 1824. 
 
376 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Dr. John Cotes was one of the most prominent physicians who prac- 
 ticed in Batavia during the early years of the century. Dr. Cotes was 
 born in the eastern part of the State in 1794, studied medicine in Otsego 
 county and settled in Batavia, where he at once opened an office, in 
 1817. Soon after his location there he entered into a partnership with 
 Dr. Ephraim Brown, whose sister he married in 1819. A few years 
 later Dr. Brown died, and Dr. Cotes formed a partnership with his 
 brother. Dr. Levant B. Cotes, which existed two years He then took 
 Dr. Truman Woodruff into partnership in the practice of medicine, and 
 about the same time engaged in the drug business in company with 
 William Seaver. In 1830 Dr. Cotes visited Europe, studying his pro- 
 fession in the schools and hospitals of Paris and London for more than 
 a year. He returned to America and Batavia in 1831 and continued to 
 practice in company with Dr. Woodruff until the death of the latter. 
 Soon after he entered into partnership with Dr. Holton Ganson, with 
 whom he practiced until 1855, when his youngest son. Dr. Albert Cotes, 
 entered into the practice of his profession with him. Soon after the 
 latter located in the West. Dr. Cotes's medical career covered a period 
 of nearly forty-three years. His death occurred in 1859. 
 
 Dr. James Avery Billings was a contemporary of Dr. Cotes, locating 
 in Batavia one year later than the latter. Dr. Billings was a member 
 of one of the oldest families of Saratoga county, N. Y. , a family which 
 produced several physicians of prominence. Born in 1795, the eldest 
 son of Perez Billings of Northumberland, Saratoga county, he was 
 graduated from the University of New York in 1818, immediately after 
 which he came to Batavia and purchased the property upon which he 
 resided until his death. His lot was the first to which a deed was issued 
 by the Holland Land Company. Dr. Winter Hewitt had settled in 
 town two years before, and soon after his arrival Dr. Billings entered 
 into a partnership with him for the practice of their profession. Dr. 
 Billings was a man of high moral character and great public spirit, and 
 a devoted and influential member of the Episcopal church. He died 
 August 2, 1858. 
 
 Other physicians who located in Batavia soon after the advent of Dr. 
 Billings included Dr. Gilbert B. Champlin, who came in 1820 or 1821 ; 
 Dr. Samuel Z. Ross, 1833; Dr. Amos Towne, 1823; Dr. C. Bradford, 
 1825; Dr. H. Thomas, 1826; Dr. E. A. Bigelow, 1826; Dr. Charles E. 
 Ford, 1826; Dr. Richard Dibble, 1827; Dr. Levant Ballard Cotes, 1827. 
 
 Dr. L. B. Cotes was born July 15, 1801, in Springfield, Otsego county, 
 
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 377 
 
 N. Y. , was educated under private tutors and at academies, principally 
 the academy of Fairfield, Herkimer county, N. Y. , and the College of 
 Physicians and Surgeons, located at the latter place, from which he 
 was graduated in 1836. Immediately afterwards he located in Batavia, 
 where he successfully practiced medicine and surgery for more than 
 half a century. During that period he was a faithful member of the 
 Genesee County Medical Society, filling the highest offices in that or- 
 ganization and reading before it some of the most valuable papers ever 
 prepared by a member of the profession, not only in Genesee county 
 but in the State generally. He was also a permanent member of the 
 Medical Society of the State of New York, elected in 1860, and of the 
 American Medical Association, to which position he was elected in 1856. 
 For a quarter of a century he was curator of the medical department of 
 the University of Buffalo, and for the last ten years of his life was 
 United States examining surgeon for pensions. He also served as post- 
 master at Batavia for several years. He continued in the active prac- 
 tice of his profession until about four years before his death, which 
 occurred September 11, 1880, of apoplexy. One of his sons, John R. 
 Cotes, became a successful practitioner in Batavia and elsewhere, his 
 career covering a long term of years 
 
 Succeeding Dr. Cotes were the following physicians: Drs. Jonathan 
 Hurlburt and William H. Webster, 1828; Dr. Truman H. Woodruff, 
 who practiced for some time in partnership with Dr. John Cotes, and 
 who came in 1829; Drs. Eleazer Bingham and Elihu Lee, 1829; Drs. 
 J. V. C. Teller and R. Belden, 1830; Dr. Zebulon Metcalf, 1831; Dr. 
 E. H. Rokewood, 1833; Dr. S. P. Choate, Dr. C. V. N. Lent, Dr. E. 
 Farnham and Dr. A. F. Dodge, 1834 or prior thereto; Dr. Holton 
 Ganson, 1835. 
 
 Dr. Ganson was a representative of the pioneer Ganson family of the 
 town of Le Roy. He received his early education in that village, and 
 at a comparatively early age began the practice of his chosen profession. 
 After having practiced for several years, he visited Europe and took a 
 post-graduate course, after which he returned to Batavia. His partner- 
 ship with Dr. John Cotes has been referred to in the brief sketch of the 
 life and services of the latter. His practice was large and lucrative, 
 and he accumulated a fortune. So great was his fame that he fre- 
 quently was called upon to consult with some of the most eminent 
 physicians of Western New York not residing in Batavia. He died 
 December 1, 1875, while apparently hardly past the prime of life, and 
 his death was mourned by thousands. 
 
378 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Following Dr. Ganson came Dr. Z. S. Jackson, 1836 ; Dr. Thomas E. 
 Everett, 1838; Dr. Caleb H. Austin, 1841; Dr. W. B. Slosson, 1842; 
 Dr. L. D. Stone, 1847; Dr. C. D. Griswold, Dr. Foote and Dr. Baker, 
 1848; Dr. Albert L. Cotes, 1854; and Dr. John R. Cotes. 
 
 Dr. John R. Cotes, as has been shown, came of a family illustrious 
 for its physicians. The son of Dr. Levant B. Cotes, he was born in 
 Batavia in 1829, where his preliminary education was obtained. After 
 leaving school he began the study of medicine with his father, and in 
 1850 was graduated from the Buffalo Medical College. After a brief 
 period of practice in the village of his birth he removed to Michigan, 
 but four years later returned to Batavia, where he practiced until the 
 beginning of the War of the" Rebellion — seven years. He served dur- 
 ing that war as surgeon of the 151st Regiment, N. Y. Vol. Infantry, 
 returning to Batavia at its close, where he remained in practice until 
 his, death in 1884. For many years Dr. Cotes was secretary of the 
 Genesee County Medical Society, was a member of the New York State 
 Medical Society, was coroner one term, and for four years was physi- 
 cian to the New York State Institution for the Blind at Batavia. He 
 was esteemed as a scholarly man and a most careful, as he certainly 
 was a most successful, practitioner. 
 
 Dr. John Root, who located in Batavia about 1856, was born in 
 Sweden, Monroe county, N. Y., in 1824, and was graduated from Union 
 College in 1844. In 1850 the Buffalo Medical College granted him a 
 diploma. After practicing for a while in Lockport he settled in 
 Batavia, where he resided until his death from consumption November 
 29, 1876. For many years Dr. Root was an active member of the 
 county medical society, and was strict in his observance of medical 
 etiquette. He married Margaret C. Billings, daughter of Dr. James 
 A. Billings, and had a family of five children. 
 
 Dr. R. H. Benham, of Honeoye Falls, came to Batavia in 1867, but 
 a few years later returned to his old home. Dr. Norris G. Clark, who 
 came in 1859, was born in 1818 at West Bloom field, Ontario county, 
 N. Y., where his preliminary education was received. He was a grad- 
 uate of the University of Pennsylvania. He assisted his brother. Dr. 
 Oliver P. Clark, in a large and lucrative practice, which, upon the death 
 of the latter, devolved upon Dr. N. G. Clark. The latter died July 
 27, 1876. Dr. John L. Curtis, a native of Genesee county and a grad- 
 uate of the Philadelphia Medical College, removed to Batavia after 
 practicing for a time at Elba, His death occurred June 5, 1880. 
 
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 379 
 
 The pioneer physi-cian of the town of Le Roy was Dr. William Coe, 
 who located there in 1803. He engaged in practice for a long period 
 of years. Dr. Ella G. Smith came in 1805. Dr. Frederick Fitch set- 
 tled in town in 1808, where he soon became recognized as one of the 
 most enterprising and progressive men in town. He was very public- 
 spirited. It was he who organized the first company of artillery in 
 Le Roy, becoming its first captain. During one of the oldtime train- 
 ings at Stafford he was accidentally wounded in the leg, necessitating 
 the amputation of that member. 
 
 Dr. William Sheldon was one of the most conspicuous members of 
 his profession, as well as a citizen of more than ordinary worth, during 
 the early history of the town. He came from Bennington, Vt. , in 1810, 
 riding all the way on the back of his faithful horse. He stopped at the 
 Ganson tavern, alluded to in a previous chapter, announcing that he 
 had come west to engage in the practice of medicine. His professional 
 career began earlier than he anticipated. During the night the wife of 
 his host was taken suddenly ill, and he was called upon to administer 
 to her. She soon recovered, but the next day, and for several days 
 thereafter, sick people who had learned of his presence at the tavern 
 came to him for treatment. So successful was the young doctor that 
 he was earnestly besought to locate permanently there, *which he finally 
 decided to do, there being no other physician in the neighborhood. 
 During the war of 1813 he served as captain of a local military com- 
 pany for a time, afterwards becoming surgeon and aid-de camp upon 
 the staff of General Daniel Davis. Dr. Sheldon participated in seven 
 battles in that war, was captured by the British during their attack up- 
 on Black Rock, and carried a captive to Montreal, where he remained 
 about six months. Returning to Le Roy he continued in active lucra- 
 tive practice for many years, dying in January, 1874. 
 
 Dr. Chauncey P. Smith, who came to Le Roy in 1814, after saving 
 the earnings of a large practice for a quarter of a century, engaged in 
 the drug business and, through the cupidity of a dishonest partner, 
 soon lost all his property. He was cared for in his declining years by 
 his friends, but his mind finally gave way and he was sent to the alms- 
 house, where his death occurred. The next practitioner to locate at 
 this point was Dr. Elizur Butler, who located there in 1815 or 1816. 
 Dr. Lakey came in 1818, but removed a few years later to Palmyra. 
 Dr. Edmund Barnes was a contemporary. 
 
 Dr. Stephen O. Almy, born in Sterling, Conn., June 18, 1798, came 
 
380 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 to Pavilion when a young man, and a few years later bought out the 
 drug business of Dr. Fitch. In 1831 he received a medical diploma 
 from Yale University. After practicing for about fifteen years he en- 
 gaged in the lumber business at Olean, subsequently engaging in the 
 same line at Cincinnati. For several years he practiced his profession 
 at Le Roy in company with Dr. Alfred Wilcox, and then both men 
 established a private banking house. This failed during the financial 
 crisis of 1854, and Dr. Almy returned to his practice. He resided some 
 time at Cincinnati after this, engaging in practice there, but again re- 
 turning to Le Roy, where he was stricken with apoplexy, which caused 
 his death January 2, 1877. 
 
 Dr. Benjamin Hill, born in Guilford, Conn., April 15, 1765, came to 
 Le Roy on horseback in 1808 and purchased four hundred and fifty- 
 eight acres of land. He then returned to his native State, but came to 
 locate here permanently in 1828. He died at Pavilion in April, 1849. 
 Others who were in practice in this town about the same period included 
 Dr. B. Douglas, 1819; Dr. Warren A. Cowdrey, 1820; Dr. Daniel 
 Woodward, 1823; Dr. Nicholas D. Gardner, 1828; Dr. Alfred Wilcox, 
 1830. Dr. John Codman studied medicine with Dr. Almy, practiced in 
 Le Roy four or five years, then removed to Michigan, where he died in 
 1870 About 1830 Dr. Prescott Lawrence, Dr. Graham Fitch, Dr. Will- 
 iam A. Amy and Dr. Ezekiel Kelsey were engaged in practice. The 
 latter was born in Greenfield, Saratoga county, N. Y., in 1801, came to 
 Le R'jy with his father at the age of sixteen, taught school for several 
 years, then studied medicine and entered upon a professional career in 
 1830. His practice was very successful, but was cut short by death in 
 1840. Between 1830 and 1840 the following were engaged in practice 
 in Le Roy: Drs. Charles Smith, Benjamin Bliss, Caleb H. Austin, Al- 
 mond Pratt and Joseph C. Tozier. The latter, who resided in Bangor, 
 Me., was one of the most successful practitioners of his period. Dr. 
 Lemuel L. Tozier of Batavia is his son. 
 
 Few physicians have ever been so generally respected and loved, as 
 well as uniformly successful in the treatment of diseases, as Dr. D. C. 
 Chamberlain, who for thirty-seven years made Le Roy his home and 
 the scene of his principal practice. Dr. Chamberlain was born in Que- 
 bec, January 8, 1815, of American parents. At the age of eight he 
 was sent to Hubbardton, Vt. , to be reared under the care of a maternal 
 aunt. In that historic village he received his elementary education. 
 In 1833 he began the study of medicine with Dr. Charles W. Horton 
 
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION, 381 
 
 of Sudbury, Vt., and four years later was graduated from the Vermont 
 Academy of Medicine. Tlie following year he began practice at Cut- 
 tingsville, Vt., and two years later took a private course of lectures on 
 anatomy and surgery at Castleton, Vt., under Prof. Robert Nelson. 
 For a year thereafter he assisted his old preceptor at Sudbury, and 
 then becoming restless, he decided to start for the famed "Genesee 
 country." He reached Le Roy in 1841, immediately entered upon 
 practice, and the ne.Kt year became a member of the county society. 
 His practice was eminently successful. In 1861 he was engaged in en- 
 listing and recruiting volunteers for the Union Army, was examining 
 surgeon of the recruits brought to Le Roy to form the One Hundred 
 and Fifth Regiment, N. Y. Vols., and was commissioned as its surgeon. 
 He served throughout the war, and after the expiration of his commis- 
 sion in March, 1865, remained with the army as an independent volun- 
 teer until after the fall of Richmond. Dr. Chamberlain practiced in 
 Le Roy tmtil 1878, when he retired from active work in his profession 
 and removed from the town. 
 
 Dr. Moses Barrett, who came to Le Roy in 1842, removed to Wiscon- 
 sin eight years later, where he became superintendent of the State Re- 
 form School. He was subsequently elected to the chair of chemistry 
 and natural science in the college at Ripon, soon after which he died. 
 Dr. Barrett was profoundly learned in his profession. 
 
 Dr. Solomon Barrett, born in Rowe, Mass., February 23, 1810, was 
 graduated from the Berkshire, Mass., Medical College in 1833, began 
 practice at Buffalo, and in 1850 located at Le Roy. He was noted as a 
 surgeon and oculist, and at one time maintained an eye infirmary at 
 Le Roy. In his latter years he became nearly blind. His death oc- 
 curred at Le Roy February 3, 1884. One of those who studied under 
 his guidance was Dr. Chauncey M. Smith, who began practice at 
 Le Roy in 1856. For a time he was in partnership with Dr. D. C. 
 Chamberlain. Before entering upon a medical career he taught school, 
 and under the old law was for several years superintendent of schools 
 for the town of Le Roy. He died in 1864. 
 
 Dr. Asa W. Fuller, who came to Le Roy in 1864, was born in Lisbon, 
 Conn., in July, 1817, and a graduate from the medical department of 
 Yale university. Previous to locating in this town he had been en- 
 gaged in practice in Rhode Island and at Middlebury, Wyoming county, 
 N. Y. He followed his profession in Le Roy for thirteen years, dying 
 January 29, 1877. Dr. O. P. Barber settled in town before 1870. Dr. 
 
382 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 George Emerson, a student and afterwards a partner of Dr. Chamber- 
 lain, was in practice here for several years after 1870. Dr. George 
 McNaughton located in this town for practice in 1880, but a short time 
 afterwards removed to Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 The first physician to engage in practice in the town of Pembroke 
 was Dr. Abijah W. Stoddard, who came to this town in 1810 or 1811 
 from Hartford, Washington county, N. Y., where he had studied med- 
 icine with Dr. Sill. His home was on the site of the present village of 
 Corfu, where he remained until about 1855, when he removed to Mil- 
 waukee, Wis., dying there five years later. His practice in Pembroke 
 was very lucrative. Dr. David Long, accompanied by his son John, 
 had come to this place in 1808, but as far as can be learned he did not 
 engage in the practice of his profession. The next physician at that 
 place of whom there is any record extant was Dr. Elihu Lee, who was 
 in practice as early as 1830. Dr. Aaron Long was there in 1830, per- 
 haps earlier; and the year following Dr. Alanson Owen, Dr. J. S. 
 Dodge, Dr. James S. Grout and Dr. Barton Streeter ministered to the 
 wants of the afiflicted, in various parts of the town. Dr. William E. 
 Brown was at East Pembroke in 1833. Dr. Samuel S. Knight is re- 
 corded as a member of the county society in 1840. In 1864 Drs. Isaiah 
 Rano and John Durboraw located in town. The same year Dr. Earl 
 B. Loun^bury began practice at East Pembroke. He was a native of 
 Alexander, born in 1838, and a graduate of the Buffalo Medical College. 
 After remaining in town eighteen months, he removed to Byron Centre. 
 Dr. L. B. Parmelee came to East Pembroke during or prior to 1867, 
 but soon removed to Rochester, and later to Batavia. In 1868 Dr. 
 Joshua W. Read came to Corfu, Dr. H. W. Cobb to Indian Falls and 
 Dr. George H. Norton to East Pembroke. The former was born in 
 Batavia in 1837, graduated from the State Normal school at Albany, and 
 after devoting four years to teaching began the study of medicine with 
 Dr. Knight at Peekskill, graduating in 1866. Before removing to 
 Corfu he practiced two years at Bloomington, Ills., and after remain- 
 ing at Corfu two years he removed to Newark, N. J. Dr. Absalom 
 Billington located at Corfu in 1869. 
 
 In 1871 Dr. Albert Crawford settled at Corfu, but ten years later he 
 removed to Buffalo. Dr. Crawford was a native of Delaware and a 
 graduate of the Buffalo Medical College in the class of 1862. Dr. 
 Parker, who came to Corfu about 1881, remained there but a short 
 time. He was a graduate of the Buffalo school. 
 
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 383 
 
 Dr. Charles Chaffee was probably the earliest physician to engage in 
 practice in the town of Alexander. Dr. John Hall died there in 1813, 
 but the date of his location there is unknown. In 1823 Dr. Ammi R. 
 R. Butler removed there from Stafford and for a time was associated 
 with Dr. Stephen Martin. He followed his profe=sion with great suc- 
 cess until within a short time of his death, which occurred in 1858 at 
 the home of his daughter in Buffalo. Dr. Amos Walker came to Alex- 
 ander in 1835, Dr. Erasmus D. Baker in 1837, and Dr. Lemuel McAl- 
 pine in 1839. Dr. H. B. Miller was therein 1860, and may have located 
 there several year- before that time. He was president of the county 
 society in 1867. A year afterwards he removed to Johnsonburgh, Wyom- 
 ing county, where he died soon afterwards. Dr. Isaac V. Mullen settled 
 in Alexander in 1866. He came from Stafford, and was a graduate 
 from the Vermont Medical College. He was a veteran of the Civil 
 War, serving four years in that struggle. After practicing for twenty- 
 three years at Alexander he removed to West Bethany. Two of his 
 sons became physicians. Dr. John R. Mullen located at Alexander 
 and Dr. I. T. Mullen has practiced in Stafford and Oakfield. 
 
 Either Dr. Woodward or Dr. Amasa Briggs was the pioneer physi- 
 cian of the town of Elba. The latter located there in 1833, and is 
 now generally supposed to have been the first in town. Dr. Benedict 
 and Dr. J. A. Campbell were in practice there in 1830, and Dr. Jonas 
 S. Billings the year after. He was an active and prominent member 
 of the c unty society. He died about 1870. Dr. Francis Smiley was 
 an early physician of whom little is now known. Dr. James H. Smith 
 was in practice there in 1831 and Dr. E. B. Benedict in 1841. 
 
 Dr. Levi Ward, the pioneer doctor of Bergen, was in practice there 
 as early as 1805, in which year he was a member of the Genesee County 
 Medical Society. In 1810 he represented that organization at the an- 
 nual meeting of the New York State Medical Society. Dr. Ward was 
 one of the foremost physicians of his day, and was widely respected. 
 He died in Rochester, whither he had removed in 1817. 
 
 In 1818 Dr. Apollos P. Auger succeeded Dr. Ward. In 1835 or 1836 
 Dr. Eugene O'Donoghue began practice in Bergen, which he continued 
 until his death in 1868. He was one of the most highly respected 
 members of the profession in all Genesee county. Dr. Thomas M. 
 Hendry was in practice there in 1836 or earlier. In 1840 Dr. Levi Fay 
 was registered as a member of the county society, of which he became 
 president in 1853. Dr, M. J. Munger located at North Bergen about 
 
 o 
 
384 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 1868. Among his contemporaries were Dr. R. Andrews, Dr. M. B. 
 Gage and Dr. R. Gay. Others who practiced in that town included 
 Dr. Orrin Lee and Dr. Gilbert Chuirchill. 
 
 The first physician of Oakfield of whom anything definite is now 
 known was Dr. Andrew Thompson, who was enrplled as a member of 
 the county society in 1830. He practiced there until 1876, when he re- 
 moved to Bergen, dying at the latter place. Dr. Garrett Davis is also 
 mentioned as one of the earliest practitioners of the town. Dr. William 
 Pardee came to Oakfield in 1868 and remained there until his death, 
 which occurred in 1884. 
 
 In Alabama the first doctor whose name appears upon the records of 
 the Genesee County Medical Society, and probably the earliest to en- 
 gage in practice in that town, on account of the lateness of its settle- 
 ment, was Dr. Flint L. Keyes, who became connected with the local 
 society in 1839. Dr. Guy B. Shepard came in two years later, and Dr. 
 Alexander H. Cox in 1839. Each of these men may have been in prac- 
 tice there several years before the date mentioned. Dr. Samuel C. 
 Bateman, who was killed by the cars at Sanborn in 1887, settled for 
 practice in Alabama in 1846. Dr. Townsend, who subsequently re- 
 moved to Michigan, settled in town in 1855. Dr. Emery came soon 
 after, but later on removed to Batavia, where he died. Dr. Tyler is 
 recorded as having been in practice at South Alabama, as also was Dr. 
 Nelson Horning, who became a member of the county society in 1866. 
 In 1870 Dr. William M. Wallis located there, and two or three years 
 later Dr. C. R. Pearce opened an office in town. 
 
 Dr. Benjamin Davis and Dr. Ammi R. R. Butler were the earliest 
 physicians in Stafford. Dr. Davis opened an office there in 1821. Dr. 
 Butler removed there from Alexander prior to 1823, but the exact date 
 is not known. Drs. Thomas Blanchard, Elizur Butler, Samuel Butler 
 and Jonathan G. Abbott practiced in town about 1829. Dr. W. B. 
 Slawson was established at Morganville as early as 1831. Dr. Thomas 
 D. Morrison came in 1839 and Dr. Jucius M. Haynes in 1840. The lat- 
 ter remained in practice until his death in 1854. Dr. Mark W. Tomlin- 
 son came to town in 1851 and Dr. Theophilus S. Loomis in 1852, but 
 the latter soon removed to Bethany, where his death occurred. 
 
 One of the most conspicuous physicians of his day was Dr. Henry 
 Pamphilon, who began business in Stafford in 1855. Dr. Pamphilon 
 was born in England in 1828, was educated in London, came to the 
 United States in 1851 and located at Lancaster, Erie county, N.Y. He 
 
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 385 
 
 practiced in Stafford from 1855 to 1884, dying March 13 of the latter 
 year. He was a successful physician, and a man of high literary at- 
 tainments. Contemporaneous with Dr. Pamphilon was Dr.T. S. King, 
 a native of ?lainfield, N. J., and a graduate of the University of New 
 York. He continued in practice in Stafford until his death in 1867, at 
 the age of forty-two years. Dr. Ayer was one of leading physicians of 
 his day. In 1863, while the people were in a high state of excitement 
 over matters pertaining to the Civil War, he was arrested and lodged 
 in jail at Batavia for the too free expression of anti-war sentiment. 
 Humiliated by this event, he soon after removed to Buffalo, where he 
 he enjoyed a lucrative practice until his death. 
 
 Dr. F. L. Stone, who located in Stafford in 1868, was born at Marcy, 
 Oneida county, N. Y., in 1834, received his preliminary education at the 
 Whitestown Seminary, and after studying medicine with Dr. Babcock 
 of Oriskany was graduated from Bellevue Medical College in 1865. 
 After practicing for a while with his preceptor he came to Stafford, 
 where he enjoyed a successful practice for seven years. He then re- 
 moved to Caledonia and subsequently to Le Roy. 
 
 Dr. Benjamin Packard, the pioneer physician of the town of Bethany, 
 was established in practice there as early as 1813, as in that year he be- 
 came a member of the county society. Little is known of his career. 
 Succeeding him came Dr. Daniel Spalding, in 1816, and Dr. Daniel 
 Rumsey in 1817. Dr. Jonathan K. Barlow, who settled in town in 1818, 
 remained in practice there for more than thirty years. He was a man 
 of high scientific attainments, and electricity was his hobby. He fre- 
 quently delivered lectures on the subject when the science was in its 
 infancy. Dr. Beriah Douglas was established in practice in 1819, prior 
 to which year he is believed to have been located in Le Roy. Dr. Will- 
 iam W. Markham settled in this town in 1839, Dr. Theodore C. Hurd 
 in 1835, and Dr. William P. Hurd in 1837. Dr. Loomis was engaged in 
 practice at East Bethany about this period, and at Linden Dr. John G. 
 Meacham and Dr. John Howard. Dr. Alden was an early practitioner 
 at Bethany Centre. 
 
 It is impossible at this late date to ascertain who were the first men 
 to enter upon the practice of medicine in the town of Pavilion. In 
 1841, when the town was formed, two doctors were established in prac- 
 tice within its limits — Dr. Warren Fay and Dr. Abel Tennant. The 
 former resided at the village of Pavilion, and the latter at South Le- 
 Roy, later Pavilion Center. Dr. Fay was born in 1797 at Walpole, N. 
 
 25 
 
386 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 H. After teaching school for a while he prepared for a medical career 
 under Dr. Daniel White, then at the Castleton, Vt., Medical Academy, 
 and finally, June 23, 1823, received a diploma from the Livingston 
 County, N. Y. , Medical Society. Soon after he came to Pavilion, 
 where for a quarter of a century he remained in the active practice of 
 his profession. He accumulated a fortune, and is reported as having 
 been very successful in the treatment of diseases. His death occurred 
 in 1875. Dr. Tennant was famous as a botanist. It was his firm belief 
 that all the necessafy remedies were to be found in the vegetable life 
 provided by nature. He began practice about 1812, continuing his 
 career for about fOrt}' years. In 1837 he published a work called 
 "Tennant's Botany." In 1856 he removed to Pennsylvania, where he 
 soon after died. 
 
 Dr. S. C. Upson settled in Pavilion in 1842. He was born in Bristol, 
 Conn., March 29, 1792, received his diploma at Hartford, Conn., in 
 1816, began his career as a physician at Fabius, N. Y., where he re- 
 mained until his removal to Pavilion. After practicing in this town 
 for four years only, he removed to Nunda, N. Y., where his death oc- 
 curred in 1829. Dr. Upson was extremely affable and courteous, and 
 the possessor of a very kind heart. 
 
 A physician who was widely beloved and very successful was Dr. 
 William M. Sprague. He was born in New Marlborough, Mass., in 
 1803; removed with his father to Covington in 1812; attended Middle- 
 bury Academy; took a course in medicine at Pittsfield, Mass., after 
 studying with Drs. Daniel White and Warren Fay, and in 1829 was 
 licensed to practice by the Genesee County Medical Society. After 
 practicing for three years, he engaged in manufacturing and agricul- 
 tural pursuits until 1849, when he resumed the practice of his profes- 
 sion. He died in 1868, mourned by thousands of friends and acquaint- 
 ances. 
 
 Dr. Silas Taylor is believed to have been the first practicing physi- 
 cian in the town of Byron, his location there dating from the year 1812. 
 The following year Dr. Samuel Taggart was also engaged in practice 
 there. Little is known of the careers of these men. Dr. Oliver Hulett 
 followed in 1821 and Dr. Landon D. Woodruff in 1828. Dr. Sanford 
 Emery, who came in 1840, was a native of Vermont and a graduate of 
 the Burlington Medical College in the class of 1838. His practice in 
 Byron covered a period of about thirty years. Subsequently he located 
 in Alabama, and still later in the northern part of the town of Batavia, 
 
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 387 
 
 where he continued in practice until a short time before his death*'in 
 1880. Dr. J. D. Fowler came from Covington, Wyoming county. He 
 began practice in Byron after having prepared himself for the profes- 
 sion under the direction of Dr. Eben Warner, his brother-in-law. He 
 was yet a young man when he died, in 1843, from blood poisoning con- 
 tracted while making a post mortem examination. Dr. Appleton W. 
 Billings located at South Byron in 1851. He was born at Barre, N. Y., 
 in 1821, and studied medicine with Dr. Willard Eaton of Orleans 
 county. He retired from active practice in 1888, after a successful and 
 honorable career. Dr. Homer P. Smith was in practice here in 1846 
 and for several years thereafter. 
 
 One of the most eminent physicians and surgeons to practice in the 
 town of Byron was Dr. C. C. F. Gay, who became a member of the 
 county society in 1852. He was born at Pittsfield, Mass., in 1821, re- 
 ceived his preliminary education in the schools of Lebanon Springs, N. 
 Y., and the Collegiate Institute at Brockport, N. Y., and in 1844 began 
 the study of medicine under the guidance of Dr. Joseph Bates of 
 Lebanon Springs. He attended lectures at Woodstock, Vt. , and was 
 gradua'ed from the Berks-hire, Mass., Medical College in 1846, after 
 which he took a course of lectures at the Jefferson Medical College of 
 Philadelphia. After practicing a short time at Bennington, Vt., he 
 located in Byron, where he was very successful. In 1853 he removed 
 to Buffalo, where he soon attained a high position in the ranks of his 
 profession. For many years he was surgeon to the Buffalo General 
 Hospital, was a prominent member of the Erie County Medical Society 
 and of the Buffalo Medical and Surgical Association, a permanent 
 member of the New York State Medical Society and also of the Amer- 
 ican Medical Association. During the War of the Rebellion he was 
 surgeon in charge of Fort Porter. In 1883 he became professor of 
 operative and clinical surgery at Niagara University of Buffalo. His 
 death occurred at Buffalo March 27, 1887. 
 
 Dr. Earl B. Lounsbury, whose location at East Pembroke has been 
 noticed, came to Byron in 1864, where he continued in practice for ten 
 years. He then removed to the West, where he died eleven years 
 later. In 1873 Dr. B. A. Fuller located at Byron Centre aaid Dr. 
 George U. Gleason at South Byron. The former removed to Le Roy 
 soon after the death of his father. Dr. A. W. Fuller, in 1877. 
 
 Little is known regarding the careers of the earlier physicians of 
 Darien. Dr. James E. Seaver, who was in practice in that town in 
 
388 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 1817, is generally believed to have been the first physician there. Dr. 
 William P. Harris was located there in 1829, Dr. Erastus Cross in 1830, 
 Dr. John M. Harrington in 1832 and Dr. Isaiah Rano in 1836. Dr E. 
 W. Marsh is reported as having become enrolled on the membership 
 list of the county society from that town in 1870. 
 
 Dr. Benjamin F. Fuller of Le Roy, who died in that village August 
 7, 1891, was born in Providence, R. I., November 17, 1845, was edu- 
 cated in the Middlebury, N. Y., Academy, and in 1862 went to Le Roy 
 and began the study of law with Gen. C. Fitch Bissell. He was grad- 
 uated from the Albany Law School in 1865, but the legal profession 
 not proving congenial, in 1870 he began the study of medicine, being 
 graduated in 1873 from the Buffalo Medical College. In 1877, after a 
 brief period of practice in Byron, he located in Le Roy, where he re- 
 mained in practice until the time of his death. 
 
 Dr. Ganson W. CroflE was born in Bethany April 1, 1845, and died 
 March 22, 1893. He studied medicine under the direction of his father. 
 Dr. Orlando R. CroflE, attended lectures at Ann Arbor, Mich., and was 
 graduated from the Buffalo Medical College in the class of 1867. His 
 practice was always confined to the town of Bethany. 
 
 Dr. Howard W. Vickery was born in Yates, Orleans county, N. Y., 
 August 29, 1834. In 1852 he entered the oflfice of Dr. Ballard of Buf- 
 falo, and in 1863 was graduated with the degree of M. D. from the 
 Buflfalo Medical College. He practiced for many years at Darien Cen- 
 tre, and was successful. His death occurred March 16, 1897. 
 
 Dr. David C. Chamberlain, who died in Detroit, Mich., June 5, 1896, 
 at the age of eighty-one years, was for thirty-five years engaged in suc- 
 cessful practice in Le Roy. Early in the Civil war he was commis- 
 sioned surgeon in the One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, N. Y. Vols., 
 serving until the close of the war. After retiring from practice of his 
 profession in Le Roy he removed to Charlevoix, Mich. Dr. Chamber- 
 lain was the successor to the practice of Dr. William Sheldon, an early 
 practitioner in Le Roy. 
 
 Dr. John Follett Baker, who practiced in Batavia continuously from 
 1848 to within a short time before his death, which occurred May 15, 
 1898, was born at Roxbury, Delaware county, N. Y., September 14, 
 1815, and was graduated as an allopathic physician from the Geneva 
 Medical College in 1839. In 1847 he became a homoeopathic practi- 
 tioner, locating in Batavia the year following. He was not only the 
 first of that school to engage in practice in Batavia, but he was credited 
 with being the oldest "new school" physician in New York State. 
 
EDUCATIONAL. 389 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 EDUCATION IN GENESEE COUNTY.' 
 
 REVISED BY PROF. JOHN KENNEDY. 
 
 A record of the details of the early efforts to establish means for the 
 education of the young in Genesee county unfortunately has not been 
 very carefully preserved. Early school records were either poorly kept 
 or not preserved at all, in many localities. In the eastern section of 
 the State records which throw considerable light on the important sub- 
 ject have been preserved. The Dutch West India Company, which for 
 a period of about fifty years completely dominated the Hudson valley, 
 realized that its own interests and the interests of the colonies would be 
 best subserved by fostering the cause of education. Consequently one 
 of the first persons it sent over to New Netherlands after a trading post 
 and little colony had been established at Manhattan was a schoolmaster 
 — Johannes Megapolensis. This teacher was not only an instructor of 
 the young, but a preacher and small farmer as well. The careers of 
 most of the other early teachers corresponded with his in part. They 
 not only taught school, but they did anything else, in conjunction with 
 the practice of this precarious profession, which their hands found to do, 
 in order to keep body and soul together. 
 
 With the end of Dutch rule in New York and the accession of the 
 British a considerable improvement in educational affairs was brought 
 about. While the Dutch permitted almost anybody to teach, or attempt 
 to teach, the English required pedagogues, at first, to secure licenses 
 from the governor of the colony." The English government was very 
 
 * For much of the information contained in this chapter, especially for the data regarding the 
 union free school system of the village of Batavia, the writer is indebted to a pamphlet published 
 in 1876 by John F. Lay, E^q., for many years secretary of the Board of Education of Batavia, 
 The more recent history of this system has been supplied principally by P. P. Bradish, Esq., the 
 present secretary of that body. The other information regarding the educational institutions of 
 the county has been drawn from various sources. 
 
 2 The license granted to the first English teacher in Albany, a quaint document, read as fol- 
 lows: 
 
 " Whereas, the teaching of the English tongue is necessary to this government ; I have, there- 
 fore, thought fit to give License to John Shutte to bee the English Schoolmaster at Albany ; And 
 upon condition that the said John Shutte shall not demand any more "wages from each schoUar 
 
390 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Strict in regard to the qualifications of teachers. In the instructions 
 given to Gov. Thomas Dongan in 1686 the following appears: 
 
 And wee doe further direct that noe Schoolmaster bee henceforth permitted to 
 come from England & to keep school within our province of New York without the 
 license of the said Archbishop of Canterbury ; and that noe other person now there 
 or that shall come from other parts bee admitted to keep school without your license 
 first had. 
 
 The cause of education in the colonies was also enhanced by one of 
 the orders of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign 
 Parts, incorporated in 1701, relative to the qualifications of teachers: 
 
 1. That no person be admitted a Schoolmaster, till he bring Certificates, with re- 
 spect to these Particulars foVlowing: 1. The age of the Person. 2. His condition 
 of life, whether married or single. 3. His Temper. 4. His Learning. 5. His. 
 Prudence. 6. His sober and pious Conversation. 7. His zeal for the Christian Re- 
 ligion and diligence in his Calling. 8. His Affection to the Present Government. 9. 
 His Conformity to the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England. 
 
 Previous to the Revolutionary War most of the teachers were men. 
 But with the close of the Revolution the cause of education was rapidly 
 advanced. The Regents of the University of the State of New York 
 were incorporated in 1784, and in their report for 1793 they called atten- 
 tion to the benefits likely to accrue from the establishment of more 
 schools in various parts of the State. In 1795 the Legislature, in re- 
 sponse to the suggestion of Governor Clinton, appointed a committee to 
 consider the subject. The report of this committee became a law. It 
 appropriated fifty thousand dollars annually for five years for the gen- 
 eral support of common schools. The act provided for the election of 
 not less than three nor more than seven commissioners in each town, 
 who had supervision of the schools of each town. The inhabitants in 
 the different sections of the towns were authorized to meet for the pur- 
 pose of procuring "good and sufficient schoolmasters, and for erecting 
 and maintaining school houses in such and so many parts of the town 
 where they may reside, as shall be most convenient," and to appoint 
 two or more trustees, whose duties were defined by the law mentioned. 
 
 Early in the history of the State, lotteries were instituted by the State 
 for the support of the schools. The first of these was that of 1799, 
 when the sum of one hundred thousand dollars was to be raised, twelve 
 
 " Given under'my hand, at Fort James, in New York, the 12th day o£ October, 166.5. 
 than isgivcii by the Dutch to their Dutch .Schoolmaster, I have further eiia'jffft5i£*g|^g;J}li^J<'hn 
 
 ShuUe that liee shall bee the oncly Engli* Schoolmaster in Albany. 
 
 " (liven undep'tny hand, at Fort James, in New York, the 12th day of October, IWi.'i. 
 
 " Rich'd NlCOLLS." 
 
EDUCATIONAL. 391 
 
 thousand five hundred dollars of which was to go to academies and the 
 remainder to common schools. In 1805 a law was passed providing that 
 the net proceeds of the sale of five hundred thousand acres of unappro- 
 priated State lands should be made a permanent fund for the support 
 of schools, the proceeds to be invested until the interest amounted to 
 fifty thousand dollars, when that sum should be annually distributed 
 among the schools. In 1811 a law was passed authorizing the Gov- 
 ernor to name five commissioners to report a system for the organiza- 
 tion of the common schools. The commission appointed consisted of 
 Jedediah Peck, John Murray, Jr., Samuel Russell, Roger Skinner and 
 Samuel Macomb. The bill they reported became substantially the 
 common school law which continued in effect until 1838. This law pro- 
 vided, in brief, that the several towns in the State be divided into school 
 districts, and three commissioners elected in each town; that three 
 trustees be elected in each district, to whom should be confided the care 
 and superintendence of the school to be established therein; that the 
 interest of the school fund be divided among the different counties and 
 towns according to 'their respective population ; that the proportions re- 
 ceived by the respective towns be sub-divided, according to the number 
 of children in each, between the ages of five and fifteen years; that 
 each town raise annually as much money as it shall have received from 
 the school fund ; that the gross amount of moneys received from the 
 State and raised by the towns be appropriated exclusively to the pay- 
 ment of teachers; and that the whole system be placed under the super- 
 intendence of an officer designated by the Council of Appointment. 
 Gideon Hawley of Saratoga county became the first superintendent of 
 common schools under this law, holding office from 1813 to 1831. 
 
 The founding of this system was an educational movement of tremen- 
 dous importance to the State. Its benefits became instantly apparent. 
 As Superintendent Hawley said in his second annual report, the great- 
 est benefit of the system lay " in securing the establishment of common 
 schools wherever they are necessary; in organizing them on a suitable 
 and permanent foundation ; and in guarding them against the admission 
 of unqualified teachers." 
 
 In the year 1838 the sum of one hundred and sixty thousand dollars, 
 of the annual revenue of the United States deposit fund, was added to 
 thb'ataieunt^ td 'ba'appropriated' ataongifrhe variousschfeol' districts;. -^Up 
 <«&t|tesaflai^lh"e\JaeJSfeg| lhetmntfathb6ift@g liegetjit |Mt!ic1sS^a«llte3f&t>- 
 <3fe%amolI7l^8t,q,laS!&la»m}gt8te^JelQJ|gib9,BOTpi8»(?,^l5),*^^,slBi^Ss.7,6¥^>^ 
 •T8^isg.ig»;(gjtlt83i5icgeg^5; iE83^eiOjLBgJ)er of school districts was as fol- 
 lows: 1798, 1,352 districts; 181G, about 5,000; 1830, 5,7G:i; 1825, 7,643; 
 1830, 8,873; 1835, 9,8G5; 1838, 10,58:! 
 
392 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Various important changes in the school law were effected from time 
 to time. The subject of teachers' institutes was brought forward in 
 1843 at a meeting of the Tompkins County Teachers' Association, and 
 the first institute in New York State was held at Jthaca, April 4, 1843. 
 While the commission which framed the constitution of 1846 was at 
 work a persistent effort to incorporate a paragraph providing for a free 
 school system nearly succeeded. The friends of this important move- 
 ment prepared a clause reading as follows : 
 
 The Legislature shall provide for the free education and instruction of every child 
 of the State in the common schools, now established, or which shall thereafter be es- 
 tablished therein. 
 
 The commission actually adopted the section by a vote of fifty-seven 
 to fifty three, whereupon a provision was added directing the Legisla- 
 ture to provide for raising the necessary taxes in the districts to carry 
 out the plan. The convention then took a recess for dinner. At the 
 afternoon session the clause relative to schools was referred to a com- 
 mittee of one, with instructions to strike out the last two sections relat- 
 ing to free schools. By this act the proposed measure was defeated. 
 
 November 13, 1847, the Legislature passed a law abolishing the office 
 of county superintendent of common schools, directing appeals author- 
 ized to be made by law to be made to the state superintendent, and the 
 annual reports of the town superintendents to be made to the county 
 clerk. But the measure, for the time being, was diastrous to the wel- 
 fare of the common schools. Consequently, on December 16, 1847, 
 the various statutes relating to common schools were consolidated into 
 one act, with several amendments. By the latter town superintendents 
 were to hold office for two years ; the library law was modified so that 
 library money might be used for teachers' wages, provided the number 
 of volumes in the library had reached a certain proportion to the num- 
 ber of children. 
 
 But the day of free schools was near at hand. March 36, 1849, the 
 Legislature, after receiving the report of the state superintendent on 
 this question, passed an act " establishing free schools throughout the 
 State." The question, it was provided, was to be submitted to the 
 people at the ensuing general election, and if a majority voted against 
 it the act was to be void. Fortunately for the cause of education, the 
 proposition was carried by the decisive vote of 349,872 to 91,951. Still 
 the public was not satisfied with its own action. The practical applica- 
 tion of the system met with widespread and intense opposition from 
 
EDUCATIONAL. 393 
 
 the start, and it soon became evident that the voters would have to be 
 given an opportunity to repeal the law. Therefore the question of its 
 repeal was submitted to popular vote in November, 1850; but the good 
 sense and judgment of the people, or a majority of them, prevailed, and 
 the proposition to repeal the law was lost by a majority vote of 35,088. 
 By this act the free school system was established for all time — almost 
 half a century ago. 
 
 In 1853 a law was passed providing for union free schools, authoriz- 
 ing the inhabitants of two or more districts to elecf trustees and levy a 
 tax on the property in the united districts for the payment of teachers' 
 salaries and other expenses. The union free schools in Genesee county 
 are noticed further on in this chapter. In 1856 the provision of the 
 law of 1851 appropriating annually eight hundred thousand dollars was 
 repealed, and a tax of three-fourths of a mill on the dollar on real and 
 personal property was substituted for payment of teachers' wages. 
 The rate bill was continued, and school commissioners, who previously 
 had been appointed by boards of supervisors, were to be elected on a 
 separate ballot. In 1867 the rate bill was abolished and a tax of one 
 and one-fourth mills on the dollar was substituted. Since that time 
 there have been many changes in the school law, but it is not desirable 
 or necessary to note them here. 
 
 It is a misfortune to the present and future generations that the rec- 
 ords of the pioneer schools in Genesee county were so meagerly kept, 
 if kept at all; and still more unfortunate is it that in some cases there 
 are in existence actually no official records. It is known, however, that 
 as early as 1801 a log school house was built at Ganson's (now Le Roy), 
 and that the first person to engage in instructing the youth there was 
 Luseba Scott, who afterward became the wife of James Ganson. In 
 1803 she was succeeded by Phoebe Bates. In 1803 Mrs. Stephen Wol- 
 cott was in charge. In all probability this was the first school taught 
 in Genesee county. In the year 1804 a frame school house was erected 
 there by a stock company organized at Le Roy. This was the first 
 frame school house west of the Genesee river. The first teacher em- 
 ployed there was a man named Pomeroy, who came from Albany. Da- 
 vid Hascall succeeded him. The third school house in town stood op- 
 posite the old Lent tavern. It was used for the triple purpose of school 
 house, church meeting house and Masonic hall for several years. The 
 famous Round House', as it was known, was erected in 1825 by the 
 
 ^ See the chapter on Masonry in Genesee county. 
 
394 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Masonic fraternity at Le Roy. It was intended for use as a Masonic 
 temple. But the local lodge became practically extinct upon the out- 
 break of the anti-Masonic agitation following the disappearance of Will- 
 iam Morgan; consequently the Round House was never used as a Ma- 
 sonic hall. In 1828 the second story was converted into a school room 
 and occupied by a select school until 1859, when it was razed to make 
 room for the Universalist church erected in that year. In 1834 William 
 Le Roy Annin of Le Roy, who in that year had been graduated from 
 Harvard college, rented the Round House and opened a classical 
 school. His efforts met with great success. Among those who studied 
 under his supervision were many youths who became some of the fore- 
 most men of Genesee county. Later on schools were conducted suc- 
 cessfully in the building by Messrs. Daniels, Olmsted, Whiting, Brooks, 
 Reed, McCall, Beckley and others. The destruction of the Round 
 House led to an immediate demand for another classical school, and the 
 result was the founding of the Le Roy Academic Institute, to which 
 more extended reference will be made later on. 
 
 The exact date of the establishment of the earliest school in Batavia 
 cannot be learned from the records. Thomas Layton, the pioneer 
 teacher at this point, located in Batavia in 1801, and soon afterward 
 opened a private school " east of the land office." The next school of 
 which any record has been left was that established in 1823 by Mrs. 
 Benjamin H. Stevens, who continued it until 1849. Two private 
 schools were opened in the village in 1825 by the Rev. James Cochran 
 and Miss Gardner. A year later Messrs. Nixon and Stearns founded 
 an institution known as the Batavia Academy. Reference to the files 
 of the newspaper of that year (1836) shows that select schools were also 
 conducted by Miss L. Starr, Mrs. Aikin, Mrs. Winchester, Miss Colton, 
 Miss Deshon and Miss Plumb. In 1827 M. W. Fletcher and Mr. Hovey 
 advertised that they would give instruction in all the common branches, 
 and many advanced studies. In 1828 Horace U. Soper opened a pri- 
 vate school, which he conducted successfully for several years. In 
 1829 Miss Colton's school passed under the management of Miss 
 Blanchard. In 1832 and 1833 Mrs. Ford, Miss Burnham and H. H. 
 Smead advertised for pupils. Lester Cross and E. C. Porter also ad- 
 vertised "select schools" in 1835. In 1841 Mrs. J. F. Ernst opened a 
 'bbkr(ifn:g'Sfrht^ol:'jltWhlatasttow'422"Ekst •MaTn'st'peet; iti'd^in the'Same 
 ye&.¥^iioo1g'W^g'^^8'festaiKib&'^ hj- 'S.^ #.1 f^iffistbr ^n# (Sslspi^Hg^di 
 tei"'^'Ms?cka'«ii8fci#'&^Sie(f W ^i^vS&sfeclfeBP f&i'^?f4;2';infi>.inEJ.hw^t^ 
 year schools were also established by S. E. HoUister and C. N. Chand- 
 ler. Mrs. Rath bone opened a private school in 1842; D. E. Walker 
 
EDUCATIONAL. 395 
 
 one in 1843; and Young and OHphant one in 1844. In the latter year 
 the Batavia Female Seminary threw open its door.';, under the manage- 
 ment of Miss Beardsley and Miss Smith. 
 
 In 1848 Mrs. William G. Bryan, who is still remembered by many 
 residents of Batavia, some of whom were her pupils, established a suc- 
 cessful academic school in the former residence of David E. Evans. 
 This school was one of the best — perhaps the very best private school 
 ever conducted in Batavia. The sons and daughters of many of the 
 most prominent residents, and numbers from out of town, received 
 their education within the walls of this time-honored building. After 
 Mrs. Bryan's retirement Miss E. Y. Thrall taught in the same building, 
 from 1875 to 1889. In 1864 a college preparatory school under the 
 management of E Wildman was opened in the village, but its career 
 was brief and not successful, from a financial view point. In the same 
 year a private school was established by Miss McCully. The well 
 known Park Place School, the last of the more prominent and success- 
 ful private schools of Batavia, was established in 1883 by Miss Ellen K. 
 Hooker. In 1887 she was succeeded as principal by Miss Mary J. 
 Stevens. In the meantime the union free school system of the village 
 had advanced to a position where it was prepared to offer educational 
 advantages entirely beyond those which might be extended by even the 
 most carefully conducted private school having but one or two instruc- 
 tors. The inevitable result was the upbuilding of the public school and 
 the decay of the private institution^and the career of the Park Place 
 School ended, for the want of financial support, in 1890. 
 
 The first school in Alabama probably was that opened by Henry 
 Howard in a log school house in 1817. 
 
 Charles Austin was the pioneer teacher of Alexander, but when he 
 began his career there is unknown. 
 
 The first school in Bergen was taught by Harvey Kelsey, a graduate 
 of Yale College. Within a few years after his advent Titus Wilcox, 
 Joshua Field, Chloe Wright (daughter of Deacon Benjamin Wright), 
 Lucy Hill and Elizabeth Pierson also conducted schools in that town. 
 Just when Kelsey's school was opened cannot be learned. But it prob- 
 ably was between 1803 and 1805. In 1808 Hamilton Wilcox, who came 
 from East Guilford, Conn., opened a school, which was largely attended. 
 ■He Was' th-ea' but stofeeil 'yfe^«- of'-ageV ' He continiiftd'teachirlg niti'ttl 
 
 fec¥^6feg'hfe*fec^'^'^%d'ifiMI fl4)iag^hicS^g9flydi.'ied teaching until 
 1S13, when he joined the American army in the war of 1812-14. At 
 Black Rock he received wounds from which he died. 
 
396 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Matilda Wedge, who began teaching in Bethany in 1808, is generally- 
 believed to have had the first school in that town. Aaron Bailey was 
 the first teacher at Linden, beginning his school therein 1828. In 1832 
 the Genesee Manual Labor Seminary in Bethany was incorporated with 
 a capital of twenty thousand dollars. Among the principals of this 
 then novel institution were R. Whiting, who served from 1834 to 1841, 
 and Joseph Hurty, who continued the school from 1841 to 1844. 
 
 The earliest school in Byron, if the records are correct, was that 
 opened in 1810 or 1811 by Chester T. Holbrook. Nothing certain is 
 now known of any other early schools in that town. 
 
 The first school house in Darien was erected in 1811 or 1812, but just 
 where it stood or who presided therein as instructor is something which 
 the present or future generations probably never will know. 
 
 Chester Scott settled in the town of Elba in 1817 and taught the first 
 school there. The year in which it was opened cannot be ascertained. 
 It is referred to, however, in 1830. 
 
 Esther Sprout's school, established in Stafford in 1806, is reputed to 
 have been the fir.^t in that town. A little later Richard Radley con- 
 ducted a private school in the building east of the Episcopal church. 
 Between 1830 and 1835 a cobblestone school house was erected in the 
 northwestern part of the town. It is still standing, 
 
 The earliest known teacher in Pavilion was Laura Terrill (or Tyrrell). 
 When she opened her school is not known, but is believed to have been 
 during the War of 1812. Other early teachers were Daniel Walker, 
 Louis Moon, Mary Hill and Rodema Judd. 
 
 In 1811 Anna Horton began teaching in Pembroke. Hers doubtless 
 was the first school opened in that town. Little is known of any other 
 early schools. 
 
 We now come to the modern public school systems of the county and 
 to other educational institutions which now flourish or have existed up 
 to a comparatively recent period. 
 
 THE SCHOOL SYSTEM OF BATAVIA. 
 
 Among the early school records of the town of Batavia is a deed 
 from Nathan Rumsey to Simeon Cummings and Libbeus Fish, dated 
 September 2, 1811, conveying the premises formerly occupied by Mrs. 
 Hascall, commonly known as the "old brick school house," now form- 
 ing a part of Ross street at its intersection with Main street. This 
 brick building was completed in 1811 or 1812. The lower floor was 
 
EDUCATIONAL. 397 
 
 arranged for occupancy as a public school, while the upper rooms were 
 finished off for meetings of the local Masonic lodge. This building was 
 the first brick structure west of the Genesee river. 
 
 The first school meeting was held in this building December 1, 1813, 
 under an act of the State Legislature passed in June, 1812, to establish 
 common schools. School district No._2 of the town of Batavia then 
 included "all that part of the village of Batavia, east of an alley on the 
 east side of lot 16, and on a line running south from the south end of 
 said alley to the southern boundary of said village, the north half of lots 
 7, 9 and 11, sec. 8; north third of lot 1, sec. 12; lots No. 8, 10 and 12, 
 sec. 8; lots No. 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, sec. 9; lots No. 2, 4 and 6, sec. 13, 
 T. 12, R. I." 
 
 The first "warning,"' issued by John Z. Ross, Ebenezer Mix and 
 Isaiah Babcock, commissioners of schools for the town of Batavia, was 
 dated November 25, 1813, and read as follows: 
 
 To Simeon Cummings: You are hereby required and directed to warn all the 
 freeholders or taxable inhabitants of Dist. No. 3, a description whereof is above 
 given, to meet at the Brick School House, in said district, on Wednesday the first 
 day of December next, at one o'clock, P. M., by virtue of an Act entitled " an Act 
 for the establishment of Common Schools." 
 
 Pursuant to this order Mr. Cummings issued a warning to the fol- 
 lowing persons : 
 
 Aaron Van Cleve, John Hickox, Ebenezer Gary, Trumbull Cary, David McCracken, 
 Horace Gibbs, Richard Smith, Burrage BristoU, Aden Glass, John S. Leonard, 
 Baker Leonard, Nathan Graham, Sylvenus Graham, Ethan B. Allen, John Z. Ross, 
 Charles Eggleston, Oliver Smith, Rufus Hart, Russell A. Dickenson, Winter Hewitt, 
 Samuel Latham, Daniel B. Brown, Ephraim Brown, Elisha.C. Hickox, Enoch Bald- 
 win, Benjamin Graham, Peter Powers, John Glass, Dodridge Loomis, James Coch- 
 ran, Libbeus Fish, Patrick Powers, Oswald Williams, James Williams, Samuel 
 Houghton, Libbeus Perkins, Uriah Debow, Robert Wilson, John De Wolf, Roswell , 
 Graham, Benjamin Porter, Ebenezer Mix, Benjamin Blodgett. 
 
 At the first school meeting, held pursuant to the notice thus given, 
 Simeon Cummings, Libbeus Fish and Daniel B. Brown were chosen 
 trustees of the district, Richard Smith was chosen clerk, and James 
 Cochran collector. They served until the annual meeting of 1815. 
 From that time to March 1829, when the district was divided, the fol- 
 lowing served as trustees : 
 
 1815, Libbeus Fish, David C. Miller, Benjamin Allen. 
 
 1816, Simeon Cummings, George W. Harris, Oswald Williams. 
 
 1817, John Z. Ross, Aaron Van Cleve, Horace Gibbs. 
 
398 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 1818-1819, Richard Smith, Benjamin Allen, Oswald Williams. 
 
 1830, Libbeus Fish, Ephraim Chapin, Benjamin Allen. 
 
 1831, Simeon Curamings, Johnson Goodwill, Oswald Williams. 
 1833, Johnson Goodwill, John Z. Ross, John Allen. 
 
 1833, William Seaver, Simeon Cummings, John Allen. 
 
 1834, Trumbull Cary, Phineas L. Tracy, Orange Allen. 
 1835-1836, Henry Brown, Daniel H. Chandler, Samuel Graves. 
 1837, John A. Coffin, Nahum Loring, Lawrence Wilks. 
 
 1828, Samuel D. Green, Elijah Lathrop, James Allen. 
 
 At a public meeting held at the brick school house March 28, 1829, 
 the following resolution was unanimously adopted: 
 
 "That the School District be divided at some point to accommodate the inhabit- 
 ants of the district, and that four persons be chosen as a Committee to aid the 
 Trustees, and that Hinman Holden, George W. Lay, Horace Gibbs and Oswald 
 Williams be said Committee." 
 
 In accordance with the recommendation of this committee and the 
 trustees, the district was divided at the annual school meeting held 
 October 12, 1829, by the passage of a resolution reading as follows: 
 
 All that part west of the street or alley called " Dingle Alley,'' or Centre street, 
 running between the house of Clement Carpenter and the blacksmith's shop stand- 
 ing on James Cochran's land north, and running south across Genesee street between 
 the lands owned on the northeast corner by Chauncey Kirkham, and the land or 
 house now owned by Mrs. Jacob S. Otto, to be known and distinguished as School 
 District No. 13. and all that part of the old district lying east of the said streets to be 
 still known and distinguished as School District No 2. 
 
 After the division of the district the following served as trastees of 
 school district No. 2. 
 
 1839, Trumbull Cary, Silas Finch, John Lowber. 
 
 1830, Libbeus Fish, David Gardner, Joel Dun. 
 
 1831, Elisha Parmalee, Chauncey Kirkham, James P. Smith. 
 1833, Aaron Van Cleve, John Lowber, John Allen. 
 
 1833, Nathan Follett, E. C. Dibble, Jonathan Lay. 
 
 1834, William Fitch, Joseph W. Coffin, Simeon Cummings. 
 
 1835, Phineas L. Tracy, Luther Barker, Homer Kimberly. 
 1836-1839, Ira Belden, Oswald Williams, David N. Tuttle. 
 
 1840, Chauncey Kirkham, Phineas Moffett, Preston Durant. 
 
 1841, James P. Smith, Levi Barnes, Stephen Tuttle. 
 1842-1846, Homer Kimberly, Daniel D. Waite, Onan Dustin. 
 
 In 1839 Judge Taggart, one of the foremost champions of the cause 
 of education for many years, made an effort to establish a union school 
 system in Batavia. He drew up an act consolidating the two districts, 
 which passed the State Legislature; but the inhabitants of Batavia evi- 
 
EDUCATIONAL. 399 
 
 dently were not quit^ prepared to take this important step, and they 
 voted down a resolution to raise by taxation the money necessary to 
 perfect the plan of consolidation. But seven years later, December 28. 
 1846, the inhabitants of the two districts, having voted for consolidation 
 and the establishment of a union school system, elected these trustees: 
 Daniel D. Waite, three years; Benjamin Pringle, two years; Augustus 
 Cowdin, one year. Branon Young was elected clerk, John Griswold 
 collector, and Isaac M. Joslyn librarian. March 20, 1827, Joseph Nixon 
 had conveyed to David Evans, Trumbull Gary and John R. Cotes, Jr., 
 as trustees of the Batavia Academy, the old academy lot adjoining St. 
 James church. Here was established, at first, a select academy. 
 Among the early instructors were Joseph Nixon, Robert Hoag and 
 others. But in 1829 this property came into pcissession of the trustees 
 of school district No. 2, and was occupied as a school house from 1829 
 to 1848, when the consolidation of the districts took place. There is in 
 existence no records of the trustees of this old district, as far as can be 
 ascertained. 
 
 January 20, 1847, the site of the first union school house was located 
 on a lot on Liberty street known as the John Lowber lot. By an act of 
 the Legislature passed March 28, 1847, the taxable inhabitants of con- 
 solidated school district No. 2 were authorized to raise money by tax 
 for the purchase of a site and the building of a new school house. April 
 6 following it was voted to raise the sum of $5,500 for the purchase of a 
 site and the erection of a new building for the union school. The new 
 building was occupied as a school house in the fall of that year, and 
 during the year following the old brick school house and the academy 
 building were sold and the proceeds employed toward paying for the 
 new structure on Liberty street. The first appropriation, with the pro- 
 ceeds of this sale, proving inadequate, September 25, 1849, $1,250 
 additional was voted to pay the debt and complete the building. No- 
 vember 3, 1853, the inhabitants voted that the school should be free 
 and known as The Batavia Union Free School District No. 2. The 
 number of trustees was also increased to six. From the date of the 
 organization of the Union school to the establishment of the free school, 
 the following served as trustees : 
 
 1847, David D. Waite, Benjamin Pringle, Wm. S. Mallory. 
 1848-1850, Benjamin Pringle, Junius A. Smith, Daniel D. Waite. 
 
 1851, Daniel D. Waite, Elias Foote, Corneal Ganson. 
 
 1852, Elias Foote, Asa A. Flint, Alexander Smith. 
 
 1853, Homer Kimberly, Charles T. Buxton, James A. Olds. 
 
400 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 The development of the educational system of Batavia since the 
 founding of the union free school in 1853 has been remarkable. Public 
 interest was awakened about that time, and many efforts were made to 
 improve the facilities of the school. In 1861, in conformity to an appli- 
 cation therefor made by Seth Wakeman, Jarvis R. Smith, H. M.Warren, 
 George Babcock and other trustees, the Regents of the University of 
 the State of New York established an academical department in the 
 school. The school continued to grow and improve in other ways. 
 In October, 1866, school district No. 1, at the east end of the village, 
 united with the union free school. April 25, 1872, at a largely attended 
 public meeting held at Ellicott hall, the site for a new school house, 
 embracing three acres of land near the geographical centre of the dis- 
 trict was adopted by a vote of 178 to 62, and at the same time the sum 
 of $50,000 was appropriated for the purchase of the site and the erec- 
 tion of the new building. June 13 the board of education appointed H. 
 I. Glowacki, H. U. Howard and John F. Lay a building conimittee to 
 superintend the erection of the new edifice. July 17 following the site 
 was purchased of Mrs. Tomlinson for $4,500. 
 
 In the meantime the enemies to educational progress had been at 
 work. As the result of their appeal, Hon. A. B. Weaver, then state 
 superintendent of public instruction, on July 17, the day the site was 
 purchased, set aside, as irregular, the proceedings of the meeting at 
 which the sum of $50,000 had been voted. But the friends of educa- 
 tion were now thoroughly aroused, and at a second public meeting, held 
 August 1, 1872, the same site was again adopted by a vote of 192 to 167, 
 and the sum of $40,000, together with the proceeds arising from the 
 sale of the school house on Liberty street, was voted to be used to pay 
 for the site already purchased and for the erection of a new building. 
 In October the name of John Fisher was added to the building com- 
 mittee. 
 
 During the summer of 1872 the building committee had inspected a 
 large number of new school buildings located in various places. After 
 careful consideration they finally adopted the plans submitted by A J. 
 Warner of Rochester. Work upon the structure was begun that fall, 
 but the severe weather of the ensuing winter caused delay until spring. 
 In the meantime the board of education awarded the contract for the 
 erection of the building to John Bellinger, for $40,840. At the annual 
 meeting held in October, 1873, the further sum of $25,000 was voted to 
 complete the structure. In June, 1874, the term closed at the union 
 
EDUCATIONAL. 401 
 
 school house on Liberty street, and thenceforward it ceased to be used 
 for school purposes, having been occupied from 1848 to 1874. 
 
 The new building was opened on September 1, 1874. The dedicatory 
 services were of unusual interest. Among those present were Dr. S. 
 B. Woolworth, secretary of the Regents of the University of the State 
 of New York, who delivered an address which was most appropriate to 
 the occasion; Hon. L. A. Haywood of Warsaw; Judge Bangs of Le Roy; 
 R. L. Selden, school commissioner of Genesee county ; Dr. A. D. Lord, 
 superintendent of the State Institution for the Blind; Prof. H. B. Buck- 
 ham of the Buffalo State Normal School; Prof. Briggs of Buffalo; Prof. 
 N. F. Wright, a former principal of the school ; M. C. Richardson, ed- 
 itor of the Lockport Journal; Judge Richard P. Marvin of Chautauqua 
 county; Rev. W. Mallory, Rev. J. E.Bills, Hon. John Fisher, Judge 
 Soper, William Tyrrell, William C.Watson; John H. Yates, a former 
 pupil of the union school who delivered a poem untitled "The Living 
 Age," and many others. Several highly interesting addresses were 
 made. At their conclusion Major H. L Glowacki, president of the 
 board of education, delivered the key of the building to Prof. Gardner 
 Fuller, principal of the school. This ended the exercises of the day. 
 
 With the completion of the commodious building on Ross street, it 
 was the prevalent belief in Batavia that the school accommodations in 
 the county seat were not only greater than necessary, but also that 
 many years would elapse before any considerable increase in the ac- 
 commodations would be accessary. How faulty these conclusions were 
 is shown by the fact that within fifteen years the number of public 
 school buildings within the district had been increased from one to 
 seven. These schools are as follows: The schools on Pringle avenue, 
 Washington avenue. Pearl street. West Main street, East Main street 
 and William street. 
 
 The first of these schools was that located on Pringle averiue, which 
 was erected in 1883 at a cost of over eight thousand dollars. Two years 
 later the Washington avenue school was built. In 1887 the inhabitants 
 of school district No. 4 in the town of Batavia voted in favor of cotisol- 
 idation with union free school district No. 2, and soon after the neces- 
 sary steps for the union were taken. The school building then in use, 
 a frame structure, still remains in use, though remodeled and enlarged, 
 the only frame building in the district, the others being of brick. The 
 school facilities of the district were still further increased in 1891 by 
 the construction of three new school buildings, located respectively on 
 
 26 
 
403 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 West Main street, East Main street and William street. These addi- 
 tions to the educational facilities of Batavia complete the public school 
 system of Batavia, undoubtedly as excellent from every standpoint as 
 that of any other village of equal size in the country, and superior from 
 many view points to that of many villages or cities containing a much 
 greater population. 
 
 Upon the organization of the union free school district in 1853 the 
 number of trustees was increased from three to six. Since that year 
 the various school boards have been constituted as follows : 
 
 1853 — E. C. Dibble, president; Horace M. Warren, clerk; Homer Kimberly, 
 Charles T. Buxton, James A. Olds, Rufus Robertson. 
 
 1854 — E. C. Dibble, president; H. M. Warren, clerk; Homer Kimberly, Charles 
 T. Buxton, Rufus Robertson, James A. Olds. 
 
 1855 — Homer Kimberly, president; H. M. Warren, clerk; James A. Olds, Augus- 
 tus Cowdin, Rufus Robertson, Charles T. Buxton. 
 
 1856 — Homer Kimberly, president; H. M. Warren, clerk; Charles T. Buxton, 
 James A. Olds, Augustus Cowdin, Rufus Robertson. 
 
 1857 — Homer Kimberly, president; H. M. Warren, clerk and treasurer; G. B. 
 Worthington, Charles T. Buxton, Augustus Cowdin, James A, Olds. 
 
 1858 — Homer Kimberly. president; H. M. Warren, clerk and treasurer; Jarvis R. 
 Smith, S. Wakeman, G. B. Worthington, Charles T. Buxton. 
 
 1859 — Seth Wakeman, president; H. M. Warren, clerk and treasurer; G. B. 
 Worthington, George Babcock, Augustus Cowdin, Jarvis R. Smith. 
 
 1860 — Seth Wakeman, president; H. M. Warren, clerk and treasurer; John Fisher, 
 George Babcock, Augustus Cowdin, Jarvis R. Smith. 
 
 1861 — Seth Wakeman, president; H. M. Warren, secretary and treasurer; John T. 
 Carr, D. W. Tomlinson, George Babcock, Augustus Cowdin. 
 
 1863 — Seth Wakeman, president; H. M. Warren, secretary; Charles T. Buxton, 
 treasurer ; John Fisher, D. W. Tomlinson, Augustus Cowdin. 
 
 1863 — Seth Wakeman, president; H. M. Warren, secretary; Charles T. Buxton, 
 treasurer; Augustus Cowdin, D. W. Tomlinson, John Fisher. 
 
 1864 — Seth Wakeman, president ; H. M. Warren, secretary ; Charles T. Buxton, 
 treasurer; D. W. Tomlinson, John Fisher, Augustus Cowdin. 
 
 1865 — Seth Wakeman, president; H. M. Warren, secretary; Charles T. Buxton, 
 treasurer; M. H. Bierce, Wilber Smith, D. W. Tomlinson. 
 
 1866 — Seth Wakeman, president; H.M.Warren, secretary; Charles T. Buxton, 
 treasurer; D. W. Tomlinson, M. H. Bierce, Wilber Smith. 
 
 1867 — D. W. Tomlinson, president; H. M. Warren, secretary; Tracy Pardee, treas- 
 urer; H. I. Glowacki, M. H. Bierce, Wilber Smith. 
 
 1868 — D. W. Tomlinson, president; H. M. Warren, secretary; Tracy Pardee, 
 treasurer; Joseph C. Wilson, William Casey, H. I. Glowacki. 
 
 1869 — H. I. Glowacki, president; William Casey, secretary; Joseph C. Wilson, 
 H. U. Howard, S. U. Main, Tracy Pardee. 
 
 1870 — H. I. Glowacki, president; William Casey, secretary; Joseph C. Wilson, W. 
 T. Bliss, H. U. Howard, S. U. Main 
 
EDUCATIONAL. 403 
 
 1871— H. I. Glowacki, president; John F. Lay, secretary; H. U. Howard, S. U. 
 Main, W. T. Bliss, Miles H. Bierce. 
 
 1872 — H. I. Glowacki, president; John F. Lay, secretary; H. U. Howard, S. U. 
 Main, John Fisher, M. H. Bierce. 
 
 1873 — H I. Glowacki, president; John F. Lay, secretary; H. U. Howard, S. U. 
 Main, M. H. Bierce, N. A. Woodward. 
 
 1874 — H. L Glowacki, president; John F. Lay, secretary; H. U. Howard, S. U. 
 Main, John Fisher, N. A. Woodward. 
 
 1875 — H. L Glowacki, president; John F. Lay, secretary; H. U. Howard, William 
 C. Watson, Nathan A. Woodward, John Fisher. 
 
 1876 — President, John Fisher; secretary, John F. Lay; Hayden U. Howard, Will- 
 iam C. Watson, Daniel W. Tomlinson, Horace S. Hutchins, M. D. 
 
 1877 — President, Hayden U. Howard; secretary, John F. Lay; H. S. Hutchins, 
 William C. Watson, D. W. Tomlinson, Wilber Smith. 
 
 1878— President, H. S. Hutchins; secretary, John F. Lay; Wilber Smith, D. W. 
 Tomlinson, Theron F. Woodward, George Wiard. 
 
 1879— President, H. S. Hutchins; secretary, John F. Lay; George Wiard, T. F. 
 Woodward, M. H. Bierce, Wilber Smith. 
 
 1880 — President. H S. Hutchins; clerk, Wayne H. Parsons; George Wiard, D. 
 W. Tomlinson, T. F. Woodward, Carlos A. Hull, Miles H. Bierce. 
 
 1881 — President, H. S. Hutchins; clerk, Marcus L. Babcock; George Wiard, M. H. 
 Bierce, Carlos A. Hull, Wayne H. Parsons, William C. Watson. 
 
 1882 — President, H. S. Hutchins; clerk, Marcus L. Babcock; George Wiard, Car- 
 los A. Hull, Edward F. Wood, Wayne H. Parsons. 
 
 1883 — President, H. S. Hutchins; clerk, Marcus L. Babcock; George Wiard, 
 Wayne H. Parsons, Edward F. Wood, John Holley Bradish, Robert B. Pease. 
 
 1884— President, H. S. Hutchins ; clerk, Marcus L. Babcock and J. W. Le Seur ; 
 Robert B. Pease, Levant C. Mclntyre, George Wiard, Edward F. Wood, J. Holley 
 Bradish. 
 
 1885 — President, George Wiard; clerk, Philander P. Bradish; L. C. Mclntyre, J. 
 H. Bradish, Mrs. Adelaide R. Kenny, Mrs. Marion E. Sheffield, R. B. Pease. 
 
 1886— President, George Wiard ; clerk, P. P. Bradish ; L. C. Mclntyre, Mrs. Ade- 
 laide R. Kenny, Mrs. Marion E. Sheffield, Robert B. Pease, J. H. Bradish. 
 
 1887— President, George Wiard; clerk, P. P. Bradish; L. C. Mclntyre, R. B. 
 Pease, Mrs. A. R. Kenny, Mrs. M. E. Sheffield, J. H. Bradish. 
 
 1888 — President, George Wiard; clerk, P. P. Bradi.sh; Mrs. A. R. Kenny, Mrs. 
 Emily Tozier, R. B. Pease, L. C. Mclntyre, J. H. Bradish. 
 
 1889— President, George Wiard; clerk, P. P. Bradish; Mrs. Emily Tozier, Mrs. A. 
 R. Kenny, John M. McKenzie, L. C. Mclntyre, J. H. Bradish. 
 
 1890— President, D. W. Tomlinson ; clerk, P. P. Bradish ; Mrs. Emily Tozier, Mrs. 
 A. R. Kenny, John M. McKenzie, R. B. Pease, J. H. Bradish. 
 
 1891— President, D. W. Tomlinson; clerk, P. P. Bradish; Julian J. Washburn, 
 Hobart B. Cone, John M. McKenzie, J. H. Bradish, R. B. Pease. 
 
 1892— President, D. W. Tomlinson; clerk, P. P. Bradish; J. H. Bradish, J. M. 
 McKenzie, J. J. Washburn, R. B. Pease, H. B. Cone. 
 
 1893— President, D. W. Tomlinson; clerk, P. P. Bradish; J. J. Washburn, R. B. 
 Pease, J. H. Bradish, J. M. McKenzie, H. B. Cone. 
 
404 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 1894— President, D. W. Tomlinson; clerk, P. P. Bradish; J. M. McKenzie, R. B. 
 Pease, J. H. Bradish, J. J. Washburn, H. B. Cone. 
 
 1895— President, D. W. Tomlinson; clerk, P. P. Bradish; J. H. Bradish, J. M. 
 McKenzie, H. B. Cone, J. J. Washburn, R. B. Pease. 
 
 1896— President, D. W. Tomlinson; clerk, P. P. Bradish; H. B. Cone, J. H. 
 Bradish, R. B. Pease, J. J. Washburn, J. M. McKenzie. 
 
 1897— President, D. W. Tomlinson; clerk, P. P. Bradish; H. B. Cone, J. H. 
 Bradish, R. B. Pease, J. J. Washburn, J. M. McKenzie. 
 
 1898— President, D. W. Tomlinson; clerk, P. P. Bradish; H. B. Cone, J. H. 
 Bradish, R. B. Pease, J. J. Washburn, J. M. McKenzie. 
 
 OTHER SCHOOLS. 
 
 The union free school system of Le Roy was organized in 1890. 
 Thursday evening, August 21, 1890, the taxpayers and voters of school 
 districts No. 1, 3, 4 and 10 of the town of Le Roy met in the opera 
 house in Le Roy according to a call of the school ' trustees of the dis- 
 tricts mentioned for the purpose of forming a union free school district. 
 The following officers of the meeting were selected without opposition : 
 Chairman, S. W. Skinner; secretary, Edwin D. Shepard; tellers, Frank 
 E. Chaddock, W. E. Humelbaugh ; inspectors, Melvin N. King, Stephen 
 Loucks. Twenty-six voters were present from District No. 1, twenty- 
 eight from No. 3, thirty from No. 4, and one hundred from No. 10. 
 The resolution for consolidation was adopted by a vote of 298 to 81. 
 August 29 another meeting was held, when the following trustees were 
 elected to serve the union district : For one year, Arthur M. Artman, 
 William Huyck; two years, Butler Ward, Archibald Sinclair; three 
 years, S. W. Skinner, F. T. Wilcox, John Maloney. Prof. Charles T. 
 Brace was elected principal of the new school in 1891, its first year, and 
 Miss Emma Henderson assistant principal. In the meantime the new 
 district had purchased the building formerly occupied by the Le Roy 
 Academic Institute, which was occupied in 1891. In 1893 Prof. R. A. 
 Kneeland was chosen principal to succeed Prof. Brace, who had re- 
 signed. Miss Henderson acted as principal for two years after Prof. 
 Brace's retirement, and she in turn was succeeded by Prof. J. C. Bene- 
 dict, who is still principal. la 1898 a commodious addition, of stone, 
 was erected on the east side of the old academy building for the accom- 
 modation of the rapidly increasing number of students. 
 
 The Oakfield union free school was organized at a meeting held Jan- 
 uary 3, 1891, at which B. J. Chapman acted as chairman and George A. 
 Isaac as secretary. The resolution to form a union free school district 
 
EDUCATIONAL. 405 
 
 was adopted by a vote of ninety-five to forty-one, and the following were 
 elected the first trustees: John W. Heal, one year; Messrs. Hawesand 
 Stevens, two years; Messrs. Griffin and Wright, three years. The 
 building, upon which work was begun soon after the formation of the 
 district, is a handsome brick structure of two stories, cost about seven 
 thousand dollars, and has accommodations for about one hundred and 
 fifty pupils. When the formation of the union district had been accom- 
 plished, the Regents of the University of the State of New York granted 
 the application for a charter, making it a junior academic school. In 
 connection with the school is a library of over six hundred volumes. 
 Prof. Ray M. Lowry, who served the school as principal until 1897, was 
 succeeded in that year by Prof. A. H. Downey. 
 
 The union school of Bergen was organized at a meeting held August 
 8, 1893, at which A. Arnold presided as chairman and D. J. McPherson 
 acted as secretary. The resolution adopted provided " that a union 
 free school be established within the limits of joint school district No. 
 7, in the towns of Bergen and Riga." August 15 H. H. Wilcox and 
 D. J. McPherson were elected trustees for three years, Mrs. Spencer 
 Wilcox and Mrs. S. E. Spencer for two years, and H. L. Gage and J. S. 
 Gleason for one year. The school was admitted to the University of 
 the State of New York in January, 1894. E. A. Ladd is principal of 
 the school. For several years a private school known as the Bergen 
 High School was conducted in Bergen by B. F. Hamilton. 
 
 The first meeting in which any action was taken to consider the 
 changing of the Genesee and Wyoming Seminary of Alexander to a 
 union free school was held January 19, 1886. On that occasion James 
 A. North acted as president and Drayton Sprague as secretary. The 
 chairman appointed Messrs. Green, Day, Sprague, Crosman and Chad- 
 dock a committee to confer with a committee to be appointed by the 
 school district in reference to the occupancy of the seminary building 
 for union school purposes. The result was the issuance of a call by R. 
 C. Curtiss, trustee of District No. 3 and W. E. Moulton, trustee of Dis- 
 trict No. 6, for a special school meeting, which was held at the semi- 
 nary building March 3, 1886. At this meeting Oel S. Kidder was 
 elected chairman and Charles P. Lewis secretary. A resolution con- 
 solidating the two districts was adopted and the following trustees were 
 elected : Sanford Riddle, Charles F.- Lewis, Warren E. Moulton, Ros- 
 well C. Curtiss, Suel Chaddock, Jesse A. Hawkins, Charles J. Haw- 
 kins. These trustees elected R. C. Curtiss president and Charles F. 
 
406 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Lewis secretary. J. C. Shaddock was chosen as the first principal of 
 the school. His successors have been Orson Warren, A. J. Glenny, W. 
 Almond Andrews, J. L. Walthart, J. Howarth, E. A. Ladd and Perry 
 H. Kidder, the present principal. 
 
 The union free school of East Pembroke was formed March 11, 1893, 
 by the consolidation of District No 7 of Pembroke and District No. 9 
 of Batavia. John Mullaney was elected trustee for one year, E. A 
 Seamans and O. C. Uphill for two years, and O. G. Dennison and John 
 Allen for three years. W. H. Dyer is now the principal of the school. 
 The enemies of consolidation contested the legality of the proceedings 
 for three or four months, but the friends of the new system finally won 
 and the proceedings were declared valid. 
 
 Elba's union free school was organized May 25, 1897, J. A. Loveridge 
 acting as chairman of the organization meeting and J. S. Wilford as 
 clerk. William H. Hunn was elected trustee for one year, Walter A. 
 Brockway and Charles D. Andrews for two years, and Arthur Barker 
 and J. S. Wilford for three years. A. M. Mcllroy is the present princi- 
 pal of the school. 
 
 April 23, 1898, the union free school at Byron Centre was organized 
 within the limits of District No. 1 of the town of Byron by the election 
 of Dr. A. Prince as trustee for one year, F. T. Miller and C. V. Doud 
 for two years, and H. C. Norton and William D. Dibble for three years. 
 A. H. Kneale was chosen as the first principal of the new school. 
 
 The South Byron union school was formed June 7, 1898, when E. J. 
 Cook was chosen trustee for one year, Frank Flaherty and C. R. Kel- 
 logg for two years, and W. H. Philleo and C. H. Coward for three years. 
 Levi C. Higley was selected for the first principal. 
 
 The Ingham University, originally Ingham Collegiate Institute, was 
 incorporated at Le Roy in 1857. The institution was established at 
 Attica in 1835 by Miss Marietta Ingham and a younger sister, Emily E. 
 Ingham, who subsequently married Phineas Stanton. The Misses 
 Ingham came from Massachusetts. In 1837 they removed their school 
 to Le Roy and established it as the Le Roy Female Seminary, aided 
 and supported by Samuel Comstock, Jonathan P. Darling, Seth M. 
 Gates, Albert Brewster, A. S. Upham, Enos Bachelder, A. P. Hascall, 
 Lee Comstock, Israel Rathbone, Richard Hollister and William S. Brad- 
 ley. It was chartered in 1841. April 6, 1852, the whole establishment, 
 costing over twenty thousand dollars, was donated by its founders to 
 the Synod of Genesee, upon the conditions that a full collegiate course 
 
EDUCATIONAL. 407 
 
 should be established and a permanent fund raised for its support. The 
 gift was accepted by the Synod and the name of Ingham Collegiate 
 Institute bestowed upon the institution. The corporation created at 
 this time consisted of the Rev. Charles N. Mattoon, Samuel Skinner, 
 A. P. Hascall, J. B. Skinner, C. Danforth, Moses Taggart, Samuel Com- 
 stock, C. Comstock, Martin O. Coe, A. F. Bartow, Israel Rathbone, J.G. 
 Bixby, Jonathan P. Darling, Albert Brewster, Phineas Staunton and 
 Marietta Ingham. Twenty four trustees were appointed. The corpor- 
 ation was vested with the power to create a normal school, a seminary 
 and collegiate departments, to appoint professors and teachers, and to 
 grant diplomas. This school was thus in advance of all other female 
 institutions in the provisions of its charter, as it was the first to intro- 
 duce a college curriculum for the education of young ladies, and a char- 
 ter giving it power to confer degrees. In this particular Ingham pre- 
 ceded South Hadley, Elmira, Farmington, Wells, Parker and Vassar. 
 
 Not satisfied with this material advance, the institution soon asked 
 for a still higher rank by applying to the State for a university charter. 
 This was at first refused on the ground of its inadaptability to a female 
 institution of learning, a rank then unknown anywhere in the United 
 States. But in the legislative session of 1857 so strongly was the mat- 
 ter urged that a university charter was granted ; and in April, 1857, 
 the name of " trustees" was changed to that of " counse'ors. " In the 
 same year the Rev. Samuel Hanson Cox of New York city was installed 
 as chancellor, imposing ceremonies being held in the Le Roy Presby- 
 terian church. Dr. Cox's high attainments were at once applied to 
 elevate the standard of the institution, which soon b.ecame a model of 
 its kind. Colonel Phineas Staunton' was temporarily elected vice- 
 chancellor. 
 
 The property valuation of Ingham University as reported to it 
 by the Regents of the University of the State of New York 
 in 1875 was $101,000. About 1885 the Alumni Association donated 
 to the institution a large brick dormitory. After the granting 
 of the university charter, the Legislature of 1861 was asked to give 
 $35,000 to the institution, but only one-fifih of that amount was secured. 
 Further appeals to the public resulted in securing only $1,400 more. 
 
 * Colonel Staunton was an artist of great ability and made this branch a specialty in the uni- 
 versity. His father was a general in the War of 1813. Colonel Staunton was born in Wyoming, 
 N. Y., and married Emily E. Ingham in 1847. He served as lieutenant-colonel of the One Hun- 
 dredth N. Y. Vols, in the Rebellion. While accompanying a Williams College scientiiic expedi- 
 tion to South America he died at Quito, and was buried there. 
 
408 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 The Synod of Genesee then relinquished its trust. In 1883 a new- 
 charter was granted, and a new board of trustees organized as follows: 
 James H. Loomis, Henry N. Page, Charles F. Prentice, Schuyler C. 
 Wells, William Lampson, Rev. W. W. Totherob, Butler Ward, Rev. 
 Edward B. Walsworth, Nicholas B. Keeney, Augustus Frank, Rev. 
 Herman C. Riggs, Augustus E. Miller, Edward C. Walker, Rev. 
 Samuel Bowden, Rev. Amasa S. Freeman. 
 
 The Rev. Dr. Cox resigned the ofSce of chancellor in 1863. He was 
 succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Samuel D. Burchard, who served until 1872; 
 Dr. Edward B. Walsworth, and Dr. W. W. Totherob. Mrs. Emily 
 Ingham Stanton, the last of the early founders of the university, died 
 in November, 1889, in her seventy-ninth year. She was the first 
 woman in the country to conceive and carry out to a successful issue a 
 university charter for female education. Soon after her death the in- 
 stitution began to lose its prestige and became a victim to financial de- 
 pression. November 4, 1893, the property was sold to William Lamp- 
 son for $20,000, and the old university ceased to exist. 
 
 Cary Collegiate Seminary was founded at Caryville (now Oakfield) in 
 1840, mainly through the influence and by the means of Col. Alfred 
 Cary,' in whose honor the institution was named. The corner stone of 
 the main building was laid July 4, 1840. During the succeeding three 
 years and a half the building was erected and equipped at an expense 
 of about fifteen thousand dollars. In 1844 it was opened for students, 
 with Warden Reynolds, A. M,, as principal. From the beginning it 
 attracted a large patronage, its enrollment for the fifteen years before 
 the war of the Rebellion ranging from two hundred to three hundred 
 students. Its principals and other teachers were men of character, 
 who left their impress upon their students, many of whom afterwards 
 became men of prominence. Among the teachers during that period 
 were Rollins Richards, Rev. Bela Francher, Rev. E. N. Manley, Marion 
 M. Baldwin, Rev. G. C. V. Eastman and Rev. H. V. Gardner. 
 
 During the Civil war the school suffered, as did most institutions of 
 a similar character throughout the country. After the war, in 1865, 
 the Rev. James R. Coe was head master for nine years, during which 
 period the school was especially prosperous. The various rectors of 
 St. Michael's church, with the exception of Rev. A. J. Warner, also 
 served as head masters. R. H. Coe, a nephew of the Rev. James R. 
 Coe, terminated a six years' principalship in 1889 to become president 
 
 ' Colonel Cary died at Oakfield September 17, 1858, at the age of seventy-nine years. 
 
EDUCATIONAL. 409 
 
 of De Vaux College. His successor was the Rev. C. C. Gove, M. A., 
 who is still at the head of the school. Before coming to Gary Seminary 
 Prof. Gove had been engaged in educational work since 1874, when he 
 was graduated from Middlebury (Vt. ) College. He had been principal 
 of the Monson Academy and the North Adams (Mass.) High School. 
 At the time of his election to Cary, extensive repairs were made to St. 
 Michael's hall, a building erected for the seminary in 1856. 
 
 The policy of the school has undergone some changes in late years. 
 The primary and intermediate departments have been suspended, and 
 work is now confined to the academic grade. The school is governed 
 by a self-perpetuating board of trustees. The late Right Reverend 
 Arthur Cleveland Coxe, D. D., bishop of Western New York, was 
 president from 1877 to the time of his death in July, 1896. The value 
 of the seminary property is fifty thousand dollars. The school is under 
 the supervision of the Regents of the University of the State of New 
 York. Among the prominent graduates of this excellent educational 
 institution have been R. H. Coe, president of De Vaux College; Rev. 
 C. F. J. Wrigley, rector of St. Mary-on-the-Hill, Buffalo; Rev. E. W. 
 Worthington, rector of Grace church, Cleveland; Charles Baker, ex- 
 member of Congress; Col. S. P. Moulthrop, principal of public school, 
 Rochester, and many other gentlemen who have attained positions of 
 dignity and responsibility. 
 
 The Bethany Academy was incorporated by the Legislature March 
 29, 1841. The incorporators named in the act were William Mitchell, 
 Jonathan K. Barlow, Abel W. Page, Ira Wait, Charles Huntington, 
 Nason Blood, Charles Kendall, Samuel Kendall, Reuben Kendall, 
 Obadiah Walker, Roswell Frary, Luman Stevens, Nathan Rumsey, 
 Israel E. Judd, Abram Chapman, Harvey Putnam, Elijah Herrick, 
 Heman Brown, Edward Dixon, John Jenna, John Sprague, Sylvester 
 Lincoln and William Darby, who were also designated as the first 
 trustees. 
 
 The Genesee and Wyoming Seminary of the village of Alexander 
 was the outgrowth of a public library founded in 1811 by Alexander 
 Rea, Henry Hawkins, Colonel Brainard, Samuel Latham, jr., Harvey 
 Hawkins, Noah North and Ezra W. Osborn, who became the first 
 trustees. This institution was named the Alexandrian Library. In 
 1838 a literary society was formed among the patrons of the library. 
 Soon after the citizens of that village began to discuss the practicability 
 of a project to establish a classical school. As the result of this agita- 
 
410 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 tion six thousand dollars was raised by subscription in 1837 for the pur- 
 pose of building a school to be known as the Genesee and Wyoming 
 Seminary. The expense of erecting the structure was seven thousand 
 dollars, and Henry Hawkins magnanimously paid the deficiency of one 
 thousand dollars from his private purse. The building was of stone, 
 and E. T. Crooker and E T. Benedict were the first principals. The 
 school flourished beyond all expectations, the number of students with- 
 in three or four years after it was opened being three hundred, its full 
 capacity. By a foreclosure of mortgage, assumed by him at the time 
 of his gift for the purpose of protecting the property, Henry Hawkins 
 came into possession of the building in 1844. In 1845 he secured for 
 the institution a charter from the Regents of the University of the 
 State of New York, gave to it all the lands and buildings, and endowed 
 it with four thousand dollars in money, his private library and his val- 
 uable geological cabinet. Less than three months later he died of 
 smallpox. The Genesee and Wyoming Seminary continued as a private 
 preparatory school for many years thereafter. In 1886 a union free 
 school sys:em was organized at Alexander, and the old seminary build- 
 ing was turned over to the village for the occupancy of the newly or- 
 ganized public school. 
 
 The Rural Academy at East Pembroke was incorporated by the 
 Regents of the University of the State of New York in 1856. Rev. 
 Mr. Horton, a Presbyterian minister, was its founder, donating land 
 for the purpose, the fee to which was held by trustees so long as it was 
 used for educational purposes. 
 
 The Batavia Business University was established in 1867 at No. 92 
 East Main street by W. W. Whitcomb. John M. McKenzie became 
 associated with Mr. Whitcomb in the conduct of the school in 1885, 
 acting as secretary and treasurer. It was then located in the Dodge 
 building at the corner of East Main and Jackson streets. In the spring 
 of 189 D Mr. McKenzie retired from the partnership and the school was 
 moved to the Tomlinson block on East Main street by Mr. Whitcomb, 
 who then became the sole proprietor. Two years later the school 
 ceased to exist. 
 
 The Batavia Shorthand and Business School, located on the second 
 floor of the Commercial building, is the outgrowth of a school of sten- 
 ography and typewriting established in 1886 by Miss Sarah M. Blount, 
 the principal and proprietor of the present school. In 1893 Miss 
 Blount moved her school into its present location in the Commercial 
 
EDUCATIONAL. 411 
 
 building, at the same time adding book-keeping and some of the com- 
 mon branches to the curriculum. Miss Blount has capable assistants, 
 and the institution in her charge is one in which the residents of 
 Batavia have exhibited just pride. 
 
 THE NEW YORK STATE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND. 
 
 The establishment of the New York State Institution (now school) 
 for the Blind, was authorized by an act of the Legislature passed April 
 27, 1865. This act provided for the appointment, by the governor, of 
 five commissioners to select a suitable site for the school. After the 
 determination of a site by these commissioners, the governor, secre- 
 tary of state and comptroller were required to appoint a commission 
 consisting of three persons to contract for the erecting of buildings for 
 such school on such plans and terms as ihey, in connection with the 
 state officers, thought just and proper The act also provided for the 
 appointment of nine trustees to take charge of the school after its 
 completion. The sum of $100,000 was appropriated for the purposes 
 of the act. 
 
 Immediately after the passage of the act, the governor appointed the 
 following gentlemen to act as commissioners to locate the school: 
 Hon. p. W. Leavenworth, Syracuse; Hon. B. F Manierre, New York; 
 Hon. James Ferguson, Ovid; Hon. O. K. Woods, Chazy; Hon. M. M. 
 Southworth, Lockport. The board, after examining several compet- 
 ing sites in Central and Western New York, selected grounds in the 
 village of Batavia, which had been purchased and presented to the 
 State by the people of the village. In March, 1866, the following gen- 
 tlemen were appointed commissioners to procure plans and superintend 
 the erection of suitable buildings for the accommodation of the school: 
 Hon. John Fisher, Batavia; Hon. John Van Horn, Lockport; Hon. 
 Lloyd A. Haywood, Warsaw. 
 
 In the following June, this commission submitted to the governor, 
 secretary of state and comptroller matured plans and specifications for 
 the erection of buildings for the school. These plans were accepted, 
 with the modification limiting the expenditure to $200,000 and corre- 
 spondingly reducing the capacity of the school. 
 
 August 21, 18G6, the corner-stone was laid, attended by elaborate 
 ceremonies under the charge of prominent citizens of the village. The 
 principal address upon the occasion was given by Dr. Samuel G. Howe, 
 
413 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 superintendent of the Massachusetts State School for the Blind. The 
 buildings were completed and the keys of the same formally delivered 
 by the building committee into the hands of the trustees of the school 
 July 15, 1868. 
 
 The school opened September 2, 1868, with Dr. Asa D. Lord as 
 superintendent. The board of trustees were fortunate in securing the 
 services of Dr. Lord to take charge of the school and start it upon its 
 mission. He had for twelve years been superintendent of the School 
 for the Blind at Columbus, Ohio. His marked success in the conduct of 
 of this institution first drew the attention of the board of trustees to 
 him with the final result that he was persuaded to undertake the super- 
 intendency of the first State School for the Blind in the State of New 
 York. During September, the first month of the school, forty pupils 
 were registered, and in the first school year, closing in June, 1869, 
 seventy-four pupils had been enrolled, sixty-four being in actual at- 
 tendance at the close of the school. 
 
 As a very mistaken as well as harmful impression as to the character, 
 aims and purposes of the school had become quite generally prevalent 
 in the minds of the public, which has survived to some extent to the 
 present time. Dr. Lord had the wisdom and foresight to make it clear 
 in his first annual report to the board of trustees that the institution 
 was not a home for the helpless, nor an asylum for the defective, nor a 
 charitable institution of any character. The following is quoted from 
 his first report : 
 
 The quotations from the law defining the objects of the institution which are given 
 in the circular of the trustees appended to this report, state explicitly that it is not a 
 hospital for the treatment of blindness, nor an asylum or home for the blind of any 
 age, hence the mere fact that a person is blind, however needy or worthy he may be, 
 gives him no claim to its privileges. Only those believed to be of suitable age and 
 capacity to receive instruction, can be admitted as pupils, and any supposed to be 
 such can be discharged whenever it is found that they cannot be profited by its 
 opportunities. The institution is simply a school for blind youths in good health, of 
 good character and habits, and of respectable intellectual abilities. In regard to 
 this, the law is clear and positive, and no appeal to the sympathies of the trustees or 
 officers for the admission of persons who do not belong to the class for whom it is in- 
 tended can be regarded by them without a palpable violation of the law. This in- 
 stitution being thus purely an educational one, should be regarded as a part of the 
 great system of public instruction sustained by the State, and intended to give to 
 the blind the same advantages which New York has so long and so freely afforded 
 to seeing children in its common and higher schools. As the blind cannot be so well 
 taught in schools with other children, it is necessary in order to instruct them eco- 
 
EDUCATIONAL, 413 
 
 nomically, to collect them together, and in so doing the State provides for them 
 board, lodging, etc., in addition to tuition, and its pupils are beneficiaries in much 
 the same manner as those who attend the common and normal schools and other in- 
 stitutions which are sustained or have been liberally endowed at public expense. 
 
 Dr. Lord remained in charge of the school till his death in March, 
 1875. The seven years the school was under his supervision were years 
 of growth and prosperity. Each year saw the number of pupils in- 
 crease, until in 1875, there were 168 registered. As a scholar, a wise 
 and skillful teacher, a kind and noble man, he gave unstinted service 
 and finally his life to the school. The lives of hundreds of blind boys 
 and girls were made brighter and better by his noble life and unselfish 
 service in their behalf. 
 
 On the death of Dr. Lord, his widow was appointed superintendent. 
 Mrs. Lord had been her husband's most able assistant in the work of 
 the school from the beginning, and her success as superintendent most 
 amply proved the wisdom of the board of trustees in appointing her to 
 the position. She retained the position two years, resigning in Sep- 
 tember, 1877. 
 
 Mrs. Lord was succeeded by the Rev. James McLeod, who, after 
 serving one year, retired and gave place to the Rev. A. D. Wilbor, D. D. 
 
 In 1883, Dr. Wilbor was succeeded by Arthur G. Clement as super- 
 intendent, under whose charge the school remained until 1893, when 
 he resigned. He was followed by Frederick R. Place, whose services 
 were dispensed with in February, 1895. 
 
 In April, 1895, Gardner Fuller was appointed superintendent by the 
 board of trustees. Prof. Fuller had served for several years as super- 
 intendent of schools in the village of Batavia, and long before his ap- 
 pointment as superintendent of the institution had become recognized 
 as one of the most competent and successful educators in New York 
 State. 
 
 Thus in thirty years there have been seven superintendents. This 
 frequent change has unquestionably not been for the best interests of 
 the school. In the teacher's, as in all professions, the trained skill 
 which is so essential to success comes only through actual experience. 
 
 Formerly, children were not admitted to the school until they were 
 nine years of age. It is now the policy of the school to get as many as 
 possible into the school under that age, even as young as five years. 
 More can be done in the way of motilding and forming these blind boys 
 and girls into normal boys and girls between the ages of five and nine 
 
414 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 than in ten years after they have reached the age of nine. And in many 
 cases it is all important to secure them at an early age in order to save 
 them from the foolish and mistaken indulgence of the home circle. 
 
 In 1896, the Regents' examinations were taken in the school for the 
 first time. All the classes, both in common and higher English, are 
 now taking these examinations regularly. Instruction in typewriting 
 was commenced in 189? with most gratifying success. The school has 
 now eight typewriters of the latest make, and several classes in type- 
 writing, numbering some forty pupils in all. 
 
 In the last three years, the Legislature has made special appropria- 
 tions amounting to more than forty thousand dollars for repairs, im- 
 provements and new buildings. In 1897, a new building costing nine 
 thousand five hundred dollars, was erected for the accommodation of 
 the tuning department and the boy's industrial department. This build- 
 ing meets a need that had long been seriously felt. The department 
 of tuning, one of the most important connected with the school, had 
 never had accommodations worthy of the name, and the boy's indus- 
 trial department, broom-making, etc., was buried in the basement. 
 
 In this year, also, bay windows at an expense of one thousand eight 
 hundred dollars, were erected on the east and west sides of the main 
 building for the purpose of lighting up the long corridors extending 
 east and west through the building. In the summer of 1898, a broad 
 glass-enclosed piazza from twelve to sixteen feet in width and seventy- 
 five feet in length was constructed on the east side of the school build- 
 ing as a place of exercise and recreation for the girls and the kinder- 
 garteners in stormy and inclement weather. These additions, bay 
 windows and piazza, have not only added greatly to the comfort and 
 health of the children, but have added greatly to the appearance of the 
 building from an architectural point of view, relieving the long stretch 
 of straight perpendicular walls that were suggestive of anything but 
 home life within. There is now (December, 1898), nearing completion, 
 a gymnasium forty-three feet in width by eighty-four feet in length. 
 The outside walls are of first quality old gold Canandaigua brick. The 
 facilities for physical training which this will afford when fully equipped 
 will be of inestimable value to the pupils both physically and mentally. 
 
 Owing to the crowded condition of the school and the increasing 
 number of applications for admission, the board of trustees will ask the 
 Legislature of 1899 for an appropriation for the erection of an adminis- 
 tration building, and a number of cottages connected with it, for the 
 
MASONRY. 
 
 415 
 
 accommodation of all the girls in the school, 
 will then be used for the boys exclusively. 
 
 The present building 
 
 STATISTICAL ABSTRACT. 
 
 Towns. 
 
 Alabama . 
 Alexander 
 Batavia . . . 
 Bergen . . . 
 Bethany .. 
 
 Byron 
 
 Darien 
 
 Elba 
 
 Le Roy . . . 
 Oakfield.. 
 Pavilion .. 
 Pembroke 
 Stafford . . 
 
 Total... 
 
 
 g 0) 
 
 S bo 
 
 o <! 
 
 3.^0 
 317 
 3,130 
 474 
 314 
 295 
 399 
 300 
 767 
 854 
 391 
 558 
 317 
 
 J, bo 
 
 ° 3 
 
 g>, 
 
 <o a ^ 
 be 
 
 38,434 
 33,463 
 353,931 
 59,280 
 30,847 
 36,709 
 38,498 
 33,363 
 94,186 
 40,053 
 31,770 
 56,114 
 36,941 
 
 5 7.615 
 
 10,455 
 
 185,750 
 
 15,300 
 
 7,595 
 
 8,800 
 
 8,265 
 
 7,450 
 
 16,530 
 
 10,835 
 
 9,500 
 
 11,935 
 
 6,825 
 
 > 
 ■d 
 
 735,643 
 1,065,661 
 5,268,144 
 1,137,373 
 
 867,365 
 1,131,208 
 1,366,116 
 
 880,045 
 2,898,851 
 
 731,380 
 
 976,510 
 1,170,864 
 1,374,955 
 
 128 191 6,856 783,605 $306,275 $19,484,075 $24,813 48 $60,221 22 
 
 0, 
 
 1,3^8 15 
 1,401 94 
 6,4.54 40 
 1.829 84 
 1,275 65 
 1,200 28 
 1,510 65 
 1,294 15 
 2,551 60 
 1,377 43 
 1,281 21 
 2,067 18 
 1,231 00 
 
 
 O (Sfi t-i 
 
 5 2,078 20 
 1,735 18 
 
 34,036 78 
 3,890 09 
 1,972 79 
 2,660 02 
 3,193 08 
 3,719 09 
 6,803 63 
 2,669 78 
 3,589 27 
 3,353 19 
 3,521 04 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 MASONRY IN GENESEE COUNTY.' 
 
 Batavia Lodge No. 475, Free and Accepted Masons, is the outgrowth 
 or successor of several Masonic organizations, now extinct, the first 
 of which, Olive Branch Lodge No. 39, was chartered in 1811. May 10, 
 1810, Isaiah Babcock of Batavia drafted a petition to the Grand Lodge 
 asking for the institution of a lodge in this village, and this paper was 
 signed by the following resident members of the Masonic fraternity: 
 Ezra Piatt, Tom Lemon, Richard Smith, Thomas Olcott, Lemuel Fos- 
 
 • Much of the information obtained in this chapter was talten from David Seaver's " History 
 of Masonry at Batavia," published in 1891. The chapter has been revised by Charles W. Sticlile, 
 esq., secretary of Batavia Lodge No. 475, F. & A. M. 
 
416 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 ter, Cyrus Griswold, William Rumsey, Bateaian Fisk, Isaiah Babcock, 
 Frederick A. Curtis, Sebe Brainard, Edmund Tracy, Isaac Marsh, Jason 
 Munn and Isaac Lincoln. The petition was recommended by Genesee 
 Lodge No. 130, of Avon. The latter lodge, however, was in arrears in 
 its dues to the Grand Lodge, and the parent body decided that the 
 warrant for the lodge at Batavia should not be issued until the lodge 
 at Avon " paid up its dues." The latter organization soon after com- 
 plied with the demand of the Grand Lodge and the dispensation sought 
 was soon after granted. The petitioners originally intended to name 
 their lodge Fredonian Lodge, but for some reason they decided to sub- 
 stitute the name of Olive Branch Lodge. 
 
 The dispensation for Olive Branch Lodge was issued March 9, 1811, 
 and signed by De Witt Clinton, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of 
 the State of New York. The new lodge was regularly instituted on 
 May 30, 1811, at the tavern of William Keyes in Batavia, by Dr. Charles 
 Little of Avon, past master of Genesee Lodge No. 130. The minutes 
 of that historic meeting read as follows : 
 
 May 30, 1811. 
 
 Olive Branch Lodge, after having been duly installed in virtue of a Warrant of 
 Installation, given by the Most Worshipful!, the Hon. De Witt Clinton, esq., Grand 
 Master of Masons of the State of New York to our Worthy Brother Charles Little, 
 for that purpose, met at the house of Wm. Keyes, in the Village of Batavia, on the 
 the 30th of May, A. L. , 5811, and was opened on the first step of Masonry. 
 
 Present, the Worshipfull Ezra Piatt, Master; Richard Smith, Senior Warden; 
 Lemuel Foster, Junior Warden ; Wm. Rumsey, Treasurer; Isaiah Babcock, Secre- 
 tary; Sebe Brainard, Senior Deacon; Isaac Lincoln, Junior Deacon; Bateman Fisk, 
 Matthew B. Eames, Stewards ; Luther Cutler, Tyler. 
 
 Brethren present:, Jonathan Hastings, Alexander Rea, Edmund Tracy, Josiah 
 Risdon, George Cassick, Wm. Hastings, Cyrus Griswold, James Ganson, Abner 
 Ashley, Othniel Field, Benjamin Allen, Solomon Lathrop. 
 
 The lodge then proceeded to business. 
 
 The petition of Parmenio Adams, praying the benefits of Masonry of this lodge, 
 was read by the Setretary, who reported the receipt of $8. On motion, ordered the 
 same to be placed on file. The Entered Apprentice Lodge was dispensed with and 
 that of Fellow Craft opened. The Fellow Crafts Lodge was dispensed with and a 
 Masters Lodge duly opened. 
 
 The by-laws of Genesee Lodge being read, on motion, ordered that the W. Master 
 be requested to appoint a committee to revise the same and report their proceedings 
 at the next meeting. Whereupon the W. Master appointed brothers Richard Smith, 
 William Rumsey and Isaiah Babcock said committee. 
 
 Voted that the next stated meeting of this lodge be on Wednesday evening next 
 succeeding the second Tuesday of June next, at 6 o'clock p. m. 
 
 The several lodges were then closed in due form. 
 
MASONRY. 417 
 
 The early meetings of Olive Branch Lodge were generally held at 
 the public taverns, no regular headquarters having been furnished. 
 Aaron Van Cleve, sheriff and proprietor of an early tavern, set apart a 
 commodious room in his hostelry which was used as a lodge room for 
 some time after the first two meetings, which were held at Keyes's tav- 
 ern. September 3, 1811, the trustees of the B^tavia school district, in 
 conjunction with a committee from Olive Branch Lodge, purchased a 
 lot on the north side of Main street, at the corner of Ross street, for 
 five dollars. Nathan Rumsey, the original owner, stipulated in the 
 contract for the sale that a two-story brick building should be erected 
 upon this lot within one and one-half years, the lower portion of which 
 should be occupied as a school and the upper portion as a Masonic lodge 
 room. The local members of the Masonic fraternity subscribed funds 
 toward the erection of the building, but the War of 1813 caused a delay 
 in the construction of the edifice, which was not completed until the 
 winter of 1813-14. February 38, 1814, the lodge held its first meeting 
 in its new quarters. 
 
 Up to the spring of 1813 the lodge had been working under a dispen- 
 sation. But in response to a petition, the Grand Lodge, on May 30, 
 1813, granted a full charter to " Olive Branch Lodge No. 316," in which 
 Richard Smith was named as first worshipful master, Lemuel Foster as 
 first senior warden and John Zenas Ross as first junior warden. The 
 lodge was formally instituted under the complete warrant December 
 31, 1813, at which time the first meeting under the new charter was 
 held. According to the minutes of that meeting, 
 
 A Master Lodge, being duly opened and dispensed with, and that of Past Masters 
 duly opened in virtue of a charter granted by the Grand Lodge of the State of New 
 York, dated in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirteen, and 
 ' in the year of Masonry five thousand eight hundred and thirteen, empowering cer- 
 tain Brethren therein named and their associates to hold a Lodge in the town of Ba- 
 tavia, to be distinguished by the name or style of Olive Branch Lodge, No. 215. 
 Present, Bro. Frederick A. Curtis, R. W. M. ; Lemuel Foster, W. S. W. ; James Gan- 
 son, W.J.W. ; John Latham, W. Treasurer; Thomas Olcott, W. Tyler. Brother Rich- 
 ard Smith received the degree of Past Master and was conducted to the chair by W. 
 Bro. Ganson and duly seated by R.W. Bro. Frederick A.Curtis. The lodge was then 
 closed in due form. 
 
 December 21, 1813. Olive Branch Lodge met at the lodge room in the Village of 
 Batavia. Present, Richard Smith, W. M. ; Lemuel Foster, S.W. ; John Z. Ross, J. 
 W. ; Edmund Tracy, T. P. T. ; John Latham, S P. T. ; Wm. Sheldon, S. D. P. T. ; 
 Isaac Lincoln, S. D. P.T. ; Frederick Fitch, J.D. P.T. ; Blanchard Powers and Bate- 
 man Fisk, S. ; E. Tracy, Tyler. Brethren present: Samuel Latham, Elijah Gray, 
 27 
 
418 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Levi Farnham, Jason Munn, James Ganson, Thomas Olcott, Frederick A. Curtis. 
 The petition of Uriah P. M. Monro being balloted for the same appeared clear. The 
 Lodge was then closed to meet on the 37th inst. at 3 p. m. 
 
 Olive Branch Lodge now being a fully matured, permanent organ- 
 ization, the members became very zealous and active and the lodge 
 consequently prospered. According to the by-laws adopted, "Wednes- 
 day before the full moon " was selected as the time for regular monthly 
 communications. The fees for admission were: Eight dollars for the 
 first degree, four dollars for the second and four for the third. The 
 annual dues were fifty cents, payable one shilling quarterly. Each 
 member also paid the stewards twenty-five cents additional as " even- 
 ing dues for refreshments," except at special meetings, when the can. 
 didates were expected to pay the bill for the evening entertainment. 
 The by-laws also provided that the secretary should be paid two shill- 
 ing for every petition filed, whether the candidate was accepted or re- 
 jected. The brick school house and lodge room, contracted for in 1811, 
 was now finished and made ready for occupancy. The first session of 
 the lodge was held therein February 28, 1814. Even at the first meeting 
 it was evident that the new quarters were inadequate; consequently the 
 lodge frequently convened at the taverns of William Keyes, Paul Knowl- 
 ton, Doddridge Loomis and John S. Leonard in Batavia, and in the 
 famous inn of Worthy L. Churchill, which was located on the road to 
 Stafford, about three miles east of the court house. August 1, 1816, 
 the lodge appointed Richard Smith, Benjamin Allen and Blanchard Pow- 
 ers a committee to confer with the other proprietors of the school build- 
 ing relative to buying or selling their respective rights in the structure. 
 Whether they succeeded or not does not appear upon the records of the 
 lodge, but the latter body abandoned its quarters in the school house' 
 and the building was used in the future exclusively for school purposes. 
 That the school district refused to buy out the right of the lodge in the 
 premises in 1816 is evident, however, from the fact that on May 8, 1843, 
 the lodge, then located in Bethany, decided to sell the right of Olive 
 Branch lodge in the building to the Batavia lodge of Odd Fellows for 
 twenty-five dollars. Whether this sale was ultimately consummated does 
 not appear, but it is known that the building was used as a school house 
 until 1854, when it was sold to William S. Mallory, who converted it 
 into a dwelling house. It subsequently was demolished. 
 
 In 1819 Olive Branch Lodge was nearly disrupted by internal dissen- 
 
 » This was the first brick building erected in the village of Batavia. 
 
MASONRY. 419 
 
 sions and the institution of new lodges, which numbered among their 
 members numerous Masons who formerly had affiliated with the Batavia 
 organization. In 1815 Le Roy Lodge No. 260 was formed at Le Roy. 
 In 1816 Allegany Lodge No. 277 was instituted at South Pembroke 
 (now Darien), and Rising Star Lodge No. 317 was instituted at Attica. 
 Besides these, lodges had also been organized at Sheldon, Middlebury 
 and Warsaw. Later on lodges were also formed in the towns of Byron, 
 Alexander, Stafford, Bergen and Covington. Consequently, despite 
 the enthusiasm among the members of the craft at Batavia, the mem- 
 bership decreased so rapidly that there soon remained hardly enough 
 resident Masons to hold a session. Yet the meetings were continued 
 in various places in Batavia and Bethany. 
 
 The last meeting of Olive Branch Lodge at Batavia was held Decem- 
 ber 14, 1820, when these officers was elected: W. M., Abner Ashley, 
 Bethany; S. W., Uriel Spencer, Bethany; J. W., Kelsey Stone, Bata- 
 via; treasurer, John Nash, Batavia; secretary, Josiah Churchill, Beth 
 any; S. D., Hezekiah B. Pierpont, Batavia; J. D., William R. Thomp- 
 son, Batavia; stewards, Jonathan Gregg, Bethany; John Wilson, 
 Bethany; tiler, Z. Howe, Bethany. The first meeting at Bethany was 
 held April 5, 1821, at the tavern of Cornelius J. and Jedediah Lincoln. 
 
 According to the action of the lodge on November 2, 1 820, it was in- 
 tended that the removal of the organization to Bethany should be 
 nothing but a temporary step, for the express purpose of keeping the 
 membership up to the highest possible figure ; and it was expected that 
 at the end of three or four years the lodge would be strong enough to 
 move back to Batavia and there continue to work. During the suc- 
 ceeding four years, from 1820 to 1824, a number of Masons removed 
 from other places to Batavia, and the resident members of the craft 
 began to discuss the return of the lodge's headquarters to the county 
 seat. By 1824 fully fifty Masons lived in Batavia, and for many of 
 them it was inconvenient to attend the sessions at Bethany. Conse- 
 quently the Batavia brethren made formal application for the right to 
 resume sessions regularly at Batavia. But the Bethany brethren in- 
 sisted upon having a lodge of their own, though conceding practically 
 everything else asked. The result of the movement was a compromise, 
 whereby the Bethany brethren were permitted to retain the old name 
 and warrant, while the Batavia brethren kept possession of all the 
 funds and effects for the purpose of organizing a new lodge under a 
 different name. The records of the meeting of Olive Branch Lodge 
 November 8, 1824, show the following action : 
 
42a OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Voted, That Olive Branch Lodge be and remain in the town of Bethany for time 
 immemorial, and that this Lodge recommend to the Grand Lodge the granting of a 
 charter for the brethren of Batavia. 
 
 Also voted, That the new Lodge (to be known as Batavia Lodge) shall have all 
 the funds of this Lodge (Olive Branch Lodge) up to the first Wednesday in Decem- 
 ber next, and the furniture, except the jewels. 
 
 On the same evening a petition was then drawn up and signed by fifteen brethren 
 asking for the formation of Batavia Lodge, in which William Seaver was named as 
 First Worshipful Master, Blanchard Powers as First Senior Warden, and Richard 
 Dibble as First Junior Warden. The requisite recommendatory certificate was then 
 formally endorsed, and the following day the documents were forwarded to the 
 Grand Master. Later on nearly twenty other members of Olive Branch Lodge 
 transferred their affiliation to the new organization. 
 
 Thus ended the career of Olive Branch Lodge in Batavia After a 
 career of several years in Bethany it was finally removed to Le Roy, 
 where it still exists. This, the first lodge of Masons in Genesee county, 
 numbered among its members many of the most substantial and influ- 
 ential men of the day. The following is an accurate list of all those 
 who were connected with it from the time of its institution to the year 
 1820, and of the Batavia residents initiated up to 1834, when the 
 Batavia members withdrew for the purpose of organizing a new lodge: 
 
 Original petitioners — Ezra Piatt, Isaac Lincoln, Isaac Marsh, Tom Lemon, Thomas 
 Olcott, Jason Munn, Le Roy ; Richard Smith, Lemuel Foster, William Rumsey, 
 Isaiah Babcock, Batavia; Sebe Brainard, Edmund Tracy, Alexander; Cyrus Gris- 
 wold, Frederick A. Curtis, Sheldon; Bateman Fisk. 
 
 1811-1812— Othniel Field, Benjamin Allen, Dr. John Zenas Ross, Luther Cutler, 
 John Latham, Abel Wheeler, Dr. Winter Hewitt, Samuel Peek, Rev. Isaac Jones, 
 Dr. David McCracken, Richard Godfrey, Dr. John Hubbard, Blanchard Powers, 
 Uriah P. B. Munro, Batavia; George Cassick, Mathew B. Eames, Alexander Rea, 
 Josiah Goodrich, Pardee Brainard, Samuel Latham, Alexander: Buel Brown, Solo- 
 mon Lathrop, Abner Ashley, Jotham Bisbee, Jehiel Mitchell, Bethany; Jonathan 
 Hastings, William Hastings, Darien ; Judge John H. Jones, Cuylerville; Joshua 
 Green, Byron; Levi Farnham, Le Roy; Daniel Andrews, Michael Andrews, Par- 
 menio Adams, Thomas Cooley, Attica. 
 
 1814 — Benjamin Butterfield, William Whitman, John Lamberton, Joel Thompson, 
 Asa Fuller, EphraimTowner, Asahel Wright, Doddridge Loomis, Charles G. Eggleston, 
 Charles S. Rumsey, Calvin Houghton, Benjamin C. Adams, Abel Bigelow, Jonathan 
 Scott, Batavia; Newcomb Demery, Levi Thompson, Norman Brainard, Noah North, 
 Suel Fisher, Alexander; Dr. Benjamin H. Packard, Liberty Judd, Roswell Lathrop, 
 Rev. WiUiam Barlow, Bethany; Elijah Cheeney, PaviHon; Gains B. Rich, Attica: 
 James Stage, Stafford; Otis Bramin, David Riddle, Moody R. Freeman, Erastus 
 Crosby, Dr. Robert H Henderson, residence not given. 
 
 1815 — Thomas H. Clark, Jeremiah West, Oliver B. Smith, Norman Shepard, Dr. 
 Orris Crosby, James McKain, jr., George E. Martin, Seymour Kellogg, Benjamin 
 
MASONRY. 421 
 
 Porter, sr., Benjamin Porter, jr., Jacob Hall, Gurdon Huntington, Capt. William 
 Hull, James Hoyt, Asahel Powers, Batavia; Phineas Stevens, Le Roy; Joseph 
 Wilder, Attica; Calvin Barross, Bethany; James Cronk, Amherst ; Nehemiah Tracy, 
 Alexander; Elisha Godfrey. StaflEord; Henry St. John, Reuben T. Baker, Samuel 
 McDougall, William Coffee, Eber Decow, John Easterbrook, Robbins Stillman, 
 Ebenezer Pratt, Abner Colby, John H. Redstone, residence not given. 
 
 1816 — Dr. Ephraim Brown, Benjamin Blodgett, George W. Blodgett, Moses Beecher, 
 John F. Cary, Samuel Lake, John Richardson, jr., Samuel J. Grannis, Thomas D. 
 Campbell, Silas Frisbie, Henry O. Bronson, Batavia; Job Cole, David Goss, East 
 Pembroke; Eden Foster, Stafford; Jasper Bennett, Bethany; Erastus Barrett, Al- 
 fred Peck, Edward Taylor, residence not given. 
 
 1817 — Daniel Tisdale, Rev. Samuel Johnson, Milton W. Rogers, John Showerman, 
 Levi Kimball, James Cawte, Batavia; Henry Rumsey, Josiah Churchill, Joseph 
 Towner, Dr. Daniel Rumsey, Elisha Walker Rumsey, Bethany ; Joseph Harris, resi- 
 dence not given. 
 
 1818-1819 — Rev. Elisha House, Hezekiah B. Pierpont, Leicester Stone, Elijah 
 Spencer, Jabez Howe, Kelsey Stone, Lyman D. Wood, John Nash, William R. 
 Thompson, Batavia; Heman Nelson, Alexander; Uriel Spencer, Bethany. 
 
 1830 — William F. Lake, Thomas G. Green, Peter Daw, Batavia ; Jonathan Gregg, 
 John Wilson, Z. Howe, Bethany; Amos Wright, Peter Richardson, Zachariah H. 
 Royce, residence not given. 
 
 1822-1824— John Chatfield, Rev. Levi S. Ives, Henry Tisdale. Alfred Pember, 
 John Wills, John Getty, William Purcell, Adams Getty, Israel Webber, Ephraim 
 Powers, Batavia. 
 
 The following residents of Batavia were initiated at Bethany in 1840- 
 1843: Michael McDonald, Stevens T. Crane, Dr. Thomas T. Everett, 
 Dr. James A. Billings, Richard S. Blennerhassett, Lucas Seaver, Dr. 
 William H. Webster, Duane Patterson, Daniel M. Seaver, Eli Todd 
 Lewis. These were initiated at Le Roy in 1848: William H. Preston, 
 William H. Moody, Sanford S. Clark. 
 
 Following is a complete and accurate list of all the officers of Olive 
 Branch Lodge and the years of their service : 
 
 Masters— 1811, Ezra Pratt; 1812-1814, Richard Smith; 1815, Lemuel Foster; 1816- 
 1817, Blanchard Powers; 1818, John Zenas Ross; 1819-1820, Blanchard Powers. 
 
 Senior Wardens— 1811-1812, Richard Smith; 1813-1814, Lemuel Foster; 1815, 
 John Z. Ross; 1816, Edmund Tracy; 1817, Charles S. Rumsey; 1818-1819, Eden 
 Foster; 1820, Ephraim Towner. 
 
 Junior Wardens— 1811-1812, Lemuel Foster; 1813-1814, John Z. Ross; 1815, Blanch- 
 ard Powers; 1816, Charles S. Rumsey; 1817, Benjamin Allen; 1818, Benjamin Blod- 
 gett; 1819-1820, Abner Ashley. 
 
 Treasurers — 1811-1815, William Rumsey; 1816, Benjamin Allen; 1817, Benjamin 
 Porter, sr. ; 1818, Abner Ashley; 1819-1820, Noah North. 
 
 Secretaries— 1811-1815, Isaiah Babcock; 1816, Richard Smith; 1817, Thomas H. 
 Clarke; 1818-1820, Samuel Lake. 
 
4^2 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Senior Deacons — 1811-1814, Sebe Brainard; 1815, Benjamin Allen; 1816, James 
 McKain; 1817, Gurdon Huntington; 1818, Norman Shepard; 1819, Gurdon Hunt- 
 ington ; 1820, Kelsey Stone. 
 
 Junior Deacons — 1811-1814, Isaac Lincoln; 1815, 0. G. Eggleston; 1816, Jacob 
 Hull; 1817, James Cawte; 1818, James McKain; 1819, James Cawte; 1820, Uriel 
 Spencer. 
 
 Stewards— 1811-1814, Matthew B. Eames, Bateman Fisk; 1815, Calvin Houghton, 
 Abner Ashley; 1816, Benjamin Porter, jr., Norman Shepard; 1818, Asahel Powers, 
 Moses Beecher; 1818, Levi Kimball, James Cawte; 1819, Asahel Powers, John 
 Showerman ; 1820, Hezekiah B. Pierpont, Leicester Stone. 
 
 Tilers— 1811-1814, Luther Cutler; 1815-1817, Levi Thompson; 1818-1820 Jonathan 
 Scott. 
 
 The petition for the formation of the new lodge at Batavia bore date 
 November 8, 1S24, was officially recommended by Olive Branch Lodge, 
 and bears the signatures of the following brethren, who thus became the 
 charter members of the new lodge: 
 
 William Seaver, master; Blanchard Powers, senior warden ; Dr. Rich- 
 ard Dibble, junior warden ; Richard Smith, treasurer; Richard Martin, 
 secretary; Dr. John Z. Ross, Dr. Ephraim Brown, William R. Thomp- 
 son, Benjamin C. Adams, Ephraim Towner, John Wills, Benjamin Por- 
 ter, sr., Orange Allen, Samuel Graves, Alfred Pember. 
 
 A dispensation for the new lodge was granted April 30, 1835, by 
 Grand Master Joseph Enos, and June 8, 1825, the Grand Lodge granted 
 a permanent warrant of constitution under the name of Batavia Lodge 
 No. 433, F. & A M. The first meeting of the new lodge was held 
 August 15, 1825, at the Eagle tavern of Bissell Humphrey, located on 
 the site of Hotel Richmond, on the southeast corner of Main and Court 
 streets. On September 20, following, Dr. John Cotes was initiated into 
 the first degree, he being the first person to be made a Mason by the 
 new lodge. 
 
 Early in the winter arrangements were made for the installation of 
 Batavia Lodge. This event was first arranged for December 13, but 
 for some reason a postponement was had until December 19, when the 
 ceremony occurred in St. James Episcopal church. A procession formed 
 in front of Humphrey's tavern at eleven o'clock in the morning, under 
 the direction General Ephraim Towner, marshal of the day. Headed 
 by a band the body proceeded to the church, where the following pro- 
 gramme was carried out: Instrumental music; prayer; Masonic Ode by 
 the choir, under direction of H. Gifford, choirmaster of St. James 
 church; address by Rev. M. Smith; instrumental music; consecration 
 
MASONRY. 423 
 
 of the lodge; chant — " Cantata Domino "; installation of officers; vo- 
 cal music, " Strike the Cymbal ;" benediction. 
 
 Soon after the institution of Batavia Lodge came the mysterious dis- 
 appearance of the notorious William Morgan, an event which is referred 
 to in detail in preceding pages. In the exciting times which followed 
 for several years the lodge met only at intervals, and then usually with 
 great secresy. As this event marks the most important epoch in the 
 history of Masonry in the United States, the following complete list of 
 the members of the lodge in 1836, the year of Morgan's disappearance, 
 is given. It is worthy of notice that but two members of Batavia Lodge 
 ever renounced Masonry — George W. Harris, who was expelled August 
 15, 1836, and subsequently married the widow of William Morgan, and 
 Samuel D. Greene, who was expelled February 8, 1827. The other 
 members of the lodge at this time were: 
 
 William Seaver, Blanchard Powers, Dr. Richard Dibble, Dr. Ephraim 
 Brown, Richard Martin, Richard Smith, Dr. John Z. Ross, William R. 
 Thompson, Benjamin C. Adams, Samuel Graves, Orange Allen, John 
 Willis, Benjamin Porter, sr., Alfred Pember, Ephraim Towner, Henry 
 Brown, Rev. Lucius Smith, Johnson Goodwill, John Lamberton, Peter 
 Daw, John S. Ganson, Dr. Jonas S. Billings, Cotton Denio, Leicester 
 Stone, Benjamin Allen, George E. Martin, Joseph Clark, Jabez Harve, 
 Nathan Townsend, Daniel Latimer, Daniel Tisdale, John Showerman, 
 Kelsey Stone, Benjamin Blodgett, Dr. John Hubbard, PhiloW. Stocking, 
 Alba Burnham, John Chatfield, Dr. John Cotes, Nathan Follett, Charles 
 C. Church, Joseph W. C. Coffin, John Foote, Wray T. Palmer, Amos P 
 Parker, Nahum Loring, Frederick Follett, Benjamin F. Towner, Heze- 
 kiah D. Piatt, Ezekiel King, Joel Chandler, Joseph Nixon, Ebenezer 
 Mix, Simeon C. Steele, Joseph Baker, Jason Grattan, Silas Finc h, Daniel 
 H. Chandler, Abner Pratt, Lyman Swift, George Metzger, Lewis Swift, 
 Parley Paine, Simeon Cumings, Samuel C. Holden, Joseph W. Churchill, 
 Horace Seaver, Phineas Dodge, Phineas Silsby, Thomas McCully, John 
 Wilson, George L. Davis, Benjamin Stetson, Robert Clark. 
 
 In 1836 Batavia Chapter No. 133, Royal Arch Masons, came into ex- 
 istence. Rev. Lucius Smith was its first high prie-st, William Seaver 
 its first king and Henry Brown its first scribe. 
 
 June 35, 1839, Batavia Lodge forfeited its charter, and for three years 
 Masonry was a dead letter in Batavia. Meantime a large number of 
 lodges had become extinct, by reason of the anti-Masonic agitation fol- 
 lowing the Morgan episode, and the Grand Lodge renumbered the ex- 
 
434 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 isting subordinate lodges. By this act Batavia Lodge became No. 88, 
 and its first meeting as such was held June 1, 1842, at " Holden's upper 
 sitting room," Brother Eden Foster presiding. These officers were at 
 that time elected: Master, Ebenezer Mix; S. W., Thomas McCuUy; J. 
 W., Joel Allen; treasurer, AbielW. Ensign; secretary, Daniel M. Seaver; 
 S. D., Stevens T. Crane; J. D., Joseph N. Perry; stewards, Horace 
 Eells and Jabez Howe; tiler, Richard Austin. 
 
 . Meantime the lodge had met at various places — sometimes at Hol- 
 den's tavern, sometimes at O. T. Fargo's tavern, which stood about 
 midway between Batavia and Alexander, and sometimes at the Genesee 
 House. In January, 1844, headquarters were established in the old 
 " Cobblestone block," where most of the meetings were held until 1847, 
 when the lodge again surrendered its charter. This dissolution was 
 brought about principally by internal dissension. The warrant was 
 taken away November 9, 1847. 
 
 The principal officers of Batavia Lodge No. 433 with the years of 
 their service were: 
 
 Master— 1825-1828, William Seaver. 
 
 Senior Wardens— 1835, Blanchard Powers ; 1826-1828, Henry Brown. 
 Junior Wardens— 1825, Richard Dibble ; 1826-1828, Jonas S. Billings. 
 Treasurers— 1825, Ephraim Brown ; 1826-1838, Richard Smith. 
 Secretary— 1835-1838, Richard Martin. 
 
 As Lodge No. 88, Batavia Lodge had the following officers: 
 
 Masters— 1842-1843, Ebenezer Mix; 1844, Eden Foster; 1845, Joel Allen; 1846, Dr. 
 Guy B. Shepard; 1847, Joel Allen. 
 
 Senior Wardens— 1842, Thomas McCully ; 1843, Eden Foster ; 1844, Joel Allen ; 
 1845, GuyB. Shepard; 1846, Joel Allen; 1847, Horace M. Warren. 
 
 Junior Wardens— 1843, Joel Allen; 1843, John Wheeler; 1844, Daniel M. Seaver; 
 1845, T. T. Everett; 1846, M. C. Townsend ; 1847, Hector Humphrey. 
 
 Treasurers— 1842, Abiel W. Ensign ; 1843-1846, Hector Humphrey ; 1847, Stephen 
 Wilson. 
 
 Secretaries— 1842, Daniel M. Seaver; 1843, Kelsey Stone; 1844, George G. Blodgett; 
 1845, Eden Foster; 1846-1847. B. G. Tisdale. 
 
 Senior Deacons— 1842, Stevens T. Crane ; 1843-1845, Elias M. Chapel ; 1846, Horace 
 M. Warren ; 1847, Horace Eells. 
 
 Junior Deasons— 1842, Joseph N. Perry; 1843. M. C. Townsend; 1844, A. W. En- 
 sign; 1845, Eli Woods; 1846, Bradley G. Tisdale ; 1847, Francis Bush. 
 
 Stewards— 1842, Horace Eells, Jabez Howe ; 1843, Horace Eells, J. B. Tillon ; 1844, 
 Preston Durant, Josiah Patterson; 1845, H. Narramore, Cyrus Pond; 1846, Preston 
 Durant, Cyrus Pond; 1847, Orrin Frink, Cyrus Pond. 
 
 Tilers— 1843-1843, Richard Austin; 1844, M. C. Townsend; 1845-1846, Francis 
 Bush ; 1848, Preston Durant. 
 
MASONRY. 435 
 
 After the dissolution of Batavia Lodge No. 88 the fraternity in Bata- 
 via were without an organization for about three years. Nevertheless 
 interest in Masonry had been kept up almost equally with what would 
 have obtained with a large body working regularly. The personal dif- 
 ferences among some of the members of the now defunct lodge having 
 died away steps were taken by the resident members of the fraternity 
 to secure a warrant for a new lodge. In December, 1850, a petition for 
 the institution of a lodge to be known as Fisher's Lodge,' and designat- 
 ing Cyrus Pond as the first master, Horace M. Warren as senior warden 
 and Stephen A. Wilson as junior warden, received the signatures of 
 Cyrus Pond, Horace M. Warren, Stephen A. Wilson, Hector Humph 
 rey, Bradley G. Tisdale, Sanford S. Clark, Reuben Wentworth, Augus- 
 tus Cowdin, Nelson Stevens, Oliver B. Smith, Barnum Bliss, William 
 H. Moody, Josiah Patterson, Duane Patterson, Jerome Patterson, An- 
 drew Martin, Alexander Martin and James Martin. Pursuant to this 
 petition a dispensation for the organization of the new lodge was 
 granted by Nelson Randall, deputy grand master, and the first meet- 
 ing of Fisher's Lodge No. 212 was held December 17, 1850, in the old 
 Cobblestone block, which occupied the site of No. 67 Main street. 
 While Fisher's Lodge was technically a new organization, it was essen- 
 tially a revival of Batavia Lodge No. 88, which had disbanded to allow 
 certain personal differences among rival claimants to the same office to 
 heal. The first candidate initiated by the new lodge was Edgar C. 
 Dibble, a prominent lawyer of Batavia, who was also the first to be 
 raised to the degree of master mason. After working under, the dis- 
 pensation for two months the lodge received a full warrant, under 
 which its first meeting was held March 4, 1851. The degree of master 
 mason was conferred upon Hiram Deuel of Alabama March 18. 
 
 Fisher's Lodge prospered from the start. In 1852 the headquarters 
 were removed from the Cobblestone building to the Odd Fellows' hall, 
 which had been erected in that year. Hector Humphrey, a member of 
 the lodge, died June 5, 1855, and on the following Sunday his body was 
 interred in the village cemetery with full Masonic honors. The occa- 
 sion was a notable one by reason of the fact that it was the first time 
 that the local fraternity had formally appeared in public since the 
 memorable celebration of St. John's Day in June, 1827. 
 
 Fisher's Lodge enjoyed a successful career for a period of eight years, 
 when suddenly came a rude awakening, followed by the collapse and 
 
 ^So named in honor of Lillie Fisher, one of the early residents of the town of Alexander. 
 
426 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 death of the organization. For some hidden reason, members whose 
 names were unknown had studiously blackballed all candidates for 
 Masonic honors, no matter how worthy they were. It therefore becom- 
 ing apparent that the lodge as it then existed could not enjoy a healthy 
 growth, it was decided to surrender the warrant and organize a new 
 lodge. On April 5, 1859, the lodge ceased to exist. Those who served 
 in its various offices were as follows: 
 
 Masters.— 1851, Cyrus Pond; 1862, Horace M. Warren; 1853, Edgar C. Dibble; 
 
 1854, Kimball Ferren ; 1855, Gad Worthington ; 1856, Horace M. Warren ; 1857-1859, 
 Stephen A. Wilson. 
 
 Senior Wardens.— 1851, Horace M. Warren; 1852, Edgar C. Dibble; 1853, Kimball 
 Ferren ; 1854, Horace M. Warren ; 1855, E. A. Fargo ; 1856, Kimball Ferren ; 1857, 
 Orrin Dewolf ; 1858, Benjamin Pringle; 1859, Orrin Dewolf. 
 
 Junior Wardens.— 1851, Stephen A. Wilson; 1852, Kimball Ferren; 1853, Gad 
 Worthington; 1854, E. A. Fargo; 1855, W. Sutherland; 1856, Orrin Dewolf; 1857, 
 Smith Frost ; 1858-1859, S. B. Pierson. 
 
 Treasurers.— 1851, Hector Humphrey; 1852, J. C. Wilson; 1853, Horace M. War- 
 ren; 1854, George W. Miller; 1855-1856, H. T. Cross; 1857, T. C. Kimberly; 1858, H. 
 T. Cross; 1859, A. H. Towne. 
 
 Secretaries.— 1851-1852, John Eager; 1853, Smith Frost; 1854, T. C. Kimberly; 
 
 1855, David Seaver; 1856-1857, James A. Olds; 1858-1859, David Seaver. 
 
 Senior Deacons.— 1851, Edgar C. Dibble; 1852-1854, Elias Foote; 1855, Stephen A. 
 Wilson; 1856, Ira Backus; 1857-1858, Benjamin Brewster; 1859, Orrin S. Clark. 
 
 Junior Deacons. —1851, Kimball Ferren; 1852-1853, D. C. Colony; 1854, W. Suther- 
 land; 1855, William Bush; 1856, Benjamin Brewster; 1857, A. H. Towne; 1858, David 
 Y. Smith ; 1859, James C. Palmer. 
 
 Stewards.— 1851, J. C. Wilson, George W. Miller; 1853-1853, Calvin Rich, Le Roy 
 Leach; 1854, Calvin Rich, William Bush; 1855, Benjamm Brewster, Foster Clark; 
 1856-1857, Calvin Rich, George Burdett ; 1858, Calvin Rich, Caleb T. Gilford ; 1859, 
 William Bush, George B. Kemp. 
 
 Tilers.— 1851-1853, Sanford S. Clark; 1854-1859, Frederick J. Oswald. 
 
 Hardly had the death knell of Fisher's Lodge been sounded when the 
 initial step toward the organization of its successor was taken. An 
 hour or two after the members of Fisher's Lodge had voted to sur- 
 render their charter several of those who had been members met at the 
 law office of Hon. Benjamin Pringle and drew up a petition for a char- 
 ter for a new lodge, to be known as Batavia Lodge. This paper named 
 Benjamin Pringle as the first master, Kimball Ferren the first senior 
 warden and Marcus L. Babcock the first junior warden. The petition 
 bore the signatures of these three men and Horace M. Warren, George 
 Babcock, Horace B. Ferren, Joseph Clark, Abiel Bowen, George Bowen, 
 Augustus Cowdin, Gad Worthington, George B. Kemp, David Y. 
 
MASONRY. 427 
 
 Smith, John B. Wentworth, Samuel B. Pierson, George W. Miller, 
 Nelson Stevens, Alvin Pease, William Mann, Orlo R. Clark and Albert 
 R. Warner. April 7 John L. Lewis, grand master, granted a dispen- 
 sation for the formation of Batavia Lodge, and April 9 the first meeting 
 was held at the office of Judge Pringle. 
 
 The first formal business session of the new organization was held 
 April 13 at a lodge room then 1 jcated in the brick building on the south- 
 west corner of Main and Jackson streets. At the annual communica- 
 tion of the Grand Lodge in June following a warrant was granted and 
 the lodge given the name of Batavia Lodge No. 475, F. & A. M.. But 
 in accordance with the prevailing custom of the parent body the char- 
 ter was dated July 4. July 12, 185'.*, the lodge was formally insituted 
 and its officers installed in the lodge rooms on Main and Jackson streets. 
 The first person to be initiated was Homer Bostwick, who received his 
 first degree July 19, 1859. The first Masonic funeral was that of Eden 
 Foster, a veteran Mason of 1816, and past master of Batavia Lodge No. 
 88, which occurred September 13, 1859. The first annual election of 
 officers occurred in December, 1859, when the following were chosen : 
 W. M., Horace M, Warren; S. W., Samuel B. Pierson; J. W., David 
 Y. Smith; treasurer. Nelson Stevens; secretary, Weeden T. Bliss; S. 
 D., Homer Bostwick; J. D., George Merritt ; tiler, Frederick J. Oswald. 
 
 Beginning with the year 1860 the lodge enjoyed a successful career, 
 which has continued without interruption for a period of nearly forty 
 years. Its members include not only a large number of the represen- 
 tative citizens of Batavia, but also many residents of the towns of Ala- 
 bama, Alexander, Bethany, Byron, Darien, Elba, Pembroke and 
 Stafford. 
 
 When Batavia Lodge No. 475 was first organized it met regularly in 
 the third story of the brick block at Nos. 87 and 89 Main street, corner 
 of Jackson, the property owned by the local lodge of Odd Fellows. 
 Soon after headquarters were removed to the Champion block, Nos. 26 
 and 28 Main street. These quarters soon becoming inadequate, on 
 March 1, 1865, the organization secured a twenty years' lease of the 
 entire upper portion of the building located on the corner of Main and 
 State streets, formerly used as a hotel — the old Genesee House, built 
 in 1834 by Truman Hurlburt, sr. Over two thousand dollars was ex- 
 pended by the lodge in remodeling and furnishing the rooms, which 
 were the finest in Western New York for many years. The new hall 
 was dedicated with great pomp and ceremony on St. John's day, June 
 
438 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 24, 1855. Three days later the lodge held its first session in its new 
 home, where it continued to meet regularly for a period of twenty- 
 years. 
 
 But Batavia Lodge continued to prosper and gain in numbers until 
 even the commodious quarters on Main and State streets became incon- 
 venient and inadequate. In 1880 Hon. Edward C. Walker began the 
 construction of the Walker block, located on Main street east of Park 
 avenue. The building was completed in the fall of that year, the third 
 floor having been fitted up exclusively for the use of Batavia Lodge, 
 and under the direction of a committee of that organization. On New 
 Years eve — December 31, 1880 — the Knights Templar gave their ninth 
 aunual reception in the new hall. 
 
 March 26, 1867, Batavia Lodge took the steps necessary for incor- 
 poration, naming Horace M. Warren, Homer Bostwick and David 
 Seaver as the first trustees. 
 
 Following is a complete list of the officers of Batavia Lodge No. 475 
 from its organization to the year 1898 : 
 
 Masters— 1859, Benjamin Pringle; 1860, Horace M. Warren; 1861, Samuel B. 
 Pierson; 1863, Homer Bostwick; 1863, Kimball Ferren ; 1864-1868, Horace M. War- 
 ren; 1869, Anderson D. Tryon; 1870, Oliver C. Stone; 1871, Horace M. Warren; 
 1872, Edgar G. T. Adams; 1873-1875, Elonzo N. Stone; 1876-1877, John Thomas; 
 1878-1880, Uri Scott; 1881, John H. Ward; 1883-1883, Edwin Darrow; 1884-1885, 
 Llewellyn C. Lorish; 1886, Elonzo N. Stone; 1887, Uri Scott; 1888-1891, Alexander 
 Hays; 1893-1893, Willis D. Sauford; 1894, W. J. Barr; 1895, William T. Mylcrane; 
 1896, George E. Perrin; 1897, C. B. Austin; 1898, H. P. Haddock. 
 
 Senior Wardens— 1859, Kimball Ferren; 1860, Samuel B. Pierson; 1861-1862, David 
 Y. Smith; 1863, Joseph Booth; 1864-1865, Homer Bostwick; 1866, Charles Henshaw; 
 1867, George Merritt; 1868, Anderson D. Tryon; 1869, David Seaver; 1870, Harry 
 Wiard; 1871, Edgar G. T. Adams; 1873, Elonzo N. Stone; 1878, F. M. Jameson; 
 1874, George W. Griffis; 1875, John Thomas; 1876, Alvin J. Fox; 1877, Alvin Pease; 
 1878, J. M. Hamilton; 1879, Orrin C. Parker; 1880, John I. Lown; 1881-1883, F. C. 
 Campbell; 1883, L. C. Lorish; 1884, A. G. Gage; 1885, Uri Scott; 1886-1887, John I. 
 Lown; 1888-1889, B. F. Showerman; 1890, Willis D. Sanford; 1891, SafEord E. 
 North; 1893-1894, W. T. Mylcrane; 1895, F. H. Hagadorti; 1896, C. B. Austin; 1897, 
 H. P. Maddock; 1898, J. C. Richardson. 
 
 Junior Wardens— 1859, Marcus L. Babcock; 1860, David Y. Smith; 1861, Homer 
 Bost\Vick; 1863, Joseph Booth; 1863, George Merritt; 1864, J. M. Showerman; 1865, 
 L. J. Macomber; 1866, George Merritt; 1867, Anderson D. Tryon; 1868, David 
 Seaver; 1869, O. C. Stone; 1870, Edgar G. T. Adams; 1871, Elonzo N. Stone; 1872, 
 A. D. Waldo; 1873, George W. Griffis; 1874, A. H. Brown; 1875, Alvin J. Fox; 1876- 
 1877, Uri Scott; 1878-1879, John I. Lown; 1880, F. C. Campbell; 1881, Edwin Dar- 
 row; 1883, C. W. Tallman; 1883, M. Rourk; 1884, J. M. Hamilton; 1885, John I. 
 Lown; 1886, J. M. McKenzie; 1887, H. J. Brown; 1888-1889, George E. Perrin; 1890, 
 
MASONRY. 439 
 
 A. W. Caney; 1891, E. A. S wan son ; 1892-1893, W. J. Barr; 1894, F. H. Hagadorn; 
 1895, George M. Neel; 1896, H. P. Maddock; 1897, C. B. Squires; 1898, Charles W. 
 Stickle. 
 
 •Treasurers— 1859-1861, Nelson Stevens; 1862-1863, George W. Miller; 1864-1868, 
 George B. Kemp; 1869-1883, Orlo R. Clark ;- 1883-1887, John H. Ward; 1888-1891, 
 Wilber Smith ; 1892-1898, Elonzo N. Stone. 
 
 Secretaries— 1859, Trumbull C. Kimberly ; 1860, W. T. Bliss; 1861-1863, Horace 
 M. Warren ; 1864, C. H. Kirkham ; 1865-1866, A. G. B. Sleeper ; 1867, David Seaver ; 
 1868-1875, A. R. Warner; 1876-1877, J. A. Mackey; 1878-1880, Wilber Smith; 1881- 
 1882, Homer Bostwick; 1888-1897, Charles W. Stickle; 1898, L. C. Lorish. 
 
 Senior Deacons— 1859, Samuel B. Pierson; 1860, Homer Bostwick; 1861-1863, E. 
 P. Morse; 1863, David Y. Smith; 1864-1865, W. T. Bliss; 1866, Harry Wiard; 1867, 
 J. M. Showerman; 1868, O. C. Stone; 1869-1870, Elonzo N. Stone; 1871, B Kinner; 
 
 1872, John Thomas; 1873, A. H. Brown; 1874, John Thomas; 1875, Uri Scott; 1876, 
 J. M. Hamilton; 1877, C. V. Hooper; 1878, John H. Ward; 1879, F. C. Campbell; 
 1880, John Thomas; 1881-1883, L. C. Lorish; 1888, A. B. Lowe; 1884, Elonzo N. 
 Stone; 1885, H. A. King; 1886, H. J. Brown; 1887, E. A. Rial; 1888-1889, Willis D. 
 Sanford; 1890, C. M. Robson; 1891, W. T. Mylcrane; 1892, B. F. Showerman; 1893, 
 
 F. H. Hagadorn; 1894, George M. Neel; 1895, H. ?. Maddock; 1896, C. B. Squires; 
 
 1897, J. C. Richardson; 1898, E. R. Thomas. 
 
 Junior Deacons— 1859, D. Y. Smith ; 1860, George Merritt; 1861, J. M. Showerman ; 
 1863, George Merritt; 1863, William Bliss; 1864, C. H. Knill; 1865, E. Wiard; 1866, 
 William F. Robe ; 1867-1868, A. D. Waldo ; 1869, E. G.T. Adams ; 1870, George E.True ; 
 1871, J. M. Hamilton ; 1873, F. M. Jameson ; 1873, T. H. Sanford : 187^ , A.J. Fox ; 1875, 
 J. M. Hamilton ; 1876, John I. Lawn ; 1877, F. C. Campbell ; 1878, R. B. Pease ; 1879, D. 
 Buchanan ; 1880, L. C. Lorish; 1881-1882, M. Rourk; 1883, F. A. Moreau ; 1884, H. A. 
 King: 1885, D. Buchanan; 1886, E. A, Rial; 1887, E. A. Swanson; 1888-1889, A. W. 
 Tyler; 1890, A. J. McWain ; 1891, W. J. Barr; 1893, J.M. Pickett; 1893, G. M. Neel; 
 1894, H. P. Maddock; 1895, C. S. Shaul; 1896, J. C. Richardson; 1897, J. F. Hall; 
 
 1898, Harry Burrows. 
 
 Stewards— 1864, Orlo R. Clark, S. O. Dulmage ; 1865, L. A. Marsh, G. L. Wolcott ; 
 1866, Anderson D. Tryon, C. H. Reynolds; 1867, O. C. Stone, N. L. Nobles; 1868, B. 
 Kinner, N. L. Nobles; 1869, H. S. Hutchins, L. L. Tozier; 1870, C. B. Smith, H. B. 
 Cone; 1871, M. H. Bailey, F. M. Jameson; 1872, A. M. Edwards, George W. Griffis; 
 
 1873, John I. Lown, AlvinJ. Fox; 1874, Uri Scott, S. D. Hinman; 1875, J. A. Mackey, 
 S. D. Hinman ; 1876, W. M. Tompkins, F. C. Campbell ; 1877, D. Buchanan, James 
 Drake; 1878, Edwin Darrow, Edward Dow; 1879, L.C. Lorish, E. A. Swanson, 1880, J. 
 A. Mackey, A. J. Patterson ; 1881, C. W. Tallraan, Charles R. Gould ; 1882, D. Buchan- 
 an, J. B. Neasmith; 1883, A. J. Patterson, John Freidley ; 1884, A. J. Patterson, J. W. 
 Gardner; 1885, A.J. Patterson, W. P. Simpson; 1886, E A. Swansea, E. A. Darrow; 
 1887, E. A. Darrow, A. B. Lowe; 1888, A. C. Olmstead, A T. Miller; 1889, Safford E. 
 North, A.J. McWain; 1890, Andrew Hiller, A. B. Lowe; 1891, Andrew Hiller, O. 
 Cooley; 1892-1898, H. P. Maddock, C. S Shaul; 1894, C. S Shaul, G. S. Nicol; 1895, 
 
 G. S. Nicol, W. A. Acker; 1896-1897. W. A. Acker, L. W. Hahn ; 1898, A, J. Harper, 
 E. C. Hawkins. 
 
 Tilers— 1859-1862, F. J. Oswald; 1863-1864, H. S. Morse; 1865-1881, W. H. Brown; 
 1883-1887, Andrew Hiller; 1888-1898, W. H. Brown. 
 
430 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Western Star Chapter No. 35, Royal Arch Masons of Batavia, was 
 insti-.uted March 29, 1813, during the first year of organized Masonry 
 in Batavia. The fallowing have. served as high priests of the chapter: 
 
 1813, William Markhatti ; 1814, Justin Smith; 1815, Orange Risdon; 1816, Daniel 
 White; 1817, Orange Risdon; 1818-1833, Blanchard Powers; 1834, John Brady; 1825, 
 Daniel White; 1836, Calvin Holbrook; 1827-1830, Blanchard Powers; 1831, Ebenezer 
 Mix; 1832-1848, Blanchard Powers; 1849, Azor Curtis; 1850-1853, Thomas C. Ladd; 
 1853-1854, Horace M. Warren ; 1855, Kimball Ferren; 1856-1859, Edgar C. Dibble'; 
 1860, Kimball Ferren ; 1861, Benjamin Pringle; 1862, Kimball Ferrin; 1863-1865, 
 David Seaver; 1866-1867, Homer Bostwick; 1868-1869, J. M. Showerman; 1870-1872, 
 Walter S. Lewis ; 1873-1881, Elonzo N. Stone; 1882, Homer Bostwick; 1883, D. W. 
 Tomlinson; 1884-1885, Elonzo N.Stone; 1886-1887, George P. Bowen; 1888-1889, J. 
 M. Showerman; 1890-1891, AshtonW.Caney; 1892-1894, Clarence B.Austin; 1895, 
 George M. Neel; 1896, W. D. Sanford; 1897-1898, George E. Perrin. 
 
 Batavia Commandery No. 34, Knights Templar, of Batavia, was char- 
 tered September 26, 1865, with these officers: Eminent commander, 
 David Seaver; generalissimo, John R. Anderson; captain general, 
 Albert R. Warner; prelate, Horace M. Warren; senior warden, James 
 M. Willett; junior warden, J. M. Showerman; treasurer, Charles H. 
 Monell; recorder, Henry Todd; standard bearer, L. Judson Macomber; 
 sword bearer, L. P. Bickford; warder, E. G. Flanders; captain of guard, 
 Henry Agar; sentinel, William H. Brown. The principal officers of 
 the commandery since its organization have been : 
 
 Eminent Commanders— 1865-1868, David Seaver ; 1869, Horace M. Warren ; 1870- 
 1871, James M. Showerman; 1873-1873, Albert R. Warner; 1874-1877, O. C. Parker; 
 1878-1879, George W. Griffis; 1880, Daniel W. Tomlinson; 1881-1882, George P. 
 Bowen ; 1883-1884, Lucien R. Bailey ; 1885, Augustus N. Cowdin ; 1886, L. Sidney 
 Crooker; 1887-1888, O. C. Parker; 1889-1891, Willis D. Sanford; 1892, Ashton W. 
 Caney; 1893-1894, W T. Mylcrane; 1893-1898, H. J. Burkhart. 
 
 Generalissimo— 1865, John R. Anderson; 1866-1868, Welden T. Bliss; 1869, James 
 M. Willett; 1870-1872, Elonzo N. Stone; 1873, Lucien R. Bailey; 1874-1877, George 
 W. Griffis; 1878, G H.Robertson; 1879, D. W. Tomlinson ; 1880, George P. Bowen; 
 1881, Lucien R. Bailey; 1882, George P. Bowen; 1883-1886, James C Young; 1887, 
 
 D. W. Tomlinson ; 1888, Linus G. Steele ; 1889-1891, Ashton W. Caney ; 1893, George 
 
 E. Perrin; 1893-1894, H. J. Burkhart; 1895-1896, C. B. Austin; 1897-1898, James C. 
 Young. 
 
 Captain Generals— 1865-1868, Albert R. Warner; 1869, Oliver C. Stone; 1870, A. 
 R Warner; 1871-1873, L. R. Bailey; 1873, O. C. Parker; 1874, John Thomas; 1875- 
 1877, George H. Robertson; 1878, D. W. Tomlinson; 1879, George P. Bowen; 1880, 
 L. R. Bailey; 1881-1882, James C. Young; 1883. William M. Tompkins; 1884, A. W. 
 Cowdin; 1885, L. Sidney Crooker; 188J-1887, Linus G. Steele; 1888, W. D. Sanford; 
 1889-1890, Warren P. Simpson; 1891, George E. Perrin; 1893, A. T. Miller; 1893-1895, 
 
 F. H. Hagadorn; 1896, George J. Russell; 1897-1898, Charles Pratt. 
 
MASONRY, 431- 
 
 Prelates— 1865-1868, Horace M. Warren; 1868-1888, Homer Bostwick; 1889-1898, 
 Rev. Pierre Gushing. 
 
 Senior Wardens— 1865-1868, James M. Willett; 1869-1871, Charles H. Kirkham; 
 1872, E. G. T. Adams; 1873, George W. Griffis; 1874, E. G. T. Adams; 1875-1880, 
 James C. Young; 1881, John Thomas; 1883, John H. Ward; 1883, A. N. Cowdin; 
 1884, L. S Crooker; 1885, L. G. Steele; 1886, I. D. Southworth; 1887, A. N. Cowdin; 
 1888, A. W. Caney; 1889-1890. Alexander Hayes; 1891, A. T. Miller; 1892, W. T. 
 Mylcrane; 1893, George J. Russell; 1894-1896, W. D. Sanford; 1897, George D. Will- 
 iamson; 1898, H. C. Senn. 
 
 Junior Wardens— 1865-1866, J. M. Showerraan ; 1867, C H. Kirkham; 1868, J. M. 
 Showerman; 1869-1871, E. G. T. Adams; 1872, W. S. Lewis; 1873, John Thomas; 
 1874, James C. Young; 1875-1878, R. C. Marsh; 1879-1880, John Thomas; 1881-1883, 
 W. M. Tompkins; 1883, L. S. Crooker; 1884, John H. Ward; 1885, E. N. Stone; 1886, 
 Charles D. Stone; 1887, W. D. Sanford; 1888, Alexander Hayes; 1889-1891, A. J. 
 McWam; 1892, H.J. Burkhart; 1893, J. N. Champion; 1894, George J. Russell; 1895, 
 G. D. Williamson: 1896-1897, C. B. Squires; 1898, F. F. Weiss. 
 
 Treasurers— 1865-1873, Charles H. Monell ; 1874-1876, Albert R, Warner; 1877- 
 1883, A. N. Cowdin; 1883-1887, D. A. McDonald; 1888-1894, I. D. Southworth; 1895- 
 
 1897, H. A. Morse; 1898, G. D. Williamson. 
 
 Recorders— 1885-1871, Henry Todd; 1873-1897, Frank M. Jameson; 1898, Charles 
 W. Stickle. 
 
 Standard Bearers— 1^65, L. Judson Macomber; 1866-1867, W. B. Pickett; 1868, 
 Homer Bostwick; 1869-1871, R. C. Marsh; 1872, M. H. Bailey; 1873-1878, James M. 
 Hamilton; 1879-1884, Isaac Huyck; 1885, W. D. Sanford; 1886-1887, James M. Ham- 
 ilton; 1888, Andrew Hiller; 1889-1891,. John F. Kurtz; 1893-1896, Charles Pratt ; 1897- 
 
 1898, Thomas W. Dowd. 
 
 Sword Bearers— 1865-1867, L. P. Bickford ; 1868, O. C. Stone ; 1869, C. B. Smith ; 
 1870-1871, Charles H. Tilney; 1873, O. C.Parker; 1873-1874, R. C. Marsh; 1875-1877, 
 George P. Bowen; 1878, E. N. Stone; 1879-1883, John I. Lown; 1884, James M. 
 Hamilton; 1885, R. G. Egbert; 1886, W. D. Sanford; 1887, C. D. Stone; 1888, James 
 M. Hamilton; 1889-1890, C. B. Austin; 1891, G. W. Palmer; 1893, F. H. Hagadorn; 
 
 1893, S. B. Durfey ; 1894-1895, C. B. Austin ; 1896, Charles W. Stickle ; 1897, H. C. 
 Senn; 1898, E. A. Freidley. 
 
 Warders— 1865-1867, E. G. Flanders; 1868-1869, E, N. Stone; 1870-1871, C. B. 
 Smith ; 1873, George W. Griffis ; 1873, James C. Young ; 1874, G. H. Robertson ; 
 1875-1877, D. W. Tomlinson; 1878, George P. Bowen; 1879-1883, James M. Hamil- 
 ton; 1884, L. G. Steele; 1885, J. M. Hamilton; 1886-1888, W P. Simpson; 1889-1890, 
 A. T. Miller; 1891, H. J Burkhart; 1893, George J. Russell; 1893, G. D. Williamson; 
 
 1894, A. W. Caney; 1895-1896, H. C. Senn; 1897, F. F. Weiss; 1898, E. R. Mueller. 
 Captains of Guard— 1865-1867, Henry Agar; 1868, R. A. Kneeland; 1869, A. G. 
 
 Collins; 1870-1871, W. S. Lewis; 1873, J. M. Hamilton; 1873-1875, W. M. Tompkins; 
 1876-1877, W. J. Tyler; 1878, C. H. Reynolds; 1879-1881, W. H. Brown; 1883-1890, 
 Andrew Hiller; 1891-1893, Orville Cooley; 1893, Herman Schafer; 1894, H. C. Senn; 
 1895-1896, F. F. Weiss; 1897-1898, W. A. Acker. 
 
 Sentinels— 1865-1884, William H. Brown; 1885-1886, Andrew Hiller; 1887-1898, 
 William H. Brown. 
 
432 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Transit Lodge No. 363, F. & A M., was organized at Stafford in 
 October, 1835, with Dr. Samuel S. Butler as master, Eden Foster as 
 senior warden and Jacob Wade as junior warden The lodge rooms 
 were dedicated m September, 1825, upon which occasion Rev. Lucius 
 Smith of Batavia preached a sermon. The lodge died out after an ex- 
 istence of a few years, and the charter has never been revived. 
 
 The history of Free Masonry in Le Roy dates from the year 1815, 
 four years later than the date of the institution of the first lodge in 
 Genesee county — Olive Branch Lodge of Batavia. January 7, 1815, the 
 grand master of the Grand Lodge of New York State granted a dis- 
 pensation to James Ganson, Orange Risdon, Levi Farnham, Hugh 
 Murphy, Salmon Butler, Levi Beardsley, Elisha Severance, Thomas 
 Tufts, John Gilbert, Frederick Fitch, Daniel Biddlecome, John Rich- 
 ards and Paul E. Day to organize a lodge to be known as Le Roy 
 Lodge. Of this lodge the first officers were: Master, Orange Risdon; 
 senior warden, James Ganson; junior warden, Levi Farnham. The 
 new lodge held its first meeting February 16, 1815. At the meeting 
 held on March 8 following Daniel Le Barron was initiated, he being 
 the first person to be made a Mason by this lodge. 
 
 At the meeting of the Grand Lodge on June 11, 1816, a full warrant 
 or charter was granted, and the new branch was officially designated as 
 Le Roy Lodge No. 360, F. & A. M. For a period of eleven years the 
 organization was prosperous, the membership at one time being as high 
 as one hundred and fifty, many of them being among the most influen- 
 tial residents of the eastern part of Genesee county. The anti- Masonic 
 agitation brought about by the disappearance of William Morgan re- 
 sulted in disaster to Le Roy Lodge, in common with most others in 
 New York State and elsewhere, and the institution went down, sur- 
 rendering its charter Septe-nber 19, 1837. For nearly twenty years 
 thereafter no organization existed, and meetings of the brethren 
 occurred very infrequently and with no regularity whatever. In the 
 meantime Olive Branch Lodge No. 39 had been kept barely alive by 
 the members of the craft in Attica and Bethany. This lodge was 
 originally instituted at Bafavia, whence it had been removed to Bethany 
 in 1831, while operating under its original number, two hundred and 
 fifteen.' In July, 1845, it was removed to Attica. But no benefit re- 
 sulted from the change of base, and almost utter inactivity marked its 
 career for the ensuing eighteen months. At this juncture Lucius Parks, 
 
 * A full history of this lodge appears in the history of Masonry in Batavia. 
 
MASONRY. 433 
 
 William Sheldon, Azor Curtis, Thomas C. Ladd, Consider Warner, 
 Orator H. Kendall, Daniel Biddlecome and others, who had remained 
 true to their principles, succeeded in their well directed efforts to secure 
 its removal from Attica to Le Roy. 
 
 The first meeting of the lodge at Le Roy was held January 27, 1847, 
 with Lucius Parks presiding as master. The first candidate initiated 
 was Patrick Hasset, who became a Mason at the second meeting, held 
 February 24. Prom that date to the present time the lodge has enjoyed 
 a career of great prosperity and growth. June 22, ]870, its semi-cen- 
 tennial was celebrated at Starr hall in Le Roy, At the banquet at 
 Central hall which concluded the day's festivities, covers were laid for 
 one thousand persons, including many men of prominence, some of 
 whom came from distant parts of the State. On that occasion the W. 
 M., W. S. Brown, delivered a historical sketch, and R. W. John R. 
 Anderson made the principal address. William H. C Hosmer of Avon 
 read an original poem, written especially for the occasion. 
 
 Connected with Olive Branch Lodge is Le Roy Chapter No. 183, 
 Royal Arch Masons, which was organized December 12, 1864. John 
 R. Andrews was the first high priest, C. Fitch Bissellwas the first king 
 and Marcus L. Babcock was the first scribe. The remaining charter 
 members were John Butterfield, William Sheldon, Lucius Parks, Con- 
 sider Warner, Orator H. Kendall, Albert Brewster, William Barnett, 
 Nelson Thayer, William M. Irish, Charles Cravens, Thomas C. Ladd, 
 William M. Tompkins, Robert F. Stage and Robert McKay. 
 
 The early Masons of Le Roy were enthusiastic to a degree that was 
 unusual in those days. Not satisfied with meeting in rooms rented for 
 the purpose, they decided, in 1825, to build a Masonic temple for their 
 uses. The first meetings of the first lodge had been held in the village 
 school house, and in the ball room of the ancient Ganson tavern. They 
 had paid a part of the expense of the erection of the school house, but 
 they soon wearied of it. The Round House, as it was known, erected 
 in 1826, was intended by the Masons to be used as a temple. The 
 building was circular in shape, made of brick, and forty feet in diame- 
 ter. The upper room, on the third floor, was designed to be used for 
 the performance of the sacred ceremonies of the order. In front of the 
 building stood a square tower, also three stories in height, surmounted 
 by a belfry nearly twenty-five feet high. The total height of the edifice 
 was about seventy feet. Hardly had the building been completed, 
 however, when the case of William Morgan began to excite the nation, 
 
 28 
 
434 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 resulting in the collapse of the local branch of the Masonic order. Con- 
 sequently the remarkable Round House was never used for the pur- 
 poses for which it had been intended. For many years the lower room 
 was used for the Sunday meetings of the Congregational society and for 
 other public meetings and lectures. In 1828 the second story was con- 
 verted into a school room and occupied by a private school until its 
 demolition in 1859 and the erection of the Universalist church on its 
 site. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 THE PRESS OF GENESEE COUNTY.' 
 
 Though the number of newspapers published within the limits of 
 Genesee county is now comparatively small, about thirty publications 
 of this character have been issued in this county since its organization. 
 The first of these was the Genesee Intelligencer, established at Batavia 
 in the spring of 1807 by Elias Williams, which was the first newspaper 
 to be published at any point west of the Genesee river. Its career was 
 brief, publication being suspended in October of the year in which it 
 was founded. 
 
 The Cornucopia was first printed in Batavia in the spring of 1808 by 
 Benjamin Blodgett and Samuel Peck. It was discontinued in 1811. 
 
 The Republican Advocate was established in Batavia in 1811 by 
 Benjamin Blodgett and David C. Miller. It soon passed into the hands 
 of Mr. Miller and was published by him until 1838. It was then suc- 
 cessively in the hands of Charles Sentell, Charles W. Miller, Edwin 
 Hough, Andrew W. Young, Lewis & Brown, C. C. Allen, Waite & 
 Cooley and Daniel D. Waite. It 1854 it was merged in the Genesee 
 County Whig and was issued by Kimberly & Goodrich as 
 
 The Republican Advocate and Genesee County Whig. In 1855 Mr. 
 Goodrich withdrew, and the name was changed to 
 
 The Republican Advocate, which was continued by J. H. Kimberly 
 until 1857, when the office passed into the hands of D. D. Waite, one of 
 the former proprietors. 
 
 ' The names of papers still published are printed in italics ; the names of extinct newspapers 
 in roman. 
 
THE PRESS. 435 
 
 The Daily Advocate was commenced in May, 1859, by D. D. Waite. 
 
 The Spirit of the Times was founded in Batavia February 13, 1819, 
 by Oran Follett. In May, 1825, it was sold to his brother, Frederick 
 FoUett, who continued its publication until August, 1836. It was sue 
 cessively published by Nelson D. Wood, Frederick Follett, Lucas 
 Seaver, William Seaver & Son, and Charles Hurley until 1856. In the 
 latter year Andrew J. McWain purchased the Genesee Herald, then 
 printed at Le Roy, moved the material to Batavia, and in January, 
 1857, continued its publication under the title of 
 
 Genesee County Herald and Spirit of the Times. From 1858 to 1860 
 a paper called the 
 
 Daily Herald was published. The Spirit of the Times dropped the 
 Herald name in 1860, when Henry Todd bought out the paper. The 
 latter published the Times until January 1, 1886, when his son, Charles 
 E. Todd, and A. H. Thomas became the owners. April 15, 1889, Mr. 
 Thomas and Joseph F. Hall succeeded to the business. Joseph F. 
 Hall afterward purchased the paper. January 1, 1895, Mr. Hall dis- 
 posed of it to Frances S. Hall, his wife. March 19, 1895, the paper 
 was purchased by E. Kirby Calkins and David D. Lent, who are still 
 the proprietors. 
 
 The People's Press was established in Batavia in 1835 by an associa- 
 tion, with Benjamin Blodgett as editor. It was afterward issued by 
 Martin, Adams & Thorp, by Adams & Thorp, and by Adams & Mc- 
 Cleary. It was subsequently merged in the Spirit of the Times and 
 for several years was published as 
 
 The Spirit of the Times and the People's Press by Follett & Adams 
 and others. 
 
 The Morgan Investigator was published at the office of the Republi- 
 can Advocate in Batavia during the Morgan excitement of 1837, and 
 continued about a year. 
 
 The Masonic Intelligencer, instigated by the same excitement, was 
 published for about the same period from the office of the People's 
 Press, in Batavia. 
 
 The Farmers' and Mechanics' Journal was established at Alexander 
 November 4, 1837, by Peter Lawrence. In June, 1840, it was removed 
 to Batavia, and issued as 
 
 The Batavia Times and Farmers' and Mechanics' Journal, by Fred- 
 erick Follett and Peter Lawrence. Soon afterward the former became 
 sole proprietor, and published it until September, 1843, when it was 
 sold to Lucas Seaver and was merged in the Spirit of the Times. 
 
436 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 The Temperance Herald, monthly, was issued from the office of the 
 Spirit of the Times, in Batavia, by Lucas Seaver, from March, 1842, to 
 March, 1843. 
 
 The Le Roy Gazette was established in 18'26 at Le Roy by J. O. Balch. 
 It was successively issued by Starr & Hotchkiss, Henry D. Ward, Rich- 
 ard Hollister, Rufus Robertson, F. Goodrich, Seth M. Gates, Martin 
 O. Coe and Cyrus Thompson, until 1840, when it passed into the hands 
 of Charles B. Thompson. The latter continued in control until 1884, 
 when he sold the paper to George E. Marcellus and George W. Hand 
 (as Marcellus & Hand). In 1887 Mr. Marcellus purchased his partner's 
 interest, since which time he has been sole proprietor. 
 
 The Genesee Republican and Herald of Reform was established at 
 Le Roy in 1829, and was published for about two years by Freeman & 
 Son. 
 
 The Le Roy Courier was established at Le Roy in the spring of 1844 
 by Edward Bliss, and was published about a year. Mr. Bliss resu'^ci- 
 tated it in 1853 and published it for a short time thereafter. 
 
 The Genesee Courier was established at Le Roy in 1870 by George M. 
 Howe, who has continued its publication as sole proprietor and editor 
 to the present time. 
 
 The Genesee Herald was established at Le Roy in 1854 by William 
 C. Grummond. In January, 1857, it was removed to Batavia and pub- 
 lished by A. J. McWain for a short time. 
 
 The Le Roy Democrat was established in December, 1852, at Le Roy, 
 by Henry Todd. In November, 1853, it was removed to Batavia and 
 its name changed to 
 
 The Batavia Democrat. In December, 1856, it passed into the hands 
 of John Bergen, by whom it was changed to 
 
 The Genesee Weekly Democrat, which was subsequently purchased 
 by R. S. Lewis and merged in the Progressive Batavian. 
 
 The Genesee County Whig was established at Batavia in 1852, by 
 Kimberly & Tyrrell, and was published by them until 1854, when it 
 was merged in the Republican Advocate. 
 
 The Le Roy Advertiser was founded April 1, 1857, by Thomas B. 
 Tufts. It was discontinued in July, 1858. 
 
 The Progressive Batavian was established in Batavia in 1868 by R. 
 S. Lewis. The latter purchased the Genesee Democrat and merged 
 it in the Batavian. He conducted the latter paper as proprietor and 
 editor until January, 1896. It was then purchased by Griswold & 
 
THE PRESS. 437 
 
 McWain, who conducted it one year, at the end of which publication 
 was suspended. 
 
 The Daily News was established as a morning paper in Batavia June 
 25, 1878, by Mix Brothers & Bradish. Soon afterward it was enlarged 
 from four to five columns and was published in the afternoon. There 
 were occasional changes in the management until 1881, Malcolm D. 
 Mix continuing his connection with thfe paper in the meantime how- 
 ever. August 15, 1881, G. S. Griswold and A. J. McWain purchase 1 
 the paper and are still in control, issuing the paper every afternoon ex- 
 cept Sunday. The Daily News is the only daily newspaper now pub- 
 lished in Genesee county. It has a daily circulation of over 5,000 
 copies, larger, it is claimed, than that of any other daily paper in the 
 United States published in a town no larger than Batavia. 
 
 The Bergen Herald was established in May, 1879, by F. M. Merrill. 
 
 The Le Roy Times was founded at Le Roy in 1880 by Frank H. Mor- 
 gan. It was afterward owned by the Le Roy Times Company. Sep- 
 tember 4, 1894, it was sold to George E. Marcellus and merged in the 
 Le Roy Gazette. 
 
 The Morning Call, a daily paper, was established in Batavia in Janu- 
 ary, 1882, but its publication was discontinued about Christmas of the 
 same year. 
 
 The Fireside Journal was established at Oakfield in 1887 by Mr. Van 
 Hoesen. Publication ceased in 1889. 
 
 The Morning Advertiser, daily, was established by George B. Her- 
 rick in Batavia June 1, 1888. Its publication was suspended about six 
 weeks later. 
 
 The Oakfield Reporter was founded at Oakfield in 1889 by B.H. James. 
 In 1890 E. B. Gregory purchased the paper. 
 
 The Bergen Star was established in April, 1889, by George W. Grames. 
 
 The Sun, a weekly paper, was started in Batavia in February, 1890, 
 by L. C. Parmer and M. A. Weed. 
 
 The Bergen Enterprise was founded April 25, 1896, by A. A. Roberts. 
 July 28, 1898, it was sold under chattel mortgage foreclosure to G. A. and 
 R. I. Page of Batavia. They sold it to the American Type Foundry 
 Company, who rented the plant October 31, 1898, to W. H. Dietrich. 
 
 The Corfu Enterprise was started at Corfu by A. A. Bloomfield & 
 Son, May 19, 1898. December 1, 1898, it was sold to Myron S. Pike of 
 Akron, the present owner. 
 
438 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 CIVIL LIST AND STATISTICS. 
 
 Following is a list of the principal officers serving in Genesee county 
 since its organization, as they appear on the records in the office of the 
 county clerk ; also State and national officers residing in Genesee county. 
 The names of thepriacipal town officers will be found in the Gazetteer 
 of Towns: 
 
 FIRST JUDGES OF COMMON PLEAS. 
 
 1806, Joseph EUicott; 1807-1811, Ezra Piatt; 1812-1820, John H. Jones; 1821-1822, 
 Isaac Wilson; 1823-1826, John Z. Ross ; 1837-1839, William H. Tisdale; 1830-1835, 
 Isaac Wilson; 1836-1840, William Mitchell ; 1841-1845, Phineas L. Tracy; 1846, Edgar 
 C. Dibble." 
 
 SURROGATES. 
 
 1804, Jeremiah R. Munson ; 1805-1814, Richard Smith ; 1815-1820, Andrew A. Elli- 
 cott;= 1831-1839, Ebenezer Mix; 1840, Harvey Putnam; 1841-1844, Timothy Fitch ; 
 1845, Samuel Willett.^ 
 
 COUNTY JUDGES AND SURROGATES. 
 
 1847-1850, Horace U. Soper; 1851-1854, Edgar C. Dibble; 1855-1858, Joshua L. 
 Brown; 1859-1866, Moses Taggart; 1867-1869, Charles Henshaw;* 1870-1881, Lucius 
 N. Bangs; 1882-1888, Myron H. Peck; 1889-1898, SaflEord E. North. 
 
 JUSTICES OF SESSIONS.^ 
 
 1847, J. M. Halcomb, William M. Sprague. 
 
 1849, James S. Stewart, Thomas Riddle. 
 
 1850, German Lathrop, Miles Wallace. 
 
 1851, John D. Safford, Charles S. Cone. 
 
 1852, John D. Safford, William Barnett. 
 
 1853, Wheaton S. Miller, John C. Cranston. 
 
 ' The Coui-t of Common Pleas was abolished by the constitution of 1840. 
 
 ^ Did not qualify. 
 
 ' By the constitution of 1846 the offices of County Judge and Surrogate were consolidated in 
 Genesee county. 
 
 ^ Randolph Ballard was appointed in 1870 to succeed Henshaw, deceased. 
 
 »The constitution of 1846 abolished the office of Associate Judge and created the office of Jus- 
 tice of Sessions, two being elected from among acting Justices of the Peace of the county. 
 
CIVIL LIST. 439 
 
 1854, Abner Hull, jr. , John Munroe, jr. 
 
 1855, Augustus Cowdin, Oswald Bond. 
 
 1856, John G. Bixby, William H. Davis. 
 
 1857, John F. Bixby, James Stewart. 
 
 1858, William H. Davis, William Barnett. 
 
 1859, Oswald Bond, Luther Crosby. 
 
 1860, James S. Stewart, Jonathan M. Foreman. 
 
 1861, William G. Sherwood. William Barnett. 
 
 1862, Halleck Stilwell, John F. Perry. 
 
 1863, Halleck Stilwell, William Barnett. 
 
 1864, Halleck Stilwell, Samuel Church. 
 
 1865, Benjamin F. Harris, Samuel Church. 
 
 1866, Nathaniel Reed, Sebastian R. Moore. 
 
 1867, Joseph W. Holmes, William Barnett. 
 
 1868, Joseph W. Holmes, Lawrence L. Crosby. 
 
 1869, Charles Sprague, Lawrence L. Crosby, 
 
 1870, Charles W. Rurasey, William L. Rugg. 
 
 1871, Charles W. Rumsey, William L. Rugg. 
 
 1872, Ansel D. Mills, Thomas J. Dean. 
 
 1873, Ansel D. Mills, Thomas J. Dean. 
 
 1874, Ansel D. Mills, Albert H. Perry. 
 
 1875, Philip Cope, Albert H. Perry. 
 
 1876, Philip Cope, Henry O. Bostwick. 
 
 1877, Israel M. Peck, Henry O. Bostwick. 
 
 1878, Israel M. Peck, Henry O. Bostwick. 
 
 1879, Irving D. Southworth, Henry O. Bostwick. 
 
 1880, William S. Coe, M. Nelson Moulthrop. 
 
 1881, William S. Coe, M. Nelson Moulthrop. 
 
 1882, Alexander Campbell, Roswell C. Curtiss. 
 
 1883, Roswell C. Curtiss, Alva Babcock. 
 
 1884, Israel M. Peck, Roswell C. Curtiss. 
 
 1885, Roswell C. Curtiss, Charles F. Lewis. 
 
 1886, Jay W. Stratton, Charles F. Lewis, 
 
 1887, Frank E. Vosburg, Jay W. Stratton. 
 
 1888, William G. Pollard, M. Nelson Moulthrop. 
 
 1889, William G. Pollard, M. Nelson Moulthrop. 
 
 1890, William G. Pollard, M. Nelson Moulthrop. 
 
 1891, Joseph F. Stutterd, A. F. G. Zurhorst. 
 
 1892, Joseph F. Stutterd, Lephrine D. Gilbert. 
 
 1893, Joseph F. Stutterd, Lephrine D. Gilbert. 
 
 1894, William H. Coward, Joseph H. Robson. 
 
 1895, William H. Coward, Daniel W. Smith. 
 
 COUNTY CLERKS. 
 
 1803-1809, James W. Stevens; 1810, Isaac Babcock; 1811-1815, Simeon Cummins; 
 1816-1817, John Z. Ross; 1818-1821, Simeon Cummins; 1822-1824, Chauncey L. Shel- 
 
440 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 don; 1825-1827, Ralph Coffin; 1838-1830, David C. Miller; 1831-1836, Timothy Fitch; 
 1837-1842, Horace U. Soper; 1843-1845, H. H. Carpenter; 1846-1848, Samuel C. Hol- 
 den; 1849-1854, Merrill G. Soper; 1855-1860, Hiram W. Haskell; 1861-1866, George 
 H. Holden ; 1867-1898, Carlos A. Hull. 
 
 COUNTY TREASURERS. 
 
 1803-1809, Joseph EUicott; 1810, James Brisbane; 1811, Asa McCracken; 1812, 
 William Ramsey ; 1813-1818, David McCracken; 1819-1831, James Williams; 1832- 
 1824, Ethan B. Allen; 1825-1831, George W. Lay; 1833-1833, Edgar C. Dibble; 1834, 
 William Davis; 1835-1839, William S Mallory; 1840-1843, Joshua L. Brown; 1843- 
 1844, Pardon C. Sherman; 1845, Seth Wakeman: 1846-1850, Brannan Young; 1851- 
 1858, Thomas Yates; 1854-1856, Horace M. Warren; 1857-1859, Thomas Yates; 1860, 
 Oliver P. Clark ; 1861-1866, Nathaniel A. Woodward ; 1867-1873, Anderson D. Tryon ; 
 1873-1875, Hiram K. Buell; 1876-1878, Orrin C. Parker; 1879-1881, Jerome C. Gui- 
 teau; 1883-1891, John Thomas; 1893-1897, John M. Hamilton; 1898-1900, Lewis B. 
 McLean. 
 
 SHERIFFS. 
 
 1803-1806, Richard M. Stoddard; 1807, Benjamin Barton; 1808-1809, Asher Bates; 
 1810, Nathan Marvin; 1811-1814, Aaron Van Cleve; 1815, Parmenio Adams; 1816- 
 1817, William Sheldon; 1818-1831, Parmenio Adams; 1832-1834, Worthy L. Churchill; 
 1835-1837, William R. Thompson; 1828-1830, John Wilder; 1831, Earle Kidder (ap 
 pointed vice Wilder); 1831-1833, John A. McElwaine; 1833-1836, Nathan Townsend; 
 1837-1839, John Wilder; 1840-1841, Rufus Robertson; 1842-1844. James Long; 1845- 
 1847, John Sprague ; 1848-1850, Henry Morrell ; 1851-1853, Salmon B. Lusk ; 1854- 
 1856, James R. Mitchell; 1857-1859, Alvin Pease; 1860-1862, Ferdinand H. Hull; 
 1863-1865, Parley Upton; 1866-1868, Archibald D. McLachlin; 1869-1871, William I. 
 Parish; 1873-1874, George H. Robertson; 1875-1877, John H. Ward; 1878-1880, 
 George W. Griffis ; 1881-1883, Irving D. Southworth ; 1884-1886, Joseph H. Robson ; 
 1887-1890, William J Reedy; 1891-1893, James F. Tilley; 1894-1896, John B. 
 Neasmith; 1897-1899, Wm. H. Heal. 
 
 DISTRICT ATTORNEYS. 
 
 1818-1820, Daniel B. Brown ; 1821-1838. Heman J. RedBeld; 1839-1833, Levi Rum- 
 sey ; 1834-1887, Daniel H. Chandler; 1888-1841, Isaac A. Verplanck; 1843-1844, John 
 H. Martindale; 1845, Moses Taggart ; 1846, Isaac A. Verplanck; 1847-1849, John H. 
 Martindale; 1850-1855, Seth Wakeman; 1856-1858, George Bowler; 1859-1861, James 
 M. Willett; 1863-1864, William Tyrrell; 1865-1867, C. Fitch Bissell; 1868-1873, Will- 
 iam C. Watson ; 1874-1876, C. Fitch Bissell ; 1877-1879, Thomas P. Heddon ; 1880- 
 1885, SaffordE, North; 1886-1893, Frank S. Wood; 1893-1898, James A. Le Seur; 
 1899, Frederick S. Randall. 
 
 COMMISSIONERS OF SCHOOLS. 
 
 1857-1863, O. S. Throop; 1868-1868, D. C. Rumsey; 1869-1874, R. L. Selden; 18T5- 
 1880, Charles V. Hooper; 1881-1887, William E. Prentice; 1887-1895, William J.Barr; 
 1896, Herbert G. Reed; 1897-1898, Joel A. Loveridge. 
 
CIVIL LIST. 441 
 
 CORONERS. 
 
 1833, Horace Gibbs, A. Dibble, Abraham Smith; 1835 Horace Gibbs, Leverett 
 Seward, Clark Sanford; 1838, Robert Baker, Horace Healy, Antonio Willard; 1889, 
 H. N. Waldo; 1841, Augustus Cowdiu, Josiah Harvey, Samuel Taggart, Aaron Long, 
 Chester Hannan; 1843, Robert Baker; 1844, Calvin Wells; 1845, Charles English; 
 1847, Robert Baker, A Dibble; 1850, Robert Baker, Horace B. Houghton; 1851, 
 Uriah Crampton, P. Carpenter, Jr. ; 1853. Robert Baker, H. Howard; 1854, Ira Wait; 
 1856, Robert Baker, T. J. Leonard; 1857, Randal Williams, Wm. W. Andrews; 1858, 
 Robert Baker; 1859, S. Chamberlin, Wm. D. Howard; 1860, Orlando R. Croff; 1863, 
 John Root, S. Chamberlin; 1863, O. R. CroflE, John Root. J. L. Curtis; 1866, O. R. 
 Croff, S. Chamberlin; 1867, J. L. Curtis; 1868, E. B. Lounsbury, 1869, S. C. Bateman, 
 Lemuel L. Tozier; 1871, John L. Gage, J. L. Curtis, A. H. Crawford; 1873, L. L. 
 Tozier, A. P. Jackson, Henry Pamphilon; 1874, A. H. Crawford; 1876, L. L. Tozier, 
 A. P. Jackson. 
 
 MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY. 
 
 Tryon County. 
 
 1777-1778— Samuel Clyde, Michael Edie, Jacob G, Klock, Jacob Snell, Abraham 
 Van Home, Johannes Vedder. 
 
 1778-1779— George Henry Bell, John Newkirk, Abraham Van Home, Peter Wag- 
 goner, jr., Moses Younglove. 
 
 1779-1780 — Abraham Coperaau, Peter S. Deygart, Frederick Fox, Jacob Gardenier, 
 Melkert Van Deuzen, Peter Waggoner, jr. 
 
 1780-1781— ZephaniahBatchelor, Jacob Gardenier, Abraham Garrison, John Moore, 
 Abraham Van Home, Peter Waggoner, jr. 
 
 1781-1782 — Zephaniah Batchelor, Abraham Garrison, William Harper, Isaac Mer- 
 selis, John Moore, William Petrie. 
 
 1783-1783— Zephaniah Batchelor, Frederick Fischer, John Frey, Andrew Finck, jr.. 
 Christian Nellis, William Petrie. 
 
 1784 — Abraham Copeman, William Harper, James Livingston, Isaac Paris, Volkert 
 Veeder, Christopher P. Yates. 
 
 Montgomery County. 
 
 1781-1785— ' Frederick C. Fox, William Harper, James Livingston, Isaac Paris, 
 Volkert Veeder, Christopher P. Yates. 
 
 1786 — Abraham Arndt, John Frey, William Harper, James Livingston, Abraham 
 Van Home, Volkert Veeder. 
 
 1787 — Zephaniah Batchelor, James Cannon, Josiah Crane, John Frey, William 
 Harper, James Livingston, 
 
 1788— Abraham Arndt, John Frey, John Livingston, Isaac Paris, Volkert Veeder, 
 John Winn 
 
 1788-1789- John Frey, William Harper, Henry Stauring, Volkert Veeder, John 
 Winn, Christopher P. Yates. 
 
 ' Tryon county, organized March 12, 1772, became Montgomery county April 3, 1784, Genesee 
 county was included in this county. Ontario, which also included Genesee, was set off in 1789. 
 
442 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 1789-1790 — Abraham Arndt, Josiah Crane. James Livingston, David McMasters, 
 Michael Myers, Volkert Veeder. 
 
 1791 — Abraham Arndt, Josiah Crane, John Frey, James Livingston, Michael 
 Myers, John T. Visscher. 
 
 Ontario County. 
 
 1792— Eleazer Lindsley. 
 
 1792-1793— Isaac (or Israel) Chapin. 
 
 1794 — Thomas Morris. 
 
 1795— Thomas Morris. 
 
 1796— Thomas Morris. 
 
 1796-1797— Lemuel Chipman, Charles Williamson. 
 
 1798-1799 (Ontario and Steuben)— Amos Hall, Charles Williamson. 
 
 1800 (Ontario and Steuben) — Nathaniel Norton, Charles Williamson. 
 
 1800-1801 (Ontario and Steuben) — Lemuel Chipman, Nathaniel Norton. 
 
 1802 (Ontario and Steuben)^Daniel Chapin, Peter B. Porter. 
 
 Genesee and Ontario Counties. 
 
 1803 — Thaddeus Chapin, Augustus Porter, Polydore B. Wisner. 
 1804— Amos Hall, Nathaniel W. Howell, Polydore B Wisner 
 1804-1805— Amos Hall, Daniel W. Lewis, Alexander Rea. 
 1806 — Daniel W. Lewis, Ezra Patterson, Alexander Rea 
 
 1807 (including Allegany) — Alexander Rea, Philetus Swift, Asahel Warner. 
 
 1808 (including Allegany)^Araos Hall (resigned in favor of William Rumsey), Phi- 
 letus Swift, Asabel Warner, jr. 
 
 Genesee County. 
 
 1808-1809, William Rumsey; 1810-1811, Chauncey Loomis; 1812, Zacheus Colby; 
 1813-1814, James Ganson; 1814-1815, Isaac Sutherland; 1816, James Ganson, Elizur 
 Webster, John Wilson; 1816-1817, James Ganson, Elizur Webster, Isaac Wilson; 
 1818-1819, Gilbert Howell, Abraham Matteson, Isaac Sutherland; 1830, Fitch Chip- 
 man, Gideon T. Jenkins, Robert McKay; 1830-1831, Fitch Chipman, Jesse Hawley, 
 Samuel M. Hopkins; 1822, Robert Anderson, Benedict Brooks, Samuel .McWhorter; 
 1823, ApoUos P. Auger, William Bristol, Josiah Churchill, Otis Turner; 1824, Shubael 
 Dunham, Oran FoUett, James Ganson, Horace S Turner; 182.5, Jeremiah Brown, 
 Fitch Chipman, Shubael Dunham, Gaius B. Rich; 1826, Josiah Churchill, David 
 Scott, Phineas Stanton; 1827, Josiah Churchill, Shubael Dunham, John B. Skinner; 
 1838, Dennis Blakeley, Trumbull Cary, John B. Skinner; 1829, Calvin P Bailey, 
 John Hascall, John B. Skinner; 1830. Calvin P. Bailey, Timothy Fitch, Stephen 
 Griswold; 1831, Robert Earll, jr., Stephen Griswold, Charles Wood worth ; 1832, Seth 
 M. Gates, Henry Hawkins, James Sprague, 2d; 1833, Peter Patterson, Rufus Rob- 
 ertson, Charles Woodworth; 1834, Truman Lewis, Peter Patterson, Rufus Robert- 
 son; 1835, Truman Lewis, Samuel Richmond, Amos Tyrrell, jr. ; 1836, Samuel Rich- 
 mond, Charles O. Shepard, Amos Tyrrell, jr. ; 1837, Reuben Benhara, John A. Mc- 
 Elwain, Leverett Seward, Charles O. Shepard; 1838, Reuben Benham. Andrew H. 
 Green, John Head, Leverett Seward; 1839, Andrew H. Green, John Head, Horace 
 Healey! Alva Jefferson ; 1840, John W. Bronson, Horace Healey, Alva Jefferson, 
 
CIVIL LIST. 443 
 
 George W. Lay; 1841, JohnW. Brownson, Samuel Richmond, David Scott, Isaac N. 
 Stoddard ; 1842, Robinson Smiley, Albert Smith ; 1843 Robinson Smiley, Ira Wait ; 
 1844. Charles P. Brown, Chester Hannum; 1845, Chester Hannum, Aaron Long; 
 1846, Heman Blodgett, Aaron Long; 1847, Heman Blodgett, Alonzo S. Upham ; 
 1848, 1st district, Tracy Pardee ; 3d district, Alonzo S. Upham ; 1849, 1st, Tracy Par- 
 dee; 3d, Martin C. Ward; 1850, 1st. John C Gardner; 2d, Martin C. Ward; 1851, 
 1st, Albert Rowe; 3d, Levi Fisk; 1853, 1st, Albert Rowe; 2d, Levi Fisk; 1853, 1st, 
 Theodore C. Peters ; 2d, Joseph Cook ; 1854, 1st, Theodore C. Peters ; 2d, Joseph 
 Cook; 1855, 1st, Ambrose Stevens; 2d, David Mallory; 1856, 1st, Seth Wakeman; 
 2d, David Mallory; 1857, 1st, Seth Wakeman ; 2d, John J McPherson; 1858, Franklin 
 G. Kingman ; 1859-1860, Elbridge G. Moulton ; 1861, George W. Wright; 1862, Ben- 
 jamin Pringle; 1863-1864, Loren Green; 1865-1866, Johh W. Brown; 1867-1868, 
 Henry Fisk Tarbox; 1869-1870, Edward C. Walter; 1871-1872, Volney G Knapp; 
 1873-1874, Elbert Townsend; 1875-1876, Newton H. Green; 1877-1878, Eli Taylor; 
 1879-1880, John Sanders; 1881-1882, Joseph W. Holmes; 1883. Robert W. Nichol; 
 1884-1885 Lucien R. Bailey; 1886-1887, Charles A. Seaver; 1888-1889, John McKen- 
 zie; 1890-1891, Francis T. Miller; 1893-1893, Charles Newton Reed; 1894-1895, 
 Thomas B. Tuttle; 1896-1897, Archie D. Sanders; 1898, John J. Ellis. 
 
 STATE SENATORS. 
 
 (Residing in Genesee county). 
 
 1808, Alexander Rea; 1818, Isaac Wilson; 1830. David E. Evans; 1833, Heman J. 
 Redfield; 1836, Ethan B. Allen; 1831, Trumbull Gary ; 1843, Harvey Putnam; 1850, 
 Alonzo S. Upham ; 1870, George Bowen ; 1886, Edward C. Walker. 
 
 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. 
 
 (Residing in Genesee county). 
 
 1813, Samuel M. Hopkins; 1817, Benjamin EUicott ; 1835, Parmenio Adams; 1837, 
 Phineas L. Tracy; 1833, George W. Lay; 1837, Harvey Putnam; 1839, Seth M. 
 Gates; 1843, Albert Smith; 1847, Harvey Putnam; 1851, Augustus P. Hascall ; 1853, 
 Benjamin Pringle; 1867. John Fisher; 1871, Seth Wakeman. 
 
 Some conception of the industrial status of Genesee county at the 
 close of the nineteenth century may be gained by a perusal of the ap- 
 pended list of the taxpaying corporations in the county in 1898 : 
 
 Assessed 
 TOWN. NAME OP CORPORATION. Valuation 
 
 Alabama, West Shore Railroad Co _ $ 65,300 
 
 National Telegraph Co 2,050 
 
 Alexander, New York Central and Hudson River R, R. Co 75,000 
 
 Erie Railroad Co .._ 130,500 
 
 " Delaware, Lackawanna and Western R. R. Co __ 140,000 
 
 Bell Telephone Co _ 1,000 
 
 " American Telegraph and Telephone Co 5,000 
 
 Western Union Telegraph Co 3,000 
 
444 
 
 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Assessed 
 TOWN. NAME 6f CORPORATION. Valuation 
 
 Batavia, New York Central and Hudson River R. R. Co 809,317 
 
 Erie Railroad Co - 85,849 
 
 Lehigh Valley R. R. Co 312,627 
 
 Bank of Genesee - 41,800 
 
 Johnston Harvester Co 315,000 
 
 First National Bank of Batavia 77,000 
 
 Bank of Batavia __ - 147,000 
 
 Consolidated Gas and Electric Company-- - 80,000 
 
 Batavia Club 6,000 
 
 Baker Gun and Forging Co 70,000 
 
 Bell Telephone Co 17,500 
 
 Western Union Telegraph Co 7,980 
 
 Batavia and New York Wood Working Co 30, 000 
 
 Wiard Plow Co .- - 95,000 
 
 Batavia Preserving Co -- 7,500 
 
 E. N. Rowell Co .- 24,000 
 
 Batavia Carriage Wheel Co '.:...' - 40,000 
 
 Bergen, New York Central and Hudson River R. R. Co-- 360,000 
 
 West Shore Railroad Co 40.000 
 
 Western Union Telegraph Co 4,495 
 
 Bethany, Erie Railroad Co ..- $52,670 
 
 " Delaware, Lackawanna and Western R. R. Co 181,340 
 
 " Western Union Telegraph Co 1,000 
 
 " Lackawanna Transportation Co. - - 75,000 
 
 " American Telegraph and Telephone Co 6,000 
 
 Byron, New York Central and Hudson River R. R. Co 246,000 
 
 West Shore Railroad Co 40,600 
 
 Western Union Telegraph Co 3,380 
 
 Bell Telephone Co 50 
 
 Darien, Erie Railroad Co. 180,000 
 
 Delaware, Lackawanna and Western R. R 180,000 
 
 New York Central and Hudson River R. R. Co 110,000 
 
 Lehigh Valley R. R. Co ._ 139,800 
 
 American Telegraph and Telephone Co . _ . 8,000 
 
 Bell Telephone Co ■ __ 1,500 
 
 Victor Mineral Spring Co 1,000 
 
 Western Union Telegraph Co _ 7,000 
 
 Elgin Co-operative Creamery Co __ 1.500 
 
 Elba, West Shore Railroad Co ._. 50,000 
 
 Western Union Telegraph Co 1,780 
 
 Bell Telephone Co. 450 
 
 " National Bank of Genesee 1,000 
 
 First National Bank 3,900 
 
 Le Roy, Erie Railroad Co _ _. 100,000 
 
 Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburg R. R . Co 105, 000 
 
CIVIL LIST. 
 
 445 
 
 TOWN. 
 Le Roy, 
 
 Oakfield, 
 
 Pavilion, 
 
 Pembroke, 
 
 Stafford, 
 
 Assessed 
 Valuation 
 
 .. 60,800 
 . . 205,000 
 . 40,000 
 . 25,000 
 - 103,000 
 
 MAME OF CORPORATION. 
 
 New York Central and Hudson River R. R. Co 
 
 Lehigh Valley R. R. Co __. 
 
 Le Roy Salt Co 
 
 Le Roy Gaslight Co 
 
 Bank of Le Roy _,. 
 
 Bell Telephone Co , _.. 5,000 
 
 Western Union Telegraph Co 3,500 
 
 Lehigh Salt Mining Co. 70,000 
 
 Randall Fence Co 3,000 
 
 Genesee Pure Food Co ^. .. 25 000 
 
 Oatka Chemical Co. _ _ 5,000 
 
 Le Roy Chemical Co _ 
 
 Beechnut Creamery Co _ 2,500 
 
 Improved Dash Co 800 
 
 Hydraulic Electric Light Co 8,000 
 
 Le Roy Power and Milling Co 18,000 
 
 Citizens' Bank of Le Roy _ 50.000 
 
 W. D. Matthews Malting Co 70,000 
 
 West Shore Railroad Co 35.500 
 
 Bell Telephone Co 2,000 
 
 Western Union Telegraph Co _ 1,700 
 
 Oakfield Fertilizer Co _ _ 13,975 
 
 Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburg R. R. Co 80,000 
 
 Delaware, Lackawanna and Western R. R. Co._ 200 000 
 
 Western Union Telegraph Co 1,800 
 
 Le Roy Salt Co , 3,000 
 
 Hall Associations 300 
 
 American Telegraph and Telephone Co 5.000 
 
 Pavilion Salt Co 11,500 
 
 Bell Telephone Co _ 1,500 
 
 New York Central and Hudson River R. R. Co 364, 752 
 
 Lehigh Valley R. R. Co 48,000 
 
 Western Union Telegraph Co 5,850 
 
 Bell Telephone Co 1,100 
 
 Corfu Gas Co 1.000 
 
 New York Central and Hudson River R. R. Co 245,000 
 
 Erie Railroad Co 52,500 
 
 Lehigh Valley R. R. Co. 152,000 
 
 Western Union Telegraph Co 8,950 
 
 Bell TelephoD Co _ 1,125 
 
446 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 PRIMITIVE MAN IN GENESEE COUNTY. 
 
 BY SAMUEL P. MOULTHROP, PRINCIPAL WASHINGTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL, ROCHESTER, N. Y. 
 
 " But I behold a fearful sign, 
 
 To which the white man's eyes are blind ; 
 
 Their race may vanish like mine 
 
 And leave no trace behind. 
 
 Save ruins o'er the region spread 
 
 And the white stones above the dead." 
 
 Writers of antiquity tell us of four successive ages; but the archaeolo- 
 gist finds that ages have succeeded each other, and that memory only 
 begins at a somewhat advanced stage of the development of- the race. 
 It has no consciousness of earlier conditions. For instance, the Mound- 
 builders wrought the native copper of Lake Superior, with stone ham- 
 mers, without the aid of fire, long before the day when the Peruvians 
 cast weapons and bronze statues. 
 
 These tribes belonged also to the Stone Age, generally conceded to 
 be the first stage of civilization. This age has been divided into two 
 periods given the names, Paleolithic, or Age of Rough Stone, and 
 Neolithic, or Age of Polished Stone. 
 
 The Paleolithic Age was contemporaneous with the mammoth, 
 musk-ox, and other animals, now extinct, or found only in the ex- 
 treme north. A fossil specimen of the ox, which was pronounced by 
 the authorities at Washington as belonging to an extinct species, was 
 found by Dr. Whiton of Byron and loaned to the writer. 
 
 Prof. Steenstrup, in a most conclusive way, has proven that the Bos- 
 primigenius was contemporary with the ancient forests. In a forest 
 peat moss of the island of Moen, he discovered an entire skeleton of a 
 primitive ox, buried, so to speak, in a shroud of needles of the Scotch 
 fir. 
 
 He has further concluded from the presence of arrow-heads in these 
 bones, which during the life of the animals had been covered by a new 
 
PRIMITIVE MAN IN GENESEE COUNTY. 447 
 
 growth of bone, that man had pursued and wounded, but had not 
 killed them. He was, therefore, contemporary with them. 
 
 In Genesee county, remains of the extinct mastodon have also been 
 found. I have found, in peat bogs In Stafford, paleolithic implements 
 in stone. Such are frequently being picked up by observing farmers, 
 furnishing proof of the occupancy of this county by man, during the 
 Paleolithic period. 
 
 In our day, groups of men exist, who are still in their lithic age, and 
 who are in intimate relations with people who have attained an ad- 
 vanced stage of civilization. Such are some of the Australian tribes, 
 who cling persistently to their savage life, and continue to use weapons 
 of stone, in the presence of modern weapons introduced by the Eng- 
 lish. The New Caledonians employ iron implements, concurrently 
 with axes of well polished stone, and still hunt with stone-headed 
 arrows, though they cultivate sugar cane and fruit trees. 
 
 One should, therefore, before pronouncing an opinion as to the real 
 age of a flint implement, be thoroughly acquainted not only with the 
 place where it was found, but the circumstances attending its discov- 
 ery. Facts show that flint implements are not, in themselves, evi- 
 dences of a very remote epoch. The important point should be to 
 establish principal landmarks. 
 
 The true nature of flints has been known only within the recollection 
 of some of the olden archaeologists. The ancients knew of their exist- 
 ence, and gave them names that expressed a strong nation ; that they 
 had fallen from the skies with the thunder claps, or were formed in the 
 earth by fire. They were afterwards looked upon as freaks of nature. 
 In 1734, Matindel ventured to say that they were the weapons of ante- 
 diluvian man, but this assertion was received with ridicule. 
 
 Buffon, in 1778, afifirmed again that the first men began by sharpen- 
 ing, into the forms of axes, these hard flints or thunderbolts, which 
 were believed to have fallen from the clouds and to have been formed 
 by the thunder. 
 
 This just theory passed unnoticed at that time, but science has deter- 
 mined the truth of the first part of the statement. It is readily seen, 
 by one accustomed to look for stone points, that the idea of their fall- 
 ing from the clouds during a storm would be accepted, since, now, one 
 accustomed to search for them, will select a time just after a heavy 
 storm of rain. They may be more readily seen after the rainfall has 
 washed the earth away, leaving the sharp flint raised above the surface. 
 
448 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 This has been the experience, not only of the writer, but of many- 
 others, who have searched before the storm with poor success and 
 have found them in abundance after it. 
 
 As soon as man knew how to polish his hammers and axes, he con- 
 ceived the idea of drilling a hole for the handle; but this idea was of 
 late birth, and, during the whole of the Neolithic Age, it was seldom 
 put in practice. Flint knives were variously constructed ; sometimes 
 the cutting edge was straight, occasionally curved; sometimes the han- 
 dle was a continuation of the stone itself, the blade often no longer 
 than that of a pocket-knife; others were as long as a hunting knife, 
 one, found near Conesus Lake, being twelve inches in length. 
 
 The axes varied in size and form, being constructed of all kinds of 
 stone, the finer of green jade; others of flint, quartz and obsidian; 
 gouges or chisels, intended for hollowing wood, were made with a 
 semicircular edge, more or less wide. Many Indian tribes now use them 
 to remove charred wood from logs, when building canoes. Drills 
 were made from flint inserted in bone handles and are used by the 
 Esquimaux at the present time; saws, for cutting bone and wood, 
 were constructed by notching the edges of flints. 
 
 The mortars and pestles, used by primitive men of the Stone Age, 
 in Genesee county, for bruising and cracking corn and other grains, 
 were similar to those of the modern Indian found here by the early set- 
 tlers. They were made from hard rock, such as granite or diorite, 
 with' the upper surface more or less hollow. The pestle was also of 
 stone, spherical or oval in form, or else clubshaped. 
 
 One of the finest pestles found in this country was picked up and 
 presented to the writer by Chas. Pratt, of Batavia, this being a coun- 
 terpart of those found among the ruins of the Swiss Lake dwellers. 
 Joly and Figuier both claimed that those belonged, incontestably, to 
 the most ancient Lake-dwellers. 
 
 Prof. Steenstrup, of Copenhagen, has proved in a most original way, 
 that the dog was the first wild animal domesticated by man. He says 
 that the dog hunted with man and shared his repasts, at that remote 
 epoch, when the savage inhabitants of Denmark heaped up, along the 
 coast of the Baltic, the enormous kitchen middens. He has given the 
 dog bones to gnaw, and found that they almost invariably leave them 
 in the shapes of those found in the lowest remains of man's feast. 
 
 Townsend says: " The dog is the greatest conquest man ever made; 
 the dog was the first element in human progress. Without the dog. 
 
PRIMITIVE MAN IN GENESEE COUNTY 449 
 
 man would have been condemned to vegetate eternally in the swad- 
 dling clothes of savagery. It was the dog which effected the passage 
 of human society from the savage to the patriarchal state, in making 
 possible the guardianship of the flock. It is to the dog that man owed 
 his hours of leisure, in which he made observations that led him to 
 advance and rise in the scale of human beings." 
 
 As Joly says: "It might be objected, certainly, that the bones of 
 birds, which form part of the kitchen refuse, could have been gnawed 
 by wild dogs, wolves or foxes; but the fact is too general and tallies 
 too exactly with the experiments undertaken in proof of the professors 
 theory, to allow of our refusing to attach any faith in the latter." 
 
 Canine teeth, found plentifully in the earliest works here, furnish 
 indications that in Genesee county similar conditions existed. 
 
 (I) It is evident that to the Indian there is a mystery surrounding his 
 ancestry. 
 
 (3) Could there have been one like Hon. Lewis H. Morgan, Prof. 
 Henry Ward, or George H. Harris, among the first settlers of this 
 region, to have patiently explored and investigated mound fortifications 
 (now nearly obliterated), or traced traditions then extant among the 
 aborigines, much more light would have been furnished for our guid- 
 ance at the present time. 
 
 (3) Of the two lines of investigation mentioned by Morgan as inde- 
 pendent, that of inventions and discoveries made by primitive man and ■ 
 his successors is the most satisfactorily followed by the student of arch- 
 aeology and ethnology. 
 
 (4) The conclusion that man commenced his career at the bottom of 
 the scale and worked his way from savagery to civilization forces itself 
 upon the student as he finds traces of progress, as shown in the frag- 
 ments of pottery found, that give unmistakable evidence of having been 
 used by primitive man, the use of which pre-supposes village life. 
 From the wicker marked fragments the advance is easily traced by well 
 defined attempts at ornamentation, commencing with plain marking 
 made simply to relieve a plain surface gradually through a course of 
 lines and markings to systematic decoration, showing skill and certainly 
 a knowledge of number and measurements. 
 
 (5) Some writers claim the invention of the bow and arrow before 
 that of pottery. It is certain that the first pottery was made with a 
 basket of wicker for a mould. 
 
 (6) Early writers claim that the attempt to make the baskets hold 
 
 29 
 
450 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 liquids, by using clay, resulted in a new discovery. The heat finally 
 destroyed the basket, leaving the clay outside as a separate vessel. 
 
 (7) A navigator who visited the southeastern coast of South America 
 in 1503, says that he found the natives using vessels and utensils of 
 wood ; even the boiling pots were of wood, but plastered with a kind 
 of clay a good finger thick, which prevented the fire from burning 
 them. 
 
 (8) Most of the pottery we have found is of very good material, and 
 appears to have been worked with a great deal of taste and skill. It is 
 found in great abundance in the old fortification at Oakfield, Genesee 
 County, N. Y. "Mr. Charles Pratt, of Batavia, found a very fine clay 
 pipe and several finely marked fragments of vessels. 
 
 (9) The material used in all aboriginal pottery is composed of clay, 
 tempered with pounded quartz, shells or fine sand, to prevent shrinkage 
 and resist the action of fire. Most of it is well burned, but does not 
 show glazing. One fine fragment is of what is known as the black 
 incised pottery, produced by placing the utensil over a fire made from 
 pitch pine, the oily black smoke coloring and partially glazing. 
 
 (10) The clay pipes are often fancifully moulded and ornamented, 
 some bearing the forms of animals, the distinctive features of which 
 are well preserved ; others are fluted and dotted with regular figures. 
 
 (11) Early writers state that, whenever pottery was buried with the 
 dead, or left behind when moving from one location to another, or when 
 driven away by a stronger tribe, the vessels were broken, so as to be 
 rendered useless. 
 
 (12) Investigators at the present time will readily assent to this belief, 
 as nothing but fragments are found, except in Central America and 
 Mexico, where pottery has been in use during the present century. In 
 shape they were mostly constructed with gourd-like bottoms, with a 
 ridge or groove around the top to allow for suspension. In some cases 
 they have flat bottoms. 
 
 (13) The usual size was from one to four quarts. The markings 
 were evidently made with a bone instrument, constructed with points 
 and grooves for that purpose. Mr. M. B. Turpin found in Seneca Park 
 a little bone marker which fitted the grooves in the marked pottery 
 found with it, which from its high polish had evidently been used for 
 that purpose. 
 
 (14) There is some question as to whether the pottery made by the 
 aborigines was hardened by fire or cured by the simpler methods of 
 
itZ^^- ~y 
 
 
 'J^'iJ^ 
 
 CutX is the representation oE a basket partially covered with clay, and «'as restored from a frag- 
 ment of jjottery which bears undoubted evidence of'the manner in which the first pottery was construct- 
 ed by primitive man. From the nature of the markings visible on ihc iragment, we conclude that a 
 framework of wicker was first fashioned into the desired form and then plastered on the outside with 
 clay until of the requisite thickness. Travelers speak of having seen natives cooking wiih vessels of 
 wood plastered with clay as a protection from fire, and also of pottery with portions o£ ihe basket stiil 
 remaining. 
 
 The fragments shown in the cuts were all found in what is now known as Genesee countv. The 
 ■ larger one, marked A, was picked up near Tonawanda Creek, four miles from Batavia ; No. 1 on the west 
 side of the Genesee River ; No. S in the old fortification at Oakfield, and No. y in the same earthwork. 
 No. 4 was found at Fort Hill, Le Loy, and No. 5 was unearthed in Seneca Park, on the west side of Gen- 
 esee River. 
 
PRIMITIVE MAN IN GENESEE COUNTY. 451 
 
 drying-. Analysis shows us that so far as chemical constituents are 
 concerned, it agrees very well with the composition of hydraulic stones. 
 
 (15) Most of the pottery found in mounds is composed of clay, sand 
 and fresh-water shells pulverized. Vessels formed of it harden without 
 being burned. 
 
 (16) The fragments of shells served the purpose of gravel, used at 
 present in the manufacture of concrete. Pieces of pottery taken from 
 the site of an ancient village located in Seneca Park contain a good pro- 
 portion of crushed quartz, together with bits of shell. The fragments 
 found, ranging from wicker work or basket pottery through successive 
 stages to finely finished and neatly glazed black incised vessels, would 
 indicate this as a place inhabited not only by primitive man, but by 
 succeeding tribes to a time contemporaneous with the natives found on 
 the continent by Columbus. 
 
 (17) The utensils commonly found would indicate that primitive man 
 in Genesee county was well advanced in the manufacture of pottery. 
 The fragments found correspond with those found in the Old World. 
 They are ornamented in the simplest and most uniform way, with de- 
 signs in relief, or impressions made with the finger nail or the top of 
 the finger, with pieces of wood or string pressed in the fresh clay. 
 
 (18) On the more recent vessels these are in the form of straight or 
 zigzag lines, dots, parallel lines, squares and triangles. 
 
 (19) The instinct of imitation was much stronger among the people 
 of the new world than those of the Old World of the same age. Joly 
 says the modern pottery of certain American tribes has retained the 
 same character in spite of contact with Europeans. The finest speci- 
 mens in my collection were found in the ancient work at Oakfield, for- 
 merly Elba, N. Y. 
 
 (20) After the commencement of European intercourse, vessels of 
 iron, copper, brass and tin superseded those of pottery, and its produc- 
 tion was discontinued ; but the Indian pipe was still preferred as being 
 superior to that of European manufacture. 
 
 (31) The partially village Indians who were barbarous, such as the 
 Iroquois, Choctaw and Cherokees, made it in smaller quantities and in 
 a limited number of forms. But the non-horticultural Indians who 
 were in a state of savagery, such as the Athabascan tribes of California 
 and in the valley of the Columbia, were ignorant of its use. 
 
 (22) The introduction of this art brought a new epoch in human 
 progress in this direction, improved living, and increased domestic con- 
 veniences. 
 
452 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 The so-called old fortification at Oakfield was very graphically de- 
 scribed by the Rev. Samuel Kirkland, who visited it in 1788. A por- 
 tion of this work remains the same as when seen by him. The place 
 was called, by the Senecas, Tegatamasghque, meaning a double forti- 
 fied town, having a fort at each end ; the one contained about four acres 
 of ground ; the other, about two miles distant from this and situated at 
 the other extremity of the ancient town, encloses twice that surface. 
 The ditch around the former was about five or six feet deep. A small 
 stream of living water, with a high bank, circumscribed nearly one- 
 third of the enclosed ground. 
 
 There were traces of six gates and .a dugway near the works to the 
 water. The ground on the opposite side of the water was, in some 
 places, nearly as high as that on which they built the fortification, 
 which might make it necessary for the covered way to the water. A 
 considerable number of large oaks have grown up within the enclosed 
 ground, both in and upon the ditch and embankment. Some of them 
 appear to be at least three or four hundred years old. In some places, 
 at the bottom of the ditch, one could dig down five or six feet, before 
 reaching the orijjinal soil. 
 
 Kirkland says that, near the northern fbrtification, are the remains of 
 a funeral pile. Indian tradition says, also, that these works were 
 raised, and a famous battle fought, in true Indian style, with Indian 
 weapons, long before their knowledge and use of firearms. The na- 
 tions used, at that time, bows, arrows and spears, the war club and 
 death mall. A fine specimen of the latter was found in Stafford, N. Y. 
 
 When the arrows were expended they came into close engagement, 
 using the death mall. Their shield, or dress, for this method of fight- 
 ing, was a short jacket made of willow sticks laced tightly around the 
 body. The head was covered with a cap of the same kind, but com- 
 monly worn double for the better protection of that part against a stroke 
 from a war club. 
 
 Some affirm that in this battle eight hundred were slain. All the 
 historians agree that the battle was fought here ; some say four, others, 
 five ages ago, an age being reckoned as one hundred snows or winters. 
 
 The other best preserved woi'k of primitive man is the one that is 
 known as Fort Hill, three miles north of Le Roy, on a point of land 
 formed by the junction of a small stream, called Fordham's brook, with 
 Allen's creek. The best view of this fortification is had at the north of 
 it, on the road from Bergen. From this point it needs but little to im- 
 
PRIMITIVE MAN IN GENESEE COUNTY. 453 
 
 agine that it was erected as a fortification, by a large and powerful army- 
 looking for a permanent and an inaccessible bulwark of defense. 
 
 From the centre of the hill, in a northwesterly course, the country 
 lies flat; north and east, the land is also level for one hundred rods, 
 when it rises nearly as high as the hill, and continues quite elevated for 
 several miles. 
 
 In approaching the hill from the north it rises abruptly, but not per- 
 pendicularly, to the height of eighty or ninety feet, extending about 
 forty rods on a line east and west, the corners being round and continu- 
 ing to the south on the west side for some fifty or sixty rods; on the 
 east s'de for about half a mile, maintaining the same elevation on the 
 side as on the front, beyond which distance the line of the hill is that of 
 the land around. 
 
 These are undjubted evidences that it was resorted to as a fortifica- 
 tion, and of its having constituted a valuable point of defense to a rude 
 and half-civilized people. Years ago an entrenchment, ten feet deep 
 and twelve or fifteen feet wide, extended from the west to theeast end, 
 along the north or front part, and continued up each side twenty rods, 
 when it crossed over, and joining, made the circuit of entrenchment 
 complete. At the present time a portion of the entrenchment is easily 
 perceived. 
 
 It is certain that the inhabitants of the Genesee country in what is 
 now known as Genesee county, before the settlement of Joncair, who 
 is conceded by all to be the fii'st white settler west of the Genesee 
 river, were a people who had attained a high rank among the Red Men. 
 
 Their captives were many, their raids often extending as far west as 
 the Mississippi and south to Virginia and the Carolinas. On their res- 
 ervations may still be found descendants of the Cherokee, Seminole, 
 Illinois and Catawba captives; in fact, of all the tribes with which they 
 had been at war in early times. Tradition furnishes their genealogy 
 far more accurately than we, with written records, are able to keep. 
 
 Our admiration and wonder are attracted to them when we learn 
 that, in all the numerous cases of captivity, escape from the captors 
 was never undertaken. If of their own race and color, he soon forgot 
 that he was in the wigwam of strangers. Social and political courte- 
 sies were extended to him. Were his family left behind, they were 
 supplied him. The interests of the adopter and the one adopted were 
 identical. So it was in a great degree with our own race, many of 
 whom were made captives, but not degraded, and there being no 
 restraint or coercion, the desire for escape entirely disappeared. 
 
454 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Turner says that during his boyhood he had listened to the stories 
 of the captive whites among the Senecas, and they invariably pre- 
 ferred remaining, rather than to return to their own kindred. The 
 freedom of outdoor life and absence of restraint were, undoubtedly, 
 factors, but the influence of kindness was the great lever that produced 
 this state of affairs. The Indian mother knew no difference between 
 the natural and the adopted child; no discrimination, or, if any, in 
 favor of the ward. 
 
 The government rested lightly upon the people, who really were 
 governed but little. An individual independence, that the Senecas 
 knew well how to prize, was created; and then, as at the present time, 
 the self-governing people were the happiest. 
 
 Their limited wants, the absence of property and infrequency of 
 crime, dispensed with the legislation incident to civilized society. But 
 little can be said of their progress in art or science ; still, their integ- 
 rity, unbounded hospitality, unbroken fidelity, inborn sentiments so 
 conspicuous in their character, form ornaments that no art of education 
 can bestow. The character of our Indian predecessors in the " Realm 
 of the Senecas" will stand the search-light of investigation and chal- 
 lenge the admiration of the investigator. 
 
 Red Jacket, whose war-whoop rang along the banks of the Ta-na- 
 wunda Ga-hun-da (Tonawanda Creek) was an orator of whom any 
 nation might well be proud, and, as if by common consent, the Sen- 
 ecas were allowed the head war- chief. He was also at the head of that 
 most powerful Indian federation known as the Iroquois. 
 
 It may be well to quote names, furnished by Lewis H. Morgan, that 
 were applied to the different towns in Genesee county : 
 
 Nun-da-wa-o-no-ga, or Seneca Territory- 
 
 Ta-na-wun-da Ga hun da, or Tonawanda Creek, meaning "swift 
 water." 
 
 Deo on-go-wa — Batavia — (great hearing place). 
 
 Ya go-o geh — Stafford — (place of hearing). 
 
 Te-car-da na duk — Oakfield — (place of many trenches). 
 
 Ga-swa-dak — Alabama — (by the cedar swamp). 
 
 Gan-dak — Careyville — (by the plains). 
 
 Te-ca so- a a — Pine Hill — (Elba) — " pine lying up," so-called by the 
 early settlers. 
 
 Da 6 sa ho-geh — Alexander — (place without a name). 
 
 Te car-nawun-na-da-ne, or Le Roy — (many rapids). 
 
GAZETTEER OP TOWNS— ALABAMA. 455 
 
 O-sd-ont-geh — Darien — (place of turkeys). 
 
 0-a-geh — Pembroke. 
 
 Da ge-a-no-ga-nut Ga-hun-da — Oak Orchard Creek. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV 
 
 GAZETTEER OF TOWNS. 
 
 Town of Alabama. 
 
 The town of Alabama is the most northeasterly of Genesee county. 
 It is bounded on the north by the town of Shelby, Orleans county; on 
 the east by Oakfield and Batavia; on the south by Pembroke; and on 
 the west by Newstead, Erie county, and Royalton, Niagara county. 
 It contains 37,904 acres. The surface of the town is mostly level. 
 Tonawanda creek flows sluggishly through the southwestern part of 
 the town from southeast to northwest. A feeder for the Erie canal 
 extends in a northerly direction in the northwestern section, from the 
 Tonawanda creek. The northwestern section is largely covered by the 
 Tonawanda swamp. Oak Orchard creek runs through the northeastern 
 portion of the town. In the western section is a part of the Tonawanda 
 Indian Reservation. In the southern section is a vein of limestone of 
 the same character as that which runs through the adjoining town of 
 Oakfield, forming a terrace extending in an easterly and westerly 
 direction. 
 
 The Oak Orchard Acid Springs, also known as "Alabama Sour 
 Springs," are situated near the centre of the northern part of the town, 
 a few rods from the banks of Oak Orchard creek. They are nine in 
 number, and all lie within a circle of fifty rods. They issue from 
 mounds, evidently formed by the action of the water, two and a half to 
 four feet above the surrounding surface. No two of these springs are 
 alike, and in one instance three springs issue from a single mound 
 within ten feet of one another, and the waters are essentially dissimilar. 
 Analysis of the waters of the three principal springs is as follows : 
 
 Spring No. 1, analyzed by Profs. Silliman and Norton — 
 
456 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Grains. 
 
 Sulphuric acid _ 134.732 
 
 Proto-sulphate of iron 28.623 
 
 Sulphate of alumina _ _. 21.690 
 
 Sulphate of lime _. __ 74.891 
 
 Sulphate of magnesia ,, _•_.. 35.596 
 
 Sulphate of potash 5.519 
 
 Sulphate of soda._ _ _ 6,343 
 
 Chloride of sodium .-... _-_ 2.434 
 
 Chloride of silica ___ 4 592 
 
 Total grains per gallon ..314.420 
 
 Spring No. 2, analyized by Prof. E. Emmons — 
 
 Grains. 
 
 Sulphate of lime 1.552 
 
 Sulphate of magnesia 0. 623 
 
 Sulphate of iron .__ 4.904 
 
 Free sulphuric acid 16. 132 
 
 Free organic matter 1,360 
 
 Free silica 0.230 
 
 Total grains in a pint . _ 24. 801 
 
 Spring No. 3, Analyzed by Prof. E. Emmons — 
 
 Grains. 
 
 Free sulphuric acid ., 12.414 
 
 Sulphate of lime 0.736 
 
 Sulphite of iron _. 8.920 
 
 Sulphate of magnesia 1 236 
 
 Organic matter 0. 100 
 
 Silica. a trace 
 
 Total grains in a pint 18. 406 
 
 A writer in the New York Journal of Commerce in July, 1849, gives 
 the following "description of the Alabama Sour Springs:" 
 
 During my stay in Batavia I have visited the Oak Orchard Acid Spring, situated 
 in the town of Alabama, about 14 miles from the village, 18 from Lockport, and 8 
 miles from Medina. The spring is in Tonawanda Swamp, on a little elevation, on 
 which and m the immediate .vicinity eight springs have been discovered, three of 
 which are acid, one sulphur, one magnesia, one iron, and one gas spring sufficient to 
 light 50 gas burners. The principal one is called "sour spring," from which the 
 celebrated Acid Water is taken, which is carried in great quantities to the Eastern 
 cites, and many boxes sent to the WdStern States. About 25,000 bottles have been 
 sold this pist year at 25 cents per bottle. These springs are very highly recom - 
 mended by Professor Emmons of Albany, Dr. Chilton of New York, and Professor 
 R. Silliman, jr., of Yale College. Dr. Chilton says they contain of: 
 
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS— ALABAMA. 457 
 
 Grains. 
 
 Free sulphuric acid .. 85.96 
 
 Sulphate of lime__. 39.60 
 
 Proto-sulphate of iron 14. 32 
 
 Sulphate of alumina 9. 68 
 
 Sulphate of magnesia _ . . 8. 38 
 
 Silica 1,04 
 
 Organic extractive matter _ 8.38 
 
 From one gallon 160. 62 
 
 Prof. Emmons remarks that " the peculiar character of these waters readers them 
 useful in many chronic diseases especially those of the digestive organs and those 
 of weakness and debility." Dr. James McNau^hton of Albany says: " The internal 
 and external use of these waters I have no doubt will prove valuable in the treatment 
 of several chronic cutaneous diseases." Dr. Robert Campbell of Pittsfield, Mass., 
 says: " As medical agents they must be highly beneficial for all chronic diseases of 
 the stomach and bowels." There are numerous other testimonials from eminent 
 physicians. A good hotel has been erected by Messrs. Ji C. Colton of Lockport and 
 Thomas W. Olcott of Albany, which is kept in a very handsome manner by Messrs. 
 Everett & Harrington, two industrious young men, who deserve and have received 
 a very liberal patronage. 
 
 The hotel is distant from the springs about half a mile, to which there is a good 
 plank road. Oak Orchard creek runs within a short distance of the house, affording 
 good fishing, as an instance of which pickerel have been taken weighing from 4 to 8 
 lbs. There is also good field sporting in the vicinity. I am confident if these springs 
 possess all the virtue represented by intelligent and scientific men, they will be re- 
 sorted to, not only by the invalid, but as a relief from the toils of business. At pres- 
 ent about 200 visit the springs daily. 
 
 The first permanent settlement made on the territory now comprised 
 within the limits of Alabama was made in 1806, by James Walsworth, 
 who conducted the first tavern in the town. Among the other early 
 inhabitaats were John Richardson, James Richardson, jr., Hannah 
 Carr and Samuel Sheldon, who came in 1814; William Daniels, 1815; 
 Jonas Kinne, Benjamin Gumaer and Henry Howard, 1817. The latter 
 opened the first school-house in the town. The first sawmill wa-> erected 
 in 1834 by Elder Samuel Whitcomb, and the first store of which there 
 is any record was opened in 1838 by Nahum Loring. The first church 
 was organized ia 1834 by the Freewill Baptists. 
 
 Alabama was formed from Shelby, Orleans county, April 17, 1836, 
 and was originally called Gerrysville, after Elbridge Gerry, vice-presi- 
 dent of the United States. April 21, 1838, the name was changed to 
 Alabama, meaning " Here we rest." In 1833 a portion of the town of 
 Wales, Erie county, was annexed. The. first town meeting was held 
 April 17, 1836, when the following officers were elected: 
 
458 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Supervisor, Benjamin Gumaer; town clerk, Chester Wolcott; asses- 
 sors, David Goodrich, Charles P. Brown, Elijah Craig. At this meeting 
 the inhabitants appropriated twenty-five dollars for road improvement 
 and fifty dollars for the maintenance of schools. Seven road districts 
 were established, and John S. Wolcott, Joseph Holmes and Ephraim 
 Divinny were chosen commissioners of highways. Seventy-three per- 
 sons were assessed at this meeting. The supervisors of the town since 
 its organization have been as follows: 
 
 1826-1828, Benjamin Gumaer; 1839-1830, Charles P. Brown; 1831-1833, George F. 
 Dinsraoor; 1833-1835, Guy B. Shepard; 1836-1837, Thomas B. Wolcott; 1838-1839, 
 Abraham Bolton; 1840-1841, Orrin Densmore; 1842, Charles P. Brown; 1843-1844, 
 John Crombie; 1845-1846, William Macomber; 1847, Charles P. Brown; 1848, Jacob 
 Winslow; 1849-1850, Chester Cabot; 1851-1852, Jacob Winslow; 1853, Charles P. 
 Brown; 1854, Reuben B. Warren; 1855-1856, Jacob Winslow; 1857-1859, Chauncey 
 Williams; 1860, Edward Halsey; 1861-1864, Chauncey Williams; 1865-1867, Aden 
 G. Gage; 1868-1870, Volney G. Knapp; 1871-1874, Joseph W. Holmes; 1875-1876. 
 Volney G Knapp; 1877, Sabert H. Basom; 1878, Robert W. Nichol; 1879-1881, 
 Sabert H. Basom; 1883-1883, Charles W. Roberts; 1884-1888, Sabert H. Basom; 
 1889-1890, A. F. G. Zurhorst; 1891-1897. Medad S. Morton; 1898, Harmon C. 
 Ingalsbe. 
 
 Following is a complete list of the town clerks from the date of the 
 organization of the town to the present time : 
 
 1826-1837, Chester Wolcott ; 1828, Matthew Bement ; 1839, Levi Eggleston ; 1830, 
 Thomas R. Wolcott; 1831, G S. Knowlton ; 1833, Levi Lee; 1833-1834, Elisha Rus- 
 sell; 1835, George P. Densmore; 1836, Lee Parish; 1837-1839, Asa Cutler; 1840-1841, 
 Charles P. Brown; 1843-1843, John R. Geer, jr.; 1844-1847, James Ingalsbe; 1848, 
 Reuben B. Warren; 1849, James Ingalsbe; 1850-1853, Reuben B. Warren; 1854, 
 Hiram Frary; 1855, S. Clark Bateman ; 1856, George H. Potter; 1857-1858, R. B. 
 Warren; 1859, Hiram Frary; 1860-1863, Alfred Losee; 1863-1864, Jonah Vail; 1865- 
 1868, Augde P. Gilbert; 1869, Warren Burlingame; 1870-1874, Harry E. Seeley; 
 1875-1876, J. M. Bickford; 1877, Charles A. Young; 1878-1879, F. A. Pixley; 1880- 
 1881, Dexter Pratt; 1882-1885, Gilmore Royce; 1886, Jay Pixley; 1887-1889, Gilmore 
 Royce; 1890, Frank Vail; 1891, Gilmore Royce; 1893-1893, John Tumalty; 1894- 
 1897, George Ingalsbe ; 1898, Frank Gregory. 
 
 The justices of the peace elected in 1827 were Benjamin Gumaer, 
 Sylvester Sweet, Charles P. Brown and Matthew Bement. Since then 
 the following have been elected to the office: 
 
 1838, Charles P. Brown; 1829, Nathan Baker, jr. : 1830, George F. Dinsmore; 1831, 
 Charles Macumber ; 1833, C. P. Brown ; 1833, Amasa Johnson ; 1834, N. Baker, jr. ; 
 1835, Henry Thomas; 1836, C. P. Brown; 1837, John Crombry; 1838, Anson Dewolf; 
 1839, Thomas R. Wolcott; 1840, Guy B. Shephard; 1841, Parley V. Ingalsbe; 1843,' 
 Anson Dewolf; 1843, Orin Densmore (1. t), Charles Macumber (s. t.); 1844, Guy B. 
 
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS— ALABAMA. 459 
 
 Shephard (1. t.), Lancaster Gorton (s. t.); 1845, Parley V. Ingalsbe (1. t), Stanton 
 Kenyon (s. t); 1846, Thomas Wolcott; 1847, Lancaster Gorton; 1848, Moses Hos- 
 kins; 1849, Isaac P. Deuel; 1850, L. A. Olcott; 1851, Lancaster Gorton; 1852, Moses 
 Hoskins(l. t). Jesse E. Combs (s. t.); 1853, Isaac P. Deuel; 1854, John E Combs; 
 1855, E. Ward Godey; 1856, Edward Diver; 1857, Isaac P. Deuel; 1858, James F. 
 Beckwith; 1859, Charles Brown; 1860, Sabert Basom (1. t.), William G. Sherwood 
 (s. t); 1861, Isaac P. Deuel (1. t.), Anson Dewolf (s. t.); 1863, Anson Dewolf; 1863, 
 William G. Sherwood; 1864, Sabert Basom (1. t), William Halley (s. t); 1865, Isaac 
 P. Deuel (1. t), Joseph Holmes (s. t.); 1866, James Chamberlain ; 1867. Joseph Holmes 
 (1. t), Lorenzo Olcott (s. t.); 186S, Daniel Norton (1. t.), S. Dow Dewey (s. t); 1869, 
 S. Dow Dewey; 1870, Loronzo Olcott; 1871, Joseph Holmes (1. t.), Isaac P. Deuel 
 (s. t.); 1873, Daniel Norton; 1873, Isaac P. Deuel; 1874, Daniel R. Taylor; 1875, 
 Joseph Holmes ; 1876, Daniel Norton ; 1877, Isaac P. Deuel ; 1878, Joseph Holmes ; 
 1879, George Aberdeen; 1880, Daniel Norton (1. t.), William Daniels (s. t): 1881, 
 Daniel Norton; 1883, Abbott Wight (1. t.), William Amsden (s. t,); 1883, Harmon 
 Norton; 1884, Daniel Norton (1. t.), C. W. Roberts (s. t.); 1885, Frank Vosburg; 1886, 
 Abbott Wight: 1887, C. W. Roberts; 1888, A. F. G. Zurhjrst; 1889. Alpha Bement; 
 1890, Frank Vosburg; 1891, Alvin A. Barrett; 1893, Harmon Norton; 1893, Alpha 
 Bement (1. t.), Charles Dye (s.t). Marion Filkins (s. t.); 1894, Marion Filkins (1. t.), 
 Moses Hitchcock (s. t); 1895, Edwin Goodwin; 1896, C. D. Roberts; 1897, George 
 Hotchkiss; 1898, Marion Filkins. 
 
 The villages and hamlets in Alabama are Alabama Centre, Wheat- 
 ville, Smithville and Basom. 
 
 Alabania Centre is situated a short distance north of the centre of 
 the town, on the road from Batavia to Lewiston. It contains two 
 churches, Methodist Episcopal and Baptist, a school, a saw mill, a 
 cheese factory, blacksmith shop, wagon shop and one or two other 
 small industries. Excelsior Lodge No. 638, I. O. G. T., was organized 
 in March, 1887, and the W. C. T. U. was organized in 1886. 
 
 Wheatville is a hamlet about two and a half miles east of Alabama 
 Centre. Here the first saw mill in town was erected by Samuel Whit- 
 comb, prior to 1830. Levi Lee and Mr. Parrish were pioneer mer- 
 chants. Dr. Shepard was the first physician. John Wolcott conducted 
 the first tavern. There are two churches at this point — ^the Freewill 
 Baptist, the oldest in the town, and the Roman Catholic. 
 
 Smithville, or South Alabama, is on the West Shore railroad. The 
 Baptist church of Oakfield and Alabama, founded in 1839, is located 
 here. A hotel was built here in 1884 by Henry Ceder. Odd Fellows 
 Lodge No. 496 was founded here several years ago. 
 
 Basom post-office was opened October 25, 1889, with Julius Ingalsbe 
 as the first postmaster. It is located on the West Shore railroad, and 
 has a lumber yard, blacksmith shop, two stores and a hotel. 
 
460 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 The Tonawanda Indian Reservation is located partly in Alabama, 
 partly in Pembroke and partly in Erie county. It originally had an 
 area of forty-five thousand acres; but from time to time its territory 
 has been reduced until it now embraces but a little more than seven 
 thousand five hundred acres. This land has been occupied by the In- 
 dians, originally by a remnant of the Seneca nation, for more than a cen- 
 tury.' The Indians receive an annuity of several thousand dollars 
 from the general government. While there are many Christians among 
 the inhabitants of the Reservation the pagans are in the majority. 
 The law provides for the election of a president for the tribe, who must 
 also be the chief, and a clerk, marshal and peacemakers. William 
 Parker, for many years a chief, who served in the war of 1812, died in 
 1864. His wife was a niece of the famous Red Jacket, and his son. 
 Gen. Ely S. Parker, for many years chief of the nation, was an aid on 
 the stafif of Gen. U. S. Grant. He was a native of the Reservation. 
 
 A missiim church was organized on the Reservation in 1835 by the 
 Baptists, who built a log chapel. The Rev. Mr. Brigham was first in 
 charge of the mission. In recent years a brick church has been erected. 
 The Presbyterians, under Asher Wright, organized a mission in 1870. 
 
 Town or Alexander. 
 
 Alexander is one of the four towns in the southern tier. It is 
 bounded on the north by Batavia, on the east by Bethany, on the south 
 by Wyoming county, and on the west by Darien. The town is per- 
 fectly square in form. The surface of the town is hilly in the centre 
 and south, and rolling or level in the north. The Tonawanda creek, 
 which rises in Wyoming county, enters the town at the western part of 
 the southern boundary, flows in a northeasterly direction through the 
 town, leaving it near its northeast corner. Its course through Alexan- 
 der is exceedingly tortuous. Bowen creek, a branch of the Tonawanda, 
 rises west of the centre and flows in a northeasterly direction. Little 
 Tonawanda creek flows northerly through the extreme eastern part. 
 The Attica branch of the New York Central and Hudson River Rail- 
 road and a branch of the Erie Railroad run parallel through the town 
 along the course of the Tonawanda creek, and the main line of the 
 Erie from Buffalo eastward traverses the southwestern and southeastern 
 parts of the town. 
 
 1 See Chapter VI. 
 
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS— ALEXANDER. 461 
 
 Settlements were made in Alexander at a very early day in the history 
 of Genesee county. The productive lands along the Tonawanda at- 
 tracted numerous settlers, and early in the century the outlook was that 
 it would become one of the most populous towns in the county. Over 
 one hundred families are believed to have taken up lands in that town 
 between 1802 and 1815, most of whom came before the War of 1812. 
 
 Alexander Rea, who had been a surveyor for the Holland Land Com- 
 pany, under direction of Joseph Ellicott, made the first purchase of land 
 in the town in 1802. He founded the village of Alexander, which was 
 named in his honor, and there erected a sawmill in 1804, the first in the 
 town. William Blackman located in the town at a very early date, and 
 may have become an actual settler before Mr. Rea built a home there. 
 Mr. Rea was a brigadier-general in the militia, and served as State 
 senator lor several years. Elijah Root, John Olney, George Darrow 
 and William Johnson came from 1803 to 1805. Lillie Fisher, Caleb 
 Blodgett, Lewis Di^brow, Joseph Fellows, Elias Lee, John Lee, Sam- 
 uel Russell, Elijah Rowe, Solomon Blodgett, Elisha Carver and Ben- 
 ham Preston also local ed in town, or purchased land there, during or 
 prior to 1804. Among the other pioneers were Captain Marcellus Fel 
 lows, William Adams, Wolcott Marsh, Lyman Riddle, John Riddle, E. 
 C. Moulton; Luther Chaddock, Dennis Chaddock, Colonel Seba Brain- 
 ard, Timothy Haskins, Captain Royal Moulton and Benjamin Moulton. 
 
 The first grist mill in town was erected in 1808 by William Adams. 
 John and Samuel Latham erected the first frame dwelling. Harvey 
 Hawkins conducted the first tavern, and Hon. Abel Ensign the first 
 store. The first physician was Dr. Charles Chaffee Alden Richards 
 conducted the first tannery in town. In 1811 the Alexandrian Library 
 was formed with Alexander Rea, Henry Hawkins, Colonel Seba 
 Brainard, Samuel Latham, Jr., Harvey Hawkins, Noah North and Ezra 
 W. Osborn as trustees. In 1828 a literary society was formed, and in 
 1837 the Genesee and Wyoming Seminary was organized as its out 
 growth. The building is still standing, and is used by the Alexander 
 High School, The Alexander Cemetery was surveyed in 1813 by 
 Nathan Holmes, whose body was the first to be interred therein. 
 
 The first religious meeting was held in 1805, Elder Burton presiding. 
 A Presbyterian church organized in 1807 by Harvey Hawkins and Cy- 
 renus Wilbor was the first established in town. There are now in town 
 also a Methodist, a Universalist and a free Methodist church. 
 
 The town of Alexander was organized June 8, 1812, and the first town 
 
462 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 meeting was held four days later. The town clerk's office was bumed 
 in 1868, and it is therefore impossible to secure a complete civil list of 
 the town. The following is a list of the principal officers of the town as 
 shown by the existing records. 
 
 Supervisors— 1831, Ziba S. Beards'.ey; 1832, Jonathan Hall; 1833-1835, Samuel 
 Benedict, jr. ; 18i6, Royal Moulton; 1837, Samuel Benedict, jr. ; 1838-1839, Jesse Haw- 
 kins; 1840, Elbridge G. Moulton; 1841, Jesse Hawkins; 1843, George W. King; 1843, 
 Jesse Hawkins; 1844, Benajah Benedict; 1845, Ammi R. R. Butler; 1846, Earl Kidder; 
 1847-1848 Elbridge G. Moulton; 1849-1850, Heman Blodgett; 1851-1853, Earl Kid- 
 der ; 1854, David Halsted ; 1855-1856, Anson Lewis ; 1857-1859, Byram Moulton ; 
 1860-1865, Van Rensselaer Hawkins; 1866-1867, William I. Parish; 1868-1869, Henry 
 Chappie; 1870-1871, Drayton Sprague; 1872-1873, Cortland Crosman ; 1874^1878, 
 Frank G. Moulton; 1879-1880, Van Rensselaer Hawkins; 1881-1883, Jasper B. Lewis; 
 1884, Frank G. Moulton; 1885, Suel Chaddock; 1886-1887, Oel S. Kidder; 1888-1889, 
 Charles F. Lewis; 1890-1891, Jesse A. Hawkins; 1893-1893, Joseph O. Greene; 1894- 
 1895, Clark Shaw; 1896-1898, R. Tracy Miller. 
 
 Town Clerks— Levi M. Button, 1869-1870; William L. Dickinson, 1870-1871; Jacob 
 Zwetsch, 1871-1876; Scott Rowe, 1876-1877; Alonzo T. Mooers, 1877-1878; Scott 
 Rowe, 1878-1879; J. W. Jerome, 1879-1881; L T. Mullen, 1881-1884; W. H. Mooers, 
 1884-1887; G. E. Smith, 1887-1889; F. M. Richards, 1889-1890; John F. Whiteside, 
 1890-1891; Charles Zwetsch, 1891-1894; Norman Bentley, 1894-1898; George W. 
 Zwetsch, 1898. 
 
 Justices of the Peace— C. W. Van de Bogart, 1869-1880 ; Phillip Zwetsch, 1869-1879 ; 
 Drayton Sprague, 1869-1878; Cortland Crosman, 1869-1873; Joseph E. Van de Bo- 
 gart, 1871-1875; Delos L. Dodson, 1875-1883; Elbridge G. Moulton, 1878-1894; R. 
 C. Curtiss, 1878-1886; Charles F Lewis, 1880-1888; J. O. Greene, 1883-1898; Will- 
 iam G. Pollard, 1886-1890; Charles R. Eglestone, 1888 (resigned); R. C. Curtiss, 
 1889-1893; Charles F. Lewis, 1890-1897; Phillip Zwetsch, 1892-1896; David W. Burt, 
 1893-1897; M. F. Lincoln, 1896-1898; Phillip Zwetsch, 1897-1898; Albert H. Moulton, 
 1898 ; Edwin Shadbolt, 1897-1898. 
 
 The village of Alexander, located south of the centre of the town, 
 was incorporated in 1834. It is situated principally west of the tracks 
 of the Erie and New York Central and Hudson River railroads. It 
 contains a roller mill, a creamery, blacksmith shop, three stores, one 
 hotel, three churches, and an excellent union school. The Tonawanda 
 creek furnishes excellent water power for the flour mill. The village 
 was founded by Alexander Rea, who took up the first land sold in that 
 township by the Holland Land Company. Brookville is a small ham- 
 let northeast of Alexander. West Bethany lies at the eastern bounds 
 of the town, partly in Bethany. 
 
 In former years a bank known as the Exchange Bank of Genesee 
 flourished at the village of Alexander. This institution was founded 
 
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS— BATAVIA, 463 
 
 in 1842. Later, Daniel W. Tomlinson became interested in it, and in 
 1850, after buying up all the stock, removed it to Batavia, where it 
 ultimately discontinued business. 
 
 Town of Batavia. 
 
 Batavia is the largest town in Genesee county, both in point of terri- 
 tory and population. It is located in about the centre of the county, 
 and is bounded on the north by Oakfield and Elba, on the east by Staf- 
 ford, on the south by Bethany and Alexander, and on the west by Pem- 
 broke and Alabama. The surface of the town is undulating, being 
 nearly level in some portions. Tonawanda creek enters the town on 
 the southern border, flows in a northerly direction to the village of 
 Batavia, where it turns and takes a westerly course, passing out of the 
 town at the centre of the western boundary. Its course through the 
 town is exceedingly sluggish for most of the way. Bowen's creek, 
 which has its source in Alexander, flows northwesterly through Bata- 
 via until it reaches Tonawanda creek, near the western limits of the 
 town. The soil of this tpwn is a deep, fertile, sandy loam, adapted to 
 many kinds of agricultural pursuits, but especially to fruit raising. 
 Batavia village, the county seat of- Genesee county, is situated in the 
 east half of the town. 
 
 Several railroads pass through Batavia. The main line of the New 
 York Central and Hudson River Railroad extends in a general south- 
 westerly and northeasterly direction through the central part of the 
 town. The T flnawand a__branch of the same road extends from east 
 to west through the centre; the Canandaiguajbranch extends in a 
 southeasterly direction from the village of Batavia; the Batavia and 
 Attica branch extends in a southwesterly direction from Batavia. The 
 Erie Railroadenters the town near the centre of the southern bound- 
 ary, runs parallel with the Attica branc h of the New York Central 
 and Hudson River Railroad to Batavia, and there turns and runs east- 
 ward. 
 
 The first settlements in the town were made by Isaac Sutherland, 
 Colonel William Rumsey and General Worthy L. Churchill. Mr. Suth- 
 erland erected a substantial log house on his farm about two miles 
 west of the village. The pioneer homes of Colonel Rumsey and Gen- 
 eral Churchill stood about three miles east of the village. Others who 
 came into the town, either to reside or to take up land, prior to the 
 
464 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 founding of the village, were Joseph Ellicott, Benjamin Ellicott, James 
 Brisbane, in 1798; James W. Stevens, John Branan, in 1800; Thomas 
 Ashley, Gideon Dunham, Garrett Davis, Samuel F. Geer, Dr. David 
 McCracken, R. Noble, Stephen Russell, Abel Rowe, Aaron White, in 
 1801; John Lamberton, Benjamin Morgan.' Batavia village was 
 founded by Joseph Ellicott, agent of the Holland Land Company, in 
 1802. The first building in the village was erected in March, 1801, by 
 Abel Rowe. 
 
 The original town of Batavia included practically the entire Holland 
 Purchase. The town was formed by act of the Legislature, March 30, 
 1802. Alexander, Bergen, Bethany and Pernbroke were set off in 
 1812, and Elba and a part of Stafford in 1820. The first town meeting 
 was held at the tavern of Peter Vandeventer (now Newstead, Erie 
 county) March 1, 1803. On that occasion the following officers were 
 elected: 
 
 Supervisor — Peter Vandeventer; town clerk, David Cully; assessors, Enos Kel- 
 logg, Asa Ransom, Alexander Rea: commissioners of highways, Alexander Rea, 
 Isaac Sutherland, Suffrenus Maybee; overseers of the poor, David Cully, Benjamin 
 Porter; collector, Abel Rowe; constables, John Mudge, Levi Felton, Rufus Hart, 
 Abel Rowe, Seymour Kellogg, Hugh Howell ; overseers of highways, Martin Mid- 
 daugh, Timothy Hopkins, Orlando Hopkins, Benjamin Morgan, Rufus Hart, Lovell 
 Churchill, Jabez Warren, William Blackman, Samuel Clark, Gideon Dunham, Jona- 
 than Willard, Thomas Layton, Hugh Howell, Benjamin Porter and William Wals- 
 worth. 
 
 Since thfe organization of the town the principal officers have been as 
 follows : 
 
 Supervisors— 1803, Peter Vandeventer; 1804, Alexander Rea; 1805-1809, Isaac 
 Sutherland; 1810-1811, Dadid McCracken; 1812-1813, Isaac Sutherland; 1814- 
 1815, John Z. Ross; 1816, Shubael Dunham; 1817-1823, Isaac Sutherland; 1833, 
 James P. Smith; 1824, Isaac Sutherland; 1825, David C. Miller; 1826, Joseph 
 Baker; 1827, William H. Bush; 1828, Oswald Williams; 1829, Isaac Suther- 
 land; 1830, Oswald Williams; 1831, Shubael Dunham; 1882-1833, David C. Miller; 
 1834, John G. Russell; 1835, John ClifEord; 1836, John G Russell; 1837, David Can- 
 field; 1838, Timothy Fitch ; 1839, Albert Smith; 1840-1843, Nathaniel Read; 1843- 
 1844, Moses Taggart ; 1845, Benjamin Pringle ; 1846, John G. Russell ; 1847, William 
 S. Mallory; 1848-1850, Timothy Fitch; 1851, John B. Pike; 1853, William H. Potter; 
 1833, Homer Daw; 1854, Rufus Robertson; 1855, John G. Russell; 1856-1857, Mar- 
 tin F. Robertson; 1858, Benjamin Pringle; 1859, Austin E. Warner; 1860, Martin F. 
 Robertson; 1861. Seth Wakeraan ; 1863, Harry Backus; 1863-1864, George W. 
 
 ■The history of the town being essentially the history of the village during the early days, 
 we refer the reader to the chapter devoted to The Village of Batavia for more detailed informa- 
 tion regarding the pioneer days. 
 
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS— BATAVIA. 465 
 
 Terry; 1865-1866, Hayden U. Howard; 1867, Ebenezer B. Morgan; 1868, Hayden 
 U. Howard; 1869, Ebenezer B. Morgan; 1870-1871, George Burt; 1873-1877, Charles 
 H. Monell; 1878; Wm. C. Watson; 1879-1880, Henry Craft; 1881-1891, Nehemiah 
 Osborn; 1892-1898, John Thomas. 
 
 Town Clerks— 1803, David Cully; 1804-1805, Isaiah Babcock; 1806-1809, Asa 
 McCracken; 1810, Charles Blanchard; 1811-1834, Samuel F. Geer; 1825-1836, Rich- 
 ard Smith; 1837, Benjamin Henshaw; 1828, Horace Gibbs; 1839, Richard Pratt; 
 1830, Horace Gibbs; 1831, Libbeus Fish; 1833, Horace U. Soper; 1838-1834, Lib- 
 beus Fish; 1835, WiUiam S. Mallory; 1836, Daniel D. Waite; 1887, Isaac M. Joslyn ; 
 1838, Eli H. Fish; 1839-1848, Isaac M. Joslyn; 1849, Merrill G. Soper; 1850-1851, 
 Isaac M. Joslyn ; 1854, George H. Holden ; 1855, Isaac M. Joslyn ; 1856, George Bowen ; 
 1857, Henry T. Cross ; 1858-1860, Ira Richardson ; 1861-1863, Almerin Joslyn ; 1864, 
 Homer Kimberly ; 1865-1866, David Seaver ; 1867, Isaac M. Joslyn ; 1868, Bradford 
 Kinner; 1869, Hiram K. Buell; 1870, Elonzo N. Stone; 1871, Charles J. Baker; 1872, 
 Elonzo N. Stone; 1873, John Holley Bradish; 1874-1875, Charles R. Gould; 1876, 
 John Thomas ; 1877, Elonzo N. Stone ; 1878, James Mackay ; 1879-1880, Homer N 
 Kelsey; 1881-1883, Peter Thomas; 1884^1885, Frank Page; 1886-1888, Albert E. 
 Brown; 1889-1890, John, J. Kane; 1891-1893, Herman May; 1894^1898, George E. 
 Redshaw. 
 
 Justices of the Peace — 1803, Enos Kellogg, David McCracken, Wm. Rumsey, Asa 
 Ransom ; 1804, Enos Kellogg, David McCracken, Alexander Rea, Asa Ransom ; 1805, 
 Enos Kellogg, David McCracken ; 1806, Enos Kellogg, David McCracken, Asa Ran- 
 som, Zenas Bigelow, Richard Smith; 1807, Richard Smith, David McCracken, 
 Jotham Curtis Andrew A. EUicott; 1808, Parmenio Adams, David McCracken, 
 Moody Stone, Andrew A. EUicott ; 1809, Jesse Rumsey, David McCracken, Worthy 
 L. Churchill, J. Lamberton; 1810, Charles Blanchard, David McCracken, Sylvester 
 Lincoln, Jr., R. Godfrey; 1811, Eben Eggleston, R. Fleming, Lemuel Foster, Rich- 
 ard Godfrey ; 1812, J. Lamberton, Clarkson F. Brooks. Sylvester Lincoln, J. Z. Ross, 
 Ebenezer Cary ; 1813, John Hickox, Robert Fleming, Lemuel Foster, Richard God- 
 frey; 1814, Phineas L Tracy, Oliver Wilcox, Lemuel Foster, Ebenezer Cary; 1815, 
 Phineas L. Tracy, Oliver Wilcox, T. B. Campbell, Eden Foster, D. R. Cooley, Eras- 
 tusWolcott; 1816, Thomas H. Clarke, Blanchard Powers, J. Goodwill; 1818, Rich- 
 ard Smith, Justus Ingersoll, A. Reynolds, David C. Miller, Johnson Goodwill; 1819, 
 Richard Smith, Justus Ingersoll, Thomas C. Love; 1820, Richard Smith, Joseph 
 Aplin, Lemuel Foster ; 1821, Benjamin Blodgett; 1833, Blanchard Powers, Wm. H. 
 Tisdale: 1823, Nehemiah Houghton, Benjamin Stetson, Clement Carpenter, Daniel 
 Tisdale; 1834, Richard Smith, Benjamin Stetson, Clement Carpenter, Daniel Tis- 
 dale ; 1835-1836, Clement Carpenter, Daniel Tisdale ; 1827, Timothy Fitch, Richard 
 Pratt, Clement Carpenter, Marcus Wakeman ; 1828, Timothy Fitch, Charles M. Rus- 
 sell, Marcus Wakeman ; 1839, Timothy Fitch, Charles M. Russell, Marcus Wakeman ; 
 1830, Marcus Wakeman, Timothy Fitch, Charles M. Russell, Moses Taggart; 1831, 
 Timothy Fitch, Charles M. Russell, Moses Taggart, Marcus Wakeman ; 1832, Lib- 
 beus Fish, Charles M. Russell, Moses Taggart, Marcus Wakeman ; 1833, Libbeus 
 Fish, Charles M. Russell, Moses Taggart, Marcus Wakeman; 1834, Libbeus 
 Fish, Charles M. Russell, James G. Hoyt, Nathaniel Read; 1835, Libbeus Fish, 
 Charles M. Russell, James G. Hoyt, Nathaniel Read; 1836, James D. Merrill, 
 Charles M. Russell, James G. Hoyt, Nathaniel Read; 1837, James D. Merrill, 
 30 
 
466 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Charles M. Russell, Seth Wakeman, Nathaniel Read; 1838, James D. Merrill, 
 Charles M. Russell, Seth Wakeman, Nathaniel Read; 1839-1859, Richard Smith; 
 1839-1840, Charles M. Russell, Seth Wakeman, Nathaniel Read; 1840-1868, Augus- 
 tus Cowdin; 1841-1849, Seth Wakeman; 1840-1842, Nathaniel Read; 1843-1845, 
 Charles Goodrich; 1846-1850, Nathaniel Read; 1850-1857. M. Wells Hewitt; 1851- 
 1854, Daniel Putnam; 1855-1858, William H. Davis; 1858-1861, Homer Kiraberly; 
 1859-1866, Uriel B. Gould; 1862-1865, M. Wells Hewitt; 1860-1862, George Babcock; 
 1863-1867, Horace M. Warren; 1866, Jarvis R. Smith; 1867, Russell A. Kneeland, 
 W. C. Watson; 1868, Nelson Stevens, Weeien T. Bliss, George Burt; 1869, Nelson 
 Stevens, Myron H. Peck, Weeden T. Bliss, George Burt; 1870, Nelson Stevens, 
 Myron H. Peck, Sidney A. Sherwin, George Burt; 1871-1873, Benjamin C. Page, 
 Myron H. Peck, Sidney A. Sherwin, E. R. Hall; 1872, Augustus Cowdin;' 1873, 
 John G. Johnson; 1874, Samuel Jack; 1875, Benjamin C. Page; 1876, Harry Wilber; 
 1877, John G. Johnson, David Lent ; 1878, Samuel Jack ; 1879, Benjamin C. Page ; 
 1880, John B. Crosby; 1881, David Lent; 1882, Samuel Jack; 1883, Horace M. War- 
 ren ; 1885, Daniel Lent ; 1886, Samuel Jack ; 1887, no election (tie vote) ; 1888, John 
 B. Crosby, L. L. Crosby; 1889, Wm. E Webster; 1890, Louis C. Case, Joseph H- 
 Robson; 1891, Frederick H. Dunham; 1892, Joseph H. Robson; 1893, Martin 
 Brown; 1894, Norman H. Blodgett; 1895, Frederick H. Dunham; 1896, Frederick M. 
 Sa£ford; 1897, Clayton W. Shedd; 1898, Frank W. Ballard. 
 
 Commissioners of Highways — 1803, Isaac Sutherland. Suffrenus Mabee, Alexander 
 Rea ; 1804, Samuel F. Geer, William Rumsey, Cruger Stanley ; 1805, Seymour Kel- 
 logg, Reuben Town, Zerah Phelps; 1806, John Lamberton, Samuel F. Gear, Elizur 
 Webster; 1807, John Lamberton, Sebe Brainard, Elizur Webster ; 1808, John Lam- 
 berton, Sebe Brainard, Ebenezer Eggleston; 1809, John Lamberton, Sebe Brainard, 
 Isaiah Babcock; 1810, John Lamberton, Sebe Brainard, Abel Wheeler; 1811, Rich- 
 ard Godfrey, Sebe Brainard, Ebenezer Eggleston; 1812, Worthy L. Churchill, Will- 
 iam H. Bush, Isaiah Babcock; 1813, Richard Godfrey, Lemuel Foster, Isaiah Bab- 
 cock; 1814, Seymour Kellogg, Horace Gibbs, David R. Cooley; 1815, Thomas B. 
 Campbell, Horace Gibbs, Aaron Gary; 1816, Oliver Wilcox, William Keyes, Thomas 
 H. Clarke; 1817, Oliver Wilcox, Horace Gibbs, Eden Foster; 1818, Joseph Baker, 
 Ira Gilbert, Benjamin Clark; 1819, Joseph Baker, Horace Gibbs, Ephraim Towner; 
 1820, Nehemiah Houghton, Oswald Williams, Alpheus Reynolds; 1821, Nehemiah 
 Houghton, Oswald Williams, Benjamin Stetson ; 1832, Harvey Eggleston, Oswald 
 Williams, Benjamin Stetson ; 1833-1825, Joseph Aplin, Samuel Willett, John Davids; 
 
 1836, Joseph Aplin, John L. Bartholf, Benjamin Stetson; 1837, Joseph Aplin, John 
 L. Bartholf, Alpheus Reynolds ; 1828, Joseph Aplin, John L. Bartholf, Joshua Suther- 
 land; 1829, Harvey Eggleston, Richard Beckwith, John W. More; 1830, Harvey Eg- 
 gleston, Richard Beckwith, David R. Cooley; 1881, John L. Bartholf, Richard Beck- 
 with, Nathan Warner ; 1833-1836, John L. Bartholf, James Brownell, Calvin Rich ; 
 
 1837, Nathaniel Bayn. Chester Gould, Jesse Hurd; 1838, Nathaniel Merrill, John F. 
 Plato, John L. Bartholf; 1839, Nathaniel Merrill, John F. Plato, Martin Rose; 1840, 
 Nathaniel Merrill, John F. Plato, John L. Bartholf; 1841, Alexander H. Foster, 
 James Pendill, Daniel Upton; 1843, Alexander H. Foster, James Pendill, Samuel W, 
 
 'The dates Igiven after 1871 indicate the year on which the justices denoted were elected for 
 terms of four years each. 
 
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS— BATAVIA. 467 
 
 Lyman; 1843, Alexander H. Foster, Aaron Sleeper, Samuel W. Lyman; 1844, Alex- 
 ander H. Foster, Nathan E. Hollister, Samuel W. Lyman; 1845-1846, Elisha Bige- 
 low, Nathan E. Hollister, Jacob Williams ; 1847-1848, Russell Bradley, Nathan E. 
 Hollister, Jacob Williams ; 1849-1850, Russell Bradley, Justin Williams. Jacob Will- 
 iams; 1851, Russell Bradley, Justin Williams, Martin Rose; 1852, Russell Bradley, 
 Joshua C. Davis, Martin Rose; 1853-1854, Nathan Warner, Joshua C. Davis, Martin 
 Rose ; 1855, Nathan Warner, Hiram P. Flanders, Martin Rose ; 1856, Chester E. Or- 
 cutt, Hiram P. Flanders, Martin Rose; 1857-1863, Chester E. Orcutt, Hiram P. 
 Flanders, Jonathan Greene; 1864, Chester E. Orcutt, Samuel Heston, Jonathan 
 Greene; 1865, Jerome Thompson, Samuel Heston, Jonathan Greene; 1866, Jerome 
 Thompson, Samuel Heston, Sylvester Whitney ; 1867, Jerome Thompson, James T. 
 Hamilton, Sylvester Whitney ; 1868, Jerome Thompson, James T. Hamilton, Sylves- 
 ter Whitney; 1869-1871, Jerome Thompson, James T. Hamilton, AlonzoA. Lawson; 
 1873, Alvin Pease, Alonzo A. Lawson; 1873, Harvey Weed; 1874, Chester E. Orcutt; 
 1875, A. A. Lawson; 1876, Charles Pratt; 1877, Chester E. Orcutt; 1878, Henry H. 
 Woolsey; 1879, Nehemiah Osborn ; 1880, Nicholas Y. Vrooman ; 1881, Henry H. 
 Woolsey; 1882, Charles Hirsch; 1883, Nicholas Y. Warren, John H. McCulley; 1884, 
 John H. McCulley; 1885, Uri Johnson ; 1886, Stephen Estes; 1887, John H. McCulley; 
 1888, Thomas F. Hussey; 1889, Stephen Estes; 1890, John H. McCulley; 1891, 
 Thomas F. Hussey; 1893, William Uphill; 1893, G. Harrison Wheeler; 1894, Will- 
 iam M. Torrance ; 1895, William Uphill ; 1896, G. Harrison Wheeler ; 1897, William 
 M. Torrance; 1898, William H. Uphill. 
 
 Assessors — 1803, Alexander Rea, Asa Ransom, Suffrenus Mabee, Enos Kellogg; 
 1804, Isaac Sutherland, Asa Ransom, David Thompson; 1805, Orsemus Kellogg, 
 Zenas Bigelow, Linus Gunn ; 1806, Orsemus Kellogg, Zenas Bigelow, Daniel Adams ; 
 1807, Samuel F. Geer, Daniel Burbank, Elizur Webster; 1808, Samuel F. Geer, Sey- 
 mour Kellogg, Harvey Hawkins; 1809, William H. Bush, Abel Wheeler, Newcomb 
 Demary; 1810, William H. Bush, Josiah Churchill, Henry Hawkins; 1811, Worthy 
 L. Churchill, Josiah Churchill, Stephen Day; 1812, Lemuel Foster, Robert Fleming, 
 Ebenezer Eggleston ; 1818, Shubael Dunham, John S. Leonard, William Rumsey ; 
 1814, Oliver Wilcox, Erastus Wolcott, George Mills ; 1815, Shubael Dunham, Baker 
 Leonard. George Mills; 1816, William H. Bush, Horace Gibbs, Thomas B. Campbell; 
 1817, William H. Bush, Winter Hewitt, William Rumsey ; 1818, David Danolds, 
 Oliver Wilcox, George Mills ; 1819, David Danolds, John Lamberton, Ebenezer Mix ; 
 1820, William H. Bush, John Lamberton, Libbeus Fish; 1831, William H. Bush, 
 David R. Cooley, Benjamin Allen; 1832, James Collar, David R. Cooley, Ephraim 
 Towner; 1823, James Collar, David R. Cooley, Horace Gibbs; 1834, Phineas Ford, 
 Thomas Christie, Horace Gibbs; 1825, Peter Huidekoper, Samuel Willett, Jabez 
 Howe; 1836, Aaron Van Cleve, Samuel Willett, Benjamin Blodgett; 1827, Aaron 
 Van Cleve, Richard Pratt, Amherst Crane ; 1838, Aaron Van Cleve, Richard Pratt, 
 Charles Gould ; 1829, Shubael Dunham, Jonathan Lay, James McMillan ; 1830, Aaron 
 Van Cleve, Joseph Aplin, James McMillan; 1831, Aaron Van Cleve, Joseph Aplin, 
 Hall Deland; 1833-1888, Aaron Van Cleve, Thomas Pember, Hall Deland; 1884, 
 David R. Cooley, Thomas Pember, Hall Deland; 1835, Aaron Van Cleve, Thomas 
 C. Sleeper, Libbeus Allen ; 1836, Chester White, Thomas C. Sleeper, Libbeus Allen ; 
 1837, David N. Tuttle, Eli Woods, John A. Sanford; 1838-1839, Chester White, 
 Thomas C. Sleeper, Libbeus Allen ; 1840-1841, Chester White, Warren L. Fields, 
 
468 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Joseph W. Hopkins; 1842, Eli H. Fish, Warren L. Fields, Libbeus Allen; 1843, Eli 
 H. Fish, Phineas Ford, Libbeus Allen ; 1844-1845, John F. Plato. Nathaniel Read, 
 William H. Davis; 1846-1847, Sheldon Cook, Thomas C. Sleeper, Azro Kendall; 
 1848, Sheldon Cook, Nathaniel Read, Azro Kendall; 1849, Sheldon Cook, Nathaniel 
 Read, Asahel Peck; 1850, John F. Plato, Nathaniel Read, Asahel Peck; 1851, John 
 F. Plato, Isaac M. Barnes, Asahel Peck; 1852, John F. Plato, Isaac M. Barnes, 
 Abram Pease, jr. ; 1853-1854, William W. Vallett, Isaac M. Barnes, Abram Pease, jr. ; 
 1855, William W. Vallett, Isaac M. Barnes, John F. Plato; 1856, William W. Vallett, 
 Isaac M. Barnes, Elonzo F. HoUister; 1857, William W. Vallett, Daniel Upton, Sen- 
 eca M. Short ; 1858, William W. Vallett, Daniel Upton, Gad B. Worthington ; 1859, 
 William W. Vallett, Daniel Upton, Horace M. Warren ; 1860-1864, William W. Val- 
 lett, George B. Kemp, Horace M. Warren ; 1865, Sanford Wilber, George B. Kemp, 
 George A. Briggs ; 1866, Sanford Wilber, George B. Kemp, George A. Briggs ; 1867, 
 Sanford Wilber, George B. Kemp, Chester E. Orcutt; 1868, Henry I. Glowacki, 
 George B. Kemp, Chester E. Orcutt ; 1869, Henry I. Glowacki, Martin Rose, Chester 
 E. Orcutt; 1870-1871, Henry I. Glowacki, Martin Pease, Salmon B. Lusk; 1872, 
 Nic^lolas Y. Vrooman, James S. Stewart ; 1873. Salmon B. Lusk, Miles H. Bierce ; 
 1874. Miles H. Bierce ; 1875, George C. Gould ; 1876, James W. Harris ; 1877, Lucius 
 R. Bailey; 1878, Frank B. Redfield; 1879, Miles H. Bierce: 1880, George C. Gould, 
 Kirk White; 1881, Kirk P. White; 1882, Miles H. Bierce: 1883, George C. Gould; 
 1884, Kirk P. White; 1885, Miles H. Bierce; 1886, Charles Pratt; 1887, George C. 
 Burt; 1888, Miles H. Bierce, Uri Johnson; 1889, Charles Pratt; 1890, Levi O. Camp 
 bell; 1891, Frank J. Harris; 1892, Nicholas Y. Vrooman: 1893, Whiting C. Woolsey; 
 1894, Myron A. Williams; 1895, Nicholas Y. Vrooman; 1896, Whiting C. Woolsey; 
 1897, Myron A. Williams; 1898, Nicholas Y. Vrooman. 
 
 Overseers of the Poor. — 1803, Benjamin Porter, David Culley ; 1804, Zenas Bige- 
 low, David Culley; 1805-1806, Reuben Town, Worthy L. Churchill; 1807-1809, David 
 McCracken; 1807, Elizur Webster ; 1808, Moody Stone; 1809, Harvey Hawkins ; 1810- 
 
 1823, William Keyes; 1810, Worthy L. Churchill; 1811, William Rumsey; 1812, Oth- 
 niel Field; 1818, Worthy L. Churchill; 1814, Trumbull Gary; 1815-1816, William Rum- 
 sey ; 1817, Oswald Williams ; 1818, Benjamin Allen ; 1819-1826, William H. Bush ; 
 
 1824, Benjamin Allen ; 1825, Joseph Baker ; 1826, Samuel Willett ; 1827, Hinman 
 Holden; 1827-1831. Libbeus Fish; 1828-1832, William Keyes; 1832, Oswald Williams ; 
 1833, David R. Cooley, William Dickinson ; 1834, Aaron Van Cleve, Thomas C. Sleep- 
 er; 1835, Oswald Williams, Isaac M. Joslyn; 1836, Oswald Williams, Libbeus Fish; 
 1837, Chauncey Kirkham, William H. Bush; 1838, Chauncey Kirkham, Nathaniel 
 Bayn; 1839, Oswald Williams, Archibald Perkins; 1840, Oswald Williams, Thomas 
 C. Sleeper; 1841, Chauncey Kirkham, William Spaulding; 1842, Chauncey Kirkham, 
 Nathaniel Bayn; 1843, Charles T. Buxton, Nathaniel Bayn; 1844^1846, Asahel Peck; 
 1844-1845, Warren L. Fields; 1846-1847, Charles E. Ford; 1847-1855, Levi Bamer; 
 1848, William H. Davis ; 1849-1850, Ebenezer B. Morgan ; 1851-1854, Silas E. HoUis- 
 ter; 1855-1856, Phineas S. Moffett; 1856-1864, Kimball Ferren; 1857-1859, Levi Bar- 
 ner; 1860, Ebenezer B. Morgan; 1861-1866, Salmon B. Kendall; 1865, William B. 
 Harmon; 1866-1869, Isaac M. Barnes; 1867, John G. Russell; 1868-1869, Henry L- 
 Onderdonk; 1870, Roderick F. Thompson, Ira Armstrong ; 1871, Roderick F. Thomp- 
 son, Robert McCann; 1872, Isaac M. Barnes, Ira Armstrong ; 1873, Benjamin F. Gra- 
 ham, Ira Armstrong; 1874, B. F. Graham, Stilman Pond; 1875, Rodney G. Worden, 
 
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS— BAT AVI A. 469 
 
 Stilman Pond ; 1876, William D. Palmer, Andrew Hartshorn ; 1877-1882, Henry L. 
 Onderdonk; 1883-1887, Henry T. Cross ; 1888-1889, H. B. Booth; 1890-1891, Ernst 
 Rupp ; 1892-1896, Daniel W. Griffis ; 1897-1898, Chester Ford. 
 
 Collectors.— 1803, Abel Roe; 1804, A. A. Ellicott, R. G.Wheeler; 1805-1806, Jesse 
 Hubbard; 1807-1810, William J. McCracken ; 1811, Henry Rumsey; 1812, Benjamin 
 Blodgett; 1813-1814, Aaron Gary; 1815, Robert Fleming; 1816-1823, Simeon Kel- 
 logg; 1824-1825, Benjamin C. Adams; 1826-1830, Lorton Holden ; 1831-1832, James 
 McMillan ; 1833-1836, Lament Holden ; 1837-1838, Augustus Cowdin ; 1839, Lemuel 
 O. Hammond; 1840, Augustus Cowdin; 1841-1843, Simeon F. Moore; 1844, Joel 
 Sutherland ; 1845, John Griswold ; 1846, Silas E. HoUister ; 1847-1850, Thomas Yates ; 
 1851-1856, Ira Backus; 1857-1858, Almerin Joslyn; 1859-1863, Simon F. Moore; 1864, 
 James E. Cross ; 1865, Joseph T. Buxton ; 1866, George R. Cochrane ; 1867, John J . 
 Sherman; 1868, Harry Backus; 1869, David S. Mackey; 1870, Dwight Pease; 1871, 
 Homer P. Daw; 1872, Ezra Chapman; 1873, Andrus C. Holdridge; 1874, Albert 
 Weber; 1875, James Hogan ; 1876, Albert Benchly; 1877, John A. Mackey; 1878, 
 George J. King; 1879, William M. Blake; 1880, Henry Monell ; 1881, John B. Nea- 
 smith ; 1882, Roderick F. Thompson ; 1883, Daniel Rogers ; 1884, Jacob L. Johnson ; 
 1885, Edward A. Perrin ; 1886, Thomas J. Perfield ; 1887, Patrick Donoghue ; 1888, 
 Frank Coleman; 1889, Andrew Hiller; 1890, William Hoffman; 1891, Carlos M. Ru- 
 pell; 1892, Jeffrey W. Gardner; 1893. Thomas Yates; 1894, George Schafer; 1895, 
 William F. Miller ; 1896, John Redshaw ; 1897, John Porschet ; 1898, Frank Jaquith. 
 
 School Commissioners. — 1813, Ebenezer Mix, Isaiah Babcock, John Z. Ross; 1814, 
 Ebenezer Mix, Isaiah Babcock, Oliver Wilcox ; 1815, Ebenezer Miz, Libbeus Fish, 
 Richard Smith ; 1816, Ebenezer Mix, Libbeus Fish, Isaac Sutherland ; 1817, Ebenezer 
 Mix, John Z. Ross, Richard Smith; 1818, Ebenezer Mix. John Z. Ross, David Can- 
 field; 1819, Ebenezer Mix, John Z. Ross, Richard Smith; 1820, Ethan B. Allen, 
 Simeon Kellogg, Benjamin Allen; 1821, Nehemiab Houghton, Daniel H. Chandler, 
 Andrew Adams ; 1822, Robert Leach, Daniel H. Chandler, Benjamin Allen ; 1828-1826, 
 Ebenezer Mix, Daniel H. Chandler, Amherst Crane ; 1827, Phineas Ford, Charles 
 Gould, Carlton Towner; 1828, Nathaniel Merrill, John B. Pike, Samuel D. Greene; 
 1829, Caleb Palmer, Libbeus Graves, George Edwards ; 1830, Caleb Palmer, Libbeus 
 Graves, David Sutherland ; 1831-1832. Caleb Palmer, Eli H. Fish, David Sutherland ; 
 1833, David R. Cooley, Chester White, Marcus Wakeman; 1834, Caleb Palmer, 
 Nathaniel Read, William S. Mallory ; 1835, Caleb Palmer, Thomas Pember, Jonathan 
 D. Woolsey; 1836, Warren L. Fields, Eli H. Fish, John Dorman; 1837, Thomas J. 
 Hoyt, John Merrill, James A. Billings ; 1838, Phineas Ford, Charles Gould, Nathan 
 McCumber; 1839, Phineas Ford, Charles Gould, Nathaniel Read; 1840, Phineas Ford, 
 Charles Gould, Nathaniel Bayn ; 1841, Phineas Ford, Eli H. Fish, Charles Brooks ; 
 1842, Phineas Ford, Charles Gould, Caleb Palmer; 1843, Phineas Ford, Nathaniel 
 Bayn, Caleb Palmer. 
 
 School Inspectors. — 1813, Lemuel Foster, E. B, Allen, Richard Smith, Thomas 
 Ashley, William Rumsey; 1814, Lemuel Foster, E. B. Allen, George E. Martin, 
 Thomas Ashley, Moses Mclntyre; 1815, Lemuel Foster, E. B. Allen, B. S. Driggs, 
 Thomas Ashley, Moses Mclntyre; 1816, Lemuel Foster, E. B. Allen, Richard Smith, 
 Phineas L. Tracy, William Rumsey; 1817, Lemuel Foster, E. B. Allen, Richard 
 Smith, Seymour Tracy, J. Hanning; 1818, Lemuel Foster, E. B. Allen, Richard 
 Smith, G. E. Martin, John Cotes; 1819, Lemuel Foster, T. C. Love, C. Carpenter, 
 
470 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 G. E. Martin, Moses Mclntyre; 1820, Daniel H. Chandler, Nehemiah Houghton, 
 Thomas Ashley; 1831, Richard Smith, Ephraim Chapin, Alfred Pember; 1832, Carl- 
 ton Towner, Cyrenus W. CanBeld, John B. Watkins ; 1833, Carlton Towner, William 
 H. Tisdale, Thomas Christie; 1834, AmosTowne, William H. Tisdale, C.W. Canfield; 
 1835, Carlton Towner, Timothy Fitch, Richard Martin ; 1836, Carlton Towner, Timo- 
 thy Fitch, Lucius S. Comstock; 1837, John A. Campbell, Moses Taggart, Levant B. 
 Cotes; 1838, John A. Campbell, Mark D. Fletcher, Albert Smith; 1839, John A. 
 Campbell, Horace U. Soper, Albert Smith; 1830, O. L. Kirtland, Horace U. Soper, 
 Albert Smith; 1831, Benjamin Pringle, Horace U. Soper, William B. Beebe; 1833, 
 Benjamin Pringle, John F. Soper, James D. Merrill; 1833, Benjamin Pringle, Wil- 
 liam H. Webster, James D. Merrill ; 1834, Benjamin Pringle, C. J. Rumsey, James 
 D. Merrill; 1835, Andrew W. Young, Prentiss S. Hewitt, James D. Merrill; 1836, 
 Benjamin Pringle, H. U. Soper, Branon Young; 1837, William H. Webster, Joel 
 Allen, Benjamin F. Towner ; 1838, Joshua Brown. Nathaniel Read, Moses B. Nash ; 
 1839, Joshua Brown, M. Wells Hewitt, B, S. Farr, jr. ; 1840, Benjamin C. Page, 
 Charles N. Chandler, P. A. Royce; 1841, Branon Young, Joseph E. Peck, J. L. Dor- 
 rance; 1842, Branon Young, Joshua L. Brown, 1843, Branon Young, William G. 
 Bryan. 
 
 Superintendents of Schools. — 1844, Branon Young; 1845-1847, Henry F. Campbell; 
 1848, John E. Tompkins. 
 
 Police Justices.— 1875, B. C. Page; 1876-1881, John G. Johnson; 1881, David Lent, 
 vice Johnson, resigned ; 1883-1887, David Lent ; 1888, Lawrence L. Crosby ; 1889, J. 
 B. Crosby; 1890, Joseph H. Robson; 1892, William E. Webster; 1893-1894, Fred 
 Dunham; 1895-1898, Herbert P. Woodward. 
 
 Batavia is the principal and only incorporated village. It is located 
 east of the centre of the town, has about ten thousand population, and 
 is the county seat. It is the most important place between Rochester 
 and Buffalo. The village was founded in 1802 by Joseph Ellicott. The 
 first court house was erected in 1803 and the present one in 1841. There 
 are in the village eight churches — Presbyterian, Protestant Episcopal, 
 Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, Freewill Baptist, Catholic, Evangelical 
 Association and United Evangelical ; a very high grade union free school 
 system, with a high school ; four banks, several hotels, the court house 
 and other county offices, the New York State Institution for the Blind, 
 a finely equipped library building containing a circulating library of 
 about twelve thousand volumes, an opera house and large town hall, 
 and several important manufacturing concerns, some of which are 
 known the world over. Among the latter are the plants of the great 
 Johnston Harvester Company, makers of all kinds of harvesting ma- 
 chinery, harrows, cultivators, etc. ; theWiard Plow Company, makers of 
 plows, cultivators, harrows, and other farm implements ; the Batavia and 
 New York Wood Working Company, one of the greatest industries of its 
 
GAZETTEER OP TOWNS— BATAVIA. 471 
 
 kind in the world ; the Baker Gun and Forging Company, manufacturer 
 of many varieties of high grade sporting guns ; the Batavia Carriage 
 Wheel Company, having an international reputation ; the Batavia Pre- 
 serving Company, with factories in Batavia, Brockport and Middleport ; 
 a shoe factory, a paper box factory, two roller mills, a cold storage 
 warehouse, two breweries and a malt house, three steam laundries and 
 several other industries. Two newspapers, one daily and one weekly, 
 are published in the village. There are also a business college, a Ma- 
 sonic lodge, two Odd Fellows' lodges and other secret societies. The 
 old stone building used for many years as the headquarters of the 
 agents of the Holland Land Company is still standing, on West Main 
 street, and has been converted into a local museum of antiquities. 
 Two railroads, with several branch lines, pass through or centre in the 
 village. There is also an excellent system of waterworks and a fire 
 department. 
 
 The village of Batavia was incorporated April 23, 1833. The first 
 meeting of the citizens in pursuance of the act of incorporation was 
 held June 3, 1823, at John Ganson's tavern, when the following officers 
 were elected : 
 
 Trustees, Daniel H. Chandler, David E. Evans, Nathan Follett, Sim- 
 eon Cummings, Silas Finch ; treasurer, Trumbull Cary; collector. Par 
 ley Paine. 
 
 June 14 Daniel H. Chandler was elected first president of the village. 
 The first fire company was organized April 20, 1824, with William Sea- 
 ver, jr., as captain. 
 
 The following is a list of the presidents of the village since its incor- 
 poration : 
 
 1823, Daniel H. Chandler ; 1824, William Keyes ; 1825, Johnson Goodwill ; 1826, 
 Charles C. Church; 1827-1828, Hinman Holden ; 1829, Simeon Cummings; 1830-1831, 
 Frederick Follett ; 1833, Nathan Follett ; 1833, Daniel H. Chandler ; 1834, Augustus 
 C. Stevens; 1835, Simeon Cummings; 1836, Nathan Follett; 1837, William Seaver; 
 1838, Timothy Fitch; 1839, Benjamin Pringle; 1840, Frederick Follett; 1841, Edgar 
 C. Dibble; 1842, Ira Belden; 1843, James D. Merrill; 1844, Lucius A. Smith; 1845, 
 Junius A. Smith; 1846; Nathan Follett; 1847, James D. Merrill; 1848, Joseph Clark; 
 1849, Hinman Holden; 1850-1853, records missing; 1854, Moses Taggart; 1855-1859, 
 records do not state; 1860, Rufus Robertson; 1861-1865, Harry Backus; 1866-1873, 
 records do not state; 1874, Daniel W. Tomlinson; 1875, E. S. Dodge (resigned ; George 
 Ruprecht elected to succeed him); 1876, Richard O. Holden; 1877, George Ruprecht; 
 1878, F. V. Booth; 1879, Daniel W. Tomlinson; 1880, Joseph Hamilton; 1881, Wil- 
 ber Smith; 1883, Lucian R. Bailey; 1883, Edward G. Richmond; 1884-1885, Daniel 
 W. Tomlinson; 1886, Julian J. Washburn; 1887, Henry O. Bostwick; 1888-1889, 
 
473 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Whiting C. Woolsey; 1890, George Burt; 1891, John M. Seacord; 1892, William W. 
 Lewis; 1893-1898, Willis D. Sanford. 
 
 The village records for many of the early years of the corporation are 
 either incomplete or missing entirely. The following list of other offi- 
 cers is as nearly complete as it can be made after an exhaustive search 
 of the original records on file with the village clerk: 
 
 Village clerks— 1840, M. W. Hewitt ; 1842, Branoii Young ; 1843, William S. By- 
 ram; 1854, William Tyrrell; 1855-1856, George Bowen; 1860-1861, David Seaver; 
 1862-1863, Smith Frost; 1864-1865, W. Nelson Cross; 1867-1870, Myron H. Peck. jr. ; 
 1871-1874, John G. Johnson ; 1875-1878, Myron H. Peck, jr. ; 1879-1880, Safford E. 
 North; 1881-1882, Lawrence L. Crosby; 1883-1884, William E. Webster; 1885-1887, 
 Lawrence L. Crosby; 1888-1889, George E. Perrin; 1890, William D. Smith; 1891- 
 1898, George E. Perrin. 
 
 Village treasurers— 1840-1841, Alva Smith; 1842, John S. Ganson; 1843, Alva 
 Smith; 1844-1846, James P. Smith; 1849-1851, Branon Young; 1852, Charles R. Gan- 
 son; 1853, Gad B. Worthington; 1854-1856, Henry T. Cross; 1863, S. H. Russell; 
 1867-1868, Augustus N. Cowdin; 1874-1876, Charles R. Gould; 1877-1880, Albert 
 Weber; 1881-1882, Hiland H. Benjamin; 1883, Frank Page; 1884, H. H. Benjamin; 
 1885, John O'Connor; 1886-1887, George E. Perrin; 1888-1890, George Roth; 1891, 
 H. T. Booth; 1892-1895, Oren C. Steele; 1896, Charles W. Stickle; 1897-1898, Richard 
 L. Cotes. 
 
 Collectors— 1874, Richard G. Tompkins; 1875, Nicholas Frank; 1876, Oscar Frost; 
 1877, John Thomas; 1878, Ellis R. Hay; 1879, Arthur Ferris; 1880, Philip J. Weiss; 
 1881, Roderick F. Thompson; 1882, John F. Mackey; 1883, John K. Giddings; 1884, 
 WiUiam H. McCann; 1885, James Burns; 1886, Patrick Green; 1887, Samuel Cooper; 
 1888, David S. Mackey; 1889, L. E. Champlain; 1890, John Quirk; 1891, W. Frank 
 Squires; 1892, William Radley; 1893, John F. Gallagher; 1894, William H. Kendall; 
 1895, D. Burt Benedict; 1896, Robert J. Hutchinson; 1897, A Elliott; 1898, Ralph 
 A. Griswold. 
 
 Town of Bergen. 
 
 Bergen is the most northeasterly town in Genesee county. It is 
 bounded on the north by Clarendon, Orleans county, and Sweden, 
 Monroe county; on the east by Riga, Monroe county; on the south by 
 Le Roy, and on the west by Byron. The town contains an area of 
 17,289 acres. It is a portion of the triangular tract sold to Le Roy and 
 others from the Morris Reserve; and it also contains two tiers of lots 
 from the Connecticut tract. The latter are in the western part of the 
 town. 
 
 The surface of the town is gently undulating, with a slight inclina- 
 tion toward the north, but in most portions is very nearly level. The 
 soil is a fertile and productive clayey loam. Black creek flows in an 
 
MORRIS W. TOWNSEND, M. D. 
 
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS— BERGEN. 473 
 
 easterly direction through the town, north of the centre. The main 
 line of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad passes 
 through in a northeasterly and southwesterly direction, south of the 
 centre. 
 
 Bergen was first settled in 1801 by Samuel Lincoln. In the same 
 year George Letson, William Letson, Benajah Worden, Richard Abbey, 
 Solomon Levi, Jesse Leach, James Letson, Gideon Elliott and David 
 Scott settled in town. The first church organization was established in 
 December, 1807. The Congregational church was founded January 35, 
 1808. Harry Kelsey, a graduate of Yale college, taught the first 
 school. The first frame house in the town was erected by Dr. Levi 
 Ward, the pioneer physician. Jared Merritt built the first saw mill. 
 Dr. Ward was also proprietor of the first store, in 1808. The first inn 
 was opened in 1809 by Samuel Butler. Colonel W. H. Ward was the 
 first postmaster. 
 
 The town of Bergen was erected from Batavia, June 8, 1812. The 
 town of Byron was set off in 1820. Prior to the erection of Bergen the 
 town formed a part of the great original town of Northampton. In the 
 existing records in the office of the town clerk the name of Justin Wor- 
 thington appears as town clerk for Northampton in 1808 and 1809. 
 Unfortunately the records do not give an account of the first town meet- 
 ing. The list of supervisors begins with the year 1S31 and is as fol- 
 lows: 
 
 1831-1833, Rufus Hubbard; 1834-1835, Samuel Richmond ; 1836, Franklin D. King- 
 man; 1837, Joseph Chipman, jr.; 1838-1840, Samuel Richmond; 1841, Franklin D. 
 Kingman ; 1842-1844, Joseph Chipman ; 1845, Franklin D. Kingman ; 1846, Martin 
 
 C. Ward; 1847. Luther Crosby; 1848, Martin C. Ward; 1849, Joseph Chipman; 1850- 
 1851, Abner Hull, jr.; 1852, Luther Crosby; 1853, Franklin D. Kingman; 1854, 
 Daniel F. Merritt; 1855, Elisha H. Parish; 1856, Samuel Richmond; 1857, Elisha 
 H. Parish; 1858, Ebenezer Scofield; 1859-1861, Josiah Pierson; 1862, David Hooper; 
 1863-1867, Edward H. Parmelee; 1868-1869, Andrew J. Gleason; 1870-1872, Elisha 
 H. Parish; 1873-1874, Chas. N. Reed; 1875, John H. Ward; 1876, James D. Doolit- 
 tle; 1877, Henry S. Andrews; 1878-1879, Henry S. Andrews; 1880, Alonzo L. 
 Greene; 1881-1882, Myron H. Parmelee; 1883, Morris W. Townsend; 1884, Philip 
 Snyder; 1885, Morris W. Townsend; 1886, Myron H. Parmelee; 1887, Philip Sny- 
 der; 1888-1889, Samuel E. Bower; 1890, Morris W. Townsend; 1891, Benjamin N. 
 Walker; 1893, Morris W. Townsend; 1893. Benjamin N. Walker; 1894-1898, Eugene 
 
 D. Hull. 
 
 The names of the town clerks appearing upon the records are as fol- 
 lows: 
 1815-1816, Josiah Pierson ; 1817-1821, Samuel Taggart; 1833-1834, James Munger; 
 
474 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 1825, David Evarts; 1836-1838, D. G. Evarts; 1829, John Gushing; 1830-1832, Theo- 
 dore Gushing; 1833-1834, Samuel Richmond; 1835-1836, James Gibson ; 1837, Nathan 
 B, Griffin; 1838-1839, James Gibson; 1839, Franklin D. Kingman; 1840-1843, Moses 
 S. Gibson; 1844-1846, Francis T. Moseley; 1847, J. B. Hatch; 1848, Lansing W. 
 Hoyt; 1849, John M. Gillette; 1850-1852, James D. Doolittle; 1854, Ezra T. Merrill; 
 1855, Henry M. Ward; 1856, Andrew Southworth; 1857-1858, Francis T. Moseley; 
 1859-1860, Ghapin Hall; 1861, John H. Parish; 1862, J. H Moore; 1863-1865, Chaun- 
 cey D. Graves; 1866, Samuel K. Green; 1867-1868, Elias P. Green; 1869-1870, 
 Thomas J. Tone; 1871, C. T. Moseley; 1873-1874, T. J. Tone; 1875, Peter S. Hark- 
 ness; 1876-1878, Delos Murdock; 1879-1880, J. W. Stratton ; 1881, D. H. Murdock ; 
 
 1883, George G. Wolcott; 1883-1884, E L. Fisher; 1885-1887, Daniel J. McPherson; 
 1888-1893, E. L. Fisher; 1894^1898, Will E. Gillette. 
 
 The following are recorded as having been elected to the office of 
 justice of the peace in Bergen in the years designated: 
 
 1832, Hart Spafford; 1834, Jonah Guthrie, Abner Hull; 1835, Oren Bliss; 1836, 
 HartSpafford; 1837, Luther Grosby; 1838. Abner Hull; 1839, Shubael Reed; 1840. 
 Samuel Richmond; 1841, Ebenezer Schofield ; 1843, William L. Lewis; 1844, Abner 
 Hull; 1845, Samuel Richmond (1. t.). Stephen Putnam (s. t); 1846, Luther Grosby; 
 1847, Stephen Putnam (1. t), Erasmus C. Dibble (s. t.); 1848, Abner Hull; 1849, 
 Alonzo E. Richmond (1. t.), Johnson N. Tower (s. t.); 1851, D. T. Merrill (1. t.), W. 
 P. Hunger, Samuel Richmond (s. t); 1852, Abner Hull; 1854, Luther Crosby; 1855, 
 Daniel T. Merrill ; 1856, Edward Parmalee ; 1857, Stephen F. Gurtiss ; 1858, Luther 
 Crosby; 1859, D. T. Merrill; 1860, E. H. Parmalee; 1861, Stephen F. Gurtiss; 1863, 
 Samuel Church ; 1863, Dg,vid R. Fuller; 1864, Horace M. Ward; 1865, Sebastian R. 
 Moore (1. t.) Henry B. Bowman (s. t); 1866, William P. Munger(l. t.), David Fancher 
 (s. t); 1867, Horace M. Ward (1. t), Lawrence L. Grosby fs. t.); 1868. H. M. Ward 
 (1. t), L. L. Grosby (s. t.); 1869, Porter Davis (1. t.), William Phillips (s. t.); 1870, D. 
 F. Merrill, D. G. Rumsey, 1. t., N. J. Hunger, s. t. ; 1871, Harlan Fordham, Thomas 
 J. Dean; 1872, T. J. Dean, J. R. McKenzie, Myron Lewellyn; 1873, George H. 
 Church, full term, Jerome T. Feezlear, 1. t. , A. A. Arnold, s. t. ; 1874, Francis E. 
 Terry; 1875, Silas G. Pratt; 1876, J. M. Templeton, Jerome T. Feezlear; 1877, A. T. 
 Southworth, 1. t., M. M. Gonklin, s. t. ; 1878, B F. Henderson; 1879, Silas C. Pratt, 
 1. t., Frank S. Weeks, s. t. ; 1880, H. W. Arnold, Alexander Campbell; 1881, J. M. 
 Templeton; 1883, S. E. Parker, 1. t., J. W. Stratton, s. t. ; 1883, John D. GifEord; 
 
 1884, Gyrus Beswick; 1885, Jay W. Stratton; 1886, S. E. Parker; 1887, H. F. Ford- 
 ham, Thomas J. Deane; 1888, E. H. Parmalee; 1889, Jay W. Stratton; 1890, George 
 W. Emerson; 1891, T. J. Dean; 1893, Thomas J. Bissell, 1. t., James A. Growney, 
 s. t. ; 1893, James A. Growney; 1894, E. H. Parmalee; 1895, Daniel J. HcPherson, 
 Frederick H. Sizer; 1896, James A. Bissell; 1897, Frank S. Weeks; 1898, Daniel J. 
 McPherson. 
 
 The principal village in the town is Bergen, located near the centre 
 of the eastern boundary line, on the New York Central and Hudson 
 River Railroad. It has a population of about one thousand. It con- 
 tains four charches, two hotels, a bank, a union free school, a cigar 
 
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS— BETHANY. 475 
 
 factory employing over thirty hands, a machine shop, an elevator for 
 grain, two feed mills, a saw mill, and a number of smaller manufac- 
 tories. It also has an excellent fire department. One weekly newspa- 
 per is published. The village is incorporated. 
 
 North Bergen is a post-office in the northwest part of the town. It 
 contains a church, a store, one or two small manufactories and about 
 one hundred and fifty inhabitants. 
 
 West Bergen is a hamlet, with post-office, in the western part, on the 
 line of the railroad. It has a store, a hotel and some minor manufac- 
 tures. 
 
 Stone Church, in the southeastern part of the town, contains one 
 church and store. It is a small hamlet. 
 
 Town of Bethany. 
 
 Bethany is one of the four towns in the southern tier. It is bounded 
 on the north by Batavia and Stafford, on the east by Stafford and Pa- 
 vilion, on the south by Middlebury, Wyoming county, and on the west 
 by Alexander. Bethany, like Alexander, is perfectly square in form. 
 Its northern half is gently undulating, while in the southern section it 
 is somewhat hilly. Black creek passes in a northerly direction through 
 the town, east of the centre. White creek rises in the southeast corner, 
 and flows northeasterly. Little Tonawanda creek passes northwesterly 
 through the southwest corner. The soil is fertile and well adapted to 
 the culture of fruit and grain, and to grazing. The Delaware, Lacka- 
 wanna and Western Railroad passes through the northern part of the 
 town and a branch of the Erie Railroad crosses the southwest corner. 
 
 Bethany was first settled in 1803 by John Torry, who came from Ca- 
 yuga county. During the same year Orsamus Kellogg, Lyman D. 
 Prindle, Samuel Prindle, Charles Culver, John Dewey, Jedediah Riggs, 
 Nathaniel Pinney, Horace Shepard, M. Scott, David Hall, Captain 
 George Lathrop, Solomon Lathrop, Richard Pearson, and O. Fletcher 
 purchased farms in town and either settled there or declared their in- 
 tentions of doing so. The first grist mill is believed to have been that 
 built by John Wilder for Judge Wilson, in 1810, on the Little Tona- 
 wanda creek, in the southestern part of the town. That stream fur- 
 nishes a good water power at that point. A carding and woolen mill 
 was built in 1809 by Calvin Barrows. A saw mill was built even earlier 
 — in 1808 — by a Mr. Coles. The first tavern at Linden — then known 
 
476 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 as Gad-Pouch — was conducted by Joseph Chamberlain in a house built 
 by Mr. Lusk. Sylvester Lincoln had a tavern near by as early as 1805. 
 In later years Nathaniel Eastman had a stone distillery there, W. H. 
 Barrows a cabinet shop, Mr. Webster and Mr. Gardner had asheries, 
 Mr. Towner a grist mill. The Freewill Baptist church, organized in 
 1809, was the first in town. 
 
 Bethany was formed from Batavia, June 8, 1813. But there are in 
 existence no official town records prior to 1847, excepting the list of 
 supervisors since 1831, which are to be found in the office of the county 
 clerk. Following are the names of the supervisors of Bethany: 
 
 1831, Nathan Rumsey; 1832-1833, Ira Wait; 1834, Josiah Churchill; 1835-1837, Ira 
 Wait; 1838-1840, John Jenne; 1841-1843, Charles Kendall; 1844, William W. Rum- 
 sey; 1845-1846, Jesse Norton; 1847-1848, John Jenne; 1849-1851, William W. Rum- 
 sey ; 1852, Reuben Kendall ; 1853, John Jenne ; 1854, Daniel L. Worthington ; 1855- 
 1856, Orlando R. Croff; 1857-1859, Carlos A. Huggins; 1860-1861, Lemuel F. Lin- 
 coln ; 1862, Almon Smith ; 1863-1865, Robert S. Fargo ; 1866-1867, Lyman Brown ; 
 1868-1869, William L, Hamilton; 1870-1871, Charles A. Lathrop; 1872-1873, Benja- 
 min F. Peck; 1874-1875, Carlos A. Huggins; 1876-1881, Benjamin F. Hamilton; 1882, 
 JohnMarkley; 1883, Joseph Crawford; 1884, John Markley; 1885-1888, Collis H. 
 Sammis; 1889-1890, James H. Gifford; 1891-1892, Daniel Harris; 1893, Charles W. 
 Hamilton ; 1894-1898, John R. Bennington. 
 
 The names of the town clerks as they appear on the records in the 
 possession of the town clerk are: 
 
 Charles Kendall, jr., 1847; Erastus Northrup, 1848; Ira R. Gifford, 1849; Erastus 
 Northrup, 1850; Ira R. Gifford, 1851-1852; Solomon B. Lathrop, 1853-1855; Cyrus R 
 Nichols, 1856-1859; Ebenezer W. Lincoln, 1860-1871 ; Ganson W. Croff, 1872-1873 
 CharlesW. Cone, 1874; Ganson W. Croff, 1875-1886 ; Charles W. Rumsey, 1887-1888 
 Charles M. Stebbins, 1889-1890; Orra R. Croft', 1891-1893; Cary E. Hoxie, 1894-1895 
 Henry Webster, 1896-1898. 
 
 The records of the election of justices are not complete. The names 
 as they appear are as follows : 
 
 1847, Mason Blood, Luman Stevens, Charles S. Cone, Daniel L. Worthington ; 
 1849, Dr. Orlando R. Croff; 1851, John C. Cranston; 1852, Alexander G. Perry; 1853, 
 Carlos A. Huggins; 1854, Carlos S. Cone, 1. t., Jabin W. Bosworth, s. t. ; 1856, Peleg 
 H. Cornell; 1857, Charles Sprague; 1858, Jabin W. Bosworth; 1859, John F. Perry; 
 1860, Alexander G. Perry; 1861, Dr. Orlando R. Croff; 1862, Peleg H. Cornell; 1863, 
 Charles Sprague ; 1864, Alexander G. Perry; 1865, CharlesW. Rumsey; 1867, Charles 
 Sprague; 1868, Peleg H. Cornell; 1869, Charles W. Rumsey; 1870, Jabin W. Bos- 
 worth, 1. t., Henry C. Adgate, s. t. ; 1872, Abram J. Voorhees, 1. t., Henry C. Adgate, 
 s. t. ; 1873, Charles W. Rumsey; 1874, Henry O. Bostwick; 1875, William G. Peck; 
 1876, Nelson Blood; 1877, John M. Webster; 1878, Henry O. Bostwick; 1879, James 
 H. Gifford; 1880, Nelson Blood; 1881, John M.Webster, 1. t, Frederick W. Hamil- 
 
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS— BYRON. 477 
 
 ton, s. t. ; 1882, Frederick W. Hamilton ; 1883, J. H. GifEord, 1. 1., Charles A. Norton, 
 s. t. ; 1884, Nelson Blood; 1885, John M. Watson ; 1886, Charles A. Norton ; 1887, G. 
 M. Peck; 1888, Alexander G. Perry; 1889, J. M. Webster; 1890, Walter Brown ; 1891, 
 G. M. Peck; 1892, H. M. Smith, 1. t, William Carson, s. t. ; 1893, J. M. Webster; 1894, 
 William Carson; 1895, G. M. Peck, 1. t., Charles A. Norton, s. t. ; 1896, H. M. Smith > 
 1897, Charles A. Norton; 1898, WiUiam Carson, 1. t., Thurman A. Hart, s. t. 
 
 Bethany contains the Genesee county almhouse, which is located in 
 the southern part of the town. Richard Pierson has been a superin- 
 tendent of the poor for twenty years. Connected with the house is a 
 farm of two hundred acres. The Genesee Manual Labor Seminary, 
 long since extinct, was founded in 1833, with a capital of twenty thou- 
 sand dollars. Its first principal was R. Whiting. 
 
 Linden, the most important village in Bethany, is located in the 
 southwestern part of the town on the Erie Railroad. It has a good 
 school, a grist mill, built by George Perry in 1881, a sawmill, and one 
 or two other small industries. 
 
 East Bethany is in the northeastern section, on the D., L. & W. 
 Railroad. It has one church (Presbyterian), a school, a hotel, two 
 stores and a mill. 
 
 Bethany Centre is a short distance south of the centre of the town, 
 has two churches (Presbyterian and Baptist), two stores and a school. 
 
 Little Canada (formerly known as Bennett's), is located in the north- 
 eastern part of the town, has a Free Methodist church, a school, a grist 
 and saw mill. 
 
 West Bethany is a hamlet on the western bounds of the town. It 
 has a church (Freeville Baptist), a school and a store. 
 
 Bethany is an agricultural town, and has had and now has few indus- 
 tries aside from farming. 
 
 Town of Byron. 
 
 Byron is one of the the five towns in the northern tier, lying in the 
 northeastern part of the county. It is bounded on the north by Claren- 
 don, Orleans county; on the east by Bergen, on the south by Le Roy 
 and Stafford, and on the west by Stafford and Elba. The surface is 
 gently undulating, and the soil a gravelly and sandy loam of great fer- 
 tility, perfectly adapted to the culture of fruit trees and of many other 
 forms of agriculture. The principal stream. Black creek, flows in a 
 northeasterly direction through the central part of the town. Spring 
 creek and Bigelow creek are its principal tributaries, on the west. A 
 
478 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 short distance north of Byron, on Black creek, is a sulphur spring emit- 
 ting carburetted hydrogen gas. In the southwestern part is an acid 
 spring known as the " sour spring," issuing from an elevation four or 
 five feet above the plain. The West Shore Railroad runs nearly east 
 and west through the central part of the town. The town is a portion 
 of the Connecticut tract of the Morris Reserve, and of the Pultney 
 tract. 
 
 Byron was first settled in 1807 or 1808 by Benham Preston, who pur- 
 chased lot 197. In the latter year Mr. Hoskins and Elisha Taylor, who 
 came from Otsego county, located on lot 186. In 1809 Wheaton Car- 
 penter came from Rhode Island and Elisha Miller from Pennsylvania. 
 The first school was opened by Chester T. Holbrook about 1810. In 
 1815 Ira Newburg opened an inn, the first in town. Amos Hewitt 
 opened a store as early as 1813. The first saw mill was erected by 
 William Shepherd in 1813, and the first grist mill by Asa Williams in 
 1814. The Byroii Library Society was organized May 9, 1824. The 
 first religious services were held in 1809 by the Rev. Royal Phelps, a 
 Presbyterian missionary. The first church established was of the 
 Baptist denomination, in 1810, and was located at Byron Centre. It was 
 disbanded many years ago. 
 
 The town was formed from Bergen April 4, 1820, and named in honor 
 of Lord Byron. The records prior to 1850 are missing. The names 
 of the supervisors as they apper on the records in the county clerk's 
 office are as follows : 
 
 1831, Amos Hewitt; 1832, James Pendill; 1833-1834, Bartholomew Benham; 1835, 
 Amos Hewitt; 1836-1837, David P. Coy; 1838-1839, Andrew Dibble; 1840, Andrew 
 H. Green ; 1841-1842, Andrew Dibble ; 1843, Andrew H. Green ; 1844, Andrew Dib- 
 ble; 1845-1847, Andrew Adams; 1848-1850, Levi Fisk; 1851, Addison Terry; 1852- 
 1853, Wheaton S. Miller; 1854-1855, Hiram Tuttle; 1856, Cyrus Walker; 1857-1863, 
 Loren Green; 1864, James T. Boynton; 1865-1866, Loren Green; 1867, Cyrenus 
 Walker; 1868-1870, Holden T. Miller; 1872-1875, Newton H. Green; 1876-1878, 
 Charles A. Seaver; 1879-1881, Francis T. Miller; 1882-1884, John C. Walker; 18S5- 
 1888, Elisha H. Miller; 1889-1891, Isaac Dillingham; 1892, Newton H. Greene; 1893, 
 Henry W. Merriman ; 1894-1897, Lawton A. Terry ; 1898, Iverson W. White. 
 
 Following are the names of the town clerks as they appear on the 
 official records: 
 
 Charles P. Hall, 1850-1853: John S. Fisk, 1854; Alvirus Loomis, 1855-1856; James 
 W. Seaver, 1857 ; Theodore Gumming, 1858-1860 ; Oliver C. Stone, 1861 ; Holden T. 
 Miller, 1862-1864; Francis C. Terry, 1865; John Seaver, 1866-1867; Earl B. Louns- 
 bury, 1868-1872; Seth C. Hall, 1873-1886; Burt L. McElver, 1887-1890; George H. 
 Radley, 1890-1893; Burt L. McElver, 1894-1896; E. L. McElver, 1897-1898. 
 
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS— BYRON. 479 
 
 The justices of the peace since 1850 have been: 
 
 1850, MiloW. Shedd; 1851, John Green; 1852, Ezra Hazen ; 1853, Wheaton S. 
 Miller; 1854, Milo W. Shedd; 1855, Isaac A. Todd; 1856, Isaac A. Todd; 1857. Alex- 
 der Gardner, 1. t., L. J. Woods, s. t ; 1858, Milo W. Shedd; 1859, John Rambo; 
 1860, Moses B. Gage; 1861, George W. Dewey; 1862, Milo W. Shedd, 1. t, Theodore 
 dimming, s. t. ; 1863, John Rambo ; 1864, Wheaton S. Miller ; 1865, Theodore Gum- 
 ming, Rialto O. Arnold, s. t. ; 1866, Milo W. Shedd, 1. t., James W. Seaver, s. t. ; 
 1867, John Rambo, 1. t., Irving D. Southworth, s. t. ; 1868, Irving D. Southworth; 
 1869, James W. Seaver; 1870, MiloW. Shedd; 1871, John Rambo, Hyram Tuttle; 
 1872, Loren Green; 1873, Charles A. Seaver; 1874, Milo W. Shedd, 1. t., Irving D. 
 Southworth, s. t. ; 1875, John Rambo; 1876, Irving D. Southworth, 1. t., Charles B. 
 Judd, s. t. ; 1877, Charles B. Judd; 1878, Milo W. Shedd, 1. t., A. W. Billings, s. t., 
 James W. Seaver. v. ; 1879. H. S. Peckham ; 1880. Irving D. Southworth, 1. t. , 
 Charles E. Cook, s. t. ; 1881, James W. Seaver, 1. t., William Coward, s. t. ; 1882, 
 James E. Mills. 1. t., Clifford L. Benham, s. t, Elisha H. Miller, v., George G. 
 Check, v. ; 1883, George C. Check, 1. t., Albert Eaton, 1. v., Zeno T. Croker. s. v. ; 1884. 
 Elisha H. Miller; 1885, Zeno T.;Crocker; 1886, Albert Eaton, 1. t. ; Dr. A. M.Whiton, 
 s.t. ; 1887, F. P. Coward, 1. t,, E. M. Crocker, St. ; 1888, Elisha A. Miller, 1. t., F. D. Bar- 
 ber, s. t. ; 1889, J. M. Sherwood, 1. t. , George Prentice, 1. v., James G. Perry, s. v. ; 
 1890, James G. Perry, 1. t., M. C Benham, s. t. ; 1891, Elisha H. Miller, 1. t., Bert S. 
 Bean, s t. ; 1892. Charles H. Shedd. 1. t., William H. Coward, s. t. ; 1893, John M. 
 Sherwood; 1894, George McDaniels ; 1895, William H. Coward; 1896, John E. Moore ; 
 1897, John M. Sherwood, 1. t., Henry C. Perry, s. t. ; 1898, J. M. Gibbs, 1. t , A. F. 
 Bennett, s. t. 
 
 Byron Centre, the most important village in the town, is situated 
 near the centre of the town, on Black creek and the West Shore Rail- 
 road. A considerable business in grain and pork is done at this point. 
 The village contains two churches (Presbyterian and German Evangeli- 
 cal), a good school, two flouring mills, an iron foundry and manufac- 
 tory of agricultural implements, a hotel, about ten stores, and a few 
 smaller industries. Near the village is the Bergen cheese factory, 
 built in 1867. The Genesee mills stand half a mile east of the village, 
 on Black creek. McElver & Sons agricultural works were established 
 at Byron Centre about fifteen years ago. 
 
 North Byron is situated about a mile north of Byron Centre. It is a 
 small hamlet. It has one church (Freewill Baptist). 
 
 South Byron is in the southern part of the town, on the main line of 
 the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad. It contains a 
 Methodist Episcopal church, an excellent school, three or four stores, 
 a hotel, a mill and a produce warehouse. 
 
480 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Town of Darien. 
 
 Darien occupies the sotithwestern corner of Genesee county. It is 
 bounded on the north by Pembroke, on the east by Alexander, on the 
 south by Bennington, Wyoming county, and on the west by Alden, 
 Erie county. The surface is undulating in the north and hilly in the 
 south. Murder creek flows in a northerly direction through the eastern 
 section. Elliott creek, Huron creek and Eleven Mile creek are the 
 other principal streams. In the northern part of the town the soil is a 
 gravelly and sandy loam. In the southern part it is a clayey loam un- 
 derlaid by limestone. The Erie Railroad extends through the town from 
 east to west, south of the centre; the Delaware, Lackawanna & West- 
 ern Railroad extends east and west, north of the centre ; the New York 
 Central & Hudson River and the Lehigh Valley Railroads pass through 
 the northwestern part. 
 
 The first settlement was made near Darien City in 1803 by Orange 
 Carter, who came from Vermont. In 1804 Isaac Chaddock, also from 
 Vermont, settled near the same place. The first tavern was that con- 
 ducted by Stephen Parker at Darien City in 1808, and the first sawmill 
 was erected in 1809 by Amos Humphrey. It was located on Eleven 
 Mile creek. Stephen King had the first store, which he opened at Da- 
 rien Centre in 1815. The earliest religious services of which any record 
 has been left were held in 1830 by Elder William Throop, a Baptist 
 minister. The first church society, which has been extinct since 1860, 
 was a Congregational church organized at Darien Centre, May 9, 1833, 
 with twelve members. 
 
 Darien was formed from Pembroke February 10, 1833. The first 
 annual town meeting was held April 3, 1833, at the tavern of Stephen 
 King, when these ofificers were elected : 
 
 Supervisor, Hugh Long; town clerk, Thomas Riddle; justices of the peace, Jona- 
 than Durkee, James Sutherland, Adna Tenney ; assessors, William Thayer, William 
 Williams, Thomas Miller ; overseers of the poor, Chilson Mullet, Price Mattison ; com- 
 missioners of highways, Lyman H. Seaver, Lewis Clark, William Kidder ; commis- 
 sioners of schools, Daniel Carter, Constantine Oilman, Newton Haws; collector, 
 Daniel Kendrick. 
 
 The supervisors of the town from its organization to the present time 
 have been as follows: 
 
 1832, Hugh Long; 1833-1835, Selvey Kidder; 1836-1837, William Thayer; 1838- 
 1840, James Long; 1841, Zina Waite; 1842-1843, Stephen King; 1844, Lewis Clark; 
 1845-1846, Ebenezer Losee; 1847-1848, Adna Tenney; 1849, Daniel Carter; 1850- 
 
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS— ELBA. 481 
 
 1851, Heman Mclntyre; 1853-1853, Daniel Carter; 1854-1855, Norman Matteson; 
 1856, Daniels. Jones; 1857, Calvin Topliff; 1858, Daniel S. Jones; 1859, Lucius H. 
 Yates; 1860, Alanson Fisher; 1861-1862, Alva Jefferson; 1863, Daniel S. Jones; 1864, 
 Calvin Topliff; 1865-1869, Benajah Griswold; 1870-1872, Frank Chapin ; 1873-1874, 
 James Tyrrell; 1875-1876, John Sumner; 1877-1878, Cyrus Wait; 1879-1880, Richard 
 R. Losee; 1881-1884, James H. Sutherland; 1885-1886, John J Ellis; 1887-1888. 
 James Kinsey ; 1889-1893, Flavius J. Whiting ; 1893-1895, Frank W. Simonds ; 1896- 
 1897, Flavius J. Whiting ; 1898, Alexander F. Richley. 
 
 Darien Centre, originally called King's Corners, is situated a short 
 distance south of the centre of the town, on the Erie Railroad. It has 
 a Methodist Episcopal Church, a school, hotel, several stores and small 
 industries. 
 
 Darien, or Darien City, as it is sometimes called, is one and a half 
 miles east of Darien Centre and about half a mile north of the Erie 
 Railroad. It contains a Methodist Church, a school, a saw and grist 
 mills and two or three small shops. 
 
 Sawens is located on Murder creek in the northeastern part of the 
 town. It is a small hamlet with a store, sawmill, cider mill and black- 
 smith shop. 
 
 Fargo is a small hamlet in the northwestern part of the town, on the 
 Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, and contains a store, cheese 
 factory and blacksmith shop. 
 
 Town of Elba. 
 
 Elba is the central of the northern tier of towns. It is bounded on 
 the north by Barre, Orleans county; on the east by Byron, on the south 
 by Stafford and Batavia, and on the west by Oakfield. The surface of 
 the town is undulating, with gently rising slopes, and the soil is ex- 
 tremely productive. Fruit and grain are the chief crops. Underneath 
 the soil is a stratum of limestone. The principal stream is Oak Orchard 
 creek, which has numerous tributaries flowing into it from the south. 
 The chief source of this stream is a never failing spring called the 
 " Hackley spring," located near Dunham's Corners. Oak Orchard 
 creek flows northeast through the centre of the town to the northeast 
 corner, and thence in a westerly direction a short distance south of the 
 northern boundary. Its tributaries flow in the same general direction. 
 Spring creek rises in the southeast corner and flows northeasterly into 
 the town of Byron. These streams furnish ample water power. The 
 "Scott spring," which is strongly impregnated with sulphur, in the 
 
 31 
 
482 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 southeast corner; is the source of a small creek flowing through " The 
 Transit," which for many years has furnished power for the Transit 
 mills on the east line of the town. The West Shore Railroad runs 
 through the town east and west, a short distance south of the centre. 
 
 The first permauent settler in Elba was John' Young, who, on July 
 11, 1803, purchased of the Holland Land Company a farm a short dis- 
 tance south of Elba village. In 1804 John Roraback located on the site 
 of Elba village (then called " Pine Hill"). He was the first weaver in 
 town, and many of the pioneers wore clothing cut from cloth made by 
 him. Thomas Turner, Ephraim Husted, Bannan Clark, Orlando Town 
 and Ephraim Wortman were also early settlers. The first school was 
 taught by Chester Scott; Comfort Smith conducted the first grist mill, 
 Solomon Smith the first carding works and distillery, Horace Gibbs the 
 first saw mill, Stephen Harmon the first tavern, in 1815; Samuel Laing 
 the first store, in 1819. Dr. Daniel Wood was the pioneer physician. 
 The first religious society was that of the Quaker denomination, estab- 
 lished about 1830. 
 
 Elba was erected from Batavia March 14, 1820. The town of Oak- 
 field was set off April 11, 1842. The first town meeting was held 
 March 14, when these officers were elected : 
 
 Supervisor, Lemuel Foster; town clerk and collector, Mason Turner; assessors, 
 George Mills, Charles Woodworth and John Underbill ; overseers of the poor, Eras- 
 tus Wolcott and Isaac Benedict ; commissioners of highways, Jeremiah Wilford, Mark 
 Turner and Dudley Sawyer; commissioners of schools, Lemuel Foster, Jeremiah 
 Wilford and Isaac Higley; constables, Eleazur D. Davis, Ichabod Hinckley, jr., and 
 Jessamin Drake ; school inspectors, Eleazur D. Davis, Samuel White and Martin 
 Wilson ; poundmaster, Nehemiah IngersoU ; number of votes cast, 166. 
 
 The list of supervisors in existence dates from 1831. It is as follows: 
 1831-1833, Daniel Woodward; 1884-1835, Charles Woodworth; 1836-1887, Asa 
 
 Badcock; 1838-1847, Robinson Smiley; 1848, James Fuller, jr. ; 1849-1851, Nelson 
 
 Parker ; 1852-1854, Henry Monell ; 1855-1856, Anson Higley ; 1857, Henry Monell ; 
 
 1858, Anson Higley; 1859-1861, Alva U. Willis; 1862-1865, William C. Raymond; 
 
 1866-1867, Alonzo J. Hulett; 1868-1869, Eli Taylor; 1870-1871, William C. Raymond; 
 
 1873-1873, Harlow E. Parker; 1874-1875, Wilhara H. Raymond; 1876-1877, Alva U. 
 
 Willis; 1878-1879, Samuel Parker; 1880, Job A. Staples; 1881, Orlando Town, jr. ; 
 
 1882, Job A. Staples ; 1888-1884, Lanckton Harris ; 1885. Edwin Parker ; 1886, William 
 
 F. Robe; 1887, Edwin Parker; 1888-1889, William F. Robe; 1890, Isaac A. Higley; 
 
 1891-1892, Joseph N. Parker ; 1893-1895, John H. Dorman ; 1896-1898, William H. 
 
 Parker. 
 
 Elba is the principal village. It is located on the West Shore Rail- 
 road near the centre of the town, and was formerly known as Pine Hill, 
 
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS— LE ROY. 483 
 
 or the Pinery. The village has a population of about six hundred, has 
 four churches— Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist Protestant and Ger- 
 man Evangelical; a public school, private school, several stores, a 
 hotel, two stave and heading factories, saw mills and grist mills. 
 
 Lanckton's Corners is a small place north of the centre of the town. 
 
 East Elba, a hamlet in the southeast corner, has a church and school. 
 
 Davis's Corners, on the southern boundary, is a very small hamlet. 
 
 Town of Le Roy. 
 
 Le Roy is the most easterly town in Genesee county, and is second 
 in importance to Batavia only. It is bounded on the north by Byron 
 and Bergen, and by Riga, Monroe county, on the east by Wheatland, 
 Monroe county, and Caledonia, Livingston county; on the south by 
 Caledonia and Pavilion, and on the west by Stafford and Bergen. The 
 surface of the town for the most part is undulating, though level in 
 many places. The southern part contains a few low hills. The Oatka 
 creek enters the town at its southwest corner, flows in a northerly di- 
 rection through the village of Le Roy, and about two miles north of 
 that village turns and pursues a southeasterly course until it leaves 
 the' town. It furnishes splendid water power at Le Roy and elsewhere. 
 The first grist mill in Genesee county was erected on this stream at 
 Le Roy by Captain John Ganson. Buttermilk Falls, in the Oatka, are 
 a short distance north of Le Roy. Mud creek flows northeast through 
 the southeast section of the town. Neither has any tributaries of im- 
 portance. Three railroads traverse the town, all passing through Le 
 Roy village. The Erie and the New York Central and Hudson River 
 Railroad (Canandaigua branch) pass east and west south of the centre. 
 The Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburg Railway runs parallel with the 
 first two roads mentioned from the east limits of the town to Le Roy 
 village, and there turns and proceeds in a southerly direction into Pa- 
 vilion. A dozen salt wells are located in the town, and since their dis- 
 covery the salt industry has been the. most important, from most stand- 
 points, of any in Le Roy. 
 
 The first settlement in town was made in 1793 by Charles Wilbur, 
 who erected a log tavern on the site of Le Roy village. In 1797 Cap- 
 tain John Ganson immigrated to this point, purchased Wilbur's tavern, 
 and soon afterward built a mill there. Soon afterward Deacon Hinds 
 Chamberlin moved to a farm near by. Both lived in the eastern part 
 
484 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 of the present village. Others who came about this time were Chap- 
 man Hawley, Gilbert Half, Jesse Beach, Philip Beach, and Samuel 
 Davis' who also opened a tavern east of the village. General Daniel 
 Davis, who located in town in 1801, was also an early tavern keeper. 
 He was a brigadier general in the War of 1813, and was killed in the 
 sortie before Fort Erie. Asa Buell, a Revolutionary soldier, was another 
 primitive settler. Jeremiah Hascall, who came in 1805, was a justice 
 of the peace when all the territory in the State west of the Genesee 
 river was embraced in his jurisdiction. James Austin, Nathan Harvey, 
 Richard Waite, Stephen Stillwell and the Parmalee family were also 
 pioneers. 
 
 The first school house in the town was built in 1801. In it the first 
 school was taught in 1803 by Luseba Scott. Dr. William Coe was the 
 first physician, and Dudley Saltonstall the first to practice law. The 
 first bridge, built on the site of the present Main street bridge over the 
 Oatka, was constructed in 1801, and cost four hundred dollars. The 
 first church services, Protestant Episcopal, began in 1803 ; but the first 
 church to be regularly organized was the Presbyterian church of Le 
 Roy, founded February 7, 1813. 
 
 The town of Le Roy was erected from Caledonia, Livingston county, 
 June 8, 1813, and called Bellona. Its name was afterward changed to 
 Le Roy in honor of Herman Le Roy, a New York city merchant who 
 was one of the original purchasers of the " Triangle Tract." This tract 
 was surveyed in 1801 by Richard M. Stoddard, who subsequently became 
 the local agent for its sale. A part of Stafford was taken from Le Roy 
 in 1830, and a part of Pavilion in 1843. Le Roy originally formed a 
 part of the great township of Northampton, which embraced all the 
 territory west of the Genesee river. The first town meeting of North- 
 ampton was held at Caledonia (originally known as Big Springs) April 
 4, 1797. Gad Wadsworth presided. Josiah Fish was elected super- 
 visor, Eli Granger town clerk, Peter Shaefer road commissioner and 
 poormaster, Isaac Scott fence-viewer. Hinds Chamberlin, constable. 
 
 Upon the erection of the county of Genesee the present territory of 
 Le Roy became a part of the town of Southampton, erected from a 
 part of the original town of Northampton. The first meeting of the 
 newly formed township was held in March, 1803, when Christopher 
 
 ^Samuel Davis was murdered in his own house in 1827 or 1828 by James Gray, because of 
 Davis's refusal to release a child of Gray's who had been indentured to him. Gray was hanged 
 at Batavia, November 5, 1830. 
 
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS— LE ROY. 485 
 
 Layburn was chosen supervisor. Early justices of the peace included 
 James Ganson, John Ganson, Ezra Piatt, Richard M. Stoddard, Joseph 
 Hewitt, Amos Hall, Robert Nesbitt, Samuel Davis, Jeremiah Hascall, 
 S. Bates, Asher Bates, J. Fox, G. H. Fox, David Davis. 
 
 Following is a complete list of the supervisors of Le Roy from the 
 year of the first town meeting to the present time : 
 
 1813, William Sheldon; 1814-1815, David L. Barron; 1816, E. Smith; 1817, Thomas 
 Tufts; 1818-1819, William Sheldon; 1820-1822, Thaddeus Joy; 1823, Willis Buell ; 
 1824, Daniel L, Barron; 1825, Harry Backus; 1826-1827, Yates; 1828, John Has- 
 call; 1829-1830, Seth M. Yates; 1831-1835, Dennis Blakeley; 1836-1839, John Tom- 
 linson; 1840-1841, KnowltonRich; 1842-1846, Elijah Piatt; 1847-1848, Abiel Rob- 
 ertson ; 1849-1852, WiUiam Morgan ; 1853, John G. Bixby ; 1854, John Tomlinson ; 
 1855-1856, John J. McPherson ; 1857-1858, Dr. David C. ChamberUu; 1859-1860, A. 
 P. Hascall; 1861-1862, Walter G. Gustin ; 1863, John H Lent (died in office); 1863- 
 1864, Abiel Robertson ; 1865-1868, Walter G. Gustin ; 1869, Richard L. Selden, W. 
 Le Roy Bishop; 1870, Samuel Gillett; 1871, W. Le Roy Bishop; 1872, William S. 
 Brown; 1873, Samuel Gillett ; 1874, Walter G. Gustin ; 1875, Samuel Gillett; 1876, 
 Richard L. Selden ; 1877, Samuel Gillett ; 1878-1879. Walter G. Gustin ; 1880, Samuel 
 Gillett; 1881-1886, Richard L. Selden ; 1887-1891, Melvin D. Pratt; 1892-1893, George 
 F. Lowe ; 1894-1897, Dwight H. Pierson ; 1898, Clarence Bryant. 
 
 The town clerks during this period have been as follows: 
 
 1813-1815, Thomas Tufts; 1815-1817, Hem an J. Redfield; 1818-1820, Willis Buell. 
 1821, M. Gates; 1822-1823, Timothy Fitch; 1834-1825, M. Gates; 1826, Augustus P; 
 Hascall; 1827-1878, John H. Stanley; 1879, James B. Gillett; 1880-1891, Samuel F. 
 Comstock; 1892-1893, H H. Falkner; 1894-1895, Edwin M. Harmon; 1896-1897, H. 
 H. Falkner ; 1898, Edwin M. Harmon. 
 
 The records in the office of the town clerk begin with the year 1879, 
 the earlier records having been lost or destroyed. Since that time the 
 following have been elected justices of the peace : 
 
 1879, Chandler Ganson; 1880, Walter G, Gustin; 1881, William S Coe; 1883, Angus 
 L.Tompkins; 1883, Thomas P. Heddon ; 1884, Charles S.Simons; 1885, William L. 
 Martin; 1886, Angus L. Tompkins; 1887, Sephrine D. Gilbert; 1888, David Jackson 
 Bissell; 1889; WiUiam R. Crofoot; 1890, Stephen F. Curtis; 1891, S. D. Gilbert; 1892, 
 Albert A. Parmelee; 1893, W. R. Crofoot; 1894, Melvin D. Pratt; 1895, S. D.Gilbert; 
 1896, A. A. Parmelee; 1897, W. R. Crofoot;' 1898, M. D. Pratt. 
 
 Le Roy village is located southeast of the center of the town, on the 
 Oatka creek, which furnishes a fine water power at this point. The 
 original purchasers of the tract on which the village is located were 
 Richard M. Stoddard and Dudley Saltonstall, who bought it from Le 
 Roy, Bayard and McEvers. Ezra Piatt subsequently purchased Salton- 
 
 ^ Died in office in December, 1898. 
 
486 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Stall's interest. Stoddard and Piatt built a log house on the bank of 
 Allen's creek in 1801 and opened a land office. In the same year they 
 erected mills at Buttermilk Falls. In 1810 a stone building was built on 
 the west bank of the creek, near the bridge, for merchandising purposes 
 exclusively, and occupied by George A. Tiffany. ' The first school in the 
 village was taught by Mrs. Wolcott in 1804. The first church, Presby- 
 terian, was founded in 1812. 
 
 The village was incorporated by the Legislature in May, 1834. The 
 first corporation meeting was held July 3, 1834, at the house of Theodore 
 Dwight. Hinds Chamberlin presided. As the number of persons in 
 attendance was deemed insufficient for the transaction of business, the 
 meeting adjourned to July 13, at the same place. At this meeting 
 Joshua Lathrop, John Lent, Rufus Robertson, Theodore Dwight and 
 Dennis Blakeley were elected the first trustees ; Seth M. Gates, clerk ; 
 Heman J. Redfield, treasurer; Jacob Newman, Lewis M. Gates, Chester 
 Barrow, assessors; Stephen Olmsted, collector; Hollis Pratt, police 
 constable; Miles P. Lampson, Howard Bosworth, John Jackson, Olonzo 
 Montcalm and Horatio N. Stanley, fire wardens. Since that date these 
 persons have served as presidents of the village : 
 
 1834-1835, Joshua Lathrop ; 1836, Lewis M. Gates ; 1837-1838, Charles Danforth ; 
 1839-1840, no name given; 1841, H. H. Carpenter; 1842, John P. Mitchell; 1843-1844, 
 Miles P. Lampson; 1845, John P. Mitchell; 1846, EUsha Stanley ; 1847-1848, Joshua 
 Lathrop; 1849, Miles P. Lampson; 1850, John W. Shedd; 1851, David Jackson; 1853- 
 1854, John H. Stanley; 1855-1860, Augustus P. Hascall; 1861-1863, John H. Stanley; 
 1864^1868, J. J.J. Tompkins; 1869, Chauncey L. Olmstead; 1870-1872, Charles Mor- 
 gan; 1873, A. S. Tryon; 1874, WilUam Huyck; 1875, R. A. Augur; 1876, Horace E. 
 Walker; 1877-1878, Daniel D. McLachlen; 1879, James Allison ; 1880, William Lamp- 
 son; 1881, Horace E. Walker; 1882, Dennis Scanlon; 1883, Horace E. Walker; 1884- 
 1886, A. E. Miller; 1887-1888, George M. Have; 1889-1890, Thomas B. Tuttle; 1891- 
 1892, Stephen Loucks ; 1893, Reuben Glass ; 1894, Stephen Loucks ; 1895-1896, Ed- 
 ward Rogerson ; 1897-1898, Lucius T. Williams. 
 
 The village clerks have been : 
 
 1835, Rufus Robertson; 1836, Perrin M. Smith; 1837-1851, John H. Stanley; 1852, 
 Abraham D. Lampkins ; 1853, Jesse E. Carpenter ; 1854, Russell L. Samson ; 1855- 
 1858, Owen Bryan; 1859-1860, Samuel T. Howard; 1861, Adam S. Pratt; 1862-1863, 
 Samuel F. Comstock; 1864, John B. Candy; 1865, W. H. Anderson; 1866-1867, Frank 
 W. Adams; 1868, Samuel F. Comstock; 1869, Frank W. Forman; 1870, William 
 Hooker; 1871, Theodore F. Hascall; 1873, James Karslake; 1873, William Howard 
 Olmsted; 1874, J. Fred Kochler; 1875, John Wiss; 1876-1884, Angus L. Tompkins; 
 1885, Samuel F. Comstock; 1886, Sephrine D. Gilbert; 1887, William R. Crofoot; 
 
 ■ This ancient structure is still standing. 
 
GAZETTEER OP TOWNS— LE ROY. 48'? 
 
 1888-1890, S. D. Gilbert; 1891-1893, W. R. Crofoot; 1894-1895, S. D. Gilbert; 1896- 
 1898, W. R. Crofoot" ; 1898, William H. Foster. 
 
 Le Roy ranks as the second village in Genesee county in point of 
 population, wealth and the number and importance of its industries. 
 First and most important among its industrial elements is the great 
 plant of the Le Roy Salt Company. There are also in the village three 
 flouring mills, a mammoth cold storage warehouse, reputed to be next 
 to the largest in the entire United States, a second produce warehouse, 
 a grain elevator, three large malt houses, all under one management, 
 an iron foundry, two grist mills, two wagon shops, two broom factories, 
 ^ machine shop and foundry combined, a planing mill, five proprietary 
 medicine manufactories, and extensive stone quarries located near the 
 village. There are also seven churches — Presbyterian, Protestant 
 Episcopal, Baptist, Methodist Episcopal, Catholic, German Evangelical 
 Lutheran and Universalist; an excellent union free school system, two 
 banks, two principal hotels'" and several smaller ones, two weekly news- 
 papers — the Le Roy Gazette and the Genesee Courier; a Masonic lodge 
 and other secret and social organizations, a gas company, an electric 
 light, plant, now owned by the village ; an excellent system of water 
 works, a first class fire department, with one chemical engine, one hook 
 and ladder truck and one hose cart ; a large number of stores and shops 
 and well paved streets. The Canandaigua branch of the New York 
 Central & Hudson River Railroad, the Erie Railroad and the Buffalo, 
 Rochester & Pittsburg Railway pass through the northern part of the 
 village, each having a separate depot. The village was formerly the 
 seat of Ingham University, whose buildings are still standing, and of 
 the Le Roy Academic Institute, whose building is now occupied by the 
 Le Roy High School. 
 
 Three miles north of Le Roy village, at a point known as Fort Hill, 
 is the ruin of an ancient Indian fort, occupying a high bank bounded 
 by Fordham's brook and Allen's creek, which effect a junction at this 
 point. This fortification is about thirteen hundred feet from north to 
 south, and two thousand feet across its broadest part, narrowing to one 
 thousand feet at its neck, which connects it with the general table-land. 
 There is a trace of an embankment and ditch about fifteen hundred feet 
 long across the broad part, east and west. Skeletons, pottery, pipes, 
 
 'Mr. Crofoot died in office in December, 1898, and Mr. Foster was appointed to fill the vacancy. 
 "The Eagle hotel, conducted b ,r M. O. Fisher since 1895; and the Wiss hou.'ie, owned and con- 
 ducted by Mrs. Anna K. Wiss for over thirty years. 
 
488 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 beads, arrow and spear heads were formerly found here. Nothing defi- 
 nite is known as to the builders of these works, whether the Senecas or 
 another tribe before them. 
 
 Town of Oakfield. 
 
 Oakfield is one of the northern tier of the towns in Genesee county. 
 It is bounded on the north by Barre, Orleans county, on the east by 
 Elba, on the south by Batavia, and on the west by Alabama. The 
 name was given it on account of the large surface of oak timber and 
 oak openings covering the territory. The surface of the town is gently 
 undulating in some places, but for the most part level, sloping to the 
 north and west. The soil is a deep, sandy loam, with a subsoil of clay, 
 and exceedingly fertile. Oak Orchard creek flows westerly through 
 the northern part of the town. One of its tributaries, rising near the 
 south line of the town and flowing north, affords ample power for mills 
 and manufacturing. The Tonawanda Swamp extends across the north- 
 ern portion, along Oak Orchard creek, and abounds with timber. In 
 the western part of the town is one of the finest plaster beds in the 
 State, extending from the west bounds two miles eastward, and half a 
 mile in width. Salt springs, from which large quantities of salt were 
 manufactured at an early day, are found near the centre of the town. 
 
 Indian mounds and earthworks that have gone into history as the 
 most remarkable and best preserved of any in the State are found in 
 Oakfield. The work in the best state of preservation is about half a 
 mile west of Oakfield village. It consists of breastworks and a ditch, 
 covers about ten acres, and is known as " the old fort." The height of 
 the embankment above the bottom of the ditch is about six feet, and both 
 show abundant evidence of artificial grading and engineering skill. 
 Ancient lodges and broken pottery have been found in a part of these 
 works. A ravine through which Dry creek flows forms the west side 
 of the fort. Trees which bear evidences of being upwards of three 
 hundred years old have grown upon the works, showing their antiquity. 
 Passages with sides built up of stone are found on the west side. A 
 mile to the northeast is the remnant of " bone fort," marked only by 
 scattered fragments of bones. 
 
 The Rev. Samuel Kirtland, the missionary sent out by Sir William 
 Johnson to visit the Senecas in 1788, visited this spot. In the journal 
 of his life among the Indians, he says the Senecas called these forts 
 
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS— OAKPIELD. 489 
 
 Te-gat-ai neaa-ghgue, or "doubled fortified town," i. e., a town with 
 a fort at each end. Northeast of this fort, and about a mile therefrom, 
 stood another fort, though of smaller dimensions. 
 
 The first settlements in Oakfield were made in 1801 by Erastus Wol- 
 cott and Aaron White. Soon after, in the same year, Gideon Dunham 
 settled in the oak openings and gave the name to Dunham's Grove. 
 Peter Rice and Christopher Kenyon came in the latter part of the same 
 year. Among those who came in 1802 were Peter Lewis, Daniel Ayer 
 ann Job Babcock. Gideon Dunham opened the first tavern. The first 
 grist and saw mills were erected in 1811 by Christopher Kenyon, and 
 the first wool-carding and cloth dressing mill was put in operation 
 in 1829 by Othniel Brown. The first store at Oakfield, then Cary- 
 ville, was opened in 1833 by Col. Alfred Cary, after whom the vil- 
 lage was named. The earliest religious services were held by the Free- 
 will Baptists. The first regular church organization was effected in 
 1832 by the Methodists, under the Rev. Hiram May. 
 
 Oakfield was erected from Elba April 11, 1843. The first officers 
 chosen at the first town meeting were: 
 
 Supervisor, Moses True ; town clerk, George Burden ; assessors, William Wolcott, 
 John C. Gardner, John G. Satterlee ; justice of the peace, John G. Satterlee ; commis- 
 sioners of highways, John G. Gardner, Perez Rowland and George E. Martin. 
 
 Following is a complete list of the supervisors of Oakfield: 
 
 1842-1843, Moses True; 1844, James Gibson; 1845, Moses True; 1846-1852, William 
 Wolcott; 1853-1854, John C. Gardner; 1855-1857, Clitus Wolcott; 1858-1859, William 
 C. McCrilles; 1860-1861, Addison Armstrong; 1862, William Wolcott; 1863-1865, Par- 
 ley V. Ingalsbe; 1866-1867, Homer D. Waldo; 1868-1869, Charles H. Chamberlin ; 
 1870-1873, Asa A. Woodruff; 1874-1875, William Wolcott; 1876-1877, Darius King; 
 1878-1879, Norman Drake; 1880, Julius Reed; 1881-1882, Irvin J. Stedmau; 1883- 
 1884, Arthur B. Rathbone; 1885-1889, Charles H. Chamberlin; 1890-1891, Henry 
 Caple; 1893-1897, Charles B. Avery; 1898, Lawrence D. Callan. 
 
 The following have served as town clerks : 
 
 1842-1844, George Burden; 1845, James Gibson; 1846, George Burden; 1847, James 
 Gibson; 1848, George March; 1849-1850, James Gibson; 1851, Elbridge Jaquith ; 1853, 
 Lorenzo H. Olcott ; 1853-1854, Solomon H. Parmalee ; 1855-1856, Elbridge Jaquith ; 
 1857, Samuel March; 1858, Charles H. Chamberlin; 1859-1861, Solomon H. Parma- 
 lee; 1863, Asa A. WoodrufE; 1863-1866, Richard Stevens; 1867-1870, Asa A. Wood- 
 ruff; 1871-1872, J. D. Stedman; 1873, F. W. Brown; 1874, Eugene T. Chamberlin; 
 1875-1877, Asa A. Woodruff; 1878-1882, Francis A. Griffin; 1883, Wilber H. Martin; 
 1884-1886, Eugene T. Chamberlin; 1887, Frederick W. Isaac; 1888-1889, C. H. 
 Griffin; 1890, E. A. McCulloch; 1891, A. T. Heckroth; 1892-1893, Jacob B. Gann ; 
 1894-1895, E. A. McCulloch; 1896-1897, Henry A; Decker; 1898, H. G. Saxton. 
 
490 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 The justices of the peace, with the years of their election, have been 
 as follows: 
 
 1843, John C. Gardner, Perez Rowland ; 1843, John G. Satterlee ; 1844, George F. 
 Martin; 1845, Eden Mclntyre; 184B, Milan Perry; 1847, John C. Gardner, Otis J. 
 Freeman; 1848, Henry Howard; 1849, Eden Mclntyre; 1850, James T. Gorhara; 
 1851, John C. Gardner; 1852, Henry Howard; 1853, Warren Pratt; 1854, Henry 
 Howard ; 1855, John C. Gardner ; 1856, Henry Field, Eden Mclntyre ; 1857, Warren 
 Pratt; 1858, Samuel Haxton, Parley V. Ingalsbe; 1859, Alexander Haight; 1860, 
 Benjamin F. Hawes; 1861, John C. Gardner; 1863, Parley V. Ingalsbe; 1863, rec- 
 ords missing; 1864, Benjamin F. Hawes; 1865, Samuel Haxton; 1866, Parley V. 
 Ingalsbe; 1867, Norman Drake; 1868, B. F. Hawes; 1869, B. J. Chapman; 1870, 
 Charles F. Chamberlin, Philip Caple; 1871, Norman Drake; 1872, B. F. Hawes; 1878, 
 Samuel Haxton; 1874, Benjamin P. Carr; 1875, Seward A. Ingalsbee; 1876, B. F. 
 Hawes; 1878, Benjamin P. Carr; 1879, Richard Stevens; 1880, B. F. Hawes; 1881, 
 Charles H. Chamberlin; 1882, Benjamin P. Carr; 1883, W. H. Griffin; 1884, B. F. 
 Hawes; 1885. I. J. Stedman ; 1886, William H Griffin; 1887, Darius J. Manchester; 
 1888, B. F. Hawes; 1889, I. J. Stedman; 1890, Blodgett Sparr; 1891, Willis E. Par- 
 ker; 1892, B. F. Hawes; 1893, I. J. Stedman; 1894 Blodgett Sparr; 1895, Willis E. 
 Parker ; 1896, B. F. Hawes ; 1897, I. J. Stedman ; 1898, Blodgett Sparr. 
 
 The town clerk's office was destroyed by fire June 15, 1866, and the 
 records were swept away, but the foregoing list, furnished by the town 
 clerk from other records, is believed to be correct. 
 
 Oakfield, formerly known as Gary and Caryville, is the principal vil- 
 lage. It lies south of the centre of the town, six miles northwest of Ba- 
 tavia, on the Lewiston road, and on the West Shore Railroad. It 
 has a population of over one thousand. The first store in the village 
 was opened in 1833 by Colonel Alfred Gary. There are in the village 
 four churches — Protestant Episcopal, Methodist Episcopal, Presby- 
 terian and German Lutheran; a union free school, Gary Collegiate 
 Seminary (founded by Colonel Gary, July 4, 1840), a bank, a weekly 
 newspaper, three hotels, a large number of stores, a foundry, a fruit 
 evaporator, a wagon shop, a saw mill, a plow and agricultural machin- 
 ery factory, a stave and heading factory, a plaster mill, a flouring 
 mill, a cement mill, a fertilizer manufactory, an oil-can factory, a lum- 
 ber yard, and other minor industries. There are also an Odd Fellows 
 lodge, founded in 1874, and a lodge of the Empire Order of Mutual 
 Aid, founded in 1880. 
 
 The name of Caryville was changed to Plain Brook in 1837, and soon 
 after the village was called Oakfield. It was incorporated in 1858. 
 At the first annual village meeting held August 7, 1885, these officers 
 were elected : 
 
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS— PAVILION. 491 
 
 Trustees, Andrew Thompson, Virgil C. Calkins, Asa A. Woodruflf, Abner C. 
 Dodge, Seres P. Champlin; assessors. Rice Baldwin, Samuel Fellows, Horace R. 
 Holt; clerk, Solomon H. Parmalee; treasurer, Cyrus Pond; collector, Thomas 
 Brown ; poundmaster, Dewitt C. Colony ; inspectors o£ election, Samuel March, Asa 
 A. Woodruff, S. P. Champlin. 
 
 Oakfield claims the honor of having elected the first Prohibition vil- 
 lage president in Western New York, William W. Stevens, virho was 
 elected in March, 1890. 
 
 East Oakfield (Mechanicsville) is a hamlet located about three miles 
 northeast of Oakfield. 
 
 Town of Pavilion. 
 
 Pavilion is the most southeastern town of Genesee county. It is 
 bounded on the north by Stafford and Le Roy, on the east by Caledonia 
 and York, Livingston county; on the south by Covington, Wyoming 
 county, and on the west by Middlebury, Wyoming county, Bethany and 
 Stafford. The surface is undulating in the north and hilly in the south. 
 The principal stream is the Oatka creek, which flows northward through 
 the town, a short distance west of the centre. East of this stream, and 
 nearly parallel therewith, runs the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg 
 Railway. The Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad crosses the 
 northern part of the county from west to east until it crosses the Buffalo, 
 Rochester & Pittsburg Railroad tracks, where it turns and runs south- 
 east until it leaves the town. Joseph Ellicott surveyed the first road 
 across the town, running it in a straight line from Batavia village to 
 Leicester, through the village of Pavilion. This is the famous Big Tree 
 road. About the same time the State surveyed a road from Canawau- 
 gus (Avon) to Buffalo. This road passes through the centre of the 
 town, and intersects 'the Big Tree road near the west line of the town. 
 
 The first settlement in Pavilion appears to have been in 1805 by Isaac 
 D. Lyon. The Lawrence family came in 1807, Richard Walkley, Peter 
 Crosman, the Tyrrells and McWethys in 1809. The first tavern was 
 opened in 1815 at Pavilion by Beth Smith. In 1817 Horace Bates 
 opened the first store at the same point. Bial Lathrop built the first 
 mill, in 1816, on the Oatka. The first church. Baptist, was organized 
 in 1816 by Elden Leonard Anson. 
 
 Pavilion was formed from Covington, Wyoming county, May 19, 
 1841. A portion from Le Roy and Stafford was annexed March 33, 
 1843. The town was named in 1835 by Harmon J. Betts, who came 
 
492 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 from Saratoga, where he had been connected with the Pavilion hotel. 
 The records in the town clerk's office are incomplete, and nothing can 
 be learned as to the first town meeting. F'ollowing is a list of the super- 
 visors since the organization of the town : 
 
 1841-1843, Isaac Matthews; 1843-1845, Thomas Burns; 1846, Denby Lewis; 1847- 
 1848, Thomas Burns; 1849, Daniel Sprague; 1850-1855, John C. Holcomb; 1856, 
 Thomas Burns; 1857-1858, Henry H. Olmsted; 1859-1860, Oswald Bond; 1861-1863, 
 John Lauderdale; 1864-1865, Nathan Bryant; 1866, J. Lyman Crocker; 1867-1868, 
 Nathan Bryant; 1869-1872, Oswald Bond; 1873, J. Lyman Crocker; 1874, James. H. 
 Webster; 1875-1877, Elijah M. Tillotson ; 1878-1881, Wm, Walker; 1882-1886, Benja- 
 min W. Hartwell; 1887-1895, William Walker; 1896-1897, Jasper Starr; 1898, Ethan 
 T. Bradley. 
 
 The town clerks have been : 
 
 1841-1845, John Lauderdale; 1846, John C. Holcomb; 1847-1853, Oilman Barnett; 
 1853-1854, Horace S. Hannum ; 1855, C. W. Fay; 1856-1860, J. W. Chaddock; 1861- 
 
 1863, John C. Holcomb; 1863-1865, H. S. Halbert; 1866-1867, Elbert Townsend; 
 1868-1873 Ethan T. Bradley; 1873-1879, W. H. Gilmore; 1880-1886, Charles E. Bond; 
 1887-1888 Sheridan O. Hubbard; 1889, Louis H. Wells; 1890-1893, Willis L. Culver; 
 1894, Edwin R. Christman ; 1895-1897, William Quinlan ; 1898, Willis L. Culver. 
 
 The records show the names of the following justices. There is no 
 record of the election up to 1880, and the names from 1841 to 1880 
 are as they appear in the minutes of the town board. The names 
 given from 1880 to 1889 are of the justices of the peace elected on the 
 years given : 
 
 1841 , Isaac Matthews, Denby Lewis, Marvin Judd, Henry Bond ; 1843, Isaac Mat- 
 thews, Denby Lewis, Samuel Lewis, John Lauderdale ; 1848,Thomas Burns, D. Lewis, 
 W. M. Sprague, Marvin Judd; 1844, Thomas Burns, Denby Lewis, John C. Holcomb, 
 Marvin Judd; 1845, Thomas Burns, W. M. Sprague, J. C. Holcomb, Denby Lewis; 
 1846, W. M. Sprague, J. W. Duguid; 1847, Thomas Burns, W. M. Sprague, John C. 
 Holcomb; 1848, John C. Holcomb, W. M. Sprague, J. W. Duguid; 1849, John C. 
 Holcomb, W. M. Sprague; 1850, W. M. Sprague, J. W. Duguid; 1851, J. W. Duguid, 
 W. M. Sprague, Denby Lewis; 1853, Denby Lewis, J. W. Duguid, George Tomlin- 
 son; 1853-1854, Denby Lewis, George Tomlinson, Oswald Bond; 1855-1858, Oswald 
 Bond, George Tomlinson, Nathan Bryant; 1859, George Tomlinson, Nathan Bryant; 
 1860, Nathan Bryant, Leonard Crofoot; 1861, Nathan Bryant, Leonard Crofoot, Den- 
 by Lewis; 1862-1863, Nathan Bryant, Oswald Bond, Denby Lewis, Leonard Crofoot; 
 
 1864, Denby Lewis, Oswald Bond; 1865, Denby Lewis, Oswald Bond, Leonard Cro- 
 foot; 1866, Oswald Bond, Nathan Bryant, Denby Lewis, John L. Cook; 1867-1868, 
 Oswald Bond, George Tomlinson ; 1869, Elbert Townsend, William L. Bradley ; 1870, 
 Elbert Townsend, William L. Bradley. James Center; 1871-1873, James Center, 
 William L. Bradley, W. H. Tompkins; 1873, James Center, W. H. Tompkins; 1874, 
 W. J. Cook, W. H. Tompkins, William L. Bradley, E. T. Bradley; 1875-1876, W. J. 
 Cook, William H. Ewell, William L. Bradley, E. T. Bradley; 1877, William L. Brad- 
 
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS— PEMBROKE. 493 
 
 ley, William H. Ewell, J. M. Robertson; 1878, William H. Ewell, J. M. Robertson, 
 Chauncey E. Tillotson; 1879, William L. Bradley, C, E. Tillotson, J. M. Robertson; 
 1880, John M. Robertson; 1881, C. E. Tillotson; 1882 Loren W. Evarts; 1883, William 
 L. Bradley, 1. t, L. W. Evarts, s. t. ; 1884, Oliver W. Phelps; 1885, C. E. Tillotson; 
 1886, L. "W. Evarts; 1887, W. L. Bradley; 1888, Myron P. Pierson, 1. t., L.W. Evarts, 
 s. t. ; 1889, C. E. Tillotson; 1890, L. T. Evarts; 1891, W. L. Bradley; 1892, M. P. 
 Pierson; 1893, Louis H. Wells; 1894, C. E. Tillotson; 1895, Oliver D. Farnsworth; 
 1896, M. P. Pierson ; 1897, L. H. Wells ; 1898, Horace E. Townsend. 
 
 Pavilion is the chief village. It is located near the centre of the 
 southern half of the town, on the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg Rail- 
 road. It contains about four hundred inhabitants, four churches — 
 Baptist, Methodist Episcopal, Catholic and Universal ist — but no ser- 
 vices have been held by the latter society in several years. There are 
 also a good public school, a hotel, and nine stores, a Grand Army 
 Post and a lodge of Odd Fellows. The manufacturing industries con- 
 sist of the salt works of Senator Humphrey, of Warsaw; a large flour- 
 ing mill, a fruit evaporator, a wagon shop and a blacksmith shop. A 
 bean picking and packing establishment owned by Archibald D. San- 
 ders of Stafford, and operated by S. D. White, was burned in the spring 
 of 1898. 
 
 A salt mine was sunk in the northern part of the town in 1891 by the 
 Lehigh Salt Company, but it was subsequently sold to the salt trust 
 and the works closed. 
 
 Union Corners is a hamlet in the eastern part of the town. It con- 
 tains a church and a school. 
 
 Bailey's Mills is the location of a grist mill established about 1817 by 
 Erastus Bailey and Bial Lathrop. The dam there was built in 1828. 
 
 Town of Pembroke. 
 
 Pembroke is the central of the three large towns comprising the 
 western tier. It is bounded on the north by Alabama, on the east by 
 Batavia, on the- south by Darien and on the west by Newstead, Erie 
 county. Its surface is gently undulating. Tonawanda creek flows in 
 a northwesterly direction through the northeast corner, and Murder 
 creek flows in the same direction through the southwest corner. The 
 soil is a sandy and gravelly loam. A portion of the northern part of 
 the town is occupied by the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. The main 
 line of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad and the Le- 
 high Valley Railroad pass through the southeast corner of the town. 
 
494 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 and the Tonawanda branch of the former road passes through the cen- 
 tral part, from east to west. 
 
 David Goss, who took up land in 1804, was the first permanent settler 
 in Pembroke. He converted his dwelling into a tavern, which was the 
 first public house in the township. Samuel Carr located at Richville in 
 1808, and also opened a tavern. Mr. Carr erected the first grist mill 
 and saw mill. Dr. David Long and his son, John Long, settled on the 
 site of Corfu in 1808, and gave that locality the name of Long's Cor- 
 ners. The first school was conducted by Anna Horton in 1811. The 
 first church — Presbyterian — was founded in 1817 by the Rev. Hugh 
 Wallis. The "Franklin Library" was formed in 1819 at the house of 
 Eben North, by twenty residents of Pembroke and Alexander. 
 
 Pembroke was erected from Batavia June 9, 1813. The records in 
 the town clerk's office up to 1854 are missing. The names of the super- 
 visors since 1831 are on file in the county clerk's office. The)' are as 
 follows: 
 
 1831, Hugh Long; 1833-1835, Cyrus Brown; 1836-1838, Eli Ellinwood; 1839, An. 
 drew S. Harroun; 1840, Eli Ellinwood; 1841-1842, Cyrus Brown; 1843, Andrew S. 
 Harroun; 1814, Aaron Long; 1845, Cyrus Brown; 1846-1848, David Anderson; 1849, 
 George W. Wright; 1850-1852, David Anderson; 1853, James M. Neasmith; 1854, 
 John A. Willett ; 1855, David Anderson ; 1856, John W. Brown ; 1857-1859, John D. 
 Safford; 1860-1861, Cyrus Phelps; 1862-1864, John W. Brown; 1865, James Boyd; 
 1866, John W. Brown ; 1867-1868, Royal W. Kinne ; 1869-1870, Edward A. Brown '■ 
 1871, John Munro; 1872, Edward A. Brown; 1873, John Munro; 1874, Edward A.' 
 Brown ; 1875, John Munro ; 1876-1877, Joseph W. Safford ; 1878-1880, Lucius B. Par- 
 mele; 1881-1885, Charles A. Kinne; 1886, Dwight Dimock; 1887, John Lincoln; 
 1888-1891, Albert L. Hamilton; 1892, James S. Russell; 1898-1898, Albert L. Ham- 
 ilton. 
 
 The town clerks since 1854 have been as follows: 
 
 1854-1856, W. Reed; 1857, Guy C. Clark; 1858, Reuben Willett; 1859, Amasa A. 
 Mosher; 1860, Reuben Willett; 1861, Julius C. Powers; 1862, Joseph W. Safford; 1863- 
 1864, Peter C. Garrett; 1865, Elonzo N. Stone; 1866-1867, William S. M. Northrop; 
 1868-1869, Joseph W. Safford; 1870-1871, Thomas R. Hardwick; 1872-1873, W. S. M. 
 Northrop; 1874-1875, Frank H. Edwards; 1876-1877, Ira A. Lake; 1878-1879, John 
 Gibson ; 1880, George O. Taggart ; 1881, Reuben Willett ; 1882, Dana Jenison ; 1883, 
 A. J. Smith; 1884-1888, William W. McGregor; 1889-1890, Wilder E. Sumner; 1891- 
 1892, Charles Graves; 1893, John Main; 1894-1895, W. E.Sumner; 1896-1897, Charles 
 W. Arnold; 1898, Thomas J. Doyle. 
 
 During that period the justices of the peace have been: 
 
 1854, D. A. Wells, J. D. Safford; 1855, Roderick F. Tompson; 1856, John Munro, 
 jr., William S. Coe; 1857, John A. Taylor; 1858, Harrison H. Boughton, William 
 
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS— PEMBROKE, 495 
 
 Russell ; 1859, William S. Coe, Harry Stone ; 1860, Parley Upton, Alanson Owen ; 
 1861, Webster McMurphy, Ephraim P. Dean; 1863, Alanson Owen; 1863, William S. 
 Coe; 1864, E. P. Dean; 1865, George Comber, George W. Wright; 1866, Alanson 
 Owen, Elonzo N. Stone, Nathaniel Reed ; 1867, Nathaniel Reed ; 1868, George W. 
 Wright; 1869, John Clark, John Munro; 1870 Alanson Owen; 1871, Andrew Abrams; 
 1873, John Munro, William McGregor; 1873, Elias Martin; 1874, Charles A. Kiune; 
 1875, William W. McGregor ; 1876, D. H. Gorman ; 1877, Martin Brown ; 1878, Charles 
 A. Kinne, John Munro; 1879, Joseph W. Saflford; 1880, John Munro, Andrew F. 
 Clark; 1881, Martin Brown; 1883, Andrew F. Clark, William Adair; 1883, J. W. Saf- 
 ford; 1884, Daniel W. Smith, Louis Case; 1885, Daniel W. Smith, John Cleveland ; 
 1886, John Long; 1887, J. W. Saflford, Andrew F. Clark; 1888, John Cleveland; 1889, 
 Daniel W. Smith; 1890, Andrew F. Clark; 1891, J. VV. Saflford; 1893, John Cleveland; 
 
 1893, D. W. Smith; 1894, A. F. Clark; 1895, J. W. Saflford;' 1896, John Cleveland; 
 1897, D. W. Smith ; 1898, E. A. Root. 
 
 Corfu is the principal village in Pembroke. It is located close to the 
 south line of the town, on the New York Central and Hudson River 
 Railroad. It contains five churches — Presbyterian, Methodist Episco- 
 pal, Protestant Episcopal, Universalist and Catholic ; a union free school, 
 three hotels, a weekly newspaper, a flouring and cider mill, a broom 
 factory, a wagon shop and blacksmith shop, and twenty-six greenhouses, 
 the latter forming the principal industry of the town. Three natural 
 gas wells in or near the village supply gas for lighting and heating 
 purposes Corfu was incorporated May 1, 1868, at which time these 
 officers were elected : 
 
 Trustees, H. P. Porter, D. Carter, R. W. Kinny, E. W. Croff, George 
 , D. Newell; clerk, Dr. A. Billington; collector, J. P. Vaughn. The 
 following have served as village presidents : 
 
 1868, H. P. Porter; 1869, George D Newell; 1870-1873, Jeremiah A. Garvin; 1873, 
 Daniel Chadeayne ; 1874, John Davison ; 1875, Tyler D. Burnham ; 1876, Daniel Car- 
 ter; 1877, N. Hopkins; 1878, Jerome Sumner ; 1879, B. N. Hopkins; 1880, H. P. Porter; 
 1881, John Lincoln; 1883, Cyrus Wait; 1883, Amos O, Curtis; 1884, John Tyrrell ; 1885, 
 Dwight Dimock ; 1886, J. A. Garvin ; 1887-1888, W. E. Sumner ; 1889, Dwight Dimock ; 
 1890, William Crawford; 1891, Cyrus Wait; 1893, David Clark; 1893, Daniel Schelt ; 
 
 1894, W. E. Sumner; 1895, John Lincoln; 1896, H. D. Van De Bogart; 1897, Thomas 
 A. Webb; 1898, Daniel Schelt. 
 
 The following have served as village clerks : 
 
 1868-1869, Dr. A. Billington ; 1870, Joseph W. Saflford ; 1871-1873, Frederick T. 
 Wilcox; 1874-1876, D. Jenison; 1877-1878, J. P. Vaughn; 1879, D. Jenison; 1880, A. 
 J. Smith; 1881-1897, Joseph W. Saflford; 1898, Dwight Dimock. 
 
 Richville is a small village in the western part of the town, and was 
 
 ^Died in office. 
 
496 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 so named after C. B. Rich, a prominent business man. The Tona- 
 wanda branch of the N. Y. C. & H. R. Railroad passes through the 
 village, and Murder creek affords ample water power at this point. 
 The place contains a church, a school, roller mills, blacksmith shop, etc. 
 
 Indian Falls is located at the falls of the Tonawanda creek, in the 
 extreme northern part of the town. It has three churches — Methodist 
 Episcopal, Freewill Baptist and Evangelical ; a school, a roller mill, a 
 grist and flour mill, a hotel, blacksmith shop and several stores. 
 
 East Pembroke, located in the eastern part of the town on the Tona- 
 wanda branch of the N. Y. C. & H. R. Railroad, and on Tonawanda 
 creek, has three churches — Baptist, Presbyterian and Catholic; a public 
 school, a hotel, a grist mill, a sawmill, a barrel factory and a cheese 
 factory. 
 
 North Pembroke, on Tonawanda creek in the northeastern part of 
 the town, contains one church — Christian ; a school, and a saw, grist 
 and flour mill. 
 
 Town of Stafford. 
 
 Stafford is located east of the centre of Genesee county. It is bounded 
 on the north by Elba and Byron, on the east by Byron, Le Roy and 
 Pavilion, on the south by Pavilion and Bethany, and on the west by 
 Bethany and Batavia. The surface of the town is gently undulating. 
 The soil is very productive. Limestone underlies portions of the town, 
 and this stone is much sought for building purposes. Black creek flows 
 northward through the central portion; Bigelow creek flows through 
 the northwest part into Byron. Four railroads pass through the town. 
 The main line of the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad runs 
 northeasterly and southwesterly through the northeast corner. The 
 Erie, the Lehigh Valley and the Canandaigua branch of the N. Y. C. & 
 H. R. Railroad pass east and west through the central portion of the 
 town. 
 
 Stafford doubtless was the first town on the Holland Purchase to be- 
 come permanently settled. James Brisbane, the earliest merchant on 
 the Holland Purchase, came to the town in 1798, and opened a store- 
 house west of the creek in the present village of Stafford. This he 
 called the Transit storehouse. Le Roy was settled prior to Stafford, 
 but this earlier settlement was not on the Holland Purchase. Freder- 
 ick Walther located there in 1800 and opened a tavern, in accordance 
 with an agreement entered into with Joseph EUicott, on behalf of the 
 
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS— STAFFORD, 497 
 
 Holland Land Company. The name Transit was continued until 1841, 
 when it was changed to Stafford. Col. William Rumsey, who came 
 from Hubbardton, Vt, settled in 1802 on the Stafford Hill, the highest 
 point of land in the town. He was a surveyor employed by Mr. Elli- 
 cott, a colonel of militia, and a representative of this county in the 
 Legislature. Nathan Marvin came in 1803, Gen. Worthy Lovell 
 Churchill in 1803 and John Debow in 1804. The first school was 
 opened in 1806 by Esther Sprout. Jonathan Bemis, who conducted a 
 tavern as early as 1804, was the first independent landlord, Walther be- 
 ing under the patronage of the Holland Land Company. The first 
 church doubtless was the Christian church established in 1816 by the 
 Rev. Joseph Badger. In 1810 Malachai Tyler had a wood-turning shop 
 east of Beech creek. 
 
 Three separate tracts are represented in the composition of this town. 
 The first in order of settlement is the Holland Purchase, forming the 
 western part. Next comes the Craigie tract, in the southeast portion; 
 then the Pultney lands of the Connecticut tract, in the northern and 
 eastern parts of the town. 
 
 The town was organized March 34, 1820, from parts of Le Roy 
 and Batavia. The existing official records are incomplete. The super- 
 visors since 1831 have been as follows: 
 
 1831-1836, Ebenezer Rich, jr.; 1837, Harvey Sweetland; 1838-1839, Ebenezer 
 Rich; 1840-1841, Charles English; 1843-1843, Harvey Sweetland ; 1844-1845, Charles 
 English; 1846-1848, Stephen Griswold; 1849-1851, John Lathrop; 1853, Samuel 
 March; 1853-1855, Washington T. S. Tyler; 1856-1858, Leander Douglass; 1859- 
 1863, Perry Randall; 1863-1865. Israel M. Peck; 1866-1868, Cyrus Prentice; 1869, 
 Alexander H. Rumsey; 1870-1871, Joseph F. Stutterd; 1873-1874, Warren J. Tyler; 
 1875-1877, John Sanders; 1878-1880, Joseph Vallett; 1881-1883, Joseph F. Stutterd; 
 1883, Jay Lathrop; 1884-1886, Edgar C. Rugg; 1887, Joseph F. Stutterd; 1888-1889, 
 Jay Lathrop; 1890-1891, Russell Bissell; 1892-1893, John Simmons; 1894-1895, 
 Archie D. Sanders; 1896-1898, John W. Mullen. 
 
 There is no book of record dating prior to 1865 in the town clerk's 
 office. Since that time the town clerks have been : 
 
 1865, Charles W. March; 1886, Henry P. Sanders; 1867, Charles W. March; 1868- 
 1869, George Crocker; 1870-1873, Frank L. Stone; 1874^1886, Edwin B. Sanders! 
 1887-1893, Edward W. Pamphilon; 1894-1898, Robert Seldon. 
 
 The following have been elected justices of the peace since 1865: 
 
 1865, William Barrett, 1. t., Charles D. Sweetland, s. t. ; 1866, Albert E. Sweet- 
 land; 1867, Joseph Remington; 1868, Oren DeWolf; 1869, Wm. Barnett; 1870, A. 
 E. Sweetland; 1871, Joseph Remington; 1873, Oren DeWolf, 1. t, Israel M. Peck, 
 32 
 
498 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 s. t. ; 1873, Wm. Barnett; 1874, Israel M. Peck; 1875, Joseph Remington; 1876, Oren 
 DeWolf ; 1877, Wm. Barnett, 1. t, Oreu DeWolf, s. t. ; 1878, I. M. Peck, 1. t., Charles 
 W. Talmadge, s. t. ; 1879, Joseph Remington;' 1880, Oren DeWolf, Columbus Buell; 
 1881, Edward Y. Rugg;1882, 1. M. Peck; 1883, Joseph Remington ; 1884, Oren DeWolf ; 
 1885, Cyrus P. Bell; 1886, I. M. Peck; 1887, Joseph Remington; 1888, Oren DeWolf; 
 1889, Oren DeWolf; 1890, I. M. Peck, Joseph F. Stutterd; 1891, Anthony Waterman; 
 1893, John W. MulHn; 1893, John W. Mayne, 1. t., George M. Randall, s. t. ; 1894, 
 I. M. Peck, 1. t., George M. Randall, s. t. ; 1895, Leonard Travis; 1896, G. M. Ran- 
 dall; 1897, J. W. Mayne; 1898, I. M. Peck. 
 
 Stafford, located about a mile south of the center of the town on the 
 Canandaigua branch of the New York Central and Hudson River Rail- 
 road, is the principal village. It contains two churches — Methodist 
 Episcopal and Protestant Episcopal, a school, a store, a hotel, a fruit 
 evaporator started in 1898, a grain warehouse, and a blacksmith shop. 
 Its population is about two hundred and fifty. 
 
 Morganville, which received its name from William Morgan of Ma- 
 sonic notoriety, lies about a mile and a half north of Stafford on Black 
 creek. The Lehigh Valley Railroad passes through this hamlet. There 
 is a valuable water power in the creek at this point. It has a church — 
 Christian — built 1833, a school, a hotel, a grist mill, a wagon shop, a 
 harness shop, and store. 
 
 Roanoke is a hamlet in the southeastern part of the town. The Oatka 
 creek, flowing through the southern part of the place, furnishes ample 
 water power. Here are situated a roller mill, cooper shop, blacksmith 
 shop, store, and one church — Methodist Episcopal. 
 
PART II. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL 
 
 JOSEPH ELLICOTT. 
 
 Joseph Ellicott was a son of Andrew and Ann Bye Ellicott, who were 
 natives of the town of CuUopton, Wales; they came to this country in 
 1781, having been "disowned " by the Society of Friends through the 
 marriage of Andrew to his wife, who was not a member of that sect. 
 These adventurers, with an infant son, landed in New York, and being 
 possessed of some means they purchased a tract of land and settled 
 upon it. From that date until about 1760, little is known of their his- 
 tory. Previous to 1760, however, they had become residents of Bucks 
 county. Pa. , and had four sons, the elder having at that time just be- 
 gun operations in several business engagements. It is probable that 
 the family did not long remain in New York after their immigration 
 and were among the pioneers of Bucks county. The four sons of 
 Andrew Ellicott were Nathaniel, Joseph, Andrew and John. As early 
 as 1770 they purchased a tract of wild land on the Patapsco River in 
 Maryland and there built mills which were long known as Ellicott's 
 Mills. 
 
 Joseph Ellicott, son of Andrew, was the father of the subject of this 
 notice. He was a man of liberal scientific attainments for that period 
 and was a naturally skillful mechanic. Without special instruction he 
 constructed a clock with four faces, showing the time, motion of some 
 of the heavenly bodies, a chime of bells playing twenty-four tunes, etc. ; 
 it was pronounced a marvel of mechanical ingenuity and skill. The 
 other sons of that Joseph were Joseph (the subject), Andrew, Benjamin 
 and David. Andrew became a prominent surveyor and was at one 
 time surveyor-general of the United States; his three sons were An- 
 drew A., John B. and Joseph, all of whom became residents on the 
 Holland Purchase. Benjamin entered the service of the Holland Com- 
 pany and was assistant to his brother Joseph. He was one of the judges 
 
503 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 of Genesee county and a member of Congress. The younger son of 
 the first Joseph (David) was a surveyor on the Purchase in early life 
 and then went south and was not heard from again. There were also 
 five sisters, daughters of the first Joseph, three of whom married three 
 brothers named Evans. The family were prominent in Maryland as 
 millers, founders, builders of wharves, inventors, etc. 
 
 Joseph Ellicott was only fourteen years old when his father removed 
 from Bucks county to Maryland. His educational opportunities up to 
 that time were confined to the public schools. His early lessons in 
 surveying were taught him by his brother Andrew, and his first prac- 
 tical experience in that business was as assistant to his brother in the 
 survey of the city of Washington. In 1701 he was appointed by the 
 secretary of war to run the boundary between Georgia and the lands 
 of the Creek Indians. Soon after this he was selected by Mr. Caze- 
 nove to survey the Holland Company's lands in Pennsylvania. This 
 work finished he was engaged a short time in Maryland in business 
 with his brothers, and then began his service for the Holland Company 
 on their lands in this State. 
 
 The active years of Mr. EUicott's life were principally those between 
 1790 and 1831. Ten or twelve of those years were passed in the ar- 
 duous duties of surveyor, mostly in unsettled districts, to be finally 
 given up for the little less trying task of local land agent. His success 
 in these positions was largely due to his practical education, his great 
 industry, his careful and systematic methods and his natural adapta- 
 bility for executive work. These qualities are clearly shown in his 
 voluminous correspondence and his journal. His memory must forever 
 be identified with the surveys and settlement of Western and Central 
 New York and the origin of the Erie canal, in both of which capacities 
 his influence upon the future of Erie county was paramount. 
 
 After a life of great activity and usefulness he approached its close 
 in a manner greatly to be regretted and deplored. As early as 1816-17 
 he became subject to periods of great depression of spirits and melan- 
 choly which, in course of time, settled into confirmed hypochondria. 
 The causes of this condition may be sought in his natural tempera- 
 ment, his lonely unmarried life, disappointments in the outcome of 
 some of his hopes and expectations and the apparent emptiness of his 
 later years. His land agency ceased in 1821 by his own act. No neg- 
 lect of duty was ever charged to him, but his condition had become 
 such that further useful activity in that direction was not to be expected 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL. 503 
 
 from him. Fully conscious of this he resigned. This was practically 
 the close of a busy and useful life. In November, 1824, by medical 
 advice, he was removed to New York, making the journey on a canal 
 packet. In New York a council of physicians was called, who decided 
 that he should enter Bellevue Hospital. Anticipated benefits from this 
 step were not realized; mental and physical infirmity increased and in 
 July or August, 1836, he escaped from the vigilance of his attendants 
 and took his own life. His remains were brought to Batavia for burial. 
 
 GEORGE H. HOLDEN. 
 
 George H. Holden was born in Batavia, N. Y., Dec. 10, 1824. 
 His father, Samuel C. Holden, was a native of Springfield, N. Y., and 
 came to Batavia in 1804 with his parents, James and Eunice (Hinman) 
 Holden. James Holden bought a tract of land from the Holland Land 
 Company, which he cleared up; he was, however, engaged in mercan- 
 tile business throughout his life. He served as a soldier in the Revo- 
 lutionary war and saw much active service. He was at the siege of 
 Boston, fought at the battle of Bennington and in the engagement 
 which resulted in the surrender of Burgoyne. He died at Batavia, June 
 30, 1839. 
 
 Samuel C. Holden was born August 8, 1794, and died at Batavia, 
 November 35, 1880. He was a prominent merchant, and was closely 
 identified with the growth and development of Batavia. He was 
 County Clerk from 1847 to 1850. He served in the war of 1813 and 
 five of his brothers were also soldiers in the same war. 
 
 George H. Holden was educated in Batavia and for some time as- 
 sisted in his father's store. In 1847 he was appointed Deputy County 
 Clerk, and he filled this position for fifteen years, when he was elected 
 County Clerk, serving two terms. Upon the election of Carlos A. Hull 
 to the office of County Clerk in 1867, Mr. Holden again became deputy 
 clerk, which position he still holds. His continuous work of more than 
 half a century in the county clerk's office has given him a vast knowl- 
 edge of the records of the county and of its growth and history. His 
 beautiful and legible handwriting, spread over hundreds of volumes, is 
 greatly admired. Mr. Holden enjoys remarkable bodily and mental 
 vigor. He is fond of companionship and has hosts of friends. In 1857 
 
504 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Mr Holden married Frances, daughter of Luther Babcock, and they 
 have three children: George T., Harriet G , wife of Frank S. Wood, 
 and Anne, wife of John H. Wood. 
 
 CHARLES W. HOUGH. 
 
 Capt. Charles W. Hough was born in Summer Hill, Cayuga 
 county, N. Y., June 23, 1836, a son of Joel and Harriet (Smith) Hough, 
 farmers. The family trace their descent from Sir Edward Hough, of 
 England, whose descendants landed at Plymouth in 1664. 
 
 Charles W. Hough was educated in the common schools and at Mo- 
 ravia Academy in his native county. Descended from a long line of 
 patriotic ancestors and inheriting their spirit he enlisted in the cause of 
 the Union in 1862, joining Co. E, 138th N. Y. Vols., which later by 
 reorganization became the 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. Enlisting as a 
 private, he was successively promoted to corporal, sergeant, sergeant- 
 major, second lieutenant, first lieutenant, and finally was commissioned 
 captain in the 2d N. Y. Heavy Artillery. His regiment lay for about 
 eighteen months in the defenses of Washington, and just prior to the 
 command being ordered to the field. Lieutenant Hough was detailed 
 by the War Department as ordnance officer in the defenses of Wash- 
 ington north of the Potomac. Subsequently he was made chief 
 ordnance officer for the district of Washington, and had exclusive 
 charge of dismantling the fortifications around the national capita) 
 north of the Potomac at the close of the war. He was honorably dis- 
 charged on October 15, 1865, with the rank of captain and ordnance 
 officer of the district of Washington. 
 
 In 1867 he went to Winona, Minn., where he remained three years. 
 In 1871 he bought a half interest in the Wiard Plow Works at East 
 Avon. Thus was formed the firm of Wiard & Hough, manufacturers 
 of the well known Wiard plows. In 1876 the works were removed to 
 Batavia, at which time the Wiard Plow Company was organized. For 
 twenty-two years Mr. Hough has served as treasurer of the company, 
 and during all these }-ears it has steadily 'jirown and prospered. 
 
 Captain Hough is one of the self-made men of Batavia. He has 
 served as village trustee and president of the Board of Trade, and takes 
 an active interest in educational and religious matters. He is ener- 
 getic and enterprising, and has always endeavored to promote the ma- 
 
c^^^^^?^~ 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL. 505 
 
 terial development of Batavia. He has built over thirty residences, has 
 laid out suburban additions, and donated three separate streets to the 
 village corporation ; he has also used his far-reaching influence in secur- 
 ing manufacturing industries to Batavia. In politics he has always 
 been identified with the Republican party. 
 
 On September 36, 1866, Captain Hough was married to Jennie Y., 
 daughter of George W. and Jerusha (Brooks) Young. They have two 
 sons: Arthur G. and Edward W. Arthur G. was graduated from Bata- 
 via High School, attended Woodstock College, Canada, and was 
 graduated from Cornell University Law School. He now occupies a 
 position with the Wiard Plow Company. Edward W. is a student at 
 Clinton Liberal Institute at Fort Plain, N. Y. 
 
 BYRON E. HUNTLEY. 
 
 Byron E. Huntley, president of the Johnston Harvester Company 
 of Batavia, is a native of Mexico, Oswego county, and is of Scotch de- 
 scent. His ancestors came originally from the town of Huntley, in 
 Scotland. His father. Dr. Lyman Huntley, was a physician and sur- 
 geon of note in the early days of the nineteeth century. During the 
 war of 1813 he was appointed surgeon in the United States Army and 
 assigned to the barracks of Sackett's Harbor, N. Y. Mr. Huntley's 
 mother was Alma Upson, a native of Camden, N. Y. 
 
 Mr. Huntley accompanied his parents upon their removal from 
 Mexico to Fairport, Monroe county. In 1844 he removed to Brock- 
 port, N. Y. While residing there he prepared for college at Brock- 
 port Collegiate Institute. He subsequently attended Madison Uni- 
 versity at Hamilton, Madison county, N. Y., now Colgate Univer- 
 sity, but failing health compelled him to abandon his college duties 
 and he accepted a position in the office in the factory of Fitch, Barry 
 & Co. at Brockport, N. Y. While in the employ of the firm young 
 Huntley became interested in the McCormick reaper, which by agree- 
 ment about 1847 was to be manufactured by Fitch, Barry & Co. In 
 1850, by reason of his energy and recognized business ability, he 
 secured an interest in the firm, which then became Ganson, Huntley & 
 Co. In 1868 the firm changed to Johnston, Huntley & Co., In 1870 
 he began making periodical visits to Europe, where he soon established 
 a market for the output of the factory, and opened offices on that con- 
 
506 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 tinent, and since 1870 he has crossed the Atlantic fifty-six times in the 
 interests of the business which he now manages, and he is now un- 
 doubtedly better informed on the European harvester and mower trade 
 than any other manufacturer in the United States. For several years 
 he has had general supervision over the business of his company in this 
 country and Europe, spending his time in Europe during the summer 
 months, and in Batavia principally during the manufacturing season. 
 
 In 1853 the firm of Huntley, Bowman & Co. began the manufacture 
 of the Palmer & Williams self-rake. For some time after that year the 
 concern manufactured the Brockport Harvester, a hand-raking ma- 
 chine. In January, 1871, the concern, which for a few years had been 
 known as Johnston, Huntley & Co., changed its title to that of The 
 Johnston Harvester Company, with a capital stock of three hundred 
 thousand dollars; subsequently increased to a half million, which is the 
 capital stock at the present time, under which name it still continues 
 to do business. In June, 1882, fire destroyed the works at Brockport. 
 For some time better shipping facilities had been desired, and it was 
 therefore decided to rebuild the works of the company at Batavia. 
 Accordingly the present mammoth plant, which has been since 1882 
 three times enlarged and improved, was erected and occupied, and 
 within a short time after the burning of the works at Brockport opera- 
 tions in the present factories were resumed, with an increased number 
 of employees and improved machinery. In January, 1891, Mr. Hunt- 
 ley was elected president of the Johnston Harvester Company, which 
 office he still holds, as well as personally looking after the European 
 business. 
 
 For many years Mr. Huntley has been connected with the Baptist 
 church, and is now a member of the First Baptist church of Batavia. 
 Politically he has always been a Republican. 
 
 HORACE S. HUTCHINS, M. D. 
 
 Dr. Horace S. Hutchins was born in Manlius, Onondaga county, 
 N. Y., January 5, 1829. His parents were. among the pioneers of 
 Onondaga county, moving there from New England, but soon after the 
 birth of Dr. Hutchins they removed to Madison county. His father 
 died in 1871, at the residence of Dr. Hutchins in Batavia. 
 
^'y-^2^CJ^ 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL. 507 
 
 Dr. Hutchins was prepared for college at Hamilton Academy, and 
 was graduated from Madison University (now Colgate Unive];pity) with 
 the degree of A. B., later receiving that of A. M. His first academic 
 work was as teacher of mathematics in the Ladies' Seminary at Hamil- 
 ton, N. Y., where he remained two years, and then served as prin- 
 cipal of Peterboro Academy one year, during which time he also 
 pursued the study of medicine. At this time, ,wishing to restore his 
 health, which had been somewhat 'mpaired by a too close application 
 to work and devotion to his medical studies, and also impelled by a 
 desire to see more of the world, in 1853 he went on an ocean voyage, 
 spent some time in Central America, and, crossing the Isthmus, accom- 
 panied the United States Coast Survey Expedition along the coasts of 
 Mexico and California to San Francisco and thence to Nevada City, 
 Cal. During his residence in the latter city he was one of many who 
 engaged in the struggle for the supremacy of law and order, when the 
 famous Vigilance Committee gathered in sufficient number to awe and 
 overpower the criminal element, thus establishing the authority of the 
 State government. 
 
 He remained in Nevada City three years, engaged in school work 
 and the practice of medicine. In 1857 he returned east, and went into 
 business with his brother Harvey in Buffalo. The same year (1857) he 
 was married to Harriet M., daughter of Corrington Babcock., In 1859 
 he removed to Batavia where he continued the practice of medicine. In 
 the fall of 1860 he went to New York to review his medical studies and 
 engage in hospital practice, and there received his degree the following 
 year. Returning to Batavia, he resumed his practice, now covering a 
 period of nearly forty years. 
 
 Dr. Hutchins has served as vice-president of the New York State 
 Homoeopathic Medical Society; is a member of the American Institute 
 of Homoeopathy; is president of the Western New York Medical So- 
 ciety; and is one of the Alumni Association of the New York Homoe- 
 opathic Medical College and Hospital. For many years he has been a 
 director and valued counselor in the banking interests of Batavia. He 
 has always been active in the promotion of the cause of education, and 
 for nearly ten years he was president of the Board of Education. Politic- 
 ally Dr. Hutchins has been a Republican since the organization of the 
 party. In Masonry he has attained the degree of Knight Templar. 
 For thirty-five years Dr. Hutchins has been a member of and held 
 various official relations in the First Baptist Church of Batavia. 
 
508 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Two childrea have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Hutchins: Eleanora, 
 wife of Dr. John W. La Seur of Batavia, and Fannie E., wife Charles 
 A. Cooley of Nunda, N. Y. 
 
 FRANKLIN D. KINGMAN. 
 
 Franklin D. Kingman was born at Worthington, Mass., December 
 8, 1802. His father was Isaiah Kingman, a native of Bridgewater, 
 Mass., born February 17, 1774, and was married in 1799 to Lucy Dan- 
 iels, of Worthington, Mass. ; she was born December 6, 1780. They 
 were the parents of twelve children — six sons and six daughters — of 
 whom but two are now living, Samuel and Albert. Samuel is a law- 
 yer and in early life removed to Kansas, where he practiced his profes- 
 sian, and for a long time was a judge of the Supreme Court, until fail- 
 ing health compelled him to resign. Albert was a lawyer in Hickman, 
 Ky., and sometime mayor of that city. Isaiah Kingman died in 1864 
 and his wife in 1872. 
 
 Franklin D. Kingman was the second son. He acquired his educa- 
 tion in the common schools of his native town, which he supplemented 
 with much reading and close observation. He remained at home with 
 his father until he reached his legal majority, assisting him in every 
 way possible. In 1825 he severed his home connection and started for 
 what was then known as the West. For a time he stopped at Riga, 
 Monroe county, and later came to Bergen, where he purchased the 
 Elliot Stuart farm on the Town Line road. 
 
 In 1826 he was married to Miss Sophia Smith, of Northampton, 
 Mass. ; they both went to work in good earnest, and after many years 
 of hard labor they accumulated enough to erect a fine, substantial farm 
 house, at an expense of $3,000, besides his own labor, which was an 
 item of no small importance. On account of the death of his wife and 
 his own failing health, he sold his farm and removed to Bergen village, 
 where he spent the remainder of his days. 
 
 Mrs. Kingman died in 1538, and in 1854 he was married to Theodosia, 
 daughter of Eliphalet Parish, of Bergen, and widow of Chester W. 
 Smith, of Northampton, Mass., who survives him. 
 
 Mr. Kingman was a man of pleasing personality ; genial and sympa- 
 thetic in his nature, he won the love and confidence of all. Visitors at 
 
FRANKLIN D. KINGMAN. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL. 509 
 
 his home, of whatever age, were all happily entertained ; the infant 
 was contented with him ; little children would sit on his knee and chat 
 as freely as with a playmate; and so on, to those of old age, all were 
 made to feel at home. He was a great reader and encouraged study 
 in his family. During the long winter evenings the whole family were 
 usually gathered around the table supplied with books and newspapers, 
 which were read and discussed by all. He had great sympathy for 
 the needy and counted them among his special friends; nothing gave 
 him greater pleasure than to extend relief to such on every proper 
 occasion; he said, " Build no costly monument over my grave — I pre- 
 fer that the money be given to the poor." In this he unconsciously 
 built his own monument in the grateful hearts of those who had re- 
 ceived his benefactions, given so secretly and kindly that no one but 
 the recipient knew of the gift. 
 
 He took a lively interest in political as well as social affairs, and was 
 up to date in a general knowledge of current affairs. He was a strong 
 Republican in his political faith, and as such was elected to the Legisla- 
 ture in 1854, where he served one term, ill health preventing his accept- 
 ance of a second nomination. 
 
 He was subject to attacks of inflammatory rheumatism, from which 
 he suffered acutely, but without complaining. At the time the news 
 of the assassination of President Lincoln — a man he revered — came to 
 him he was suffering from an unusually acute attack of rheumatism, 
 which, with his great grief that cannot be told, crushed his heart, and 
 he passed away on April 36, 1865. Death came to him suddenly; but 
 he long had been an earnest, active Christian, and he was ready and 
 willing to go. 
 
 Mr. Kingman had two sons and two daughters: Albert, Legare, 
 Cecelia and Malissa. Albert removed to Des Moines, la., in 1850; he 
 located a farm just outside the limits of the city, set fruit trees on part 
 of the land and succeeded well in fruit growing; he is considered one of 
 the wealthy men of Des Moines; in 1854 he was married to Eliza J. 
 Hegby, of Missouri. Legare died at the age of thirteen years. Ce- 
 celia was married to Charles P. Mott ; they settled on a farm near Des 
 Moines, la. ; she is deceased. Melissa was married to Lucius P. Wil- 
 cox, of Bergen; they removed to Iowa in 1857, where he was a farmer; 
 they had four sons and one daughter. Mr. Wilcox is deceased. 
 
 Mr. Kingman had three sisters who were married and left children, 
 namely: Sophronia, Lucy and Mary. Sophronia was married to Elisha 
 
510 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 H. Brewster, of Worthington, Mass. ; he was one of nature's noblemen, 
 respected and loved by all who knew him for his many virtues. Lucy 
 was married to Jonathan Daws, of Cummington, Mass. ; they have 
 one son, Charles K. Mary was married to George Davis, of Bergen; 
 their children were three: Helen, Emma and James; Helen was mar- 
 ried to Paul Knowles, of Riga, and bore him two children : Emily and 
 Jennie; James enlisted in the Civil war in 1863, was wounded at the 
 battle of Fredericksburg, May 3, 1863, and died at Stanton Hospital, 
 Washington, D. C, on June 29; his funeral was held at his home in 
 Bergen on July 4, 1863. Emma was married to James Gillette, of Ber- 
 gen ; their two sons, George and William, reside in the village of Ber- 
 gen. Sophronia Kingman Brewster left five children, two of whom 
 survive — Charles K. Brewster and Mrs. George M. Green, of New York 
 city. 
 
 GEORGE E. MARCELLUS. 
 
 George E. Marcellus, editor and proprietor of the Le Roy Gazette, 
 was born in Hamlin, Monroe county, N. Y., and came to Le Roy in 
 1877. His father, George W. Marcellus, was a minister. George E., 
 desiring to engage in newspaper work, entered the office of the Le Roy 
 Courier and was local editor of that paper for six years. In 1884 Mr. 
 Marcellus, in partnership with Mr. G. W. Hand, purchased the Gazette 
 from C. B. Thomson, introduced new features and notably increased 
 the circulation. In September, 1887, Mr. Marcellus became sole owner 
 and has since continued its publication, having enlarged its facilities 
 for job and newspaper work, and now has a model establishment as 
 well as one of the best local papers in the State. This paper was 
 established in 1836 by J. O. Balch. It changed hands a number of 
 times until 1840, when C. B. Thomson became proprietor, and con- 
 tinued so for forty-four years. In 1894 Mr. Marcellus bought the 
 Le Roy Times, which had been published in Le Roy for the preceding 
 fourteen years; he consolidated this with the Gazette. He has taken 
 considerable interest in Republican politics; is a member of the I. O. 
 O. F. and Encampment at Le Roy. He is president of the Business 
 Men's Association and president of the Le Roy Band; one of the offi- 
 cers of the Republican Editorial Association of New York, an officer 
 of the New York Press Association, and a member of the Board of 
 Trustees of the Machpelah Cemetery Association. 
 
ROBERT A. MAXWELL. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL. 511 
 
 ROBERT A. MAXWELL. 
 
 The Hon. Robert A. Maxwell will rank in the history of Genesee 
 county as one of its most prominent and highly esteemed citizens. We 
 cannot better present the salient features of his character and the first 
 part of his career than by quoting the following passage from a work by 
 D. A. Harsha, entitled "Noted Living Albanians and State Officials." 
 
 "The Hon. Robert A. Maxwell, superintendent of the Insurance 
 Department, was born in Washington county, N. Y., in .1838. He is a 
 son of Alexander Maxwell of Jackson, a prominent citizen of the town 
 and an intelligent and wealthy farmer. After receiving a thorough 
 instruction at the common schools in his neighborhood he was sent to 
 the Normal School at Albany, where he finished his education at the 
 age of eighteen. He soon became principal of the Union school at 
 Greenwich, N. Y., which place he held for two years. Determined to 
 relinquish a professional career for mercantile pursuits, he removed to 
 Chicago and engaged in the commission business, buying and selling 
 grain and produce. For seven years he was an active member of the 
 Board of Trade in that enterprising city. But too close attention to 
 business and climatic influences combined to impair his health, and 
 coming east he settled at Batavia, N. Y. Soon after his settlement in 
 his new home he invested his ready capital in the malting business and 
 became a successful and public spirited merchant, closely identifying 
 himself with all those interests which are conducive to the welfare and 
 prosperity of his adopted home. The New York State Institution for 
 the Blind was established in Batavia in 1867 ; Mr. Maxwell was ap- 
 pointed one of its trustees in 1878. Shortly after taking up his resi- 
 dence at Batavia, Mr. Maxwell manifested an ardent interest in politics, 
 his affiliation being with the Democratic party. His sagacity and wis- 
 dom displayed in local issues became so marked and widely known, that 
 in 1880 he was chosen a member of the Democratic State committee, in 
 which capacity he served for several years. Here his counsel was 
 sought on all important questions of expediency and candidature, and 
 he gradually rose to conspicuous places in the conferences of party 
 magnates. In 1881 he received the nomination for State treasurer. The 
 memorable 'Waterloo ' of the Democracy followed a bitter and personal 
 canvass; and out of the disaster but one survivor remained, and that 
 was Mr. Maxwell. He had not only been elected, but led his ticket by 
 some thirty thousand, thereby handsomely defeating his well-known 
 
512 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 * 
 
 opponent, the Hon. James W. Husted. His official direction of the 
 State treasury was so entirely satisfactory that he was unanimously re- 
 nominated for a second term, and triumphantly elected over the Repub- 
 lican candidate, Mr. Pliny W. Sexton, by over seventeen thousand ma- 
 jority. The State treasury department, under the wise and judicious 
 management of Mr. Maxwell, soon came to be recognized as a model 
 business institution. The fact was especially emphasized by the Albany 
 bankers, who expressed their satisfaction with the improvements in- 
 augurated by the competent treasurer, in a set of complimentary reso- 
 lutions." 
 
 The resignation of John A. McCall, jr., as superintendent of the State 
 insurance department, and the acceptance thereof by the Governor, was 
 followed almost immediately by the appointment, on January 1, 1886, 
 of Mr. Maxwell to fill the vacancy. The news of his selection was re- 
 ceived on all sides by marked tokens of approval. His independent 
 integrity, tried ability and high standing as a business man and finan- 
 cier were cordially endorsed by the great insurance companies of New 
 York city in their reiterated approval of the choice made for the chief 
 of a department with which their associations and interests are so 
 closely allied. When the nomination was sent to the Senate, the con- 
 firmation of Mr. Maxwell was moved and seconded by Republican sen- 
 ators (the Senate being Republican by a large majority), who dwelt at 
 length in their speeches upon his abilities, fitness and integrity for so 
 responsible an office. And as a high mark of universal esteem his con- 
 firmation was made unanimous. 
 
 In contemplating publications from a non-partisan standpoint, we 
 shall find that the name of Robert A. Maxwell stands in the first rank 
 among those officials who, for honesty, integrity of character and noble- 
 ness of purpose, have reflected the brightest luster upon the Empire 
 state. 
 
 Referring to Mr. Maxwell's record in the insurance department, the 
 New York Tribune, the great exponent of Republicanism, said: " Un- 
 der Mr. Maxwell, its affairs have been managed solely in the interests 
 of the general welfare ; managed so as to protect those who invest in 
 insurance, by an intelligent and faithful supervision of the companies. 
 The result of the constant enforcement of this sound policy by Super- 
 intendent Maxwell has been what might have been expected. The de- 
 partment has enjoyed in a marked degree the public confidence. It has 
 been kept free from the flagrant scandals which brought disgrace upon 
 its administration in the comparatively near past." 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL. 513 
 
 Another paper of almost equal prominence supplemented the Tri- 
 bune's statement by the following: 
 
 " He has been an immovable bulwark against the many fraudulent 
 elements which constantly assail insurance interests, a vigilant guardian 
 of the public weal in his sphere of duty, a thoroughly honest, single- 
 minded, capable official. The breath of suspicion which poisons the 
 records of many public men never reached him, for there was around 
 him an atmosphere of incorruptibility which bade suspicion defiance and 
 left not a single opportunity for the tongue of slander or scandal." 
 
 On March 9, 1893, Robert A. Maxwell was nominated by the Presi- 
 dent to be fourth assistant postmaster general, and confirmed by the 
 Senate, assuming his new duties on the 32d of that month. His rela- 
 tions with President Cleveland had been of the most cordial character. 
 They have been friends for many years, and the friendship and confi- 
 dence of the former was evidenced by the tender of what is, in many 
 respects, outside the cabinet, the most influential position in the gift of 
 the executive. During the service of Mr. Maxwell in Washington the 
 famous stone land office of the Holland Land Company was purchased 
 by a historical society and set apart as a historical museum. It was 
 dedicated with imposing ceremonies on October 13, 1894, to the mem- 
 ory of Robert Morris, the great patriot and financier of the revolution ; 
 and through the influence of Mr. Maxwell six members of the Presi- 
 dent's cabinet were present and took part in the ceremonies, the tablet 
 being unveiled by the Hon. Walter Q. Gresham, Secretary of State, and 
 the dedicatory oration delivered by the Hon. John G. Carlisle, Secre- 
 tary of the Treasury. In 1869 Mr. Maxwell was married to Miss Mary 
 McLean of Jackson, Washington county, N. Y. This union has been 
 blessed with two children: William A. Maxwell, who resides in Chi- 
 cago, and Marion Grace Maxwell, who died at the age of nine years. 
 
 SAFFORD E. NORTH.' 
 
 Safford E. North, a lifelong resident of Genesee county, was born 
 upon his father's farm in the town of Alexander, January 37, 1852, 
 a descendant of that sturdy pioneer stock to which the development of 
 Genesee county is so much indebted. His grandfather, Noah North, 
 who was born July 22, 1785, moved from Connecticut, and arriving in 
 
 ' Prepared by i^. Perry Smith. 
 33 
 
514 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Genesee couuty in 1808 located on the farm in Alexander, where both 
 Mr. North and Mr. North's father were born. The farm was then 
 in the midst of the woods, and we of this later day can have no real- 
 ization of all the hardships, deprivations and arduous labor that such a 
 location meant before the land could be made to return even a modest 
 livelihood. Here on this farm, on January 4, 1813, was born the father of 
 Judge North, James Agard North, and here Noah North reared his fam- 
 ily of eight boys and girls. A man of superior attainments, Noah North 
 personally attended to the education of his children, fitting several of 
 them to be teachers. He died September 28, 1824, survived by his 
 widow, Olive (Hungerford) North, and eight children. He was one 
 of the earliest supervisors of the town of Alexander. His conscien- 
 tious, upright life and sterling character left their impress upon the 
 early life of the community in which he lived. 
 
 James Agard North remained for over seventy years on the farm 
 where he was born. In 1883 he removed to the village of Alexander, 
 where he remained until the death of his wife, which occurred July 
 14, 1884. He then went to live with his daughter, Mrs. Edward H. 
 (Olive) Putnam at Attica, N. Y,, where he died November 9, 1893. 
 He lived a life of complete devotion to his family, and enjoyed the 
 respect and affection of all who knew him. His wife, whose maiden 
 name was Rebecca Shaw Saff ord, was a woman of unusual attainments, 
 and was possessed of refined and scholarly tastes in literature. Four 
 children were born to them. Olive, Safford E., James Agard and 
 Myra, who died March 12, 1882, at the age of twenty years. Mrs. 
 North was the youngest daughter of Elias and Rebecca (Shaw) Safford, 
 who were among the early pioneers of Western New York, having 
 moved from Albany. 
 
 Safford E. North received his education in the district schools, the 
 Genesee and Wyoming Seminary at Alexander and at Cornell Univer- 
 sity, where he took a partial course. At the age of sixteen years in a 
 competitive examination he won the first scholarship at Cornell and 
 entered with the first freshman class in that institution. After leaving 
 Cornell he taught school five winters in Genesee county, working 
 on his father's farm the rest of the year. In 1873 he commenced the 
 study of the law in the office of the late Judge Lucius N. Bangs at 
 Le Roy and later continued with William C. Watson at Batavia and 
 was admitted to the bar at Syracuse, January 4, 1878. On the 27th of 
 May the same year he opened his office in the First National Bank 
 
TRACY PARDEE. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL. 515 
 
 building at Batavia. The next year, although not a candidate for the 
 office, he was nominated for village clerk on the people's ticket and was 
 elected. He was again elected in 1879. In 1880 he was elected district 
 attorney and held the office two terms of three years each. In 1888 
 he was elected county judge and surrogate and was re-elected in 1894. 
 
 Judge North is an ardent Republican and has done a great deal of 
 political speaking, mostly in Genesee county, beginning in 1876 when 
 a law student and continuing in every presidential campaign since. 
 His services as a speaker have been in much demand in other direc- 
 tions, and he has been called upon to deliver the principal addresses 
 on patriotic and other public occasions, far more than any of his cotem- 
 poraries in the county. Many of his addresses have been printed and 
 are valued monographs on their respective subjects. He has been a 
 close student in his profession but has also given much time to literary 
 and scientific studies. He has been interested in the work of the Y. 
 M. C. A. and was president of that organization at Batavia for three 
 years. On the 23d day of November, 1881, he was married to CoraM., 
 daughter of the late Dr. Chauncey D. and Octavia J. (Clapp) Gris- 
 wold, and to them have been born three sons: Robert, born No- 
 vember 19, 1882; Alfred Safford, born August 4, 1884, died April 25, 
 1885; and Monroe, born April 21, 1887. The family are Episcopalians. 
 
 Judge North is a member of the New York State Bar Association and 
 of the New York Medico- Legal Society. 
 
 TRACY PARDEE. 
 
 Tracy Pardee was born in Prattsburgh, Steuben county, N. Y., No- 
 vember 26, 1807, a son of Isaac and Martha Pardee. He came with his 
 parents to Genesee county in 1828, and settled on the Town Line road, 
 between Batavia and Oakfield. After obtaining his education he taught 
 school several terms, and for a number of years was a farmer. He was 
 one of the founders of the First National Bank of Batavia, and served 
 as its president from June 29, 1865, until his death. He served two 
 terms in the Legislature (1847-1848), where he was recognized as a 
 careful, consistent member, intent upon securing good laws and hone.'t 
 legislation. He exerted a strong influence in his town, and merited 
 the confidence and good will bestowed upon him. He died July 30, 
 1883. 
 
516 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 On October 17, 1837, Mr. Pardee was married to Nancy A., daughter 
 of John G. Satterlee, who was born November 18, 1819. They were 
 the parents of two sons and two daughters: Charles P., George C, 
 _Mrs. Cornelia M. Rowan and Mrs. Julia A. Kneeland of New York 
 city. The former was married to George H. Humphrey, who died in 
 1880; in 1883 she married Jerome Rowan, who was one of the founders 
 of the Bank of Batavia, of which he was the first president, resigning 
 in 1882. He died June 28, 1896. Mrs. Rowan died in Batavia March 
 3, 1899. She was a very estimable woman, of high intelligence, gen- 
 erous and benevolent, and a conscientious Christian. A member many 
 years of St. James's Episcopal church, she made provision that upon 
 her death a large part of her estate should go to that society, besides 
 making substantial bequests to the Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist 
 and Free Baptist churches, and to the Batavia Relief Association. 
 These generous and pious bequests will keep the name and memory of 
 the giver in perpetual remembrance. 
 
 ELIPHALET PARISH. 
 
 Eliphalet Parish, father of Elisha M. Parish and grandfather of 
 George E. Parish, was a pioneer of Genesee county. He was born in 
 Massachusetts, January 16, 1786. In 1811 he migrated west, his outfit 
 consisting of an ox team, a wagon and a few utensils. He selected a 
 tract of land, the site of the present town of Bergen, purchasing it from 
 the original owners ; here he settled in the forest, erected log buildings 
 and began to clear the land of its timber and made him a home. He 
 became an influential man in the community, and for many years was 
 a deacon in the First Congregational church of Bergen; a man of the 
 strictest integrity and faithful in all his relations as a Christian, neigh- 
 bor and friend. Nothing but serious sickness could keep him from at- 
 tending to the duties of the church, in which he has always took an 
 active part. He was married four times, his first wife being Theodosia 
 Brewster, daughter of Capt. Elisha Brewster of Worthington, Mass., 
 who served his country through the entire Revolutionary war, receiv- 
 ing his discharge in the handwriting of George Washington, a relic 
 which he treasured sacredly through a long life. His second wife was 
 Sallie Brewster; his third wife was Zipporah Brewster; all of these 
 ladies were sisters. His fourth marriage was to Mary Ann Dennis, of 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL. 517 
 
 Henrietta, N. Y. He was the father of eight children, as follows: 
 Minerva B., wife of Horace R. Holt; Anna P., wife of Pitman Wilcox; 
 Oliver, who was married to Melvina Devereaux of Bergen; Elisha H., 
 who was married to Mary Putnam ; Theodosia, who was married, first, 
 to C. W. Smith of Northampton, Mass., and second, to Fi-anklin D. 
 Kingman of Bergen; Eliphalet, who died in infancy; Zepporah, who 
 was married to Charles Hall of Wheatland: and Sallie, wife of Frank 
 Baker. 
 
 Elisha H. Parish was born in Bergen, May 27, 1820, and spent nearly 
 his entire life as a farmer, the last five years, however, he lived retired 
 in the village of Bergen. At the time of his death he owned three 
 farms, including the original homestead. He was supervisor for a 
 ■ number of years and filled the office of school commissioner for several 
 terms. 
 
 George E. Parish was born in the town of Bergen, N. Y., December 
 10, 1861, and received his education in the district schools and the Can- 
 andaigua Academy. He learned the cloth-cutting trade in Batavia, 
 where he lived for a time ; and later conducted a merchant tailoring busi- 
 ness in Bergen. He owns 350 acres of excellent farm land, including 
 the original homestead of his grandfather. He married ^arion H., 
 daughter of William Squires of Churchville, N. Y. ; she died October 
 27, 1883. On June 5, 1885, Mr. Parish again married, his second wife 
 being Mary S., daughter of John Frazier of Phelps, N. Y. 
 
 SAMUEL PARKER. 
 
 Samuel Parker was born in Elba, N. Y., September 33, 1834, son 
 of Sherred and Sarah (Williams) Parker. Sherred Parker was born in 
 Massachusetts August i, 1794, and with his parents, Samuel and Mary 
 Parker, came to Byron, N. Y., in 1806. Like many other early resi- 
 dents of Western New York, he served for a time in the war of 1813. 
 He was a prominent man in his town, public spirited and liberal in his 
 support of educational and religious institutions. He filled many posi- 
 tions of trust, and his judgment was sought and respected; he died 
 November 18, 1875. 
 
 Samuel Parker was educated in the common schools and at Albion 
 Academy. He has been a practical farmer, making a success of that 
 
518 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 calling. He has been a justice of the peace, president of the Genesee 
 County Agricultural Society, and during the years 1878 and 1879 was 
 supervisor for Elba. He is a sound Republican and has voted the ticket 
 since the organization of the party. In April, 1898, he was elected 
 president of the First National Bank of Batavia, succeeding the late 
 Levant C. Mclntyre. He brought to the discharge of his duties excel- 
 lent judgment of men and affairs, long business experience and that 
 other prime requisite for a successful bank president, public confidence. 
 On April 10, 1861, Mr. Parker was married to Alice L., daughter of 
 Orlo R. Clark of Elba (now of Batavia). Their children are B. Clark, 
 who married Mary C. Fuller of Oakfield, H. Bert, and Carrie P., wife 
 of Lewis H. Chase of Philadelphia. The family are attendants at the 
 Presbyterian church. 
 
 DR. WILLIAM E. RICHARDSON. 
 
 Prominent among the professional men of Genesee county who have 
 attained distinction was the late Dr. William E. Richardson, for many 
 years a successful practitioner of dentistry in Batavia. Dr. Richardson 
 was born on February 8, 1858, at Pinckney, Michigan He was a son 
 of the Rev. Chester C. Richardson, a clergyman in the Universalist 
 church, who preached in several different pastorates in western New 
 York with great acceptance. Rev. Mr. Richardson's wife was Ann E. 
 Rabell. 
 
 The early life of Dr. Richardson was passed in Michigan and in 
 western New York and Pennsylvania. He took a thorough course of 
 study in dentistry with Dr. Stillson, of Tidioute, Pa., and with Dr. 
 Whitcomb, in Buffalo, becoming a very skillful operator. With unusual 
 natural mechanical aptitude and passionate devotion to his profession, 
 he was able excel in his work and to give uniform satisfaction to his 
 patients. He made the instruments with which he did his first 
 work and in operative dentistry was exceptionally skillful. He began 
 practice in Bradford, Pa., but settled permanently in Batavia in 1880, 
 where he soon acquired a large practice and surrounded himself with 
 many staunch friends. While he was possessed of a genial temperament 
 and other traits that might have given him extended social popularity, 
 his close and unremitting devotion to his business kept him to a great 
 
WILLIAM E. RICHARDSON. 
 
DEAN RICHMOND. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL. 519 
 
 extent within his home circle; but wherever he was known he gained 
 the respect and esteem of those with whom he came in contact. 
 
 On January 17, 1878, Dr. Richardson married Hattie Moulton, 
 of Alexander, Genesee county. Three children were born to them : 
 Elbridge M., a student in the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery; 
 Edith M. and William C. 
 
 The death of Dr. Richardson took place on the 5th of December, 1897. 
 
 DEAN RICHMOND. 
 
 Although a large part of the life of this distinguished citizen of the 
 State of New York was passed in other localities, the fact that his home 
 during many years was in Batavia and that his descendants are still 
 residents of this place, renders it important that a brief account of his 
 career shall find a place in these pages. He was born in the town of 
 Barnard, Vt., on March 31, 1804, and was a son of Hathaway and 
 Rachel Dean Richmond, who early migrated to that part of this State 
 of New York now embraced in the corporate limits of Syracuse, Onon- 
 daga county, where his father was engaged in the early salt industry. 
 Unfortunate in his business, the father removed to Mobile, Alabama, 
 where he died, leaving a widow, two daughters and a son; the latter 
 was Dean Richmond, who was then only fourteen years of age. The 
 bereaved family were dependent upon their own exertions, and the 
 young son promptly demonstrated his possession of those qualifications 
 which were later to make him a power in the financial, railroad and po- 
 litical life of New York State, and enable him to win his way to the 
 front ranks of his generation. He resolutely took up the business left 
 by his father and with little to start with except a burden of debt and 
 his capital of native health and vigor, he soon began to make his way 
 against the obstacles that confronted him. The market for salt which 
 had heretofore been somewhat limited, was soon greatly extended and 
 enlarged under Mr. Richmond's energetic and enterprising operations, 
 and it was not long before he was in receipt of a good income. With 
 this business finally firmly established he turned to other large enter- 
 prises in which he commanded success. In 1843 he removed to Buffalo, 
 where he established a commission and transportation business, dealing 
 largely with the rapidly increasing products of the great West, which 
 he forwarded to the eastern markets. To these operations he brought 
 
520 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 the sound judgment, untiring industry, and sagacious foresight of his 
 advancing years, and in a few years he became one of the wealthiest 
 and most influential citizens of the lake region. 
 
 In the midst of his active business career Mr. Richmond made his 
 first entry into railroad operations by being made a director in the Utica 
 and Buffalo Railroad Company. With the completion of the direct line 
 to Batavia he took up his residence in this village, where, in May, 1853, 
 he purchased the fine old mansion on Main street, to the main part of 
 which he erected additions and made improvements, and which is still 
 the residence of members of his family. When the competition of rival 
 railroad lines forced the consolidation of seven different companies into 
 the New York Central Company in 1853, he was foremost in the struggle 
 and his perseverance, ability, and influence carried the measure through 
 the State Legislature. He was chosen the first vice-president of the 
 company, and held that position until 1864, when he was elected presi- 
 dent upon the retirement of Erastus Corning. His prominence and 
 efficiency in railroad circles led also to his election as president of the 
 Lake Shore and Michigan Southern road, which position he occupied a 
 number of years. During his connection with the New York Central 
 the company placed the utmost reliance upon his counsel and never 
 adopted extensive measures for improvement without his advice and 
 approbation. He was the first American citizen to advocote laying 
 steel rails. A trial was made and a large order sent to England, which 
 was not filled until after his death. The vast importance of that meas- 
 ure can be fully appreciated at the present time. 
 
 The space available in these pages will not permit detailed mention 
 of the great number of business undertakings with which Mr. Richmond 
 was connected. It must suffice to state that in each one and on every 
 occasion he made his power felt for its promotion and success. He 
 was inherently the active and enterprising business man, to the exclu- 
 sion of political or social ambition. While he believed it the duty of 
 every good citizen to interest himself in politics to the extent of keep- 
 ing close watch upon the tide of events, and to labor for the triumph of 
 principles of which his conscience approved, he never was an office 
 seeker. With broad views, a clear knowledge of the principles of De- 
 mocracy, he easily grasped the various phases of national politics and 
 made his influence felt in the councils of the Democratic party. He 
 was long in full enjoyment of the unlimited confidence of his political 
 associates and no man of his time possessed greater party power in this 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL. 521 
 
 State. He served as chairman of the Democratic State Committee 
 from 1857 to his death in 1866. 
 
 Mr. Richmond's mental powers were no less commendable than his 
 innate goodness of heart. Many of his noble deeds of benevolence 
 might be mentioned, which were so numerous that they became well 
 known to the public, notwithstanding his aversion to such a result. In 
 the summer of 1866, he attended the State convention at Saratoga, and 
 returned on Saturday, August 18. On Sunday morning the 19th, he 
 accompanied Governor Tilden to his home at Gramercy Park, New 
 York city, to spend the day, and was persuaded to remain over night. 
 On Monday he was stricken with severe illness. His family, who were 
 at the seashore, were summoned to New York, reaching there on Wed- 
 nesday morning. All was done for the suiferer that the skill of six or 
 more physicians could suggest, but without success in warding of the 
 fatal termination, which occurred on the 27th. One of the prominent 
 physicians who attended him, stated that he died from the effects of 
 overwork. 
 
 Mr. Richmond was for many years a familiar figure in Batavia, where 
 he had hosts of friends During his residence there it was his custom 
 to attend to his business interests in Buffalo, which included lake trans- 
 portation, elevators, boats (passenger and grain), and to return twice 
 a week, and sometimes three or four times, to his Batavia home to 
 enjoy the peace and comfort of his home circle. At the time of his 
 death he owned the controlling interest in what is now known as the 
 Western Transportation Co. 
 
 The Richmond Memorial Library, -in Batavia, was a gift of Mrs. 
 Mary E. Richmond, in memory of her son, Dean Richmond, jr., who 
 died in 1885. The Richmond mansion is now occupied by his daughter, 
 Mr-s. Adelaide R. Kenney. 
 
 ARCHIE D. SANDERS. 
 
 Hon. Archie D. Sanders was born in StaflEord. N. Y., June 17, 
 1857. His father was John Sanders, a native of England, who came to 
 Genesee county in 1845, where he was a merchant and farmer; he 
 served as supervisor for three years, and in 1879 was elected to the As- 
 sembly and re-elected in 1880. His wife was Elizabeth Dovell, whom 
 he married in England; their children were three: Archie D., Ralph 
 and Ilette. Mr. Sanders died in 1883, aged sixty years. - 
 
532 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Archie D. Sanders was educated in the common schools, at Le 
 Roy Academy and the Buffalo High School. He is a farmer and dealer 
 in produce in Stafford, N. Y. In 1887 he was elected highway commis- 
 sioner for four years, and in 1893 was elected supervisor and served 
 three terms. In 1895 he was elected a member of the Assembly on 
 the Republican ticket, and re-elected in 1896. In 1896 he was made a 
 member of the Republican State Committee by the State Convention at 
 Saratoga. In 1898 he was appointed collector of Internal Reveuue for 
 the Twenty eighth District of New York by President McKinley. For 
 many years he exercised a potential influence in the ranks of his party 
 in the western past of the State. 
 
 DANIEL W. TOMLINSON. 
 
 Daniel W. Tomlinson, president of the Bank of Batavia, and one of 
 the most thoroughly representative men of Western New York, was 
 born January 1, 1849, the son of Daniel W. Tomlinson, who was a na 
 tive of Middlebury, Vt. At eighteen years of age, Daniel W. Tomlin- 
 son, father of the subject, went to Mobile, Ala., as clerk in a large 
 mercantile house and engaged in the cotton trade. A few years later 
 Mr. Tomlinson became a partner in the business and accumulated a 
 fortune there. In 1845 he removed to the town of Alexander, where 
 he purchased the farm of Peter A. Remsen. He soon became a stock- 
 holder in the old Exchange Bank of Genesee, was subsequently elected 
 its vice president, and finally became its sole manager. In 1850, after 
 having bought up all the stock of the institution, Mr. Tomlinson re- 
 moved it to Batavia. He served as president of the village, and was 
 one of the organizers of the Batavia Gas Company, and was promi- 
 nently identified with various other important private and public inter- 
 ests in Batavia. His death, which occurred October 5, 1870, was a dis- 
 tinct loss to the community. 
 
 The subject of this sketch, like his father, is regarded as one of the 
 sagacious and far-sighted business men of Genesee county; conserva- 
 tive and prudent, but liberal and public-spirited in affairs pertaining 
 to the welfare of the community. Since 1882 he has been president of 
 the Bank of Batavia, one of the strongest financial institutions in the 
 State, outside the large cities. This bank was organized in 1876 ; up 
 to 1882 it had not been successful, but with the beginning of Mr. Tom- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL. 523 
 
 linson's management the conduct of its affairs underwent a radical 
 change and success attended its career. The payment of dividends 
 was begun in the fall of 1883, since which time they have been regu- 
 larly paid twice each year. In the meantime a surplus of over one 
 hundred thousand dollars has been accumulated and in 1895 a hand- 
 some fire proof banking house, probably the finest occupied by any 
 country bank in New York State, was erected. 
 
 Mr. Tomlinson was married on December 6, 1871, to Una Redfield, 
 daughter of the late Hon. Heman J . Redfield. They have three children : 
 Daniel W. , jr., Everett R. and Redfield. Two daughters have died. 
 
 Mr. Tomlinson is a member of the Batavia Club, of Batavia Lodge 
 No. 475, F. & A. M., and has served as high priest of Western Star 
 Chapter No. 35, and as commander of Batavia Commandery, Knights 
 Templar. He is identified with other organizations, and has interests 
 in numerous enterprises in Genesee county aside from his banking busi- 
 ness. In politics he has always been a Democrat. 
 
 MORRIS W. TOWNSEND, M. D. 
 
 Dr. Morris W. Townsend was born in Monroe county, N. Y., 
 August 27, 1837, a son of Edmund and Caroline (Scofield) Townsend. 
 He received his education in the common schools, and at the age of 
 seventeen years began teaching, which occupation he followed for 
 several years. During this time he began the study of medicine, and 
 in 1853 he was graduated from Jefferson Medical College of Philadel- 
 phia, Pa. In 1858 he settled in the village of Bergen. 
 
 Dr. Townsend is one of the best known physicians in Genesee county, 
 having been in practice in Bergen for forty years. He always has been 
 an active, energetic man, a close student keeping in touch with the 
 progress in his profession ; his standing as a physician is high, and his 
 knowledge and judgment are much depended upon. In December, 1861, 
 he answered the governor's call for field physicians, enlisting in the 47th 
 N.Y.Vols., was afterward transferred to the 44th; he was detailed as 
 operating surgeon in the field, the arduous duties of which post he faith- 
 fully sustained for nearly three years, and was mustered out in Octo- 
 ber, 1864. 
 
 Dr. Townsend has not only been active in the line of his profession, 
 
534 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 but has taken a keen and active interest in the political affairs of his 
 town and county. He is a member of the New York Medical Associa- 
 tion and the American Medical Association. 
 
 EMORY UPTON. 
 
 Gen. Emory Upton was born in the town of Batavia, five miles west 
 of the village, August 27, 1839. In 1856, at the age of seventeen, 
 through the instrumentality of Hon. Benjamin Pringle, then represent- 
 ative in Congress, young Upton entered the United States Military 
 Academy at West Point, from which he was graduated May 6, 1861. 
 On the day of his graduation he was appointed second lieutenant, and 
 eight days later was promoted to first lieutenant. Proceeding at once 
 to Washington, within a few days he was engaged in active military 
 service. It will thus be seen that this young officer, at the age of 
 twenty-one years, found himself on the very threshold of active life 
 thrown at once into the seething vortex of the great Civil war. The 
 transition from theory to practice was with him an immediate one, and 
 whatever dreams he may have had of the uneventful life of the average 
 military man of that day were quickly and effectually dispelled by the 
 thunder of real artillery, loaded and shotted. 
 
 July 18, 1861, Lieutenant Upton aimed the first gun in the contest 
 which terminated three days later in the battle of Bull Run. At this 
 battle he was wounded in the side, and though considerably hurt, re- 
 mained on the field throughout the day. Gen. Upton's military career 
 during the period of the Rebellion was a most active and successful 
 one. He was wounded three times, the last very severely. Though a 
 noted scholar and tactician, he was none the less a practical, everyday 
 soldier in the field. He saw a vast deal of hard fighting, led many a 
 valiant charge, and was exposed to almost endless danger. He was 
 promoted successively from lieutenant to captain, to major, lieutenant- 
 colonel, colonel, brigadier general and brevet major-general, in every 
 instance for gallant and meritorious conduct. It will thus be seen that 
 he enjoyed the unusual distinction of being a major-general at the age 
 of twenty-five years. 
 
 April 16, 1865, General Upton being then in command of a cavalry 
 corps, made a liight assault unon the rebel works at Columbus, Ga., 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL. 535 
 
 capturing a large amount of arms, ammunition, stores and 1,500 pris- 
 oners. This occurred a week after the surrender of Lee's army, and 
 was the last engagement of importance during the war. His service 
 therefore spanned the entire period of the war of the Rebellion. A few 
 weeks later, in May, 1865, he was ordered to arrest Alexander H. 
 Stephens, the vice-president of the confederacy, and a little later Jef- 
 ferson Davis, the arch chief of the Rebellion, was placed in his custody 
 and escorted by him to the steamer at Savannah, Ga. 
 
 At the close of the Rebellion General Upton was placed in command 
 of the Department of Tennessee, and later in the same year was trans- 
 ferred to the command of the Department of Colorado, with headquar- 
 ters at Denver. While there he wrote his work on infantry tactics, 
 which almost immediately was adopted by the board of distinguished 
 officers, among whom were Generals Grant, Meade and Canby. In 1870 
 General Upton, then thirty years of age, was appointed commandant 
 of the United States Military Academy at West Point, which position 
 he held about five years. In 1875 he was relieved of this duty and 
 ordered to make an extended tour of Europe and Asia to inspect the 
 armies of all the leading powers, and to make a thorough investigation 
 of the military systems of all these countries. The result of this expe- 
 dition was a most admirable and comprehensive work entitled "The 
 Armies of Asia and Europe." In many respects General Upton was 
 the most distinguished character that Genesee county has produced. 
 
 In 1885 the Life and Letters of Emery Upton was published. An 
 introductory article was written by Major-General James Harrison Wil- 
 son, one of the most accomplished military critics of the country, and 
 in the estimation of Grant one of his ablest lieutenants. Gen. Wilson 
 paid this extraordinary tribute: "I have constantly maintained since 
 the close of the war, that at that time Upton was as good an artillery 
 officer as could be found in any country, the equal of any cavalry com- 
 mander of his day, and, all things considered, was the best commander 
 of a division of infantry in either the Union or the rebel army. He 
 was the equal of Custer or Kilpatrick in dash and enterprise, and vastly 
 the superior of either in discipline and administration, whether on the 
 march or in the camp. He was incontestably the best tactitian of 
 either army, and this is true whether tested by battle or by the evolu- 
 tions of the drill field and parade. In view of his success of all arms of 
 the service, it is not too much to add that he could scarcely have failed 
 as a corps or army commander had it been his good fortune to be called 
 
526 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 to such rank. And nothing is more certain than that he would have 
 had a corps of cavalry had the war lasted six y days longer, or that, 
 with the continuation of the struggle, he would have been in due time 
 put at the head of an army. No one can read the story of his brilliant 
 career without concluding that he had a real genius for war, together 
 with all the theoretical and practical knowledge which any one could 
 acquire in regard to it. Up to the time when he was disabled by the 
 disease which caused his death he was, all things considered, the most 
 accomplished soldier in our service. His life was pure and upright, his 
 bearing chivalric and commanding, his conduct modest and unassum- 
 ing, and his character absolutely without blemish. History cannot fur- 
 nish a brighter example of unselfish patriotism, or ambition unsullied 
 by an ignoble thought or an unworthy deed. He was a credit to the 
 State and family which gave him birth, to the military academy which 
 educated him, and to the army in which he served. So long as the 
 Union has such soldiers as he to defend it, it will be perpetual." 
 
 No attempt is made in this sketch to give a detailed account of Up- 
 ton's brilliant achievements as a soldier upon many battle fields. The 
 histories which have been written of the War of the Rebellion abound in 
 proofs of his genius as a strategist and of his abounding skill and valor 
 in action. 
 
 His public deeds are in a large sense the common property of all his 
 countrymen. It was in his quiet, inner life that General Upton is best 
 remembered and most sincerely deplored. It may be said of him briefly 
 and simply that he was a true, loyal man, a most devout Christian, a 
 most companionable friend. He was the very soul of honor. Those 
 who know him best loved and honored him most. 
 
 General Upton died in San Francisco, March 15, 1881. 
 
 JOHN H. WARD. 
 
 John H. Ward was born in Bergen, N. Y., March 14, 1846, a son of 
 Henry M. and Adelia C. (Curtis) Ward, natives of Bergen, the former 
 a merchant; he died in 1857 and his widow in 1883. Martin C. Ward, 
 the grandfather of John H., was a member of the Assembly and filled 
 other positions of trust and honor. His great-grandfather, John Ward, 
 for whom the subject of this sketch was named, was a native of Killing- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL. 527 
 
 worth, Conn., and was descended from Andrew Ward, who emigrated 
 from England about ten years after the Pilgrims; he settled near what 
 is now Stone Church in the town of Bergen, in June, 1806. 
 
 John H. Ward was educated in the common schools and began his 
 business life as a merchant in Bergen in 1858, where he continued until 
 1875, when as the candidate of the Democratic party he was elected 
 sheriff of Genesee county; he removed to Batavia on January 1, 1876, 
 and served one term. For a number of years he was United States 
 loan commissioner. 
 
 In 1879 he became connected with the Farmers' Bank of Batavia, of 
 which he is now cashier and manager. Much of the success of the 
 Farmers' Bank is due to the careful, wise and judicious management of 
 Mr. Ward. He is a prominent Mason, having attained the thirty-second 
 degree. Politically he has always been a Democrat. 
 
 In 1871 Mr. Ward was married to Isabelle D., daughter of the late 
 Enoch Mann of Syracuse, N. Y. ; they have one daughter, Gertrude, 
 wife of Hiram R. Barringer, M. D., of Naples, N. Y. 
 
 JULIAN J. WASHBURN. 
 
 Julian J. Washburn was born in Randolph, Vt , November 10, 1843. 
 He is a direct descendant from Robert Cushman, who, with Edward 
 Brewster, chartered the Mayflower, and John Washburn, an officer in 
 the Company of Massachusetts Bay, chartered by Charles I. His great- 
 grandfather, Jonah Washburn, was a lieutenant in the colonial army 
 during the Revolutionary War. His father, Daniel Washburn, who 
 was born in Randolph, Vt., in 1800, married Adaline, daughter of Hon. 
 Ezekiel Story and granddaughter of Asa Story, who was an ensign in 
 the Revolutionary army, and after the war settled in Randolph, Vt., 
 where he became a large land owner, and there died. 
 
 Julian J. Washburn was educated in the Orange County (Vt.) Gram- 
 mar School. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. C, 15th Vermont Volunteers, 
 under Col. Redfield Proctor, and participated in the battle of Gettys- 
 burg; he received an honorable discharge in 1863, but remained in the 
 service of the United States until 1865 in a clerical capacity in the hos- 
 pital department. 
 
 In 1870 he went to Boston and engaged in commercial business. In 
 
528 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 ISI'S removed to Newark, N. Y., and thence in 1877 to Batavia, where 
 he at once became connected with the Wiard Plow Co , of which he was 
 elected secretary in 1880. Mr. Washburn served for a time as trustee 
 of the village, and was village president in 1886. He has also served 
 as a member of the board of education since 1891. He is a Republican. 
 
 On February 10, 1866, Mr. Washburn was married to Martha, daugh- 
 ter of Hon. Abel and Mary (Kingsbury) Bigelow of Brookfield, Vt. 
 The Bigelows are from Connecticut. The mother of Hon. Abel Bige- 
 low was Deborah Foote of Colchester, Conn , who was a direct descend- 
 ant from Nathaniel Foote, an early emigrant from England. The first 
 record of him in this country is of his taking the " freeman's oath" in 
 the Colony of Massachusetts Bay in 1633, and in deeds to him recorded 
 the same year. The Kingsburys were originally from Connecticut, 
 removed thence to Massachusetts, and from there to Washington 
 county, Vt. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Washburn have two children: Edward A. and Mary V. 
 Edward read law with Hon. George Bowen, was admitted to practice in 
 1889, since which date he has been in partnership with his preceptor 
 under the firm name of Bowen & Washburn. Mary V. is a student at 
 Vassar College. 
 
 GEORGE WIARD. 
 
 George Wiard was born in Ancaster, Canada, March 11, 1833, a son 
 of William and Lncinda (McLaughlin) Wiard. William Wiard was a 
 native of Connecticut and removed to Livingston county in 1803. In 
 1820 he went to Ancaster, Canada, and begun the manufacture of plows. 
 His father, Thomas Wiard, a blacksmith, had made portions of plows 
 as early as 1804. William Wiard was one of the pioneers in the manu- 
 facture of cast iron plows in Canada. He died in 1841. 
 
 George Wiard received his education in the country schools and in 
 1849 entered an apprenticeship to the trade of moulder in Buffalo. 
 After leaving the army Mr. Wiard returned to East Avon, New York, 
 and formed the firm of M. & G. Wiard. In 1870 Charles W. Hough 
 purchased the interest of Matthew Wiard, and in 1876 the business 
 was removed to Batavia where the present plant was established and 
 the Wiard Plow Company incorporated. The Wiard family have been 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL. 529 
 
 engaged in the manufacture of plows for ninety-four successive years, 
 a record probably unequalled in this country and perhaps in the world. 
 
 Mr. Wiard is one of the progressive men of this town. He has al- 
 ways been, foremost in promoting enterprises that tended to the ad- 
 vancement of the educational, moral and religious interests of Batavia. 
 He was for many years a member of the board of education and served 
 five years as its president. He was chairman of the building commit- 
 tee that erected the Baptist church and was one of the committee hav- 
 ing in charge the construction of the city water-works. He has been 
 a director of the Genesee County Permanent Loan and Building Asso- 
 ciation since its organization in 1878 and for the last eighteen years 
 has been the president. Politically he has always been a Republican. 
 
 Mr. Wiard was married November 3 i, 1856, to Emeline Warren who 
 died in 1870. He afterwards married Celestia I., daughter of Peter 
 and Emily (Webster) Warren of Wyoming Co., N. Y. They have five 
 children, May, Louis, Ernest, Henry and Harry (twins). 
 
 In July, 1863, Mr. Wiard enlisted ip the 129th N. Y. Volunteers, and 
 he was mustered into the service August 32d at Lockport as second 
 lieutenant in Company H of that regiment. The regiment was sent 
 immediately to Baltimore, Md., and occupied Fort Federal Hill. Mr. 
 Wiard was promoted December 3, 1863, to first lieutenant of the same 
 company. About this time the regiment was transferred to the artil- 
 lery service and was thereafter known as the 8th N. Y. Volunteer Heavy 
 Artillery. During the time the regiment was in the defenses at Balti- 
 more Mr. Wiard served as a member of two court martials and was 
 Post Adjutant from October 35, 1863, until the regiment joined the 
 Army of the Potomac May 13, 1864. This famous regiment was des- 
 tined during its comparatively brief period of active service to partici- 
 pate in some of the fiercest fighting of the war, and the fact has now 
 passed into authentic history that but one other regiment of the vast 
 army which was recruited for the defense of the Union ever met with 
 so great a loss as befell the 8th Heavy Artillery on the fatal morning 
 of Cold Harbor. The regiment was also at Petersburg and participated 
 in many other engagements. On the 17th of June, 1864,- Mr. Wiard 
 was severely wounded in the leg and sent to the hospital at Annapolis, 
 Md. As soon as he became able to do light duty he was ordered into 
 the defenses of Washington as an inspector of artillery. Soon after- 
 ward he was appointed inspector of artillery defenses of Washington 
 north of the Potomac, He was appointed officer in charge of dismant- 
 34 
 
530 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 ling the forts in and around Washington south of the Potomac, was in- 
 spector of artillery and acting assistant adjutant-general of Hardin's 
 division. In May, 1865, the 8th N. Y. Heavy Artillery was mustered 
 out and Lieutenant Wiard was transferred to the 4th N. Y. Volunteer 
 Heavy Artillery and was mustered into Company I as Captain, and 
 finally discharged from the service September 26, 1865. Mr. Wiard 
 has never recovered from his severe wound which he received. A sur- 
 viving officer of the 8th Heavy Artillery has lately said that George 
 Wiard was the bravest and coolest man under fire he ever saw and that 
 his conduct in the fearful contest at Cold Harbor was beyond praise. 
 
 GAD B. WORTHINGTON. 
 
 Gad B. Worthington was born in Lenox, Mass., October 3, 1815, 
 from which place his parents. Gad and Fanny (Belden) Worthington, 
 removed to Owego, N. Y. His /ather died March 1, 1861, and his 
 mother, who attained the great age of 92 years, died June 9, 1885. In 
 1836 Mr. Worthington removed to Batavia, where he at once engaged 
 in the hardware trade. He entered the employ of Belden & Otis, and 
 in the year 1841, became a member of the firm, changing the firm name 
 lO Otis & Worthington. After the retirement of Mr. Otis he continued 
 the business for a long time without a partner. The present firm of 
 G. B. Worthington, Son & Co., was established January 1, 1882, the 
 new members of the firm being Gad D. Worthington and J. Holly 
 Bradish. Mr. Worthington has been connected with the hardware trade 
 for sixty-three years and for many years he has enjoyed the distinction 
 of having been longer engaged in business than any other man in 
 Batavia. 
 
 Mr. Worthington has always taken an active interest in the growth 
 and prosperity of the town where he has so long been an honored citi- 
 zen. He is vice-president of the First National Bank, was one of the 
 organizers and for many years a director of the Batavia Gas Light 
 Company, and was for several years treasurer of the New York State 
 Institution for the Blind. He is a member and senior warden of the 
 St James Episcopal Church, and he was for a long time treasurer of 
 the diocese of Western New York. In politics he is a Republican. 
 
 In June, 1841, Mr. Worthington was married to Anner M. Dixon, who 
 bore hinj five children. She died in 1853. Subsequently he was married 
 
GAD B. WORTHINGTON. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL. 631 
 
 to Susan Towner, who died March 9, 1891. Of his five children Miss 
 Amanda C. Worthington resides at home with her father, Gad D. 
 Worthington is a partner of his father in the hardware business, the 
 Rev. Edward William Worthington is rector of Grace Episcopal Church 
 at Cleveland, Ohio, Sarah is the wife of E. De L. Palmer of Albany, 
 and Mary is deceased. 
 
 THOMAS P. BROUGHAM. 
 
 Rev. Thomas P. Brougham, dean of St. Joseph's church of Batavia, 
 was born in County Carlow, Ireland, in 1843, a son of Dennis and Cath- 
 erine (Doyle) Brougham. He came to the United States in 1864. He 
 was educated at St. Patrick's Monastery in TuUow, Ireland, and at 
 Niagara University, New York, and was ordained to the priesthood in 
 1871 by Bishop Ryan of Buffalo. 
 
 His first pastorate was that of Westfield, Chautauqua county, where 
 he remained fifteen months, and was then transferred to Newfane, 
 Niagara county, fulfilling his duties there until 1882. In the latter 
 year he came to Batavia, where he has since been in charge of St. Jo- 
 seph's parish. Under his care the church has increased largely in mem- 
 bership, being at the present time about 3,700. He has erected the 
 school and convent, also the parochial residence, to which he has given 
 his best energies and gained the respect and confidence of all classes. 
 The church under his guidance has become one of the leading societies 
 of Western New York outside of Buffalo. Father Brougham has en- 
 deared himself not only to the members of his own parish but to those 
 of other religious organizations and the public generally. 
 
 E. KIRBY CALKINS. 
 
 E. KiRBY Calkins was born in Henrietta, Monroe county, N. Y., Feb- 
 ruary 18, 1866. After attending Monroe Academy and the public schools 
 in Rochester he entered Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y., 
 from which he was graduated in 1883. He then entered the employ of 
 the Walter A.Wood Mower and Reaper Co. at Rochester as bookkeeper. 
 Here he remained until 1888, when he entered the employ of the John- 
 ston Harvester Co. of Batavia, N.Y. , as traveler, making several trips to 
 Europe in their interest. January 1, 1894, he accepted a position as 
 manager of the sales department of the Milwaukee Harvester Co. at 
 Milwaukee, Wis., and remained there until August, 1894, when he be- 
 
533 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 came connected with the Spirit of the Times as business manager. 
 March 19, 1895, he formed a partnership with David D. Lent and pur- 
 chased the Spirit of the Times and the printing business. 
 
 He was married March 18, 1891, to Miss Lena B. Hitchcock of Bris- 
 tol, N.Y., and they have one child, Ruth K. 
 
 JOHN BELLINGER. 
 
 John Dellinger is a native of Gen villa, Lorraine, then part of France 
 but now part of Germany, where he was born August 14, 1826. His 
 father was Peter Dellinger, who emigrated to the United States in 1840 
 and settled in Sheldon, Wyoming county, then part of old Genesee 
 county, where he died. 
 
 John Dellinger received his primary education in his native town, but 
 after coming to America, the struggle for existence in the new country 
 gave him little opportunity for further education, save what his na- 
 tive shrewdness and application enabled him to obtain. Of a strong, 
 industrious and ambitious temperament, he soon outgrew the limita- 
 tions of his environment, and leaving his home he engaged in various 
 occupations till 1853, when he came to Batavia, where his career has 
 been marked by self-reliance, energy and shrewd foresight. He en- 
 gaged in building operations, and has become one of the most exten- 
 sive contractors in that line in Genesee county. It is not exaggeration 
 to say that of the business structures of Batavia the greater number 
 have been erected by Mr. Dellinger. In 1873 he built the Union School 
 house, and in 1874 the Opera House; he also erected the Richmond 
 and the Washburn hotels, and opened through his property the street 
 known as Dellinger avenue He is to-day one of the largest tax pay- 
 ers in Genesee county. While not a politician, he has evinced a good 
 citizen's interest in the important political measures of the day; he is 
 not a seeker for public office, but his integrity and special fitness for 
 the place led to his election to the office of assessor, in which position 
 he gave the fullest satisfaction. 
 
 In 1856 Mr. Dellinger was married to Clara De Mengeot; they have 
 had eight children, as follows: Mary, who was married to William F. 
 Haitz, now living in Batavia; John, who died in 1880; Edward; Ce- 
 lestine, who was married to William S. Ryan and who died in 1895; 
 Clara; Frank; Louise, who was married to Frank Spadinger, now liv- 
 ing in Buffalo ; and Delia. 
 
JOHN DELLINGER. 
 
PART III. 
 
 PERSONAL REFERENCES. 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 
 
 Ward, Butler, p. o. Le Roy, was born in Perry, Wyoming county, N. Y., October 
 19, 1833. His father, Dr. Jabez Ward, was a native of Massachusetts and came to 
 Perry, N. Y. , where he was the leading physician. He married Aurilla Tufts, and 
 died in 1842. Butler Ward was educated in the common schools and Perry Center 
 Academy. In 1852 he came to Le Roy and entered the Genesee County Bank. In 
 1857 he went to Rockford, 111., where he* was connected with a banking house. 
 In 1862 he enlisted in the war, serving as captain. He was wounded in the battle of 
 Stone River and resigned in the spring of 1863. He then held a position in the U. 
 S. Treasury for five years, after which he engaged in the insurance business in New 
 York city for four years. In 1872 Mr. Ward returned to Le Roy and became cashier 
 of the First National Bank. The charter expired in 1885 and it was then reorganized 
 as the National Bank of Le Roy. In 1889 the Bank of Le Roy was organized and 
 superseded the National Bank of Le Roy. On the death of William Lampson, Feb- 
 ruary 14, 1897, Mr. Ward was elected president, and still continues in that office. 
 He is the executor of Mr. Lampson's will and has the management of the large es- 
 tate. October 27, 1857, Mr. Ward married Jane, daughter of Alexander McPherson, 
 and their children are Ralph M., of San Diego, Cal. ; Jean H. Ward, wife of R. J. 
 McLennan of Toronto, Can. ; Harold B. , assistant cashier in the Bank of Le Roy; 
 and Ruth T., at home. Mr. Ward and family are members of the Presbyterian 
 church and take an active interest in the same. In politics Mr. Ward is a Repub- 
 lican, with strong independent tendencies. 
 
 Walkley, Rosman L., p. o. Le Roy, was born in the town of Pavilion October 30, 
 1838, a son of Richard and Juliette (Mills) Walkley. Richard Walkley died February 
 24, 1887. R. L. Walkley was educated in the common schools and Genesee Wes- 
 leyan Seminary, and then engaged in farming. Mr. Walkley married Mary E., 
 daughter of B. F. Peck, of Alden, Erie county, N. Y., and they have one son, Frank 
 L., who married Carrie E. Coe. 
 
 Paul, Henry, p. o. Le Roy, was born in Le Roy, August 4, 1848. His father. Alba 
 Paul, was a native of Vermont and came to Le Roy in 1835, where he was a farmer. 
 He married Sarah Gould of Vermont, and their children were layman, Alba, Henry, 
 Alice and Frank. Mr. Paul died January 22, 1878 ; his wife in 1884. Henry Paul 
 was educated in the common schools and Le Roy Academy, and served as trustee 
 of schools two years. He married Alice, daughter of Domenick Fox, and they had 
 
4 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 three children : Sarah, Henry and Walter. Mr. Paul is a successful farmer, a man 
 of good character and he has always been identified with the best interests of his 
 town, taking an active interest in church matters. 
 
 Hebbard, L. B., p. o. Mumford, was born in Connecticut, December 31, 1834 His 
 father, F. E. Hebbard, was a native of Connecticut and came to Genesee county in 
 1841, where he engaged in farming. He married Lydia Burnham, and died August 
 37, 1854. L. B. Hebbard was educated in the common schools and then engaged in 
 farming. He served as assessor for two terms. He married Margaret, daughter of 
 D. D. Campbell, and their children were Frank E., who died August 29, 1863; Del- 
 bert C, Lydia K., Anna M., Marion A., and Donald D. Mr. Hebbard is one of the 
 progressive farmers of Le Roy, of upright character, and he has always sought to 
 promote the best interests of his town. 
 
 Covert, James H., was born in Albany, December 18, 1824, a son of Stephen and 
 Sarah Doris Covert. His father came to Le Roy about 1832, where he followed his 
 trade as a morocco and tanner finisher. He was one of the prominent men in the 
 Presbyterian church and acted for a while as agent for the Genesee County Mutual 
 Insurance Co. ; he died in 1877. James H. Covert was educated in Le Roy and en- 
 tered the mercantile business as clerk in 1843, with Champion Brothers. In 1854 he 
 established his business in Corfu, and in 1860 came to East Pembroke, where he has 
 been for over thirty-eight years. In 1858 Mr. Covert married Mary J., daughter of 
 Col. John Webb ; they have one daughter, Harriet Grace. Mr. Covert has enjoyed 
 a successful business career and is thoroughly respected in the community where he 
 has long resided. 
 
 Gillett, Jerome, was born in Byron, September 2, 1833, a son of Moses Gillett of 
 Byron. Mr. Gillett married Harrie M., adopted daughter of Abiel Gardner, and 
 they had three sons: Cleveland M., William H. and Clayton R. Mr. Gillett was 
 one of the representative men of his town, and his death, which occurred May 13, 
 1898, was a loss to his family and all who knew him. He was conservative in char- 
 acter and of sterling integrity. For many years he was proprietor of the hotel at 
 South Byron. 
 
 Martin, John S., p. o. Indian Falls, N. Y., was born in Oakfield, Genesee county, 
 N. Y. , April 9, 1844. His parents moved to Newstead, Erie county, when he was a 
 boy and he was educated in the district schools and Lockport High School, and is 
 now following the occupation of farming. October 4, 1868, he married Alzina Rob- 
 erts of Newstead; they have three children: Laura A., William E. and John S., jr. 
 Laura A. married William Clark of Pembroke, N. Y., and their children are Howard, 
 Ernest and Ora M. William E. married Mary Smith of Pembroke. Mr. Martin's 
 father, John Martin, was born in the year 1811, educated in the district schools, and 
 married Laura A. Whitney. They had five children; George E., John S., Hiram 
 N., Wallace S. and Mary C. Mr. Martin died December 33, 1885, and his widow 
 survives at this date, 1898. Mrs. Martin's father, Julius O. Roberts, was born in 
 Newstead, Erie county, N. Y., in 1819, received his education in the district schools 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 5 
 
 and was a farmer by occupation. He married Polly Avery ; they had five children : 
 Azom, Alzina, Alfred, Alice A. and Almira A. Mr. Roberts died September 2, 1863, 
 and his widow February 2, 1888. Mr. Martin's grandfather was a soldier in the war 
 of 1812. Mr. Martin in his political choice is a silver Democrat. Ancestry of family 
 is Irish, English, Welsh and Scotch. 
 
 Porter, George A., p. o. Corfu, N. Y., was born at HoUey, N. Y., April 32, 1825. 
 His parents moved to Rochester, N. Y., when he was a boy, where he attended the 
 public schools and Rochester Collegiate Institute. He was a newsboy and sold the 
 Rochester Advertiser, the first daily paper printed in Rochester; he was also an as- 
 sistant to the city surveyor. He became a railway man, first as fireman, and was 
 promoted to various positions until he became freight receiver on what is now known 
 as the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. Co. at Rochester. In 1854 he came to Corfu and pur- 
 chased an interest in a general store in company with his brother, Henry P., forming 
 the firm of Porter Bros., which continued until 1882, when he purchased his 
 brother's interest and conducted it on his own account up to 1886. W. H. Taylor, 
 was then taken as partner and the business was conducted by George A. Porter & 
 Co., until 1893, at which time they sold to H. A. Maynard. Mr. Porter now lives a 
 retired life. In 1857 he married Catherine A. Brock of Middletown, O. ; they had 
 four children: George B., who was drowned in the Miama River in 1880; Kate M., 
 who died in 1881; Sarah R., who resides at home; and Bertha J., who married 
 Robert R. Rowley of Attica, N. Y., and has two daughters, Catherine and Hilda. 
 Mr. Porter's father. George A. Porter, was born at Sag Harbor, L. I., about the year 
 1794, and was educated by his father, who was a school teacher. He was a carpen- 
 ter and contractor by occupation; he married Sarah E. Warren of Columbia county, 
 N. Y. , and nine children were born to them, five of whom grew to maturity: Henry 
 P., Delia M., George A., Warren S. and Sobeskie T. Mr. Porter died in January, 
 1853, and his widow in 1877. Mrs. Porter's father, Jacob Brock, was born in Swit- 
 zerland and came to this country when a boy ; he married Catherine King, and they 
 had fourteen children; both parents are dead. Mr. Porter in his political choice is a 
 Democrat. 
 
 Griswold, William, p. o. Le Roy, N. Y. , was born in the town of Le Roy, October 
 30, 1819. His father, Julius Griswold, was a native of Connecticut, and came to Le 
 Roy in 1813. He was a shoemaker ; afterward a farmer. He married Laura Thwing. 
 His death occurred June 33, 1830. William Griswold was educated in the common 
 schools and has always been a farmer; he served as highway commissioner for six 
 years. Mr. Griswold married Lucinda Bannister, and their children were Mary E., 
 Francis M. and Thankful. Mrs. Griswold died in 1859, and Mr. Griswold then mar- 
 ried Frances, daughter of Henry H. Hull; they have four children: Antoinette J., 
 Paul W., Blanche and Grace. Mr. Griswold is one of Le Roy's progressive farmers, 
 an intelligent, public spirited citizen. He is of kind and amiable disposition and 
 enjoys the universal respect of the community where he has so long resided. 
 
 Brodie, Mrs. John, p. o. Fort Hill, N. Y. — John I. Brodie was born in Scotland, 
 and came to Genesee county about 1847, where he engaged in farming. He married 
 
6 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Helen, daughter of John Robertson, a native of Scotland, and they were the parents 
 of Helen, Frances, Thomas, John, who died in July, 1888 ; Josephine, Jennie, and 
 David, all three dead. Mr. Brodie died in May, 1894. Mr. Brodie was one of the rep- 
 resentative farmers of Le Roy, a good citizen and a fine specimen of the Scotch race. 
 He always took an active interest in the affairs of the town. 
 
 Wolcott, Albert W., p. o. Le Roy, N. Y., was born in Oakfield, N. Y., May 3, 1847. 
 His father, William Wolcott, was a native of Oakfield and was a farmer. William 
 Wolcott was supervisor of the town for fifteen years and president of the board of 
 trustees of Gary Seminary. He married Elmira Whitney, and died in 1880. Albert 
 W. Wolcott was educated in Gary Seminary and since leaving school has been a 
 farmer. He served as assessor for three years. He married Lillian G. , daughter of 
 Watson Benham; they have three children: Ruth L., Alice A. and William A. Mr. 
 Wolcott is a successful farmer. He is a good citizen and has always taken an active 
 interest in church and school matters. 
 
 Wells, Schuyler G., was born in Poultney, Vt., February 6, 1840. His early life 
 was spent upon his father's farm and at the age of fifteen he assumed its manage- 
 ment. At the same time he pursued his studies at Troy Conference Academy, lo- 
 cated in his native town, where he received a thorough business education. In his 
 early days Mr. Wells displayed a nattiral fondness for drugs and medicines, and in 
 1866 came to Le Roy, where a copartnership was formed with his brother-in-law. Dr. 
 S. L. Hooker, under the firm name of Hooker & Wells. They purchased Medical 
 Hall and conducted an extensive drug business for three years, when the partner- 
 ship was dissolved. During that time he applied himself to the study of medicine 
 and gave special attention to observing the effects certain formulae had on the human 
 system. About this time Mr. Wells obtained a patent on a pail ear and an eave- 
 trough ; to manufacture these he sold his interest in the drug business and formed a 
 copartnership with James P. Kneeland. He afterwards sold his interest in the firm 
 and again entered the drug trade, devoting himself to the perfection of his formulae, 
 which he soon put on the market under the name of " Shiloh's Family Remedies." 
 This was in 1871, and in 1873 he sold his drug business to F. T. Wilcox and devoted 
 his entire time to the introduction of his remedies, soon becoming one of the most 
 extensive manufacturers of proprietary medicines in the United States and Canada. 
 In 1877, to accommodate his growing business, Mr. Wells erected a four-story brick 
 building on Church street, and in 1882 was obliged to erect an addition, doubling the 
 capacity of the plant. The same year he sold a one-third interest to his brother, the 
 late George H. Wells, the business being conducted by S. C. Wells & Go. ; this 
 arrangement continued until 1892, when the copartnership was dissolved by mutual 
 consent, George H. Wells retiring. Shortly after the sad death of Mr. Wells's 
 brother, he announced his determination to arrange his affairs in such a way that 
 his family would be protected in case anything should happen to him. With him the 
 conception of an idea was closely followed by its materialization. To accomplish his 
 purpose, in February, 1897, he organized a stock company, the principal stockholders 
 being his own family ; his widow is npw president of the company. In 1880 Mr. 
 Wells purchased " Dreamland," comprising 180 acres on East Main street, and after 
 erecting one of the handsomest residences in town, built one of the largest stock 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 7 
 
 barns in the United States, together with a fast half-mile track and a covered eighth- 
 mile track. He organized the New York State Trotting Horse Breeders' Association 
 and was its first president. Mr. Wells was one of the original incorporators of the 
 Le Roy Salt Co., but sold his interests in 1889. He was also one of the trustees of 
 Ingham University. He was a trustee of the M. E. church, and when the new church 
 edifice was erected he was made chairman of the building committee. To overseeing 
 the construction of the building he devoted much time, and it is due largely to his 
 energy and enterprise that the project terminated successfully. Mr. Wells was nat- 
 urally of a genial temperament. He was disposed to make friends with all of his 
 acquaintances and always sought to have his friendship for others reciprocated. In 
 September, 1865, Mr. Wells married Anna E. Hooker, daughter of S. P. Hooker, 
 president of the bank at Poultney, Vt., and a leading manufacturer; they had three 
 children: Mrs. M. J. Root of Buffalo; Anna H. Wells and S. Carl Wells. Mr. Wells 
 died July 21, 1898. Politically he was always a Republican. 
 
 Lawrence, Edwin L., p. o. Lehigh, N. Y., was born in Erie county, N. Y., August 
 3, 1831, and came to live with his foster father, Benjamin Lawrence, on the home- 
 stead when six years old. Mr. Lawrence had the name of the boy cti'anged from 
 Cady to Lawrence by the Legislature. He was educated in the district schools and 
 has always followed farming and is now living a retired farmer. He has married 
 twice; first, to Abigail Hoyt of Batavia; they had three children ; Carrie E. , Morris 
 B. and Frederick E. Carrie married Frank Day; they have three sons; William, 
 Edwin and James. Morris B. married Nancy Booth of this locality, and is the 
 farmer at home. Frederick E. resides at home. Mrs. Lawrence died in 1868, and 
 in 1870 Mr. Lawrence married Eliza Reed, who bore him eight children: Emma, 
 Edna, Hettie, Jennie, Dennis, Berty, Lee and Fay. . Emma married Benjamin Ward 
 of Pembroke; they have three children: Clarence, Howard and Gladdis. Edna 
 married Walter Prince. Dennis married Martha A. Francis. Mr. Lawrence's 
 father, Morris W. Cady, was born in Windsor, Vt, May 6, 1783; he married twice; 
 first, to Elizabeth Thomas of his native place ; they had four children : Helen M. , 
 George W., Edwin L,, and Oscar T. Mrs. Cady died in 1837, and for his second 
 wife he married Mrs Tenny ; they have one daughter, Marette. Mr. Lawrence in 
 his political choice is a sound Jackson Democrat. Eliza P. Vosberry was the name 
 of his second wife before her adoption. Ancestry of children by first marriage Eng- 
 lish and German ; the children of second marriage English and Dutch. 
 
 Samson, John P., manager the Le Roy salt works, was born in Le Roy, February 
 24, 1861, a son of Russel L. , who came to Genesee county in X822 from Vermont, 
 where he was born in 1817. He came with his father, Caleb Samson, who was a 
 cooper and carried on business here for a number of years. Russel was apprenticed 
 to the jeweler's trade with H. N. Stanley, and at the end of his apprenticeship bought 
 out his employer and conducted the business till his death, which occurred October 
 15, 1876. He was captain in the State militia for a number of years and his commis- 
 sion, which is signed by Gov. William H. Seward, is now in the possession of John 
 P. Samson; he also has the apprenticeship papers which required him not to "play 
 cards, gamble, or use his employer's money; not to frequent taverns or any other 
 
8 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 places of public resort, nor otherwise absent himself day or night from his master's 
 service without his leave.'' He received $30 for the first year and $5 additional for 
 each succeeding year for five years. After serving the term he received a certificate 
 of good moral character and a man capable of taking charge of business. He was a 
 captain in the 195th Reg. of Infantry, with rank from July 10, 1839, signed by Will- 
 iam H. Seward, and was honorably discharged March 11, 1843. The family came 
 from England in 1639; Caleb Samson, the grandfather, was born January 19, 1792, 
 married Fannie Raze May 2, 1814, and came to Le Roy in 1823; died in Ypsilanti, 
 Mich., December 10, 1873. John P. Samson was educated in Le Roy Academic In- 
 stitute, and upon the death of his father left school and assisted in conducting his 
 father's jewelry store till 1885, when he entered The Le Roy Salt Co.'s office as book- 
 keeper. On the death of A. E. Miller, on August 28, 1893, he was made manager 
 of the concern, which position he has since held. This is one of the largest concerns 
 of its kind in the east, averaging 135 employees, with a plant of a capacity of 1,500 
 barrels per day, with eleven wells. The salt is shipped all over the continent. Mr. 
 Samson is a man well fitted for his responsible position and under his management 
 the business is yearly increasing. He is a director in the Citizens' Bank ; a director 
 in the Le Roy Power and Milling Company and Hydraulic Electric Company. He 
 is senior warden in Olive Branch Lodge No. 39, F. & A. M., an active member and 
 director in Oatka Hose Company, and a member and trustee of the Presbyterian 
 church. In 1891 he married Mary L. Olmsted of Le Roy; they had three children: 
 Paul, Henry and Mary. Mrs. Samson died May 31, 1896. 
 
 Briggs, William J., was born in Fort Wayne, Ind., November 5, 1840. His father, 
 John Briggs, was a native of Rensselaer county and came to Genesee county with 
 his parents, William and Christiana (McGowan) Briggs, in 1836. John Briggs mar- 
 ried Mary Cornelia Burnham. William J. Briggs was educated in Batavia. He 
 married Susie, daughter of William H. Davis; they have four children: George A., 
 William D., John R. and Atta Laura. Mr. Briggs is one of the practical and suc- 
 cessful farmers of his town, taking an active interest in school and church matters, 
 and he is recognized as a man of good character and sound judgment. 
 
 Ball, Frank W., was born in Le Roy, November 7, 1862, a son of Samuel A. and 
 Falla (Sherman) Ball. The family are of English descent; John Ball settling in 
 Watertown, Mass. , in 1630, later moving to Concord, and the Ball family of New 
 England are descendants from this family. About 1,500 persons came over at the 
 same time. His son John was killed in King Philip's war, September 10, 1675. 
 Joseph Ball was chosen hog constable of Worcester, Mass., in 1765, when fifteen 
 years old, also in 1777 ; tithingman in 1778, and 1780 ; surveyor of highways and col- 
 lector of taxes in 1780-81 ; deer reeve in 1781 ; and received one vote for lieutenant- 
 governor at a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of Worcester, Mass., in 1780. 
 There were but fifty-three votes cast. He was on the muster roll of a company of 
 minute and militia men, which marched from Worcester to Cambridge on the alarm 
 of April 19, 1775. John Adams, another ancestor, made the first purchase of land in 
 Ontario county, N. Y , consisting of 1,300 acres; they were among the very first set- 
 tlers of that county. The grandfather, Isaac Ball, was a farmer and an early settler 
 
♦ PERSONAL REFERENCES. 9 
 
 in Ontario county, in 1796. Samuel A. Ball, his son, came to Genesee county from 
 Aclarai Basin in 1853, and settled in Le Roy. He was a painter by trade, which he 
 worked at during the summer and in a saw mill in the winter; this he followed up 
 till about 1863, when he went to work for A. T. Drake, grocer, as clerk, and worked 
 his way along, saving his earnings and in 1871 formed a partnership with C. H. 
 Briscoe, the firm being Ball & Briscoe, which continued until 1873, in Churchville, 
 Monroe county. Mr. Ball sold out his interest and returned* to Le Roy and opened 
 a store of his own, which he continued successfully until his death, which occurred 
 on December 9, 1887. He was a valued citizen and a good business man. His 
 widow survives, with three children: Jennie M., Frank W. and Charles H. Frank 
 W. was educated in the .district schools and Le Roy Academic Institute and in 1876 
 entered his father's store; since his father's death the business has been carried on 
 under the estate, witn Frank W. as manager, who is a thorough business man and 
 has one of the best stocked stores in the village, with a fine trade. He is now serv- 
 ing his second term as trustee of the village and has been justice of the peace for 
 four years. He is treasurer and trustee of the Presbyterian church ; treasurer and 
 trustee of Le Roy Chemical and Hose Co. for eight years; treasurer Firemen's 
 Benevolent Association five years; treasurer of the Republican Club three years; 
 secretary of the E. K. O. R. nine years; commander of the K. O. T. M. two years; 
 and is identified with other societies of Le Roy. He is a member of the L O. O. F. 
 In 1885 Mr. Ball married Mary R. Gillett; they have two children: Helen G. and 
 Mary E. 
 
 Lay, John F., was born in Batavia, May 1, 1823. His father, George W. Lay, 
 was a native of Catskill, N. Y., and was graduated from Hamilton College in 1817. 
 He came to Batavia and studied law with Phineas L. Tracy, and was admitted to 
 the bar in 1820. He married Olive, daughter of John Foote in 1821 ; in 1832 was 
 appointed captain of the 16th Cavalry by Governor Clinton; in 1833 judge advocate 
 by Governor Yates of the 4th Brigade of Cavalry; was county treasurer from 1835 to 
 1831 ; member of congress 1833-36; in 1840 elected from Genesee county to the State 
 Legislature and appointed chairman of the Canal Committee ; and appointed U. S. 
 charge d'affaires to the Court of Norway and Sweden in 1842-45; he died in 1860 in 
 his sixty-third year. John F. Lay was graduated from Yale College in 1841 and 
 admitted to the bar in 1844. He was a trustee of Union School in 1871-80, was one 
 of its building committee and acted as superintendent of its construction for two 
 years. He is vice-president of the Batavia Cemetery Association and president of 
 the Drainage Commission of Batavia. He has always been interested in the growth 
 and progress of his town, and his satisfactory performance of public duties, his use- 
 fulness and uprightness of character, have won for him the respect and confi ience 
 of his fellow townsmen. 
 
 Johnson, Uri, was born m Elba, December 11, 1833, a son of Tracy ard Lois 
 (Baker) Johnson. He was educated in the district schools and in 1861 married 
 Isabelle, daughter of Mr. McCarroU ; they have four children : Tracy, George, Stephen 
 and Frances. Mr. Johnson is a farmer; in 1872 he purchased a part of the Dunham 
 track, and has made farming a success. He has served as highway commissioner 
 four years. He is an energetic and public spirited man with wide acquaintance. 
 
10 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE, 
 
 Schlenker, Jacob, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, February 35, 1838, and 
 came to the United States in 1853, settling in Orangeville, Wyoming county, N. Y. 
 In 1858 he came to Batavia and in 1864 entered the employ of R. O. Holden & Son, 
 remaining with them until October 10, 1897. In that year he established his present 
 business and at the present time is one of the leading merchants of Batavia. In 
 1880 Mr. Schlenker married Carrie Kirchgraber ; they have four children : Charles, 
 Anna, Clara and May. Mr. Schlenker is one of the self-made men of Genesee 
 county, and by active interest in the well-being and progress of his adopted town, 
 an upright life and worthy deeds, has merited and received the respect of his 
 acquaintances. 
 
 Cleveland, John, p. o. East Pembroke, N. Y., was born in Le Roy, Genesee county, 
 N. Y. , October 16, 1835, educated in the public schools and has always been a farmer. 
 He came to Pembroke with his parents in 1856, and married, on November 19, 1863, 
 Mrs. Harriet Waterman of East Pembroke; they had two daughters: Jennie M. and 
 Emma M. Jennie M. married, in June, 1884, Charles F. Hickox of Alexander, N. 
 Y., who is a farmer and produce merchant; they have three children: John C, 
 Grace M. and Mary V. Emma M. resides at home. Mrs. Cleveland had two chil- 
 dren by her first husband: Charles, who is a resident of Pembroke, and Laura, who 
 resides with her father. Mrs. Cleveland died in January, 1880. In March, 1891, 
 Mr. Cleveland married Roxena Rogers. Mr. Cleveland's father, Simon D. Cleve- 
 land, was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., in 1809, and at the age of three years 
 removed with his parents to Le Roy, where he was educated in the district schools 
 and followed the occupation of farming. In 1833 he married Jane Youngs of Le Roy ; 
 they had three children: Mary A., who died at the age of twelve; John, and Will- 
 iam, who resides in Nebraska. Mrs. Cleveland died in 1863, and Mr. Cleveland in 
 1889. John Cleveland has been justice of the peace three terms of four years each; 
 in his political choice he is a sound Republican. The family attend the Presbyterian 
 church and ancestry of family is English and Dutch of New England origin. 
 
 Standish, Mrs. Mary E., p. o. Corfu, N. Y. — The late Asner Lane, father of Mrs. 
 Standish, was born in Steuben county, N. Y., in the year 1812, educated in the schools 
 of his day and carried on the harness and saddle business many years. June 16, 
 1833, he married Hannah Scott, who was born in Schoharie county, N. Y. ; they had 
 three children ; Cornehus, who died in infancy; Nellie L., now Mrs. McDonald of 
 Corfu; and Mary E., who was born in Montgomery county, N. Y. Mary E. married 
 three times; iirst to Peter Ormerod, who was born in England, and died in April, 
 1875 ; second, in 1877, to Jonas Banton of Pembroke, formerly of Madison county, 
 N. Y., who died May 15, 1891; and third, on November 26, 1895. to George K. Stan- 
 dish, of North Java, Wyoming county, N. Y. Mrs. Standish's maternal grand- 
 father, Robert Scott, was born in Fishkill, N. Y., June 24, 1769, educated in the 
 schools of that day and was a farmer in Sharon, N. Y. He married Mary Grantier ; 
 they had ten children: John, Mary, Elizabeth, James, Hannah, Henry, Cornelia, 
 Phoebe, Zachariah and Lydia. Mr. Scott died May 15, 1851, and his widow July 5, 
 1856. This family is descended from King William III of England. King William 
 III was the father of Anneke Jans, who settled in New York on a farm on which the 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 11 
 
 wealthiest part of the city is built ; Trinity church and some of the most costly 
 buildings are on it. The land is leased and cannot be sold, as Anneke Jans willed it 
 to her heirs forever. Robert Scott's mother was Hannah Van Tassel before she 
 married, and she was great great-granddaughter of Anneke Jans. Mary E, Stan- 
 dish is the seventh generation from King William. 
 
 Lake, Charles B., p. o. Pembroke, N. Y., was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., 
 October 25, 1833, educated in the common schools, and moved with his parents to 
 Wyoming county and later to Darien, Genesee county, in the spring of 1845, and to 
 Pembroke in 1848. Mr. Lake conducted a saw mill on his father's farm for ten 
 years, and is now one of the town's thorough farmers; the homestead which he now 
 owns was bought by his father in 1850. January 1. 1863, Mr. Lake married Martha 
 A. Redman of Pembroke, and through her efiHoient help and his industry, integrity 
 and sobriety, they made a fine property. Mr. Lake's father, Godfrey Lake, was 
 born in Rhode Island, January 30, 1798, educated in the schools of his day, and was 
 a millwright by trade, and also was a farmer. Remarried Maria Angle of Saratoga' 
 county, N. Y. ; they had five children; Emeline, Ira A., Charles B., Sidney A , and 
 Harriet M. He died November 4, 1873, and his wife August 3, 1853. Mrs. Lake's 
 father, David A. Redman, was born November 17, 1799, and was educated in the 
 district schools He married Martha Burrill, a descendant of Lord Burrill of Wales, 
 England; they had thirteen children. Mrs. Lake being the fifth child. Mr. Redman 
 died March 28, 1873, and his wife May 9, 1869. Mr. Lake has been chairman of the 
 Republican Committee, and is a sound Republican. 
 
 Le Seur, J. W., M. D., was born in Hartland, Vt., March 18, 1857, a son of John 
 and Ann M. (Wait) Le Seur. The family are of French descent and representatives 
 thereof are still living in Paris and Bordeaux. Dr. Le Seur was graduated from 
 Fort Edward (N. Y.) Collegiate Institute in 1877; Rochester University in 1881; 
 Rochester Theological Seminary in 1884; and from Hahnemann Medical College of 
 Philadelphia in 188S. In 1885 he founded the Medical Institute of Philadelphia, to 
 which he still contributes articles on medicine and surgery. In 1886 Dr. Le Seur 
 came to Batavia and began his practice with Dr. H. S. Hutchins; in 1887 he was 
 appointed by Governor Hill one of the trustees of the Institution for the Blind. In 
 1884 Dr. Le Seur married Eleanora, daughter of Dr. Hutchins; they have one 
 daughter, Margaret H. , and one son, Horace H. Dr. Le Seur is one of the pro- 
 gressive men of his town ; a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy and 
 chairman of its National Bureau of Public Health and Sanitary Science; ex-president 
 of the Western New York Medical Society ; vice-president of the New York State 
 Homeopathic Medical Society; a member of the board of U. S. Pension Examiners; 
 city health officer, and chairman of the board of trustees of the First Baptist church, 
 and was chairman of the committee on dedication of the old " Holland Purchase 
 Land office " as a memorial to Robert Morris at Batavia. Politically Dr. Le Seur 
 is a Republican. 
 
 Rowell, E. N., was born in Utica, N. Y., August 23, 1847, a son of Edward Rowell, 
 a native of London, England, who settled in Utica in 1882, and for fifty years was 
 
12 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 engaged in the manufacture of machinery. E. N. Rowell was educated in Uticaand 
 for some years was connected with various mercantile pursuits. In 1880 he came to 
 Batavia and organized his present business of the manufacture of boxes, making a 
 specialty of druggist's boxes. In 1896 the E. N. Rowell Co. purchased the Armstrong 
 shoe factory building, and at the present time is employing nearly 200 hands. Mr. 
 Rowell is one of the progressive men of his town, and is a worthy representative of 
 good citizenship. 
 
 Thomas, John, was born in France, January 33, 1848. His father, Peter Thomas, 
 was a native of France and came to the United States in 1854, settling in the town 
 of Sheldon, Wyoming county, and was a harness maker; he died in 1884. John 
 Thomas was educated in the common schools, and in 1863 at the age of fifteen years, 
 enlisted in Co. G, 8th N. Y. H. A., and took part in the battles of -the Army of the 
 Potomac after the battle of the Wilderness, to the close of the war. He then re- 
 turned to Batavia and entered the employ of R. O. Holden, and in 1869 organized 
 the dry goods firm of Stone & Thomas; in 1878 he sold his interest and established 
 his present business of hats, caps, trunks, robes, etc In 1881 Mr. Thomas married 
 Mary, daughter of Charles Hogan; they have two sons: John F., born June 11, 1882, 
 and James Blaine, born September 38, 1884. Mr. Thomas is one of the self-made 
 men of Genesee county. He served as town clerk in 1876 ; village collector in 1877 ; 
 and county treasurer from 1885 to 1891. He was elected supervisor of Batavia in 
 1892, and is now serving his fourth term. 
 
 Bradish, J. HoUey, was born in Lyons, N. Y., December 18, 1849. His father. 
 Philander P. Bradish, was a native of Macedon, and the family trace their descent 
 from Robert Bradish of Cambridge, Mass., who came from England in 1635. Phil- 
 ander P. Bradish married Maria T., daughter of Reuben Bradley. April 6, 1857, 
 he came to Batavia and engaged in farming, afterwards in the manufacture of agri- 
 cultural implements, and has bean identified in the growth and progress of Batavia. 
 J. H. Bradish was educated in the common schools and Mrs Bryan's Seminary, He 
 has been engaged in the hardware business as clerk or partner since 1866. In 1882 
 he became a member of the firm of G. B. Worthington, Son & Co., one of the oldest 
 hardware concerns in Western New York. In 1889 he married Jennie H., daughter 
 of John Haywood. Mr. Bradish enjoys the reputation of being one of the best busi- 
 ness men in Batavia. He has served as a member of the board of education for six- 
 teen years; sewer commissioner six years, and has always merited and received the 
 respect of his associates. 
 
 Gardiner, William C, was born in Hamilton, N.Y., January 2, 1842, a son of Charles 
 B. and Malvina T. (Slocum) Gardiner. His father was a contractor and builder and 
 erected some of the public buildings of Madison county. The family trace their 
 descent from Lyon Gardiner, who built the fort at Saybrook, Conn., and was the 
 owner of Gardiner's Island, which is still in the possession of his descendants. W. C. 
 Gardiner was educated in Hamilton. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. D, 26th N. Y. Vols., 
 with rank of first lieutenant and was discharged in 1863. Returning home he began 
 the practice of dentistry, and in 1874 came to Batavia and practiced until 1890, when 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 13 
 
 he became one of the reorganizers of (he Batavia Carriage Wheel Co., of which he 
 is vice-president. In 1863 Mr. Gardiner married Elizabeth, daughter of Erastus D. 
 Wheeler ; they have one son, Charles Wheeler Gardiner, now practicing medicine in 
 New York. 
 
 Wilson, Locklin M., was born in Pomfret, Chautauqua county, September 28, 1825. 
 He came to Batavia in 1831 and through life was a contractor and builder. In 1850 
 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Robert and Mary Bates; they had one daughter, 
 Mrs. Ida C. Chase. Mr. Wilson was a respected citizen of Batavia, interested in its 
 growth and progress, and his death, which occurred March 7, 1891, was a loss to the 
 town, as well as to his family, which only that of an upright citizen can occasion. 
 
 Hamilton, John M., was born in Batavia, June 15, 1852, a son of Joseph and Letitia 
 (Harris) Hamilton. His father came to Batavia from Rochester, N. Y. , in 1848, where 
 he was in active business for forty-two years, and died in 1893. John M. Hamilton 
 was educated in the public schools of Batavia, and engaged in the marble business 
 with his father in 1876, under the firm name of J. Hamilton & Son, which business 
 is still successfully carried on. They are dealers in imported and domestic granites, 
 marbles, and all kinds of cemetery work. In. 1882 Mr. Hamilton married Estelle 
 E. Hovey; they have one daughter, Grace. Mr. Hamilton is one of the progressive 
 and enterprising men of his town, was village trustee two years and county treas- 
 urer six years. He was appointed postmaster of Batavia on June 1, 1898. He has 
 served as chairman of the County Central Committee of the Republican party for 
 many years, and he is considered one of the most successful campaign managers in 
 Western New York. He has the rare faculty of knowing everybody. He is univers- 
 ally liked by his fellow citizens. 
 
 Tryon, Augustus S., p. o. Le Roy, was born in Middletown, Conn., June 38, 1836, 
 a son of Enoch and Sarah (Crowell) Tryon. His father was a native of Connecticut; 
 he held the office of supervisor for ten years and was justice of the peace for a num- 
 ber of years. He died in 1845 and his wife in 1867. A. S. Tryon was educated in 
 the common schools, and began his business life in South Carolina where he engaged 
 in mercantile trade. In 1849 he went to California, where he engaged in mining 
 and mercantile business, and in 1856 came to Le Roy and again started in merchan- 
 dising; in 1880 he retired and took up farming. He has been trustee of the village 
 two terms. He married Elizabeth T. Tryon, who died in 1883, and he married 
 again Helen M. , daughter of John Holmes ; his children are Mary Tryon, Bryant, 
 Augustus Crowell, Arthur Hubbard, and Clara M. Tryon Morey. Mr. Tryon is 
 one of Le Roy's representative business men, of upright character, and he has always 
 sought to promote the growth and prosperity of the town. 
 
 Drake, Samuel O., was born in the town of Elba, September 7, 1818, a son of Sam- 
 uel and Sylvia (Thorn) Drake, and was educated in the common schools. In 1846 he 
 married Almira, daughter of Stephen and Rebecca (Palmer) Johnson, who were 
 numbered among the pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Drake have one son, Charles O., of 
 Caldwell, Missouri, and one daughter, Mrs. Sarah A. Chamberlain of Buffalo. Mr. 
 
14 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Drake is a successful and practical farmer. He has always taken an active interest 
 in school and church matters and enjoys the well merited respect of his fellow 
 citizens. 
 
 Lowe, George F. , p. o. Le Roy, was born in Geneseo, N. Y., January 28, 1857, a 
 son of Austin and Mary (Carr) Lowe, and was educated in the common schools. 
 Since 1888 he has carried on an extensive produce and commission business, buying 
 at Le Roy and several other towns. He held the position of highway commissioner 
 for six years, supervisor of Le Roy for the years 1892-93, and water and light com- 
 missioner for two years. Mr. Lowe married Fannie, daughter of Solomon Barrett, 
 and their children are Fannie M., Jessie A., Florence C, Mira A., Ellsworth G., 
 Frederick L. and Dorothy. Mr. Lowe is one of the active business men of Le Roy, 
 and as a citizen is enterprising and never backward in supporting the best interests 
 of his town. 
 
 Bissell, Russell, p. o. LeRoy, was born in Greenfield, Mass., June 22, 1824, a son of 
 Jabez Bissell. He was educated in the common schools and came to Genesee county 
 in 1846, and has always been a farmer. He was assessor for twelve years, super- 
 visor for two years, 1890-91, and pooraiaster for two years. Mr. Bissell is one of the 
 representative business men of Stafford, of sterling integrity and has always been 
 identified with the best interests of his to ^n. He is a brother of the late Gen. C. F. 
 Bissell, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this work. 
 
 Lear, William S., and George W. — The subject of this sketch, son of Jared and 
 Mary (Ings) Lear, was born at North Bruton, Somersetshire, England, June 21, 
 1821, and christened William Lear. He emigrated to America in 1844, landing in 
 New York some time in the month of August ; thence he proceeded to Buffalo, tak- 
 ing up his home at Lancaster, Erie county. la 1848 he married Catherine M. Her- 
 mance of the same place and to them were born ten children : George Marion (who 
 died in infancy). William Seyward, James Bryant, George Wesley, Francis Marion, 
 Mary Ann, Julia Ellen, Emma Maria, Albert Christopher and Edward John. In 
 1852, having sold his farm at Lancaster, he purchased another in the town of Wales, 
 Erie county, N. Y., living there from that time until 1866, when he again s^ld his 
 farm and bought one at West Batavia, Genesee county, moving there about the first 
 of April of that year. He remained on this farm until his death, August 27, 1896. 
 Just previous to his death he sold his farm to his sons, William S. and George W. 
 Lear. Mrs. Lear died February 7, 1899. Their second son, William Seyward Lear, 
 was born in the town of Lancaster, Erie county, N. Y., on the 25th of February, 
 1851. His boyhood days were spent on his father's farm, doing such work as is 
 usually allotted to boys reared on the farm and going to school winters. During this 
 time and early manhood he had acquired sufficient education to enable him to begin 
 teaching in the district schools of his adopted county, commencing in November, 
 1873, and continuing in the profession until June, 1892, the last five years of his 
 teaching being in the Corfu Union School. In politics Mr. Lear is a Democrat, and 
 was nominated by that party in the fall of 1890 for the office of school commissioner 
 and was defeated. On the 28th of July, 1892, he was married to Hattie L., daughfer 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 15 
 
 of Mr. and Mrs. Ira S. Mann of Corfu, N. Y. They have one son, Floyd Seyward, 
 born July 7, 1895. In the summer of 1892 he moved to Wyoming, N. Y., and entered 
 into the mercantile business, associated with his brother. Again in 1893 he was 
 made the Democratic candidate for school commissioner of the first commissioner 
 district of Wyoming county, and once more was defeated. April 1, 1895, having sold 
 their mercantile business, Mr. Lear turned his attention to farming, at which he is 
 now engaged. George Wesley Lear, fourth son of William and Catherine M. Lear, 
 was born in Elma, Erie county, N. Y., July 39, 1854, coming with his parents to this 
 county when eleven years of age. He was educated at Rural Seminary, East Pem- 
 broke, N. Y. After finishing his education he carried on farming and teaching dis- 
 trict schools winters. In March, 1887, he married Helen M. , eldest daughter of James 
 A. Cooper; November, 1889, he engaged in mercantile business with Charles L. 
 Eggleston at Victor, N. Y., and continued in that occupation until February, 1896, 
 when, on account of the failing health of his parents, he, with his brother, William 
 S., bought the old homestead and is now giving his attention to farming. He and 
 his brother are among the leading and successful farmers of their town, and are 
 recognized as conservative men of sterling integrity, who have intelligently lent their 
 efforts to the advancement of their town and its institutions. 
 
 Philleo, Henry S., was born in the town of Scipio, Cayuga county, April 12, 1816, 
 a son of Joel and Clarissa (Lathrop) Philleo. His father came to Genesee county in 
 1818, settling in the town of Stafford and was a farmer. H. S. Philleo was educated 
 in the common schools, and in 1841 he married Lany Bushman ; their children are 
 Winslow H., Charles E., Martha M., and Emma R. Mr. Philleo is one of the prac- 
 tical and successful farmers of Genesee county, deservedly esteemed as a man of in- 
 tegrity, industry and usefulness. 
 
 Thomas, Charles, was born in Philadelphia, Pa. , September 20, 1820, the youngest 
 of four sons and three daughters born to Samuel and Jane (White) Thomas. Samuel 
 Thomas was a cobbler by trade and moved with his family to the town of Yates, 
 Orleans county, N. Y., in 1823, where he purchased a partly cleared farm and there 
 spent the remainder of his life as an agriculturist ; he died in 1831. Charles Thomas 
 was reared on the farm, received a limited education in the district schools and re- 
 mained on the farm with his mother and brother until thirty years of age. In March, 
 1862, he moved to the town of Bergen and bought a farm on the lake road ; in 1865 
 he sold this farm and bought the farm of seventy acres which he owned at the time 
 of his death. He was always an active, hard working and industrious man, and 
 made many fine improvements on his farm, and well earned the rest he sought for a 
 period before his demise. In politics Mr. Thomas was a Republican. In 1862 he 
 married Emily Cook, born February 4, 1834, and a sister of Walter Cook of Bergen. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas had no children and they were known among their friends and 
 neighbors as a kind, accommodating and hospitable couple. Mr. Thomas died De- 
 cember 30, 1898, and his wife on January 3, 1899 ; they were buried in one grave. 
 
 Sanders, Edwin Burden, was born in England, October 10, 1840. He was a son of 
 Henry Sanders, who with his family came to Stafford from England in 1841. Henry 
 
16 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Sanders died in 1857 and his wife, whose maiden name was Ann Petherbridge, died 
 in 1890. Edwin B. Sanders was educated in the common schools of StaflEord and the 
 public schools of Buffalo, and afterwards became one of Stafford's enterprising busi- 
 ness men, carrying on a general store and being identified with other business in- 
 terests of the town. He was postmaster at Stafford for twenty-one years and town 
 clerk for nineteen years. In 1873 Mr. Sanders married Belle, daughter of Leander 
 Douglass, and their children are Harry D., Carrie L., Leander E., William B. and 
 Annie Belle. Mr. Sanders died April 27, 1887. He was one of the foremost citizens 
 of Stafford, a man of genial disposition and of sterling integrity. He possessed in 
 full measure the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. He was a brother of 
 the late John Sanders, who represented this county in the Assembly in 1879 and 1880. 
 
 Sumner, Jerome, is a lineal descendant of John Sumner, who came with his brother 
 Ephraim from Vermont in 1810, and settled in the town of Darien. They came 
 through with a team of horses and were compelled to cut their way through the 
 woods from Batavia on the old Buffalo road. After a few years Ephraim sold his 
 farm to John and taoved to Olean. John cleared the farm, erected buildings and 
 cultivated the land till his death in 1836. He married Clarissa Winslow of Halifax, 
 Vt, who died in 1851. Tyler Sumner, son of John, the pioneer, was born on the old 
 homestead. March 19, 1831; he married Mary Reed, October 20, 1850, and died May 
 22, 1888. Jerome Sumner, son of Tyler and Mary Reed, his wife, was born January 
 7, 1857, in the town of Darien, Genesee county, N. Y. His boyhood was spent in 
 the common schools and on the farm. On February 9, 1883. he married Hattie 
 Anthony; they had three children: Ollie M., Iva J , and Jay (deceased). Mrs. Sum- 
 ner died February 13, 1892, and on July 9, 1895, Mr. Sumner married Clara H., 
 daughter of William and Frances (Speice) Hutchinson; they have one daughter. May 
 F., born February 9, 1897. Mr. Sumner has succeeded in gaining a competency of 
 this world's goods and is surrounded by all the attributes of a happy home. 
 
 Moissinac, Eugene H. , p. o. Darien Center, son of Baptiste and Marie Jeanne 
 (Vollard) Moissinac, was born in the city of Paris, France, July 30, 1846. In 1853 
 his parents emigrated to this country and settled in Buffalo, N. Y. , where he at- 
 tended the public schools until he was twelve years old, when his mother died, his 
 father having died three years previous, breaking up the family home and turning 
 him upon the world to fight life's battles. When yet a boy he secured a clerkship in 
 the office of Farnham & Hodge, coal dealers in Buffalo, in whose employ he remained 
 for nine years; then he accepted a position with the firm of G. R. Wilson & Co., 
 taking charge of their retail coal department. After a service of about five years 
 he accepted a position in the capacity of bookkeeper for D. C. Welch & Co., lumber 
 dealers, where he remained about three years, when he again took the management 
 of G. R. Wilson & Go's. retail coal department, and there remained four years longer. 
 His health failing him, he gathered together his worldly wealth, which by hard work 
 and strict economy he had accumulated to a sufficient sum to enable him to buy his 
 present farm, where he has since lived and enjoyed his country life. Mr. Moissinac 
 has taken some interest in town affairs, was appointed justice of the peace to fill the 
 vacancy made by J. J. Ellis resigning May 20, 1896 ; in 1897 was elected for balance 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 17 
 
 of term ; and in March, 1898, was again re-elected for a full term of four years. In 
 March, 1872, Mr. Moissinac married Caroline F. K. Powell of Buffalo, and they have 
 two sons; Eugene E., born July 4, 1874, and Percy P., born March 33, 1883. Mr. 
 Moissinac and his family are active members of the Baptist church and are one of 
 the respected families of the county. 
 
 Barber, Henry I., p. o Darien Center. — One of the most intelligent and successful 
 teachers in Genesee county is Henry I. Barber, son of James and Sarah (Boughton) 
 Barber; he was born in the town of Middleburgh, Schoharie county, N. Y., October 
 10, 1865. His education was begun in the public schools of his native town and at 
 the age of ten years he removed with his parents to Darien, where he attended the 
 public schools of that town for a few terms, and at an early age began teaching. 
 He then entered the State Normal School at Geneseo, and graduated in the class of 
 1893. After graduating he became principal of the Oakfield Union School, where he 
 remained for two years, then became principal of the Union School at East Pembroke 
 for one year, when he came to Darien Center and has since resided there, being en- 
 gaged in teaching. On June 28, 1893, he married Alice M. . only daughter of Horace 
 L. and Lottie (Mann) Humphrey,- one of the oldest and most respected pioneer fam- 
 ilies in Genesee county. They have one daughter, Ethel Lottie, born March 20, 
 1895. Mr. Barber is a member of New Lodge No. 451, L O. O. F. , and of Genesee 
 Encampment No. 40, I. O. O. F., also of Kinsey Tent K. O. T. M. He is one of 
 Darien's most respected and honored citizens. 
 
 Robinson, Laban H., son of Elijah and Betsey (Jefferson) Robinson, was born on 
 the old homestead in Darien, Genesee county, N. Y., March 23, 1841. His father 
 and mother were natives of the Green Mountain State and came to Darien in 18^2. 
 There were no railroads at the time and their only mode of travel was with oxen, 
 which they used to move their family to the west. Laban H. Robinson spent his 
 boyhood with his father, who was a blacksmith. On August 12, 1862, he enlisted in 
 Co. H, of the famous 8lh N. -Y. Heavy Artillery, and served his country until the 
 close of the war ; he was wounded twice, once at Spottsylvania and once at Peters- 
 burg, Va. After the war was over he took up carpenter's work and in 1831 built a 
 feed and saw mill in the village of Darien on Murder Creek, on the site of the mill 
 built in 1854 by Stephen Douglas. Mr. Robinson does custom grinding and sawing 
 and deals in groceries. On August 12, 1862, he married Mary A. , daughter of Andrew 
 and Catherine Lutz of Bennington, N. Y. ; they have had three children : George F., 
 Ulysses G. (deceased), and Charles E. Mrs. Robinson died April 30, 1873, and on 
 April 28, 1874, Mr. Robinson married A. Lucy, daughter of Samuel and Fanny 
 Loper ; they have one daughter, Maud M. 
 
 Caufield, Burroughs P., p. o. Darien Center, N. Y. — It is claimed that the name 
 Canfield is of French extraction and was originally " Cam de Filo," but Mr. Canfield 
 traces his lineage on his father's side to English origin. His father, David Canfield, 
 was born m the town of New Fairfield, Conn., March 4, 1810, where his early life 
 was spent. He died in Darien, N. Y., April 27, 1898. He was twice married; his 
 first wife was Mrs. Clarissa G. (Durga) Canfield, who was born in Sherman, Conn. 
 
 b 
 
18 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 in 1816, and died in Sheffield, Oliio, October 25, 1861. She was the mother of four 
 children: Burroughs P., born in Sherman, Conn., September 13, 1840; Louisa, who 
 died in Broome county, N. Y. ; Mrs. Olive A. Mallory, wife of Hon. D. B. Mallory of 
 Sherman, Conn. ; and Mrs. Charlotte L. Kendall of Alden, N. Y.' In 1843 the fam- 
 ily came to Chenango, Broome county, N. Y. , and in 1853 they moved to Sheffield, 
 Ohio, where Burroughs P. received a liberal education at the Kingsville Academy. 
 After finishing his education at this institution he was employed on the farm during 
 the summer and in the winter he was employed in teaching school. In 1863 the 
 family moved to Darien, Genesee county, N. Y. , where, on September 7, 1869, Mr. 
 Canfield married Julia, daughter of Solomon and Chloe (Durkee) Chapin, and in this 
 same year they went to Earlville, Delaware county, Iowa, where Mr. Canfield en- 
 gaged in the grain and produce business for three years. He was then called to 
 Dyersville, Dubuque county, as principal of the graded school in that place and in 
 June, 1874, they came back to their old home in Dajien. They have two daughters: 
 Ida M., born in Earlville, Iowa, May 37, 1871; and Clara O., born in Dyersville, 
 Iowa, September 33, 1873. Each daughter has had the advantage of a good educa- 
 tion and both are now teachers in the public schools. Mr. Canfield served his coun- 
 try during the war of the Rebellion in Co G, 105th Ohio Vols., and was discharged 
 from the service at Louisville, Ky. , in 1862, on account of disability. He has always 
 been identified with the Republican party and has held the office of town clerk and 
 assessor, having held the latter office for over, fifteen years. Whatever position he 
 has held its duties have been discharged with thoroughness and efficiency and to the 
 almost complete satisfaction of his constituents. 
 
 Mix, David EUicott Evans, was born in Batavia, January 19, 1837. His father, 
 Ebenezer Mix, was born in New Haven, Conn., December 31, 1789, settled in Bata- 
 via in 1809, and soon entered the employ of the Holland Land Company. He was 
 a man of decided taste for mathematics, and became one of the best known civil 
 engineers in New York State. For twenty-one years he filled the office of surrogate 
 of Genesee county. His son, David E. E. Mix, inherited his father's taste for math- 
 ematics and equalled in- every respect, if he did not far excel him, in mathematical 
 ability. He had been frequently employed by the State to work upon difficult prob- 
 lems, and his death was a public loss to Batavia. Mr. Mix married Sarah, daughter 
 of the late Samuel Pruyn of Albany, N. Y. He left a widow and three sons: Samuel 
 P., and Malcolm D. of Colorado, and David E. of Hartford, Conn. ; Samuel P. is the 
 only one now living. Mr. Mix filled many prominent positions in his town and his 
 death, which occurred January 3, 1893, was a loss not only to his family, but to all 
 who knew him. Mr. Mix's knowledge of the topography of Western New York, of 
 lot and township lines and of everything connected with the surveys of Genesee 
 county was remarkable. A mass of special learning on these topics " died with him," 
 as he had a vast fund of this special information possessed by no one else. 
 
 Walworth, Truman J. , was born in the town of Royalton, Niagara county. May 9, 
 1831, a son of Samuel Walworth, and was educated in the common schools. In 1845 
 he came to Genesee county and that same year married Roxaline, daughter of Jacob 
 Potter; they have one son, Vinton, and one daughter, Alfaretta. Mr. Walworth is 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 19 
 
 one of the self-made men of Genesee county, of untarnished reputation, industrious, 
 intelligent and honest. 
 
 Porter, Mrs. H. P., p. o. Rochester, N. Y. — The late Henry P. Porter was born in 
 North Bloomfield, Ontario county, N. Y., January 7, 1821, and educated in the pub- 
 lic schools. He was a clerk with Wells & Seymour of Batavia, and removed to Corfu 
 in 1841, where he was a successful merchant until 1882, when he retired from busi- 
 ness. He was for many years one of the first citizens of Genesee county. His 
 business career was very prosperous. He was a Democrat, and his advice was always 
 sought in the councils of his party. He died July 6, 1892. In 1851 he married 
 Fidelia O. Hastings of Corfu ; they had one adopted daughter, Marion, who married 
 Frederick J. Smythe of Rochester; they have one son. Henry Porter. Mrs. Porter's 
 father, Solomon Hastings, was born in Charlemont, Mass., in the year 1790, and 
 came to Genesee county with his "parents through the wilderness with the ancient 
 teams of that day. He was educated in the schools of that day and followed the 
 honorable occupation of farming. He married Sally Darrow, formerly of North- 
 ampton, Mass. ; they had five children: Alonzo F., Ohvia A., Amanda M., Diana E., 
 and Fidelia O. Diana E. married Austin B. Waterman ; they had one son, Clifford 
 H., who now occupies the old Hastings homestead. Amanda M. married Truman 
 C. Waterman. Mr. Hastings died in 1860 and his widow in 1868. Ancestry of fam- 
 ily is English and Scotch. 
 
 Dickinson, William H., p. o. Corfu, N. Y., was born in Chautauqua, N. Y., July 
 18, 1868, educated in the district schools and is now conducting the Central Hotel at 
 Corfu with success. September 25, 1891, he married Nellie B., daughter of Orrin 
 and Eliza A. (Eastman) Lewis, of Darien, N. Y. ; they have two children; Roy R. 
 and Florence. Mr. Dickinson's father, Henry Dickinson, was born in Buffalo, N.Y., 
 in 1839; was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and in 1866 married Cora Barns, who 
 bore him one son, William H., as above. Henry Dickinson died August 17, 1895; 
 his widow survives at this date, 1898. Mrs. Dickinson's father, Orrin Lewis, was 
 born at Rouse's Point, N. Y., September 12, 1833; attended the public schools and 
 is a mechanic by occupation. July 14, 1868, he married Eliza A. Eastman of Attica, 
 N Y. ; they had nine children, two died young and seven survive; Wilbur, Nellie B., 
 Ida, George, Ella, Leon and Mamie. Wilbur married Flora Brown; they have two 
 children Mr. Dickinson in his political views is a staunch Republican. Ancestry 
 of family is English, Scotch and Welsh, of New England origin. 
 
 Flint, James Monroe, p. o. Akron, N. Y. , was born in the township of Pembroke, 
 Genesee county, N. Y., January 6, 1817, educated in a log school house, and always 
 followed the honorable occupation of farming until he retired. The splendid farms 
 he and his sons now own were an unbroken wilderness when he first came on the 
 stage of action. He was married three times ; first on February 2, 1843, to Deia- 
 damia Ford of Newstead, N. Y., who died December 30, 1844; second, on February 
 1, 1845, to Emeline Saxton, who died April 6, 1875, leaving four children; Milo M., 
 Nelson W., Wallace K. and Harriet; and third, on June 15, 1876, to Mrs. Sarah (Hill) 
 Anderson. Milo M. was born November 13, 1847, educated in the public schools, 
 
20 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 and on March 15, 1876, married Susan Ford of Newstead; they had one son, Leon 
 Ford ; Mrs. Susan Flint died December 32, 1879. Nelson W. is a merchant in Akron ; 
 he married Emma Twinn of Newstead; they had three sons: Floyd M., Glen W., 
 and Ray, who died in infancy. Wallace K. is a farmer in Newstead; he married 
 Ida Cummings of that township, who has borne him four children : Mabel L., Ernest 
 (died in infancy), Harrison and Monroe W. ; Harriet resides with her brother, Milo 
 M. Mr. Flmt's father, Elijah Flint, was born in Dracut, Mass., March 11, 1779, and 
 in 1802 he married Lydia Jones of Dracut; they had nine children. Elijah FHnt 
 came to Pembroke from Massachusetts in 1811, and died December H, 1858, and his 
 widow September 6, 1873. Mrs. Flint's father, Charles Hill, was born in the State of 
 Vermont in the year 1805. He located in St. Lawrence county, this State, when a 
 young man, and married Sarah Gowan of that county. Mr. Hill died in 1887, his 
 wife preceding him the same year. Mr. Flint is a Universalist; in his political choice 
 he is a thorough Democrat. The family date back to Salem, Mass., to the days of 
 the Mayflower, to Thomas and William Flint. The family came from New England 
 and was of Welsh origin. 
 
 Keleher, Jeremiah J., Dr., p. o. Pembroke, N. Y. , was born in the township of 
 Pembroke, December 11, 1865, educated in the public schools, Corfu Union School 
 and Akron High School. He taught school eight years and studied medicine in On- 
 tario Veterinary College, Toronto, Canada, from which he was graduated December 
 33, 1896. He was associated for a time with Dr. H. S. Wende of Tonawanda, and 
 has practiced in the township of Pembroke with success. He is a member of Pem- 
 broke Lodge No. 432, and is past grand in the lodge. Dr. Keleher's father, John 
 Keleher, was born in county Cork, Ireland, in 1836, and came to the United States 
 when a young man, locating in Orleans county, N. Y. In 1852 he married Catherine 
 Mahoney of Medina, who was also born in county Cork, Ireland, in 1831, and they 
 had eight children; Margaret, Patrick, Hannah, John, Jeremiah, Kate and Mary, 
 and a boy who died in infancy. The family came to Akron in 1852 and to Pembroke 
 in 1858. Mr. Keleher, sr., died February 7, 1897, and his wife August 9, 1881. 
 Margaret married George B. Clark of Pembroke. Patrick married Mary McCuIIey 
 of Batavia, and they have five children: John, Kate, James, Loui.se and W. Howard. 
 Hannah married Daniel Calnan of Pembroke; they have these children: John, Kate, 
 Mary, James, Francis and Margaret. John married Mary Judge of West Batavia, 
 and they have five children: John, Thomas, Francis, Mary and Margaret. The 
 family are members of the Roman Catholic church of Pembroke. In his political 
 choice Dr. Keleher is a Democrat. He is a successful practitioner in his profession. 
 
 Long, John, p. o. Pembroke, N. Y., was born in the township of Darien, January 
 13, 1837, received his education in the common schools and is one of the town's best 
 farmers. He was married twice ; first to Permelia J. Remsen of Pembroke, who died 
 in March, 1860, and second, on January 16, 1862, to Mary Ann Sturtevant of New- 
 stead; they had three children : Edwin J., who was drowned June 9, 1888; Carrie E., 
 who married George Burdett of Elba, N. Y , and have three sons: Ralph J., Ellis 
 and Fay. Hazel E. is their youngest daughter and attends school. Mr. Long's 
 father, Edward Long, was born in Washington county, N. Y., in the year 1809, and 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 21 
 
 came to Pembroke when a young .man. He married Betsey Ann Briggs of Rensse- 
 laer county, and six children were born to them: Martha, John, Sterling, David, 
 Charles W. and Edwin. Mr. Long died in 1889 and his wife in 1873. Mrs. Long's 
 father, Alfred Stuitevant, was born in Vermont in the year 1813, and came to this 
 State with his parents when a boy, where he attended the district schools and became 
 an efficient teacher and farmer. He married Hannah Wortendyke of this State, and 
 they had four children: Cecelia E., Mary Ann, Eraogene and Josephine (twins). 
 Mr. Sturtevant died in November, 1881, and his widow in September, 1893. Mr. 
 Long's family attend the Christian church. In his political choice he is a staunch 
 Democrat. He is a member of Akron Lodge No. 537, F. & A. M. 
 
 Darrow, Asa K., p. o. Corfu, N. Y., was born at Corfu, February 13, 1836, educated 
 in the public schools and has had a variety of occupations. He was a machinist; 
 was a forty-niner in California; oil operator and contractor in the oil regionsof Penn- 
 sylvania; was a boat owner and captain on the southwestern rivers; has also been a 
 lumberman, and has business interests in the western States, and is now retired 
 toward the close of a life's batile well fought. He holds the office of street commis- 
 sioner. He has married twice ; first, in 1852, to Amy S. Edwards ; they had three 
 children: Guy A., who died at the age of six years; Jennie A., who married Herbert 
 G. Walker of this place, then of Chicago, and has two children, Ella K. , and Herbert 
 G., jr. ; and William A., a resident of the State of Washington and married. Mrs. 
 Darrow died in 1864, and in 1873 Mr. Darrow married AUie L. King of the township 
 of Pembroke; they had one son, Ralph A., a student at school. Mrs. Darrow died 
 in January, 1897. Mr. Darrow's father, Luther Darrow, was born at Northampton, 
 Mass., in the year 1794, and came first to Washington county with his parents and 
 from there to Corfu in 1807. He was educated in the schools of his day and was 
 always a farmer. He married twice; first, to Hannah Kinne of Rupert, Vt. , who 
 died in 1843, leaving seven children, three of whom survive; Asa K. (as above), 
 Jennette (now Mrs. Turner of Pembroke), and William who, is a resident of the 
 State of Iowa. For his second wife Mr. Luther Darrow married Mrs. Julia A. 
 (Herrington) Hobert; they had one daughter, Emeline. Luther Darrow died in 1868. 
 Mr. Darrow's grandfather, Z. Darrow, was a resident of Massachusetts. Mr. Darrow 
 in his political choice is a Republican. 
 
 Sparling, Frederick, p. u. Akron, N. Y., was born in Oakfield, Genesee county. 
 May 7, 1854, educated in the common schools and Clarence Academy, and has always 
 followed the honorable occupation of farming. December 35, 1873, he was united 
 in marriage to Rose Kelkenberg of Newstead, Erie county. To them were born 
 three children : Edward A. , who is a farmer with his father ; Myrtle M. , who is a 
 school teacher; and Amy L. , a student at the Akron High School. Pauline E. 
 Kelkenberg, an orphan niece of Mrs. Sparling's, also resides with them. Mr. Spar- 
 ling's father, Anson Sparling, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, in the year 1838 ; 
 he was educated in the German schools and came to the United States in 1850, lo- 
 cating in Oakfield. One year later he married Sophia Burr of that place, formerly 
 of his native place, and to them were born four children: Frederick, Anna M., 
 Louisa M., and Eureka A., three of whom are now living. Mr. Anson Sparling died 
 
33 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 September 6, 1896; Mrs. Sparling survived him about two years and a half, dying 
 January 1, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sparling are prominent members of the First 
 Presbyterian church of Akron. In his political choice he is a staunch Republican and 
 has served as highway commissioner for nine consecutive years. 
 
 Mallison, Jefferson H., p. o. Corfu, N. Y., was born in Middlebury, Wyoming 
 county, N. Y., December 3, 1833, educated in the district schools and was a merchant 
 in Dale seven years; a hotel keeper at Darien Center for seven years; and a farmer 
 for quite a number of years. He came to Corfu in 1883. He has married twice; 
 first, April 13, 1856, to Ovanda K. Edwards of Chautauqua county, who died Jan- 
 uary 1, 1858, and on December 25, 1858, he married Margaret A. Snyder of Darien. 
 They had four children; Osa, who died at the age of six months; Kate, who died in 
 her second year; a boy not named; and Clinton H., who resides at home with his 
 parents. Mr, Mallison's father, Valentine Mallison, was born in Middlebury, Wy- 
 oming county, N. Y., June 17, 1811, educated in the schools of his day and was a 
 farmer and hotel keeper. Remarried Jane Whiting, and Jefferson H. was their only 
 son. Mr. Mallison died June 38, 1884, and his wife January 25, 1848. She was born 
 March 19, 1816. Mr. Mallison's grandfather, Ezra Mallison, was born in 1788. He 
 was a soldier in the war of 1813. They settled on the Holland Purchase in 1806. 
 Mrs. Mallison's father, Abram Snyder, was born in Germantown, Columbia county, 
 N. Y., November 11, 1799, educated in the schools of that day and came to Dale, 
 Wyoming county, when a young man. He married Catherine Simmons of Dale, and 
 they had five children: William H., Mary, Catherine, Margaret A., and Ann E. 
 Mr. Snyder died September 8, 1891, and his wife June 17, 1863. Mr. Mallison is an 
 earnest Republican. 
 
 Elliott, Edwin R. , p. o. East Pembroke, N. Y. , was born in Pavilion, Genesee 
 county, N. Y., December 28, 1825, educated in the common schools and has been 
 engaged in the meat business and farming. He has married twice ; first, in 1850, to 
 Hattie Richards of the town of Pembroke. They had three sons, George, WilHam 
 and Edwin R. Mrs. Elliott died in 1874, and for his second wife he married Isabel 
 Durham of the town of Pembroke, who died December 10, 1896. On August 18, 
 1863, Mr. Elliott enlisted in Co. E, 140th N. Y. S. Vols., and was sent to the hospital 
 with inflammatory rheumatism and honorably discharged by reason of surgeon's 
 certificate of disability, February 16, 1863. His son, Edwin R., was born near East 
 Pembroke, October 11, 1862; educated in the schools of Pembroke and Batavia and 
 is a farmer. December 8, 1886, he married Addie Ford of South Alabama, and they 
 have two children: Hattie O. and Glen E. The family attend the Presbyterian 
 church. In his political faith he is a sound Republican and has held the office of 
 inspector of election and is now school trustee. Edwin R., sr. , is a member of Up- 
 ton Post No. 299, G. A. R., Batavia, Dept. N. Y. 
 
 Christie, Daniel H., p. o. East Pembroke, N. Y., was born in Mumford, Monroe 
 county, N. Y., October 8, 1818, educated in the common schools and came from 
 Caledonia, Livingston county, to Genesee county in 1844, and to his present home- 
 stead in 1857. On March 5, 1862, he married Nancy J. Willett of Pembroke ; they 
 
PERSONAL REFEkENCES. 23 
 
 have two children: William W. and Mary E. William W. is the farmer at home. 
 Mr. Christie's father, Hugh Christie, was born in Scotland in 1793, and came to the 
 United States with his parents when a boy, locatmg in Johnstown, Fulton county, 
 N. Y., where he was educated in the district schools. He married Mary Cameron of 
 that place, and eleven children were born to them: Daniel H., Jane A , Charles, 
 Catherine, Jeanette, two who died in infancy, Clinton, Archibald, Mary and Hugh B. 
 Hugh Christie died September 5, 1853, and his widow December 24, 1870. Mrs. 
 Christie's father, William Willett, was born in the eastern part of this State, Jan- 
 uary 30, 1798, educated in the schools of his day, and married Margaret Allen of 
 Argyle, N. Y. ; they had seven children: John A., Elizabeth, William H., James M., 
 Nancy J., Sarah M. and Joseph. Mr. Willett died ih 1860 and his widow in 1870. 
 Mr. Christie and wife are members of the Presbyterian church ; he is one of the 
 trustees, also one of the elders. In his political choice he is independent. 
 
 Diver, Edward, p. o. East Pembroke, N. Y., was born in Henrietta, Monroe 
 county, N. Y. , February 4, 1819, educated in the district schools and came to the town 
 of Darien, Genesee county, N. Y., with his father, in his fourteenth year. He was 
 a carpenter and joiner and has been one of the most successful farmers in Genesee 
 county. December 18, 1844, Mr. Diver married Nancy Bushman of his native place 
 and went to reside in Alabama, where he remained until 1867. They had two chil- 
 dren : Mary E. , and Adelbert E. Mary E. married Henry V. Phelps ; they had six 
 children; Atta N., Lena, Frank, Irene, Edward B. and Daisy who resides with her 
 grandfather. Adelbert E. married Frances Boughton of the town of Batavia ; they 
 had two children ; Edward B. and Nora I. who married Charles McHall of Henrietta, 
 N. Y. Mrs. Phelps died November 19, 1883. Mrs. Diver died March 8, 1898. Mr. 
 Diver's father, Calvin Diver, was born in Vermont in 1794, and came to this State 
 when twenty-one years old. He was a soldier in the war of 1813 at Buffalo. About 
 the year 1816 he married Cynthia Knox of his native State; they had nine children 
 who grew to maturity: Cynthia M., Edward, Bingham, Willard, Oliver M., Almira, 
 Erin, John M. and Ward D. Mr. Diver died February 13, 1875, and his wife October 
 13, 1873. Edward Diver was justice of the peace in Alabama four years, also col- 
 lector; he has also been justice of the peace in Pembroke for three years, where he 
 has resided since 1867. In his political choice he is a sound Democrat. 
 
 Sumner, Mrs. Clarissa, p. o. Corfu, N. Y. — The late Jerome Sumner was born in 
 the township of Pembroke, January 11, 1811, attended the schools of his day, was a 
 farmer chiefly, also a carpenter and joiner. April 30, 1843, he married Clarissa 
 Bentley of Darien, who was born in Pultney, N. Y. Mrs. Sumner's father, James 
 Bentley, was born in Dutchess county, N. Y. , in the year 1784, attended the schools 
 of his day and learned general blacksmithing. He removed to Steuben county when 
 a young man and carried on his trade for many years. He married Esther Marshall 
 of that county, and they had seven children: Clarissa, Hezekiah, William H., Hallet 
 G., James H., Judson C, and Sarah E. Hezekiah R. married twice; his second 
 wife was Sarah Van Lovan; they had four children- Jerome, Frank, Mary and Jud- 
 son. William H. married three times. James H. was married. Judson C. married 
 Fannie Jennings ; Sarah E. married Dr. C. C. Epley. Mr. Bentley and family came 
 
24 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 . to Darien in 1839. He died in 1868 and his widow in 1870. Mr. Sumner was a mem- 
 ber of the Universalist church and was known to be a man of industry, sobriety and 
 integrity. Mrs. Sumner is an honored member of the same church. 
 
 Smith, Edward, p. o. East Pembroke, N. Y., was born in Madison county, N. Y., 
 August 3, 1823, educated in the district schools, came to Monroe county when eighteen 
 years old and to Genesee county in 1850, and is one of Pembroke's intelligent farmers. 
 In January, 1844, he married Sarah Hoose, formerly of Canaan, Columbia county, 
 N. Y. ; they have three children: Priscilla J., Esther A. and Reed. Priscilla J. re- 
 sides at home ; Esther A. married Ezra Seamans of Pembroke ; they have two chil- 
 dren: Leone and Webb H. ; and Reed married Margaret Munseyof Pembroke; they 
 have one daughter, Pansey, who married Jonn King of Pembroke, and they have a 
 daughter. Hazel I. Mr. Smith's father, John Smith, was born in Columbia county, 
 N. Y., in 1797, educated in the schools of his day and was a farmer; he married Amy 
 Hoose of his native county and removed to Madison county. They had eleven 
 children: Angeline, John, Edward, Meranda S., Margaret, Phineas, Jane, Adeline, 
 Amy and Mary (twins), and Devolson. Mr. Smith died in 1872 and his wife in 1845. 
 Mr. Smith's grandfather, Henry Smith, was born in Columbia county about the year 
 1772 ; he married Margaret Johnson of that county. He and his wife died in Cort- 
 land county. Mrs. Smith's father, Christopher Hoose, was born in Columbia county, 
 N. Y., about the year 1800; he married Jane Hoose, and had one daughter, Sarah. 
 Both father and mother are dead. Mr. Smith in his political choice has always been 
 a Republican. The family are Universalists, 
 
 Ellenwood, Samuel E., p. o. Corfu, N. Y., was born in Kirkland, Oneida countj', 
 N. Y. , January 20, 1820, and educated in the district schools, the high school in Erie 
 county, and Clarkson Academy in Monroe county. His parents came to Genesee 
 county when he was fourteen years old, and since leaving school he has always fol- 
 lowed the business of farming. On September 13, 1849, he married Sally S. Eddy, 
 formerly of Ogden, Monroe county; they have three children: Charlotte M., Eli G. 
 and Allie H. (twins). Charlotte M. married John C. McPherson of Muraford; Eli G. 
 married Laura E. Spencer of Columbus, O., and the family now reside in Batavia. 
 Allie H. married Howard J. Campbell of Muraford; they had one son, Donald J. ; 
 Mr. Campbell died January 13, 1898. Mr. Ellenwood's father, Eli Ellenwood, was 
 born near Clinton, Oneida county, N. Y., August 18, 1795, and educated in the dis- 
 trict schools and College Hill Academy. September 17, 1818,' he married Sophia M. 
 Gridley of his native place ; they had eleven children : S. Emory, Harriet, who died 
 in infancy; Albert G., Frances F., Henry P., Helen M. and Harriet S. (twins), George 
 G., Charles E., Charlotte M., and Adelaide G. Mr. Ellenwood died April 9, 1880, 
 and his widow March 8, 1881. Mrs. Ellenwood's father, Arnold Eddy, was born in 
 Chenango county, N. Y., March 31, 1795; married Sally H. Worthington, and had 
 six children: Le Roy, Almond, Sally S., Serepta R., De Loss and Ellen G. Mr. 
 Eddy died in 1827, and his widow in 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Ellenwood are members of 
 the Presbyterian church. In his political choice he is a Republican. He has been 
 school inspector and assessor several terms. 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 35 
 
 Cleveland, William H., p. o. East Pembroke, N. Y., was born on his present home- 
 stead in a loaf cabin, October 28, 183 1. He attended the district schools and has 
 always pursued the business of farming. April 26, 1859, he married Lydia J. Peck 
 of the township of Pembroke; they had nine children: Octavia A., Nellie A., Effie 
 P., Nelson W., George A., Heston J., Mary A., Ernest A. and Edith M. Effie P. 
 married Fred Taggart of Batavia, and they have two children: Fred and Glen. 
 Nelson W. married Alice Waite of Pembroke; they reside in Buffalo; their children 
 are Arthur. Florence and Raymond. George A. married Grace Adams of his native 
 township ; they have one daughter, Alberta G. Mr. Cleveland's father, Jonathan 
 W. Cleveland, was born in Dalton, Mass., June 3, 1798, and came to this State in 
 1832. He was educated in the schools of Massachusetts. January 26, 1820, he mar- 
 ried Abigail, daughter of Elezer Blackman of his native place; they had eleven chil- 
 dren: Nelson W. , Elezer B. , Levi C. , Lodoiska A., Harriet Payn, Mary A., Stephen 
 W. , Aurilia A., Jonathan A., William H. and Mary E. Mr. Cleveland died April 
 10, 1878, and his wife December 25, 1877. Mr. Cleveland's grandmother was Anna 
 Payn, a direct descendant of Hugh Payn, son of a page who went from Normandy 
 with William the Conquerer. Mrs. Cleveland's father, William Peck, was born in 
 Sand Lake, N. Y., i.i 1811, and educated in the schoolsof his day. He came to Pem- 
 broke when a young man and married Celinda Ryckman ; they had three children: 
 Joel, Lydia J., and Franklin, who died at the age of one year. Mr. Peck died in 
 1885 and his widow in 1893. In his political choice Mr. Cleveland is a Democrat, and 
 the family attend the Presbyterian church. 
 
 Kinne, Royal W., p. o. Corfu, N. Y., was born in Corfu July 23, 1815, attended 
 the schools of his day and followed the occupation of farming. He has married 
 twice; first, in 1838, to Samantha Champion of the township of Darien; they had 
 three children: Electa, Silas and Daniel. Daniel was a soldier in the Civil war, was 
 wounded at Cold Harbor, June 2, 1863, and died there on June 9th. He was a mem- 
 ber of Co. G, 8th Artillery, N. Y. S. Vols. The G. A. R. Post at Corfu is named for 
 him. Electa married William H. Duguid of Pembroke; they had two children: 
 Hattie J. Phelps and Royal K, ; Mr.s. Duguid died January 8, 1893. Silas married 
 Mary E, Chadeayne; they have three children: R. Albert, Clara G. and Constance 
 V. Mrs. Royal W. Kinne died March 8, 1863, and on November 15, 1864, Mr. Kinne 
 married Miranda L. Duguid of Pavilion. Mr. Kinne's father, Jonas Kinne, was born 
 in Rupert, Vt, in 1786, and came here with the Darrows in 1807. He married 
 Hannah Darrow; they had six children: Electa, William, Randolph, Royal W., 
 Jonas, and Julia who died at the age of five years. Jonas Kinne died in 1820 and his 
 widow in 1837. Mr. Kinne's grandfather was Asa Kinne. Mr. Kinne has served 
 his town as supervisor two terms; in his political choice he is a Republican. 
 
 Russell, George A., p. o. East Pembroke, N. Y., was born m his present home 
 near East Pembroke, April 11, 1848, and was educated in the district schools and 
 East Pembroke Seminary. He has had a variety of occupations — farmer, miller and 
 saw mill interests. On May 2, 1888, he married Emma L. Garrett of Albion, N. Y. ; 
 they have two children : Irving G. and Doris A. Mr. Russell's father, Samuel R. 
 Russell, was born in Cooperstown, N. Y., November 28, 1801, and came to this part 
 
26 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 of the State when a young man. He was educated in the schools of his day and was 
 a farmer and paper manufacturer. He married Ann F. Strickland of Newstead, N. 
 Y. ; they had five children : Sylvester S., Helen L., Susan M., Augusta A. ajid George 
 A. Mr. Russell died in 1883 and his wife the same year. Mrs. Russell's father, 
 Joseph Garrett, was born in Canada, February 21, 1826. He married Mary Tyrell, 
 formerly of Vermont; they had eleven children; Mary, Adalbert, Franklin, Lucy A., 
 Emma L. , Adelaide, Elizabeth, David, Augusta, Jessie and Alfred. Father and 
 mother are both living at this date, 1898. The family attend the Episcopal church. 
 In his political choice Mr. Russell is a Republican. 
 
 Jones, Cornelia A. — The late Charles Jones was born in the township of Darien, 
 N. Y., April 13, 1839, educated in the common schools and followed the business of 
 farming. On May 1, 1855, he married Cornelia A. Stiles, then of Darien; they had 
 three children; Martha E., Clara, and Clarence who died at the age of twenty-two 
 years. Martha E. married Orlando W. Reed of Pembroke; they have one daughter, 
 Bessie M. Clara married Newton Johns of Pembroke; they have one daughter, 
 Bertha. Mr. Jones died May 31, 1895. His father, Nathaniel Jones, was born in 
 Pompey, Onondaga county, N. V., August 30, 1790, and came here with his parents 
 in 1810. His grandfather, Levi Jones, was born September 2, 1757. They cut the 
 trees on the Allegany road through the wilderness from Corfu north for at least two 
 miles. Mrs. Jones's father, Warren Stiles, was born in Westfield, Mass., May 19, 
 1803, educated in the schools of his day and was a farmer; he married Betsey E. 
 Holcomb of Granby, Conn. The family came to the township of Darien in the year 
 1834. Five children were born to them as follows: Mary E., born at her mother's 
 old home, Simsbury, Conn.; four born in Genesee county, Cornelia A.. Henry T., 
 Alvira A. and John F. Mr. Stiles died August 14, 1875. One of the forefathers was 
 a lieutenant in the Revolutionary war; his commission bears date of April 6, 1776. 
 The ancestry of family is Dutch, Welsh and English. Henry T. and John F. Stiles 
 were both soldiers in the war of the Rebellion ; the first named died there from 
 exposure. 
 
 Tupper, Sheldon C, p. o. Indian Falls, N. Y. , was born in the township of Elba, 
 N. Y., April 16, 1837, and educated in the district schools. In his early days he was 
 a carpenter and is now a farmer, having owned his present homestead, near Indian 
 Falls, twenty-two years. February 25, 1862, he married Laura W. Bullock of Elba, 
 N. Y. ; they have eight living children: Minnie C, Charles A., Fannie P., Annie E., 
 Frank W. , Homer E., Susie M. and Harry N. Minnie C. married Monroe Derr of 
 Buffalo. Fannie P. married Warren Winslow ; they have three children : Clarence 
 M., Allen N., and Millie L. Annie E. married George Ott; their children are Niel 
 and Mabel. Frank W. married Mary Inglesbe. Mr. Tupper's father, Menzie M. 
 Tupper, was born in Connecticut, February 8, 1793, and came to this State when a 
 young man ; he married Amerilla Warren of his native State, September 13, 1822 ; 
 they had eight children: Nathan L., Abigail C. and Lydia (twins), Tupper, Cordelia 
 C, John C, Sheldon C, and Martha E. Mr. Tupper died in 1869, and his wife 
 March 14, 1839. Mrs. Tupper's father, Alva N. Bullock, was born at Athens, N. Y., 
 April 8, 1819, came to the town of Elba in 1837, and on October 26, 1841, married 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 27 
 
 Mary A. Waldo o£ Elba, who bore him seven children: Alva L., Silas E.. Perlina, 
 Homer D., Frank E. and Mary A. Mr. Bullock died May 11, 1896, and his wife 
 January 10, 1864. Mr. Tupper in his political faith is thoroughly independent. His 
 grandfather Tupper was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. 
 
 Wiedrich, John, p. o. Indian Falls, N. Y., was born in the town of Stafford, Gen- 
 esee county, N. Y., September 14, 1857, obtained his education in the public schools 
 and is now one of Pembroke's best farmers, coming to that town in 1875. On March 
 8, 1896, he married Sarah A. Walworth of Pembroke; they have two children: Ed- 
 ward and Lydia M. Mr. Wiedrich's father, Henry Wiedrich, was born in Alsace, 
 Germany, in 1833, and came to the United States with his parents when six years 
 old, locating in Wyoming county, where he was educated in the district schools. 
 He married Elizabeth Ditmanof Germany; they had nine children: George, Henrj', 
 jr., John, William, Elizabeth, Catherine, Carrie, Augustus and Edward. Father and 
 mother are both living at this date, 1898. Mr. Wiedrich has been constable and in- 
 spector of elections for ten years. In his political choice he is a Republican. 
 
 Clark, Edward H., sr., p. o. East Pembroke, N. Y., was born in Buffalo, N. Y., 
 May 32, 1831. His parents moved to the town of Batavia when he was an infant and 
 to the town of Pembroke in 1853; he obtained his education in the district schools 
 and Niagara University. He is a carpenter and joiner and is now one of the town's 
 best farnjers. September 24, 1874, he married Mary J. Taylor of the township of 
 Batavia; they had ten children: Rose M., who died young; Edward H., jr., Annie 
 E., James A., Sarah A., Esther C, Marian G., Mary J,, Emma F., and Monica G. 
 Mr. Clark's father, James Clark, was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, in 1820. 
 He married Sarah Rider of his native county, and came to the United States in 1849. 
 They had four children, the oldest of whom died in infancy. James Clark died in 
 1888, and his widow in 1891. Mrs. Clark's father, John Taylor, was born in County 
 Claire, Ireland, December 25, 1825, and came to the United States in 1848. He was 
 section foreman on the N. Y. C. & H. R. R R. many years; he married Ann Brown, 
 who was born in 1831; they had eleven children: one died in infancy, Mary J., John 
 A. and William A. (twins), Annie C. , who died in her second year, Eliza' J. , Charles 
 E., Robert N., Joseph M., George E. and Walter H. Father and mother are both 
 living at this date, 1898. Edward H., jr., is a graduated trained nurse and at pres- 
 ent is an attendant in the State Hospital in Buffalo, N, Y. Annie is a Normal grad- 
 uate and teaches the intermediate department in the public schools at East Pembroke. 
 The family are members of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church. Mr. Clark is a Re- 
 publican in politics. James J., his brother, died in 1891, leaving eight children, and 
 his widow died in August, 1898. 
 
 Shepard, Henry, p. o. East Pembroke, N. Y. , was born in Covington, Genesee 
 county, N. Y., May 29, 1818, educated in the schools of his day and was a farmer 
 until he retired in 1884. He has married three times ; first, to Electa Chipmau of 
 Pavilion, who bore him three children : Lorenzo B., Elbert H., and Celia M. ; both 
 sons are dead and the daughter resides with and cares for her father. Mrs. Shep- 
 ard died in May, 1856, and in the fall of 1858 he married Mary Carr of Pavilion, who 
 
28 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 died in September, 1869; and for his third wife he married, in June, 1870, Mary 
 Rogers, of Pavilion, who died at East Pernbroke in September, 1890. Mr. Shepard's 
 father, Isaac Shepard, was born in Newfane, Conn., in 1783, educated there, and 
 married Mary A. Sears of his native place; they came to this county in 1812; they 
 had five children, four of whom grew to maturity: Norman, Henry, John and Delia. 
 Isaac Shepard died in 1861 and his wife in January, 1852. Mr. Shepard's grandfather, 
 Simeon Shepard, was born in Connecticut. Miss Shepard is a member of the Bap- 
 tist church. In his political choice Mr. Shepard is a staunch Republican. 
 
 Kennedy, Frank, p. o. Fargo, N. Y., son of Jay and Margaret (Sofridge) Kennedy, 
 was born in the north of Ireland, August 2, 1837. His education was obtained in the 
 schools of his native country and at the age of eighteen he emigrated to this country 
 and located in Rochester, N. Y.. where he soon secured a position in a carriage fac- 
 tory, and where he was employed for three years. He then removed to Darien, 
 where he has since resided with the exception of about two years, when he lived in 
 Alden. On May 22. 1858, Mr. Kennedy was married to Jane, daughter of James and 
 Eliza (Loughrige) Blair; they have nine children: Maggie, Charles C, Emmitt F., 
 Colburn H., Eva, Alice M., Lila B., Myra L. and Jay E. Mr. Kennedy is a member 
 of Alden Lodge No. 108, A. O. U. W. Politically he is a Republican, and has always 
 been more or less active in .party affairs, but never held or aspired to public oflSce. 
 He is one of Darien's most respected citizens and his friends are legion. 
 
 Wright, Orlo W., p. o. Corfu, N. Y., Darien's corami-ssioner of highways, and one 
 of her progressive and enterprising citizens, is the youngest of a family of four chil- 
 dren born to George W. and Elizabeth (Wickmore) Wright, and was born in the town 
 of Alden, Erie county, N. Y., July 17, 1859. He is of English descent, his grand- 
 father, Morris Wright, having come to this country from England in the year 1818. 
 Mr. Wright is a member of the Genesee County Grange. He is one of the thorough 
 farmers of Darien. and in addition to operating his farm, he is engaged in dealing 
 in cattle, employing one or more men to assist in his farm work; his farm of eighty 
 acres is situated just south of Corf u village. Mr. Wright has succeeded in gaining 
 a competency of this world's goods and is surrounded by all the attributes of a happy 
 home. 
 
 Fisher, Carlton G., p. o. Darien Center, N. Y. — One of the mo.st respected and 
 prosperous farmers of Genesee county is Carlton G. Fisher. He is the youngest son 
 of Charles M. and Alice M. (Grannis) Fisher, and was born in the town of Darien, 
 Genesee county, N. Y., September 24, 1872. His education was begun in the com- 
 mon schools and finished at Eastman's Business College, Pougbkeepsie, N. Y. He 
 located at Darien Center and engaged in the produce business in which he was quite 
 successful; he was also engaged in the money brokerage business in Batavia for a 
 year, when he retired from mercantile pursuits and removed to his farm in Darien, 
 where he has since resided. On January 22, 1895, Mr. Fisher was married to Mary 
 L., daughter of Henry C. and Louisa (Huested) Springer of Alexander; they have a 
 son, Carlton Alanson, born April 10, 1897. Mr. Fisher in his intercourse with men 
 is frank and manly and is universally esteemed among his fellow citizens. 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 29 
 
 Cofran, Thomas K.. son of Jacob and Rebecca (Kimball) Cofran, was born in the 
 town of Yorkshire, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., January SO, 1831. He was the 
 youngest of a family of nine children, three sons and six daughters. His educational 
 advantages were very limited indeed, but being possessed of a desire for learning, 
 he used every endeavor within his power to secure an education and was successful. 
 He engaged extensively in agricultural pursuits, in which he has met with success. 
 On January 30, 1856, he married Manervia E., daughter of George and Elizabeth 
 (Deming) Hunt; their children are Mmer M., Milfred H , Candace, wife of Irvin 
 Farnsworth. Milo, and Viola, wife of Frank R. Wood Politically Mr. Cofran is a 
 Republican and a firm supporter of that organization. He has held the office of 
 justice of the peace, and is a member of Alden Lodge No. 108, A. O. U. W. Mr. 
 Cofran is a prosperous and progressive agriculturist and an intelligent and upright 
 citizen. 
 
 Chick, Charles F., p. o. Attica, N. Y. — One of the most extensive and successful 
 farmers and breeders of fine horses and cattle in Darien, Genesee county, N. Y. , is 
 Charles F. Chick, who has a farm of 186 acres. Mr. Chick is the son of George and 
 Jane (Percy) Chick, who emigrated from England to Batavia, N. Y., in 1852, from 
 which place, after six months, they removed to BufTalo. Mr. Chick and his twin 
 brother, William, were born December 21, 1855, on the Charles E. West farm at Cold 
 Spring, Buffalo, which farm of 300 acres his father conducted for nineteen years. 
 His schooling was limited, but being a naturally intelligent youth with a keen per- 
 ception, he made up for his lack of schooling by those best of teachers, observation 
 and experience. In 1871 he removed with his parents to Bennington, N. Y., where 
 he married Carrie, daughter of Henry Walker ; their children were Henry and Arthur. 
 Mrs. Chick died on January 29, 1894, and Mr. Chick married for his second wife, 
 on December 30, 1895, Ella M., daughter of John and Elizabeth C. (Sterling) Foltz. 
 
 Newton, Charles J., was born in the town of Darien, Genesee county, N. Y., Sep- 
 tember 27, 1848, a son of John and Lydia (Newton) Newton. His father died when 
 he was but a child and early in life he was left dependent upon his own exertions for 
 a livelihood. Mr. Newton spent three years as a commercial traveler in the employ 
 of Curtis Whittlesey and later he engaged in the mercantile business on his own ac- 
 count at Fargo, N. Y., where he carried on business for two years, when he sold out 
 and removed to his farm in Darien, where he has since resided. In January, 1890, 
 Mr. Newton married Sarah, daughter of Jacob and Eva (Croop) Spece of Lancaster, 
 Erie county, N. Y. Mr. Newton has never mixed, largely in political matters, but 
 his opinions were judiciously formed and fearlessly asserted; he is now a member of 
 the school board. He has a large circle of friends and is an honored and respected 
 citizen. 
 
 Richley, Alexander F., p. o. Sawens, N. Y., oldest son of Florain and Elizabeth 
 Richley, was born in the town of Darien. Genesee county, N. Y , March 3. 1860. 
 His father was born in Baden, Germany, emigrated to this country in 1848 and 
 settled in Darien, where he now resides. His mother is a native of Switzerland ; she 
 came to this country in 1852. Mr. Richley was educated in the public schools of his 
 
30 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 native town and lived at home until January 30, I880, when he married Mary Smith, 
 who has borne him two children: Charles B., born May 7. 1893, and Clara E., born 
 June 17, 1890. Mr. Richley is not a club man and has never connected himself with 
 any societies, save the American Fraternal Insurance Union. He has been some- 
 what active in public affairs, having held the office of commissioner of highways and 
 is now the supervisor of his town, having been elected as a Democrat in 1898. 
 
 Godfrey, Oscar E., was born in Elba, N. Y , September 10, 1833. His father, 
 Nathan S. Godfrey, was a native of Orange county, N. Y. , and came to Stafford, 
 Genesee county, in 1826 with his parents, Elijah and Catherine (Slawson) Godfrey. 
 Nathan S. married a daughter of Andrew B. Jones, and through life vOas a farmer 
 and appraiser of real estate ; he was a man whose judgment was sought and respected 
 by all who knew him; he died May 8, 1891. Oscar E. Godfrey was educated m the 
 common schools. In 1883 he married Annie, daughter of Stephen Shepard; she died 
 in 1894. Mr. Godfrey is a good farmer, a plain and sub.stantial citizen. In politics 
 he is a strong Democrat. 
 
 Wilder, John, was born in the town of Elba, N. Y"., April 31, 1819, a son of Ezra 
 Wilder, who was one of the pioneers of Genesee county. In 1838 he was married to 
 Rebecca A. Walker; she died in 1854, and in 1860 Mrs. Elizabeth Troop, a daughter 
 of Richard and Phelinda (Logan) Gilbert became his wife. By his first marriage he 
 had two daughters: Adeliza, who was married to David Shotwell of Elba and is 
 deceased ; and Florilla, the wife of Walter H. Raymond. Mr. Wilder was a prac- 
 tical and prosperous farmer, a man of unblemished character, and in his death, which 
 occurred March 20, 1884, his town lost one of its valuable residents. 
 
 Gardner, Jeffrey W. , was born in Schuyler county, N. Y., February 5, 1808, a son 
 of J. W. and Freelove Gardner. His father was a native of Rhode Island and was 
 one of the pioneers of Genesee county, settling in the town of Elba in 1809. Mr. 
 Gardner was a practical and successful farmer, and his career in life was the em- 
 bodiment of industry, honesty and commendable aspirations; his death, on 
 May 1, 1882, removed from the community an active and useful citizen. Mr. Gard- 
 ner married Mrs. Martha M. Atwater, widow of Eli Atwater, who had two children: 
 Lucius Atwater, born in Wisconsin, December 23, 1868, and Mary Minerva Atwater, 
 born September 27, 1870. Two children also blessed the second union: Jeffrey T. , 
 bom October 27, 1876, died March 23, 1877; and Grace F., born November 28, 1878, 
 who still lives on the homestead farm with her mother. Hon. John C. Gardner, of 
 the town of Oakfield, was the eldest brother of Jeffrey W., and was prominent in the 
 growth and progress of his town, filling many important positions, and was elected 
 to the Assembly in 1849. He was thrice married; first to Atha Field, who died 
 August 6, 1861; second to Harriet D. Hose, who died August 7, 1870; and third to 
 Jane Britton, who died August 5, 1898. Mr. Gardner died May 29, 1882, honored 
 and respected by all who knew him. 
 
 McCrory, John, was born March 15, 1812, in Ireland, of Scotch descent. He came 
 to America m 1883 with bis father,, mother, three sisters and one brother, settling in 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 31 
 
 Pavilion, Genesee county. The same year his mother died and for two years the 
 children were given homes among strangers. In 1824 his father bought a farm on 
 the town line road between Batavia and Stafford, and there Mr. McCrory spent his 
 life till 1836, when he married Mary A. . daughter of Deacon Clark of Stafford, and 
 established his home one mile east of Daws Corners, Ten years later he sold that 
 farm and bought one in Stafford, near the home of hischildhood, where he remained 
 until 1854, when he removed to the village of Elba. For thnty-eight years he was 
 one of the foremost men of his town and village. In the maintenance of good pub- 
 lic schools and in the erection of suitable public buildings he was always interested; 
 his good judgment and unusual sound sense won for him a place in the confidence 
 and esteem of the people not easily gamed. Mr. McCrory was a regular attendant 
 at the Baptist church, serving for years as trustee and for nearly a quarter of a 
 century as treasurer of the church. It is worthy of note just here that he attended 
 the weddings of each of his sisters and of his brother, also the golden wedding of each 
 of his sisters. It is rare that such a privilege is granted to one member of a family. 
 In 1876 his wife died, and in 1878 he married Ordelia Phelps, daughter of Chester 
 Phelps of Elba. Because of his cheerful disposition, decided energy and persever- 
 ance, good business qualifications and well known integrity, Mr. McCrory served as • 
 an inspiration to young men and old, and was ever ready to aid by influence and 
 money those in need. He died at his residence in Elba, August 24, 1892. 
 
 Holmes, Westley G., was born in the town of Henrietta, N. Y., January 23, 1813, 
 and came to Elba in 1850. In 1839 he married Olive Roxanna, daughter of Thomas 
 Stevens; they had one daughter. Amy C, wife of D. R. Harkness, to whom were 
 born four sons, Westel E., George N., Estes D. (who was drowned July 30, 1895) 
 and Alva S., and two daughters, Mina L and Edith D. Mr. Holmes was a farmer 
 all his life; he died in 1886, and he is remembered as an upright, consistent man, 
 whose assistance in any good work was always ready and freely given. 
 
 Loveridge, Joel A., was born in Ogden, Monroe county, N. Y. , April 13, 1856. 
 His father, Loomis Loveridge (deceased), was a cousin of Prof. Elias Loomis of Yale 
 College, the compiler of Loomis's Series of Mathematics. Loomis Loveridge mar- 
 ried Emily, daughter of Judge William Butts, and through life was a farmer; he 
 died in 1893. J. A. Loveridge was educated at Brockport Normal School and East- 
 man's Business College. He taught school for eighteen years, and in 1896 was 
 elected school commissioner of Genesee county, receiving the largest vote ever given 
 a candidate for that office. In 1881 Mr. Loveridge married Cora Van Saun ; they 
 have three children. Mr. Loveridge is giving his undivided attention to the duties 
 of his office, and is making an excellent record. 
 
 Mclntyre, Estes E., was a native of Charlton, Worcester county, Mass. ; he came 
 to Genesee county with his parents, Amos and Nancy Mclntyre, in 1818; they made 
 the journey m a wagon from Massachusetts and settled in the town of Elba. Mr. 
 Mclntyre was married to Alee, daughter of Ezekiel and Alee White in early life. 
 He was a farmer and an e^jemplary man in all the walks of life ; he died on August 
 
32 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 4, 1878; his widow died in 1889. One daughter survives, Hattie J. Mclntyre, a res- 
 ident of Elba. 
 
 Raymond, Walter H., was born in Elba, N. Y., July 35, 1845, a son of William C. 
 and Sarah (Southworth) Raymond. William C. Raymond came to Bethany in 1828 
 and soon after removed to Batavia, where he entered the employ of Alva Smith ; in 
 1830 he formed a partnership with Mr. Smith and established a business in Elba, in 
 which he was engaged up to the time of his death. His children were William H., 
 born December 16, 1889, served in Company H, 8th N. Y. Heavy Artillery for three 
 years; Walter H. , Mary A., wife of Prof. Samuel P. Moulthrop, now residing in 
 Rochester; and Charles L., born July 80, 1853, and who is now in the city engineer's 
 office in Rochester. The family trace back to the Raymonds in Connecticut, who 
 were among the pioneers of that State. William H. married Waitie, daughter of 
 Christopher and Roxanna Larkin; they have two children : George L. and Winifred. 
 Walter H. married Flora A., daughter of John Wilder; two children have been born 
 to them: Maud, and Grace (deceased). The business house of the Raymonds at 
 Elba is one of the landmarks of Genesee county. William H. served as supervisor 
 for four years, and Walter H. as postmaster for several terms. 
 
 Ivison, Charles, was a native of Paisley, Scotland, and came with his parents, Henry 
 and Ann (Clarke) Ivison, to the United States in 1820. He married Melissa A., 
 daughter of Levi H. and Betsey Warner; their children are Betsey A., Charles H., 
 Sarah A. and John C. Mr. Ivison was a practical farmer, a man of liberal and en- 
 lightened sentiments, of clean character, and a staunch member of the Methodist 
 church. His death occurred November 12, 1893, and his loss was keenly felt in the 
 community where he lived. 
 
 Moulthrop, Edwin N., p. o. Batavia, N. Y. , was born in Wisconsin, October 27, 
 1849. His father, M. Nelson Moulthrop, formerly engaged in the mercantile and 
 produce business but now retired, has been justice of the peace for fifteen years; a 
 sketch of his life appears elsewhere in this work. E. N. Moulthrop was educated in 
 the common schools and Brockport Normal School. He taught school for three 
 seasons and then engaged in farming. In 1872 he was inarried to Emogene, a 
 daughter of Josiah Merriman ; they have two children — Ray and Pearl C. Mr. 
 Moulthrop is a successful and prosperous farmer, and he enjoys the merited respect 
 and confidence of the community in which he resides. 
 
 Prole, George, p. o. Morganville, N. Y., was born in Stafford, N. Y., August 25, 
 1847. His father, Henry Prole, was a native of England, and came to Genesee 
 county in 1840, where he carried on farming. He married Mary Radley, and they 
 have three children, George, William and Rebecca, wife of Edward D. Rurasey. 
 George Prole was educated in Le Roy and at the Buffalo Commercial School. He 
 is a farmer and a large dealer in produce, being associated with William Prole, under 
 the firm name of George Prole & Bro. Mr. Prole married Emma, daughter of Henry 
 Deshon; they have three children; Henry, Florence and Nellie. Mr. Prole is one of 
 Stafford's successful and representative business men, of sterling integrity and has 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 33 
 
 always been interested in the welfare of his town. Henry Prole died June 5, 1899, 
 at the age of eighty-four years. 
 
 Mullen, Albert T., p. o. Morganville, N. Y., was born in the town of Stafford, Feb- 
 ruary 9, 1856. His father, William Mullen, was a native of North Devonshire, Eng- 
 land, born December 1, 1828, and came to Genesee county in 1851, where he carried 
 on farming; he married Elizabeth Ford of North Devonshire, England, who was 
 born in September, 1833. Albert T. Mullen was educated in the common schools and 
 has always been a farmer. He married Nellie E., daughter of John and Mary Scoins; 
 the latter was born in the town of Stafford, August 30, 1856; her father was born in 
 England in Juie, 1818, and her mother January 19, 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Mullen 
 have three children; Clarence A., born August 30, 1878; William A., born April 35, 
 1883; and Earl W., born October 80, 1892. Mr. Mullen is a respected and public 
 spirited citizen. 
 
 Lathrop, Jay, p. o. Morganville, N. -Y., was born in the town of Stafford, Novem- 
 ber 19, 1840. His father, John Lathrop, was a native of Pittsford, Vt., and came to 
 Genesee county in 1813, settling on the farm which has been in the possession of the 
 family since. He married Martha Clifford, who died May 14, 1837, leaving six chil- 
 dren: Mary Lathrop Benham, who died April 14, 1896: William; Ann Lathrop 
 Taggart, died September 31, 1897; Whitman; Julia, died April 23, 1847; and Martha 
 C, who has been a missionary in India for thirty years. Mr. Lathrop married for 
 his second wife Elizabeth Herrick, daughter of Samuel Moody; they had six children: 
 Jay, Howard, Abial, Caroline E , Helen F. and Walter E. Mr. Lathrop died Feb- 
 ruary 33, 1887, aged ninety-three years. Jay Lathrop was educated in the common 
 schools and since leaving school has been engaged in farming. He married Mina 
 M., daughter of Alvan Warner; they have one daughter, Florence M. Mr. Lathrop 
 has served three terms as supervisor, is one of the representative men of the 
 town, and is the owner of one of the choicest and best equipped farms in the county. 
 
 Gill, James, is a native of England, and was born April 4, 1834. His stepfather, 
 George Thomas, came to Stafford in 1843, where he died in 1886. James Gill ar- 
 rived in Genesee county in 1844, was educated in the common schools, and has 
 followed farming all his life. For ten years he was school trustee, and in various 
 ways has proved his usefulness as a citizen. His life has proved him to be a man 
 worthy of the confidence and respect of his fellows. His wife is Elizabeth, daughter 
 of Richard Moore of England ; their children are Caroline F. Heddon, Sarah Gill 
 Kiugdon and Ralph G. 
 
 Smith, Stanley M., p. o. Le Roy, N. Y., was born in Le Roy, February 30, 1861. 
 His father, Chauncey M. Smith, was a leading physician of Le Roy, and married 
 Cornelia A. Collins ; he died in 1864. Stanley M. Smith was educated in the common 
 schools and the academy of I^e Roy. In 1876 he engaged in the drug business. 
 He is village treasurer and was for four years foreman of the Oatka Hose Company 
 and in 1895 was elected chief of the fire department ; he is also president of the Gen- 
 
34 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 esee & Wyoming County Firemen's Association. He married Orpba C, daughter 
 of Philo and Sarah L. Lull of Norwich, N. Y. Mr. Smith is an upright, enterprising 
 man, interested in the advancement of the public mstitutions of the town, and in 
 every way is a worthy citizen. 
 
 Halbert, William R. , p. o. Le Roy, N. Y., was born in Glasgow, Scotland, Sep- 
 tember 14, 1819, and on May 24, 1828, emigrated to America, coming on what was 
 then a. large sailing vessel of 450 tons burden, being eight weeks on the ocean; he 
 was three days in reaching Albany and three more in arriving at Ulica, where his 
 father met him at the canal ; there he remained ten years, working in the cotton 
 mills part of the time. At the age of nineteen he went to Canada and worked on a 
 farm for three years, and in 1843 came to Le Roy, where he has since lived as a 
 farmer. In March, 1853, Mr. Halbert married Ellen E. Pierson, daughter of Linus 
 Pierson. Mrs. Halbert died January 15, 1853, on the farm where Mr. Halbert now 
 lives in his eightieth year. Mr. Halbert has served as highway commissioner six 
 years, inspector of election twelve years, and has been elder in the First Presbyter- 
 ian church of Le Roy over twenty-five years. 
 
 Bartlett, Rufus, p. o. Le Roy, was born in New Hampshire, May 15, 1824, a son 
 of Jonas and Edec (Robertson) Bartlett. His mother died in 1840 and his father in 
 1874 Mr. Bartlett was brought up on a farm, educated in the common schools, and 
 in 1848 married Sarah B. Hood of Massachusetts; their children are Isabella G., 
 Edward R., Charles L. and Grace E. In 1853 Mr. Bartlett went to Geneseo to super- 
 intend the Big Tree farm for James S. Wadsworth, where he remained six years, 
 removing to Illinois, where he resided until the fall of 1864, when he came to Le Roy 
 and engaged in the milling business. Mr. Bartlett has been trustee of the village, 
 was poormaster eight years, and assessor seven years. He is one of Le Roy's rep- 
 resentative business men, of sound integrity, and a man of more than ordinary in- 
 fluence in the development and progress of his town. 
 
 Harmon, Edwin M., was born in Wheatland, Monroe county, N. Y. , July 8, 1831, 
 educated in the common schools, and brought up on a farm, which occupation he 
 followed until thirty-five years of age, when he engaged in the milling business in 
 Scottsville, where he continued for seven years. In 1871 he went west and located 
 in Champaign, 111., where he was special agent for Lycoming Insurance Company 
 for five years. On account of ill health he returned east and came to Le Roy in 
 1878, and engaged in the insurance business, which hehas since continued successfully. 
 He represents the following insurance companies; North America, German American, 
 Philadelphia Underwriters, Hanover Fire Association of Philadelphia, New York 
 Underwriters, Royal, Phoenix of Hartford, Phoenix of London, Lancashire, Connecti- 
 cut, Commercial Union and Niagara, Norwich Union, Equitable Life Insurance Co., 
 Hartford Steam Boiler and Lloyds Plate Glass. He has built up a very fine insur- 
 ance business in this section and has become well known all throughout the county. 
 He was elected town clerk in March, 1898, for one year ; is a stockholder in the Cit- 
 izens' Bank and a member of the I. O. O. F. Oscar Harmon, a brother of Edwin, 
 raised a regiment, the 125th Illinois, and went out with them as colonel ; he was killed 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 35 
 
 at Kenesaw Mountain as they started for the sea, and was taken to Dansville, 111. , 
 for burial. 
 
 Gillett, Samuel, was born in Orange county, N. Y. , August 6, 1823, a son of Isaac 
 and Eleanor (Vail) Gillett, natives of Orange county, N. Y., of which the family were 
 pioneers. The maternal grandfather, Benjamin Vail, was a captain in the Indian 
 wars and was killed at the battle of Minnesa. Isaac and Eleanor Gillett came to the 
 town of Stafford, Genesee county, in the spring of 1844, purchased a farm and lived 
 there until their death; they had six children, three of whom are living. Isaac Gil- 
 lett died in 1867. Samuel Gillett was educated at Montgomery and Chester Acad- 
 emies; he taught school for several winters, beginning when sixteen years of age; 
 the first winter he taught for $13 per month. He has been engaged in farming for 
 many 3'ears, owning sixty acres where he resides, having sold several hundred acres; 
 he has also been engaged in other business, being interested in a hardware store in 
 Sioux City, Iowa. He has been supervisor of the town several years and was pres- 
 ident of the Le Key Academic Institute for a number of years; has been assessor 
 and highway commissioner, and has been prominent in nearly all public affairs and 
 is a valued citizen. Although now seventy-five years of age, he is yet quite active. 
 On February 16, 1848, Mr. Gillett married Susan Board; they have eleven children 
 living. Mr. and Mrs. Gillett celebrated their golden wedding in 1898, there being 
 present all their children and twenty-five grandchildren, and Mrs. Gillett's sister and 
 her husband who stood up at the wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Gillett are members of the 
 Presbyterian church, in which he has been an elder for many years. 
 
 Steiner, Samuel, p. o. Le Roy, was born in Switzerland, July 15, 1829, a son of 
 John Steiner, a native of Switzerland, who emigrated to Monroe county in 1850, and 
 Magdalena Straham, his wife. He died in 1873. Samuel Steiner was educated in 
 the common schools and engaged in the locksmith business for five years. In 1849 
 he came to Monroe county, and to Le Roy in 1873, where he engaged in farming. 
 He married Katherine Marvan. who died in 1889. Mr. Steiner is one of Le Roy's 
 progressive farmers, whose career has been marked by integrity, industry and a de- 
 sire to promote the well-being of the community in which he resides. 
 
 Seyffer, George G., p. o. Le Roy, N. Y., was born in Le Roy February 9, 1862. 
 His father, Gottlieb Seyffer, was a native of Germany, and came to Genesee county 
 about 1848; he was a tinsmith. He married Mary Mutchler of Germany ; they are 
 the parents of Edward, Frederick and Carrie Seyffer Stevens. George G. Seyffer 
 was educated in the common schools and for eight years was connected with N. B. 
 Keeney & Son's commission house. April 1, 1884, he engaged with the Erie Rail- 
 road and has been promoted to station agent. He has been secretary of Oatka Hose 
 Company for ten years. Mr. Seyffer is a thorough business man, of untarnished 
 reputation, and performs a citizen's duty in forwarding the welfare of his town. 
 
 Rogerson, Edward, a native of Yorkshire, England, was born in 1851, and came 
 to Canada when but a youth and remained in Toronto until 1880, where he was en- 
 gaged in the dry goods and bat business. In that year he came to Le Roy and be- 
 
36 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 came associated with W. D. Matthews in the malting business. Mr. Rogerson 
 remained with him as manager until Matthews's death in 1888, when the business 
 was conducted by his son, Wilmot D. Matthews, and Mr. Rogerson became a partner. 
 In 1894 Mr. Rogerson formed a company and purchased the business outright, and 
 carried it on as the W. D. Matthews Malting Company, which continued until 
 October 1, 1897, when the business was absorbed by the American Malting Com- 
 pany, with Edward Rogerson as manager, which position he has since filled. They 
 have twenty-two branches distributed throughout the United States. The season's 
 output from this establishment if from 600,000 to 700,000 bushels with an average of 
 sixty employees. Mr. Rogerson has paid strict attention to the business and has 
 made it one of the best of all the branches. He is one of Le Roy's most substantial 
 citizens, progressive and always has an open purse for the advancement of the village. 
 He was president of the village for two years ; is one of the trustees of the Methodist 
 Episcopal church and owns a fine fruit farm near the village. He is a stockholder 
 and director in the Citizens' Bank of Le Roy. In 1873 Mr. Rogerson married 
 Marion R. Matthews, who died in 1888, and in 1890 he married Minnie U. Hazelton. 
 By his first wife he had four children and two by the second. 
 
 Cleveland, Dr. John F. , was born in St. Catharine, Ontario, February '2.5, 1837. 
 His parents were natives of New York State, but moved to Canada for a short time 
 and while there John F. was bom. The family are descendants of Moses Cleveland, 
 who came from England and undoubtedly are related to Ex-President Cleveland. 
 The parents both died in Canada and the children came to the United States. Dr. 
 Cleveland received his primary education in Canada, came to New York city and 
 took up the study of medicine, and was graduated from Bellevue Hospital Medical 
 College in 1865. He was a medical cadet at the Ladies' Home Hospital on Lexing- 
 ton avenue, New York city, for some time. After graduating he became acting 
 assistant surgeon U. S. A., first ordered to Elmira, N. Y., then transferred to Hart's 
 Island, New York, where he had charge of 8,400 rebel prisoners and where he re- 
 mained until the close of the war. In 1870 he located in I.,e Roy, where he has built 
 up an extensive and lucrative practice, and is numbered among the oldest and most 
 prominent physicians in this locality. He was a member of Genesee County Med- 
 ical Society while it existed. He is president of the village board of health. Dr. 
 Cleveland has a fine home and is enjoying the fruits of his industry. In 1871 he 
 married Frances V. Fisher, a native of Wyoming, N. Y. ; they have one son, 
 Harold F. Cleveland, aged eighteen years. 
 
 Randall, Perry, was born at Stafford, Genesee county, N. Y., July 16, 1823, a son 
 of Stephen and Rachel (Fifield) Randall. Stephen Randall was born in Nottingham, 
 N. H., in 1783, married in Danville, Vt., to Rachel Fifield, who was born in Gilman- 
 town, N. H., in 1777. They emigrated to Genesee county, arriving in Le Roy after 
 a journey of three weeks in the depth of winter February 3, 1815. They brought 
 with them their family of nine children, a span of horses, two yokes of oxen, three 
 cows and $1,400 in gold. With the energy and decision characteristic of the father 
 and head of the family, the farm was bought and the family moved in within twenty- 
 four hours. The farm consisted of 150 acres, lying in that excellent tract, just east 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 87 
 
 of Morganville, then wild, with only three acres of clearing and a log house built 
 thereon. There was no road laid out to their place, so they were obliged to leave 
 their team and luggage over night in the road one and a half miles east of them. 
 Where the house now stands was an unbroken forest of heavy beech and maple 
 trees; with industry and prudence the farm was soon cleared up and paid for ^nd 
 has ranked for many years among the first in the county. They raised to maturity 
 a family of fourteen children, and at the death of the father in 1859 they were all 
 living, but at this date (1898) there is but one living. Perry, the youngest of the 
 family. On January 16, 1868, at the death of Rachel Fifield Randall there were 267 
 descendants of the family living, seventy-five of whom dined together at the Ran- 
 dall homestead. Their house was ever distinguished for its hospitality; the church 
 to which they belonged also received a hearty support. Mrs. Randall died in her 
 ninety-first year and received an honored burial from her descendants and neighbors. 
 Of the descendants of this family all have been honored and respected and some of 
 them have reached distinction; three of the grandsons were officers in the United 
 States array, and one of high standing made a tour around the globe, commissioned 
 by the Government; another is a minister of eminence, and General Brewster Ran- 
 dall, the second son, was a resident of Ohio for many years, where he was made a 
 member of the Legislature and later became Speaker of the House. His oldest 
 son is Brig. -Gen. George Morton Randall of the U. S. A. Perry Randall was raised 
 on a farm in the town of Stafford ; he received such an education as the schools of 
 those days afforded, including one term in a select school which was held in the house 
 of his father. He remained on the same farm which his father purchased until the 
 spring of 1893, when he retired and removed to Le Roy and purchased his present 
 beautiful home, where he is spending his days in comfort He still owns the old 
 homestead and has added to it until now he owns 750 acres, which also comprises 
 the old homestead of his wife's family. On October 29, 1846, he married Mary E. 
 Batchelder, born June 1, 1828; they had seven children: Isabelle, wife of Henry 
 Seymour, who died in 1874 ; Orange F. ; William P. ; Alida M. ; Emma A. (deceased) ; 
 Frederick S. now district attorney of Genesee county ; and Fannie W. , wife of F. H. 
 Dunham of the Batavia bar. Mrs. Randall died October 1, 1892, beloved and rev- 
 erenced by all with whom she came in contact. This is one of the oldest families in 
 the county and one of the most respected. Mr. Randall has been a man who has 
 devoted his time to his farming interests and has been very prosperous. He has 
 many times been called to fill offices of honor and trust but many more times has 
 refused to accept such offices. The family has always been highly respected, liberal 
 in their views and purse and favorably known throughout the county. 
 
 Woodward, Orator F., was born in Bergen, Genesee county, N. Y., July 26, 1856, 
 a son of Abner T. and Phoebe (Lyman) Woodward. In 1883 Mr. Woodward en- 
 gaged in the patent medicine business on a small scale, and his business has since 
 grown to immense proportions. In 1896 he added the manufacture of "Grain-0," 
 and in less than fifteen months it had spread from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This 
 is a drink made from grains and is designed for people who cannot drink cofljee or 
 tea. He has a plant consisting of four large buildings, all of which he owns indi- 
 vidually ; also has one of the finest residences in the county. His business is one of the 
 
38 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 largest of its kind, and iiis goods are known all over the continent. He is president 
 of the board of water commissioners. He married Cora L. Talmage of Le Roy ; 
 they have five children. 
 
 Root, Charles, was born in New York .State and was a resident of Detroit, Mich. 
 He married Alice, daughter of Hiram W. Hascall, who was a native of Le Roy, and 
 a prominent lawyer. Charles Root was a banker and merchant in Detroit and a 
 large dealer in lumber. His children were George K. and Marshall J. Mr. Root 
 died in New York in March, 1888. He was a man of upright character and of more 
 than ordinary business ability. 
 
 Stone, Dr. Frank L. , was born in Oneida county, N. Y., December 35, 1835, a son 
 of John H. and Maria (Tiffany) Stone. He was educated in the public schools and 
 Collegiate Seminary at Whitesboro, N. Y., and Kingsville Academy of Ohio. He 
 began the study of medicine and was graduated from Bellevue Hospital Medical Col- 
 lege, New York city, in 1865. He began his practice with his preceptor in Oriskany, 
 N. Y. , where he remained one year, coming thence to Genesee county, N. Y., in the 
 spring of 1868, locating at Stafford where he remained until 1879, when he removed 
 to Le Roy and has since been in active practice there. He is a member of the Gen- 
 esee County Medical Society ; New York State Central Medical Society ; New York 
 State Medical Association ; New York State Association of Railway Surgeons ; has 
 been surgeon for the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg Railroad for ten years; and was 
 elected coroner in 1889, and has held the office ever since. He is a member of the 
 A. O. U. W., of which he is an examining physician. He was town clerk for four 
 years while a resident of Stafford. He is a Republican and has taken a very active 
 interest in politics. On January 1, 1868, Dr. Stone was married to Ellen M. Brierly; 
 they have one daughter living. 
 
 Curtiss, Stephen F., was born in the town of Le Roy, N. Y., September 6, 
 1834, a son of Azor and Catherine (Fowler) Curtiss, who were natives of Ver- 
 mont and Connecticut respectively. His mother was a daughter of Thomas Fowler, 
 and sister of Dr. Stephen, who emigrated to Little Sandusky, Ohio, about 1814. 
 His brother's wife was a cousin of Gen. Robert E. Lee. This branch of the 
 family all went to Ohio. Azor Curtiss came to Genesee county, N. Y., in 1812, 
 settling just east of the village of Le Roy, near the old Ganson Hotel. Here he pur- 
 chased a tract of land and put up a blacksmith shop, where he carried on business 
 for several years, then moved to Stafford, but returned to Le Roy two years later 
 and opened a furnace. He ran this for a couple of years, across the road from the 
 old Ganson House, and then started two furnaces, one of which was on the site of 
 the Episcopal church and the other on the site of John Maloney's grocery store; he 
 also started one at Richville. He carried on this business for a number of years and 
 finally sold out and lived retired until his death, which occurred about 1888. He was 
 inspector of elections for a number of years, was quite prominent in his day and a 
 man who had the respect of all who knew him ; he was a prominent Mason, was high 
 priest of his chapter for a time, and a Scottish rite Mason ; he was here during the 
 famous Morgan excitement. He was the father of eleven children by his first wife 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 36 
 
 and eight by his second ; four of the former and four of the latter are living. Stephen 
 F. Curtiss was raised on a farm, educated in the district schools and worked for his 
 father in the furnaces until nineteen years of age, first as an employee, working his 
 way through the different positions until he had charge of the factory, turning out 
 twenty parlor stoves and ten cook stoves daily. He continued this business until 
 the factor}' was sold, when he went on the road selling stoves. He later went to 
 Canada, making a set of patterns which he took with him, and had his stoves made 
 there to save duty. He remained in Canada eighteen months, where he was very 
 successful. He then bought a farm five miles from Le Roy in the town of Bergen, 
 and farmed it twelve years, when he returned to Le Roy and purchased a store and 
 was engaged in dealing in barley, oats, corn, wool and all kinds of produce and agri- 
 cultural implements and bought and packed pork every fall. He also owned and 
 conducted a lumber yard for over twenty-five years, doing an immense business. In 
 1889 he sold out and has since been retired from active business, having accumulated 
 a competency, and is now living to enjoy the fruits of . his industry. Mr. Curtiss 
 held the office of justice of the peace eleven years in Bergen and eight years in Le 
 Roy. He purchased a farm of ISBJ acres in Le Roy, which he now looks after. The 
 Curtiss family is well known in Genesee county and Mr. Curtiss has long been iden- 
 tified as one of the most substantial and worthy citizens of the town of Le Roy. He 
 was made a Mason in November, 1846, in the old round house temple at Le Roy, and 
 is the oldest living Mason in Western New York ; he was acting master of his lodge, 
 has been high priest of his chapter for thirteen years and has held all the subordi- 
 nate offices in both lodge and chapter, and every year of his office has made an ad- 
 dress, which has been copied in the minute book of his chapter and in newspapers ; 
 he has been very active in both Blue Lodge and Chapter and is one of the best known 
 Masons in Western New York. We copy here a part of his address, delivered to 
 Le Roy Chapter No. 183, December 7, 1896, paying tribute to two of his most de- 
 voted comrades and brothers: "Early in our Masonic career we were taught that 
 the cradle and the coffin stand in juxtaposition to each other, and that the moment 
 we begin to live that moment we begin to die. Although during the past year the 
 dread messenger has not frequently called for those who were members of our chap- 
 ter and prominent in our councils, yet remembering that he regards neither age, 
 talent, or condition, that he enters the palatial residence as well as the humble home, 
 and in every instance takes those whom we love and honor, let us offer a fraternal 
 tribute to the memory of our companions who have laid aside the tools of their opera- 
 tive labors and have gone to their reward. Companion George A. Rathbun joined 
 Le Roy Chapter July 30, 1866, and died September 28, 1896. He was born in Le Roy 
 and when a young man moved with his father's family to Ridgeway, Pa., where he 
 devoted himself to his profession, that of law. He was highly esteemed and was 
 elected to various offices of trust by his friends. His friendships were constant ; his 
 devotion to Masonry was sincere, and his loss a severe one to the fraternity and 
 especially to Le Roy Chapter. Companion William Huyck joined Le Roy Chap- 
 ter February 3, 1865, and on the 3d day of August, 1896, we heard the inevitable 
 tidings that one more companion had passed to the undiscovered country from 
 whose bourne no traveler returns. The first feeling is one of sadness, a pang of per- 
 sonal loss : we start unconsciously when gathered in our accustomed places, we look 
 for his familiar face, we wait patiently with the faint hope that he, always punctual, 
 
40 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 may for this night at least, be detained for a short time. Companions, many times 
 have I entered this hall happy and cheerful, eager for the hearty hand shake and 
 words of welcome which I invariably received, and now see only the vacant seat and 
 miss the familiar face. The sad realization comes, no matter how well we have been 
 prepared, like a sudden shock. Here it is that we have met together for many happy 
 hours ; here it is that our lives have been slowly welded together in one beautiful 
 mould as it were ; and here it is that we must recognize the loss of our departed com- 
 panion, and here it is that the bonds of union should strengthen our love for each 
 other, sanctified by that deeper love for his that is gone. Having known Companion 
 Huyck from boyhood and always on familiar terms, and traveled miles together, 
 always enjoying each other's confidences and secrets, I probably knew him better 
 than any other man; and I can truthfully say that no honester man or more sincere 
 Mason ever crossed the threshold to the door of our chapter. I cannot say and I 
 will not say, that he is dead; he is just away, with a cheery smile and a wave of 
 hand, he has wandered into an unknown land, and left us dreaming how very fair 
 it needs must be since he lingers there. Now, companions, as I retire from this 
 high and honorable office to again to take my place in the rank and file of the craft, 
 I feel it my duty to express to you an abiding sense of profound gratitude for the 
 honor that yo'u conferred upon me and the many courtesies and your hearty co- 
 operation. You as officers and companions have in keeping the morality and char- 
 acter of your chapter. You should see to it that none but good men and true are 
 permitted to pass the outer courts of the sanctuary, and when they having conceived 
 a high and exalted opinion of our ancient and time honored fraternity are permitted to 
 pass through our forms and ceremonies, you are hereby charged not to permit the 
 ceremonies or any part thereof to be marred with levity or anything that would 
 cause offense to the most fastidious; but on the contrary, to exemplify your work in 
 the most solemn and impressive manner and prove to the candidate that the object 
 of Masonry is to elevate man, not to degrade him, but make him think better of him- 
 self, his neighbor, his family and his God. Then will he have a higher and more 
 exalted opinion of Masonry, be an esteemed friend and worthy companion. With 
 the exception of the church, there is probably no institution on earth that so surely 
 and constantly accompanies the progress of industry and civilization as that of Ma- 
 sonry; wherever its seats are established there is the greater assurance of just and 
 equitable government, business honor and personal integrity, and of domestic virtue 
 and general happiness. With what honest pride and sincere satisfaction must these 
 observations fill the breasts of all true and zealous craftsmen ; for wherever it is 
 established social enjoyment and commercial safety can be regarded as secure in the 
 largest sense that is possible to human nature. Let us always, therefore, by moral 
 deportment, manly dignity and prudent zeal, earnestly devote our best energies to 
 its maintenance and advancement, then will we be better fitted for that house not 
 made with hands eternal in the Heavens. Let us as we start for our homes go out 
 of this chapter fully determined to redouble our assiduity in the cause of capitular 
 Masonry, taking with us the pick of renewed zeal, the crow of a uniform work and 
 the spade of united effort ; then will we be fully prepared to remove the rubbish lying 
 about our chapter and then our brethren of the symbolic degrees, seeing our in- 
 creasing activity, will hasten to become Royal Arch Masons and assist in the great 
 and glorious work of rebuilding our mystic temple without the hope of fee or reward. 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 41 
 
 Then, and then only, can we justly claim the noble name of Mason; then, and then 
 only, can we appropriate to ourselves the proud title of a workman that needeth not 
 to be ashamed. Now, companions, as you go home to your dwellings, bearing my 
 gratitude for your good behavior in your journey through life, let all hearts be swell- 
 ing with hopes of distinction and prospects of pleasure." On April 33, 1846, Mr. 
 Curtiss married Sallie Stevens ; they have one daughter living, L. Josephine, who is 
 not married and lives with her father; and two grandchildren, daughters of Elsie C. 
 Curtiss Lewis; their names are Virginia M. Lewis and I^ouisa Josephine Lewis, one 
 aged sixteen and the other eleven, and they are living at home with their father, 
 Alva W. Lewis. 
 
 Lewis, Cornelia T. , p. o. Pavilion, N. Y., daughter of Warren and Sylviaette 
 (Smith) Tompkins, was born in the town of Pavilion, August 20, 1833. Her father 
 was born in Pavilion and her mother in Vermont. Mrs Lewis lived with her par- 
 ents until February 2, 1851, when she married Samuel Judson Lewis, who was born 
 in Pavilion in 1837, and died in 1853. He was a man of good business ability and 
 was for many years a teacher in the public schools. They had one daughter, Stella 
 (Mrs. John Broughton), who died in 1888, leaving two children; Judson Lee and 
 Mabel Cornelia. Mrs. Lewis is a member of the M. E. church and has a host of 
 friends. 
 
 Townsend, Horace E. , p. o. Pavilion Centre, N. Y., son of the late Elbert Town- 
 send and Emily Olmsted Townsend, was born in the town of Pavilion, Genesee 
 county, N. Y., April 36, 1864, on the home farm, which he now owns and successfully 
 manages, raising thoroughbred stock, with a dairy, shipping milk ; also with feeding 
 facilities and modern improvements in silos, etc. On September ,10, 1884, Mr. 
 Townsend married Grace, daughter of Albert P. and Katharine Holbrook Hendee. 
 They have had three children: Pearl, born March 25, 1887, died April 11, 1888; 
 Spencer A., born October 24, 1891, and GJadj^s Emily, born December 9, 1897. Mr. 
 Townsend now holds the office of justice of the peace, has been a delegate to the 
 different Republican conventions and served on the Republican county committee. 
 The late Hon. Elbert Townsend was one of Genesee county's most prominent and 
 respected citizens ; he was not only well and favorably known in his own country for 
 the breeding of American Merino sheep, but, in foreign countries as well. At the 
 time of his death, which occurred in 1890, " Oatka Valley Stock Farm " contained 
 imported Holstein cattle, Percheron horses, and American Merinos. The products 
 of his flock came into competition with those of different parts of the world, and 
 were awarded the highest prizes at the Paris Exposition in 1873. Mr. Townsend 
 held prominent offices in the Genesee County Agricultural Society and was a life 
 member in the State Society. For years he was an officer of the American Merino 
 Sheep-Breeders' Association. In 1873 and 1873 he represented his county in the 
 State Legislature, at the age of thirty-two years. His father, Ashley Townsend, 
 was a native of Vermont and the inventor of the grain separator now in use; the 
 latter was first manufactured at Pavilion Centre. The Olmsteds and Holbrooks on 
 the mother's side were among the pioneers of Genesee county, holding prominent 
 positions as citizens, agriculturists and horticulturists. Their native State was 
 Vermont. 
 
42 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Scarff, Rev. James Madison, pastor of the regular Baptist church of Bethany Cen- 
 ter for the past twenty-three years, is a son of Joshua H. and Lydia (Stoutemeier) 
 Scarff, born in Rockingham county, Virginia, February 26, 1829. He was graduated 
 from Dennison University in the class of 1853, receiving the degree of A. M., and 
 from the Theological Seminary of Rochester in 1855. His first pastorate was at St. 
 Mary's, Ohio, where he remained until 1868, when he removed to Bethany, where he 
 has since resided. In 1876 he accepted his present charge and through his labors 
 the church society was largely increased. On June 11, 1857, he married Emily 
 Elliott, who died in August, 1895, leaving four children; Frank E., Luella E., Mary 
 E. and Phoebe L. Since 1368 Rev. Mr. Scarff has resided in Bethany and here he 
 is enjoying the autumn of his life in a beautiful home, in a community in which he 
 has done so much to advance its welfare and elevate its social and moral life. 
 
 Howard, Aaron E., who for ten years past has been numbered among the most 
 successful business men of the town of Bethany, was born in Grafton, Vt., February 
 1, 1836. He is a son of Jonathan and Hannah (Loveland) Howard. His father, who 
 was a physician, was born in Winchester, N. H. , March 37, 1805; his mother was 
 born in Grafton, Vt., January 36, 1805. In 1845 they removed to Perry, Wyoming 
 county, N. Y., where Aaron E. Howard received in the public schools a liberal edu- 
 cation. He was engaged in teaching for two terms, then entered the service of 
 Charles Pritchard as a clerk in his store, where he remained for eighteen months. 
 He was variously employed until 1887, when he located in Linden, N. Y., where he 
 has since carried on a prosperous mercantile business. On May 4, 1862, Mr. Howard 
 married Lois, eldest daughter of Abraham and Eliza (Richards) Vorhees ; they have 
 one daughter, Mabel (Mrs. George Morse). Mr. Howard is one of the prominent 
 members of Bettiany Grange and is an honored and respected citizen. 
 
 Ludlum, Herbert H., p. o. Oakfield, N. Y., was born in Oakfield, May 11, 1835. 
 His father, Joseph Ludlum, was a native of England, and came to Genesee county 
 about 1830; he was a cooper by trade and married Hannah Smithhurst; he died in 
 1838. Herbert H. Ludlum was educated in the common schools and has always 
 been a farmer. He married Frances, daughter of John Allen ; they have three chil- 
 dren: Hattie R., Howard E and Clarke B. Mr. Ludlum is a practical farmer of 
 good repute, and merits the respect and good-will of his fellow citizens which he has 
 earned by a consistent, honorable course m life. 
 
 Caple, Henry, was born near Bristol, England, in 1841. His father, Robert Caple, 
 was a native of England, born in 1819, and came to Oakfield in 1836. He returned 
 to England in 1839, married Sarah Sainsbury and the family came to Oakfield in 
 1849, where he established the merchant tailoring business for Burden & March. He 
 served four years in the Civil war in the 49th N. Y. Vols, and 8th Heavy Artillery; 
 he died in Elba in 1898. Henry Caple was educated in the common schools and 
 Cary Seminary ; he has been treasurer of the seminary for fourteen years, served 
 two terms as supervisor and has held many other responsible positions. In 1860 he 
 married Sarah A. Warren, who died in June, 1891, leaving two daughters: Mrs. F. 
 M. Bignall of Elba and Mrs. Arthur Nichols of Buffalo. In September, 1893, Mr. 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 43 
 
 Caple married Lucy King Mellen. who was born in Norfolk, Va., and is a descendant 
 of Commodore Barry, commissioned by George Washington. She was in the city of 
 Richmond during the siege. 
 
 Caple, Alfred, late of Oakfield, N. Y., was born February 5, 1846 His father, 
 Robert Caple, was a native of Somersetshire, England, and emigrated to Genesee 
 county, N. Y., in 1836. on September 11 1861, he enlisted in Co. D, 49th N. Y. 
 Vols., and was discharged for disability. Alfred Caple was educated in the common 
 school.s. In partnership with his brother Henry he engaged in the tailoring busi- 
 ness, later buying out his brother's interest and continuing alone; he also carried on 
 a large farm. Mr. Caple died on February 9, 1897. He was a good man, and en- 
 joyed the esteem of his acquaintances. He was married to Antoinette Winans ; their 
 children were Edward, Homer, Louis, Henry, Clarence, Bertha, Laura, Bessie, 
 Clarke, Dean, Donna, Olive and Theodore. 
 
 Ham, Philip, p. o Oakfield, N. Y., was born in Columbia county, N. Y,, April 5, 
 1831, a son of Philip and Catherine (Pultz) Ham. He received his education in the 
 common schools, and through life has been a farmer. His first wife was Abigail 
 Relyea. who died August 11, 1892. He married second, Mrs. Almira M. Duers, a 
 daughter of Sterling Hotchkiss. Their children are Delbert Ham, who was married 
 October 26, 1898, to Blanche, daughter of James Boyce ; and Victoria Duers (daughter 
 of Wilham Duers), who married Charles Anthony, a school teacher; they have one 
 son, Glenn Duers Anthony, a student at Cary Seminary. Mr. Ham is a well known 
 and popular citizen of Oakfield, a prosperous farmer and a man of unblemished 
 character. 
 
 Griffin, Samuel B. , was born in Erie county, N. Y. , December 17, 1829, a son of 
 Henry Griffin, a native of Onondaga county, who came to Genesee county in 1840 
 and died in 1844. Mr. Griffin was educated in the common schools and has always 
 been a farmer. In 1850 he married the widow of George Macomber; their children 
 are Francis A., Archibald, Adelle, John A,, Charles H,, Sarah A. and Nancy G. 
 Mr. Griffin is a citizen of good standing and has always been found with those whose 
 efforts were devoted to the public good. 
 
 Wright, Frank E., p. o. Oakfield, was born in Barre, Orleans county, January 31, 
 1852, a son of John E. Wright and Celia Ann Olmsted. His paternal grandfather 
 was Hon. Elisha Wright, a colonel in the war of 1812 and later member of the As- 
 sembly from Orleans county. On his mother's side Mr. Wright can trace his ances- 
 try in an unbroken line back to John Alden, the youngest signer of the famous May- 
 flower Compact. Mr. Wright was educated at the academy at Le Roy and the 
 Genesee Wesleyan Seminary and College at Lima, N. Y. In 1871 he went to Kansas 
 and soon entered the Bank of Blue Rapids City as bookkeeper. He was married in 
 September, 1872, to Miss Ettie Moulton of Batavia; they have one son, Arthur M., 
 born March 20, 1887. In 1876 Mr. Wright came to Batavia and engaged in the drug 
 business with Dr, L. L. Tozier, buying the doctor's interest at the end of one year, 
 and conducting the business until the spring of 1881. In 1883 he located in Oakfield, 
 
44 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 and, associated with A. H. Greene of Byron, established the business of banking, 
 under the title of The Exchange Bank. At the end of four years he purchased his 
 partner's interest and has since conducted a general balking business alone. Mr. 
 Wright is one of the representative men of Oakfield, of sterling integrity, and takes 
 an active interest in church and school matters. He has held various local offices, as 
 president of the village board and of the board of education. He is a member of the 
 Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee and treasurer. He is also a 
 trustee of Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y. 
 
 Reed, Julius W., was born in Simsbury, Conn., February 11, 1821. a son of David 
 and Electa (TuUer) Reed. David Reed was born in Danbury, Conn., November 
 23, 1788, and died June 5, 1862. Electa (Tuller) Reed was born in Simsbury, 
 Conn., October 9, 1801, and was married to David Reed at Simsbury, September 
 21, 1819. Their children were as follows: Julias W., born in Simsbury, Conn., Feb- 
 ruary 11, 1821; Lorin W., born in Simsbury, Conn., April 7, 1823; Adaline, born in 
 Simsbury, March 6, 1823; De Witt C, born in Simsbury, June 29, 1824; Homer T., 
 born in Simsbury, September 21, 1837; Sherman D., born in Bristol, Ontario county, 
 N. Y., September 11, 1829; and Wilbur F., born in Bristol, October 1, 1834. Julius 
 W. Reed was educated at Cary Seminary; he taught school for two years, and then 
 engaged in farming. In 1852 he married Mrs. Amanda Macomber Reed, widow of 
 his brother, the late Lorin Reed, who died April 5, 1849, leaving two daughters; 
 Harriet E. and Loraine. Mr. and Mrs. Reed had five children: Seymour, Myrta J., 
 George W., Julius W., and Emma, who died in infancy. Mr. Reed was always 
 prominent in church and school affairs, was one of the first directors of the Bank of 
 Batavia and was supervisor of the town of Oakfield in 1880. He was a progressive 
 and successful business man, taking an active interest in the development of his 
 town. He died July 25, 1881. 
 
 Dunlap, William C, p. o. Oakfield, N. Y., was born in Orleans county, N.Y., No- 
 vember 16, 1820, a son of William and Elizabeth (Hunt) Dunlap. His father was a 
 native of Connecticut, and came to Orleans county when a young man; he died in 
 August, 1874. William C. Dunlap secured his education in the common schools of 
 Shelby, attending at the old log school house. Mr. Dunlap is one of the representa- 
 tive farmers of Genesee county. In 1843 he came to this county and settled on the 
 farm which he now occupies. He has been identified with all the public enterprises 
 of the town of Oakfield. He has been particularly energetic, enterprising and liberal 
 in all that pertains to public affairs ; any undertaking for the benefit of the town al- 
 ways has been sure of his support; in his neighborhood he has borne more than his 
 share of the labors, serving as school trustee and pathmaster almost continuously for 
 years. He has held the offices of assessor, overseer of the poor, highway commis- 
 sioner, and trustee of the seminary for thirty years — always with satisfaction to his 
 fellow townsmen. No one was ever more ready to assist a neighbor than he, and he 
 is benevolent and charitable to an unusual degree; he is always called upon in 
 troubles of every nature, being clearheaded, impartial and sound in his views; and 
 has always lived an exemplary, energetic and active life, with no derogatory habits. 
 He married Mary E. Noble, daughter of Boltwood Noble of Orleans county, in April, 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 45 
 
 1844. Their children are Mary Jane (Dunlap) White, Andrew A. and Ida (Dunlap) 
 Gubb. 
 
 Zurhorst, Dr. Augustus F. G., p. o. Oakfield, N. Y., was born in Monroe county, 
 N. Y. , September 27, 1847. His father, Augustus D. Zurhorst, was a native of Eng- 
 land and for seven years was a surgeon in the British marine service. He married 
 Mary Ann Estil; came to Monroe county m 1835, and died September 18, 1873. Dr. 
 A. F. G. Zurhorst was educated in the Doolittle Institute, Weathersfield Springs, 
 and Cleveland Medical College. He began his practice in Alabama and in 1894 came 
 to Oakfield, where he has been very successful. Dr. Zurhorst is a Democrat and has 
 taken quite an active interest in party matters. He served as supervisor of Ala- 
 bama, and was for one year one of the Sessions justices of the county. In 1878 Dr. 
 Zurhorst married Emma A. Cooley of Lockport, N. Y. ; they had two daughters: 
 lola Jean and Katherine EUzabeth. lola J. died August 26, 1898. 
 
 Mayback, Jacob, p. o. East Oakfield, N. Y , was born December 8, 1859, a son of Gott- 
 'leb Mayback, a native of Germany, who came to Genesee county about 1833, and 
 Christina Dunaworth, his wife. Jacob Mayback was educated in the common schools. 
 He ran a general store for four years at East Oakfield and since then has been a 
 farmer. He has been constable for nine years. In 1884 he married Cora Haxton, 
 daughter of Samuel Haxton; they had two sons: Ernest and Harry, both deceased. 
 Mr. Mayback is one the progressive farmers of Oakfield, and as a citizen ranks with 
 those who have at heart the welfare of the town. 
 
 Burr, Fred H., p. o. East Oakfield, N. Y., was born in Oakfield, April 1, 1857. 
 His father, John Burr, was a native of Germany and came to Oakfield in 1850. He 
 married Rachael Bobsin ; were the parents of Minnie, Frank J. , Fred H. , August W. , 
 William N., John W. and Harmon J, Fred H. was educated in the common schools 
 and engaged in farming. In 1881 he married Justina C, daughter of Frederick G. 
 and Lucinda Craft of East Oakfield; they had one son, Orie E , born in 1884, who 
 died in his fourth year. Mr. Burr is one of the representative farmers of Oakfield, 
 of sterling integrity, always taking an interest in town aflfairs. He is a strong Re- 
 publican and has been an efficient party worker. 
 
 Nash, Amerissa E., p. o. East Oakfield, N. Y., was born in Barre, N. Y., October 
 10, 1828, a son of Whitman and Elizabeth (Baggerly) Nash. His father was a wagon 
 maker and dealer in lumber; he was justice of the peace for twelve years and town 
 clerk two years. A. E. Nash was educated in the old log house and has always been 
 a farmer. He married Harriet, daughter of George W. Gardner; they have one 
 daughter, Miriam. Mr. Nash is one of the representative men of Oakfield, of sterl- 
 ing integrity, and has always been interested in the progress of his town, always 
 taking an active part in church and school matters. 
 
 Ingalsbe, Parley V., p. o Oakfield, N. Y.— Ebenezer Ingalsbe was a captain in the 
 English army ; desiring to visit America, he gave up his commission and sailed for 
 this country. Upon his arrival he settled in Massachusetts, where he remained until 
 
46 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 his death. His son Ebenezer was born in Massachusetts, February 25, 1752. He 
 removed to Scipio, Cayuga county, N. Y., where he died in the seventieth year of his 
 age; he married Phebe Easterbrooks, and their children were Elijah, born in Massa- 
 chusetts, September 13, 1780; Ebenezer, born December 33, 1781 ; Phebe, born March 
 28, 1784; Azil, born February 14, 1786; Hulda, born January 4, 1789; Sally, born 
 August 30, 1790; Adna, born January 11, 1793; Samuel, born August 17, 1796; and 
 Emory, born October 34, 1798. Elijah Ingalsbe was a farmer; he moved with his 
 father from Massachusetts to Scipio, Cayuga county; from Scipio to Wayne county, 
 and from there to Byron, Genesee county, in 1836, and from there to Alabama in 
 1831, where he lived the remainder of his life, his death occurring July 19, 1873; his 
 first wife was Polly Mitchell, daughter of Urial Mitchell, born February 11, 1784; she 
 died April 23, 1813; their children were born as follows: Ehjah B., May -3, 1805, died 
 February 5, 1887; Rial E., September 34, 1806, died December 29, 1898; Hulda P., 
 September 2, 1808, died May 11, 1841; Parley V., May 29, 1810; Sally L., April 11, 
 1812, married John M. Warren and moved to Michigan, where she died October 30, 
 1884. The second wife of Elijah Ingal.sbe was Nancy Mitchell, sister of his first wife, 
 born May 8. 1797; their children were Philinda, born August 29, 1815, died April 5, 
 1816; Phebe, born October 1, 1816; Adna, born September 15, 1818, died December 
 27, 1841; Anda, born October 9, 1831, died in 1896; Levi, born November 24, 1834. 
 Parley V. Ingalsbe was born in Wayne county and came with his father to Byron, 
 Genesee county, in the spring of 1836, and to Alabama in 1831 ; he married Sarah A. , 
 daughter of William and Harriet (Cutler) Macomber of Alabama; their children were 
 William W., born January 36, 1847, died January 9, 1887; Edwin J., born (October 
 12, 1853; Judson L., born February 4, 1855, died in 1858; Seward A., born June 9, 
 1857; Frances H., born March 11, 1860, died in 1863. Edwin J. married Mary V., 
 daughter of Weden T. and Jane (Calkins) Bliss; their children are Frank R. , born 
 August 33, 1878; George W., born October 33, 1879; Edith H., born September 13, 
 1883 ; Ralph, born April 26, 1887. Seward A. married Ella Bliss, sister of the wife of 
 his brother Edwin ; their children are Florence H. , born December 16, 1879 ; Low 
 W., born August 2, 1883; Myrta R., born January 18. 1884; Clarence, born March 
 17, 1887; Morris, born November 3, 1894. Parley V. Ingalsbe was educated in the 
 common schools and has always made farming his life's work. He was elected com- 
 missioner of common schools in 1840 in the town of Alabama; was elected justice of 
 the peace in 1841, and re-elected in 1845. In 1856 he moved to the town of Oakfield, 
 where he was elected justice of the peace in 1857, and re-elected twice after that. 
 In 1863 he was elected supervisor of Oakfield, and re-elected in 1864 and 1865. He 
 served two years as assessor and several terras as excise commissioner. He was 
 United States census enumerator for Oakfield and Elba in 1870. 
 
 Grinnell, Albert A., p. o. Oakfield, N. Y., was born in the town of Shelby, Orleans 
 county, N. Y., June 13, 1865, a son of Willis A. and Lura Avery Grinnell. He was 
 educated in the Albion High School and Rochester Business University. He came 
 to Oakfield in 1887 and started in the produce, coal, lumber, carriage and bicycle 
 business. He is the owner of the large warehouse near the West Shore station, and 
 has built up an extensive and successful grain and produce business. September 26, 
 1888, he married Helen Adelle, daughter of Francis G. and Sarah Avery ; they have 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 47 
 
 one daughter, Lola M. Mr. Grinnell is a progressive and enterprising business man, 
 taking an active interest in tiie improvements of his town. 
 
 Englisch, Otto B., p. o Oalcfield, N. Y., was born in Calumet, Mich., April 39, 1872, 
 a son of August and Henrietta (Deisseroth) Englisch. His father was a native of 
 Germany, born in 1827, and died in 1885. Otto B. was educated in the Fremont 
 Business College (Nebraska), and was a clerk for several years in a general store. 
 He then engaged in the cold storage business in Omaha, Neb., and represented the 
 company as buyer on the road; in 1888 he began the manufacture of plaster of paris 
 at Omaha, and for a number of years represented that interest as general traveling 
 salesman; in 1895 he removed to Kansas City, Mo., where an office of the company 
 was opened and he was elected assistant general manager. In 1896 he came to Oak- 
 field and purchased the Olmsted Stucco Co. plant, and organized the Englisch Plas- 
 ter Works, of which company he is secretary, treasurer and general manager, the 
 company operating the plant under his direction. Mr. Enghsch married Alice Knode, 
 daughter of Dr. R. S. Knode of Omaha; they have one daughter, Lucile. Mr. Eng- 
 lisch is a progressive and enterprising young business man, taking an active interest 
 in the improvement and development of the town, and has done much for the up- 
 building, improvement, and progress of the village since making it his home. 
 
 Stevens, William Webber, was born in Stafford, Genesee county, N. Y., May 37, 
 1844, a son of Richard and Elizabeth (Webber) Stevens. His father was a native of 
 Devonshire, England, and came to Genesee county in 1843, where he died May 14, 
 1896. Mr. Stevens removed with his parents to Oakfield, then called Caryville, when 
 but four months old, and has since resided there. He received his education at Gary 
 Collegiate Seminary, Lima, and finished at Eastman's Commercial College, Pough- 
 keepsie. He has always followed farming as an occupation and is carrying it on 
 quite extensively at present, and has taken a great interest in church and school 
 affairs; holds the office of trustee in both at present. In 1870 he married Frances 
 Jane, daughter of William Wolcott ; they have seven children. 
 
 Moulthrop, M. Nelson, was born in Otsego, N. Y. , April 25, 1822, a son of Josiah 
 and Sophia (Lanckton) Moulthrop, and was educated in the common schools. He 
 engaged in mercantile business and in 1845 went into business at Albion ; in 1847 
 went to Milwaukee and from there to Oshkosh, remaining there six years and was 
 the first sheriff of Winnebago county under the State law. In 1859 he came to Elba 
 and engaged in farming. Mr. Moulthrop married Clarissa, daughter of Sherred 
 Parker, in 1844, and they had two sons: Samuel P. Moulthrop, principal of Wash- 
 ington Grammar School, Rochester; and Edwin N. Mrs. Moulthrop died in 1881. 
 He married again Mrs. Amanda Davis, a sister of his first wife. Mr. Moulthrop is 
 one of the useful men of his town. He served as justice of the peace twenty years 
 and was for several years one of the Sessions justices of the county. He has always 
 taken an intelligent interest in school and church matters, and has sought to advance 
 the best interests of his town and its people. 
 
 Allen, William, was born in the town of Batavia, N. Y., November 7, 1819, a son 
 
48 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 of Libbeus and Esther (Wright) Allen. His father was a native of Otsego county 
 and came to Genesee county in 1816, and was in his ninety-fifth year at the time of 
 his death. William Allen was educated in the common schools. The greater por- 
 tion of his life was devoted to farming, in which occupation he was successful. He 
 retired from his farm many years ago, and lives in a pleasant home on Elliott avenue 
 in Batavia. In 1850 he married Rebecca Carr, who bore him three children: Mary, 
 Jennie and Frank W. Mary died December 13, 1876, and Jennie died February 
 10, 1895. Mrs. Allen died April 26, 1890. 
 
 Heal, William H , was born in Stafford, July 5, 18.53. His father, Matthew W. 
 Heal, was a native of England and came to the United States in 1836 with his par- 
 ents, John and Mary Heal, who settled in Oakfield. M. W. Heal married Harriet, 
 daughter of John March, and was a farmer and hotel keeper. William H. Heal was 
 educated in the common schools and was engaged in farming for twenty years. In 
 1881 he began the produce and coal business in Le Roy, remaining there vintil 1896 
 when he was elected sheriff of Genesee county and removed to Batavia in 1897. 
 The famous trial of Howard C. Benham for murder occurred during the first year of 
 Mr. Heal's term as sheriff. The excellent order and perfect freedom from confusion 
 which he maintained in the court room received the well merited commendation of 
 court and counsel In 1870 Mr. Heal married Emma D., daughter of Salma and 
 Betsey White; they had three children; Homer S., Florence and Ethel. 
 
 Baldwin, William H., was born in Oakfield, N. Y., January 28, 1828, a son of Rice 
 and Phoebe (McCrillis) Baldwin. His father left home when twenty-one years old 
 and came to Genesee county in 1813, settling in the town where he was a miller and 
 farmer; he died in 1865 in his seventy-third year. William H. Baldwin was edu- 
 cated in the public schools and at Gary Seminary. Mr. Baldwin was one of the 
 practical and successful farmers of Genesee county, but left his farm about 1884 and 
 now occupies his pleasant home on Summit street in Batavia. He has always been 
 respected by his fellow citizens as a man of integrity and usefulness. In 1856 he 
 was married to Mrs. Jane M. Storms, daughter of Henry Edgerton ; they have two 
 daughters: Phoebe J., wife of Charles B. Avery of Oakfield, and Lillian E., wife of 
 Frederick W. Clement of Bethany. 
 
 Casey, John P., was born in Batavia, N. Y., August 10, 1857, educated in the 
 parochial school, and early in life learned the plumber's trade. In the spring of 
 1885, with his brother, W. C. Casey (born April 30, 1859), he established their pres- 
 ent business, making a. specialty of fine groceries. Their father, William Casey, 
 was born in Ireland, June 10, 1831, and came to the United States in June, 1853, 
 settling in Batavia, where he was engaged in the shoe trade. He was prominent in 
 organizing and building the Catholic church and in 1883 prepared a local history of 
 that church. He died October 31, 1887. John P. Casey is at present trustee of St. 
 Joseph's church and a member of the school board, and has ever received and merited 
 the respect of his associates. Mr. Casey is a director of the local Home Association 
 and has been prominent as a fireman. He is an active, public spirited man, has a 
 large acquaintance and is held in universal esteem. 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 49 
 
 Farrall, George A., was born in the town of Hamlin, N. Y., November 4, 1856, son 
 of Dennis Farrall, who was a native of Canada and came to the United States in 
 1845, settling in Brockport, where he married Harriet, daughter of Philemon Allen, 
 and through life was engaged in farming; he died in 1865. George A. Farrall was 
 educated in Brockport Normal School, afterward teaching for eight years ; he was also 
 engaged in contracting and building in Monroe county. In 1882 he came to Corfu, 
 Genesee county, and taught school for two years, and in 1884 entered the employ of 
 the Johnston Harvester Company, and is now general superintendent of the exten- 
 sive works of that company, and consequently has under him fully 700 men. He is 
 a very capable and tremendously energetic man. He is actively connected with the 
 Baptist church. In 1883 he married Amanda, daughter of Charles Davis; they have 
 six children: Hattie, Jessie, Bertrice, Horteasia, Ruth and Byron. Mr. Farrall 
 takes an active interest in educational and religious institutions. 
 
 Shotwell, Isaac M., was born in Elba, N. Y., December 3, 1819. His father, Isaac 
 M. Shotwell, came to Elba in 1818 from New Jersey, where he was one of the leading 
 men of his town. Isaac M. Shotwell, jr., married Elvira L. Scofield, who died in 
 1853, and afterwards he married Delia A. Mattice, and they were the parents of two 
 children: George M. and Mrs. Clara A. Kellogg. Mr. Shotwell died November 1, 
 1897. He was a strong temperance man and for many years had been a Prohibi- 
 tionist. For many years prior to his decease he had retired from business and had 
 lived in Batavia. He was a good square man, upright in character, and worthy of 
 the esteem in which he was held. 
 
 Stutterd, Joseph F., was born in the town of Staflford, this county, February 3, 
 1836. His father, also named Joseph, was a native of England but came to Genesee 
 county in 1838 and engaged in farming. He died April 1, 1871, after a life of useful- 
 ness. His wife was Sarah Pidge, and two children were born to them: Sarah M., 
 who died in January, 1884, and the subject of this notice. Joseph F. Stutterd 
 was educated at the Genesee and Wyoming Seminary at Alexander, and at the 
 Albany Normal School, where he prepared for the profession of teaching. 
 This occupation he followed with good success for ten years and then began 
 farming on the old homestead farm. Mr. Stutterd is one of the reprsentative 
 men of his town and has taken an active part in movements intended to 
 promote its welfare. Few men in Genesee county enjoy so wide an acquaintance 
 with its people ; he is well posted in current events which he discusses among his 
 friends with intelligence and discrimination. Possessed of a fine baritone voice he 
 has always been much interested in musical matters ; neither has he neglected the 
 schools and churches. In politics he is a staunch Republican. He served one term 
 as justice of the peace, as one of the Sessions judges of the county for three terms 
 (1891-92-98), and represented his town in the board of supervisors in 1870, 1871, 1881, 
 1882 and 1887 — five years in all. Mr. Stutterd married Clara Alexander, and they 
 have one daughter, Clara B. Stutterd. 
 
 Masse, Solomon, was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, October 13, 1839. 
 His father, Ambrose Masse, was engaged in the mercantile business and was a dealer 
 d 
 
50 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 in real estate. Solomon Masse was educated in Montreal and began his business 
 career as a merchant in Canada. In 1850 he came to Buffalo and engaged in the 
 same business until 1855, in which year he became a manufacturer o£ clothing. In 
 IS~>9 he removed his business to Batavia, continuing there until 1877, when he re- 
 tired from active labor. In 1879 Mr. Masse organized the Genesee County National 
 Bank, of which he was president for six years. In 1885 he established his insurance 
 and real estate business, and is manager of the Buffalo Savings & Loan Association 
 at Batavia. In 1861 Mr. Masse married Josephine Robert; they have five children: 
 Tiburce, Albert, Helen A., Marie L. and Marie A. 
 
 Williamson George D., was born in Palmyra, N. Y., December 31, 1854, a son of 
 William H. and Ann B. (Cottrell) Williamson. He obtained his education in the 
 public schools, and for fourteen years was engaged in merchandising and as fire in- 
 surance agent. In 1887 he removed to Batavia and became a member of the firm of 
 Weeks & Williamson in the furniture and undertaking business. The following 
 year he purchased Mr. Weeks's interest, and is now carrying the leading stock of 
 furniture in Batavia; and in the undertaking branch of his business he employs mod- 
 ern scientific methods in caring for the dead. Mr. Williamson may be recorded as a 
 first class citizen, who is an interested and active participant in school, church and 
 Y. M. C. A. affairs. He is a Mason, a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and 
 Commandery, and also is a member of the Odd Fellows and Maccabees. In 1879 
 Mr. Williamson was married to Emma E., daughter of C. W. Hine; they have one 
 daughter, Mae A., and one son, Roy H. 
 
 Barnes, Joseph C. , was born in County Cumberland, North of England, December 
 12, 1845, a son of William and Mary Barnes, and was educated partly in England 
 and partly in Canada, to which country his parents came in 1857. He learned the 
 tailor's trade and in 1865 came to Batavia where he was employed until 1873, when 
 he established his present business and is carrying the leadmg stock of gents' furnish- 
 ing goods and merchant tailoring goods in Batavia. Mr. Barnes is a worthy man, 
 and has earned and maintained a place in the ranks of the representative business 
 men of Batavia, and has served as a trustee of the village. In 1869 Mr. Barnes mar- 
 ried Clara M., daughter of Nicholas Hawkins; they have two children: William 
 Arthur and Eva J. Eva married Louis A. Woodward. His son is connected with 
 his father's business. 
 
 Jewell, Edgar M., was born in the Province of Ontario, Canada, June 9, 1864, a 
 son of William and Elizabeth Jewell. He was educated in the public schools, and 
 was graduated from the Ontario College of Pharmacy in 1883. For a time he carried 
 on a drug business in Oshawa, Ont. In 1890 he came to Batavia and established his 
 present business at 99 Main street, where he carries the largest stock of imported 
 and domestic drugs, books, stationery, etc., in Batavia. Mr. Jewell occupies a mer- 
 ited high standing among the business men of his adopted village, and his influence 
 is exerted in the promotion of the progress of the town and its residents. In 1887 
 Mr. Jewell married Eva Maud Guy, and they have one son, Harold Guy Jewell. 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 51 
 
 Pease, Robert B., was born in Avon, N. Y., February 33, 1835, a son of Alvin and 
 Caroline (Chase) Pease. He came to Batavia with his parents when eight years of 
 age and was educated in the public schools. He engaged in the hardware business 
 in partnership with H. K. Buell in 1865, under the firm name of Pease & Buell, and 
 purchased his partner's interest in 1886 and has since conducted the businesi alone. 
 Mr. Pease is a public spirited man, has served as trustee of the village five years, 
 member of the school board sixteen years, president of the board of trade three 
 years, and has always sought to advance the best interests of his town. He married 
 Mary, daughter of Edmund and Dorcas Bainbridge of Wyoming county, in Novem- 
 ber, 1863, and their children are Mrs. Frances C. Steele, wife of Oren C. Steele; 
 Fred A., of Batavia; and Mrs. Maud E. Bowman, wife of Frank Bowman of Buffalo. 
 Mr. Pease's father, who still survives, was sheriff of Genesee county from 1857 to 1860. 
 
 Heal, Frank C, was born in Stafford, N. Y., September 39, 1858, a son of Matthew 
 W. and Harriet (March) Heal. Matthew W. Heal came.from England in 1834 with his 
 parents, who settled in Le Roy ; he engaged in farming and served as deputy sheriff 
 for nearly twenty years. Frank C. Heal was educated in the public schools, and for 
 nine years was engaged in the produce business. In 1880 he came to Batavia and 
 conducted a hotel for seven years, and in 1897 established his present business of 
 feed, flour and grain. Mr. Heal is an enterprising, public spirited citizen. He served 
 for a time as one of the trustees of the village of Batavia. In politics he is a Repub- 
 lican and always takes an active interest in the affairs of his party. In 1881 he was 
 married to Josephine, daughter of the late George Ruprecht. 
 
 Olmsted, William D., p. o. Oakfield, N. Y., was born in Le Roy, February 19, 1833, 
 a son of Stephen and Barbara (Parmelee) Olmsted. His father was a native of Ver- 
 mont and came to Genesee county at an early day, with less than one dollar in 
 money and an axe, and took up land in Le Roy ; he died in 1883. W. D. Olmsted 
 was educated at Cary Collegiate Seminary and Old Round House at Le Roy. After 
 finishing his schooling he engaged in the milling business. As an upright, trust- 
 worthy citizen Mr. Olmsted has established an undoubted claim, and his interest in 
 the good of his town and its people is worthy of note. His wife was Frances A. 
 Parmelee, who has borne him two sons — Carlos P. and Herbert W. 
 
 Booth, Joseph, was a native of Yorkshire, England, and came to Batavia about 
 1845. In 1863 he married Laura E., daughter of Silas D. and Eliza A. (Smith) 
 Whitney, who came from Washington county in 1835; he was one of the pioneer 
 millers of the town of Elba. The death of Mr. Booth, which occurred July 15, 1867, 
 was a loss not only to his family, but to all who knew him ; of sterling, upright char- 
 acter, he ever received and merited the respect of his associates. He was survived 
 by his widow, who resides in Batavia, and by one son, George W., whose death 
 occurred soon after that of his father. 
 
 Chamberlin, Amos, senior, was born in Barton, Vt, in 1773. He had four 
 brothers, namely: William, Erastus, Ira and Abner, and one sister, Hattie. Amos, 
 sr., had nine children, six boys — Cyrus, Amos, Major, Alfred, John and Hazen — and 
 
53 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 three girls — Almyra, Mable and Hattie. He left Barton with six boys and Almyra 
 ill 1814; Amos, jr., came on foot and drove a cow, and his mother came on horseback 
 and brought Hazen, the youngest child, in her arms, through the then wilderness to 
 G,.;nesee county, N. Y. Amos, sr., took up a farm on lot No. 141 (east side), two 
 miles northeast of North Byron, and with the aid of his older sons converted the 
 same into a good farm. David Shed came from Verona, N. Y., and took up the 
 west side of lot No. 141. He had thirteen children, four boys — Harry, David, Oliver 
 and Milo — and nine girls — Polly, Phebe, Anna, Almeda, Betsey, Jane, Sally, Mal- 
 vina and Asenith. Amos Chamberlin, jr., married Phebe Shed November 9, 1820; 
 they had three children — Charles, Charles H. and Helen. Charles H. was b )rn No ■ 
 vember 11, 1834, in Byron; he came from Byron with his father to Oakfield in 1835 
 and has resided there ever since. On November 11, 1851, he married Mary A. Bates; 
 she died June 3, 1881 ; he married, second, Abbie J. Shed, December 13, 1883. In 
 politics he has been a Republican, and has held the office of town clerk, and was jus- 
 tice of the peace for several years ; was appointed postmaster under Lincoln's first 
 term and held that office three terms ; and was supervisor of his town. He started 
 a general store in 1849 and continued it until 1884, when his health failed and he 
 gave up business. He has built one wood store and two brick blocks of three stores 
 each, having been burned out three times ; he also built a fine house. He has resided 
 in the town longer than any person now living there, and in the village since 1849. 
 William, brother of Amos Chamberlin, sr., came to Ischua, Cattaraugus county, in 
 the winter of 1815-16, with a sleigh covered with canvas and drawn by a yoke of 
 oxen ; the snow was so deep they had to hitch one ox before the other. He has a 
 large number of descendants now living in Cattaraugus county. In 1837 Amos 
 Chamberlin, jr., wishing to send $1,000 in silver coin to Michigan, and there being 
 no railroads or express companies, he put one thousand half dollars in each of two 
 sacks, which he fastened to the pommel of his saddle, and mounting his horse, rode 
 to Buffalo, where he took a boat to Detroit, and then rode a hundred miles farther 
 west. Stopping at a tavern, in the morning when he wished to settle his bill, they 
 refused to accept the Genesee county money ; he found relief by going to a broker 
 and getting "wildcat" money. Proceeding, he arrived safely in Branch county. 
 Those are what some people call the good old times. 
 
 White, Peregrine Kirk — so named, but generally known as Kirk P. White — was 
 born on the White homestead farm, on the Byron Road, November 34, 1839. This 
 farm was purchased from the Holland Land Co. by his parents, Chester and Lucy 
 (Toplifi) White, who came from the New England States in an ox cart in 1816, and 
 still remains in the possession of the family. Kirk P. White was educated at Albion 
 College, in Michigan, and was a more than usually well-informed man. He was for 
 many years one of the assessors of Batavia, and was a genial, kind-hearted man, 
 greatly beloved and respected. In 1888 he was married to Sarah A., daughter of 
 William and Elizabeth (Warren) White. The death of Mr. White occurred Septem- 
 ber 37, 1891, and his loss was universally deplored by all who knew him. He is sur- 
 vived by his widow and two sons, John and Peregrine. 
 
 Barlow, Charles, p. o. Le Roy, was born in Woulten, Hampshire county, England, 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 53 
 
 August 13, 1843, a son of William Barlow and Eliza Broker Barlow, his wife. He 
 was educated in the common schools of London, Eng., and when fifteen years old 
 was employed by his uncle, John Brooker, in whose service he continued for three 
 and a half years. He then learned the gardening business with Edward Buxton ; in 
 1867 he engaged in selling milk in London and continued that business until 1871, 
 when he came to America, settling first in Perry, N. Y., where he lived for eighteen 
 months and then came to Le Roy, N. Y. On December 25, 1866, Mr. Barlow mar- 
 ried Sarah Bundy, at St. George church, Hanover square, Middlesex county, Lon- 
 don England. They had seven children ; Arthur, Henry J. (deceased), Alfred H. , 
 William C, Emily F. (deceased), Edith A and Charlotte S. Mr. Barlow is one of 
 Le Roy's progressive farmers, of sterling integrity and is active in church and school 
 matters. 
 
 Tuttle, Hon. Thomas B., was born in Yates county, N. Y., September 30, 1844, a 
 son of Henry and Elmira (Wells) Tuttle, natives of New York State. His grand- 
 father, Thomas Tuttle, was born in Reade street. New York city, and emigrated to 
 Western New York early in the present century and was one of the pioneers of Yates 
 county. He subsequently removed to Hillsdale, Mich., where he was a pioneer, go- 
 ing by canal. He was a farmer and died in Michigan ; he had a family of three sons 
 and two daughters, three of whom are now living, Thomas B. Tuttle is the third 
 eldest and was brought up in Hillsdale Mich., where he was educated, graduating 
 from the high school and from a scientific course in the Hillsdale -College, where he 
 was an active member of the Amphictyon Literary Society. He engaged in the 
 mercantile business as a clerk at Hillsdale, practically working his way through 
 school by his own efforts. In 1866 he went to Dubuque, Iowa, and there opened a. 
 drug store on his own account and for five years did a successful business, when he 
 returned to New York State, stopping at Lockport. But not satisfied with the out- 
 look there he came to Le Roy and there located in 1872, and has since carried on the 
 business in which he has been very successful. He was for a time trustee of Ingham 
 University, and has held all the offices of the village from president down ; was a 
 member of the National Convention at Chicago in 1884 which nominated Blaine. 
 He was elected to the State Legislature in 1894 and served two terms ; he served on 
 the Committee on Taxation and Retrenchment; Public Institutions and Revision 
 Committees, was chairman of the Committee on Charitable Institutions in 1895 ; and 
 ■\vas on the Committee on Strikes during the Brooklyn, N. Y., trouble; was responsi- 
 ble for passage of Corrupt Practices Act and took part in the defeat of the Single Tax 
 bill and bill to exempt personal property from tax obligations. He has taken a very 
 active part in Republican politics and is now a member of the board of education. 
 He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and I. O. O. F. In 1869 Mr. Tuttle mar- 
 ried Henrietta L. Crocker of Stafford; they have one son, George M., a lawyer in 
 Niagara Falls. 
 
 Chaddock, Frank E., p. o. Le Roy, was born in Pavilion, N. Y. , August 17, 1844. 
 His father, Suel Chaddock, was born in Caledonia, N. Y., in 1819, moved to Pavilion 
 when four years old, and resided there until 1860, in which year he moved to Le Roy. 
 He was a farmer, and died in November, 1897. He married Eleanor E. Stanard of 
 
54 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Pavilion, who died April 11, 1881. Frank E. Chaddock was educated inthecommon 
 schools. He taught school for four terms and then engaged in farming. In 1868 he 
 married Aledia E. Stevens; they had two children: Nellie M. and Ada M., both de- 
 ceased. Mrs. Chaddock died in 1888. Afterwards Mr. Chaddock married L. Antoi- 
 nette Sprague, daughter of Edwin B. Sprague of Le Roy, N. Y. January 1, 1897, 
 Mr. Chaddock was elected cashier of the Citizens' Bank of Le Roy, a position which 
 he now holds. 
 
 Merrill, Nelson J., was born October 24, 1830. His father, Ara P. Merrill, was a 
 native of Whitestown, N. Y., and came to Genesee county in 1815; he married a 
 Miss Rogers for his first wife, and after her death married Mary Strickland. Asa 
 Merrill, his brother, came to Genesee county in 1809, and was prominent in the early 
 growth of the town of Byron. Nelson J. Merrill was educated in the common 
 schools, and in 1856 married Mary, daughter of David Gleason ; they have three 
 sons: Jay, Otto and Byron. Mr. Merrill is a practical and successful farmer, and 
 ranks with Byron's enterprising, industrious and upright men. 
 
 Millar, Francis T., was born in Byron, N. Y., October 16, 1847, a son of Wheaton 
 S. Miller, a native of the same town, whose parents, Elisha and Martha (Tripp) Mil- 
 ler, came from Wilkes-Barre to Byron in 1810. Wheaton S. Miller married Emarett^ 
 daughter of Isaac Southworth, and was engaged in farming and shipping produce 
 and live stock ; he died May 38, 1864. Francis T. Miller was educated in Byron and 
 at an Albany academy. Mr. Miller is one of the progressive men of his town. In 
 1884 he established his grain business, in which he is still engaged in company with 
 his brother, Elisha H. Miller. He served as supervisor three terms, 1879-81, and 
 was member of assembly in 1890-91. He enjoys the entire confidence of the com- 
 munity where he resides, and his advice and assistance are often sought in business 
 matters. In 1869 he was married to Julia A., daughter of James D. Benham ; they 
 had eight children: Holdeu C, James D., Francis T., jr., Marion, Mrs. E. L. Mc- 
 Kelver, Imogene, Florence and Annabel. Mrs. Miller died in 1894, and Mr. Miller 
 subsequently married Mrs. Ida Peckham. 
 
 Waterman, Bennett, p. o. Morgan ville, N. Y., was born in the town of Stafford, 
 N. Y., December 21, 1837, a son of Anthony and Sophia (Banister) Waterman, na- 
 tives of Massachusetts. Anthony Waterman arrived in Stafford from Massachusetts 
 March 12, 1816, in company with Versal Banister, his father-in-law, having $1.37 on 
 his arrival. They were eighteen days on the road with an ox team. Bennett Water- 
 man was educated in the common schools, and is a farmer. He married Isabella, 
 daughter of B. F. Cash; they have one daughter, Florence li. Mr. Waterman bears 
 the reputation of an excellent citizen, and in the community where he resides is well 
 known as a successful farmer and representative business man. 
 
 Daggs, Charles H., p. o. Le Roy, N. Y., was born in Rochester, N. Y., April 20, 
 1857. His father, George O. Daggs, was a native of London, England, and came to 
 Rochester about 1840 ; he was a butcher. He married Elizabeth Rudman of Roch- 
 ester, and they were the parents of George R., Charles H., William, David, Frank, 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 55 
 
 John, Faany, Mary, Bert, Lillie, Nellie and Edward. He died in 1887. Charles H. 
 Daggs was'educated in the common schools; he came to Le Roy in 1875 and engaged 
 in the meat business. He was elected constable for three years, and in 1888 was 
 appointed chief of police and is still holding the office. He married Mary Curran; 
 their children are Mabel, Frank, Lizzie, Lottie, Charles, Walter and Genevieve. Mr. 
 Daggs is one of Le Roy's well known and highly respected residents, his integrity 
 has never been questioned, and his interest in his town's well-being and advance- 
 ment is a matter of general knowledge. 
 
 Hager, John F., p. o. Le Roy, N. Y., was born in the town of Irondequoit, Monroe 
 county, N. Y., October 29, 1845. His father, John A. Hager, was a native of Baden, 
 Germany; he came to this country in 1835, and died in 1893; his wife was Malana 
 Sours. John F. Hager was educated in the common schools and at the academy at 
 Webster, N. Y. He has always been a farmer ; in 1875 he removed from Gates, N. 
 Y., to Le Roy, buying the Deming farm; in 1891 he assumed the superintendency of 
 the "salt farm," and in 189b started the Beechnut Creamery, which has a capacity 
 of 1,000 pounds per day. He is full of push and enterprise and a valuable acquisi- 
 tion to the citizenship of his town. He was school trustee for five years, and was a 
 trustee and is now a deacon of the Le Roy Presbyterian church. On March 19, 1874. 
 Mr. Hager was married to Mary E., daughter of Asahel Pratt. Mrs. Hager was 
 born in Gates. December 21, 1853, and died August 1, 1898; she was a graduate of 
 Mrs. Nickols's Female Academy at Rochester, and was an active member of the 
 Presbyterian church of Le Roy. Mr. and Mrs. Hager had one son, John B., born 
 December 28, 1878, and died March 4, 1880 ; they also had an adopted daughter, 
 Mrs. Bessie N. Hager Edson. 
 
 Haywood, Mrs. Sally. — John Haywood was born in England, November 12, 1809, 
 and came to Genesee county in 1836, where he engaged successfully at farming. He 
 was trustee of schools for ten years. In 1846 he married Sally Shapland of England ; 
 they had five children: John, Elizabeth, wife of Henry Radley, Annie, wife of Dr. 
 Harry Sutterby, Mary and William. Mr. Haywood died in 1892; his widow sur- 
 vives him. Mr. Haywood's life \jvas without -reproach ; he was a kind neighbor, an 
 industrious and sensible man, and commanded the respect of his associates. 
 
 Boyce, James A., was born in Kingston, Canada, November 22, 1860. His father, 
 Stephen Boyce, was a native of the same place and came to Bergen, N. Y. , in 1864, 
 where he was a farmer. James Boyce was educated in the schools of Bergen, and 
 began his business career in the hardware trade. In 1883 he established his present 
 business and is now carrying a general line of hardware, paints and oils. In 1889 
 Mr. Boyce married Eunice, daughter of George Lewis; they have one daughter, 
 Helen. He is a member of the Maccabees and is recognized as a man of energy, 
 good character, and like most self-made men, capable and progressive. 
 
 Haxton, George W., p. o. Oakneld, N. Y., was born in Oakfield, January 3, 1851, the 
 oldest son of Samuel and Eliza Haxton. His father was a native of New England 
 and died in Genesee county in 1873. George W. Haxton was educated at Cary Col- 
 
56 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 legiate Seminary and taught school for eight years. He then became engaged in the 
 insurance and produce business, and is now a large farmer and dealer in stock and 
 beans. He is a progressive business man, of sterling integrity and has always taken 
 an active part in promoting the best interests of his town. In 1878 he married Ella 
 A. Koppeof West Middlebury ; their children are S. Fred, G. Sherwin and Florence G. 
 
 McEwen, J. William, p. o. Le Roy, N. Y. , was born in Le Roy, November 13, 
 1855. His father, Archibald McEwen, was a native of Johnstown, N. Y., and was 
 a farmer ; he married Margaret Green and died in 1883. J. W. McEwen was ed- 
 ucated in the Le Roy Academy and after leaving school engaged in farming. In 
 1896 he, with Mr. W. W. Cole, embarked in the milling business. He has proved 
 himself an enterprising business man, worthy of the confidence bestowed upon him. 
 He married Elizabeth Veghte; their children are 'Archie, Edith and Helen. 
 
 Seward, Charles F., p. o. Ray, N. Y., is one of those men not uncommon in this 
 county, who pursue their course quietly through life, doing well and earnestly what- 
 ever they undertake. His career has been that of a successful farmer. He is a son 
 of Leverett and Olive (Riddle) Seward, and was born in the town of Alexander, 
 Genesee county. N. Y., September 5, 1825. His father came from Connecticut to 
 Batavia in 1813 and bought land of the Holland Land Company. He was member of 
 assembly from this county in 1886 and 1837. He died November 7, 1876. Charles 
 F. Seward was married October 8, 1854, to Pamelia, daughter of Edward and Joanna 
 (Hoksley) Dykeman; they have two children: Olive, wife of Charles H. Dean of 
 Alexander; and Oia M. Mrs. Seward died in April, 1879. Mr. Seward is a mem- 
 ber of North Alexander Grange. He is an intelligent, companionable man and 
 stands deservedly high in the esteem of all who know him. Winfield S. Seward, 
 an older brother of Charles F. Seward, died January 8, 1893. Victor M. Seward, a 
 younger brother, died in Rochester, in 1898. 
 
 Fisher, Marion O., proprietor of the Eagle Hotel, Le Roy, was born in Ontario 
 county, N. Y., in 1850, educated in his native place and completed his course at the 
 Valparaiso (Ind.) Normal school, from which he was graduated in 1877. He taught 
 school in Middlebury, Ind., for five years. In the spring of 1882 he went on the 
 road as a salesman for J. D. Beers & Son, with whom he remained for two years, 
 and then took out a patent and worked it for a few years. He then traveled for the 
 American Tablet Company of Dayton, Ohio, and one year for the Sidney (Ohio) 
 Planing Mill Company and for three years traveled for himself. In April, 1895, he 
 negotiated for the Eagle Hotel and took charge of the same. It had at that time 
 but sixteen rooms, and he began immediately to make improvements; he added an- 
 other story, so that there are now forty-one rooms in the house, lighted by electricity, 
 heated by steam, with electric call-bells, and is first-class in every respect. A more 
 genial landlord and lady cannot be found in Western New York. The hotel is one 
 of the old landmarks of the village, having been built in 1820; it has had numerous 
 proprietors, but was never run successfully till Mr. Fisher took hold of it. Mr. 
 Fisher is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Olive Branch Lodge No. 39, F. & A. 
 M., and Le Roy Chapter. In 1884 he married Emma A. Sylvester of Sinclairville, 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 57 
 
 N. Y. ; they have three children: Sena M., Bertha O. and Sylvester Roy. Mr. 
 Fisher's parents were Oscar N. and Elizabeth (Case) Fisher, natives of Ontario 
 county, N. Y., and his grandfather, Jeremiah Fisher, born in 1800, is said to have 
 been the first white child born in Ontario county. Some of his ancestry were in the 
 early wars, and one of them received a commission as colonel in His Majesty's troops, 
 signed by King George ; this parchment is now in the possession of Dr. Fisher of 
 Elkhart, Ind. 
 
 Fanson, Francis William, manager and secretary-treasurer of the Cold Spring 
 Creamery Co. of Bergen, N. Y., was born in the State of Illinois, in May, 1862. His 
 father, William, was a native of England, who, when nine years of age, came to 
 America with his mother. His mother did not marry again, and William lived for 
 seven years with Samuel Dart in Bergen on a farm, and when sixteen began work for 
 himself at farming. He married and moved to Illinois, but in 1864 returned to Ber- 
 gen. In 1866 he went to Michigan, returned to New York in 1870, and in 1874 again 
 moved to Michigan, where he still resides. Francis W. received his education in the 
 common, district and city schools and remained with his parents until twenty-three 
 years of age, when he married, and in 1884 left Michigan and came to Bergen to 
 live on the homestead farm of his grandparents, Moses and Jane Berry, which he 
 has occupied to the present time In March, 1888, he interested himself in and be- 
 came one of the active organizers of the Cold Spring Creamery Co. with a capital 
 stock of $1,400, which was later increased to $3,000, Mr. Fanson being one of the 
 principal stockholders at that time, and the largest stockholder now, and one of the 
 directors since the organization of the company. In 1893 he was elected superin- 
 tendent and secretary-treasurer of the company, which offices he is now filling. Un- 
 der the excellent management of Mr. Fanson the business has thrived, the output of 
 the creamery varying from 40,000 to 90,000 pounds of butter a year. In politics Mr. 
 Fanson is a Republican ; is an advocate of the temperance cause, and has served his 
 town on the board of excise commissioners, but declines further proffered nomina- 
 tions. He is a member and master of the Bergen Grange, a member of the Knights 
 of the Maccabees and commander of his tent. He is actively connected with church 
 and Sunday school work, and a member of the Baptist church, of which he is deacon. 
 He married Charlotte E. Cobert of Michigan ; they have one son, Orla F. 
 
 Sage, W. Monroe, a resident of the village of Bergen, N. Y. , since 1861, was born 
 in the town of Wheatland, Monroe county, N. Y. , December 28, 1834, a son of War- 
 ren and Salome (Skinner) Sage. Salome Skinner was an eye witness to the battle of 
 Lundy's Lane; her family lived near by and went to the woods for safety, and from 
 their place of concealment witnessed the battle. Warren Sage followed carpentry 
 during his early manhood, but later confined his attention to agricultural industry, 
 owning a farm in the town of Wheatland, where he died February 1, 1856, W. Mon- 
 roe Sage is well known in the musical circles of Western New York, having devoted 
 the major portion of his life to music and musical convention work. He was reared 
 on the farm, received his early education in the district schools and later attended 
 Oberlin College, Ohio, and was graduated from Eastman's Commercial College in 
 Rochester. He was endowed by nature with unusual musical talent and played the 
 
58 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 violin while yet sitting in his high chair ; at the age of seven played before public 
 assemblages; he did not begin the scientific study of the violin until nineteen years 
 of age. when he attended L. Hinsdale Sherwood's Musical Academy at Lyons, N. V., 
 and remained there until called home by the death of his father. A few years later 
 he was graduated from the Friendship Academy of Music in the branches of violin, 
 voice and harmony. Part of the time during his years of study he gave singing 
 schools in the winters and attended the normal music schools during the summer 
 months under the instruction of such noted masters as A. N. Johnson, William B. 
 Bradbury, George F. Root and Carlo Bassini. Among the professors from whom 
 Mr. Sage obtained his finest and most finished points in violin playing was Prof. 
 Henri Appy, who came to America in 1850 as the violinist to Jenny Lind. In poli- 
 tics he is a Republican ; he was the prime mover in bringing about the incorporation 
 of the village of Bergen, and as a demonstration of their appreciation for what he 
 had done the people honored him by electing him the first village president, which 
 office he filled two years; the first year of his administration he caused to be placed 
 102 sidewalks, the second year he inaugurated the first street lighting by placing 
 four lamps on four corners. In 1863 Mr. Sage married Frances A. D. Doolittle, 
 daughter of Deacon James D. and Eunice M. (Carter) Doolittle, he a prominent mer- 
 chant in Bergen, who died in 1884, leaving a beautiful home since occupied by Mr. 
 and Mrs. Sage. Mrs. Sage died May 1, 1899. The Sage family dates back in 
 America to 1652, when David Sage, a native of Wales, settled in Middletown, Conn. , 
 being one the pioneers there. 
 
 Stevens, Elsworth T , a prominent representative and lifelong resident of Bergen, 
 N. Y., was born in that town, on the farm he now owns, February 7, 1831. Thomas 
 Stevens, his father, was one of several sons and daughters, and was born in Killing- 
 worth, Conn., November 25, 1787. In 1813 he moved to Bergen with an ox team and 
 bought fifty acres of land in the woods, and in order to pay for it he engaged in the 
 work of blasting out the rock where the flouring mills now stand in the village of Le 
 Roy, walking there and back home each day. He was a strong, energetic man and 
 after arriving home from his day's work would take his axe and set to work chop- 
 ping down trees and clearing, working well into the night. He made a fine home 
 and added more land to his farm by purchase from time to time, until he owned 180 
 acres. He was a great reader, broad-minded and keenly alive to all public affairs ; 
 during the last thirteen years of his life he was afflicted by total blindness, and it was 
 then that his remarkable memory was a great source of comfort to him ; he died in 
 March, 1873. Elsworth T. Stevens has always remained on the home farm, purchas- 
 ing the farm from his father after his mother's death. He has added to it and has 
 one of the finest homes in the town of Bergen. In politics he has always been a Re- 
 publican; he has been elected and re-elected to the office of highway commissioner 
 for sixteen years, and to the office of assessor nine years. He is a leading member 
 of the Bergen Grange, of which he is past master and is now filling the offices of 
 purchasing agent and director. He married Maria Crampton, daughter of Amon G. 
 Crampton, an active old gentleman of ninety-eight years of age, and the oldest man 
 in the town of Bergen. Mrs. Stevens died in May, 1897. She was an active, intel- 
 lectual lady, possessed of unusual poetical ability, and wrote many beautiful poems. 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 59 
 
 She was often called upon by church and society for readings and recitations, and 
 often, upon special occasions, upon short notice, would sit down, pen in hand, and 
 compose beautiful and appropriate lines. , 
 
 Oathout, Charles E., a resident business man of the town of Bergen, N. Y., is a 
 native of the town of Riga, Monroe county, N. Y., and was born Decembers, 1844, a 
 son of Niles and Julia Ann (Stewart) Oathout. He was educated in the common 
 schools and the Riga Academy, and his practical education he received in his father's 
 store, under the tutorage of that parent. After the death of his father he succeeded 
 to the business. In 1883 he moved to the village of Bergen, and in January, 1884, 
 engaged in the hardware business, and with his practical experience, modern ideas 
 and hustling abilities, established one of the best trades in that line in the county. 
 In 1886 he sold one-half interest in the business to H. L. Gage. They erected a 
 large modern two story brick store and continued there until November 1, 1893, when 
 they rented their store and for eighteen months following were engaged in the manu- 
 facture of sensitized paper for photography. In 1897 Mr. Oathout removed to a farm 
 near North Bergen. Mr. Oathout married Laura A. Parnell; they have one son, 
 Elliott. 
 
 Gleason, John S. , is a native of Wyoming county, N. Y., born February 15, 1854, 
 a son of John and Rosanna Gleason. He was reared on the farm, attended the dis- 
 trict schools and took up the vocation of farming. He moved to the town of Bergen, 
 N. Y., in 1873, where he continued farming until 1893, then moved to the village of 
 Bergen, and in November of the same year purchased his present hardware business. 
 January 1, 1896, he took in as a partner Mr. Will E Gillette, since which time the 
 firm name has been Gleason & Gillette, and under the able management of these two 
 gentlemen the business has grown to proportions second to none in this section of 
 the country. They carry a full line of hardware, farm tools, roofing, etc. In poli- 
 tics Mr. Gleason is a Republican, has filled the office of village trustee two years, and 
 has been president of the village board of education since the union school system 
 was adopted. He is a charter member of the order of the Knights of the Maccabees 
 and received the honor of being elected the first commander of the tent in Bergen. 
 He has been a delegate to represent his lodge at three different conventions, to the 
 great camp at Buffalo, ' Niagara Falls and Utica. Mr. Gleason married Alice A. 
 Palmer. 
 
 Cook, Walter, an old and well-known resident of Bergen, N. Y., was born in Eas- 
 ton, Washington county, N. Y , in March, 1823, and brought to the town of Bergen 
 in 1834 by his parents. He grew to manhood on the farm, received a limited educa- 
 tion, and in 1845 concluded to try his fortune in the west, going to Illmois. He spent 
 that year in the lead mines, thence to Wisconsin, where he spent another year in the 
 lead mines, and then returned to Bergen. In 1853 he went to California, where he 
 spent eight years, four years in the gold mines and four in the mountains, building 
 and attending a water reservoir and ditch for mining purposes, a company being or- 
 ganized for that purpose, in which Mr. Cook was an active stockholder ; he still re- 
 tains his interest in the company. He returned to Bergen and purchased his present 
 
60 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 choice farm of fifty acres, on which he has ever since resided. In politics Mr. Cook 
 has been a Republican ever since the organization of that party, and while often 
 urged to accept nomination for office, he steadfastly declines the honor. In 1862 he 
 married Mrs. Delana H. (Grefen) Gifford, who was born in Phelps, Ontario county, in 
 1823. 
 
 Herrick, Edward P., was born in the town of Bergen, N.Y., in 1842, asonof Pyram 
 and Ann Eliza (Eldridge) Herrick. His father was born in Vermont, May 8, 1802, 
 and came to Bergen about 1835, spendiug all but four years of his life in that town. 
 He died in the town of Sweden, Monroe county, October 6, 1877. Edward P. Her- 
 rick received his education in the common district schools. He followed the vocation 
 of farming, beginning for himself when twenty-three, and continued on rented 
 farms until 1897, preferring to lease land rather than to buy, but in the latter year 
 purchased a farm of 128 acres In politics he is a Republican, always taking an in- 
 terest in all public and political affairs of his town and has been elected to and filled 
 the responsible office of town tax collector. He is a member of the Bergen Grange 
 and of the Knights of Maccabees, Tent No 6. In 1864 Mr. Herrick married Eliza- 
 beth J. Bunnell; they had three children: Susan J., born December 16, 1866, wife of 
 George S. Avery of Batavia; Fred R., born July 31, 1873; and Roy E., born March 
 22, 1889, who died when eighteen months old. Mr. and Mrs. Herrick are members 
 of the M. E. church, in which Mr. Herrick is steward and trustee; Mrs. Herrick is a 
 member of the Foreign Missionary Society, the Ladies' Aid, and W. C. T. U. 
 
 Bower, Abner, one of the best knowQ and wealthiest farmers in the town of Ber- 
 gen, N. Y. , is a native of Cayuga county, N. Y., bDrn October 8, 1825, a son of Ben- 
 jamin and Mary (Henry) Bower, and is the only surviving member of his father's 
 family. He grew to manhood on the homestead, which he has since purchased 
 from the heirs, where he has accumulated a large property, owning a farm of 320 
 acres and other investments. In politics Mr. Bower is a Republican. In February, 
 1844, he married Mary Ellen Huff, who died June 6, 1896. They had three children: 
 Wesley A. (deceased), Mary A. , wife of Chester Adams, and Millard F. (deceased). 
 
 Hewes, Marcena Ballard, is one of the old and eminently respectable citizens of 
 Genesee county. He was born in the town of Lee, Oneida county, N. Y., March 7, 
 1822. His gralldfather Hewes was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, was taken 
 prisoner by the British and held a captive on board an English man-of-war until the 
 close of hostilities ; he was a nephew of Mr. Hewes one of the signers of the Decla- 
 ration of Independence. Marcena Ballard Hewes grew to manhood in the town 
 where he was born at the home of his grandparents, his mother having died when 
 he was an infant, and his father marrying again In 1848 Mr. Hewes came to the 
 town of Le Roy, where an uncle of his lived. When he arrived he had but fifty 
 cents to his name, but he was full of energy and pluck and went to work with a vim ; 
 he purchased a tract of eighty-four acres and added to this a. few years later forty- 
 five acres more. In 1879 he traded the forty-five acres as part payment for a 218- 
 acre farm in the town of Bergen, and after many years of hard and successful toil on 
 his farm is now taking the ease he has so justly earned by retiring from active farm 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 61 
 
 duties, leaving the farm in care of his sons. In politics Mr. Hewes has always been 
 a strong and consistent Democrat and stands firm in the principles of bi-metalism. 
 He has been twice married; his first wife was Cordelia Banister of Le Roy, whom he 
 married on October 10, 1848 ; they had five sons and three daughters ; his wife died in 
 June, 1868, and for his second wife he married Mary Jane Stevens ; they had two sons 
 and one daughter. 
 
 Wood, Frank D., is one of the prominent young men of the town of Bergen, of 
 which he is a native, born April 24, 1860, a son of James and Susan (South) Wood. 
 His parents were natives of England and in 1837 they came to America on a sailing 
 vessel, requiring five months to make the voyage. James was a steady attendant 
 at church and during the early years of his life walked regularly nearly every Sun- 
 day five miles to church ; he was always a strict observer of the Sabbath and obliged 
 his children to attend church and Sabbath school. Frank D. received his education 
 in the Bergen public schools. During the years 1883, 1883 and 1884 he was a travel- 
 ing salesman, selling farm machinery, and traveled through many of the Western 
 States and Territories. He returned to Bergen and in 1898 purchased a farm of 
 seventy acres, -which he now carries on successfully. On February 16, 1886, he mar- 
 ried Cora Louise Mason; they have one son, Percy Mason. Mr. Wood is an active 
 Republican and has for several years been the Bergen member of the County Com- 
 mittee of that party. 
 
 McPherson, Daniel J., son of Donald and Margery McPherson, was born February 
 5, 1849, in the village of Bergen, which is still his residence. His education was ob- 
 tained in the district school, at a private school called the Bergen High School, of 
 which B. F. Hamilton was the proprietor, and at the Rochester Business University. 
 In the winter of 1873-74 he tried school teaching, but after one term abandoned it. 
 After a trial of music teaching and type setting, the latter in the offices of the Pro- 
 gressive Batavian and Brockport Democrat, he, in 1877, entered the office of Platts 
 & McPherson, grain and coal dealers at Bergen, as bookkeeper. In 1882, his father, 
 who had purchased the interest of Henry Platts, took him into partnership and he 
 continued in the business until March, 1898, when he sold out and retired. May 4, 
 1873, Mr. McPherson united with the Congregational church ; in 1876 he was elected 
 superintendent of the Sunday school and was six times re-elected. The other Sun- 
 day school offices held by him at various times were secretary, treasurer, chorister, 
 organist, assistant superintendent and teacher. Mr. McPherson feels a deep interest 
 in the prosperity of the church and contributes lioerally to its support and also to all 
 its benevolent objects. November 30, 1877, he married Emma H. Hume, daughter 
 of Alonzo and Elizabeth Hume; they have two sons: Donald, born August 8, 1879, 
 and Hume, born November 9, 1880. Mr. McPherson enjoys the confidence of his 
 fellow townsmen, who have elected him to the fallowing offices: Village collector in 
 1879; village treasurer in 1884 and 1885; town clerk in 1886 and 1887; justice of the 
 peace in 1895 (re-elected in 1898 for four years from January, 1899); member of the 
 board of education for three years in 1893 (re-elected in 1896) ; clerk of the board since 
 his first election ; village clerk continuously since 1889 ; has been a member of the 
 Bergen Fire Department since iti organization in 1886; its secretary since 1895; and 
 
62 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 president of the Business Men's Association since its organization in May, 1896. In 
 everything that pertains to the good of the village Mr. McPherson has shown a 
 lively interest ; he has contributed liberally to bring manufacturing concerns to the 
 village and to provide telephone communication, and many persons in financial 
 straits have found in him a friend indeed. In politics Mr. McPherson has always 
 been a Republican; he is a temperance man and has always voted against license. 
 Donald McPherson, a resident of Bergen from 1840 until his death, January 18, 1896, 
 was born in Scotland, August 16, 1814. In 1836 he came to this State and settled in 
 the town of Riga. Four years later he came to Bergen and bought the elevator 
 which occupied the site where the Central station now stands, and engaged in the 
 grain and produce business, which he carried on with success, with intervals of rest, 
 until his death. During his business career he had for partners H. S. Elmore, A. T 
 Southworth, Henry Platts and from 1882, his son. D. J. McPherson. As a business 
 man he had a reputation for rigid honesty and commanded the confidence of all who 
 had dealings with him. As a citizen he took an interest in everything that was for 
 the good of the community. His fellow townsmen honored him by electing him con- 
 stable in 1845 ; collector and constable in 1846 ; constable in 1847 ; collector and con- 
 stable in 1849 ; justice of the peace in 1850; sealer of weights and measures in 1852; 
 commissioner of highways in 1857; and assessor in 1880 and 1887. In 1857 he united 
 with the First Congregational church of Bergen and up to the beginning of his illness 
 he prayed and labored for its prosperity ; except when ill or away from home he was 
 always present at the preaching services, the Sunday school, either as teacher or 
 scholar, the prayer meeting, where his voice was always heard in prayer or testi- 
 mony, the preparatory lecture and the business meetings. In 1857 he was elected a 
 trustee of the church society and served as such thirty- five years; in 1858 he was 
 elected clerk of the trustees and treasurer and served twenty-five years, collecting 
 over $30,000; in 1861 he was elected a member of the standing committee, which is 
 the same as the session in the Presbyterian church ; this office he held at the time of 
 his death ; elected deacon in 1880 and served until 1892, when he declined re-election 
 on account of poor heilth. He was frequently a delegate to the Presbytery of Gen- 
 esee, the church being under its care, and twice he was a commissioner to the Gen- 
 eral Assembly. He was emphatically a man of one book— the Bible. This he read, 
 studied and shaped his life by its teachings. No matter how busy he was, and dur- 
 ing the greater part of his life in Bergen he was very busy, he never failed to have 
 family worship morning and evening, or to ask a blessing at each meal. He was a 
 staunch Republican and a temperance man. Mr. McPherson was twice married; his 
 first wife was Jane, daughter of Duncan and Elizabeth McPherson of Wheatland ; 
 two years after the death of his first wife he married, December 31, 1846, Margery, 
 daughter of John and Catharine Gordon, who died October 13, 1895. He was the 
 father of three sons and two daughters. The daughters and one son died in infancy ; 
 another son, William Henry, died at the age of eight years and four months; and the 
 third son, Daniel J., lives to write this tribute to his father's memory. Writing from 
 Ionia, Mich., Lemuel Clute, who married a niece of Mr. McPherson, said: " I have 
 known him a number of years and have done a good deal of business of a confiden- 
 tial nature for him, and have always found him calm, cool, patient, trustful. He 
 ripened into a good old age as only the perfect fruit ripens. Although he had been 
 an active business man, I presume he had not a single enemy at his death, and every 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 63 
 
 one who knew him will remember him with a pleasant memory, and this condition 
 with him was not accidental, but rather the result of trying to live right." The Rev. 
 E. N. Pomeroy of Wellesley, Mass., a former pastor of the Congregational church, 
 wrote as follows; " In the course of my ministry of twenty years and in the course 
 of my life of nearly sixty years, I have never found a person whom I respected and 
 regarded more highly than Donald McPherson. Good ability, good sense, and good 
 will were united in his character. Having felt his influence on my own life and char- 
 acter, I can well believe that he influenced the lives and characters of a good many 
 other persons. He will be missed in Bergen, but his memory and influence will re- 
 main. One always knew where to find him — it was on the side of truth and justice 
 as nearly as he understood them." 
 
 Hastings, John C, Alexander, N. Y., son of Jude and Mary (Curtiss) Hastings, 
 was born in the town of Oppenheim, Fulton county, N. Y. , July 4, 1840. He at- 
 tended the public schools of his native town and was employed for a number of years 
 at the glove trade in Gloversville, N. Y. In 1877 he bought the farm where he now 
 lives and has since that time been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Hastings 
 served three years in Co. D, 153d N. Y. Vols., in the war of the Rebellion. On Octo- 
 ber 8, 1862, he married Mary Ann, daughter of Henry and Sophia (Parker) Atty; 
 they have four children : Cora Alice, wife of Charles D. Kelsey ; George S. , Ella and 
 Amy E. 
 
 Chaddock, Joseph, p. o. Linden, N. Y., one of the most enterprising and successful 
 farmers of Alexander, N. Y., is a son of Luther and Sally (Washburn) Chaddock, and 
 was born in Alexander February 33, 1824. His father and a brother came from New 
 Hampshire to Alexander and bought land of the Holland Land Company. Mr. 
 Chaddock received his education in the public schools of his native town and has de- 
 voted his entire life to agriculture. He has never aspired to public office, nor has he 
 held other than assessor of the town. On March 3, 1854, he married Clarissa Mer- 
 ritt; they have three children: Flora, wife of Jay Hammond of Kalamazoo. Mich. ; 
 Clara, wife of Frank W. Simonds of Darien; and Mary, wife of Elwood Orcott of 
 Nebraska. Mr. Chaddock is a public spirited man and always ready to support any- 
 thing for the good of his town or the citizens thereof. 
 
 Thomas, David G., p. o. Alexander, N. Y., son of George P. and Mary (Thomas) 
 Thomas, was born in the town of Cuba, Allegany county, N. Y., May 23, 1856. His 
 parents were natives of England and came to this country in 1838, settling in Oneida 
 county, N. Y. When David G. was five years of age they removed to Rushford, 
 where he lived for several years, being engaged in farming and the manufacture of 
 cheese. In the spring of 1885 he removed to Alexander, where he conducted the 
 cheese business until 1895. In 1894 the firm of W. E. Moulton & Co was organized, 
 he being the company ; they are large shippers of grain and dealers in beans and 
 produce. Mr. Thomas was married November 21, 1883, to Lettie E., daughter of 
 W. H. G. and Freelove (Calkins) Post; they have two children: Oel, born February 
 7, 1886, and Bertha, born June 25, 1888. Politically Mr. Thomas is a Democrat, but 
 has never aspired to public office. He is a member of the Select Knights and Syl- 
 
64 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 vian Lodge No. 479, I. O. O. F. Mr. Thomas is a man of excellent business ability 
 and is an honored and respected citizen. 
 
 BrainarJ, Luretta C, of Alexander, N. Y., (p. o. Attica, N. Y.), daughter of Tim- 
 othy G. and Amanda (Hart) Baldwin, was born in North Chili, Monroe county, N. 
 Y., January 13, 1828. She was educated in the common schools of her native town 
 and on March 1, 1849, married Sebe B., son of Harris and Lydia (Turner) Brainard. 
 He was born August 27, 1821, in Alexander, and died May 30, 1894. Threechildreu 
 were born to them . Frank Adelbert, born November 12, 1851, died April 20, 1852 ; 
 Francis Amanda, born September 26, 1853, married Flint P. Smith of Flint, Mich. ; 
 and Caroline Augusta, born November 12, 1858, married Jerome Riddlejof Alexander, 
 N. Y., died October 4, 1893. Mrs. Brainard is a member of the M. E. church of 
 Attica and the W. C. T. U. 
 
 Norton, Franklin, p. o. Alabama, N. Y. , was born in Byron, N. Y., September 11, 
 1830, son of Anson and Percy (Walker) Byron. His father was a native of Goshen, 
 Conn., and removed to Byron, where he engaged in farming; he served in the war 
 of 1812, and removed to Alabama in 1836 where he died in 1838; his widow survived 
 him until 1850. Franklin Norton was educated in the public schools and by occupa- 
 tion is a farmer. He has been assessor for six years, town clerk one term, and is one 
 of Alabama's progressive and prosperous men. He was married to Julia F., daugh- 
 ter of Joseph W. Allen ; she died in January, 1897, leaving one son, Allen E. 
 
 Fink, Fred, of Alabama, N. Y. (p. o. West Shelby, Orleans county, N. Y.) was 
 born in Germany, April 19, 1833, a son a Jacob and Katherine (Krabs) Fink. Mr. 
 Fink came to Genesee county in 1876, where he has since been engaged in farming. 
 He has held the office of assessor twelve years, and has been school trustee for two 
 years. He is a public spirited man, and has manifested a. deep interest in schools 
 and other public benefits. His wife was Mary Hagman ; she bore him four children, 
 namely: Elizabeth Fink Burns, and Rosa Fink Chubbuck, both deceased; Kittie 
 Fink Tuttle, and William Fink. They have six grandchildren — a son and two 
 daughters who survive Mrs. Burns, and Duane, Olive and Homer, children of Will- 
 iam Fink, who is now conducting the farm. 
 
 Avery, Rufus G. , Alexander, N. Y. , the oldest of a family of thirteen children born 
 to Rufus G. and Keziah 1. (Goodwill) Avery, was born in the town of Stafford, Tol- 
 land county. Conn , October 21, 1824. His brothers and sisters were as follows: 
 Sarah, John G., Marygenett, Daniel G., William C, George E., Jamcs M., Julia M., 
 Bradley C, EmmaL., Martha E. and Charles B. His father was born in the town of 
 Hebron, Toliand county. Conn., February 4, 1795, and died in Alexander, N. Y., July 
 16, 1879. His mother was born in the town of Willington, Conn., December 15, 1802, 
 and died in Alexander, August 2, 1879. Mr. Avery began his schooling in the public 
 schools of his native town and at the age of ten his parents removed to Darien, re- 
 maining there for two years, then removed to Attica, and after a residence of two 
 years in that place settled in Alexander in 1838. Mr. Avery's first business experi- 
 ence was in the capacity of clerk in the store of E. G. Moulton of Alexander, in 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 65 
 
 whose employ he remained for two years. From 1843 to 1868 he was engaged in the 
 wholesale and retail tobacco business in Buffalo, then entered the employ of the 
 Buffalo and Washington Railroad, and with that road and the Buffalo and South- 
 western was employed as a conductor for a period of ten years. During this service, 
 however, he owned and operated a hotel at Alexander for two years, then gave up 
 the hotel and railroad business and removed to his farm, since which time he has 
 been engaged in agricultural pursuits, although for the last few years he has lived a 
 semi- retired life. On October 26, 1847. he married Helen M., dslughter of Capt. 
 Uriah P. B. andMehitable (Page) Monroe; they had two children: Florence L , wife 
 of Ellis R. Hay, and Walter P. B. (deceased). Mr. Avery has never held or aspired 
 to political office, and is a member of Attica Lodge, No. 462, F. & A. M. Personally 
 he is of a very social nature and enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him. 
 
 Harrington, Andrew B., Alexander, N. Y. , was born in a log house one mile west 
 of Linden, Genesee county, N. Y , October 13, 1844. His grandparents, Ezekiel E. 
 and Lydia E (Cotton) Harrington, came from New Hampshire to the Holland pur- 
 chase in Genesee county in a covered wagon (called a schooner), drawn by a yoke of 
 oxen, in the year 1814. They had a family of eight children, three girls and five 
 boys. Andrew B. Harrington is the youngest son of Daniel and Sarepta (Hill) Har- 
 rington, and until he reached his seventeenth year passed his life much as the sons of 
 farmers generally do, in tilling the soil and going to school. When the Civil war be- 
 gan young Ahdrew, replete with patriotism, ran away from home and enlisted in the 
 24th N. Y. Cavalry, in the Army of the Potomac. He participated in twenty-four 
 hard fought battles and served his country faithfully until the surrender of General 
 Lee, April 9, 1865. While at home on a furlough, September 2, 1864, he married 
 Adell, daughter of William R. and Christiana (Jones) Perkins; they have three chil- 
 dren; Eugene W., an attorney-at-law in Buffalo; Clara Bell, who lives at home; and 
 Daniel, who is station agent at Red Creek, Monroe county, N. Y. , for the Lehigh Val- 
 ley Railroad. Mr. Harrington has resided in the village of Alexander since 1871. 
 Politically he is a staunch Republican, and has been deputy sheriff of Genesee county 
 for twenty consecutive years, with the exception of one term ; and has been president 
 of the village for the last four years Mr. Harrington is a notary public and an 
 agent for different fire, accident and life insurance companies. In arriving at con- 
 clusions on any question he advances cautiously and by a process of sound reason- 
 ing, and when his judgment is once formed, nothing less nor more will induce him 
 to change it than a similar process of ratiocination. He is frank and generous in 
 character and affable in manner, and has many personal friends wherever he is 
 known. 
 
 Hint, John A., South Alabama, was born in Royalton, Niagara county, N. Y., No- 
 vember 16, 1860, a son of Joseph and Magdaleoa (Bauer) Hint. His father was a 
 native of Germany and came to Niagara county November 28, 1857, and died in 
 1885. John A. Hint was educated in the common schools and since leaving school 
 has followed farming. He married Oma Wight ; they have one son, Cabot W. Hint. 
 Mr. Hint is a good farmer, and one of the numerous residents of the town whose 
 record of citizenship is alike creditable and worthy of remark. 
 
66 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Ingalsbe, Ebenezer, South Alabama, N. Y., was born in Byron, N. Y., March 5, 
 1819. His father was born inScipio, Cayuga county, N.Y., and was always a farmer; 
 he married Polly Bushman; his death occurred in 1848. Ebenezer Ingalsbe was ed- 
 ucated in the common schools and has since then carried on farming and has raised 
 some very fine stock. Mr. Ingalsbe married Anna E. Alexander, who bore him 
 these children ; Sarah, Martha, Charlotte, Alfred (who died in 1896), Orrin, Jennie 
 and Hattie. Mr. Ingalsbe is one of the progressive farmers of Alabama, of sterling 
 integrity, and has always been interested in the progress of his town, taking an 
 active part in church and school matters. 
 
 Steele, Andrew G., who was born in Byron, N. Y., March 22, 1866, a son of John 
 H. and Charlotte R (Green) Steele. His father was a native of Connecticut and 
 came to Byron in 1855, where he was a farmer and active in promoting the growth 
 and progress of his town; he died in 1888 in his eighty-third year. Andrew G. Steele 
 was educated in the Brockport Normal School and taught school for three years. In 
 1889 he married Katie L., daughter of J. Z. Terry; Mrs. Steele died in the spring of 
 1898, leaving one daughter, Carolyn D. Mr. Steele is one of the practical and suc- 
 cessful farmers of his town. He has served as assessor six years, and has taken an 
 active interest in school and church matters. He is a public spirited citizen, and 
 always seeks to promote the best interests of his town. 
 
 Green, Newton H., was born in Byron, N.Y., September 16, 1828, a son of Andrew 
 H. and Lavinia (Goold) Green. His father was a land surveyor, who came to Gen- 
 esee county and settled in the town of Bergen in 1809. He was a man prominent in 
 town affairs, was supervisor of the town for years and member of assembly in 1839 
 and 1840; he died in 1875. Newton H. Green was educated in the common schools 
 and Brockport Academy, and taught school for several terms. In 1855 he married 
 Sylvina M. , daughter of George Dewey; their children are Hattie L. Bowen, Carrie 
 L. White, Charles N. Green and Emogene D. Walker, Mr. Green is a grain, stock 
 and fruit farmer; his farm of about 400 acres is one of the choicest in Genesee 
 county. He was town superintendent of schools two terms, assessor two terms, su- 
 pervisor five years and a member of assembly in 1875 and 1876. Mr. Green is a man 
 of unusual intelligence, and few men in Genesee county have ever enjoyed in a larger 
 degree the confidence of the people. He is tall, of dignified and commanding pres- 
 ence. His older brother, Loren Green, also represented the county in the Assembly 
 for two years. Since the above sketch was prepared Mr. Green has died. A good 
 man and an honored citizen has gone to his reward. His death occurred April 15, 
 1899. 
 
 Merrill, Abner J., was born on the homestead in Byron, N. Y., March 2, 1858, a 
 son of Ezra S. and Mary (Hitchcock) Merrill, and grandson of Daniel Merrill, who 
 came to Genesee county in 1809 and settled in the town of Byron. Ezra S. through 
 life was a farmer; he died in August, 1881. Abner J. Merrill was educated at Brock- 
 port Normal School, and in 1885 was married to Mary, daughter of Parliamer Mun- 
 ger. Their children are: Milan J., George L., Lester H. and Irene S. Mr. Merrill 
 is a substantial farmer, and has through life cast his influence in favor of such local 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 67 
 
 measures and institutions as are of benefit to his town and its inhabitants, and is es- 
 teemed as a man of good principles and integrity of character. 
 
 White, Iverson W., was born on the homestead in Byron, N. Y., January 8, 1856. 
 His father, Miles G. White, was a native of Rutland, Jefferson county, and removed 
 to Genesee county in 1828 with his parents. Miles G. White married Rozanna Blair, 
 and through life was a farmer ; he died in 1889. Iverson W. White was educated at 
 the Le Roy Academy, and in 1P85 married Carrie L., daughter of Hon. Newton H. 
 Green, and their children are: Charles, Dewey, Tracey and Ada. Mr. White is one 
 of the practical and successful farmers of Genesee county. He served as assessor 
 three years and was elected supervisor in 1898. He is an exemplary, public-spirited 
 citizen and stands high in the community. 
 
 Brown, William P., p. o. Byron, N. Y., was born on the homestead farm, June 16, 
 1829, a son of Richard G. and Laura (Searles) Brown. His father was a native of 
 Massachusetts and came to Genesee county in 1812, where he was a farmer and was 
 prominent in the growth of his town; he died in 1885. William F. Brown was edu- 
 cated in the common schools. In 1851 he married Hannah S , daughter of Thomas 
 Benton; they have one son, Edwin B. ; their only daughter, Mary E., died in 1879. 
 Mr. Brown is one of the practical and successful farmers of Genesee county. He has 
 served as assessor, and has taken an intelligent interest in school and church matters. 
 He is recognized as a man of sterling integrity, whose word is as good as his bond. 
 
 Searles, Isaiah, was born on the homestead farm in Byron, N. Y., July 30, 1828. 
 His father was John Searles, who was a native of Broome county, N. Y., and removed 
 to Genesee county in 1814, bringing his household chattels on an ox sled ; he was 
 married to Mrs. Hannah Searles, daughter of John Stocking ; he was a farmer all his 
 life, and died in 1875. Isaiah Searles was educated in the common schools, and in 
 1853 was married to Eliza, daughter of Zurial Hall; they have two sons: Horace H. 
 and Charles C. Mr. Searles is a prosperous farmer, a man whose life record may be 
 pointed to with pardonable pride. 
 
 Prince, Alpheus, M. D , was born in Lockport, Niagara county, N. Y., May 6, 1856, 
 a son of Alpheus and Amy (Lester) Prince. His father always resided in Erie county ; 
 he served two terms in the Legislature, and was a well-known and prominent man ; 
 his death, which occurred in 1870, wa.s a loss not only to his family, but to all who 
 knew him. Dr. Prince was educated in Clarence Classical Union School, and was 
 graduated from the medical department of the University of Buffalo in 1883. He was 
 resident physician of the Erie County Hospital three years ; practiced five years in 
 Oakfield, and in 1891 came to Byron, where he has since been engaged in general 
 practice. In 1884 Dr. Prince married Mary, daughter of Tracy Love ; they have two 
 sons: Howard L. and George B. Dr. Prince served as coroner six years, and has 
 established an excellent reputation, not only as a physician, but a man of progressive 
 ideas. He is a member of the Brie County Medical Society, State Medical Society, 
 and of the Odd Fellows, 
 
68 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Andrews, Lewis B., M. D. , was born in Bergen, N. Y., February 27, 1864, a son of 
 Dr. Robert and Julia Andrews. Dr. Robert Andrews was a native of Monroe 
 county, N. Y., and came to Genesee county in 1845, and since 1861 has been actively 
 enjjaged in practicing his profession in Bergen. Dr. L. B. Andrews was educated 
 in the Bergen Union School, Brockport Normal, and was graduated from the medi- 
 cal department of the University of Buffalo in February, 1885. He commenced the 
 practice of his profession in Bergen, N. Y., where he continued until his removal to 
 Byron in 1889. In 1885 Dr. Andrews married Anna, daughter of Horace and Sarah 
 Southworth ; they have one son, Norris. Dr. Andrews is one of the progressive men 
 of his profession, taking an active interest in educational and religious institutions. 
 He is a member of the N. Y. S. Medical Association and Central New York Medical 
 Association, and has always sought to advance the best interests of his town and its 
 people. 
 
 Bushman, Henry, was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., January 18, 1831, a son cf 
 Jacob and Martha (Halstead) Bushman. Jacob Bushman was also a native of Cay- 
 uga county ; his father, John Bushman, was from Gettysburg, Pa. Jacob purchased 
 land from the Holland Co., which he cleared for cultivation, and through life was a 
 farmer; the property still remains in the possession of his son Henry; he died in 
 1860. Henry Bushman was educated in the common schools, and throughout his 
 long life has been a successful farmer; he has served his town as assessor for nine 
 years, and is a worthy, substantial man, whose standing among his fellows is envia- 
 ble. On October 1, 1846, he was married to Sarah J., daughter of John Mills. Mrs. 
 Bushman died April 17, 1897, in her seventy-second year; her husband and two 
 daughters — Mrs. Mary E. Kellogg and Mrs. J. F. Rose— survive her. 
 
 Watson, Clifton, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, October 19, 1828. He 
 came to the United States and on June 4, 1850, settled in Byron, N. Y., where he 
 began work on the farm next to the one he now owns at $12 a month, and by prac- 
 ticing economy was able in the fall to pay the $40 he owed for his passage over. 
 For the next two years he worked by the month, and then for three years he and his 
 brother operated the W. S. Miller farm on shares. In 1856 he went to California, 
 riding on the first train that crossed the Isthmus to Panama ; he engaged in mining 
 at Sandy Gulch, Calaveras county, where he remained for twenty-three months, 
 when he sold out his claim and returned to Byron, N. Y. In March, 1858, Mr. Wat- 
 son married Rebecca, daughter of John and Mary Webb, and for a year worked by 
 the month for W. S. Miller ; the following seven years he worked the farm on shares 
 and then purchased it, incurring a debt of $7,500, which he has since paid, and also 
 bought two other farms, now owning 350 acres of land. Mr. Watson prides himself 
 upon his care of his stock, never having lost a horse or any cattle. He has been 
 obliged to kill five horses because of old age, and now owns a horse twenty-eight 
 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have three children: John, Samuel and Mrs. Mary 
 Davey. He has been successful in his undertakings and his record is that of a good 
 citizen. 
 
 Cockran, William, was born in Devonshire, England, October 15, 1831, and emi 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 69 
 
 grated to the United States in 1854, settling in Batavia. In 1860 he married Jane 
 Carroll ; they have one son and one daughter, Albert E. and Mary J. Mr, Cockran 
 is one of the leading farmers of Genesee county, is active in school and church mat- 
 tess and has the reputation of being a man of sterling integrity and progressive 
 ideas. 
 
 Thomas, Charles H., p. o. Le Roy. N. Y., a son of Henry D. and Annis (Sage) 
 Thomas, was born in the town of Le Roy, May 5, 1830. His grandfather, Simeon 
 Sage, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Thomas received his education 
 in the schools of his native town and the academy at Alexander. His first business 
 experience was at farmitig, which he has since successfully followed. Mr. Thomas is a 
 deserving man, whose character is above reproach. On December 13, 1863, he mar- 
 ried Adaliae, daughter of William and Orphana (Webb) Hill; and they have two 
 children — Henry and Mary. 
 
 Crocker, J. Lyman, son of Isaac and Susan (Emmons) Crocker, was born in Ham- 
 ilton, Madison county, N. Y., September 4, 1814. His education was received in the 
 common schools of his native town and the Middlebury Academy. He was engaged 
 in teaching school for a number of years and served his town as superintendent of 
 schools and supervisor and filled other offices of minor importance. On June 14, 
 1843, Mr. Crocker married Tamraay Mclntyre of Worcester county, Mass., by whom 
 he had two children — Edgar M. and Henry C. Mr. Crocker's father was a native of 
 Colchester, New London county, Conn., and his mother of East Haddam, Middlesex 
 county. Conn. They were married in December, 1813, and in 1814 they removed to 
 Madison county, N. Y. , and in 1816 to Genesee county, settling two miles south of 
 Le Roy village on ninety acres, which he purchased the year previous. His grand- 
 father, Simeon C, jr., was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was connected 
 with the quartermaster's department; he married a Miss Swift and reared a family 
 of seven children Mr. Crocker's great-grandfather, Simeon Crocker, sr., came from 
 England at an early day and settled in Connecticut. Since the above sketch was 
 prepared Mr. Crocker died on February 11, 1899. 
 
 Phelps, George H.-, was born in Eagle, Wyoming county, N. Y., April 17, 1867, 
 a son of Austin and Rosanna (OIney) Phelps. He received his education in the pub- 
 lic schools. In 1885, he took up his residence in Batavia, where, in 1889 he estab- 
 lished his present business of groceries, provisions and meats. Mr. Phelps is a bus- 
 tling business man, and commands the good will of his fellow townsmen; he is fond 
 of outdoor sports, and is an expert horseman and wheelman. In 1888, he was mar- 
 ried to Florence A., daughter of John Roberts; she died on June 38, 1897, leaving 
 one daughter, Beulah R. 
 
 Acker, William A., was born in Tonawanda, February 13, 1856, son of George 
 Acker, who was a native of Pennsylvania. He came to Tonawanda when quite a 
 young man and engaged in railroading, and, in 1855, married Margaret Spies, and 
 moved to Batavia about 1868. W. A. Acker was educated in the public schools and 
 afterward took a position under his father as locomotive fireman, and for the past 
 
10 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 eighteen years has filled the position of engineer. In 1878, he married Theresa, 
 daughter of Charles Erdman; they have one daughter, Gertrude. Mr. Acker has 
 made his own way in the world, and is a faithful, trusted man. He is awake to the 
 advancement of schools and other public interests, and performs the duties of citizen- 
 ship to the approbation of his fellow townsmen. 
 
 Scheer, George, was born in Saxony, Germany, January 11, 1838, and came to the 
 United States with his parents, Frederick and Minnie Scheer, who settled in Batavia, 
 where his father was in the bookbindery and stationery business. George Scheer 
 was educated in the schools of his native land and of Buffalo. After completing his 
 schooling he learned the trade of painter. At the first call for volunteers at the out- 
 break of the Civil war, he gave up his position as foreman with the Kentucky Cen- 
 tral Railroad and in April, 1861, enlisted in Co. B, 9th Ohio Vols., and took part in 
 the campaign in West Virginia under McClellan and Rosencranz ; was then trans- 
 ferred to the Department of Kentucky and was at the battle of Mill Springs; he con- 
 tinued with the Army of the Cumberland, participating in all its battles, until the 
 fall of Atlanta, when he received an honorable discharge. He went to Cincinnati 
 and had charge of the painting and decorating in railroad shops, and was connected 
 with this branch of labor until 1881, when he came to Batavia and engaged in the 
 grocery business, his store being located at what is now called " Ellicott Square." 
 Mr. Scheer is a self-made man and takes an interest in all public matters ; his integ- 
 rity is undoubted and his example is worthy of emulation. In 1865 he was married 
 to Minnie Stroh; they have two children, Herman and Bertha. 
 
 Yates, Rev. John H., was born in Batavia, N. Y., November 31, 1837, a son of 
 John Yates, who was a native of England, and with his wife, Elizabeth Taylor 
 Yates, came to Batavia in 1833. He was a manufacturer of shoes, and was, during 
 the later years of his life, a traveling temperance lecturer; he died December 5, 1866. 
 John H. Yates, the subject of this sketch, was educated at the Batavia Union 
 School, but at the age of eighteen was forced to engage in business as a clerk to 
 help maintain his aged parents. For several years he was with his brother, Thomas 
 Yates, in the' shoe business; afterwards, for seven years, salesman in G. B. Wor- 
 thington's hardware store. In 1871 he took charge of the fancy goods department in 
 E. L. & G. D. Ken yon' s double store and remained there fifteen years. In 1886 he 
 was called to be local editor of the Progressive Batavian, and filled the position 
 nearly ten years. When twenty-one years of age Mr. Yates was licensed to preach in 
 the Methodist church, but was not ordained until 1897. For nearly seven years now 
 he has been pastor of the Free Will Baptist church at West Bethany. In 1864 Mr. 
 Yates was married to Miss Maria Everson of Port Hope, Ont. By her he had four 
 sons, Fred E., Arthur C, Walter S. and Albert R. Three of them ire now dead. 
 Mrs. Yates, Walter and Albert all died in one week of diphtheria. Arthur Cleveland 
 Yates the only son now living, has been for eight years and is now in the govern- 
 ment printing office at Washington. In 1880 Mr. Yates was married the second time 
 to Mrs. Sarah Cottle, also a native of England, with whom he is now living. At 
 about the age of twenty, Mr. Yates began writing poetry at the solicitation of his 
 mother, and very soon his ballads and hymns were printed and sung all over the land. 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 71 
 
 In 1891, Ira D. Sankey, the famous singer, engaged Mr. Yates to write gospel hymns 
 for him, solely ; he was led to do this because of the wonderful success of Mr. Yates's 
 old man ballad, the " Model Church," which has been sung all over the world. After 
 the contract with Mr. Sankey, the following hymns soon appeared from the pen of 
 Mr. Yates: ■' Harbor Bell," " Faith is the Victory," " Beautiful Hills," "Our Name's 
 in Heaven," and about twenty others. In December, 1897, Mr. Yates issued a 
 volume of ballads and poems, a book of 117 poems and 226 pages, which are now 
 nearly all sold. A second edition will be printed before the supply is gone. On the 
 occasion of the dedication of the old land ofBee in 1894, Mr. Yates wrote the dedica- 
 tory poem, " Our Ancient Landmark," a production of unusual merit. 
 
 Rupp, Charles, was born in Batavia, N. Y. , January 15, 1842. His father, G. M. 
 Rupp, was a native of Baden, Germany, and came to the United States, July 4, 1836, 
 and was engaged in shoe manufacturing; he was a man of sterling integrity and 
 took an active interest in public events; he died in 1881. Charles Rupp was edu- 
 cated in Batavia and learned the shoemaker's trade, which he has always followed. 
 In 1871 he married Laura A. , daughter of Alonzo Leonard ; they had five daugh- 
 ters: Mrs. Alice A. Pierce, Grace M., principal of West Main Street School; Mrs. 
 Julia M. Caught (now deceased), Carrie B., who is a stenographer, and Laura A. 
 Mr. Rupp is a substantial citizen and is much respected in Batavia. His industry 
 and frugality have enabled him to give all his children good educational opportun- 
 ties, which they have so well improved that they have won for themselves good 
 positions. 
 
 Thomas, Jesse M., was born in Albion, Orleans county, N. Y., March 19, 1867, son 
 of Crandall M. Thomas, who was a native of Penfield, N. Y., where the family were 
 among the earliest settlers. Crandall M. Thomas married Frances T., daughter of 
 Moses Smith ; he was one of the prominent men of his town. Jesse M. Thomas was 
 educated in Albion. For a time he was engaged in the drug trade ; in 1892 he came 
 to Batavia, where he established his present business, making a specialty of fine 
 groceries. In 1888 he married Grace D., daughter of Walter Lyon; they have two 
 children — Jesse C. and Susie L. Mr. Thomas was named after Hon. Jesse W. 
 Sweltzer, of Rushville, Ind. ; he is a man of energy, good business ability, and has 
 established a reputation for integrity, enterprise and worthy citizenship. Mrs. 
 Thomas graduated from the Conservatory of Music in Boston, in 1888. 
 
 Fisher, Joseph D. , was born in the town of Batavia, N. Y., July 12, 1846, son of 
 Roswell S. and Margaret (Chamberlain) Fisher. RoswoU S. Fisher was a native of 
 Francestown, Hillsborough county, N. H., and a grandson of Nathan Fisher, a Revo- 
 lutionary soldier ; he came to Batavia in 1834, and died there October 5, 1887. Mrs. 
 Margaret Fisher's mother, Mrs. Lydia Chamberlain, was the widow of Abel Rowe, 
 who was one of the first settlers of Batavia: he also kept the first hotel and was the 
 first town collector of Batavia. Joseph D. Fisher obtained his education at Hamilton 
 College; he was principal of East Pembroke school, following teaching for about 
 three years. He is now a practical farmer, and one of the many inhabitants of Batavia 
 whose career has been marked by uprightness of character and a spirit of progress. 
 
72 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 In 1873 he was married to Libbie J., daughter of Richard Richards; they have four 
 children— Ray R. , George W. , Mabel L. and Grace E. 
 
 Ellis, Hon. John J. — The subject of this biography was born in Bath, Steuben 
 county, N. Y., August 24, 1854, and is descended from good old Revolutionary stock. 
 His father, Chester Ellis, was the son of Jasen Ellis, who was the son of John Ellis, 
 
 known as King of Dry- 
 den, while his mother, 
 Elizabeth Smith, was of 
 Scotch and English ex- 
 traction. Mr. Ellis ob- 
 tained his education in 
 the public schools, sup- 
 plementing his studies 
 with a course in teleg- 
 raphy, in the art of 
 which he became very 
 expert, so much so that 
 the officials of the Erie 
 Railroad Company and 
 the Western Union Com- 
 pany, repeatedly e n- 
 trusted him with re- 
 sponsible and important 
 duties, during the per- 
 formance of which he 
 was located at different 
 times in Bath, Niagara 
 Falls, Attica, Lancaster, 
 Buffalo and Darien. 
 Since 1895 Mr. Ellis has 
 directed his attention 
 very largely to the pro- 
 duce and grain business 
 in which he has large 
 investments. In asso- 
 ciation with two others, Mr. Ellis is also one of the proprietors of one of the largest 
 carriage wheel factories in the State, located at Avoca. For many years he has taken 
 an active part in politics, being an uncompromising Republican, and during that 
 time he has been frequently honored with positions of public trust, having served as 
 supervisor, justice of the peace and member of the Assembly. Mr. Ellis was first 
 elected to the last office in 1897 by a majority that demonstrated his exceptional per- 
 sonal popularity and the confidence in which he is regarded by the people. He dis- 
 charged his duties so creditably and with such satisfaction to his party and constitu- 
 ents, that the following year he was unanimously renominated and was re-elected by 
 an increased majority over a strong opponent. His abilities were substantially 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 73 
 
 recognized by his legislative associates and the speaker of the House when he was 
 selected for the exceedingly important chairmanship of the Committee on Villages 
 and made a member of the Railroads and Public Printing Committees. Throughout 
 his career, and in his personal relations at home and abroad, Mr. Ellis has exhibited 
 that character of integrity, energy and fair-mindedness which have won for him an 
 enviable reputation and the esteem and good will of all. He was married in 1875 to 
 Matilda Julia, daughter of Henry and Matilda Spann of Attica, N. Y. ; they had one 
 child. Otto Cecill, born May 7, 1877, who was killed by the cars at Darien, September 
 12, 1880. 
 
 Colville, William, was born in Dutchess county, N. Y. , February 25. 184G, a son of 
 Alexander and Mary A. (Westcott) Colville, and was educated in the public schools. 
 In 1861 he enlisted in the 2d New York Cavalry, better known as the Harris Light 
 Cavalry, and served for three years, holding the rank of first lieutenant, and was 
 honorably discharged in 1864; he was taken prisoner at New Baltimore, Md. ; his 
 regiment participated in 173 engagements. In 1865 he removed to Philadelphia and 
 thence to Worcester, Mass., where he was engaged in railroad business. In 1861 he 
 came to Batavia and became connected with the Baker Gun and Forging Co., and in 
 1896 established a manufactory for the production of smokeless powder. Mr. Col- 
 ville is an active member of the G. A. R. and has taken much interest in the work of 
 the organization. In 1895 he was married to his second wife, Venetia Telfair. Mrs. 
 Colville died July 13, 1899. He has one daughter by his first wife — Anna H. 
 
 Sweet, John M., was born in Upper Canada, April 5, 1850, and came to the United 
 States in 1860, settling in Niagara county, N.Y. He received his education in the 
 common schools and served an apprenticeship at carriage making. In 1870 he took" 
 up his residence in Batavia, and in 1874 began the manufacture of carriages. He 
 invented the patent hub now used by the Batavia Carriage Wheel Co., and the ma- 
 chinery used by them is from his designs. Mr. Sweet has for several years been 
 superintendent of the large factory of the Batavia Carriage Wheel Co. He ranks as 
 one of the best wheel experts in the country, and no man has done more by way of 
 invention toward perfecting wheel hubs and wheel makers' machinery. He is with- 
 out doubt one of the most skillful and ingenious mechanics this country has pro- 
 duced. He is a good citizen and a public spirited man. In 1872 Mr. Sweet was 
 married to Mrs. Julia A. Griswold. 
 
 Powers, Menzo E., was born in Batavia, N. Y., November 15, 1862, only son of 
 Edward and Eliza J. (Willett) Powers. Edward Powers was a native of Thetford, 
 Orange county, Vt., and settled in Genesee county in 1840. Samuel J. Willett, 
 father of Mrs. Eliza J. Powers, was a prominent man in Genesee county, served as 
 surrigate and held other positions of honor and trust. Menzo E. Powers is an ener- 
 getic and prosperous farmer, is interested in the progress of education, having served 
 four years as school trustee, and is active in his support of religious institutions. He 
 was married to Carrie L,, daughter of John P. Dennison ; they have two sons: Leon 
 J. and Charles E. 
 
74 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Garwood, Frank, was born in Suffolk, England, and emigrated to the United States 
 in 1884. He came to Batavia, and on February 7, 1884, entered the employ of his 
 uncle, John Garwood, who owned and conducted the Bushville Mills. John Garwood 
 had settled in Batavia in 1860 ; he was well known and highly esteemed ; he died in 
 1893. Upon the death of his uncle, Frank Garwood succeeded him in the proprie- 
 torship of the mills. Mr. Garwood is a stirring business man of unquestioned integ- 
 rity, and has won many friends in his adopted town. 
 
 Parker, Frank J., was born in Batavia, N. Y., April 13, 1818, son of Jeremiah and 
 Roby (Newell) Parker. His father, Jeremiah, was a native of Massachusetts and in 
 1805 settled in Genesee county, where he was a farmer; he died in Pontiac, N.Y., in 
 March, 1836. Frank J. Parker received his education in the common schools. In 
 1841 he married Nancy, daughter of David Church, who passed away October 9, 1859 ; 
 they were the parents of seven children, five of whom survive: Frank A., Jane, 
 Roby, Addie and Flora He afterwards married Sarah, daughter of Denning Bar- 
 tholomew. Mr. Parker was one of the pioneers of Genesee county and through his 
 long life has been a farmer, in which occupation he has been successful. In the com- 
 munity where he resides he is respected and esteemed for his many good qualities. 
 
 Farnsworth, Nathan H., was born in the town of Alabama, N. Y., July 13, 1856, 
 son of William L. and Lucy J. (Westcott) Farnsworth. William J. was a native of 
 Ontario county and settled in Genesee county in 1840. He was a farmer, also dealer 
 in live stock, and was prominent in school and church affairs ; he died in 1889, and 
 his wife in 1863. Nathan H. Farnsworth was educated in Batavia and Oakfield. 
 November 80, 1881, he was married to Myra B. Dunlap; she died January 5, 1883, 
 leaving one daughter, Myra J. October 1, 1885. Georgia, daughter of David Sull- 
 ings, became his wife; they have three daughters— Cora, Ruth and Viola. Mr. 
 Farnsworth is a farmer of ability and intelligence and may be classed with those of 
 his fellow citizens who are interested in promoting the advancement of the town's 
 well being. He is a prominent Democrat. 
 
 Weed, Harvey, was born in the town of Kendal, Orleans county, N. Y., December 
 16. 1817, son of Joseph Reed, who was a native of the town of Unity, N. H., and 
 came to Genesee county in 1814, where he followed farming. He married Polly, 
 daughter of Benjamin and Joanna Young Clough, and died in 1862. Harvey Weed 
 was educated in the common schools, and afterward learned the tanner's trade and 
 for three years was in charge of Judge J. IngersoU's tannery. In 1838 he was em- 
 ployed by the Medina and Darien railroad and in 1843 came to Batavia and, with the 
 exception of two years, was engaged in canal transportation ; and later was engaged 
 in farming. In 1860 he married Sarah B., daughter of Henry and Rhoda Beadle 
 Sawdy. Mr. Weed was one of the self-made men of his town ; he served as highway 
 commissioner for three years. He died October 5, 1898. He had been a man of 
 great physical endurance but a severe injury received about two years before his 
 death shortened his life. 
 
 Martin, William A., was born in Barry, Orleans county, N. Y., January 14, 1844, 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 75 
 
 son of William Martin of Orange county, who came to Orleans county in 1817 with 
 his parents, William and Mary E. Martin. William Martin married Sarah E., 
 daughter of Daniel Ross, and through life was a farmer ; he died in 1893. William 
 A Martin was educated in the common schools and in 1885 married Sarah E. Lines, 
 who died in 1887. He afterward married Ella E. Torrance; they have one son, 
 Charles T. Martin. 
 
 Welker, John, was a native of Oldenburg, Germany, and came to the United 
 States in 1843 and settled in Wyoming county, but in 1862 came to Genesee county. 
 He married Anna, daughter of Peter Dellinger ; they were the parents of four chil- 
 dren: George P., Francis J., Elizabeth B. and Josephine L. Mr. Welker was mur- 
 dered on April 27, 1881, at his home by Charles Stockley, a farmhand in his employ. 
 Stockley was tried and convicted and on August 19 was executed for the crime. The 
 murder was wanton and unprovoked. Mr. Welker had always borne an excellent 
 reputation. He was a prosperous and successful farmer. His widow died Novem- 
 ber 22, 1883. 
 
 Davis, Angela K. — Joseph F. Davis was a native of Boonsboro, Washington 
 county, Md. In 1857 he married Angela Kirkham, daughter of Chauncey and Ange- 
 line Pattison Kirkham. He was but a few years a resident of Batavia, but was a 
 prominent man in his native State of Maryland. During the Civil war he was an 
 ardent supporter of the Union, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention 
 of his State at the time emancipation of the slaves was decreed. He was a gentle- 
 man in the true sense of the word and held a high position among his peers, the 
 leading men of Maryland. Chauncey Kirkham, father of Mrs. Davis, came from 
 Ithaca, N. Y., to Batavia in 1817, where he married Angeline Pattison. For many 
 years he was a manufacturer of furniture ; he was enterprising and progressive, 
 active in promoting the public interests, and a man of sterling integrity. He died 
 in 1857, leaving a widow and four surviving children — Angela, Lyman Stuart, 
 Charles Henry and Mary Isabella. His son, Chauncey, jr. , who was a member of 
 the firm of Bostwick & Kirkham in the hardware trade, died the same year. He 
 was a brother of Samuel Kirkham, the author of the well-known Grammar, Elocution 
 and other educational works. Joseph F. Davis died in Philadelphia, October 3, 
 1879. 
 
 Clark, Mrs. Eliza E. — Jerome A. Clark was born in Cooperstown, Otsego county, 
 N. Y., October 29, 1811. He learned the jeweler's trade in New York and came to 
 Batavia in 1834, where he established himself in the jewelry business, in which he 
 continued to the time of his decease in 1885. Mr. Clark was for many years one of 
 the wardens of St. James's church in Batavia, and was an exemplary citizen. As 
 indicating the sentiment of his townsmen at his loss, on the day of his funeral all 
 the business places in Batavia were closed. He was married to Caroline Holden, 
 who died in 1855, leaving two sons: Hinman H. of St. Louis, and John H. of Chi- 
 cago; for his second wife he was married to Mary Field, whose death occurred in 1869; 
 he then married Eliza Holden, who survives him, with one son, Jerome De Lancy, 
 of Batavia. 
 
76 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Post, Jesse F., was born in Batavia, N. Y., January 9, 1857, a son of William H. 
 G. and Freelove (Calkins) Post. He was educated in Batavia, and in 1882 married 
 Florence E., daughter of William Day; they have two daughters: Edith A. and 
 Beulah C. Mr. Post follows the vocation of farming, of which he has made a suc- 
 cess. In all respects he is a worthy citizen and an active element in the progress of 
 his native town. 
 
 Uphill, B. B., was born in Lancaster, Erie county, N. Y., January 19, 1858. His 
 father, Thomas Uphill, came to Genesee county in 1868, where he was a wagon 
 manufacturer and farmer; he was prominent in the public events of his town; his 
 wife was Ann Lear. He died in 1893. B. B. Uphill was educated in East Pembroke, 
 and in 1880 married Mary Moore; they have two sons: William J. and Jared L. 
 Mr. Uphill is a successful farmer, and a man of excellent standing in the community 
 where he lives. 
 
 Williams, Myron A., was born in the town of Batavia, N. Y., December 28, 1845, a 
 son of Chauncey and Caroline (Post) Williams. His father was a farmer and inter- 
 ested in public events and in the growth and progress of his town, having served the 
 same for ten consecutive years as supervisor during the trying times of '65. Myron 
 A. was educated at Lima, N. Y. , and taught school for two years. In 1867 he mar- 
 ried Mariette, daughter of Chester Cabot, who died in 1887, being survived by three 
 children: Burt C, Elwyn A. and Ada M. In 1888 he married Nettie R., daughter of 
 Abbott Wight. Mr. WiUiams has served his town six years as assessor. He is a 
 notably excellent farmer, and his farm on the Oak Orchard road is traditionally "the 
 finest farm in Genesee county," with splendid buildings, finely located; his farm 
 home is as complete as could be desired. Apart from his prominence as an agricul- 
 turist, Mr. Williams is a man of progressive ideas, and is always found among the 
 leaders in measures for the benefit of his town. 
 
 Adams, Araos H., was born in the town of Stafford, N. Y., September 28, 1822, a, 
 son of Horace and Betsey (Eastman) Adams. His father came to Genesee county in 
 1812, where he died March 23, 1855. Mr. Adams began his education in the old log 
 school house. In 1849 he married Louisa, daughter of Joseph and Amanda Hoyt. 
 Mr. Adams is a practical farmer, devoting his attention intelligently to the develop- 
 ment and improvement of agricultural methods, and is numbered among the success- 
 ful men of his town. 
 
 Martin, Charles T., was born in Orleans county, N. Y., March 3, 1843, a son of 
 William and Sarah (Ross) Martin. He was educated in the common schools, and in 
 1881 married Augusta Balmer. In 1884 he bought the Alvin Pease farm of 100 acres, 
 one of the choicest and best located in the county. He is interested in school and 
 church improvement, and among his acquaintances is looked upon as a man of un- 
 doubted integrity. 
 
 Loomis, Calvin S., was born in the town of Alexander, N. Y., June 21, 1834. His 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 77 
 
 father, Sylvester Loomis, was a native of Connecticut and came to Genesee county 
 in 1815 with his parents, Nathaniel Loomis and wife, who settled in the town of 
 Alexander. Sylvester Loomis married Susannah French. Mr. Loomis was a promi- 
 nent man in his town and helped build the Erie canal; he died July 11, 1866. Calvin 
 S. Loomis was educated at Alexander Seminary. In 1856 he married Lydia, daugh- 
 ter of Asa Shephard; they have three children; Charles L. , Calvin H. and Mrs. 
 Myrtle V. Terry. Mr. Loomis served as assessor in the town of Alexander six years, 
 is an enterprising farmer, and bears the reputation of being an upright and useful 
 citizen. 
 
 Day, Elijah, was born in Batavia, N. Y. , July 7, 1836. His father, Elijah Day, was 
 a native of Onondaga county, N. Y. His ancestors in the United States were emi- 
 grants on the Mayflower. Elijah Day, sr., came to Genesee county in 1820, and was 
 one of the pioneers. Elijah Day, jr., married Sarah J., daughter of Warren S. Mc- 
 Worthy; they had four daughters: Mrs. Mary Shappell, Mrs Carrie Craft, Mrs. 
 Nellie Raynor and Mrs. Alice Emely. Mr. Day is one of the leading farmers of his 
 town, and ranks among its best citizens, always awake to every movement for the 
 betterment of his town and its people. 
 
 Donnan, William C, p. o. Le Roy, N. Y., was born in Princetown, N. Y., Decem- 
 ber 4, 1853, a son of Alexander and Jane (Conning) Donnan, whose other children 
 were: David, John A., George H., Nathan W. and Essie. Mr. and Mrs. Donnan 
 died in March, 1885. William C. was educated in the common schools and at the 
 Normal School at Geneseo. In 1876 he came to Le Roy and was employed in a hard- 
 ware store ; in 1884 he accepted the position of bookkeeper in the National Bank of 
 Le Roy, and is now the cashier of the Bank of Le Roy, which succeeded the National 
 Bank in 1889. Mr. Donnan is a broad-minded man, of unquestioned integrity and 
 probity, and is an active element in the development and progress of the important 
 institutions of his town. He married Susan, daughter of Edward and Caroline 
 (Willis) Freeman ; they have four children : Willis Day, McKie, Doris and Grace. 
 
 Beck with, Harris P., p. o. North Pembroke, N, Y., was born in the town of 
 Batavia, August 7, 1843, was educated in the district schools and East Pembroke 
 Seminary, and has always been a farmer. In August, 1866, he married Lydia J. Sea- 
 mans of Pembroke; they have four children: Bertha J., H. Arthur, Elsie and Gro- 
 ver. Bertha J. married Prof. H. E. Bolton, who is principal of the primary grade 
 of the high school in Paterson, N. J. H. Arthur married Emma Seamans of Elba, 
 N. Y., and they have two children, Leah and Ernest. Elsie is a teacher in Great 
 Neck, L. I. Grover is a farmer at home and a student. Mr. Beckwith's father, 
 Richard Beckwith, was born in Old Lyme, Conn., in the year 1795. and came to the 
 home in the town of Batavia on the Bufilalo road in the year 1807, when he was 
 twelve ■ years of age. He was educated in the schools of his day and was a farmer 
 by occupation. He served in the war of 1813. He married Jane Whitney, formerly 
 of Sheffield, Mass. ; they had five children: Harris, Martha J., Mary, Maria and an 
 infant not named. Mr. Beckwith died in 1866 ; his widow survives at this date, 1898. 
 Harris Beckwith's grandfather, Thomas Beckwith, was born at Old Lyme, Conn., in 
 
78 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 the year 1760; he married Abigail Smith, who bore him three children: Harris, Rich- 
 ard and Lucretia. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was a prisoner on 
 the prison ship Jersey, from which he made his escape. He died in 1854 and his 
 wife in 1841. Ancestry of family is English on both sides. 
 
 Dodge, Erastus S., was born in Seneca county, N. Y., in 1818, and was brought 
 to the town of Corfu, Genesee county, N. Y. , the same year by his parents. He was 
 educated in the common schools and learned the jeweler's trade, and was also a prac- 
 ticing dentist. In 1849 he married Caroline Wilson. For many years prior to his 
 death he had carried on the jewelry store at the corner of Main and Jackson streets, 
 in Batavia. Mr. Dodge was a man highly esteemed for his many good qualities; he 
 was enterprising and progressive, was interested in all movements for the benefit of 
 his village, aai his death, which event occurred on May 19, 1830, was a loss to 
 to the community in general. Mrs. Dodge has continued her residence in Batavia. 
 
 Munger, Henry M , was born on the homestead in Byron, N. Y., May 7, 1853, a. 
 son of Martin D. and Lois (Hammond) Munger. His father was born in the town 
 of Riga, N. Y., whce his parents settled about 1810; he died in 1896. H. M. Mun- 
 ger was educated in the public schools and at the Brockport Normal School. Mr. 
 Munger is one of the successful farmers of the county, a citizen in whom his fellow 
 townsmen have the fullest confidence, which he merits by an honest, consistent 
 course, emphasized by an active interest in the progress of his town. In I860, he 
 married Nora, daughter of David Wilcox ; they have three children — Burton, Bruce 
 and Florence. Their oldest son, Earl, died in 1898 in his eighteenth year, just as he 
 was stepping into manhood. 
 
 Ruprecht, Charles H , was born in Batavia, N. Y., April 28, 1857. His father, 
 Frederick Ruprecht, was a native of France, born in 1822, and served ten years in 
 the French navy. He came to the United States in 1853, settling in Batavia, and 
 in 1852 he married Salome Dangler; he died March 4, 1889. Charles H. Ruprecht 
 was educated in Batavia and spent twenty years as bookkeeper in the First Na- 
 tional Bank. In 1898 he established his present business of banking and insur- 
 ance. He has one daughter, Pauline. Mr. Ruprecht has built up a reputation for 
 intelligent conservatism and fine business tact, at the same time evincing a com- 
 mendable interest in matters pertaining to the welfare of his native town. 
 
 Wiedrich, George D., is the recognized leader in general mercantile business in 
 the town of Bergen, N. Y. , a progressive man of advanced ideas. He was born in 
 Wyoming county, N. Y. , August 21, 1853. Henry Wiedrich, father of George D. ^ 
 was bound out to a farmer, with whom he lived until he was seventeen, when, on 
 account of ill treatment and no school advantages granted to him, he left and 
 began life for himself at farm work by the month ; he never had the advantages of a 
 school education until after he was twenty-one years of age, when he availed himself 
 of a few limited opportunities to attend school. George D. worked on his father's 
 farm and attended the district school. When seventeen years of age he taught 
 school for two years and then entered a general store in Elba as clerk, were he 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 79 
 
 remained for fifteen years, and while there he was assistant postmaster over thirteen 
 years. In 1886, in partnership with E. T. Chamberlain, he purchased the stock and 
 business of a general store in Oakfield ; in 1890 they purchased the stock and busi- 
 ness of S. J. Arnold of Bergen, retaining their store in Oakfield. In 1893 they sev- 
 ered their copartnership relations, Mr. Wiedrich taking the Bergen store, which he 
 has conducted ever since. His many years o£ experience in the mercantile business 
 has qualified him for a successful career in that line. He has the largest and best 
 stocked general store in town, with a trade in proportion. Since his early manhood 
 Mr. Wiedrich manifested a keen mterest in all public and political affairs, and when 
 twenty-one years of age was elected to the office of town clerk of Elba, which he filled 
 with credit for two years; he often represents his district in the Democratic county 
 and assembly conventions, and 1894 was honored by the nomination for the office of 
 assemblyman. December 39, 1875, he married Mary E. Hofman ; they had two chil- 
 dren: Walter D. and Ernest H. Mrs. Wiedrich died February 24, 1893. 
 
 Willis, Alva U., was born in the village of Elba, October 4, 1819. His father was 
 John Willis, a native of Connecticut. He came to Genesee county in 1808, and dur- 
 ing his life was a miller, farmer and hotel keeper ; he purchased his laud of the Hol- 
 land Company, and through his life maintained a prominent position in the county. 
 His wife was Clarissa, daughter of John Underhill; they had three children: Alva 
 U., George H., and Mary. Alva U. Willis was one of the extensive farmers of Gen- 
 esee county, and though he retired many years before his death from the active 
 duties of practical farming, he continued to devote his attention to the care of his 
 farms and other investments. He was a prominent man in the town and county 
 was supervisor for the years 1859-61 and 187S-77, and served as postmaster for three 
 terms. He always sought to promote the highest interests of his town and its peo- 
 ple. Mr. Willis was married in 1848 to Helen M., daughter of Jarvis Pettibone. He 
 died on February 11, 1899, and is survived by his widow, one daughter, Mrs. Frank 
 Harris, and her six children, and the five children of his .deceased son, Charles J., 
 namely: Helen M., George J., John L. , Mary L., and Alva U. 
 
 Palmer, Samuel P. , was born in Otsego county, N. Y. , December 9, 1813, and came to 
 Genesee county with his parents about 1815. He learned the boot and shoe trade, in 
 which he was engaged up to 1884. In 1840 he married Charlotte, daughter of 
 Royal Tyler; they had three children; Albert W., Mrs. Lottie Taylor and Mrs. Ellen 
 A. Fox. Mr. Palmer was a careful and judicious business man. He led an upright 
 life and enjoyed the respect of the community where he so long resided. 
 
 Carrier, Ansel Kellogg, p. o. Corfu, N. Y., was born in the township of Pembroke, 
 a half mile west of Corfu, June 37, 1847, received his education in the public schools, 
 and has always followed the occupation of farming. January 21, 1874, he married 
 Phila A. Sumner of the township of Darien; they have three sons: Eugene K. , An- 
 sel H., and Sumner D. Mr. Carrier's father, Hiram Carrier, was born in Livingston 
 county, N. Y., April 5, 1806. His parents moved to Connecticut when he was six 
 years old, where he was educated in the district schools and taught school several 
 terms in the winter and was a 'successful farmer. At the age of twenty-one he 
 
80 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 walked from Connecticut to Livingston county. In 1831 he returned to Connecticut 
 and married Elizabeth West of that State, and returned to Livingston county with a 
 team of horses and wagon over log roads and through the wilderness part of the way. 
 They had five children ; the oldest son, Milo, was born in Livingston county. They 
 located three and a half miles west of Corfu, in Erie county, where they resided 
 twelve years. The following children were born to them there: Lucy O. , Edmund 
 W., and F. Lorraine. In 1847 they came to the homestead now owned by Ansel K. , 
 where he was born as above noted. Hiram Carrier and wife survive at this date, 
 1898; he in his ninety-third year and his wife in her ninety-first year. He says they 
 have been wonderfully blessed in many ways. Edmund W. was born in Erie county, 
 November 22, 1838 ; his education was obtained in the common schools, also in the 
 seminary, and he too is one of the town's best farmers. December 7, 1864. he mar- 
 ried Kate Holmes ; they had two children : Media K. , teacher of mathematics in the 
 Batavia High School, and Cyrus W., who is a thorough farmer at home. Mrs. Car- 
 rier died in 1890. Her father, Maisfield Holmes, was born in Schoharie county, N. 
 Y., in 1789; he married Clara Orcutt of his native place, and had twelve children, 
 Mrs. Carrier being the youngest. The grandfather Holmes was a soldier in the 
 Revolutionary war. The family of Carriers are members of the Presbyterian church ; 
 Edmund W. is one of the elders, and Cyrus W. is superintendent of the Sunday 
 school. Ansel K. and wife are members of the Universalist church. In his political 
 views he is a Prohibitionist. Edmund W. is a staunch Republican. Hiram's father, 
 Josiah, was born in Connecticut, July 15, 1780 ; in 1805 he married Betsey Kellogg. 
 Josiah's father, Thomas, was born in 1753 ; Thomas's father, Andrew 3d, was born in 
 1700; the father of Andrew 3d, Andrfew, was born in 1675; Andrew's father, Thomas, 
 was born in Connecticut in 1636, and died at the age of 109 years. The oldest son, 
 Milo, is a mechanical engineer in charge of a sales department of pumping engines 
 and water works machinery. January 81, 1853, he married Almira, daughter of 
 Henry Fox ; they have four children ; Henry H., Lucy O., William G., and Charles 
 W , who married Hattie Thompson ; they have two daughters, Ruth L. , and Hattie 
 E. The Carriers located in Salem, Mass., and from there removed to Connecticut. 
 
 Tompkins Family, The. — In 1864 Richard Greene Tompkins emigrated from Tul- 
 lowclay, county Wicklow, Irela.nd, to Batavia, and immediately entered the employ 
 of the Batavia Gas Light Company, in whose service he remained, with credit to 
 himself and satisfaction to his employers, for over thirty years until the company 
 disposed of its plant. Richard left his family in Ireland when he departed for 
 America, but soon becoming satisfied that the latter country offered excellent oppor- 
 tunities for ambitious and enterprising people, he brought them to Batavia, where 
 they all labored for their cnmmon welfare until the death of Mr. Tompkins, which 
 occurred September 30, 1896. Mr. Tompkins was a good citizen and had earned that 
 title by a life of industry, sobriety and honesty. He is survived by his widow, five 
 children who reside in Batavia, and one daughter, Mrs. T. M. Howard of Weeping 
 Water, Neb. Two brothers of Richard Greene — William Morton and Peter — also 
 came to Batavia. L. J. Tompkins, the oldest daughter of Richard Greene Tomp- 
 kins, established her millinery business in Batavia in 1881 in a small way, and by 
 close care, courteous ways and good business management has increased it to the 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 81 
 
 leading millinery house in the village. She is public spirited and active in promot- 
 ing the growth of her town, subscribing generously to bring manufacturing concerns 
 to Batavia. 
 
 Glade, John, is a native of Westphalia, Germany, and was born February 13, 1843. 
 He learned the trade of carpenter in his native country, and emigrated to this coun- 
 try in 1868, taking up his residence in Batavia, which has since been his home. Not 
 long after his arrival here he joined with John Bellinger in a copartnership under 
 the name of Bellinger & Glade and engaged in contracting and building and other 
 enterprises. They erected the Walker block, Richmond Hotel, Moynihau block, 
 Richmond Memorial Library building, convent and rectory for St. Joseph's church, 
 Uebele block. West Main Street school house, many stores and business houses and 
 numerous private residences in Batavia and vicinity. They purchased the Bryan 
 Seminary on Main street, v^hich street they improved, naming it Bellinger avenue, 
 making it one of the finest resident streets in Batavia. The partnership was dis- 
 solved in 1891. Mr. Glade forming another partnership in 1892 with John Piekert, as 
 Glade & Piekert ; this relation continued until 1894, since which date Mr. Glade has 
 carried on business alone. He is the leading builder of the county, and well entitled 
 to the position he has Won in business circles and to the good will of his acquaint- 
 ances. In 1869 Mr. Glade was married to Minnie Geise of Batavia. The children of 
 this union are John, George, Frank, Leo, Mary and Clara. 
 
 Burkhart, Harvey J., B. B. S., was born in Cleveland, Ohio, August 14, 1864. 
 He obtained his preliminary education in the public schools, and was graduated 
 from the Baltimore Bental College in 1890 at the head of his class. Br. Burkhart 
 ranks among the foremost men in his profession in this country. He has interested 
 himself m securing legislation raising the standard of admission to practice, and has 
 succeeded in accomplishing a great deal toward weeding out incompetent and un- 
 qualified men. He is an excellent speaker, and his addresses before the Bistrict, 
 State and National Societies have attracted much favorable attention. He was 
 elected president of the New York State Bental Society in 1895, 1896 and 1897. At 
 the annual meeting of the National Bental Association, held at Omaha in 1898 he 
 was elected president. Br. Burkhart is Regent's Examiner in Bentistry for the 
 Eighth Judicial Bistrict. He is commander in the order of Knights Templar. In 
 1890 he married Jane Hingston ; they have one son, Richard Hingston. 
 
 Bouglas, CaroUne. — Leander Bouglas was born in Orange county, N. Y. , April 
 11, 1797, and removed to Stafford, Genesee county, in 1836. He was a contractor 
 and builder, and constructed a portion of the New York Central railroad. He was 
 a man of prominence in his town and his life record was clean and worthy of emula- 
 lion. He was married to Isabella daughter of Abijah Norris, who bore him nine 
 children, as follows; Abijah Norris, Leander G., CaroUne, Hart, Jennie (Mrs. Chap- 
 pie), Isabel (Mrs. Edwin B. Sanders), George, Mary Etta (Mrs. Chappie), Maria E. 
 (Mrs. Henry Be Bow), all living except Mrs. Jennie Chappie. Mr. Bouglas died 
 August 3, 1873. Miss Caroline Bouglas resides in her pleasant home on East Main 
 street, Batavia, where she is surrounded by her nephews and nieces who have gath- 
 f 
 
82 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 ered from various points to attend Batavia schools. Miss Douglas is active in church, 
 missionary and in " every good work." She is at the head of the various guild soci- 
 eties of the St James Episcopal church, and in every way is a worthy representa- 
 tive of a worthy family. Abijah Hart Norris, son of Abijah Norris and uncle of 
 Jliss Douglas, came to Stafford with his parents, and there resided until his death, 
 which occurred August 30, 1894, in the eightieth year of his age. He never married. 
 He was an energetic business man, having extensive interests in Florida, Missouri^ 
 Nebraska, Illinois, as well as in Genesee county. Up to the last he attended person- 
 ally to all his business matters, and was always bright and genial, doing good wher- 
 ever he went, especially in the vicinity where his material interests were located. 
 
 Halsted, Livenus S., p.o. Ray, N.Y., was born in the town of Lebanon, Dodge county. 
 Wis., August 18, 1851. He is a son of Hiram Halsted, and grandson of David Hal- 
 sted, both of whom were substantial citizens of high personal character. Hiram was a 
 prominent farmer of Genesee county until his death, which occurred July 21, 1891. 
 David, his father, died October 38, 1866. The wife of Hiram Halsted and mother of 
 Livenus S. , was Laura Sawens, who still survives. Livenus S. Halsted received a com- 
 mon school education, and for a time after his school days he was engaged in teaching, 
 finally taking up agricultural pursuits, of which he has made a success. Personally he is 
 frank, affable and of a generous nature, making many friends; and being now in the 
 prime of life, with a vigorous constitution, he doubtless has before him years of useful- 
 ness and honor. On March 2, 1874, he was married to Lucina E. , daughter of 
 Horace and Lucy (Durbon) Tinkham. ' 
 
 Holden, Hinman, was born in Batavia, N. Y., February 17, 1852, a son of Richard 
 O. and Hannah (Wells) Holden. Richard O. was engaged in the dry goods trade, 
 and in 1836 established the store now conducted by his son Hinman. He was a 
 prominent and public spirited man, and did his share in promoting the growth and 
 progress of his town. He died in May, 1887. Hinman Holden obtained his educa- 
 tion in the public schools of Batavia and at Hamden, Conn. He began his mercan- 
 tile career in 1869 at the age of seventeen, in his father's store, and in 1881 he be- 
 came a partner of his father, forming the firm of R, O. Holden & Son. For more 
 than half a century this has been the largest dry goods house in the county. In 
 1886 Mr. Holden was married to Eva, daughter of Wilber Smith. Three children 
 have been born to them, namely: Richard O., Hinman, jr., and Evelyn. Mr. Hol- 
 den enjoys an honorable business record, and as a neighbor and citizen commands 
 the merited respect of his townsmen. 
 
 Horton, Medad S., p. o. Alabama, N. Y., was born in Alabama, December 27, 1848, 
 to Medad and Phebe (Ingalsbe) Horton. He is a lineal descendant in the eighth 
 generation of Thomas Horton of Guilford, Eng., who was one of the founders of the 
 town of Guilford, in the colony of Massachusetts, in 1639. Col. Ebenezer Norton, a 
 great-grandson of Thomas, settled in Goshen, Conn., iu 1739. His wife, Elizabeth, 
 lived till 1811, at which time her posterity numbered 208. The number since then 
 has increased and they are widely scattered over the United States. Her (Eliza- 
 beth's) grandson, Medad, about the year 1800, with his sons Anson, Harmon and 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 83 
 
 Uri, and other children, emigrated to East Bloomfield, Ontario county, N.Y. When 
 grown to manhood these three sons located in Genesee county, Anson and Harmon 
 in Byron and Uri in Elba. In 1836 Anson sold his farm in Byron and moved to 
 Alabama, where he suddenly died in 1838, leaving his wife (Percy Walker Norton) 
 and seven sons: Alonzo, Moses, Medad, Daniel, Benjamin, Theron and Frank R. , 
 all grown to manhood. Medad, son of Anson, died in 1849, when Medad S. was 
 about a year old ; he was brought up by his uncle Daniel and educated in Cary and 
 Lima Seminaries. Mr. Norton's first wife, Mary, daughter of James Cassidy, died 
 jn 1880, leaving three children; Burt Benjamin, Nina Theresa, and James (who died 
 when seven months old). In 1881 he married Maria J., daughter of Nathan T. 
 Holmes. Mr. Norton has always been a farmer and has been supervisor of Alabama 
 for seven years. He is a man of sterling integrity and has always been identified 
 with the best interests of his town and contributes largely to church and school 
 matters. 
 
 Carpenter, William, was born in Erie county, N. Y., July 31, 1828, a. son of Jere- 
 miah and Hepsy (Johnson) Carpenter. His father was an early settler in Erie county, 
 where he cleared for cultivation four different farms; in 1859 he removed to Fillmore 
 county, Minn. , where his death occurred iu 1863. William Carpenter was accorded 
 the usual schooling at the district school, in the mean time assisting his father at 
 farm work, and removed with him to Minnesota, whence he returned in 1876 to Ba- 
 tavia, where he has since resided, devoting his attention to land interests in the West. 
 He owns 1,300 acres of land in Spink county, S. D. , which is under cultivation and 
 occupied by tenants. On the 6th. of January, 1848, Mr. Carpenter was married to 
 Betsey Abel, who died in Minnesota in 1878, leaving one daughter, Frank. Mr. Car- 
 penter married for his second wife Clementine A. Rich, who died in 1885, when he 
 married, third, Helen E. Holyoke of Hudson, Mass. His daughter Frank was mar- 
 ried to John Butler ; she died and left a. daughter, Bessie, who became the wife of 
 James G. Orr, jr., of Buffalo; she and her three children are the only surviving de- 
 scendants of Mi'. Carpenter. Mr. Carpenter is a self-made man and has been fairly 
 successful in life's battle. While in Minnesota he held the office of justice of the 
 peace and county commissioner. He is a Republican. 
 
 Barr, William J., was born in Elba, N. Y., January 12, 1862, a. son of J. J. Barr, and 
 a grandson of Phineas Barr, a pioneer of Elba, who built the first sawmill in the 
 town and was one of the founders of the Presbyterian church. William J. Barr at- 
 tended the district schools and supplemented the instruction there obtained by study 
 in private schools and the Oswego Normal School, from which institution he was 
 graduated in 1885. In 1887 he was elected school commissioner in which office he 
 served eight years, when he was appointed inspector under the compulsory educa- 
 tion law. He is a public spirited citizen and has exerted a broad influence in the 
 county, both in educational affairs and in the councils of the Republican party. His 
 career as school commissioner marked a new era in education in the county. The 
 schools were graded according to modern and approved educational methods, the 
 standing of scholarship among teachers was raised, and the common school system 
 received a lasting impetus. Mr. Barr is a Mason, holding membership in Batavia 
 
84 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Lodge, the Chapter and Commandery ; he is also an Odd Fellow, a member of 
 Majestic Lodge and Genesee Encampment. On January 18, 1894, he was married 
 to Mrs. Emma Curtis, daughter of Josiah Gardner. 
 
 Stage, Jerry, p. o. Pembroke, N. Y., was 'born in Newstea^, Erie county, N. Y. , 
 March 23, 1818, youngest son of James and Jane (Miller) Stage. James Stage was 
 born, it is believed, in Chemung county, N. Y., in 1771, and married Jane Miller, 
 who bore him thirteen children. Jerry Stage attended the common schools, and 
 learned the blacksmithing trade, which he carried on both in Newstead and Pem- 
 broke. He also was the owner of a good farm ; he now lives retired from business. 
 He was made an Odd Fellow in 1849 and is a member in good standing of Rushville 
 Lodge, No. 432, is past grand, and has taken the Grand Lodge degree. He is a firm 
 Republican. On November 27, 1839, he was married to Lucy, daughter of Joseph 
 and Lydia (Carr) Smith of his native place. Four children were born of this union, 
 namely: Lydia Ann, who married Henry M. Brown (died in 1893), and has one 
 daughter, Ada, married to A. E. Butler ; Frank, who died at the age of twenty-nine ; 
 Augusta, who married John I. Lown of West Batavia, and has three children: Guy 
 E. , Frank A. and Gladys L. ; and Augustus, married to Grace Hutchinson of Alden, 
 who are the parents of one son, Harry H. Augusta and Augustus are twins. Joseph 
 Smith, father of Mrs. Stage, was born in Connecticut in 1795, and came to Erie 
 county when a young man ; he married Lydia Carr of Vermont, who bore him seven 
 children, Mrs. Stage being the third. Mr. Smith died in 1863 and his wife in 1832. 
 
 Seaver, Hon. Charles A., was born in Byron, N.- Y., March 8, 1845, and was a son 
 of John Seaver, a well-known harnessmaker. Charles A. was educated In the com- 
 mon schools. Until 1887 he was a merchant in Byron. During the later years of his 
 life he resided in Batavia, where he represented the Mutual Life and New York Life 
 Insurance companies. He was quite prominent in politics, and served as supervisor 
 of Byron in 1876-77 ; in 1886-87 he was a member of the Assembly, where his record 
 was unsullied. In 1876 he was married to MiSs Jennie Beecher, and of this union 
 there were four children, as follows: Claribel, John B., Olivia M. and William Z. , 
 who died in infancy in 1887. Mr. Seaver was a Knight Templar. He died February 
 6, 1897, and was buried with Masonic honors. He was a good citizen and was faith- 
 ful in his public service. 
 
 Reddish, Frank O. , p. o. Le Roy, N. Y., was born in Wyoming, Wyoming county, 
 N. Y., November 13, 1853, a son of Hiram J. and Ehza M. (Watkins) Reddish. 
 Hiram J. was a native of Wyoming county, and for many years conducted an exten- 
 sive business at carriage manufacturing, employing at times thirty or more workmen. 
 The children born to himself and wife were ten, as follows: Mary, Allen C, Orta- 
 ville H., Adelbert W., Edgar A., Ellen (died in May, 1862, aged sixteen), Charles M., 
 Frank O., Florence I. and Eugene A. The father died in 1887 and the mother in 
 May, 1898. Frank O. Reddish was educated at the Wyoming Academy. In July, 
 1879, he engaged as traveling salesman for S. C. Wells & Co. of Le Roy, introducing 
 their goods throughout the United States and Canada, and serving in the capacity of 
 general agent until the death of S. C. Wells, in July, 1898, when he resigned and 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 85 
 
 purchased a three-fourths interest in a competing line formerly manufactured by 
 George H. Wells & Co. On October 1, 1897, Mr. Reddish began the manufacture of 
 pharmaceutical and proprietary medicines, as follows; Park's Tea for constipation, 
 Park's Sure Cure for kidney and liver troubles, Park's Cough Syrup and Park's Kid- 
 ney and Liver Plasters. Mr. Reddish married Rosetta M., daughter of Jacob and 
 Barbara Gath Zigler ; two children were born to them : C. Claude and Meta EHza. 
 Mr. Reddish is an energetic business man of undoubted integrity, active in good 
 works, aspiring to the highest plane of citizenship. 
 
 Merriman, Henry W., was born in Byron, N. Y., July 12, 1844. He is a son of 
 Josiah and Mary (Wheeler) (daughter of Simeon) Merriman, and grandson of Robert. 
 Josiah Merriman was a native of Massachusetts and came to Genesee county in 1826. 
 He is a man much respected and has lived a life of usefulness. One of the great- 
 grandfathers of Henry W. was a member of General Washington's staff, and in the 
 possession of the family is a cloak presented by the general to the staff officer's wife. 
 Henry W. Merriman is a farmer, making a specialty of stock raising. He stands 
 high in the esteem of his fellow townsmen, as is evidenced by the fact that he has 
 served them as assessor six years and one term as supervisor. In 1868 he was mar- 
 ried to Lillian A., daughter of Charles Benham. To them have been born six chil- 
 dren, as follows: Mrs. Jennie E. Schofield, Mrs. Carro P. Vrooman, Roy J., Ruth L. , 
 Josiah C. and Clark D. Mrs. Mary Merriman, the mother, died August 4, 1896. 
 
 Radley, William H., was born in Stafford, N. Y., December 18, 1870. He is the 
 son of William S. and Susan (Dowdle) Radley, natives of England; their children 
 were: Florence, Benjamin and William H. William S. (the father) came to Genesee 
 county in 1868, where he was engaged in farming ; he died October 28, 1890. Wil- 
 liam H. Radley received his education in the common schools of his native town, and 
 for a time followed farming, but in 1895 began business as a general merchant at 
 Morganville, which he has since continued with a fair measure of success. In 1898 
 he was appointed postmaster at Morganville. He is a stirring business man and is 
 looked upon as a worthy citizen and a young man of promise. 
 
 Wood, Leonardo., was born in Stafford, N. Y., May 4, 1871. He is a son of 
 William and Elizabeth King (Crocker) Wood. William Wood died May 20, 1884. 
 Stephen Crocker, maternal grandfather of L. C. Wood, died September 27, 1892. 
 Both William Wood and Mr. Crocker were wealthy and prominent men. Leonard 
 C. Wood obtained his education in the common schools and at schools in Buffalo. He 
 is well known as a farmer of superior methods, energetic, enterprising and awake to 
 the progress of the age. In 1897 he was elected justice of the peace, which office he 
 still holds. The family of which he is a representative member are people of educa- 
 tion and refinement, respected and esteemed for the characteristics of virtue, integ- 
 rity and intelligence which are stamped on the escutcheon of nobility. 
 
 Merriman, Josiah, was born in the State of Massachusetts, January 11, 1811, son 
 of Robert and Lucius (Woodruff) Merriman. Like the majority of the youths of his 
 day, his education was confined to that obtainable at the district schools. He was 
 
S6 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 one of the pioneers of Byron, and through his long life has been a practical farmer, 
 thorough and progressive in his methods, and a worthy example of the intelligent 
 agricultural element of our population. He is now one of the largest landowners in 
 Genesee county. Apart from the fact that Mr. Merriman has become nearly blind 
 from advanced age, his faculties have been remarkably preserved. Of powerful and 
 vigorous frame, he is a fine type of the prosperous farmer and worthy citizen. In 
 1837 Mr. Merriman married Mary Wheeler. Their family of children included 
 Henry, Sheldon, Mrs. E. N. Moulthrop and Elmina S., who was born April 7, 1838, 
 and died May 2, 1862. 
 
 Wheat, Elias A., was born in the town of Barre, Orleans county, N. Y., October 
 20, 1818, son of Joseph and Caroline (Andrews) Wheat; the latter were among the 
 pioneers of that county. Elias A. Wheat obtained his education in Chautauqua 
 county, and in 1889 was ordained as a minister in the Methodist Protestant church. 
 He was a member of the Genesee Conference for nearly sixty years, and served as 
 pastor in the cities of Rochester and Buffalo, and in several other fields in Monroe, 
 Livingston, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties, and for fourteen years was pas- 
 tor of the church in Elba. Mr. Wheat was a good man in every sense of the word, 
 and his gentleness and piety left a lasting impression upon his associates. Faithful 
 and earnest in his labors, sympathetic and tender in his temperament ; he formed 
 deep friendships and incurred no enmities; " his works do follow him." In 1847 Mr. 
 Wheat married Hannah M., daughter of Josiah and Polly M. Rich. Two children 
 were born to them — Frank W. and Mrs. Mary L. Blood. Mr. Wheat died in April, 
 1895, and was universally mourned by the many to whom he had proved the good 
 friend, safe counselor and worthy example. 
 
 Taylor, Eli, was born in Elba, N. Y., October 8, 1830, son of John and Phoebe 
 (Dunning) Taylor. The family is descended from John Taylor, an emigrant from 
 England in 1636. John Taylor, the father of Eli, was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., 
 and came to Genesee county in 1813, where he was a farmer until his death in 1884. 
 Eli Taylor, to whose career this brief sketch is devoted, received his education in the 
 district schools and at the Cary and Lima Seminaries, where he gave evidence of a 
 receptive mind and studious nature. Mr. Taylor is a practical farmer and has been 
 successful in his vocation. His more than usual ability and his unquestioned integ- 
 rity have won for him the confidence and respect of his fellow townsmen, by whose 
 selection he has served as town superintendent of schools and two terms as super- 
 visor. In 1877-78 he was a member of the Legislature. During his last terra in the 
 assembly Mr. Taylor was chairman of the Committee on Villages. His frank and 
 cordial ways had won the warm friendship of Gen. James W. Husted, the speaker, 
 and the latter often called upon the member from Genesee to preside in Committee 
 of the Whole. He made a capital presiding officer. Mr. Taylor is a Methodist and 
 has always been actively connected with church and Sunday school work, and is 
 held in universal and deserved esteem. In 1857 Mr. Taylor married Mary J. Ladue, 
 who died in 1858; in 1859 he married Mrs. Harriet Howe; by this marriage there is 
 one daughter —Mrs. Ella Taylor Putnam. 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. Bl 
 
 Rumsey, Edward D., was born in the town of Stafford, March 31, 1851, a son of 
 Alexander and Amanda (Dixon) Rumsey, and grandson of Col. William Rumsey, 
 who settled in Stafford about 1800. His father was engaged in mercantile and farm- 
 ing pursuits, and died April 6, 1870. Edward Rumsey was educated in the public 
 schools, and in 1879 married Rebecca, daughter of Henry Prole; they have two chil- 
 dren, Edward and Mary. 
 
 Dibble, Isaac Vaughn, was born in Breakabeen, Schoharie county, July 1, 1845, a 
 son of Ichabod Dibble, who married Candice Dennison, and through life was a cabi- 
 net and wagon maker, also a farmer; he died in 1888. Isaac V. Dibble was edu- 
 cated m the common schools and in 1866 married Mary, daughter of Dennis Conway ; 
 they had ten children, seven of whom are. now living: Eugene H., Wesley G., Mrs. 
 Robert Turner, Mrs. Thomas Carlin, J. Edith, WilHam J., Sarah A., Candice J., 
 Genevieve M. and Carl Isaac. Mrs. Dibble died September 14, 1897. She had a, 
 host of friends who deeply mourned her death. Mr. Dibble is one of the self-made 
 men of Genesee county and for thirty-two years has been connected with the Wiard 
 Plow Company. His standing in the community is based upon a life of integrity, 
 sobriety and energy. 
 
 Todd, Henry, is a native of Stockton-on-Tees, County of Durham, England, where 
 he was born October 1, 1828. He came to the United States in 1852 and made Ba- 
 tavia his home. For a time he conducted the Genesee Democrat, and in 1861 he pur- 
 chased the Spirit of the Times, which he edited and managed for a quarter of a cen- 
 tury. Under his management the Times was a strong and influential newspaper, 
 well filled with news and vigorous and able in its editorial columns. He has been 
 prominent in the councils of the Democratic party; he was one of the founders of 
 the New York Press Association, which met at Elmira in 1853, consisting of twenty- 
 three members, of whom there are but four living at the present writing. He has 
 never been an office seeker, and the only public positions he has ever held were as 
 trustee of the State Institution for the Blind, and trustee of the village of Batavia. 
 He is a member of Batavia Lodge No. 475, F. & A. M., Batavia Chapter No. 35, 
 R. A. M., and Batavia Comraandery No. 34, K. T. He has several times revisited 
 his native England, where he was well connected. He is fond of companionship 
 and has a large circle of attached friends. In 1851 Mr. Todd was married to Eliza- 
 beth Unthank, and of their union three children were born, namely: Henrietta E., 
 Mrs. Fanny Talmage, and Charles E.. who is now conducting a general job printing 
 business. 
 
 Hackley, O. Delos, was born on his farm in Batavia, May 14, 1831. His father, 
 Ezekiel Hackley, was born in New Lebanon, Columbia county, May 25, 1794. Dr. 
 Simeon Hackley, the father of Ezekiel Hackley, removed with his parents, John and 
 Catherine, to New Lebanon from Norwich, Conn., about the year 1775. Ezekiel 
 Hackley first reached Batavia early in March, 1819. removing from Bridgewater, 
 Oneida county, with a large lumber wagon, the journey of one hundred and sixty 
 miles having occupied seven days. He settled at once on the farm in the north part 
 of the town of Batavia, where he continued to reside the rest of his life. He was 
 
88 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 married to Sarah, daughter of Dr. Francis Smiley, at Litchfield, Herkimer county, 
 N. Y., September 25, 1817. Dr. Smiley afterward removed to Elba. Mr. Hackley 
 was much interested in the growth and progress of his town and was an active sup- 
 porter of the First Presbyterian church of Batavia where he and his wife were united 
 in 1826. Mrs. Hackley was a charter member of the Ladies' Home Missionary So- 
 ciety of the church. An interesting fact connected with the remarkable life history 
 of Ezekiel Hackley was that he voted at every presidential election for seventy-two 
 years, beginning with James Monroe, in 1816, and ending with Benjamin Harrison 
 in 1888. He had voted at the elections at which nineteen out of twenty-three presi- 
 dents had been chosen. He died November 21, 1891, in the ninety-eighth year of 
 his age. O. Delos Hackley, was educated in the common schools and in 1860 mar- 
 ried Kate, daughter of John Mercer, whose father, also named John Mercer, removed 
 from Ballston, Saratoga county, to Batavia in 1808. The family have four children: 
 Levant M., George L., Francis A. and Sarah S. 
 
 Hackley, Francis A., p. o. Oakfield, N. Y. , was born in Batavia, January 8, 1868, a 
 son of O. Delos and Kate (Mercer) Hackley. He was educated in the public schools 
 of Batavia. In 1895 he started a hardware store in Oakfield and is still engaged in 
 the business there. Mr. Hackley is a public spirited citizen, and, like his brothers, 
 promises to do credit to the remarkable family of which he is a member. Quite a 
 full sketch of the family appears printed elsewhere in this work. 
 
 Lewis, Robert S., was born in Pavilion, N. Y., March 4, 1824, a son of Denby and 
 Mary (Woodruff) I^ewis. He was educated in the common schools and at select 
 schools. After leaving school he learned the trade of a printer at Warsaw. Upon 
 completing his apprenticeship he worked at his trade two or three years and then 
 taught school in Canada for four years. In 1854 he married Nancy, daughter of 
 Warren Tompkins, of Pavilion. Their surviving children are Mary A. and Fred A. 
 Lewis of Batavia, N. Y. , both of whom have for many years been employed in the 
 surrogate's office, Miss Lewis as stenographer and' Fred A. Lewis as clerk of the 
 Surrogate's Court. In 1855, in company with Edwin L. Babbitt, Mr. Lewis became 
 a proprietor and publisher of The Wyoming County Mirror, a weekly paper at War- 
 saw, N.Y. He soon purchased the interest of his partner and continued business 
 alone for several years, finally selling the establishment to Harwood A. Dudley, esq., 
 the well-known publisher of The Western New Yorker. Mr. Lewis next removed 
 to Hornellsville, where he purchased and published for a year or two the Canisteo 
 Valley Journal. He was appointed by President Lincoln route agent on the Erie 
 Railway. He removed to Attica and continued in this capacity in the mail service 
 for five j'ears, when, to use Mr. Lewis's own expression, "Andy Johnson 'swung 
 round the circle' and Lewis's official head was twisted off." Mr. Lewis removed to 
 Batavia in 1868, and purchased of Harry Wilber the Genesee County Democrat 
 printing establishment. The Democrat was discontinued and in February, 1868, 
 The Progressive Batavian was established, and with this paper Mr. Lewis was con- 
 nected as editor and publisher until January 1, 1897. Very few weekly papers have 
 every maintained a more excellent reputation or exercised a wider influence in any 
 community. At the date last named The Batavian was purchased by Griswold & 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 89 
 
 McWain, publishers of The Daily News, and after a short time the Batavian was 
 discontinued. In a brief memorandum written by Mr. Lewis for the editor of this 
 work, he says: "One of the-greatest sources of satisfaction to me has been that 
 almost all of the many boys who have served their apprenticeship under my care and 
 direction have turned out well and become men of worth and standing. Among 
 them are William Henry Merrill, now the principal editor of the New York World, 
 and Andrew Jackson McWain, editor and one of the propietors of The Batavia Daily 
 News." 
 
 Scott, George W., was born in Stafford, N. Y., September 8, 1819, a son of Ethel 
 and Olive (Skinner) Scott. His father was a native of Middlebury, Conn. , and came 
 to Genesee county in 1816, where he carried on farming. George W. Scott was edu- 
 cated in the common schools and has always been a farmer. He has been overseer 
 of the poor for five years and has served for a considerable time as trustee in the 
 public schools. In 1844 he married Mary Rich. She had one daughter who died in 
 her seventh year. After the death of his wife he married Fidelia A. Pardee. Mr. 
 Scott owns a choice farm on the main road between Stafford and Batavia. He has 
 always enjoyed the entire confidence and respect of his neighbors and of the com- 
 munity in which he lives. He has taken particular interest in school and church 
 matters. 
 
 Hull, Abner, was a pioneer in Genesee county, a native of Killingworth, Conn. , 
 born December 14, 1803. He came to Le Roy in 1808 with his parents. His father 
 drove through from Connecticut with two yokes of oxen. Abner Hull lived in Le 
 Roy until 1825, when he removed to Stone Church in the south part of Bergen and 
 settled on a farm where he resided until his death, which occurred April 23, 1882. 
 He was a justice of the peace for many years and twice represented his town on the 
 board of supervisors. He led a life of industry and sobriety and transmitted to his 
 chileren the heritage of an upright life. He married 'Rachael M. Parmelee, who died 
 March 31, 1864. They reared five sons, Ferdinand H., William Burton, Carlos A., 
 Eugene D. and Newton M. 
 
 Hull, Ferdinand H., was born April 37. 1836. He was elected sheriff of Genesee 
 county in November, 1860, and served the term of three years. He was a respected 
 and upright citizen. His death occurred June 4, 1883. 
 
 Hull, William Burton, was born August 17, 1830. He was a graduate of the Al- 
 bany Normal School. He taught for a few years in Ghent, N. Y., and in the Albany 
 Academy, but his life work as a teacher was performed in the High School at Can- 
 ton, 111. , where he served as principal for about twenty years. He was married in 
 Canton to Ruth Piper in 1882; he died in Bergen, July 10, 1891. He was survived 
 by his widow and one son, Carlos Eugene. 
 
 Hull, Carlos A., perhaps the best known citizen of Genesee county, was born in 
 Bergen, October 19, 1832. Upon leaving school he taught for some time. On the 
 
90 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 first of January, 1861, Mr. Hull became deputy sheriff, serving under his brother, 
 Ferdinand Hull. He filled this position for three years. After the expiration of 
 this time he spent several months closing up the business of the late sheriff, and on 
 the 9th of August, 1864, he entered the office of the county clerk as deputy under 
 George H. Holden. At the November election of 1867 he wsus elected county clerk 
 and is now, in 1899, serving his eleventh term. Mr. Hull, like the other members of 
 his family, is a Republican, but for many terms he has been nominated by all the 
 political parties in the county. This simple statement discloses the esteem in which 
 he is held and the character of the remarkable public services he has rendered. 
 
 Hull, Eugene D., p. o. Stone Church, N. Y., was born March 31, 1835, on the farm 
 where he has resided all his life. When a young man he taught school for some 
 time. He was married April 3, 1861, to Vienna J. Dibble, and they have three chil- 
 dren, Frank E. , Ella M. , wife of James O. Parrish of Denver, and Florence E. Mr. 
 Hull has been supervisor of Bergen since 1884 He has been an active Republican 
 and has represented his town and county in many party conventions. He served 
 several years as member for Bergen on the Republican County Committee. 
 
 Hull, Newton M., was born July 37, 1849. He was married November 8, 1888, to 
 Kate Steuber. He has always resided on the farm where he was born. 
 
 Gubb, William, was born in Devonshire, England, February 8, 1888, and came to 
 the United States in 1856, settling in the town of Stafford. In 1854 he married Ann 
 Braley; they had five children: James, William, Edward, Elizabeth and Jennie, wife 
 of Frank Dorf. Mr. Gubb, in 1891, bought the Henry Craft farm, which he suc- 
 cessfully conducted until his death, December 31, 1898. He took an interest in all 
 good works, was an amiable neighbor and citizen without reproach. He always took 
 an active interest in public affairs and was recognized as a man of sterling integrity, 
 whose word was as good as his bond. 
 
 Underbill, Alfred, was born in Avon, N. Y., December 4, 1811, and was brought 
 by his parents, John and Esther Underbill, when he was five years old, to what is 
 known as the Drake street road, then in Batavia, later in Elba, and now in Oakfield 
 
 living in three separate towns without removing. He married Margaret, daughter 
 
 of Solomon Dunham, who bore him nine children, three of whom are now living — 
 Sidney, Kate and Judson; those deceased were Delecta, Sarah, Esther, Henry 
 Frank and Orin. Sidney Underbill was educated in Gary Collegiate Seminary, and 
 was engaged as a salesman for about five years, when he took up farming. In 1859 
 he married Cari'ie, daughter of William C. McCrillus; they have one son, William C. 
 
 Bierce, Miles H., was born at Hillsdale, Columbia county, N. Y., ^December 6, 
 1819. His early life was spent upon a farm and he was educated at the common 
 schools and Cazenovia Seminary, and for a time taught school. While quite a young 
 man he engaged in the mercantile business at Scott, N. Y., and in 1850 came to Ba- 
 tavia and engaged in the dry goods business, in which he continued for forty-seven 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 91 
 
 years. He was one of the oldest and most successful merchants of that day at the 
 time of his death, on October 21, 1897. In 1884 he erected the block on the south side 
 of Main street which bears his name. Mr. Bierce served as assessor for nearly twenty 
 years, and was recognized as authority on the value of property and on assessment 
 laws. He took an active interest in educational and religious institutions. In 1850 
 Mr. Bierce was married to Laura J. Smith, who died in 1855, leaving one son, Miles 
 Stanley, now of Cortland, N. Y. In 18")9 he married Mary M. Smith, who survives 
 him. To them was born a son. Manly S., who was associated in business with his 
 father, becoming a member of the firm of M. H. Bierce & Son, in 1884. In 1884 
 Manly S. married Alice J. Hewitt, daughter of Mr. M. W. Hewitt. Miles H. Bierce 
 was a man of strong intellect and very positive convictions, and he possessed the 
 courage to do at all times what he considered to be right. 
 
 Beckwith, Richard S., was anative.of Lyme, Conn., and came with his parents to 
 Genesee county in 1807. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a prosperous 
 farmer, a successful business man, always ready and willing to help in every good 
 work. He married Jane, daughter of Ruluff D, and Bethsheba Whitney of SheflBeld, 
 Mass. ; they have three children: Harris of North Pembroke, Mrs. Martha J, Gould 
 of Batavia, and Mrs. Maria C. Woolsey of Kingman, Kansas. Mr. Beckwith was a 
 pioneer of Genesee county, and his life, one of industry, was well spent. His death, 
 which occurred June 21, 1866, was a loss not only to his family, but to all who knew 
 him. 
 
 Pratt, John W., the subject of this sketch, was born in Livonia, N. Y., April 25, 
 1859. He was descended, in the seventh generation, from Lieut. William Pratt, who 
 came from England with Rev. Thomas Hooker, and settled in Newtown (now Cam- 
 bridge), Mass., in 1633, and thence removed in June, 1636, to Hartford, Conn. The 
 generations are: William, Samuel 16.i5, David 1688, David 1720, Peabody 1757, 
 George 1784, George Franklin 1816, John Wilcox 1859 His paternal great-grand- 
 father, Peabody, was a Revolutionary soldier, as was also his great-grandfather on 
 the side of his paternal grandmother, Onesimus Risdon, a native of Vermont. His 
 grandfather came to Livonia, Livingston county, N. Y. , in 1807, where he built a 
 tannery (afterwards removed to Springwater) and carried on an extensive leather 
 furnishing and boot and shoe store. He was a man of great business ability and 
 prominent in affairs, and died leaving a competency. His father, George Franklin 
 Pratt, succeeded to the business and later entered into mercantile business in Livo- 
 nia. His mother was daughter of Abner Wilcox and Sally Horton, who removed to 
 Livonia from Dutchess county and settled on a farm of three hundred acres a mile 
 north of the Center, and now owned by Samuel Woodruff. His maternal great- 
 grandfather was also a Revolutionary soldier. Mr. Pratt is the youngest of five chil- 
 dren, and inherited in a full measure the business energy of his family, which was 
 early manifested. He also has the features of the Pratts marked through all the gen- 
 erations of the family. He was educated in the common schools of Livonia and 
 studied at the Franklin Academy, Prattsburgh, N. Y., and the Walton Academy, 
 Walton, Delaware county, N. Y. After finishing his education Mr. Pratt was for 
 several years in the employ of T. W. Millham, general merchant and postmaster at 
 
93 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Livonia, N. Y. , in the capacity of salesman and bookkeeper. In 1877 he came to Ba- 
 tavia and entered the oflBce of the Wiard Plow Co., where he has been for twenty-two 
 years, now occupying the position of cashier and head bookkeeper. In 1880 Mr. Pratt 
 married Jennie A., one of a family of five children and daughter of the late Dr. Cyrus 
 C. Baker, who was a prominent homeopathic physician of Batavia, N. Y. They have 
 four children: Laura S. , John C, Louella B. and Gertrude W. Mr. Pratt is one of 
 the self-made men of the town, having served as trustee of the village and for the 
 past eleven years as a director and treasurer of the Genesee County Permanent Loan 
 & Building Association, and takes a general interest in school and church matters 
 and has ever advanced the best interest of his town and townspeople. 
 
 The subject of this sketch, Dr. Cyrus C. Baker, was born in Roxbury, Delaware 
 county, N. Y., January 28, 1819. Soon after arriving at his majority he began the 
 study of medicine with his brother. Dr. John F. Baker, a homeopathic physician at 
 Lebanon, Madison county, N. Y., where he finished his studies and practiced until 
 1850, when he, together with his brother, removed to Batavia. Shortly after his ar- 
 rival he went to Albion, Orleans county, N. Y., and practiced until 1863, when he re- 
 turned to Batavia, where he practiced his profession until his death from heart dis- 
 ease, which occurred quite suddenly on the morning of July 17, 1887, he having been 
 on the street only a few hours before. The doctor was one of a family of physicians, 
 two of his brothers being physicians. He was a very conscientious, upright and quiet 
 man, a man who never displayed his good deeds for the world to see, or talked about 
 them for the world to hear. As a friend remarked, " If he could not speak well of a 
 person, he never spoke ill of him." He was known by his deeds, and his pleasant 
 smile and cheery words were almost as healing as his medicines. He was a member 
 of the Methodist Episcopal Church and for many years a trustee of the church in this 
 village, and at the time of his death was town and county physician. He left four 
 children by his first wife; Frederick and Frank (both since deceased), Hattie and 
 Mrs. John W. Pratt of Batavia. His first wife's name was Cyrinthea Stokes. By his 
 last wife (since deceased), a sister of the former companion, he' left one daughter, lyulu 
 M. At his death he left three brothers and two sisters, all having died since. 
 
 Miller, Holden T, was born in the town of Byron, N. Y., February 1, 1841, a son 
 of Wheaton S. and Emmarett (South worth) Miller. His father was one of the promi- 
 nent business men of Western New York and a leading man in his town. Although 
 never admitted to the bar, he had acquired a large practical knowledge of the law, 
 and was accustomed to the management of important legal matters. He was a re- 
 markable man, was very widely known and universally respected. He died in 1865. 
 Holden T. Miller was educated in the public schools and Genesee Wesleyan Semi^ 
 nary at Lima. He engaged in the mercantile and produce business for twenty-one 
 years, and February 15, 1879, came to Batavia and entered the Bank of Batavia as 
 cashier, which position he still holds. In 1865 he married Cecelia G., daughter of 
 Jacob Wiggins; they have one son, Wheaton S. Miller. Mr. Miller was supervisor 
 of Byron four years, from 1868 to 1871. He enjoys the well-earned reputation of be- 
 ing one of the best business men of the county, and his advice has often been sought 
 by his neighbors and by investors. He has always been a Republican and has been 
 very influential in the party. 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 93 
 
 Pease, Edward, was born in the town of Stafford, Genesee county, October 29, 
 1835, son of Abraham Pease, who was a native of Connecticut and came to Monroe 
 county with his parents in 1816. Abraham Pease married Mary Ellis and moved to 
 Genesee county about 1820; he was a prominent man in Batavia, served as assessor 
 and held other like positions ; he died in 1863, in his sixty-fifth year. Edward Pease 
 was educated in the common schools, and in 1849 married Harriet A., daughter of 
 Robert B. Stanton; they have three daughters living: Harriet E., Sarah A. and 
 Gertrude A. ; their third daughter, Mary S., having died in 1880. Mr. Pease is a 
 practical farmer, at which vocation he has been successful, and a man who com- 
 mands the respect of his community. 
 
 The farm known as the Sanford Wilber farm was first purchased and occupied by 
 Amasa and Annis Wilber ; they were the parents of four sons and two daughters. 
 The youngest son, Sanford Wilber, remained on the homestead until his death in 
 May, 1891 ; he left no children. Morris Cleveland Wilber was married at the age of 
 twenty-one to Emma Churchill, shortly after which they took up their residence with 
 Sanford Wilber, who was his uncle ; they had two sons — G. Sanford and Earl D. 
 Wilber. Mrs. Wilber died in 1881, and about a year later Morris C. was married to 
 Myrta Adelle Griffin, who bore him one daughter, Grace Adelle Wilber. Mr. Wil- 
 ber died June 9, 1898. He was a practical and successful farmer, and a man of un- 
 questioned integrity, respected by all who knew him. 
 
 Stickle, Charles W. . was born at Cobourg, Ontario, July 26, 1843, of German par- 
 entage which may be traced back to the early part of the seventeenth century. In 
 1866 he was graduated B. A. with high honors from Victoria University, and three 
 years later he received from his alma mater the degree of M. A. At the close of his 
 college life he came to Oakfield, Genesee county, and taught as assistant master at 
 Gary Collegiate Seminary until 1871, when he removed to New Jersey and spent 
 eleven years there as master of a classical school in the city of Passaic. At the end 
 of that time he returned to Batavia to accept the position of teller in the Farmer's 
 Bank of Batavia, which position he still occupie'. Mr. Stickle has been for many 
 years a prominent Free Mason in this locality. For fifteen years prior to 1898 he was 
 secretary of Batavia Lodge No. 475, and the fraternity have now honored him by 
 electing him W.. M. of the lodge, He is also secretary of Western Star Chapter No. 
 35, R. A. M. , and recorder of Batavia Commandery No. 34, K. T. ; he has also for 
 many years been a member of the vestry of St. James Episcopal church, and assist- 
 ant superintendent of its Sunday school. On January 1, 1870, Mr. Stickle married 
 Emily Anna, daughter of Amasa D. Waldo ; they have four children ; Charles Waldo. 
 M. D., of New York city; D wight W., of Anheim, Cal. ; Howard W., of Boston, 
 Mass. ; and Wellington W. , of Batavia. 
 
 Downey, James, was born in County Down, north of Ireland, January 9, 1830, and 
 came to America with his parents, James and Martha Downey, in 1835, settling in 
 the town of Oakfield, where his father was prominent as a man and farmer. They 
 moved to Batavia in 1846, where his father died February 29, 1869, in his eighty first 
 year; his mother died in May, 1870. James Downey was educated in the common 
 
94 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 schools and in 1859 married Ann J., daughter of John Thompson. They had five 
 children: George H., Ida J., Mattie B., Gertrude A. and Maggie A. Mrs. Downey 
 died February 3, 1878. Mr. Downey is known as a good farmer, and a man of un- 
 doubted integrity. 
 
 Wade Bros. — John H and James J. Wade, sons of Harris Wade, were born in Ba- 
 tavia, and educated m the Union School. In October, 1893, they established their 
 present business of lumber and Lehigh Valley coal, making a specialty of pine and 
 hemlock lumber, sash, doors, blinds and moldings of all descriptions; also handle 
 asphalt cement roofing, and are agents for fire insurance. John H. Wade married, 
 in 1894, Elizabeth, daughter of John Russell (deceased); they have two daughters 
 and one son : Marion, Genevieve and Harris. The firm of Wade Bros, is one of the 
 progressive firms of Genesee county, taking an intelligent interest in all public 
 affairs. In October, 1898, they, in partnership with C. M. Hall, purchased lot No. 35 
 of the village of Batavia, formerly known as the ball grounds. They afterwards 
 cut it up into twenty- five building lots and are erecting dwellings on same. It is re- 
 corded in the county clerk's office, and known as Niagara Square. Harris Wade 
 (deceased), was born in the town of Stafford in 1836, a son of Ezekiel Wade, a native 
 of Connecticut. He married Hannah, daughter of John Doyle (deceased); they had 
 five sons and three daughters: Henry, John Henry and Thomas, all deceased, Mary, 
 Mrs. Julia C. Kauffman, John H. , James J. and Anna L. Mr. Wade was a farmer 
 and was recognized as a man of sterling integrity. He died July 8, 1874, and his 
 death was a loss not only to his family, but to all who knew him ; of him it can well 
 be said "an honest man is the noblest work of God." Mary Wade died May 20, 
 1899. 
 
 Gorton, Warren, was born in Columbia county, N. Y., October 12, 1839, a son of 
 William and Hannah (Tripp) Gorton, and was educated in the common schools. In 
 1881 he came to East Pembroke and purchased the East Pembroke Mills, making a 
 specialty of fine grades of flour. In 1883 he married Nellie Plate; they had four chil- 
 dren: Warren A., Ralph, Edward and Florence. Mr. Gorton has earned the repu- 
 tation of being a good business man and is considered a worthy member of the com- 
 munity where he lives. 
 
 Stanley, G. W , was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., October 4. 1838, a son of 
 Joseph S. Stanley, and grandson of Jonathan Stanley, who was the first member of 
 assembly from Onondaga county. Joseph S. Stanley married Mahala Welch, and 
 was a merchant and a farmer ; he died in 1883. G. W. Stanley was educated in the 
 common schools, and carried on farming until 1855, when he engaged in the lumber 
 business, with which he has been identified for forty-three years. On August 21, 
 1861, he enlisted in the 2d N. Y. Cavalry and took part in the battles of second Bull 
 Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and the battle of Aldie, scarcely 
 noted in the history of the war, but a sharp engagement, the regiment losing twenty- 
 seven men and oflBcers. He resigned in October, 1865, with the rank of captain. 
 In 1870 Mr. Stanley married Louisa H., daughter of A. J. Cummings; they have one 
 daughter, Maud C. Mr. Stanley is one of the progressive business men of his town. 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 95 
 
 is commander of General Upton Post No. 299, G. A. R., and is now in command of 
 the 8th Brigade, G. A. R., of the 8th Judicial District, with the rank of brigadier- 
 general. 
 
 Winslow, Charles T., p. o. South Alabama, N. Y., was born in Cambria Mills, 
 Mich. , September 20, 1866, a son of Edson J. and Sarah Ingalsbe Winslow. His 
 father was a native of Monroe county, N. Y., and came to Genesee county in 1850. 
 He has an honorable record in the Civil war; he was a corporal in the 8th N. Y. 
 Heavy Artillery, and was severely wounded m the face at Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864 ; 
 a surviving officer of the famous 8th Heavy Artillery has lately said, "There was 
 not a better soldier in the regiment than Edson Winslow." C. T. Winslow received 
 his education at Starkey Seminary; after leaving school he went to Oregon where he 
 was engaged in the lumber trade for six years. He married Sarah A. Ingalsbe. Mr. 
 Winslow is a careful and thrifty farmer, and is known as a man of intelligence, in- 
 tegrity and modern ideas. 
 
 Moynihan, Michael, was born in Ireland in 1840 and in 1851 came to the United 
 States with his parents, John and Julia Moynihan, who settled in Batavia and were 
 prominent in the history of the Catholic church. Mr. Moynihan was educated in the 
 Union schools, and learned the clothing business with S. Masse. He has been en- 
 gaged in the clothing trade as clerk or proprietor for nearly forty years. In 1877 he 
 established himself in business which he since has carried on successfully. Mr. 
 Moynihan is serving his second term as trustee of Batavia, and actively participates 
 in educational and religious affairs and beneficiary societies. In politics he is a Re- 
 publican. Mr. Moynihan, as his friends well know, has a very forcible way of ex- 
 pressing himself, and although making no pretensions as a public speaker, he is 
 often called upon when matters of local interest are under discussion, and his re- 
 marks always carry weight. In 1872 Mr. Moynihan was married to Margaret Keenan ; 
 their children are Edward, Frank, Michael, John, Mary, Margaret, Ellen, Monica 
 and Anna. 
 
 Ebling, Charles M. , was born in Buffalo', August 26, 1860, a son of John Ebling, 
 who was a native of Germany and came to the United States in 1845, settling in 
 Buffalo, where he conducted a cooperage and hotel business ; he died in 1893. Charles 
 M. was educated in Buffalo, and engaged in the grocery and meat business. He 
 established his present business in Batavia in 1882. In 1883 he was married to Mary, 
 daughter of George Stakel; they have two sons: Garland Herman. Mr. Ebling 
 served as a village trustee from 1885 to 1887 ; his record as an honorable business man 
 and valuable citizen is of the highest. 
 
 Marsh, Almond C, was born in Dorset, Vt., February 29, 1824, and came to Gen- 
 esee county in 1842, settling in the town of Bethany, where he lived for about twen- 
 ty-eight years. Thence he removed to Le Roy, where he bought and sold stock in 
 connection with farming, remaining there about twelve years. Since then he has 
 resided in Batavia with the exception of one year spent in the West. In 1819 he was 
 married to Rebecca, daughter of Asel Dow ; they have one daughter, Mrs. L. N. 
 
96 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Smith of Watseka, 111. Mr. Marsh is one of the practical and successful farmers of 
 his town. He served three years as assessor, and in various ways has given practi- 
 cal evidence of his interest in his town's welfare ; he bears an unblemished character 
 and is popular in his community. Mrs. Marsh died December 11, 1897. 
 
 Parmele, Lucius B., M. D. , was born in Alden, Erie county, N. Y., November 16, 
 1840. His parents, John J. and Joanna (Baker) Parmele, were natives of Connecti- 
 cut, his father having come with his parents to Ontario county in 1807. Dr. Parmele 
 prepared for college in Alden Seminary and was graduated from the University of 
 Rochester in 1864 and the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo in 1867, 
 receiving the degree of Master of Arts from the University of Rochester in 1873. He 
 began the practice of his profession in East Pembroke in 1867, and in 1883 came to 
 Batavia, where he established his present practice. In 1868 he married Susan A., 
 daughter of Ebenezer Allen; they have three children: Mrs. Wm. P. Curtis, Lucius 
 A. and Porter L. Dr. Parmele served as supervisor of Pembroke for the years 18T8- 
 1879 and 1880, and as a coroner of Genesee county for twelve years, ending in 1896. 
 
 Fargo, Adelbert B., p. o. Alexander, N. Y. , son of Walter B. and Sarah M. (Covell) 
 Fargo, was born in Warsaw, Wyoming county, N. Y., October 28, 1857. His educa- 
 tion was obtained in the public schools of his native town, supplemented by a course at 
 the Warsaw Union School. He is descended from James Fargo who settled at or 
 near New London, Conn., early in the seventeenth century. His father was a farmer 
 and it was quite natural that his son should take up the same pursuit, which he did, 
 and has been successfully engaged in farming since. On May 28, 1884, he married 
 Mary L., daughter of Sanford and Ann (Thompson) Riddle; they have two children: 
 George R. , born May 17, 1886, and Florence L. , born March 5, 1888. Mr. Fargo is 
 a member of Attica Lodge, No. 462, F. & A. M. He has lately been appointed one 
 of the Sidepath Commissioners for Genesee county under the bicycle law of 1899. 
 
 Kraatz, Louis, p. o. Akron, N. Y., was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, November 
 14, 1853, was educated there and came to the United States in 1873, locating in Pem- 
 broke, Genesee county, N.Y., and is one of the town's best German farmers. He has 
 married twice ; first, on March 3, 1879, to Ellen Tesnow, of Pembroke, who died in 
 1889, leaving four children: Charles, Louis, jr., Dora and Alvin. In 1891 Mr. Kraatz 
 married Annie Tesnow, sister of his first wife ; they have two children, Pearl and Ray- 
 mond. The oldest son, Charles, is attending college at this date (1898). Mr. and 
 Mrs Kraatz are members of the M. E. church of Akron, he being president of the 
 board of trustees. In his political choice he is a thorough Republican. The Tesnows 
 came from the same part of Germany as the Kraatzes. 
 
 Sweet, Charles A., p. o. Oakfield, N. Y., was born in Elmira, N.Y., April 16, 1853. 
 His father, Asa W. Sweet, was born in Albany county, and served three years in the 
 Civil war, after which he was a foreman in a planing mill in Williamsport, Pa. He 
 married Caroline Freeman and had two children ; he died in 1896. C. A. Sweet was 
 educated in the common schools and was engaged in photography for twenty years. 
 November 9, 1894, the Diamond Wall Cement Company was incorporated at Will- 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 97 
 
 iamsport, Pa., with the following officers: F. H. McCormick, president; Eber Culver, 
 vice-president; C. A. Sweet, secretary and treasurer; and N. H. Culver, general 
 manager. In 1897 they started a branch plant at Oakfield, with C. A. Sweet as man- 
 ager. Mr. Sweet married Jennie A. Erwin ; they have one daughter, Harriet. Mr. 
 Sweet was five years in the City Guards and seven years in the fire department of 
 Williamsport ; also ten years in the fire department of Wellsboro, Pa. He was 
 elected drill master and is a past grand and past P. C. P . in the Odd Fellows ; also 
 is a past captain in the Patriarchs Militant. Mr. Sweet is an enterprising business 
 man, of sterling integrity and takes an active part in church and school matters. 
 
 Staples, Job A., was born in Berkshire county, Mass., August 17, 1842, a son of 
 Lyman and Susan (Harkness) Staples. His father was a native of the same town 
 and came to Elba in 1847, where he was a shoemaker and farmer ; he was one of the 
 prominent men of the town in both school and church matters ; he died in 1855. Job 
 A. Staples was educated in the common schools and Cary Collegiate Seminary. In 
 1860 he engaged in the lumber, stave and cooperage business, and in 1888 established 
 his mercantile business, and still continues both branches. In 1861 Mr. Staples mar- 
 ried Maria, daughter of Thomas Griffin; their children are; N. Elmer, George K. , 
 Charles J., Cleveland J., Emma J., Marian F. and Alida B. Mr. Staples served as 
 supervisor for 1880 and 1883 and has filled other town offices. He has been success- 
 ful in his business life, and is numbered among those who, in all proper ways, have 
 labored for the public weal. 
 
 Vickery, Maria H., p. o. Darien Center, N, Y. , was born in Martinsburg, Lewis 
 county, N. Y., April 22, 1847, daughter of Justus B. and Jane (Salmon) Corp. Mr. 
 Corp was born in Russia, Herkimer county, N. Y., March 29, 1817, and married Jane 
 Salmon January 14, 1841 ; she was born August 28, 1817. They were among the old- 
 est residents of Darien. Mrs. Vickery remained at home with her parents until April 
 14, 1870, when she married Dr. Howard W. Vickery, son of Benjamin and Catherine 
 (Waterbury) Vickery, and born in the town of Yates, Orleans county, N. Y. , August 
 29, 1834. His boyhood was spent upon his father's farm and in attending the com- 
 mon schools until 1851, when his parents removed to Darien Center. In 1852 he at- 
 tended the seminary at the latter place, afterwards clerking in his father's store and 
 .spending his leisure hours reading medicine, preparatory to entering the office of 
 Dr. Bullard of Buffalo as a student. In 1863 he was graduated from the medical de- 
 partment of the University of Buffalo with the degree of M. D. He immediately be- 
 gan practice in Mt. Morris, where he resided for a few months, when he removed to 
 Caledonia and went into partnership with Dr. Wells, returning to Darien Center in 
 1865. In 1873 the doctor sent a sample of the water of the Victor Mineral Spring to 
 George Hadley, M. D., professor of chemistry and pharmacy, of Buffalo, to be ana- 
 lyzed, who replied that it was very similar to the water of Congress Spring at Sara- 
 toga. The analysis being satisfactory, the firm of Dr. W. H. Vickery & Co. was 
 formed for the sale of the water, and a large business was done until they sold out to 
 other parties. This celebrated spring is about two miles from the Erie railroad sta- 
 tion. In 1882 he built a large store, keeping drugs and a general line of goods and 
 doing a fine business until he sold out in 1888. During all these years he carried on 
 
98 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 a large and lucrative practice until his death, March 16, 1897. Dr. Vickery was a 
 great student and a lover of home. His leisure hours were spent with his family, 
 which consisted of his wife and two children: Katie M. and Irving H. He was 
 Board of Health physician and a member of the Odd Fellows. Dr. Vickery was of 
 English and Scotch descent. Three Vickery brothers came from England to America 
 on a hunting and pleasure trip. One of the brothers died in the wilderness near Lake 
 Champlain ; the remaining two hollowed out a log and buried him therem near the 
 lake. They then separated, one going down the Hudson river, while the other set- 
 tled in Rensselaer county. He was a strong Tory, and while he was on a hunting 
 expedition his seven sons enlisted in General Washington's army and wintered with 
 him at Valley Forge. On his way home he heard that his sons had joined the Amer- 
 ican army, and was so indignant that he went into the stable after arriving home 
 and cut the hamstrings of thirty valuable blooded horses. Benjamin Vickery, his 
 grandson, was born in Nassau, Rensselaer county, in 1777, and was married to Cathe- 
 rine Waterbury of the same place on Septembers, 1816. Her maternal grandparents, 
 Arthur and Catherine (McKenzie) Morrison, came from Glasgow, Scotland to Amer- 
 ica. A daughter, Mary, was born in March, 1777, in New York city; her parents 
 settled in Kinderhook ; they were tories, and at the beginning of the Revolution left 
 this daughter with German friends named Graham, and both entered the army. Mary 
 grew to womanhood, believing the Grahams her true parents; as her father and 
 mother did not return at the close of the war, her foster parents brought her up as 
 their own child. She married Samuel Waterbury December 29, 1799. During all 
 these years her father and brothers were searching the country for her, finally find- 
 ing her and her family living in Nassau. Her father's home was near St. John, New 
 Brunswick; he desired Mary and her family to return with him, as he was wealthy 
 and would do well by them ; but her husband declined to go because her people were 
 tories. Her father visited her once afterwards. She died November 30, 1865, at 
 Yates, Orleans county. Her daughter, Catherine (Waterbury) Vickery, was born 
 November 33, 1800, and died at Darien Center, March 16, 1883. Her husband, Ben- 
 jamin Vickery, died February 39, 1880, at the same place. 
 
 Collins, George B., was born in Batavia, N. Y., June 9, 1864. His father, John 
 Collins, was a native of Ireland and came to Genesee county in 1850, where he has 
 been a farmer. He served two years in the War of the Rebellion, enlisting in Co. A, 
 8th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. He married Ellen McVea. George B. Collins received 
 his education in the common schools, and in 1887 moved to Byron and engaged in 
 farmmg ; in 1894 he engaged in the mercantile business, which he is now conducting, 
 carrying the leading stock ; he is also a dealer in real estate. In 1884 Mr. Collins 
 married Lillian M,, daughter of John Spear; their children are; George Le Roy, Mae 
 and Esther L. Mr. Collins is one of the self-made men of Genesee county, progres- 
 sive in the best sense of the word, and commands the esteem and confidence of his 
 associates. 
 
 Call, Robert, was born in Chawleigh, Devonshire, England, June 5, 1831, a son of 
 John and Grace (Paine) Call, who were the parents of Mary, Ann, John, William and 
 Elizabeth. John Call died in 1873. Robert Call was educated in the common schools 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 99 
 
 and came to America in 1853; in 1854 he married, at Fitchburg, Mass., Charlotte, 
 oldest daughter of Robert and Mary Ann JosHn, born May 35, 1834, at Filleigh, Dev- 
 onshire, England; their children are: William A., Albert H. , Charles J. and Lizzie 
 A. Mr. Call was a gardener for five years near Boston, and in 1858 came t9 Staf- 
 ford, Genesee county, N. Y., where he engaged in farming. In 1868 he purchased 
 the farm where he now resides, making a specialty of potato raising. He cast his 
 first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and he afterward voted for Grant, Hayes 
 and Garfield. In 1882 he joined the Prohibition party and has voted with it ever 
 since and worked for its success, devoting much time and money to the cause. He 
 was vice-president of the Silver Lake Temperance Assembly for a number of years. 
 He has been a member of the First Christian Church of Stafford for thirty-five years, 
 has been its trustee and clerk for more than twenty years, also trustee of the Minis- 
 ters' Aid and Benevolent Society, and one of the advisory board for the Aged Minis- 
 ters' Home for all the Christian churches of the United States and Canada, which is 
 located at Castile, N. Y. He has been sent as a delegate by the church to its annual 
 conference sessions for the last twenty-five years, has been treasurer of the confer- 
 ence for fourteen years, and twice was sent by that body as a lay delegate to the 
 Quadrennial Convention of all the Christian churches of America and Canada. From 
 small beginnings Mr. Call has, by thrift and enterprise, become one of the largest 
 land owners in the county. 
 
 Lewis, Jasper B., p. o. Alexander, N. Y., a native of Alexander, Genesee county, 
 N. Y., born September 24, 1838, is a grandson of James Lewis, who emigrated from 
 Massachusetts to the Holland Land Purchase in Genesee county in 1804, and son of 
 Anson and Mary (Peck) Lewis. His father was a successful farmer of Alexander 
 until his death. The Peck family are one of the oldest and most respected pioneer 
 families of Genesee county. Mr. Lewis's boyhood was passed on his father's farm 
 and in the public schools until he was twenty years of age, when he entered the em- 
 ploy of the Erie railroad at Alexander as station agent, and has been in the employ of 
 the same company since 1858, with the exception of nine months. Mr. Lewis is also 
 agent for the Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express and the Western Union Telegraph Com- 
 pany. On October 16, 1862, he married Cornelia A., daughter of Gilbert Nelson; 
 they have one daughter, Nellie, wife of William G. Pollard of Batavia, N. Y. Mr. 
 Lewis was a member of Tonawanda Lodge No. 145, I. O. O. F. , for twenty-one years, 
 or until it disbanded, and has been a trustee of the Universalist church for fifteen 
 years; he held the office of supervisor during the years 1881, 1882 and 1883, and has 
 been poormaster for many years. Mr. Lewis is a man of unusual intelligence, cour- 
 teous and affable demeanor, but frank in his manner and expression. During the 
 forty years he has been in the service of the Erie Railroad he has proved himself a 
 man of industry, integrity, and fidelity to the interests of the company he represents. 
 
 Whiting, Flavins J., p. o. Darien, a son of Nathaniel and Alphia (Kezar) Whiting, 
 was born in the town of East Winthrop, Kennebeck county, Me. , July 9, 1823. His 
 early education was obtained in the common schools of his native town, and when 
 eighteen years of age he removed west, locating in the town of Clarkson, Monroe 
 county, N. Y., April 14, 1840. He attended the Brockport Collegiate Institute for 
 
100 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 three years, working on farms during vacation. In 1843 he commenced teaching 
 and continued that occupation for twelve years, at the same time holding the office 
 of town superintendent of schools five years, also justice of the peace four years. In 
 1856 he removed to the town of Alden, Erie county, where he resided ten years, teaching 
 and farming alternately winter and summer. He was elected asssessor for threeyears. 
 In 1866 Mr. Whiting moved to Corfu in Genesee county, and two years later moved to 
 Darien, whore he has resided twenty-one years, continuing the occupation of farm- 
 ing, and teaching part of the time. Mr. Whiting was elected to the office of super- 
 visor in Darien which office he held for a period of six years, 1889-90-91-92-96-97. 
 He cast his first presidential vote in 1844 for Henry Clay and has voted at every presi- 
 dential election from Clay to McKinley. He has always been identified with the 
 Republican party, and is one of Darien's leading and most respected citizens. On 
 January 1, 1850, he was married to Eleanor, daughter of Henry J. and Elizabeth 
 Smith; they have three children: Mina, wife of AUie Griswold; Eugenia, wife of 
 Frank Rogers; and Charles, who was married to Florence Shelts. 
 
 Fisk, Pliny B., was born in Byron, December 8, 1830. His tather, Levi Fisk, was 
 a native of Franklin county, Mass., and came to Genesee county in 1818, settling in 
 the town of Byron, and in the same year he erected a small woolen mill. He mar- 
 ried Cynthia Coleman and became a successful and prosperous farmer. He was one 
 of the founders of the Congregational church in Byron ; served on the board of super- 
 visors, and was elected to the Assembly in 1850 and 1851. He died September 16, 
 1878, in his eighty-eighth year. He was survived by John S. Fisk, who died Febru- 
 ary 2, 1894, Pliny B. Fisk, and by three daughters, Clarissa Fisk, Cynthia C. Fisk 
 and Abigail F. Green, widow of the late Hon. Loren Green. Pliny B. Fisk and 
 Mrs. Green are the only survivors of the family. Pliny B. Fisk was educated in the 
 common schools and in 1857 married Jane Walker, daughter of Cyrenus Walker. 
 They have one son, Levi W, , who resides in Byron. Mr. Fisk has been a successful 
 farmer and has throughout his life taken an active mterest in school and church mat- 
 ters. In politics he is a Republican. 
 
 Warboys, John, was born in Hertfordshire, England, August 22, 1835, and came to 
 the United States in 1854 with his wife, Mary A. Smith, settHng in Bergen in 1855. 
 In 1865 he bought the Giles Tripp farm and afterwards bought part of the Adams 
 farm, having 300 acres in all. Of the numerous body of English immigrants who 
 have established homes in Genesee county, none has made a better record than Mr. 
 Warboys ; of industrious, thrifty habits, he has made the best of his opportunities, 
 and is known as an upright, whole-souled man. 
 
 Bryant, Clarence, p. o. Le Roy, N. Y., was born in the town of Pavilion, N. Y., 
 January 11, 1854. His father, Nathan Bryant, was a native of Massachusetts, and 
 came to Genesee county in 1840, where he carried on farming. He served several 
 years as supervisor of Pavilion; married Janet Stewart, and died in 1878. Clarence 
 Bryant was educated in the common schools and Le Roy Academy. He taught 
 school several winters and then took up farming. In 1886 he came to Le Roy and 
 engaged in the meat market business. He was collector in Pavilion for one year and 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 
 
 101 
 
 assessor for three years, and in 1897 was elected supervisor of Le Roy. He married 
 Ella E., daughter of George Howard; their children are Nathan H. and Lewis M. 
 Mr. Bryant has always been a promoter of the best interests of his town and is a 
 prominent business man. 
 
 Gillette, George M. , is a representative and one of the most prominent young men 
 of the town of Bergen, a native of the town, born April 1, 1859, a son of James M. 
 and grandson of Miles Gillette. His grandfather was a pioneer in this section of the 
 county, moving to the 
 town of Sweden in 1816, 
 where he assisted in 
 clearing the Ainsworth 
 and Jennings farm. In 
 what is known as the 
 cold season, he with 
 many more of the pio- 
 neers, were compelled 
 to subsist almost en- 
 tirely on bear meat and 
 smaller game. He was 
 drawn for the Patriot 
 war in 1837 and while 
 on his way to Buffalo 
 found a pocketbook 
 contain! n g considera- 
 ble money and valuable 
 papers. He found the 
 owner in Buffalo, who 
 demonstrated his ap- 
 preciation by helping 
 him to secure a dis- 
 charge from his draft 
 in 1838 and 1839. He 
 made four trips to 
 Michigan on horseback, 
 bringing back with him 
 droves of cattle and 
 hogs. George M. Gil- 
 lette was educated in 
 
 the Le Roy Academy, from which he was graduated in 1877. He then entered the 
 employ of the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. Co. , in the baggage department, and was in 
 the employ of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R. , and Houston & Texas Cen- 
 tral R. R. for two years in Colorado, Kansas and Texas. Returning home he en- 
 gaged with the West Shore Railroad Company, remaining with them until 1888, 
 when he resigned his position to engage in farming, in which he is interested at 
 present, owning a farm adjoining the village, in which he takes great interest. 
 
102 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Since his early manhood Mr. Gillette has manifested a keen and active interest in 
 the political affairs of the county and State, and is a member of the Genesee County 
 Republican Committee. In 1893 he was a delegate to the State Republican conven- 
 tion that nominated Levi P. Morton for governor ; in 1895 he was a delegate to the 
 Republican Senatorial convention ; in 1896 was again delegate to the State conven- 
 tion that nominated Frank S. Black for governor, and again in 1899 a delegate to the 
 convention that nominated Governor Roosevelt, and has often attended as a delegate 
 county and assembly conventions. In 1897 he received the appointment to the 
 position of deputy clerk of the Assembly, and again in 1898 and 1899. Mr. Gillette 
 is a member of several clubs and societies and chief engineer of the Bergen Fire De- 
 partment. He takes active interest in all measures for the public good in his vil- 
 lage and town. He has married twice; first, to Ella A., daughter of Sylvester Gil- 
 lette; they had one son, Ralph D. His second wife was Mary A. Schubmehl of 
 Bergen. Mr. Gillette was appointed, in the summer of 1899, deputy collector of 
 Internal Revenue, under Hon. A. D. Sanders, and he entered upon the discharge of 
 his duties about July 1. 
 
 Pestlen, Charles, jr., p. o. Alexander, N. Y., was born in Mecklenburg, in the 
 northern part of the German Empire, September 8, 1863, and in 1881 emigrated to 
 this country with his parents, settling in the town of Alexander, Genesee county, N. 
 Y. , where he has since resided. Mr. Pestlen is well educated, speaking and writing 
 both German and English, and withal is a self-made man. He is a tiller of the soil 
 and from his youth up has always been a practical farmer. On January 19, 1892, 
 Mr. Pestlen married Jennie, daughter of James and Sarah (Ingrom) Conn; they have 
 three children: Emma J., Andrew Charles and Cora Isabella. Mrs. Pestlen was 
 born in Newtownhamilton, Ireland, January 8, 1864. Mr Pestlen is an upright and 
 intelligent man, and enjoys the respect and confidence of all who know him. 
 
 Laramy, Philip, was born in Devonshire, England, January 30, 1835, and came to 
 the United States in 1845. His father, John Laramy, settled in Batavia in 1840; he 
 was a brewer and maltster ; he died in 1880. Phillip Laramy was educated in the 
 common schools and in 1857 married Mary, daughter of William Cochram ; they had 
 four children. Frank J., William H., Lewis P. and Mrs. Fannie M. Forsyth. Mr. 
 Laramy is a farmer, and has been successful at that vocation ; his good standing 
 among his townsmen may not be impugned. 
 
 Hunn, William H. , was born near Springfield, Mass , July 27, 1846. His father, 
 Seymour P. Hunn, came to Elba, N. Y. , in 1853, and was engaged in the market and 
 provision trade; he married Diantha Sykes, and died in 1883. W. H. Hunn was ed- 
 ucated in the common schools. In 1863 he enlisted in Co. L. 8th N. Y. Heavy Artil- 
 lery, and took part in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and 
 Petersburg, and received an honorable discharge at the close of the war with rank 
 of first sergeant. In 1866 he married Louisa, daughter of Henry Brockway; their 
 children are; Clifton R.,W.H., jr., Mrs. George W. Reed and Mildred L. Mr. Hunn 
 has served as collector and president of the village two terms, and has held other 
 offices. He is a man entitled to the confidence of his townsmen, and is rated as pro- 
 gressive, energetic and honest. 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 103 
 
 Joyce, William H., p. o. Le Roy, N. Y. , was born in Genesee Falls, N. Y. , Septem- 
 ber 18, 1863, a son of John Joyce, a native of Ireland, and Mary McTigue, his wife. 
 William Joyce was educated in Pike Seminary and has always been a farmer and 
 produce dealer. He is superintendent of the Lehigh Salt farms. Mr. Joyce is a 
 representative farmer, a man who does his work intelligently, and is up to date in 
 his ideas and methods. Mr. Joyce married Nellie, daughter of Thomas Keating; they 
 have one son, John T. Mr. and Mrs. Keating are natives of Livingston county, N. 
 Y., and he is a farmer. 
 
 Torpy, Anson, was born in Madison county, N.Y., in 1801, and came to Genesee 
 county in 1822. He was twice married ; his first wife was Fannie Stocking, who 
 died in 1871, leaving three children, Rosina (Mrs. C. H. Reynolds), Daniel and Reu- 
 ben. In 1873 he married Emily, daughter of Clinton Arnold. Mr. Torpy died in 
 1889. He was one of the pioneers of the county, and took an active part in the 
 growth and progress of his town. As instances of his pioneership, he drew his wheat 
 thirty miles to Rochester and sold it for fifty cents a bushel, and the young trees for 
 his first orchard he carried on his back from Bergen ; the orchard is still in bearing. 
 He was a man of strong character and unquestioned integrity, and in his death his 
 town lost one of its most useful and esteemed citizens. 
 
 Silliman, Charles D., p. o. Corfu, N. Y., a native of the town of Stratford, Fulton 
 county, N.Y., was born on Christmas day, 1852. He is the oldest of a family of six 
 childrefi of George and Sarah E. (Wood) Silliman, both of whom are still living, as 
 well as all of their six children. George Silliman was born February 8, 1826, and is 
 son of D. S. Silliman (born 1795, died 1844) and Catherine Sherwood, his wife (born 
 in Connecticut in 1798, and died in 1891); they were the parents of eight children. 
 The parents of D. S. Silliman were Justice and Ruth (Jennings) Silliman, who had 
 ten children. Sarah E. (Wood) Silliman, mother of Charles D., was born July 17, 
 1832, a daughter of Daniel (born 1800, died 1881), and Huldah (Jennings) Wood (born 
 1790, died 1865), who were early settlers of Stratford, N.Y. ; they had six children. 
 Charles D. Silliman early in life manifested an ardent love of study and a thorough 
 application to literary pursuits. His general scholastic training consisted of a full 
 course to graduation at Fairfield Seminary. Immediately after graduation he began 
 teaching in the village schools and was afterwards a teacher in the seminary. He 
 was successfully engaged in teaching in Herkimer and Genesee counties for eighteen 
 consecutive winter terms. On November 24, 1881, he married EmmaT., daughter of 
 Harrison and Jerucia (Moore) Terry; they have four children : Raymond T., E. Pearl, 
 Ruby R. and Althea J. Mr. Silliman is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, of 
 which organization he has been secretary for eight years; he is also a member of 
 the K.O.T.M. and of the American Fraternal Insurance Union. He and his wife 
 are members of the Baptist church, and his father and both his grandfathers were 
 deacons in the Baptist church. He is superintendent of a Union Sunday school. 
 Mr. Silliman is a prosperous and progressive farmer, and an intelligent and upright 
 citizen. 
 
 Buckley, Michael, p. u. Le Roy, N. Y,, was born in Ireland, February 7, 1832, a 
 
104 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 son of William Buckley, who lived and died in Ireland. Mr. Buckley was educated 
 in the common schools of his native island and came to Genesee county in 1860, 
 where he engaged in farming. He married Mary Gaynor of Ireland ; their children 
 are Alice, Mary, William, Patrick, Julia M., Thomas and Andrew. Mr. Buckley is 
 one of Stafford's busy farmers, of industrious and good moral habits, and has proved 
 himself a useful man in his adopted country. 
 
 Page, J. Quincy D., p. o. Pavilion, N. Y., one of the prominent and most success- 
 ful business men of Pavilion, was born in the town of Pavilion, April 10, 1859, a son 
 of John R. and Mary (Doty) Page. He was reared in his grandfather's family and 
 educated in the public schools of his native town. At the age of twenty he engaged 
 in the cooperage business on his own account, which he successfully conducted until 
 1897. He was the originater and builder, and is now the owner and proprietor of 
 the village water works. He is now proprietor of the Page Hotel at Pavilion and 
 has conducted the same since 1891. On March 22, 1887, Mr. Page married May 
 Walker ; they have one daughter, Olive A. Mr. Page is a prominent member of the 
 Masons, Odd Fellows and A. O. U. W. Personally he is of a very social nature and 
 enjoys the friendship of a large circle of acquaintances. 
 
 Pratt, Melvin D., was born in Livonia, Livingston county, N. Y., January 32, 
 1830, a son of David and Electa (Gibbs) Pratt, natives of New York and Connecticut, 
 respectively, who came to Genesee county in 1836 and settled on the farm now 
 owned by Melvin D., where they resided through life. David died in 1882, aged 
 ninety-one years ; his wife died in 1878 ; they had four children. The grandfathers 
 of the subject of this sketch — Peabody Pratt and Philo Gibbs — were soldiers in the 
 Revolutionary war. Melvin D. Pratt received his education in the district schools 
 and at Le Roy Academy. With the exception of two years spent at manufacturing 
 in Flint, Mich., he has always lived on his present farm of ninety-five acres, just 
 east of the village of Le Roy ; it is one of the best improved farms in that section of 
 the county. Mr. Pratt is a prominent citizen of his town, and stands on a high plane 
 in the estimation and confidence of his townsmen ; he has served them as collector 
 for one year, assessor twelve years, svipervisor from 1882 to 1891, inclusive, and jus- 
 tice of the peace four years, and is now serving on his second term. In 1852 Mr. 
 Pratt was married to Cornelia L. Adams ; she died in August, 1855, leaving one 
 daughter, Cornelia L., who was married in December 1887, to Frank J. Nash. 
 In 1856 Mr. Pratt was married to Mary A. Pratt of Flint, Mich. They are members 
 of the Presbyterian church, of which he has been trustee, deacon and elder for sev- 
 eral years. 
 
 McVean, Archibald, was born in the town of Le Roy, N. Y. , February 14, 1845' 
 a son of John P. and Catharine (Witherwax) McVean, natives of Johnstown, N. Y. , 
 and Kinderhook, N. Y., respectively. The family are of Scotch and Dutch origin. 
 Peter R. McVean was born in Scotland and sailed to America, landing just before 
 the Declaration of Independence. They came into Genesee county about 1820 and 
 settled in the town of Le Roy, purchasing a tract of land on which he remained 
 until his death ; he died in 1855, aged ninety-seven years. John P. was a farmer and 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 105 
 
 died in Le Roy in 1853, and his wife in 1894, aged eighty -four years ; they had three 
 children, two now living, Peter J. and Archibald. Archibald McVean was educated 
 in the district schools and has always lived in Le Roy, with the exception of three 
 years spent in the lumber business in Michigan. He now owns 100 acres of land on 
 which he resides. He was highway commissioner for eight years. In 1873 Mr. 
 McVean married Emogene Farnham, daughter of Nathaniel Farnham, an early set- 
 tler of Genesee county; they had five children; Robert, Ralph, Archibald, Mary and 
 Hugh. Mr. and Mrs. McVean are members of the Presbyterian church, of which he 
 is a trustee and also member of the session. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and 
 Patrons of Husbandry. Politically he is a Republican and takes an active interest in 
 his party. 
 
 Rathbone, Arthur Barker, p. o. Oakfield, N. Y. , was born in Oakfield, December 
 23, 1837, only son of Laurin and Elizabeth (Barker) Rathbone. Laurin Rathbone 
 was born in Milton, Saratoga county, N. Y. , in 1806, came to Oakfield in 1826, where 
 he died January 36, 1893 A daughter. Augusta, resides in Oakfield. Arthur Barker 
 Rathbone was educated at the Gary Collegiate Seminary, Middlebury Academy, and 
 was graduated from the University of Rochester in 1859 with the degree of A. B. , 
 and in 1863 received the degree of Master of Arts. In 1863 and 1864 Mr. Rathbone, 
 with his father planted extensive pear and apple orchards, in which he is still inter- 
 ested. Since 1869 he has been a hardware merchant in the village of Oakfield. Mr. 
 Rathbone was president of the village in 1874, 1875, 1877 and 1881, and supervisor of 
 the town in 1883 and 1884. He has been secretary of the board of trustees of Cary 
 Collegiate Seminary for twenty-three years. An active member of St. Michael's 
 Episcopal church, he has been a vestryman since 1871 and senior warden since 1893. 
 Politically Mr. Rathbone has always been a Democrat. He has been the nominee of 
 his party three times for school commissioner and once for member of assembly. 
 He was postmaster at Oakfield under President Cleveland's administration. Janu- 
 ary 33, 1867, he was married to Georgia Whitwell Richmond of Nunda, N. Y. They 
 have two daughters — Frances Lucille and Georgia Whitwell — and one son, Rich- 
 mond Laurin, who also received his early education at Cary Seminary. later enter- 
 ing Cornell University from which he was graduated in 1898 with the degree of Me- 
 chanical Engineer; after his graduation he entered the engineering office of an 
 electrical company in New York city. 
 
 Bissell, James A., represents one of the oldest pioneer families in Genesee county. 
 His grandfather, Aaron Bissell, settled in the town in 1807, where he took up a tract 
 of 275 acres from the original holders in what was known as the Triangular Tract 
 and for which he paid the cash. He was known to have had the most ready money 
 of any of the early pioneers. He was a native of the town of Hebron, Tolland 
 county, Conn., born in 1779; he was a cooper by trade, and when twenty-one years 
 of age his father, Levi Bissell, a Revolutionary soldier, gave him a suit of clothes 
 and a pair of shoes and he started out to battle for himself. He worked eight years 
 at East Haddam, on the Connecticut river, on a contract making sugar and molassas 
 barrels for the New Orleans and Cuba trade. At this he saved $800 (the money he 
 had to purchase his land with), and in the spring of 1806 he, with his brothers Levi 
 
106 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 and Alexander, came west. Levi and Alexander took out articles of agreement for 
 800 acres and Aaron for 160, in what is now the town of Sweden, Monroe county. 
 Returning to Connecticut that winter they made a transfer of the land to a man 
 named Reed, who settled it a short time after. The brothers again came west and 
 Aaron settled in Bergen, erected log buildings, cleared his farm and became a suc- 
 cessful farmer, and an influential man in the early politics and affairs of his town, 
 and for many years was a member of the board of supervisors; in politics he was a 
 Democrat. When the war of 1813 came on he arranged for his family and started 
 for the front, getting as far as Le Roy, when he met a man who offered to go as his 
 substitute ; he hired him and returned home to his family. His wife was Lucinda 
 Austin, who was the first woman school teacher in the town of Bergen north of the 
 village. Her father, Capt James Austin, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. 
 She died when forty-six ; Aaron lived to be past eighty-two. They reared three sons 
 and three daughters. Aaron Mann, the youngest son, was born in Bergen in 1817, 
 became a farmer and spent his entire life on the homestead, a part of which he 
 owned. In politics he was a firm Democrat. His wife was Avis, daughter of John 
 Mitchell of Rochester, and their children were James A., Emily L., Frances A., 
 Fred M. , William A. and George A. He died in 1862; his wife survives him and re- 
 sides with heryoungest son — a good generous woman, a kind neighbor, but of a re- 
 tiring disposition. James A. Bissell was born in Bergen on the homestead in Janu- 
 ary, 1846, received his education in the district schools, Prof. Throop's select school 
 and Prof. Hamilton's private school in Bergen. His father died when he was seven- 
 teen and he was therefore early thrown into much responsibility on the farm. He re- 
 mained at home and faithfully attended to the work and the affairs of the farm for 
 several years. When about twenty two years of age he began for himself, following 
 farming to the present time. He later purchased a part of the estate farm from the 
 heirs. He now resides on his farm near the village of Bergen. Mr. Bissell is influen- 
 tial in political affairs of his town, a firm and consistent Democrat and a strong advo- 
 cate of what he considers the righteous principles of bi-metalism, and while firmly 
 declining many of the proffered nominations for many town oSices, he has filled the 
 oSice of justice of the peace two terms of four years each, and has frequently repre- 
 sented his district as a delegate in the county and assembly conventions. He is a 
 man of progressive thought, well informed and of good judgment. He is a member 
 of the order of the Knights of the Maccabees, in which he has served in various offi- 
 cial capacities. In 1880 he married Loretta E. Rightmeyer of Bergen; they have 
 one daughter, Avis M. Mr. Bissell is one of the oldest members of the Bergen Cor- 
 net Band, at one time was leader of the band and has been a member of it for thirty- 
 five years. 
 
 Scanlon, John, son of Bartholomew and Ellen (Roche) Scanlon, was born in Count}' 
 Clare, Ireland, June 15, 1850. His education was such as the common schools of his 
 native country afforded, and at the age of nineteen he emigrated to this country and 
 came direct to Darien, where he has since resided. Mr. Scanlon began life poor, 
 but by industry and good management, which is characteristic of his nationality, 
 has succeeded in obtaining a competency of this world's goods and has two fine farms 
 in Darien. He has held the position of railroad section foreman for the past eight- 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 107 
 
 een years and still retains it. He always takes an interest in town aflfairs, although 
 he has never held or aspired to public office ; the only office he has ever held was 
 school trustee for two years. On June 11, 1875, he married Lenora, daughter of 
 Michael and Mary (Roland) Haley;- their children are John E., Nellie M., who was 
 graduated in 1897 Irom the Attica High School, receiving a Regent's certificate; 
 Jlichael F., William J., M Raymond, James B. and Dolores. Their oldest son is 
 also a graduate from the Bryant & Stratton's Business College of Buffalo. Mr. 
 Scanlon is a member of Kinsey Tent No. 337, K. O. T. M. 
 
 McCulley, John H., was born in Batavia, N. Y., April 16, 1837, a son of Thomas 
 McCuUey, who caTis to Batavia in 1814; he married Sirah, daughter of Silas Hol- 
 lister, who came to Balavia in 1813; he was a contractor and builder, and died in 
 1865. John H. McCulley was educated in the public schools; in 1863 he purchased 
 the Watrous farm, and makes a specialty of dairying. Mr. McCulley served as high- 
 way commissioner for twelve years. He has been successful in business, and few 
 men in the county enjoy a larger acquaintance or have more friends. In 1869 Mr. 
 McCulley was married to Lucy Pease, daughter of Alvin Pease. . 
 
 Post, Abraham, was born in Readington, Somerset county, N. J., on the 11th of 
 February, 1810. His ancestors were from Holland, and were of high character and 
 respectability. In 1834 he was placed in the store of a merchant in Somerville, N. J., 
 with whom he remained until 1830. By his industry, punctuality, integrity and 
 business talents he won the esteem and confidence of his employer, by whose instruc- 
 tion and aid he became thoroughly conversant with mercantile transactions. In 
 1830 Mr. Post went to New York city, where he engaged in business on his own ac- 
 count, and in which he continued until 1837. In the latter year he relinquished his 
 business in the city and removed to Genesee county, where he purchased a large 
 farm in the town of Alexander, upon which he lived as a successful farmer until 1871. 
 Retirmg from his farm in 1871, he came to reside in the village of Batavia, where he 
 had previously purchased land, on which he had erected buildings to please himself, 
 and there he spent the remainder of his life. His death occurred on the 7th of Sep- 
 tember, 1881. Mr. Post was a public spirited man and was alwaj'S a participant in 
 every good work, giving liberally to educational and religious institutions. He was 
 a man of strongly marked character, full of decision, firmness, integrity and good 
 sense. In his habits and principles Mr. Post inherited the elements of that high 
 morality which distinguished his ancestors. Mr. Post was twice married. His first 
 wife was Miss Amy E. Hubert of Somerville, N. J., to whom he was married in 1834; 
 she died in 1851, leaving six children, four of whom are now living. In 1858 he was 
 married to Miss Catherine A. Jansen of Batavia, who, after twenty-three years of 
 peculiarly tender and loving companionship, survives to mourn his loss. 
 
 Rupp, Andrew, was born on the homestead in Batavia, May 14, 1840, a son of 
 George M. and Julia A. Rupp, natives of Germany, who came to Batavia July 4, 1836. 
 George M. Rupp was a manufacturer of boots and shoes and died in July, 1884. An- 
 drew Rupp was educated in the public schools and learned the tinsmith's trade, at 
 which he worked for over thirty years. He has been one of the assessors of the vil- 
 
108 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 lage of Batavia for several years. Mr. Rupp is one of the progressive men of his 
 town, taking an intelligent interest in all public affairs and in keeping up with the 
 improvements of the present age. He is a bachelor. 
 
 Wagner, Mathias, son of Mathias and Mary (Staple) Wagner, was born in the town 
 Darien, Genesee county, N. Y. , June 5 1853. His boyhood was passed on his fath- 
 er's farm and in the public schools. His first business experience was in Pittsburg, 
 Pa., where he was employed in a hotel for two years. He then secured a position in 
 a glass factory, where he remained for three years, at the end of which time he re- 
 turned to Darien, where he has since been engaged in farming. On January 35, 
 1886, Mr. Wagner married Mary, daughter of Daniel and Frances (Rinhard) Mead, 
 and they had six children ; Mary, Joseph, Charles, Frances, Lauretta and Anna. 
 Politically Mr. Wagner is an ardent Democrat and has held the offices of school, 
 trustee, pathmaster and other offices of minor importance. In all the official places 
 thrust upon him by his fellow citizens he has acquitted himself to the entire satis- 
 faction of all. 
 
 Fuller, George D., p. o. Oakfield, N. Y., was born September 22, 1824. His father, 
 Holland Fuller, was a native of New Hampshire and came to Genesee county in 1815; 
 he died in 1873. George D. was educated at Gary Collegiate Seminary. He was 
 married to Sarah Freeman, and after her death he was married to Mary J. Sleeper ; 
 their children are Mary C. Parker, George M., Holland, Marion, Halsey, John M. and 
 James E. Mr. Fuller died June 6, 1895. He was a successful farmer and in all re- 
 spects a worthy citizen. 
 
 Miller, R. Tracy, p. u. Alexander, N. Y. , is a lineal descendant on the maternal 
 side of Lieutenant Thomas Tracy, who emigrated from England to Norwich, Conn., 
 in 1637. This Lieutenant Thomas Tracy was the youngest son of Sir Richard Tracy 
 of Suffolk, England, who was a descendant of Sire De Tracie, a Norman nobleman 
 who went to England with William the Conqueror in 1060. The line of descent from 
 Lieutenant Thomas Tracy is as follows: 2 John, 3 Wiuslow, 4 Joshua, 5 Nehemiah, 
 6 Alanson, 7 Martha, 8 R. Tracy. R. Tracy Miller was born in Bennington, Wyo- 
 ming county, N. Y , June 1, 1851. When he was ten years of age his parents re- 
 moved to Alexander, where he was educated in the public and high schools, graduat- 
 ing from the latter in 1867. Mr. Miller has always taken an active interest in town 
 affairs, and was elected supervisor 1896, and is now serving his third term; he was 
 chairman of the board in 1898. He is frank and generous in character, affable in 
 manner, and has many friends wherever he is known. On February 26, 1872, Mr. 
 Miller was married to Minnie L. , daughter of Lyman and Philotha (Prescott) Brown ; 
 they have two children — Lyman and Martha. 
 
 Kinne, Charles A., p. o. Pembroke, N. Y., was born in Corfu, N. Y., August 28, 
 1842, received an academic education, and his early life was devoted to farming. In 
 1869 he was appointed station agent of the Batavia and Tonawanda branch of the 
 N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. at Pembroke, and at the same time was a dealer in produce, 
 until 1885. He has been supervisor of his township five years and magistrate two 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 109 
 
 terms. He was appointed deputy collector of internal revenue and served three 
 years and three months under Cleveland's first administration ; in November, 1893, 
 he was reappointed, serving until the present time, 1898. In politics he is a thorough 
 Democrat. In 1865 Mr. Kinne married Maggie Buxton of Pembroke ; they have one 
 son, Ernest C, who is practicing law in Buffalo, N. Y. Mr. Kinne's father, Jonas 
 W. Kinne, was born in Corfu, N. Y., February 21, 1818, and died January 20, 1899; 
 he was educated in the schools of that early day and was always a farmer; he mar- 
 ried Maria Long of Pembroke; they had two children. Charles A. and Augusta M., 
 who married Wilder E. Sumner of Corfu ; they have one daughter, Ina M. Jonas W. 
 Kinne's father, Jonas Kinne, was born in Rupert, Vt., in 1786, and came here with 
 the Darrow family in 1807 ; he married Hannah Darrow ; they had six children : 
 Electa, William, Randolph, Royal W. , Jonas and Julia, who died at the age of five 
 years. Mr. Jonas Kinne died in 1832 and his widow in 1837. 
 
 Scott, Isaac Caniflf, p. o. Fort Hill, N. Y., was born in Canada, January 26, 1845. 
 His father was a native of Oneida county, N. Y., and was a school teacher for a 
 number of years; he later became a farmer, and was a trustee of one school district 
 for fifteen years; he afterward moved to Canada and there was married to Elizabeth 
 B. Adsit, whose parents were natives of New York State ; their children were Ebe- 
 nezer, born in 1841, died in 1865; John, died in 1851; Jane, Joseph W. , CaroUne E., 
 Alonzo, who was killed by a horse in 1865. Isaac Caniff Scott was educated in the 
 common schools, and has always been a farmer ; he has been school trustee for two 
 years. In 1870 he was united in marriage with Mary E. Hopkins, of which union 
 four children were born, namely; Jesse J., who died of scarlet fever in 1876; Sydney 
 C. , Anna M. and John E. Mrs. Mary E. Scott is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth 
 Hopkins, natives of England, who came to America when young ; their children 
 were Emma C. , Anna E. , Charles J., who died of typhoid fever in 1876, John B., 
 George H. and Jesse J., who was graduated from Cornell University in June. 1888, 
 and died September 11 of the same year. Mr. Scott is one of Le Roy's progressive 
 farmers, is of undoubted integrity, and has always been active in promoting his 
 town's welfare. 
 
 Drake, George L., p. o. Oakfield, N. Y., was born in Yates county, N. Y., January 
 11, 1835, a son of John and Fanny (Haxton) Drake. His father was a native of New 
 Jersey and came to Genesee county about 1845, where he carried on farming and was 
 one of the first to manufacture tiles. He died about 1861. George L. Drake was 
 educated in the common schools and engaged in farming and in the manufacture of 
 tiles. Mr. Drake is a man of clean reputation, and has made himself useful by par- 
 ticipating in all measures for the advancement and good of his town. 
 
 Parker, Harlow E., was born in the town of Elba, N. Y., July 7, 1826, a son of 
 Sherrod and Sally (Williams) Parker. Sherrod Parker served in the war of 1813, 
 and was prominent in the growth and progress of his town ; he died in 1875 in his 
 eighty-second year ; his father was a Revolutionary soldier. Harlow E. Parker was 
 educated in the common schools ; he is one of the practical and substantial farmers 
 of Genesee county ; he served as supervisor during 1872 and 1878, and had been 
 
110 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 assessor six years; he has always taken an active interest in educational and religious 
 institutions, and he is greatly respected in the town where he has lived all his life. 
 In 1850 he was married to Almira J., daughter of Daniel and Margaret M. Hooper; 
 they have two children — Will H., the present supervisor of Elba, and Mrs. Helen M. 
 White of Brockport. 
 
 Chick, William p. o. Attica, N. Y., son of George and Jane (Percy) Chick, was 
 born in Buffalo, N. Y. , in 1857. His parents were natives of England and came to 
 this country in 1852, settling in Batavia, N. Y. , where they lived for about six 
 months, then removed to Buffalo. Mr. Chick received his education in the common 
 district schools and almost his entire life has been devoted to farming. He became 
 a resident of Darien in 1885, buying the farm where he now lives. In March, 1885, 
 he married Mary, daughter of Christian A. and Wilhelmina (Bauer) Gruner of 
 Alexander; they have one son, George H., born January 14, 1886. Mr. Chick is a 
 successful and progressive farmer, and is respected by all who know him. 
 
 Clark, Mrs. Mary, p. o. Batavia, N. Y. — John Clark was born in Ireland, June 10, 
 1844, and emigrated to Genesee county in 1859. In 1861 he engaged in farming in 
 Stafford, Genesee county. He was a thrifty, industrious man, honorable in his deal- 
 ings and a good neighbor; starting in life poor, at the time of his decease. May 29, 
 1893, he left to his family a fine farm. In 1875 he was married to Mary, daughter of 
 Christopher and Mary Riggs; they had five children: John, Anna E., Mary L., Rose 
 I. and William. 
 
 Nelan, Maurice, who for a number of years has been recognized as one of the fore- 
 most and successful farmers of Genesee county, won his way to the front rank of his 
 generation by sheer energy, hard work and a genius for overcoming obstacles and 
 making circumstances the servants of his will. He is truly the architect of his own 
 fortune, inheriting nothing from the generation before him but an honored family 
 name and the high qualities of character for which he has long been noted. He is a 
 son of Dennis and Ellen (Pierce) Nelan, and was born in County Kerry, Province of 
 Munster, Ireland, July 20. 1834. His father died when he was a boy of four years, 
 leaving a widow and three children dependent upon their own exertions. In 1852 
 Maurice emigrated to this country, landing in New York with but twenty-five cents 
 in money. He worked his way to Middlebury, Wyoming county, where he secured 
 employment on a farm. For his first year's service he received but §26. By hard 
 work, strict economy and an indomitable will he accumulated enough money to buy 
 a farm, and has added to it from time to time until now he has two hundred and 
 thirty acres of as fine land as is to be found in Genesee county. Mr. Nelan married 
 Jane A. Welton, by whom he has three children, viz. . Thomas, Morris and Lewis. 
 Mr. Nelan is a liberal supporter of the M. E. Church, although he is not a member. 
 Politically he is a Republican and his first vote was cast for President Lincoln He 
 held the office of highway commissioner for seven years. Mr. Nelan has a pleasant 
 home and in his domestic and social relations he is kind and genial. Strangers al- 
 ways find him courteous and pleasant. He is liberal and public spirited, and a free 
 and cheerful giver to public enterprises that tend to promote the best interests of his 
 community. 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. Ill 
 
 Deming, Henry D., was born in Byron, N. Y., August 27, 1830, a son of William 
 H. and Sallie (Castelin) Ueming. His father was a native of Berkshire county, 
 Mass., and came to Genesee county in 1825; he was a farmer and wagonmaker, and 
 was active in the interests of his town, serving as assessor for several years ; he died 
 in 1887. Henry D. Deming was educated in the common schools and at Brockport 
 Academy. He is a man of excellent character, and he has never been backward in 
 taking a part in such measures and institutions as have promised to be of benefit to 
 his town. In 1855 he was married to Delia Spafford, who died in 1861, leaving one 
 son, William H. Deming ; in 1866 he was married to Marion Hume ; she died in 1887. 
 leaving two children: Charles H. and Mrs. F. E. Neal; he afterwards married Mrs. 
 Elizabeth Shute. 
 
 Holmes, David Corwin, p. o. Darien, N. Y., a prominent farmer of Genesee 
 county, is a son of Mansfield and Clara (Orcutt) Holmes, and was born in the town of 
 Fulton, Schoharie county, N. Y. , November 9, 1833. He received his education in 
 the common schools and Schoharie Seminary, and taught school for three terms, after 
 which he settled in the town of Darien and engaged in farming. His father died 
 when he was eleven years of age, and he and his brothers were compelled to make 
 their own way in the world, besides caring for their mother and sisters, thus early 
 learning by experience the practical duties of life, which education has not been with- 
 out its good results. Mr. Holmes is interested in his town's welfare and progress, 
 and has held the offices of collector and justice of the peace at different times for 
 eleven years ; he is a member of North Alexander Grange and of the Presbyterian 
 Church at Corfu, N. Y. On December 28, 1859, Mr. Holmes was married to Eliza- 
 beth, daughter of Robert and Nancy (Ward) McDonald. They had four children: 
 Sylvester, who was married to Mona Crennell of Rochester; Ella M., married to 
 Samuel Osborne of Elmira ; Clara, wife of Ralph W. North of Alexander ; and EflSe 
 M., who died on September 6, 1881. 
 
 Halsey, Fred, p. o. North Pembroke, N. Y., was born in Alabama, N. Y., May 15, 
 1868, a son of Henry and Lucetta (Frary) Halsey. His father was born in Alabama, and 
 is now living in Oakfield, N. Y , where he is a dealer in produce and hay. Fred 
 Halsey was educated at Cary Seminary and at Rochester Business University. After 
 leaving school he was a dealer in produce for two years, and then engaged in farm- 
 ing, devoting his attention to dairying; he ships about forty gallons of milk per day. 
 He is a pushing, energetic man, and possessed of those characteristics which insure 
 success in life. Mr. Halsey was married to Marion, daughter of George Fuller ; they 
 have two children : Alice F. and Catherine R. 
 
 Rhodes, George, p. o. Wheatville, N. Y., was born in Alabama, N. Y., January 
 33, 1835, a son of Sylvester and Sophia (Tryon) Rhodes. His father was a native 
 of Connecticut and came to Genesee county, N. Y., about 1830; he died in Ohio in 
 1848. George Rhodes obtained his education in the common schools, and has been 
 a progressive and successful farmer. He has always been a Republican and has 
 been active in party affairs. He is a public spirited man, who reads the papers and 
 knows what is going on in the world. In 1858 he was married to Mary D. Amsden ; 
 
113 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 they had six children; George L., Clara, Augustus A., Nellie M. , Gertrude and Mer- 
 tie (deceased). 
 
 Farley, Abiather, late of Le Roy, N. Y., was born in the town of Le Roy, August 
 16, 1839, a son of Byron and Lucretia (Stevens) Farley. His father was a native of 
 Vermont and came to Genesee county in 1829, where he died in 1842. Abiather Far- 
 ley was educated in the common schools and through life was a farmer. In an unos- 
 tentatious way he performed the duties of a good citizen, and was much respected in 
 the community where he lived. He married Mary A., daughter of E. Niles, who bore 
 him three children; Edwin D., Estel and Fenton, who survive him. His death 
 occurred on February 8, 1899. 
 
 Barrett, Mrs. A. M., p. o. South Alabama. — Elvin A. Barrett was- born in Byron, 
 Genesee county, N. Y , April 2, 1842. His father, J. B. Barrett, was a farmer; he 
 married in 1841 Sarah M. Adams, who died in 1884; his second wife was Mary J. 
 Davis. Elvin A. Barrett was educated in Elba. In 1861 he enlisted as private in 
 the war of the Rebellion, serving two years in the ranks, after which for twenty 
 months he was in the quartermaster's department. His first wife was Elizabeth 
 Percy Dibble, who bore him three sons; Nelson T., of the Buffalo bar; Velsey B. 
 and Stanton E. Nelson T. and Stanton E. enlisted to serve in the Spanish war — 
 Nelson as second lieutenant in the 65th N. Y. Vols, and Stanton as private in the 
 203d N. Y. Vols,, later promoted to sergeant. Nelson and Stanton are graduates of 
 the University of Rochester. In 1877 Elvin A. Barrett was married to Albina M., 
 daughter of William and Ann E. Amsden; they are the parents of two daughters, 
 Una A. and Lotta E. Mr. Barrett is prominent in his town, has been justice of the 
 peace, member of the county committee, etc., and is highly respected. 
 
 Mullen, John W., p. o. Morganville, was born in the town of Stafford, N. Y. , Sep- 
 tember 17, 1854. His father, William Mullen, was a native of North Devonshire, 
 England, born December 1, 1828; he emigrated to Genesee county in 1851, where he 
 carried on farming; he married Elizabeth Ford of North Devonshire, England, in 
 1852, who was born September 5, 1822. John W. Mullen was educated in the com- 
 mon schools and Batavia Union School. He engaged in farming and later, in 1883, 
 took up carpenter and joiner work. He was justice of the peace for four years, and 
 in 1896 was elected supervisor and re-elected in 1898 ; he has also been a member for 
 Stafford of the Republican County Committee for eight years. Mr. Mullen was 
 married to lola E , daughter of Ira and Adeline Austin, February 28, 1888. Mrs. 
 Mullen was born in Cowlesville, Wyoming county. May 12, 1861 ; her father was 
 born in the town of Darien, Genesee county, February 13, 1816, and her mother in 
 the town of Le Roy, May 12, 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Mullen have two sons; Ralph W. , 
 born December 8, 1889. and Lloyd J., born September 5, 1891. Mr. Mullen is one of 
 Stafford's representative business men, of sound integrity, and has always aided in 
 promoting the best interests or his town. 
 
 Simonds, Frank W. , p. o. Lehigh, N. Y. , was born in the town of Alexander, Gen- 
 esee county, N. Y., February 24, 1853. His father, Benjamin C. Simonds, is a son 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 113 
 
 of John and Sahara (Cole) Simonds. John Simonds was a pioneer surveyor. Benja- 
 min C. was born in Geneseo, N. Y., April 7, 1817, and with his parents removed to 
 Alexander in 1824; he received a good education and at the age of eighteen began 
 teaching school, which he followed for several winters. During the years 1840 and 
 1841 he traveled as an agent with a team over 10,000 miles in the State of Ohio. He 
 married Almira H., daughter of Russel Wait of Darien, N. Y., and soon after pur- 
 chased 100 acres of his father's farm; this he sold and in 1854 purchased the farm of 
 200 acres in Darien of his father-in-law, Russel Wait ; on this farm are two churches 
 and a large cemetery. He made farming a successful and paying business. His 
 children were six sons, the subject of this sketch being the third. Mrs. Simonds died 
 March 3, 1893, survived by her husband. Frank Wait Simonds was educated in the 
 public schools of his native town, the academies at East Pembroke and Alexander, 
 and also one year at Grand Rapids, Mich. After completing his schooling he was 
 first employed as a clerk in the grocery of J. R. Pettit at Ellicottville, where he re- 
 mained until failing health compelled him to resign and return home. He later filled 
 the position of traveling salesman for a Batavia firm, canvassing through some thir- 
 teen States, until again his health failed and he was obliged to return home. On 
 May 8, 1876, he was married to Clara L., daughter of Joseph and Clarissa (Merritt) 
 Chaddock of Alexander; they have one son, Ely J. B., born February 16, 1884. Mr. 
 Simonds now owns and resides upon a large portion of the original homestead, his 
 father living with him ; he carries on dairying, is a lover and owner of fine stock, and 
 is an enterprising and successful farmer ; he is public-spirited and gives liberally to 
 benevolent objects. He has always taken an interest in town affairs, and politically 
 is a decided Republican ; he has served his town a number of years as assessor and 
 was supervisor for the years 1893-4-5, and has repeatedly been chosen as a delegate 
 to congressional and county conventions. He is a member of Corfu Lodge No. 634, 
 I. O. O. F., and he and his family are members of the Advent Christian Church. 
 
 Williams, Anson P., was born May 14, 1848, a son of Chauncey and Caroline A. 
 (Post) Williams, and was educated at Lima, N. Y. In 1885 he married Irene, daugh- 
 ter of James Gregory; they have two children: Chauncey A. and Jennie C. Mr. 
 Williams is one of the most intelligent farmers of the county, and is the owner of a 
 choice farm. His record is clean, characterized by good sense, industry, integrity 
 and a progressive spirit. His father was a man of much prominence, and was par- 
 ticularly active and useful as supervisor from Alabama during the Civil War period, 
 in recruiting soldiers to fill the quota for the county. 
 
 Schafer, Herman, was born in Hesse, Germany, April 18, 1848, and came to the 
 United States in 1871, settling in Batavia, where he engaged in the hotel and whole- 
 sale and retail liquor business, in which he remained until 1894, when he established 
 his private bank which he still continues. His oflBce is located in the Commercial 
 building, on Main street, owned by him, and his residence, which is located at 20 
 Elicott avenue, is a pleasent and substantial home. In 1873 Mr. Schafer married 
 Anna Stakel; they have two daughters: Mrs. Cora Schafer Huber and Marie Eliza- 
 beth, both accomplished musicians; Mrs. Huber is considered by many competent 
 critics the finest pianist in Western New York. Miss Marie is a well known and ac- 
 
114 
 
 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 complished vocalist. Mr. Schafer has served as excise commissioner for the town of 
 Batavia, and is president of the Lutheran Evangelical Church Society, and takes 
 an active interest in school and church matters. 
 
 Jackson, A. P., M. D., p. o. Oakfield, N. Y., was born in the town of Newstead, 
 Erie county, N. Y., December 23, 1841, a son of William and Mary Ann Jackson. 
 His father was a native of Massachusetts, and through life was engaged in farming 
 
 and the manufacture of boots and shoes ; 
 he was a firm Presbyterian, for many years 
 the leader of the choir, and took an active 
 interest in all church work. Dr. Jackson 
 was educated in the district schools, the 
 Clarence Academy, and in the High School 
 of Buffalo He began the study of medi- 
 cine in 1858 in the University of Buffalo, 
 N. Y , that sterling old medical school 
 whose renown is overshadowed by no 
 other, and was graduated from the Albany 
 (N. Y.) Medical College on December 23, 
 1863, the day following his twenty-first 
 birthday. Still ambitious for a deeper 
 knowledge of his chosen profession, he re- 
 moved to New York city and pursued a 
 course of medicine and surgery in the Col- 
 lege of Physicians and Surgeons, and also 
 in Bellevue Hospital Medical College. 
 Soon after graduation he settled in the 
 village of Oakfield, N. Y., where he has 
 since resided, successfully pursuing his 
 profession. Having a taste and love for 
 the science of surgery, a few years ago he took a course in operative surgery under 
 Professors Senn and Murphy, noted surgeons of Chicago, thus specially fitting him- 
 self for this important branch of his profession, in which he has been notably suc- 
 cessful. Dr. Jackson has been prominently connected with the medical profession 
 since he began practice. He was at one time president of the Genesee County Med- 
 ical Society, and held the office of coroner for Genesee county for nine years, and 
 again, on April 37, 1899, was appointed to the position by Governor Roosevelt, to fill a 
 vacancy; he is a member of the American Medical Association, the New York State 
 Medical Association, and was one of its founders ; also a member of the International 
 Association of Railroad Surgeons, the New York Association of Railroad Surgeons, 
 and is now, and has been since its inception, surgeon to the western division of the 
 West Shore Railroad, and is health officer of both the corporation and town of Oak- 
 field. He is a member of the Episcopal Church and a member of the Masonic order, 
 being a Knight Templar. Dr. Jackson is popular in the medical profession, popular 
 in social and business circles, and is regarded highly by all who have the pleasure of 
 his acquaintance. 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 115 
 
 Perkins, Samuel F.,was born in Fairport, N. Y., October 25, 1833, a son of Asa 
 and Martha (Esten) Perkins. His father lived to a ripe old age, dying in his ninety- 
 fourth year. Samuel F. received a common school education, and early in life en- 
 tered the employ of the New York Central Railroad; he is well known as a locomo- 
 tive engineer, one of the oldest in Western New York ; his service as an engineer 
 covers a period of about forty years, which fact alone is substantial evidence of his 
 ability, carefulness and fidelity; for more than a quarter of a century he has drawn 
 the passenger train between Batavia and Canandaigua, and not only stands high in 
 the estimation of his employers, but has attained a foremost place as a citizen of 
 Batavia. In 1858 he was married to Margaret, daughter of Jeremiah Poland ; they 
 are the parents of four children — Edv/ard, Mary E., Cora A. and Grace M. Mr. 
 Perkins is a Methodist. 
 
 Kemp, B. George, was born on the homestead farm, November 19, 1856. His 
 father, George B. Kemp, was a native of Marcellus, Onondaga county, N. Y. , and 
 came to Genesee county in 1833 with his parents, John and Charity Kemp, settling 
 in the town of Middlebury. George B. married Frances R., daughter of Capt. 
 Augustine and Nancy (Wheeler) Belknap; they had one son, B. George Kemp, who 
 read law with George Bowen and was admitted to the bar in 1881. He then re- 
 sumed farming and did not practice his profession. The death of George B. Kemp 
 on January 13, 1895, was a loss to the whole community. He was one of the charter 
 members of Batavia Lodge, F. A. M. B. George Kemp was married in June. 1899, 
 to Miss Elsie Russell of Batavia. 
 
 Richardson, Frank, was born in Schuylerville, Saratoga county, N. Y., November 
 1, 1851, a son of Phineas Richardson, a prominent contractor on public works. Mr. 
 Richardson was educated in the public and private schools and was engaged on 
 public works for some years. In 1886 he came to Batavia and engaged in the hard- 
 ware business. He was one of the organizers and incorporators of the Batavia Car- 
 riage Wheel Co., of which he was made president; this is one of the prosperous and 
 valuable adjuncts of Batavia' s manufacturing interests, with a capacity of one hun- 
 dred sets of wheels per day and employing about eighty men. Mr. Richardson pos- 
 sesses keen foresight, financial ability of a high order, is careful but enterprising, 
 and is in every sense a valuable citizen. In 1883 Mr. Richardson was married to 
 Emma Johnson, who died in 1887, survived by one son, Rufus J. On the 11th day 
 of July, 1899, he was married to Miss Elizabeth K. Cavanaugh of Batavia. 
 
 Dailey, Michael, was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1844, and came to the 
 United States in 1852, with his parents, Michael and Sarah Dailey, who settled in 
 Batavia. Mr. Dailey was educated in the Union school and in 1863 engaged in the 
 grocery business, in which he continued several years. He then established business 
 as a furniture dealer and undertaker, which is continued at the present time by Mrs. 
 Dailey. In 1866 Mr. Dailey married Anna, daughter of Daniel and Rosanna Prin- 
 dle, and five children survive Anna, Catherine M. , Elizabeth, Joseph and Monica. 
 The death of Mr. Dailey, which occurred March 13, 1883, was a loss not only to his 
 family, but to all who knew hira. He was public spirited in the best sense of the 
 
116 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 word, and ever ready to contribute his efforts to the welfare of the community. At 
 the time of his death he was chairman of the Democratic county committee and one 
 of the trustees of the State School for the Blind in Batavia, He had held the ofBce 
 of village trustee and other local positions of honor and trust. 
 
 Hammond, O. D. , was born in the town of Sheldon, Wyoming county, N. Y., 
 October 9, 1836, son of Henry D. Hammond, who was a native of New Jersey, mar- 
 ried Lydia Zahr, and was a farmer during his life ; he died in 1884. O. D. Ham- 
 mond was educated in the public schools and in 1870 settled in Batavia. In 1862 he 
 enlisted in Co. G, 160th N. Y. Volunteers, and was detailed to follow his trade of 
 harness making for the army. He took part in the battles of Bayou Teche, Fort 
 Bislin, siege of Port Hudson, Winchester, Cedar Creek and Fisher's Hill, and re- 
 ceived an honorable discharge at the end of the war. He then went to Attica and 
 resumed his business. In 1870 he came to Batavia and in 1878 established his pres- 
 ent business of harness manufacturing. In 1887 he married Ellen A. Wallbridge ; 
 they have three children: Mildred, Louis and Leon W. The latter is an expert pen- 
 man and conducts a tobacco and cigar busmess in Batavia; in 1898 he married Car- 
 rie Higgins. O. D. Hammond is a successful business man and takes an intelligent 
 interest in public affairs. 
 
 Broadbooks, Peter, was born in Alsace, Germany, February 39, 1840, and came to 
 the United States in 1854 with his parents, George and Catherine Broadbooks. He 
 received his education in Germay. In 1863 he came to Batavia, where he engaged 
 in carriage making and blacksmithing, and has patented several valuable mechani- 
 cal devices. In 1861 he married Catherine Shumaker, who died in 1886; he after- 
 ward married Elizabeth Seesser; they have one son Willis G. Mr. Broadbooks is 
 one of the enegetic men of. Batavia, is interested in educational and religious insti- 
 tutions, and strives to be of benefit to his fellow citizens. 
 
 Olmsted, Albert C. , was born in Le Roy, N. Y. , a son of Chauncey L. and Maryette 
 (Bailey) Olmstead. Chauncey L. was an extensive mill owner in Chicago and Bur- 
 lington, Iowa, and of lumber interests at Saginaw Valley, Mich. ; he was very prom- 
 inent in organizing and building the Le Roy Academy, and in erecting and main- 
 taining the church ; he was quiet and unostentatious, but awake to the best interests 
 of his town ; he died in 1872. A. C. Olmstead was graduated from the Poughkeepsie 
 Institute in 1866, then went to Burlington and engaged in milHng business. In 1873 
 he came to Batavia and organized the firm of Howard & Olmsted, and selling his 
 interest to Mr. Howard, in 1879 he opened his present coal and lumber business, 
 which he has since continued. In 1875 Mr. Olmsted married Grace, daughter of Dr. 
 Norris G. Clark of Batavia; they have one son, Henry B. , who is pursuing a course 
 in electrical engineering at Columbia College. 
 
 Ferris, Arthur, was born in Batavia, N. Y., March 2 , 1858, a son of Michael and 
 Catherine (Dunphy) Ferris. His father was a native of Ireland and came to Batavia 
 in 1846 and died in 1889. Arthur Ferris was educated in Batavia and in 1878 estab- 
 lished the coal and wood business, in which he is now successfully engaged. In 1878 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 11'? 
 
 Mr. Ferris married Mary, daughter of Thomas Reynolds ; they have three daughters: 
 Theresa, Margaret and Anna. He is one of the two lay trustees of St. Joseph's Ro- 
 man Catholic church, and he has taken an active interest in the vyork of the church, 
 as well as that of the parochial school. Mr. Ferris has served as a trustee of the 
 village of Batavia, and also of the New York State School for the Blind. 
 
 Guiteau, Jerome C, was born in Livingston county, N. Y., May 20, 1839, a son of 
 LonngMartin and Sarah M.(Cranmer) Guiteau. Thefamilyarede.scendedfrom French 
 Huguenots. LoringM. Guiteau was born June 29, 1806. After obtaining his education 
 he learned the tanner's trade at Perry village, Wyoming county, N. Y. After finishing 
 his apprenticeship he established a tannery and boot and shoe factory in Spring- 
 water, Livingston county, N. Y., and carried on the business a number of years. He 
 sold out and removed to South Alabama, Genesee county, and established a tannery; 
 this business he continued about six years, when he sold it and moved to Kerryville 
 in the same county, remaining one year, and then to Richville, same county, where 
 he carried on tanning one year. He then, in 1856, settled in Batavia and was asso- 
 ciated with his son, J. C. Guiteau, in the leather and findings trade in Batavia with a 
 tannery at East Pembroke; this business subsequently passed wholly to the son. 
 Mr. Guiteau died in Batavia, October 8, 1879. J. C. Guiteau came to Batavia in 
 1856, a little earlier than his father, and established the leather, hide and findings 
 store above mentioned, which he carried on for more than thirty years. In 1889 he 
 entered upon his present business of insurance and real estate. In 1862 he married 
 Mary Thompson; they have two children — George J. and Helen M. , wife of William 
 C. Underbill. Mr. Guiteau is one of the self-made men of Genesee county, and 
 takes an active interest in educational and other public affairs. He served as coun- 
 ty treasurer two terms, from 1880 to 1886. 
 
 Showerman, Benjamin F. , was born in Bethany, September 11, 1863. His father, J. 
 M. Showerman, M.D., was a native of Cattaraugus, and his father, Peter Showerman, 
 was a native of Albany county, where the family were among the pioneer settlers. 
 Peter Showerman came to the town of Alexander in 1812, where he was a farmer; he 
 married Roxanna Powers, a direct descendant of Hannah Dustin. J. M. Shower- 
 man studied medicine with Dr. John Baker, and was graduated from the Buffalo 
 Medical Institute ; he married Sarah, daughter of Ebenezer Thomas, and died May 
 25, 1899. B. F. Showerman was educated in the University of New York, graduat- 
 ing from the medical department in 1886. He immediately began his practice in Ba- 
 tavia, and in 1893 married Minne, daughter of William C. Simpson. 
 
 Perry, C. E., was born in Rochester, N. Y., August 8, 1863, a son of Hugh and 
 Caroline (Rowland) Perry. His father was a native of Wales and came to the United 
 States in 1888. C. E. Perry was educated in Rochester and entered the dry goods 
 business. In 1892 he came to Batavia and organized the firm of Perry & King, and 
 in 1895 purchased Mr. King's interest and now continues the business alone. In 1889 
 Mr. Perry married Prudence A., daughter of Samuel Downing; they have two chil- 
 dren : Albert D. and Lois W. Among Batavia's business men Mr. Perry enjoys the 
 
118 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 reputation of being enterprising, honorable and successful. He believes in progress 
 and acts upon his convictions. 
 
 Schlenker, John, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to the United 
 States in 1852 with his parents, who settled in Wyoming county, N. Y. He was edu- 
 cated in the district schools and in 1860 came to Batavia, where he learned the tin- 
 smith and plumber trades, and in 1875 established a business for himself, in which he 
 remained until 1892. In 1870 he married Julia Schleddler, who died in 1879. On 
 April 7, 1887, he married Anna S. Nichols. Mr. Schlenker is an industrious, frugal 
 and highly honorable man, and a citizen without reproach. 
 
 Washburn, John (deceased), was born in Hillsdale, Columbia county, N. Y., Oc- 
 tober 21, 1831, a son of Cornelius and Maria (Vanderburg) Washburn of Dutchess 
 county, N. Y. He came to Darien, Genesee county, in 1856 and in 1862 came to Ba- 
 tavia, where he was a farmer three years and afterward a hotel keeper. April 30, 
 1843, Mr. Washburn married Lavina Loomis; they have one child living, a son, 
 George C. Mrs. Washburn is a daughter of Beeder and Polly (Root) Loomis, natives 
 of Great Harrington, Mass. , where Mrs. Washburn was born January 28, 1823. Mr. 
 Washburn was an enterprising man of unquestioned integrity ; politically he was a 
 Democrat. His death occurred October 7, 1897, as he was nearing his 76th birthday. 
 
 Washburn, George C, was born in Hillsdale, N. Y., October 6, 1844, a son of John 
 and Lavina (Loomis) Washburn. His father was a farmer and hotel keeper and in 
 1856 came to Darien, and in 1862 to Batavia, where he engaged in the hotel business, 
 and died October 7, 1897. George C. Washburn was educated in the public schools ; 
 in 1884 he established his present business of dealing in coal and lumber. In 1875 
 he married Grace A., daughter of John Durstin. Mr. Washburn is a representative 
 business man, and merits the confidence reposed in him by his associates. 
 
 Ingalsbe, Elijah, was born in Boylston, Mass., in 1780. When fourteen years old 
 he moved to Washington county, N. Y. , then to Scipio, Cayuga county ; he married 
 Polly Mitchel, who bore him five children: Elijah B., Rial E., Parley V., Polly and 
 Sally. His wife died and later he married his first wife's sister, Nancy Mitchel, who 
 bore him four children: Phebe, Adna, Anda and Levi. After his first son was born 
 Mr. Ingalsbe moved to Ontario county, and in 1826 to Byron, Genesee county, and 
 in 1851 to the town of Alabama, where he died in 1872. Levi Ingalsbe was born in 
 Penfield, N. Y., November 24, 1824, and now resides on the homestead in Alabama. 
 He married Esther, daughter of Isaac A. Whitney, in 1850, and their children are 
 Whitman L., Alma E. , Junius M., Slocum B., all living in Alabama, Genesee county, 
 N. Y. 
 
 Hazleton, Sidney S. (deceased), was a native of Haddam, Conn., born about 1804. 
 In 1846 he came to Genesee county, N. Y., locating in the town of Le Roy, where he 
 purchased a farm and lived until his death, which occurred in 1878. His farm was 
 one of the finest fruit farms in the county, and his son, James E., was a horticul- 
 turist of some note and was authority on a great many plans of raising fruit. The 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. lid 
 
 family history can be traced back for 200 years; the early ancestor coming from 
 Hazelden, Dallington, County Sussex, England, whence their name. They were 
 early settlers and a family of influence in Connecticut, where Sidney S. took a deep 
 interest in educational matters. They had a large family, three of whom are living: 
 Frances, married John F. Field, who spent the most of his life in mining in Colorado, 
 and died in 1877. He explored mines and was an expert in mining matters; Albert 
 Hazleton of Pavilion, N. Y., and Mrs. E. F. Ensign of Madison, Ohio. 
 
 Tyler, Martin C, p. o. Morganville, N. Y., was born in Wyoming county. N. Y., 
 November 2, 1830 His father, David Tyler, was born in Ovid, N. Y., February 22, 
 1797, and was a carpenter by trade. He married Phoebe Osborn, and their children 
 were Lyman M. , Marie L., Moses G., James M., Jedediah O., Martin C, Sallie A. 
 and Mary A. Mr. Tyler died July 14, 1867. M. C. Tyler was educated in the com- 
 mon schools and has always been a farmer. In December, 1861, he enlisted as a 
 private in the Civil war, participating in the battle of Shiloh at Pittsburg Landing ; 
 was seriously wounded at the siege of Vicksburg, and after engaging in the battles 
 in the vicinity of Atlanta, went with General Sherman on his famous march to the 
 sea; he was discharged in December, 1865. In 1866 Mr. Tyler married Julia A., 
 daughter of Harry Frances of Lenox ; they have one daughter, Marcia F. Mr. Tyler 
 is of sterling integrity and has always been identified with the best interests of his 
 town. 
 
 Weaver, George D., was born in the town of Van Buren, Onondaga county, N.Y., 
 June 24, 1836, a son of Abel Weaver, one of the early settlers in Onondaga county ; 
 he died in 1879. Mr. Weaver was educated in the common schools and in early life 
 followed farming. In 1871 he went to Troy and engaged in the lumber business, in 
 which he remained until 1888, then retired from active business and settled in Bata- 
 via. In 1859 Mr. Weaver married Addie F. Bon'esteel. Mr. Weaver is one of the 
 successful men of New York State, taking an active interest in religious institutions 
 and is recognized as a man of sterling qualities, who has ever received the respect of 
 of his associates. The following is furnished for publication by Mr. Weaver, as a 
 statement of his personal " Religious Convictions: " 
 
 " After serving many years as a trustee in the First Baptist Church of Troy, N. Y., and en- 
 deavoring to promote the interests of that denomination as best I could, I finally became con- 
 vinced that all churches with their creeds, should possess the qualities of the primitive church, 
 one of which is Apostolic healing. 
 
 " This conviction was forced upon me by immediate association with those who based their 
 claims to be Christians on their ability to heal sickness on the same basis that sin is removed, 
 and in unison with the Biblical command of Jesus. 'Go ye into the world, preach the gospel, 
 heal the sick.' Following this conivction, in the year 1895, 1 united with the ' First Church of 
 Christ, Scientist,' of Boston, Mass., and have since, with a great degree of pleasure, been able to 
 see Christian Science go forth in this 19th century and successfully meet the opposition, tyranny 
 and conservatism that any movement that has for its final end the greatest amount of good, must 
 ncessarily meet, but which is receiving the same treatment that all religious movements have 
 received in their primitive condition. And a movement that bases all its claims for what it is and 
 what it does, on God as a divine Principle, will be able in any generation to withstand the criti- 
 cism and fanaticism of popular opinion, which when weighed in the balance is found wanting. 
 No religious movement has made such progress and addition to its membership and the erection 
 of permanent Churches in this country and Europe and other foreign countries, since the days of 
 
130 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Martin Luther. Locally we have an organization in Batavia holding regular services on Sunday 
 morning and Wednesday evening, with an average attendance of from fifty to seventy-five, fol- 
 lowed by Sunday school, conducted after the discipline of the Christian Science Church in Bos- 
 ton. Largely the devotees of this congregation are those that have been healed of diseases where 
 the M. D.'s and other practitioners have failed to effect a cure. It is with a degree of pleasure I 
 see the press opening its columns to the subject of Christian Science. This must necessarily be 
 so from the fact that all subjects at one time obscure, as they develop and interest the public, the 
 press realizes that its prosperity is in proportion to its friendliness to truth. The services in 
 Christian Science churches are all conducted by choosing a first and second reader, usually a 
 gentleman and lady. One to read selections from the Bible and one to read from our text book, 
 'Science and Health.' All loyal Christian Scientists adhere to the principle inculcated and set 
 forth in ' Science and Health, With Key to the Scriptures,' by Mary Baker Eddy of Concord, N. H. 
 
 " George D Weaver." 
 
 Strong, Sylvester F. , was born in Turin, N.Y., September 6,1855, son of John Strong, 
 who was a native of New York city. He married Elizabeth Foster and was a life 
 long farmer. Sylvester F. Strong was educated in Rochester and in 1883 came to Ba- 
 tavia and entered the employ of the Johnston Harvester Company as assistant su- 
 perintendent, remaining until 1884. He was subsequently interested with others in 
 founding the Batavia electric light plant. Selling that out he moved upon a farm 
 which he occupied until his death. In 1888 he married Louisa N. , daughter of Eli H. 
 Fish, who was one of the pioneers and prominent men of Batavia and influential in 
 promoting the growth and progress of the place. Mr. Strong died June 25, 1899. He 
 had led an upright life and was an industrious and greatly respected citizen. He is 
 survived by his widow and one son, J. Harold. 
 
 Bogue, Nelson, was born in Elba, Genesee county, N. Y. , January 24, 1844. His 
 father, Dan H. Bogue, was a native of Enosburg, Vt. He married Miss Maria Tur- 
 ner, daughter of Elijah Turner, who came from Chenango county, N. Y., and who 
 was among the first settlers in Elba. Nelson Bogue, the third son, is in every re- 
 spect a self-made man. By his own efforts he made his way through Batavia High 
 School, the Alexander Seminary and the State Normal School of Albany, N. Y. , where 
 he graduated in June, 1865. He was assistant teacher in the Attica High School, 
 principal of the Oakfield and Elba schools for one term each. Not owning any land 
 he leased an acre here and there; in 1868 began the foundation of the Batavia Nur- 
 series which now rank among the most complete and best equipped nurseries in the 
 State. Mr. Bogue has not been content with a careful observation and study of the 
 methods of the American nurseryman, but has traveled extensively in Great Britain 
 and the Continent with the view of getting more knowledge covering the selecting, 
 propagating and growing of superior nursery stock. He has been prominently con- 
 nected with both the agricultural and educational interests of his county and State. 
 Has served as secretary and president of the Genesee County Agricultural Society; 
 was member of executive committee of State Agricultural Society, and is now and 
 has been for several years member of the executive committee of the Western New 
 York Horticultural Society. When Mr. Cleveland was governor he appointed Mr. 
 Bogue a trustee of the State School for the Blind at Batavia for a term of six years, 
 and he is now (March, 1899) serving his sixth year of a like appointment from ex- 
 Governor Flower. Mr. Bogue is a lover of rural life, and, although personally direct- 
 ing his large nursery interests, has found time to quite largely engage in the breed- 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 121 
 
 ing of Morgan horses and Jersey cattle, and to add to his surroundings many fea- 
 ures that make home attractive and happy. He was never married. 
 
 Webber, John H., was born in Stafford, N.Y., April 15, 1837. His father, John 
 Webber, was born in England and came to Genesee county in 1818 ; he married 
 Sophia, daughter of Gen. W. L. Churchill, who served with credit in the war of 1812. 
 John H. Webber has always been a farmer. He married Mary J., daughter of Will- 
 iam and Elizabeth Radley; they have three children: Nellie C, Charles R. and 
 Clara E. Mr. Webber is one of the representative citizens of Stafford, a man of un- 
 blemished character, and worthy of the respect accorded him. 
 
 Darbee, Francis, was born in Bethany, N.Y. , August 21, 1841, a son of Lafayette 
 and Mary (Colby) Darbee, and was educated in the common schools. He has always 
 been a farmer and held the office of trustee of schools for two years. He has been 
 married twice ; first to Sarah Moore, and after her death to Louise Schwab, and they 
 had three children: Fannie V. and Mabel (both deceased) and Floyd B. Mr. Darbee 
 is a well known and respected citizen of Stafford. His integrity is unquestioned and 
 his interest in pubiic affairs has been active and beneficial to the town. 
 
 Haywood, John, was born in England, August 20, 1829, a son of William and Mary 
 (Sanders) Haywood. His father was a native of England and came to Genesee county 
 in 1852, where he carried on farming. He died in 1879 and his wife in 1887. John 
 Haywood was educated in the common schools and has always been a farmer. In 
 1856 he married Ann Shapland; their children are Elizabeth A., Mary J., Sarah E., 
 George, John C, Ellen M., Richard, Henry, Walter, Robert, Carrie V., Edith B., Al- 
 bert C. , and Cora E. who died in 1883. Mr. Haywood is one of the representative 
 farmers of Stafford, and throughout his long life. has enjoyed the respect of the com- 
 munity. 
 
 Douglass, Hart, was born in the town of Stafford, N. Y. , February 23, 1839, a son 
 of Leander and Isabelle (Norris) Douglass. His father was a native of Orange 
 county and came to Genesee county in 1837. He was a tanner by trade and was a 
 large contractor in canal and railroad work ; he died in 1872. Hart Douglass was 
 educated in the common schools and Pembroke Academy, and has always followed 
 farming. He married Penelope S. , daughter of William Westcott; they have two 
 children: Rose N. and Norris W. Mr. Douglass is one of Stafford's enterprising 
 citizens, of sterling integrity and active public spirit. 
 
 Wright, James H., was born in Byron, N.Y., December 17, 1837, a son of John and 
 Jemima (Parmelee) Wright. His father was a native of Connecticut and came to 
 Genesee county in 1807, and died in 1867. James H. Wright was educated in the 
 common schools and was long an enterprising and prosperous farmer. He bought 
 the first steam thrashing machine used in this part of the county and for seven years 
 has been employed by the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company as engineer in the pump 
 house, where he has earned the confidence of his employers. He married Julia S., 
 daughter of Alva Stevens ; they have one daughter, Jennie Wright White. 
 
122 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Cook, Homer, p. o. Pavilion, N.Y., was born January 14, 1841, a son of Ambrose 
 and Betsey (Beckwith) Cook, and received his education at the Burley Hill School. 
 He has always resided on the farm where he was born, and is still engaged in that 
 occupation and fruit growing. His farm contains 140 acres, of which twenty acres 
 are devoted to apple orchard and thirteen acres to pears. His buildings are excep- 
 tionally fine, consisting of four barns, a fruit house and other necessary outbuildings. 
 Politically he is a Republican. ' 
 
 Tillotson, Fred D., p. o. Le Roy, N. Y., son of Chauncey E. and Jeannette L. (Du- 
 guid) Tillotson, was born in the town of Pavilion, Genesee county, N.Y., December 
 15, 1856. He received his primary education in the public schools, subsequently 
 taking a course in the Le Roy Academy. Mr. Tillotson's first occupation in life 
 after finishing his schooling was on the farm, and his entire life has been devoted to 
 agricultural pursuits. On September 11, 1878, he married Lizzie, daughter of John 
 H. and Sarah (Rapp) Drury of Stafford; they have one daughter. S. Jeannette, born 
 July 15, 1879. Mr. Tillotson has taken an active part in local public affairs, having 
 held the office of deputy sheriff for the past two years ; he has also served as one of 
 the Republican town committee. 
 
 Church, George H., a resident of Bergen nearly all his life, was born March 31, 
 1844, a son of Samuel and Harriet (Wilcox) Church. His father was born in Oneida 
 county, N.Y., December 16, 1809, and when sixteen years of age came to Bergen, 
 where he learned the blacksmith's trade, but after a few years was obliged to leave 
 it on account of his health, and he then engaged in the brokerage business. He was 
 a lifelong Demccrat and held the office of justice of the peace and was justice of 
 sessions at the time of his death, which occurred April 8, 1866. Mrs. Church was a 
 daughter of Capt. Austin Wilcox, who came from Connecticut to Bergen with his 
 wife and five children in 1815, making the journey in covered wagons drawn by oxen. 
 Mrs. Church was born January 31, 1817, being the first child born to them after their 
 arrival in this county, where she resided all her life. She was an active Christian 
 woman and one of the oldest members of the Congregational church at the time of 
 her death, March 2, 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Church had three children : Mary J., George 
 H. and Charles S. Mary J married B. T. Taber of Buffalo, and Charles S. is de- 
 ceased. George H. acquired his education at the common schools in Bergen and the 
 Bryant & Stratton Business College of Buffalo. From 1864 to 1867 he resided in 
 Buffalo, in the latter year going to Wayland, Steuben county, where he engaged in 
 business. He returned to Bergen in 1868. Since 1877 he has been engaged in the 
 lumber business and since 1885 has owned and conducted a saw and planing mill in 
 connection with his lumber yard. Mr. Church was a Democrat until 1896, since 
 which time he has acted independent of party. He has been called xipon by his 
 town's people to fill various offices — justice of the peace, village trustee, treasurer 
 and president of the village, president of the school board, and has been a trustee for 
 twenty-five years of the Congregational church. May 15, 1872, Mr. Church married 
 Belle F. Farnham of Holland, N.Y. ; their children are: Jennie B., Clara L., Harriet 
 W., Laura B., Charles S. and Walter S, 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 133 
 
 Keller, Andrew, is a lifelong resident of Genesee county, born in the town of Staf- 
 ford, June 8, 1820, the eighth of a family of five sons and five daughters born to 
 Henry and Elizabeth (Flint) Keller, who were natives of the Mohawk country. 
 Henry was born about 1790, and was a farmer. When a young man he moved to 
 Allegany county and in 1819 settled in the town of Stafford ; he died in 1865. An- 
 drew Keller grew to manhood on the farm where he was born and of which he and 
 his younger brother, Jacob, came into possession after the death of their father. 
 After a few years Mr. Keller purchased his brother's interest and a few years later 
 sold the homestead, and also bought and sold another farm. In 1878 he purchased 
 a. farm of 100 acres in the town of Bergen, where he lived ten years, when he retired 
 from active life, leaving the farm for his son Wilber to conduct. Since that Mr. 
 Keller has divided his time between the farm and the village of Bergen. He has 
 been a member many years of the Stafford Grange, in which he has filled many offi- 
 cial positions. Mr. Keller married Carohne Giles of Bethany; their children are: 
 Mrs. Etta Berge, Wilber, and Jennie, wife of William Brodie. Mrs. Keller died in 
 February, 1892. Wilber J. Keller was born in the town of Stafford, January 20, 1861, 
 and was educated in the district schools. He remained on the homestead and as- 
 sisted his father until 1890, when he took exclusive charge of the farm. He also buys 
 and fats cattle and poultry, which he butchers and sells in the markets in Rochester. 
 He married Minnie, daughter of William and Ann Page ; they have two sons and two 
 daughters. 
 
 Griflfin, C. H., p. o. Oakfield, N. Y., was born in Oakfield, April 8, 1863. His father, 
 Samuel B. Griffin, was a native of Wales, N. Y , born December 17, 1829. He mar- 
 ried Mary Macomber, daughter of Richard and Temperance (Everts) Campton ; their 
 children were: Francis A., Archibald M., Myrtie A., John A., Charles H., Sarah A. 
 and Nancy Y. Charles H. Griffin was educated at Cary Collegiate Seminary, and in 
 1884 started a general store. On January 1, 1898, he was appointed postmaster. Mr. 
 Griffin married Fannie, daughter of Andrew and Libbie Benton. Mr. Griffin is an 
 enterprising business man and a respected citizen. 
 
 Macomber, John L., p. o. Oakfield, N. Y., was born in Alabama January 29, 1833. 
 His father, William Macomber, was a native of Kinderhook, N. Y., born in 1797, and 
 settled in Alabama in 1881, where he followed farming. He married Harriet Cutler 
 of Alabama; they had eight children. Mrs. Macomber died in 1844 and Mr. Macom- 
 ber married Miss M. M. Roe. Mr. Macomber died December 10, 1861. John L. 
 Macomber was educated in the common schools and Cary Collegiate Seminary. De- 
 cember 18, 1861, he married Helen G., daughter of Sylvester Willis; they have one 
 daughter, Alice Macomber Parker, wife of Fred B. Parker, who have one daughter, 
 Helen Macomber Lydia Parker. Mr. Macomber has been trustee of Cary Seminary 
 for twenty-five years, and was elected president of the village in March, 1898. He is 
 a brother of the late Francis A. Macomber, of Rochester, who was for many years 
 one of the justices of the Supreme Court of this State. 
 
 Callan, Lawrence D., p. o. Oakfield, was born in the town of Wheatland, N. Y., 
 January 24, 1858, a son of Thomas and Margaret (Carrel) Callan. His father was a 
 
124 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 native of Ireland and came to America at the age of fifteen years. He was a stone 
 mason by trade. L. D. Callan came to i lakfield in 1891 and started the leading meat 
 market of the town. He was elected supervi-sor in the spring of 1898, and was pres- 
 ident of the village two years. He is a substantial, energetic and successful business 
 man. In politics he is a Democrat. 
 
 Armstrong, Addison, p. o. Oakfield N.Y., was born in Monroe county, N.Y., Octo- 
 ber 13, 1826, a son of Laurens Armstrong, and was educated at Gary Collegiate 
 Seminary. His first wife was Nancy, daughter of John Smith of Oakfield, and his 
 second wife was Jane, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Pask. His children are: 
 Mrs. Mary L. Taylor, John S., Elizabeth A. and Fanny N. Mr. Armstrong served 
 as supervisor for the years 1860 and 1861. He always took an intelligent interest m 
 public affairs and was a man of sterling integrity. He died June 14, 1898. 
 
 Pugsley, Dr. Charles S., p. o. Oakfield, N. Y., was born in Erie county, N. Y., Feb- 
 ruary 4, 1844. His father. Smith Pugsley, was a native of Poughkeepsie and came to 
 Genesee county in 1825, where he engaged in farming and civil engineering. He 
 married Elizabeth V. Peterson, and died in 1878. Dr. Pugsley was educated in the 
 common schools and at Clarence and Williamsville Academies. He began the study 
 of medicine with Dr. Kittenger in 1867, and from 1869 to 1870 was in the Erie county 
 poor and insane asylum as house physician. February 22, 1870. he was graduated 
 from the Medical University at Buffalo and began his practice at Ransomville, Niag- 
 ara county, March 27, 1870, forming a co-partnership with Dr. John Duttou of Clar- 
 endon, Orleans county, which partnership continued until the death of Dr. Dutton, 
 on August 9, 1871. In 1878 Dr. Pugsley came to Oakfield and in December, 1881, 
 bought the drug business and real estate of J. J. Stedman. December 8, 1874, Dr. 
 Pugsley married Cora E. , daughter of H. C. Martin ; they have three children. Dr. 
 Pugsley is one of the successful physicians of Oakfield and has served several years 
 as coroner of the county ; he has also been president of the village and of the board 
 of education, and in 1886 was elected a curator of the Buffalo Medical University. 
 The doctor belongs to the Masonic order, also a subordinate lodge of Odd Fellows, 
 in both of which he stands high. Dr. Pugsley has done much to assist in improving 
 and upbuilding the village of Oakfield. 
 
 Halsey, Henry, p. u. Oakfield, was born in Henrietta, Monroe county, a son of 
 Edward and Nancy (Goff) Halsey. He was educated in the common schools and at- 
 tended the Quaker School at Union Springs for three years. During the three suc- 
 ceeding years he worked the homestead farm, and in 1886 came to Oakfield and en- 
 gaged in the hay and produce business. In 1861 Mr. Halsey married Lucetta Frary ; 
 they have two sons: Fred E. and Bruce F. Mr. Halsey is an enterprising business 
 man, taking an active interest in the development of the town. 
 
 Coffin, A. D., p. o. Oakfield, N. Y., was born in Middlefield, N. Y., October 10, 
 1845, a son of Ferran and Harriet (North) Coffin. He was educated in the common 
 schools and commenced farming, making a specialty of hop raising. In 1875 he be- 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 125 
 
 gan the manufacture of a fertilizer for his own use and afterwards started a large fac- 
 tory in Oneonta, N. Y. He came to Oakfield in 1891, and started a plant of seventy- 
 five tons capacity per day, the product of which found a wide distribution. Mr. 
 Coffin married Charlotte, daughter of George Parchall of Otsego county; their chil- 
 dren are Luella, Gilbert and George. 
 
 Allen, Seneca, p. u. Oakfield, N. Y., was born in the town of Batavia, September 
 7, 1821, a son of Libbeus A. and Esther (Wright) Allen. His father was a native of 
 Otsego county and came to Genesee county in 1817. He died December 4, 1887, 
 aged ninety-four years. Seneca Allen was educated in the common schools and has 
 always been a farmer. In 1844 he married Maria Showman ; their children are Mill- 
 ard, Walter, Retta, and Carrie Ware, who died in 1871. Mr. Allen is one of the 
 progressive farmers of Oakfield, and a man of sterling integrity and high character. 
 
 Anthony, Paul, p. o. Oakfield, N. Y., was born in Jefferson county, N. Y. , April 
 25, 1833, a son of Dryers and Rachel (Winner) Anthony, was educated in the com- 
 mon schools and has always been a farmer. He had the mail contract from Batavia 
 to Albion for a time and has been trustee of schools for five years. He married 
 Emily, daughter of William Childs; they have three children: Sophy, Alice and 
 Charles. Mr. Anthony is one of the leading farmers of Oakfield, and enjoys the re- 
 spect of the community. 
 
 Bauer, John, p. o. Oakfield, N. Y., was born in Germany, February 16, 1849, edu- 
 cated in the common schools and has always been a farmer. He came to Oakfield 
 from Germany in 1877, and married Mary Burr; they have three children; Fred J., 
 Frank J. and Helen. Mr. Bauer has met with success in his efforts and is classed 
 among the reputable and respected citizens of the town. 
 
 Barrett, Joseph B. . p. o. Oakfield, N.Y., was born in Monroe county, N. Y. , July 26, 
 1819, a son of Joseph and Mehitable (Brown) Barrett. His father was a native of 
 Vermont and came to Byron, Genesee county, in 1824, and died in 1831. J. B. Bar- 
 rett was educated in the common schools, taught school for five years, and took up 
 farming. He was assessor in Elba twelve years and in Oakfield three years ; he also 
 served as highway commissioner and was school trustee for fifteen years. In 1841 
 Mr. Barrett married Sarah M., daughter of Abram Adams, who died in 1884; he 
 married, second, Mary J Davis of Brockport, and his children are Elvin A. , Isabelle, 
 Page, Edward P., Augusta and Isaac. Mr. Barrett is a public spirited citizen and 
 in the several official positions occupied by him, has demonstrated his fitness for pub- 
 lic service. 
 
 Edgerton, Alanson, was born in the town of Barre, Orleans county, N. Y., 
 December 13, 1823. In 1853 he married Emeline Palmerof Ridgeway. He removed 
 with his parents to Elba when he was ten years old. His active life has been passed 
 as a farmer. He removed to the village of Batavia in 1878, and remained until 1898, 
 when he returned to his farm. Mr. Edgerton has been a prosperous and successful 
 farmer. He is endowed with a powerful, vigorous frame, and at seventy-six shows 
 
126 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 few traces of old age. His eldest son, Freeman Edgerton, was born April 13, 1861. 
 He was educated in the public schools and at the Batavia Union School. In 1882 he 
 married Susie, daughter of Truman Phelps, and they have four children, Ray N., 
 Alanson H. , Neva L. and Emma F. He is a farmer and resides in Elba. Hart 
 Edgerton, the younger son of Alanson Edgerton, was born January 16, 1863. He 
 resides in Rochester. 
 
 Fisher, Monroe L., p. o. Darien Center, N. Y., is a. member of one of the oldest 
 and most respected pioneer families in Genesee county. His great-great-grand- 
 father came from Brownville to the Holland Purchase in Alexander in 1804, and set- 
 tled on what is now known as the " Lillie Fisher farm," where he spent a long and 
 useful life, and died at the advanced age of ninety-eight. Alanson T.. his great- 
 grandfather, was born in Brownville, N. Y., September 20, 1800; married February 
 37, 1844, Sophia Monroe, and settled in Darien Center, where he remained until his 
 death on March 6, 1886. Charles M Fisher, the only son of Alanson T. and father 
 of Monroe L., was born November 28, 1845; married Alice M. Grannis, August 1, 
 1866, and to them was born two sons. Monroe L. Fisher was born in Sedalia, Peters 
 county. Mo., July 23, 1867. In 1868 his parents removed to Batavia, N. Y., where 
 he was educated in the public schools. His brother, Carlton G., was born in the 
 town of Darien, Genesee county, N. Y., September 24, 1872. 
 
 Parker, William H., M. D., p. o. Darien Center, N. Y. , who is prominent among 
 the physicians of Genesee county and held in high esteem by the community, is the 
 third son of Lyman A. and Sarah J. (Danser) Parker, and was born in the town of 
 Clarence, Erie county, N. Y. , August 9, 1856. He received his primary education 
 in the public schools and the Clarence Union School. In 1878 he entered the office 
 of Dr. Henry Lapp as a student, and in 1881 was graduated from the University of 
 Buffalo with the degree of M. D. He immediately began the practice of his profes- 
 sion in Corfu, where he was successfully engaged for eighteen months. He then 
 removed to Clarence and formed a copartnership with his preceptor. Dr. Lapp, 
 under the firm name of Lapp & Parker, which partnership continued five years. 
 At this time he located in Buffalo, and while a resident of that city was appointed 
 supermtendent of the Erie County Insane Asylum, which position he held three 
 years. In the fall of 1879 he was elected coroner of Erie county, which office he held 
 until he removed to Darien Center. In 1895 he was elected to the same office in Gene- 
 see county, which office he now holds. In June, 1897, he he was appointed U. S. 
 pension surgeon. Dr. Parker is a member of the Wyoming County Medical Associ- 
 ation, the Gross Medical Club, and while a resident of Buffalo was a member of the 
 Erie County Medical Society. On October 15, 1884, he married Kate, daughter of 
 Ebenezer W. and Harriet (Hason) Ladd, of Clarence. 
 
 Strong, George, p. o. Lehigh, N. Y., a native of Darien, Genesee county, N. Y. , 
 was born October 3, 1835, a son of Eben P. Strong, who was born in Warren, Conn., 
 January 38, 1794. He was a soldier in the war of 1813 and was sent with a detach- 
 ment of soldiers from his native town to Sackets Harbor. He was discharged in 
 1813 and came to Pembroke (now Darien), and obtained a land contract from the 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 137 
 
 Holland Land office. On January 16, 1822, he married Margaret Johns, who was 
 born in Lancashire, England, January 11, 1799. He died on the farm where he first 
 settled March 28, 1843. Mrs. Strong died October 7, 1888. George Strong was one 
 of five children. He was educated in the public schools, and has devoted his entire 
 life to agricultdre and the raising and marketing of small fruits. In November, 
 1851, he married Emma A., daughter of George and Betsey (Kennedy) Wells; they 
 have three children : George W., born in April, 1861 ; Orlo E., born in November, 
 1865, and Perry V., born September, 1868. Mr. Strong is a member of the North 
 Alexander Grange and Advent church. 
 
 Nye, IraH., p. o. Ray, N. Y. , son of Freeman and Harriette (Stevens) Nye, was 
 born in Mottville, Onondaga county, N. Y. , May 13, 1843. When five years of age 
 his parents removed to Darien, where he was educated in the public schools. After 
 his boyhood, which was spent on his father's farm, he began his business experience 
 in 1866 by going to Michigan to engage in horse dealing, which he carried on very 
 successfully for ten years. He then located in South Bend, Ind. , where he resided 
 until 1881, when he removed to Stevens Point, Wis. , where he carried on a whole- 
 sale business for two years. He next went to Bay City and conducted the same 
 business there for three years. In 1886 Mr. Nye accepted the management of the 
 stock farm of Gen. Howard, of Buffalo, N. Y., where he remained until 1891, and 
 then came to Batavia. After one year he bought his present farm in Darien, where 
 he has since lived. On December 14, 1865, Mr. Nye married Frances, daughter of 
 Zina and Rebecca Wait; they have one son, Carl. Mr. Nye is a man of a few words, 
 of sound business judgment, and is held in high esteem by all who know him. 
 
 Sutherland, James H., p. o. Darien, N. Y., son of Amaziah and Lucy (Hall) Suth- 
 erland, was born in the town of Pembroke (now Darien), Genesee county, N. Y., 
 December 16, 1838. He had the advantages of a good education and at an early age 
 was employed as a teacher in the public schools during the winter months and in the 
 summer worked on his father's farm. In 1853 he engaged in mercantile business at 
 Darien Center, where he conducted a general store until 1868. He then accepted a 
 position with the Erie Railroad Company, in charge of the Griswold station, and 
 faithfully discharged his duties there nineteen years. At the end of this service he 
 engaged in farming, which he still follows. Mr. Sutherland has always taken an 
 active interest in political affairs and held the office of justice of the peace for a num- 
 ber of years. He was supervisor of his town from 1881 to 1884. In politics he is 
 a Democrat. On July 4, 1853, he married Emma, daughter of Lorine and Eunice 
 ( Jinks) Carter ; they have one daughter. May, wife of Giles Ranger. Mr. Sutherland 
 is a member of Attica Lodge No. 462, F. & A. M. 
 
 Smith, W. H., p. o. Oakfield, N. Y., was born in Oakfield, June 21, 1854. His 
 father, J. J. Smith, was a native of Mohawk, came to Oakfield in 1830 and was a 
 blacksmith for fifty years. He married Louisa Hart ; their children were Warner H. , 
 Melancton J., Edward, Wallace, Nancy A., Louisa and Emma; he died in 1886. 
 W. H. Smith was educated in the common schools and followed the trade of his 
 father. In 1890 his place was destroyed by fire. In the same year he built the new 
 
128 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 brick block where he carries on an extensive business in the sale of wagons and all 
 kinds of farming implements. He is erecting also another large block. In 1872 he 
 married Louisa Tripp ; they have three children : Frank, Beattie and Delia. Mr. 
 Smith is an active business man, is always ready to do his share of any task that 
 promises to benefit the town, and is respected throughout the community. 
 
 Brown, William H., son of Allen and Nancy J. Brown, was born in Steuben county, 
 N. Y. , September 13, 1838. His parents were among the early settlers of Steuben 
 county, and when he was yet a boy they moved to the town of Alexander, where he 
 attended the common schools and later removed to Darien. He worked on his 
 father's farm in his early youth and at the age of twenty-one began to till the soil on 
 his own account. On November 33, 1860, he married Diana, daughter of Henry and 
 Nancy (Vandebogart) Innes ; they had three children: Jennie, wife of Nicholas L. 
 Mosher, Gertrude and Agnes D. The youngest daughter was graduated from the 
 State Normal School at Geneseo in the class of 1898. Mr. Brown and his wife are 
 members of the Methodist church. He is a member of Corfu Grange. Mr. Brown 
 is a good and useful citizen, and is esteemed accordingly by his friends and fellow- 
 townsmen. 
 
 Gibson, Robert, p. o. South Alabama, N. Y., was born in South Alabama, July 30, 
 1845. His father, William Gibson, was born in Ireland in 1809, and came to Genesee 
 county in 1833, where he followed farming. He married Margaret Tauft, of Ireland, 
 who died in 1855. Robert Gibson was educated m the common schools, and in 1863 
 enlisted in the volunteer service in the 8th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and was mustered 
 out at Monson's Hill in June, 1865. He then engaged in farming, which he continued 
 fifteen years; he then engaged in the produce and stock business. Mr. Gibson is 
 one of the representative men of the town, and has always been identified with its 
 best interests. 
 
 Moule, Philip H., was born in the town of Riga, N. Y., August 25, 1850. He is a 
 son of Levi D. Moule, who was a native of Ulster county, N. Y. , and came to Gen- 
 esee county in 1847. Levi D. Moule married Mary S Van Dusen, and was a farmer. 
 He located m Batavia in 1866, purchasing the Pease farm, which is now owned by 
 his son, Philip Moule. He died May 7, 1894. Philip H. Moule was educated at 
 Batavia and in 1875 married Mary A., daughter of Foster Bradley. They have four 
 children; Foster L., Leonard G , Dora B. and Myrtle A. 
 
 Mylcrane, William T. , was born in Syracuse, N. Y., November 10, 1853. He is a 
 son of William Mylcrane, who was a native of the Isle of Man and emigrated to this 
 country in 1845, settling in Syracuse, where he was a prosperous contractor and 
 builder. William T. Mylcrane received his education in the district and high schools 
 of Syracuse, and after graduating from the latter accepted a position at the head of 
 the bookkeeping department of the large dry goods house of D. McCarthy & Co. 
 Resigning that position he became connected with the Cape Cod Coarse Salt Com- 
 pany, of which he was made manager. Under his administration this company pros- 
 pered and Mr. Mylcrane remained with it seven years, becoming in the meantime 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. , 129 
 
 owner of part of a large solar salt field. At the close of this period he became asso- 
 ciated with the Baker Gun and Forging Company of Syracuse, makers of a superior 
 line of shotguns. Mr. Mylcrane was made secretary and treasurer of this company 
 in 1888, and owing partly to his influence the works were removed to Batavia. 
 He followed in 1889 and since that time has been prominent in the direction of the 
 company. In 1898 he was elected president and holds that responsible position at 
 the present time. The company turn out some of the finest guns made in this coun- 
 try, and under Mr. Mylcrane's sagacious management the business is prosperous. 
 Mr. Mylcrane was married in 1876 to Sarah B. Miller. He is high in Masonry and 
 has held the office of master of Batavia Lodge No. 475, and of commander of Bata- 
 via Commandery No. 34, K. T. He has been a member of the Board of Trade since 
 its organization. 
 
 Harris, Frank J., was born in the town of Elba, N. Y., August 16, 1855, son of 
 James W. Harris, who was a. native and one of early residents of the same town. 
 James W. married Mary E. Parker, and was a successful farmer. Frank J.' Harris 
 was educated in Batavia, and on July 12, 1881, married Kate F., daughter of A. U. 
 Willis ; they have six children : James, George, Robert, Lulu B. , Helen M. and Edna. 
 Mr. Harris bought his present farm of two hundred acres in 1868. He has served as 
 assessor for three years. 
 
 White, Darius, was born in Center York, Livingston county, N. Y. , February 14, 
 1822, a son of Samuel and Betsey (Rogers) White. He was educated in the common 
 schools, and in 1867 married Cornelia, daughter of Joseph Lund, who settled in the 
 town of Alabama in 1811; they had one daughter, Harriet Corriue, who died in 1897. 
 Mr. White is a successful farmer and during his long life has been accorded the 
 esteem of his fellow citizens. 
 
 Pratt, Charles, was born in Orange county, November 3, 1828. His father, Thomas 
 Pratt, was a native of London, England, and came to the United States in 1804, set- 
 tling in New York ; he married Christina Ackerman, and through life was a farmer. 
 He moved to Monroe county in 1838 and in 1850 to Genesee county, where he died in 
 1870. Charles Pratt was educated in the public schools and in 1855 married Harriet 
 E., daughter of John A. Sanford. Mrs. Pratt died in 1868. Mr. Pratt is one of the 
 practical and successful farmers of his town. He has served as highway commis- 
 sioner three years and as assessor six years. His sisters, Mary and Martha Pratt, 
 are associated in the management and ownership of their large farm. Mr. Pratt 
 has been a Free Mason for twenty-five years and is prominently identified with the 
 Lodge, Chapter and Commandery. 
 
 Kenney, Richard R. , was born in Ireland and came to the United States and set- 
 tled in Batavia in 1847. In 1845 he married Margaret Carhart ; they have seven 
 children; John, William, Joseph, Mary, Catherine, Gertie and Margaret. Mr. Ken- 
 ney is a successful farmer and a citizen of recognized worth. 
 
 Jacks, James C, was born in Batavia, N. Y., August 20, 1818, a son of Samuel and 
 
130 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Betsey (Husted) Jacks. His father was a native of Londonderry, N. H., and was a 
 prominent blacksmith and farmer. James C. was educated in the public schools and 
 in 1841 married Josephine B. , daughter of John Chester Wilford; they have had five 
 children: Rev. J. Wilford Jacks, D. D., Corwin, Mrs. Mary E. Kellogg, Mrs. Julia 
 W. Bradley and Mrs. Sarah Josephine Silliman. Mr. Jacks died August 5, 1898. 
 
 Swezey, Hiram, was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., October 6, 1824, and is a son 
 of George and Elizabeth (Wood) Swezey. He was educated in the common schools 
 and Fairfield Academy. He taught for several years, but during most of his life has 
 given his attention mainly to farming. In 1858 he moved to the town of Victor and 
 remained there until 1883, when he came to Batavia and purchased the Jerome 
 Thompson property. He is largely engaged in dairying. In 1853 Mr. Swezey mar- 
 ried Mary, daughter of Daniel Silliman ; they had five children : George S. , H. Eu- 
 gene, Cora J. , May G. and Caroline. 
 
 Edgerton, Henry G., was born in Orleans county, N. Y., May 30, 1825, and is a son 
 of Henry and Jane (West) Edgerton. His father was a native of Vermont and re- 
 moved to Orleans county in 1816, where he was one of the pioneer farmers; he died 
 in 1874. Henry G. Edgerton was educated in the common schools and came to Elba 
 with his parents in 1832. In 1843 he married Eleanore, daughter of Rice Baldwin ; 
 they had four children- George B., Charles A., William F. and Mrs Albert Martin. 
 
 Miner, Sherman L. , was born in Batavia, N. Y. , December 11, 1864. He is a son 
 of Austin T. Miner, who came to Batavia in 1811 as one of the pioneer settlers. 
 Sherman L. Miner was educated in the common schools and has always been a. 
 farmer. In 1898 he purchased his present place. In 1893 he married Mary J., daugh- 
 ter of Francis Prescott ; they have two sons: Francis Austin and Leman Sherman. 
 
 Gary, Martin, was born in Ireland in 1835, and came to the United States in 1848 
 with his brother, William Cary, settling in the town of Perry, Wyoming county. In 
 1853 he came to Genesee county and lived in Batavia, where he learned the mason's 
 trade. In 1860 he married Eliza Bradley; they have three daughters: Mrs Alice B. 
 Bogue, Mrs. William Childs and Georgiana. 
 
 Parker, Orrin C. — The subject of this sketch was born March 29, 1838. He mar- 
 ried Melia A. Pember August 11, 1862. The same year he enlisted as a private in the 
 129th N. Y. Volunteers, but before the regiment left Lockport for the front he was 
 commissioned second lieutenant in Company G. When this regiment was reorgan- 
 ized and became the 8th N. Y. Heavy Artillery he received the appointment as first 
 lieutenant in the same company. In December, 1864, he was made captain and 
 transferred to Company E, which he commanded until the close of the war. Captain 
 Parker participated with this famous regiment in all its compaigns, including Cold 
 Harbor, Reams Station and Appomattox. His army record was first class. He was 
 elected treasurer of Genesee county in 1875. He served seven years as eminent 
 commander of the Batavia Commandery No. 34 of the Knights Templar. In late 
 years Captain Parker has been engaged in farming. 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 131 
 
 North, James Agard, was born in Alexander, N. Y., July 13, 1856, on the same 
 farm where his father, for whom he was named, was born January 4, 1813. The 
 father died at Attica, November 9, 1893. James A. North, sr., was married June 6, 
 1847, to Rtbecca Safford. Mrs. North died in Alexander July 14, 1884, at the age of 
 sixty-two years. Mr. North was married in March, 1878, to Eunice A. Gould, and 
 they have had two children i Frank A. and Myra R. On the 4th of August, 1898, 
 Myra was killed near her home in Stafford by a train of cars. Mr. North began 
 teaching school at the age of sixteen years and has taught nearly every year since. 
 He is one of the few teachers in Genesee county holding a State certificate entitling 
 him to teach without further examination for life. He removed to Stafford in 1885, 
 and carries on his farm besides keeping up his work as a teacher. He has one sister, 
 Mrs. Edward H. (Olive) Putnam of Attica, and one brother, Safford E. North of 
 Batavia. 
 
 Wheeler, G. Harrison, was born in Batavia, N. Y., March 14, 1842. His father, 
 George C. Wheeler, was a native of Rehoboth, Mass., and came to Genesee county 
 in 1834 with his parents. Col. Simon and Rachael Wheeler, settling in the town of 
 Oakfield. George C. Wheeler married Hannah S., daughter of George Benson; he 
 died in 1895 in his seventy-ninth year. G. Harrison Wheeler was educated in the 
 common schools. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. K, 13th N. Y. Volunteers, and served 
 during the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, receiving an honorable discharge 
 at the close of the war. In 1866 Mr. Wheeler married Lavinia, daughter of John 
 Fischel. In 1866 he purchased the Cook farm of ninety-eight acres. He has served 
 as highway commissioner for two terms and as commander of Upton Post, G. A. R. 
 
 Gillette, Charles L., was born in Orange county, N. Y., April 16, 1831, and is a son 
 of Isaac and Eleanore (Vale) Gillette. In 1854 he married Mary S., daughter of John 
 Webber; they have four children: Isaac W., Harry L., Ralph W. and Sophie E. 
 Mr. Gillette received a common school education, has made a success of farming and 
 has been especially active in the temperance cause. 
 
 Miner, Austin T., was born in Berkshire county, Mass., February 9, 1811, and with 
 his parents, Leman and Joanna Tauer Miner, came to Genesee county in 1816, 
 among the pioneer settlers. Leman Miner died in 1836. Austin Miner was edu- 
 cated in the district schools and in Wyoming, after which he taught school for sev- 
 eral years. From 1840 to 1850 he was interested in woolen manufacture. In 1857 he 
 married Exana M. Smith, who died in 1840. He afterward married Caroline A., 
 daughter of Ebenezer E. Brown ; they have eight children: Lyman B. , John A., Otis 
 A., Seward H., Donnelly S., Sherman L,, George ElHot, Mrs. Mary J. Rickert and 
 Mrs. Florence Taverdale. 
 
 Uphill, William H., was born in Somerset, England, and came to the United 
 States April 10, 1850, with his parents, Thomas and Ann Uphill, settling in Erie 
 county. He came to Genesee county in 1868. William H. Uphill was educated in 
 the common schools. In 1880 he married Alice, daughter of Orlando Spencer; they 
 have three children : James G. , Sarah and Louise, Mr. Uphill is a prominent farmer 
 
132 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 and interested in public affairs. In 1890 he was elected highway commissioner and 
 has served seven years. 
 
 Terry, John W. , was born on the homestead in Batavia, N. Y., October 1, 1848. 
 His father, George W., was a native of the town of Byron, N. Y., where his father, 
 George W. Terry, settled about 1810. George W., sr., married Jemima Gillett, and 
 died m 1850. George W. , jr., married Lavinia, daughter of Roswell Graham, for his 
 first wife; his second wife was Emily, daughter of Chester White. Mr. Terry died 
 April 9, 1879, in his sixty- eighth year. John W. Terry was educated in the com- 
 mon schools and in 1876 married Jennie daughter of Albert Parker; they have five 
 children: George A., Parker C, Walter J., John W., jr., and Jessie R. 
 
 Reid, James, was born in Ireland, September 11, 1834, and came to the United 
 States in 1846, settling in Batavia. In 1865 he married Mary Dean ; they had six 
 children: Patrick, John, Roger, James, Mary and Catherine. 
 
 Fitzsimons, John, was born in County Westmeath, Ireland, in 1848, a son of John 
 and Ann (Evers) Fitzsimons. His father was a lifelong farmer and emigrated to the 
 United States in 1863, coming direct to the town of Sweden, Monroe county, N. Y. , 
 where he resided five years. He then moved with his family to Bergen, where he 
 bought a farm on which he and his wife spent their remaining days. John Fitzsim- 
 ons attended school in Ireland and came to America with his parents, remaining with 
 them and assisting on the farm until nearly the time of their death. In 1883 he pur- 
 chased his present farm of 110 acres, to which he moved in 1886. Mr. Fitzsimons is 
 a consistent believer in the principles of Democracy and is a respected citizen. In 
 February, 1886, he married Margaret McCormick ; they have three children : Bessie, 
 born in 1888 ; Marie, born in 1890, and Helena, born in 1891. Mr. and Mrs Fitzsim- 
 ons are members of St. Peter's Church of Le Roy. 
 
 Smith, Mary E., p. o. Darien Center, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Bell) 
 Champany, and wife of the late J. Craig Smith, was born in the town of Columbia, 
 Herkimer county, N. Y. , April 30, 1835. Her childhood was spent at home and in 
 the common schools. Her parents removed to Rome, Oneida county, where she was 
 employed in a cheese factory. It was here that she first met Mr. Smith, who was 
 employed by the same firm as bookkeeper. In September, 1859, they were married 
 and subsequently Mr. Smith was placed in charge of a factory at Truxton, N. Y., 
 making cheese from the milk of 1,550 cows. In 1878 he removed to Darien Center, 
 bought the store and cheese factory of John Buckley, where he carried on business 
 until his death, March 23, 1898. Mr. Smith was one of the prominent men of the 
 town, was a staunch Republican and held the office of town clerk for eight years. 
 He was a member of New Lodge No. 451, I. O. O. F., and of the Order of the Mac- 
 cabees. 
 
 Childs, Wilber J., p. o. Pembroke, N. Y., was born in the township of Pembroke, 
 N. Y., June 1, 1842, was educated in the common schools and his early life was spent 
 in farming. For the past thirteen years he has been a general merchant in Pem- 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 13S 
 
 broke. In 1892 he was appointed postmaster by the Cleveland administration, hav- 
 ing been deputy postmaster for several years before. April 16, 1884, he married 
 Lizzie L. Litt of Pembroke, and they have one son, Lawrence Litt, born October 6, 
 1894. Mr. Childs's father, William Childs, was born in Connecticut in 1781 and was a 
 farmer. He married Sarah Whiting of his native place, who bore him eight chil- 
 dren: Zulyman, Amelia, Emily, Eliza, and in 1815 the family came to Batavia, 
 where were born Lucy A., Sarah J., Mary E. and Wilber J. Mr. Childs died in 1863 
 and his widow in 1874. Henry Childs, grandfather of Wilber J. , was born in Con- 
 necticut and was prominent in educational affairs, having taught school many years 
 Mrs. Childs's father, John Litt, was born in Germany, April 8, 1808, where he was 
 educated. He married Clara Young of his native place, who was born in 1812 ; they 
 had four children: Julia L., Clara, Conrad and Lizzie L. , all born in Germany except 
 Mrs. Childs. Julia L. married Dan Dean of Pembroke. Clara married Frederick 
 Senn of Pembroke; they had five children: Julia, Clara, Henry, Martha and John. 
 Mrs. Senn died September 6, 1873. Conrad was a soldier in Co. C, 100th N. Y. In- 
 fantry, and was killed at Fort Wagner in 1863. Mr. Litt died January 22, 1879, and 
 his wife October 10, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Childs are members of the Christian Church, 
 of which he is one of the elders and Sunday school superintendent. 
 
 Earl, Thomas A., p. u. Attica, N. Y., son of Mahlon and Elva A. (Earl) Earl, was 
 born in the town of Alexander, Genesee county, N. Y., August 8, 1863. He received 
 his education in the Attica Union School. From his boyhood he had a natural fond- 
 ness for telegraphy, and early in life began an apprenticeship in the Erie Railroad 
 station at Alexander. Later he entered the employ of the L. S. & M. S. Railroad at 
 Erie, Pa., where he remained two years, when he was transferred to Salamanca, 
 and there remained five years. He then entered the train dispatcher's office at Os- 
 wego, in the employ of the R., W. & O. Railroad, remaining in their employ there 
 and at Syracuse six years. He next went to Rochester in the N. Y. C. & H. R. Rail- 
 road office, and after one year resigned his position and returned home, where he 
 has since been engaged in farming. On September 29, 1887, Mr. Earl married 
 Gertrude L., daughter of Edward C. and Rusha (Smith) Bryant of Hornellsville, N. Y. 
 
 Nightingale, John, was born in Yorkshire, England, March 10, 1830, and came to 
 the United States in 1832, with his parents, David and Sarah Nightingale, settling 
 in Rome, N. Y. He married Caroline E.. daughter of Benjamin E. Wheat; they 
 have three sons: George H., Frank A and Charles R. Mr. Nightingale is a success- 
 ful farmer, has served as assessor and highway commissioner, takes an intelligent 
 interest in town matters and is recognized as a man of sterling integrity. George 
 Nightingale married Hattie L., daughter of S. S. Brown, and they have one daugh- 
 ter, Anna L. Mr. Nightingale is one of the old residents of the town of Byron, 
 
 Bull, Pierrepont E. , was born in Stephentown, Rensselaer, county, N.Y., August 
 31, 1799. His father, Abner Bull, was a native of the same county, and the family 
 trace their descent from Thomas Bull, who came to the United States in the ship 
 Hopewell, landing in Connecticut in 1635. Pierrepont E. Bull came to Genesee 
 county in 1836, and married Rhoda, daughter of Nathan Patchen ; they had two 
 
134 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 daughters: Mrs. Elizabeth Barker of Clarendon, and Miss R. W. Bull. Mr. Bull was 
 one of the successful and respected farmers of Genesee county, and his death, which 
 occurred in 1868, was a distinct loss to his family and the community. His wife died 
 in 1870. 
 
 Hall, Samuel T., was born in Elba, February 27, 1834, and is a son of Zurial and 
 Polly (Ford) Hall. His father was a native of Connecticut and came to Byron in 
 1809; later he moved to Rock county, Wisconsin, where he died in 1878. Samuel T. 
 Hall was educated in the common schools, learned the carpenter's trade and for 
 twenty years was employed by tne Johnston Harvester Co. at Brockport and Batavia. 
 In 1859 he married Phoebe J., daughter of Jesse Seeley; they have two daughters; 
 Mrs. Charles C. Fellows and Mrs. Jewell. 
 
 Bennett, Albert F., was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, August 30, 1843, 
 and is a son of Lucius R. Bennett, a native of Connecticut. A. F. Bennett was edu- 
 cated in Wisconsin and learned the miller's trade. In 1889 he came to Byron and 
 entered into partnership with Mr. McKenzie in the milling business. In 1868 he 
 married Phoebe G. McKenzie, and they have two children; Charles and Flora. Mr. 
 Bennett is a public spirited citizen and has served as justice of the peace. 
 
 Searls, Clayton, p. o. East Pembroke, was born on his present homestead, April 
 30, 1858, was educated in the public schools and East Pembroke Seminary, and is a 
 successful farmer. December 4, 1884, he married Millie M. Vroom of Marilla, Erie 
 county, N.Y., and they have had three children; C. Starr, L. Clair (who died in his 
 eighth year), and Vera M. Mr. Searls's father, John Searls, was born at Sand Lake, 
 N.Y. , April 6, 1831, and came with his parents to this town when fifteen years old. 
 He was educated in the district schools and by his father, who was a school teacher. 
 He was thrice married; first, on November 19, 1845, to Catherine Dobson, who died 
 July 14, 1847; second, in 1849, to Eliza Wait, who died April 18, 1855, leaving one 
 son, Ozias W. ; and third, on March 18, 1857, to Minerva M. Bottsford, who bore 
 him three children : Clayton (as above) ; Cora A. , wife of Dr. Elliott C. Smith, who 
 died May 29, 1883, aged twenty-three years ; and Melinda J. , who died August 6, 
 1864. Mr. Searls died April 26, 1865; his widow survives at this date (1898). His 
 father, Reuben, was born in Massachusetts in 1793, and his wife, Sophia Gould, was 
 born in 1792. Mrs. Searls's father, Eliakim Bottsford, was born in Milford, Conn., 
 in 1793. He married Polly Ford of his native place, born in 1800, and nine children 
 were born to them. Mr. Bottsford died in 1875 and his wife in 1855. Mrs. Millie M. 
 Searls's father, George Vroom, was born in Pultney, Steuben county, N. Y., in 1825, 
 and came to Wyoming county when a boy and subsequently removing to Erie county, 
 where he married Hannah M. Brooks, who was born in Franklin county in 1831. 
 They had four children : Charlotte, Hannah E. , Chester G. and Millie M. (as above). 
 Mr. Vroom died in 1896 ; his widow survives at this date (1898). Mr. Searls is a Re- 
 publican, and respected by his townsmen. 
 
 Foss, Fred, p. o. Pembroke, N. Y., was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, in Octo- 
 ber, 1839, was educated in the schools of that country, and came to the United States 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 185 
 
 in 1860, locating in the town of Pembroke, Genesee county, N. Y. , where he has 
 since carried on farming and now owns an excellent farm. In 1861 Mr. Foss mar- 
 ried Sophia Harty, of Indian Falls ; they have one son, John, who is a farmer, and 
 who married Jessie McCrae; they have four children: Roy, Jane, Bert and Fred. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Foss are members of the German Evangelical church. 
 
 Blood, Luman, p. o. Ray, N. Y., is a son of Nathan and Rhoda (Everts) Blood, 
 and was born in the town of Bethany, Genesee county, N. Y., March 36, 1833. 
 After obtaining such education as was afforded by a common school in those days 
 Mr. Blood began teaching during winters and working on the farm in summers until 
 he was about twenty-five years of age, when he turned his attention to farming, in 
 which he has been engaged ever since. In April, 1858, he married Sarah Sprague ; 
 they have three children: Arthur, Fred and Cora, wife of Emory Lincoln. 
 
 Pettibone, James A., p. o. Attica, N. Y., is a native of the village of Attica, 
 Wyoming county, N. Y., where he was born August, 19, 1853. His ancestors were 
 French Huguenots and came to this country in 1774, settling in Connecticut. James 
 A. is a son of Giles and-Sophronia (Sheldon) Pettibone, who came from Connecticut 
 and Vermont respectively to Warsaw, N. Y., in 1831. In early life he had few edu- 
 cational advantages, but in after years he was a diligent student and by his own 
 exertion has succeeded in acquiring a good practical education. Mr. Pettibone has 
 devoted his entire life to agriculture with the exception of two years (1884 and 1885) 
 when he was engaged in the retail boot and shoe business in Attica. Mr. Pettibone was 
 married February 10, 1876, to Mary, adopted daughter of Jonas and Almira (De Mary) 
 Coon ; they have five children ; Nettie, Edgar, James, Arthur and Ernest. Mr. 
 Pettibone is a man of good character and is esteemed in the community. 
 
 Moulton, Orsamond B., p. o. Alexander, N. Y. , was born in Alexander, Genesee 
 county, N. Y., August 9, 1833. His grandfather, who came from Massachusetts in 
 1810, was among the first settlers of that town, then almost a wilderness, and was 
 subjected to all the privations, toil and difficulties peculiar to pioneer life. Orsamond 
 B. is a son of Lewis and Melvina (Benedict) Moulton, and has spent his entire life 
 upon the farm, with exception of ten years during which he was employed by the 
 Big Four and the Lake Shore Railroad Company, from 1861 to 1871. Since that 
 time he has been successfully engaged in farming. In February, 1855, Mr. Moulton 
 married Emily, daughter of David and Minerva (Bradway) Thorp ; they have two 
 children : Elliott, who is a station agent for the D. , L. & W. Railroad, and Emma, 
 wife of Clarence Vrooman of Alexander. Mr. Moulton is a member of Bethany 
 Grange, and holds the office of highway commissioner of the town. 
 
 Moulton, Edward F , p. o Alexander, N.Y.,son of Byram and Corrinna L. (Wells) 
 Moulton, was bom in the town of Alexander, Genesee county, N. Y., August 3 1843. 
 His father was the son of Capt. Royal Moulton, who came to Alexander in 1810, and 
 was born near Springfield, Mass. , in December, 1773. He was the first settler on 
 the Batavia road, where he resided until his death in 1865; he was the first Whig 
 
136 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 supervisor elected in the town. Byram Moulton had four children : Edward F. , Al- 
 bert H. , Byram, jr., and Charles W. Edward F , the eldest, was educated in the 
 common schools and the Genesee and Wyoming Seminary. In 1863 he enlisted in 
 the 22d N. Y. Independent Battery Light Artillery, and served until the close of 
 the war. He then returned home and engaged in farming for three years, after 
 which he entered the U. S. railway mail service, serving on all the divisions of the 
 N. Y. C. and L. S. & M. S. railroads between New York and Chicago. In 1891 he 
 retired from the mail service and settled on his present farm where he has since re- 
 sided. On July 3, 1863, Mr. Moulton married Ella B. , daughter of Wellington and 
 Phoebe (Beardsley) Colby; they have one son, Albert. Mr. Moulton is a member of 
 Upton Post No. 299, G. A. R., of Batavia; has held the office of collector of taxes of 
 the town, and inspector of elections. 
 
 Ahl, Charles, p. o. West Bethany, N. Y. , son of John O. and Elizabeth (Clor) Ahl, 
 was born in the town of Orangeville, Wyoming county, N. Y., April 20, 1841. His 
 parents were natives of France and on coming to this country settled in Buffalo, 
 where his father carried on a tailoring business for a number of years. He subse- 
 quently removed to Wyoming county, where he resided until his death. Charles 
 Ahl has always been engaged in farming. On April 10, 1873, he married Barbara 
 Markley; they have three children : Arthur, John W. and Albert J. Mr. Ahl is an 
 industrious and enterprising citizen. 
 
 Snell, H. E., was born in the town of Pembroke, N. Y., October 13, 1870. His 
 father, H. H. Snell, a native of Connecticut, came to Genesee county in 1855 with 
 his parents, who were among the pioneers of the town of Linden. H. H. Snell mar- 
 ried Susan M. Seaman, and through life has been engaged in educational work and 
 is now superintendent of schools at Hoosick Falls, N. Y. H E. Snell was educated 
 in the union schools, and learned the blacksmith trade, establishing his present busi- 
 ness in Elba in 1896. In 1891 Mr. Snell married Miriam, daughter of Edward Shaf- 
 fer; they have two sons: Wade H. and Harold E. 
 
 Turner, A. L., was born in Clarendon, N. Y., September 6, 1861, a son of Charles 
 and Orvilla (Pettengill) Turner, and was educated in Clarendon and Holley. In 
 1883 he came to Elba and established his hardware business. In 1885 he married 
 Harriet, daughter of David Weatherbee, and they have one daughter, Grace Mr. 
 Turner is one of the progressive business men of his town, has served as justice of 
 the peace twelve years, and takes an active interest in political affairs. 
 
 Allen, Gideon, p. o. Alabama Center, N. Y. , was born in Washington county, Jan- 
 uary 9, 1834, a son of Joseph and Eliza (Case) Allen. His father was a native of 
 Washington county and came to Genesee county in 1835, where he was a farmer ; he 
 died in 1886. Gideon Allen was educated in the common schools and for twelve 
 years worked at the carpenter and joiner trade. He then took up farming. In 1854 
 he married Marcia Willis, daughter of Sylvester Willis of Rutland, Vt. ; they have 
 two children,.Bertie and John W. Mr. Allen's long life has been so spent as to bring 
 him the respect of the community. 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 137 
 
 Roberts, Charles D., p. o. Wheatville, N. Y., was born in Alabama, October 21, 
 1853, a son of George and Sarah (Starkweather) Roberts. Charles D. was educated 
 in Cary Seminary and has always followed farming. He married Jennie Maus ; they 
 have two children ; J. G. and Kittie R. 
 
 Fountain, Norton, p. o. Oakfield, N. Y. , was born in Mendon, Monroe county, N. 
 Y. , November 11, 1838. His father was a native of Orleans county, and married 
 Pauline Davis, daughter of Martin Davis; their children were John, Robert, Jerome, 
 Howard, Caroline, Adelaide and Norton. Mr. Fountain died in 1861. Norton Foun- 
 tain was educated in Macedon Center and at the Rochester Business College, after 
 which he taught school three years. Mr. Fountain is one of the progressive farmers 
 of Alabama and a man of excellent character and of sterling integrity. 
 
 Vancuren, Edward, for ten years past has been one of the successful farmers of 
 Genesee county. He is one of a family of four children of Charles and Catherine 
 (Groat) Vancuren, and was born in Rochester, N. Y. He married Emily Dunn of 
 Pembroke ; they have one son, Arthur The family reside in Darien, p. o. Corfu. 
 
 Maloney, John, son of Thomas and Julia (Delehanty) Maloney, was born in Gene- 
 seo; Livingston county, N. Y., May 13, 1861. He came with his father's family to 
 Darien in 1876, where he was educated in the public schools, supplemented by a 
 course at the State Normal school at Geneseo. He has devoted his entire life to 
 agricultural pursuits. Politically he is a Democrat and has held the office of tax col- 
 lector, pathmaster, school committeeman and excise commissioner, all of which he 
 has filled to the entire satisfaction of his fellow townsmen. On February 5, 1883, 
 Mr. Maloney married Ellen A. , daughter of Martin and Ellen (Scanlon) Haley ; and 
 they have had nine children: Nellie, Martin and Thomas (twins), William, Mary 
 (deceased), John, Leo, Robert E. and Julia Mr. Maloney resides in Darien. 
 
 Ingraham, George S. , son of Alfred and Lucinda (Watkins) Ingraham, was born 
 in the town of Spring water, Livingston county, N. Y., October 18, 1828. When he 
 was two years of age his parents removed to Wayland, Steuben county, where he 
 was educated in the common schools. He lived at home until twenty-three years 
 old, when he took up the carpenter trade, which he followed for ten years. In July, 
 1858, Mr. Ingraham married Amelia Smith, and their children are Mary, wife of 
 Charles Neal; Ira Harmon, Albert and Edwin H. Mr. Ingraham's father was a 
 soldier in the war of 1812; his grandfather was in the Revolutionary war. Mr. In- 
 graham resides in Darien. 
 
 Wagner, Joseph W., son of Mathias and Mary (Staple) Wagner, was born in the 
 town of Darien, Genesee county, N. Y., March 18, 1858. His parents were natives 
 of Germany and came to this country in 1847, settling in Darien, where they spent 
 the remainder of their lives. Mr. Wagner received his early education in the com- 
 mon schools of his native town and in the town of Alden. He worked-on his father's 
 farm until June 17, 1884, when he married Mary, daughter of George and Katherine 
 
138 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 (Huber) Dunham, one of the oldest families in Darien. They have five children: 
 John, Rosa, Ada, Edward and Frank Mr. Wagner is a member of the Genusee 
 County Grange and one of Darien's most respected farmers. 
 
 Seymour, M. D., p. o. Oakfield, N. Y., was born in Mayville, N. Y., August 31, 
 1864, and is a son of J. M. and Helen (Burnett) Seymour. After obtaining his edu- 
 cation in the common schools and Mayville Seminary, he taught school for five years 
 and then engaged in contracting and the millwright business. He came to Oakfield 
 in 1893 and built the stucco works, which has a capacity of forty tons of product in 
 ten hours and employs thirty-five men. Mr. Seymour married Mary E Hart; they 
 have two children, Miller and Loren. 
 
 Root, Oliver, p. o. Oakfield, N. Y., was born in Cattaraugus, N. Y., Februarys, 
 1817, a son of Oliver Root, who was a native of Whitestown, N. Y., born March 16, 
 1793, and one of the pioneer settlers of Cattaraugus county ; he died aged seventy- 
 eight years. Oliver Root, the subject, was educated in the common schools and is a 
 successful farmer. He came to Batavia in 1887 and to Oakfield in 1849. He mar- 
 ried Sarah Sprague, Their children are Charles W., William, Emory, Lillie, Elmer 
 E. , Otis and Frank. 
 
 Feezlear, Jerome T. , is one of the best known teachers in Genesee county, and 
 was born in Orleans county, N. Y , February 6, 184.5, a son of John B. and Elizabeth 
 A. (Bradford) Feezlear. Elizabeth Bradford was a direct descendant of William 
 Bradford, who was one of the first governors of New York. John B. Feezlear was 
 a native of Wayne county, N. Y. , and a blacksmith by trade, which he followed 
 throughout his life Jerome T. Feezlear received his education in the Holly Academy 
 and began teaching in 1861. In 1863 he received an appointment as clerk in the 
 internal revenue office,, which position he resigned within a year on account of ill 
 health. He has resumed his former occupation and has taught continuously each 
 year since, making in all a period of thirty-seven years in the profession. He came 
 to Bergen in 1865. In 1861 and 1865 he offered his services to the government by 
 enlistment, his mother objecting each time, and he was rejected on account of his 
 youth. In politics Mr. Feezlear is a Republican and has been elected and several 
 times re-elected to the office of justice of the peace. He has often represented his 
 town as a delegate in the county, judicial and assembly conventions. He is a promi- 
 nent member of the Odd Fellows of thirty years' standing and fourteen years a mem- 
 ber of the State Grand Lodge. He is the senior member of the school board of Ber- 
 gen and has always manifested a keen interest in local educational aflfairs. On Feb- 
 ruary 26, 1867, he married Sarah E , only child of Alonzo and Ann Sackett; they 
 have two children : Jerome and Jennie. 
 
 McElver, James, was born in the North of Ireland, May 1, 1824, and came to the 
 United States with his mother, Mary Anderson McElver, who settled in St. Law- 
 rence county. His father died in Ireland in 1834. Mr. McElver was educated in the 
 common schools, learned the blacksmith's trade in Ogdensburgh, and in 1846 came to 
 Genesee county, settling in Byron in 1848. In 1874 he purchased the Cummings 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 139 
 
 foundry, and at the present time is making a specialty of manufacturing agricultural 
 implements. In 1846 Mr. McElver married Maria Olmsted; their children are 
 James, William, Burt, Edwin, Ellen McCard, Mrs. Cora Post and Mrs. Addie Far- 
 rington. Mr. McElver is one of the self-made men of Genesee county, has served as 
 collector, and takes an active interest in local public affairs. He is a member of 
 Byron Lodge of Odd Fellows, No. 655. 
 
 Norton, Harry C, was born in Byron, April 5, 1859, a son of Erastus H. Norton, 
 also a native of Byron, and grandson of Harmon Norton, who came to Genesee county 
 from East Bloomfield. Erastus H. Norton married Mary M., daughter of Jedediah 
 Harris, and was a farmer all his life. In 1863 he enlisted in the 8th N. Y. Heavy 
 Artillery and served three years. He was promment in the affairs of the town; he 
 died February 35, 1895. H. C. Norton was educated in Batavia and at Oberlin Col- 
 lege, and taught school for five years. In 1885 he married Cornelia Knight; their 
 children are Clarence, Charles, Ruth, Gertrude and Francis. Mr. Norton is a man 
 of refinement and education, public-spirited in the best sense, and enjoys the respect 
 of the community. 
 
 Waterman, Anthony J., was born in the town of Byron, N. Y., April 18, 1856. His 
 father, Thaxter Waterman, was a native of the town of Stafford, where his father, An- 
 thony Waterman, settled in 1808. Thaxter Waterman married Mary, daughter of 
 Phineas White, and was a lifelong farmer. A. J. Waterman was educated in the 
 common schools, learned the carpenter trade, and for ten years was a contractor and 
 builder. In 1891 he established his present hardware business in South Byron. In 
 1885 he married Ella, daughter of Alfred W. Fisk; they have two daughters; Hattie 
 M. and Laura L. Mr. Waterman was appointed, in 1897, postmaster at South Byron, 
 and now holds the office. He is a Republican and labors to uphold the principles of 
 his party. 
 
 Dibble, Joseph D., was born in Byron, N. Y., February 13, 1817. His father, An- 
 drew Dibble, was a native of Massachusetts and came to Genesee county in 1813 ; he 
 married Percy Dodge and was a prominent citizen in the town ; he died February 6, 
 1885. Joseph D. Dibble married Eliza J. Dewey; they have six children; Levant, 
 Charles, William, Eunice P., Letty B. and Fannie. Mr. Dibble is one of the pioneer 
 settlers of the town of Byron. He served as poormaster four years and, by a long 
 and useful life of integrity, now enjoys the high respect of the community. 
 
 Cole, George W., was born in the town of Floyd, Oneida county, N. Y., April 13, 
 1824, a son of Samuel and Desire (Nelson) Cole. His father was a clothier and a 
 farmer in Oneida county. He was prominent in public life ; held the offices of consta- 
 ble, collector, assessor for six years, member of assembly in 1864-65 from Oneida coun- 
 ty, and took an active part in the affairs of his county through the War of the Rebellion. 
 G. W. Cole was educated in the common schools and in 1866 came to Byron, Genesee 
 county. In 1847 he married Alvira Martin; they had four children; Jay C, Charles 
 M., William G. and Mrs. Libbie J. Jones. Mrs. Cole died in 1868, and a daughter, 
 Frankie A., in 1866. Mr. Cole is one of the representative men of Genesee county 
 
140 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 and a practical and successful farmer ; has served as commissioner of highways and 
 is recognized as a man of excellent character. 
 
 Dillon, Michael, p. o. Corfu, N. Y. , was born in Ireland, April 20, 1847, and came 
 to the United States when three years old. The family located in Darien, Genesee 
 county, where he was educated in the district schools. He has always followed 
 farming. He has been twice married ; first, to Agnes Goodwin of Darien, who died 
 May 30, 1887, leaving three children: Frank P., who married Hattie Salisbury; Ella 
 A. , who married Charles Boyer of Rochester, and Loren E. , a minister of the Advent 
 Church, now in charge of the church at Wayland. On June 5, 1890, Mr. Dillon mar- 
 ried Martha M. Kinne of Lockport, N. Y. September 20, 1864, Mr. Dillon enlisted in 
 Co. A, 69th N. Y. Veteran Infantry, served in the Army of the Potomac as corporal, 
 and was honorably discharged June 30, 1865. Mr. Dillon's father, Peter Dillon, was 
 born at the old home in Ireland, about the year 1826 He married Catherine Mar- 
 ronie of his native place, and came to the United States in 1849. They had four 
 children : Michael (as above), John, Marie and Ella, and are both living at this date, 
 1898. Mrs. Dillon's father, Timothy Goodwin, married Clarinda Waite; they had 
 three children : Frank, Porter and Agnes. Mr. Goodwin died quite young and his 
 widow in 1855. Mrs. Martha A. Dillon's father, Robert Kinne, was born in the town 
 of Amsterdam, N. Y. ; he married Samantha Kinne, and had ten children: Stephen, 
 Osmar, Oliver, Inez, Martha, Polly, Orion, Amos, Elmira and Lillian. Mr. Kinne 
 died April 27, 1888, his widow December 28, 1896. Michael Dillon and wife are 
 members of the Advent Church in Darien. He has been a member of the ministerial 
 committee of the church for fifteen years. He is a Prohibitionist. 
 
 Van Alstine, Samuel, p. o. North Pembroke, N. Y., was born in Oakfield, Genesee 
 county, N. Y. , July 4, 1841, obtained his education in the public schools and in early 
 life was a farmer. August 22, 1862, he enlisted in Co. H, 129th New York Infantry, 
 and in 1863 was transferred to the 8th Heavy Artillery. He was wounded in the 
 battle of Cold Harbor in June, 1864, and was honorably discharged June 9, 1865. He 
 then came to Pembroke, N. Y., and has been a general merchant in North Pembroke 
 for fourteen years. He has served as postmaster for the past eleven years. On De- 
 cember 13, 1865, Mr. Van Alstine married Anna M., daughter of Jacob Martin of the 
 town of Alabama; they have two sons: William J. and Ernest H. William J. mar- 
 ried Hattie Hale of Alabama, and is now a resident of Elmira; they have two sons; 
 Earl and Bertie. Mr. Van Alstine is manager of a general store in that city. Ernest 
 H. is engaged m business with his father. Mr. Van Alstine is a member of D. W. 
 Kinne Post No. 536, G. A. R. of Corfu, Department of N. Y. 
 
 Owen, John D., p. o. Pembroke, N. Y., was born in Pembroke, March 26, 1839, was 
 educated in the common schools and in early life was a farmer. He also manufac- 
 tured cigars, and served as postmaster in Pembroke thirteen years. He has been 
 station master at Pembroke thirteen years in the employ of the N.Y.C.& H.R. Railroad 
 Co. , on the Batavia and Tonawanda branch. October 6, 1870, he married Mary J. 
 Reed of his native place; they have two children: John D., jr., who is a fanner, and 
 Robert D., who was a soldier in Co. I, 202d Infantry N. Y. S. Vols, in the Spanish 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 141 
 
 war. Mr. Owen's father, Alanson Owen, was born in Homer, N.Y., March 22, 1803, 
 and was a successful physician during his life. He came to Pembroke in 1830, and 
 married Marinda E. Chase of Byron, Genesee county, born October 9, 1813. They 
 had three children: Charles W., John D. and Alta M. Dr. Owen died in 1880 and 
 his widow in 1888. Mr. Owen's great-great-grandfather, and also his grandfather, 
 Roderick Owen, and his two sons, were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. John D. 
 Owen was a soldier in Co. D, 14th N. Y. Vols., and was honorably discharged by 
 reason of surgeon's certificate of disability. His brother, Charles W., is also an hon- 
 orably discharged soldier of the War of the Rebellion. Mrs. Owen's father, George 
 N. Reed, was born in Lockport, Niagara county, N. Y., in May, 1827, and was edu- 
 cated in the Lockport High School. He married Amy Johnson of Erie county ; they 
 had three children: Harriet, Mary J. and George N. Mr. Reed died March 30, 1871, 
 and his wife in 1856. John D. Owen is a member of Akron Lodge No. 527, F.& A. M. , 
 and of Richville Lodge No. 432, I. O. O. F. Mrs. Owen is a talented painter. The 
 family trace their ancestry in the United States back at least to 1635. 
 
 Gabbey, John M., M. D., p. o. Pembroke, N. Y., was born in Pembroke, March 8, 
 1867. He was educated in the public schools and in the Buffalo Normal School, from 
 which he was graduated in 1891. After teaching school one year he entered the 
 medical department of the Buffalo University, in the fall of 1893, which he attended 
 for two years. He then entered the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, 
 from which he was graduated on June 5, 1895. In the autumn of that year he be- 
 came professor of physiology, giving lectures one year ; at about the same time he 
 entered the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, graduating with distinc- 
 tion from that institution April 2, 1896. He earned the money to pay the expense of 
 his education and by persistent study and his excellent natural qualifications, stands 
 among the leading young men of his profession in the county. His father, James 
 Gabbey, was born in the north of Ireland in 1817, was educated in the schools of 
 that country, and was a farmer by occupation. He came to the United States when 
 a young man, and on May 8, 1848, married Jane, daughter of James Crossen, who 
 bore him seven children: James C, Robert, Mary, Margaret, Nancy, Thomas and 
 John M. Mr. Gabbey died September 9, 1880, and his widow September 30, 1890. 
 Dr. John M. Gabbey is a member of Pembroke Lodge No. 432, I. O. O. F., and Corfu 
 Lodge No. 503, K. O. T. M. 
 
 Gibson, William, p. o. Corfu, N. Y., was born in the town of Oakfield, Genesee 
 county, N.Y. , July 19, 1838, was educated in the common schools and has always 
 been a farmer, with the exception of the time he served in the army. April 11, 1864, 
 he enlisted in Co. D, 179th N.Y. Vols., was wounded in the shoulder and breast in 
 front of Petersburg on July 30, 1864, and also in the left leg on 'April 2. Upon the 
 evacuation of Petersburg, he was transferred to the 18th U. S. Regular Infantry, May 
 18, 1865, as second lieutenant and honorably discharged and mustered out on June 7, 
 1865. He is a member of Kinnie Post of Corfu No. 635, G. A. R., and is past com- 
 mander of the post ; he is a Republican. December 31, 1857, he married Beattie 
 Crook of Holland, N. Y. : they have three children: Margaret, Cora B. and Jennie. 
 Jennie married Thomas Childs of Buffalo ; they have one son, Floyd C. Mrs. Gib- 
 
142 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 son's father, Frank Crook, was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1796, and removed 
 to Erie county with his parents when a boy. He married Lucy Kenyon of Erie 
 county; seven children were born to them: Freeman, Leander, Caroline, Almira, 
 Riley, Beattie and Hannah. Mr. Crook died in 1873 ; his wife died about fifty years 
 ago. 
 
 Duguid, William H., p. o. Corfu, N. Y., was born in the town Pavilion, Genesee 
 county, N. Y., April 20, 1834, and received his education in the common schools. For 
 ten years he was a miller ttntil failing health caused him to take up farming. In 
 1862 he married Electa Kinne; they had two children: Hattie S. and Roy K. Hat- 
 tie S. married, first, John Bennett of Corfu; they had one son, Harry W; Mr. Ben- 
 nett died in 1893, and Mrs. Bennett married, second, George H. Phelps. Roy K. is 
 a blacksTiith and farmer. Mrs Duguid died January 8, 1893. Mr. Duguid's father, 
 Jason Duguid, was born in Pompey. N. Y. , in 1803, was educated in the common 
 schools and Pompey Academy and settled in Pavilion when a young man. He mar- 
 ried Achach Halbert of Pavilion, and nine children were born to them: Jennette L., 
 Addison, Sarah A., Miranda L., William H., Manfred, Henry C, Nelson A. and 
 Melvin D. Mr. Duguid died in 1874 and his widow in 1889. Mr. Duguid's grand- 
 father, William Duguid, was born in Scotland and came to the United States in the 
 seventeenth century. William H. Duguid is a staunch Republican and a useful and 
 respected citizen. 
 
 Cook, Charles, p. o. Batavia. N. Y. , son of Andrew and Rebecca (Johnson) Cook, 
 was born in County Tyrone, in the north of Ireland, November 12, 1853. His father 
 was a successful farmer and the son followed in his footsteps. He was educated in 
 the public schools of his native land and in 1879 emigrated to this country, settling 
 in Alexander. His first business experience in this country was on the D., L. & W. 
 railroad, where he remained a short time. Resigning his position he began work for 
 Sanford Riddle on a farm. Later he worked for Frank Wright three years, after 
 which he bought his present farm, which consists of 120 acres of good land. He 
 made a trip to his native land and while there met and married Mary J., daughter 
 of WiOiam and Mary A. (Walker) Hannah; they have two children: Walter J., born 
 June 16, 1895, and Hobart H., born April 28, 1898. Mr. Cook is a RepubHcan and 
 active in the local political field, but has not sought office. 
 
 Spink, Winfield S., p. o. Alexander, N. Y. , is a native of Ohio, and of English de- 
 scent. He is a son of Allen D. and Lydia A. (Olyn) Spink, and was born April 3, 
 1850. He received a good common school education and was successfully engaged 
 in teaching several terms. He spent about six months in 1897 in traveling for the 
 Milsom Rendering Co , but has acted as their agent for the last ten years. In De- 
 cember, 1878, Mr. Spink married Mary E. , daughter of William H. G. and Freelove 
 R. (Calkins) Post. Mr. Spink has long been an active member of the Odd Fellows 
 and Select Knights, and takes an active interest in town affairs. 
 
 Parish, George B., p, o. Alexander, N. Y., son of Isaac and Emeline (Howe) Par- 
 ish, was born in the town of Alexander, Genesee county, N. Y., April 31, 1846. His 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 143 
 
 father was born and spent his life as a farmer in that town, and died in 1873. Mr. 
 Parish had but very slight opportunities for obtaining education, attending the com- 
 mon schools of his district for only a few months during the winters. But by read- 
 ing and observation he has gained a store of general information, and has been for 
 the past twenty years one of the successful farmers of the town. On December 30, 
 1872, Mr. Parish married Julia E., daughter of George W. and Phoebe A. (Bushnell) 
 Wing of Alexander ; they have one daughter, Nettie E. Mrs. Parish died December 
 28, 1898. Mr. Parish is a brother of the late William I. Parish, who was a. captain 
 in the 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery during the Civil War, and who afterwards served 
 as sheriff of Genesee county. Mr. Parish is a member of the Select Knights, and is 
 highly respected. 
 
 Kidder, Oel S. , p. u. Alexander, N. Y., is a member of one of the oldest and most 
 respected pioneer families in Genesee county. John Kidder, grandfather of Oel S. , 
 came to Alexander in 1806 and settled on the farm now occupied by Oel S. He 
 cleared the land with the help of his sons, Alvin, Earl, Hosea and Sidney; Earl re- 
 sided on the farm until his death in 1871. Oel S., son of Earl and Synthia (Rix) 
 Kidder, was born on the old homestead. May 22, 1836. He was reared on the farm 
 and received his education in the common schools of his native town. On December 
 26, 1860, he married Josephine, daughter of Norman F. and Deborah (Poole) Perry; 
 they have three sons: Albert D., Earl and Perry H. Mr. Kidder held the office of 
 supervisor for the years 1886 and 1887, and has been excise commissioner and trustee 
 of the Alexander Union School. The family are staunch Democrats. 
 
 Gourley, James, was born in the North of Ireland, May 35, 1839, and came to Can- 
 ada in 1834. In 1837 he went to Rochester and in 1850 settled in Elba, N. Y., where 
 he has carried on blacksmithing and carriage making for forty-eight years. In 1850 
 Mr. Gourley married Sarah Dean. Throughout his life Mr. Gourley has followed 
 the course that never fails to win respect and confidence. 
 
 Jones, Eli M., was born in the town of Byron, N. Y., in 1833. His father, Andrew 
 B. Jones, was one of the pioneers of Genesee county and built the first mill in the 
 town of Stafford. Eli M. Jones married Roxanna, daughter of .William and Fannie 
 (Stewart) Reynolds ; they had eight children : Jasper, Henry, Charles, Andrew, Ellen, 
 Esther, Fannie and Mrs. Nancy Parker. During the long life of Mr. Jones he has 
 enjoyed the respect of the community. Prudent and successful in business, his in- 
 tegrity never questioned, his life stands as one worthy of imitation. 
 
 Norton, Myron W. , was born on the family homestead, a son of Horace B. and 
 Fidelia C. (Mills) Norton, and was educated in the common schools. He has fol- 
 lowed farming and has attained unusual success. Among his fellow citizens he 
 is respected. His farm is one of the choicest in the county and it is noted for the 
 care and neatness with which it is maintained. 
 
 Edgerton, Philo, was born on the family homestead in Elba, N. Y. , May 5, 1833, 
 a son of Henry and Jane (West) Edgerton, and was educated in the common schools. 
 
144 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 On December 31, 1853, he married Mary J., daughter of Alsop and Rebecca Palmer; 
 their children are John C, Philo A., Mary J., Sarah R., Clara B. and Philola A. 
 Mr. Edgerton is one of the successful and respected farmers of Genesee county. He 
 has always taken an active interest in local public affairs and has served as highway 
 commissioner and assessor. lie is a staunch Republican and takes much interest in 
 the affairs of his party. His stalwart frame shows few of the ravages of time. His 
 large farm is one of the finest and best equipped in the county. 
 
 Lewis, J. M., M. D. , was born in York county, Canada, July 7, 1851, a son of 
 Richard Lewis, a native of Wales. He was educated at the Collegiate Institute of 
 Toronto, Canada, and studied medicine at Jefferson College of Philadelphia. He 
 was graduated from the Medical University at Philadelphia in 1874, and from the 
 University of Buffalo in 1880. He came to Elba in 1877. In 1874 Dr. Lewis married 
 Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham Steckley ; their children are Bertha, Mary G. and 
 Joseph L. Dr. Lewis is a member of the Western New York Homoeopathic Asso- 
 ciation and of the Knights of the Maccabees. 
 
 Ames, Alfonzo, p. o. North Pembroke, N. Y. , was born in the town of Byron, N. 
 Y., July 1, 1825, a son of David and Charlotte (Bush) Ames. His father was a native 
 of Connecticut and came to Genesee county in 1816; he died in 1856. Alfonzo Ames 
 was educated in the common schools and then took up farming. He was trustee of 
 the schools for twenty one years, and during his long life has enjoyed the respect 
 and confidence of the community. Mr. Ames married Lucinda Fuller; their children 
 are Theron, Clara, Ella and Edith. 
 
 Miller, Eugene H., p. o. North Pembroke, N. Y., was born in Monroe, Mich., 
 February 24, 1857, a son of Henry and Mary (Shoemaker) Miller. His father is a 
 farmer and blacksmith ; his mother died in 1895. E. H. Miller was educated in the 
 common schools of Michigan and in Dundee High School. He is largely interested 
 in the dairy business, and shipping milk to Buffalo. Mr. Miller, married Mary, 
 daughter of Jacob Shoemaker ; they have one son, Harry E Mr. Miller's business 
 career has thus far been characterized by prudence, good judgment and enterprise. 
 These elements have resulted, as they commonly do, in giving him a satisfactory 
 measure of means. 
 
 Ingalsbe, Harmon C, p. o. Basom, N. Y., was born in Alabama, N. Y., April 2, 1847, 
 a son of Rial E. and Sally Ingalsbe, and was educated in the common schools. In 1891 
 he was elected commissioner of highways and held the office seven years, and in 
 1898 was elected supervisor. Mr. Ingalsbe married Martha Wells, daughter of 
 Gideon Wells ; they have two sons, George and John. Mr. Ingalsbe is one of the 
 prominent citizens of Alabama, of sterling integrity, excellent business qualifica- 
 tions, and active public spirit. He is a Republican. 
 
 Pierson, Dwight H., son of Philo L. and Sarah M. (Hull) Pierson, was born No- 
 vember 5, 1844, in Le Roy, was reared and educated on a farm and spent ten years 
 in teaching school. In the spring of 1889 he was elected assessor, was supervisor 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 145 
 
 o£ the town of Le Roy in 1894, re-elected in 1896, serving four years ; served as chair- 
 man of the board of supervisors for the past two years ; is chairman of the board of 
 trustees of the Presbyterian church of Le Roy; has been secretary and treasurer of 
 the Patrons of the Mutual Fire Relief Association ; for five years was district deputy 
 for the Grangers Association of Genesee county; and has held other positions of 
 trust. Philo L. Pierson was born at Stone Church in 1810, was a carpenter and 
 builder, and built the Ingham University building in Le Roy. His later days were 
 spent on a farm. He served as assessor several terms. He was father of ten chil- 
 dren, seven of whom grew to maturity: Cordelia M., Helen E., Myron P., who served 
 as a lieutenant in the 100th N. Y. Reg., and was in Libby and Columbia prisons; 
 Hobert M., D wight H., Daniel M. and Sarah M. Mrs. Pierson died in 1856 and he 
 married for his second wife Lydia Pratt. He died in 1875. Simon Pierson was born 
 in Killingworth, Conn., and was an officer in the war of 1813. He married Sylvia 
 Kelsey of Copnecticut and came to Genesee county in 1807 with an ox team and cart, 
 being about twenty-five days on the road. He located at Stone Church. The lid of 
 his chest which he used for a table is now in possession of the Batavia Historical 
 Society. He reared two sons and five daughters, and died in 1864 aged eighty-five 
 years. He was a son of Samuel Pierson of Killingworth, who was a Revolutionary 
 soldier and a son of Samuel, a son of Abraham Pierson. Rev. Abraham Pierson 
 came from Yorkshire, Eng., in 1640, and was pastor of the church at Southampton, 
 L. I. He had a son, Abraham, who graduated from Harvard College in 1668, and 
 became the first rector of Yale College. 
 
 Brown, Anthon H., p. o. West Batavia, was born on the Brown homestead, which 
 was settled in the year 1817, in the township of Pembroke, February 7, 1849. He 
 was educated in the district schools and has always followed the occupation of farm- 
 ing. August 17, 1870, he married Maria Vedder of the township of Batavia ; they 
 have three children: Ina M., Bessie L. and John W. Ina M. married Fred F. Law- 
 rence. Mr. Brown's father, Jlon. John W. Brown, was born in Sharon, N. H., May 
 7, 1817, and came to this homestead with his parents when five months old. He was 
 well educated and was a farmer. January 1, 1838, he married Roxanna L. Nobles 
 of the township of Batavia; they had nine children who grew to maturity: Julia M., 
 Adeline R., Theresa C, Cyrus W., Estella L., Arthur H. and Anthon H. (twins), 
 Harlan J. and Sarah E. Cyrus W. was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion. John 
 W. Brown was supervisor of his town many years ; was twice elected member of the 
 Legislature and served during 1865 and 1866. He was instrumental in enlisting many 
 soldiers for the war of the Rebellion, and was thoroughly interested in every matter 
 for the good of the county and country ; he died June 20, 1893, and his widow April 
 14, 1896. Mrs. Brown's father was John G. Vedder; was born in Stone Arabia, 
 Montgomery county, N. Y., in the year 1817. He married Mary A. Fuller of his 
 native place and five children were born to them; Margaret, Catherine, Martha, 
 Maria and Eugene. Mr. Vedder is living at this date, 1898. Mrs. Vedder died 
 August 11, 1891. Anthon H. Brown in his political choice is a staunch Republican. 
 
 Babcock, William Eaton. — Mention is made of this family in the earliest history 
 of New England. Tradition and national record have handed down a knowledge of 
 i 
 
146 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 James Babcock, the founder of the family in the Unite'd States. He was born in 
 Essex, England, about 1580, was one of the Pilgrims, and in 1620 removed with his 
 family to Leyden, Holland, to emigrate with that body to America. He embarked 
 in ttie ship Anne early in 1623, arriving in Plymouth, Mass., in July, where he lived 
 the remainder of his life. He had four children. John, the second son, removed 
 with a number of others, in 1648, into that part of Rhode Island now called Westerly, 
 where the company made a settlement, and where he lived until his death, July 19, 
 1719, aged over 100 years. He left ten children, whose descendants in 1860 num- 
 bered over 5,000.' John was the first magistrate chosen in Westerly and held that 
 office for many years. He owned nearly all of Westerly and a part of South King- 
 ston, and much of this land is now in possession of his descendants, having been in 
 the family over two hundred years. Many of the members of the Babcock family 
 took an active part in the French and Revolutionary wars. Henry, born in 1733, was 
 a colonel in the British service ; he commanded a regiment in the French war and 
 was wounded at the battle of Ticonderoga ; during the Revolutionary war he was a 
 general in the State troops of Rhode Island and distinguished himself on many occa- 
 sions. Oliver, another member of the family, was a captain in the Revolutionary 
 war ; he was at the siege of Fort Washington on the Hudson, and was so indignant 
 at the surrender of that post by the colonel in command that he broke his sword 
 across a cannon, declaring that it should never be yielded to the British. Reuben 
 Babcock, another member of the family, born at Voluntown, Conn., March 2, 1758 
 (grandfather of the subject of this sketch), also served as private and sergeant in the 
 Revolutionary war; he was the youngest of a family of seven, whose parents were 
 married in 1733 ; in 1789 he married Hannah Hendricks and settled in Petersburg, 
 Rensselaer county, N. Y. where he resided until 1796, when he moved to Poesten- 
 kill in the same county ; there he bought a farm on which he lived the rest of his 
 life, dying February 24, 1849, aged nmety- one years. Reuben, jr. , was the oldest of 
 a family of six ; he was born in Petersburg, October 24, 1789 ; early in 1809 he was a 
 sergeant in the militia, in 1811 he was made a lieutenant, and in February, 1812, at 
 the age of twenty-two, he was made a captain. In June following the war of 1812 
 was declared, and in January, 1813, he was appointed brevet captain for the pur- 
 pose of raising a uniformed rifle company ; in this he was successful, and received a 
 commission as captain thereof in March, 1814; in July following his company stood 
 a draft, and not being among the number drawn he volunteered to go as a substitute, 
 acting as first lieutenant and serving until the close of hostilities. About 1860 he 
 received a warrant for 160 acres of land and money to pay for clothing used in the 
 service. Thus, at the age of twenty-four, with one brevet he held four commis- 
 sions. In 1810 he married Susanna M. Gould, of English parentage, who was born 
 in Woodstock, Conn. , May 10, 1790. They were the parents of twelve children ; two 
 died in infancy and ten hved past middle age. Their names were Eliza, Cynthia, 
 Harry, Samantha, William E., Lucy, Mary, Amanda M., Sarah and Charles. The 
 family moved to Troy, N. Y., early in 1831, and in the fall of 1833 moved to Pem- 
 broke, Genesee county, N. Y. He bought a farm and also carried on the business 
 of builder until he was appointed postmaster at East Pembroke in 1853, which office 
 he held for over eight years, and though a strong Democrat he was one of the first to 
 
 'Albert Wells, New York city. 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 147 
 
 buy a flag and unfurl it at the breaking out of the Civil war. He was several times 
 elected to town offices. He died February 15, 1877, aged eighty-seven years and 
 nearly four months. Susanna M. (Gould) Babcock, his wife, was seventh in a fam- 
 ily of twelve children, eleven of whom were the parents of 101 children, and about 
 1840-50 ten of those families lived in the town of Pembroke. She was of a retiring 
 disposition; her great industry and perseverance were marked in caring for her 
 large family ; she early joined the Baptist church and taught her children to 
 attend church regularly, and before they left the parental home nearly all of 
 them were members or became members soon after. Her death occurred on August 
 30, 1860, at the age of seventy years, three months and twenty days. William Eaton 
 Babcock was born in Poestenkill, N. Y., November 27, 1818. At the age of thirteen 
 he had studied only Webster's Spelling Book and taken a six weeks' course in Mur- 
 ray's Grammar. At that age he began daily work, and for two seasons he was a 
 member of a gang of thirty men in Troy. At the age of fifteen he moved with the 
 family to Pembroke, where, during the first three months of his residence, he 
 "finished "his education by taking a course in arithmetic and reading in a back- 
 woods school house, but with a most excellent teacher, whose wages were $14 per 
 month and board himself. From fifteen to twenty-one he worked with his fatber at 
 catpentering and farming; at his majority he continued as a contractor and builder 
 for several years; among the contracts he executed were the Rural Seminary, hotel. 
 Baptist church, flouring mill and stores, and many private residences and other 
 buildings. During this time he was carrying on the business of making flour barrels, 
 giving employment to from five to ten men for several years. In 1858 he orig- 
 inated and carried on with success the business of manufacturing shingles 
 and barrel headings ; this continued five years, shipping many cars each year to 
 eastern markets, and now, forty years after, the business is still profitable. During 
 this time he was also engaged in bridge building ; among others of lesser note he 
 built four across the Tonawanda for the towns of Pembroke and Batavia. two being 
 of ninety feet, one of one hundred feet, single span, and one of one hundred and 
 thirty-five feet, two spans. In 1879 he became proprietor of the East Pembroke cus- 
 tom and merchant flouring mill. In 1883 he rebuilt the building, substituting a 
 frame for the stone wall of which it was originally built. In 1889 he put in an entire 
 new set of roller process flour machinery, of fifty barrels daily capacity, taking 
 entire charge of remodeling and doing the work except wherein the head miller 
 assisted. In March, 1893, he exchanged the mill for a farm, and since then has 
 devoted his attention to farming; in earlier years he had owned and held interests in 
 several farms. Mr. Babcock has several times been elected to town oSices. With all 
 whom he has employed and in all the contracts he has executed, no controversy has 
 arisen ; and in the public work, after the price was agreed upon, no writings were 
 required. He makes no pretensions in literature, but has written articles upon pub- 
 lic and business matters, which have appeared in Chicago, Buffalo and New York 
 publications and local papers, many of them being without name or hint as to 
 authorship. He was a Democrat, but has been a Republican since the organization 
 of that party. 
 
 Dorman, Carlton G. , was born on the homestead, March 30, 1856. His father, 
 John Dorman, was a native of New Haven, Conn., and came to Genesee county in 
 
148 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 1808 with his parents, who purchased their land from the Holland Land Co., and 
 which has been in the family for ninety years. John Dorman married Caroline, 
 daughter of William and Sophia Briggs Main ; he died in 1873. Carlton G. was edu- 
 cated in Batavia. He has been one of the leading farmers of his county, actively in- 
 terested in school and church matters, and intelligently performing the duties of a 
 useful citizen. He has always been a Republican and an ardent protectionist of the 
 Blaine-McKinley type, and ever ready to uphold the best interests of his party and 
 country. 
 
 Speyer, George, was born in the town of Elba, N. Y. , March 5, 1867, son of Con- 
 rad Speyer, who was a native of Bavaria, Germany, and came to Genesee county in 
 1855 and settled in the town of Alexander. He married Barbara Sunricker and 
 through life was a blacksmith. In 1869 he moved to the town of Batavia, where he 
 died in 1895. George Speyer was educated in Batavia and in 1896 married Kate, 
 daughter of Russell Robbins. Mr. Speyer is one of the enterprising men of the 
 town ; he was appointed postmaster of Daws in 1896 ; and by a consistent, intelligent 
 course in life, he has won the good opinion ana confidence of his townsmen. 
 
 Pratt, WilHam F., p. o. Batavia, was born in Erie county, N. Y., January 19, 1856, 
 a son of Charles P. and Ellen M. (Humphrey) Pratt. He finished his schooling in 
 Batavia, N. Y., in the winter of 1875-76. His brother, Charles T., was born in the 
 town of Darien, Genesee county, N. Y., March 13, 1847, and from the age of ten 
 years was his father's mainstay, helping him in all his undertakings. On May 1, 
 1873, he bought out his father's milling business in Indian Falls, N. Y., and ran the 
 mills for four years, or until May 1, 1876, when he took his only brother, William F., 
 into partnership, under the firm name of C. T. & W. F. Pratt; they have since then 
 carried on business together. They conducted the merchant and custom mills at 
 Indian Falls until March, 1886, when they removed to Batavia where they now re- 
 side ; for ten years they operated a dairy farm, and since have been engaged in gen- 
 eral farming and fattening sheep and cattle during the winters, Charles P. Pratt, 
 father of the above brothers, was born in Bennington, Wyoming (then Genesee) 
 county, January 16, 1818; from 1839 to 1849 he ran a saw mill at the "Gulf" in 
 Darien and dealt in lumber ; at the latter date he moved to the county line and en- 
 gaged in the manufacture of shingles for six years ; in 1856 he removed to Alden vil- 
 lage where he carried on a general store for three years, and in 1859 again took up 
 the manufacture of lumber and also conducted a pump factory connected therewith, 
 at Storm's Mills, Marilla, N. Y., until 1864, when he purchased the grist and flouring 
 mills in Indian Falls, to which place he removed his family the year following; he 
 followed the milling business until 1872, then for five years carried on a farm, after 
 which he again engaged in mercantile trade at Darien Center, which existed until 
 1882; he then removed his goods to Indian Falls, where he continued in business for 
 eleven years, at the expiration of which period he traded his store for a farm at 
 Corfu, N. Y., which he conducted for two years and retired from business; he has 
 since resided with his sons at Batavia. May 9, 1846, he married Ellen M. Humphrey, 
 who died April 25, 1897. William F. Pratt was married on April 13, 1881, to Lizzie 
 Phelps, born January 3, 1860, daughter of Albert M. and Caroline M. Phelps ; they 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 149 
 
 had one child, Gertie, who died July 33, 1889. aged eleven months. Charles T. Pratt 
 is unmarried. 
 
 Wright, F. S., p. o. East Oakfield, N. Y., was born in Alexander, August 14, 1850, 
 a son of Samuel and Hannah (Judd) Wright. His father was born in Genesee county 
 and died March 4, 1897. Mr. Wright was educated in the common schools and has 
 always made farming his business. He has married twice; first, to Maria Austin, 
 who died leaving two children ; Howard and Olive. Mr. Wright subsequently mar- 
 ried Edith Green. Mr. Wright is one of the progressive farmers of Oakfield, and a 
 man of sterling integrity. 
 
 Larkin, Thomas W., was born in Cohocton, Steuben county, N. Y., October 4, 
 1860, a son of William and Ellen (O'Neil) Larkin, natives of Ireland. Thomas W. 
 was educated in the public schools of his native town, came to Le Roy in 1876 and 
 was clerk for L. C. Kelsey, and afterward for Charles Morgan. In 1884 he pur- 
 chased the store of M. M. Manley & Co., boots and shoes, which he subsequently re- 
 moved to his present location, where he carries a large stock and does a successful 
 business. Mr. Larkin is a member of the fire department and foreman of the chemi- 
 cal company. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Encampment, and the Royal 
 Arcanum. He takes great interest in Republican politics and is chairman of the 
 Republican committee. He is a member of the M. E. Church, of which he is a trus- 
 tee, treasurer, and assistant superintendent of the Sunday school. In 1880 Mr. Lar- 
 kin married Clara Woodward; they have had three children; Nellie, Clara and 
 Bertha. Mrs. Larkin died in 1888 and in 1890 Mr. Larkin married Celia L. Green ; 
 they have one daughter, Elsie W. 
 
 Elston, Isaac, was born in Scott, Cortland county, N. Y., in 1830, a son of William, 
 born in 1805, and Matilda (Peck) Elston. His father was a. native of Utica, N. Y., 
 and his mother of Connecticut. For a number of years they were residents of Cort- 
 land county, where the mother died. The father came to Genesee county, where he 
 died in 1893, aged eighty-six years. He was a farmer for many years and for a time 
 a merchant in Crawford sville, Ind. Isaac Elston was a resident of Charlotte, N. Y., 
 for seventeen years, where he had a fruit farm. He came to Genesee county in 1884 
 and settled in the village of Le Roy, where he has since resided. Mr. Elston has one 
 child living, Mary M. , wife of Charles S. Kellogg of Le Roy ; they have two children : 
 Pierre E. and Frances E. 
 
 Kellogg, Charles F., is a native of Pavilion, Genesee county, N. Y., born in 1869, 
 and educated in the high school and Le Roy Academic Institute. For eleven years 
 he was with F. E. Wooding, dry goods merchant of Le Roy. On August 1, 1896, he 
 purchased his present business. He represents some of the leading insurance com- 
 panies in the world, among which are the Aetna of Hartford, Continental, N. Y. ; 
 Franklin, Philadelphia; Glens Falls, N. Y. ; Hartford of Hartford, Home of New 
 York; Liverpool, London & Globe, London Assurance, North British & Mercantile, 
 Orient of Hartford, Providence of Washington, Queen Ins. of America, Springfield 
 Fire & Marine, and the Sun of London. He also deals in real estate. He carries 
 
150 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 pianos, organs, musical instruments, etc., and is organist in St. Mark's Episcopal 
 Church. The Oatman family, who were massacred by the Indians in the early days, 
 were relatives of the Kellogg family by marriage. 
 
 Dennis, M. O., was born in the town of China, Waldo county, Maine, June 24, 1845, 
 a son of Jacob and Nancy (Longfellow) Dennis, and was educated in the common 
 schools. In 1875 he came to Batavia and established his present insurance business ; 
 in May, 1883, was appointed general agent for the Insurance Company of North 
 America and Pennsylvania Fire. In 1878 Mr. Dennis married Viola Peck ; they have 
 one son, Merton L. 
 
 Smith, Wilber (deceased), son of Alva and Sarepta (Townsend) Smith, was born in 
 Batavia, N. Y., March 26, 1835. Mr. Alva Smith was one of the early settlers of 
 Batavia, where he was engaged in mercantile trade. Wilber Smith early evinced 
 business capabilities beyond the ordinary ; at the age of sixteen he became associated 
 with his father in his business. As an instance of his ability and fitness for commer- 
 cial life, it is remembered that when he was but seventeen years old he was sent to 
 New York to purchase goods for their trade. In those days this meant more than it 
 would at the present time, for in the purchase of the stock knowledge of the wants 
 of patrons, keen judgment and business economy were requisites and these were sel- 
 dom found in so young a man. He continued as a merchant during his life. He 
 was a worthy citizen, looked up to and respected by all, and ■ was always active in 
 movements tending toward the good of the people and the development and progress 
 of the town. He was charitable to the poor, relieving want and suffering whenever 
 it came under his observation, without ostentation and with unassuming modesty. 
 In truth, he was a good man in all that the term in its best sense implies. On June 
 8, 1858, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Eva A. Dolbeer, daughter of Col. William 
 Dolbeer, who was a native of New Hampshire, and subsequently became a resident 
 of Wyoming county, N. Y., finally removing to Hamilton, Canada, where he died. 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born three children who reached years of maturity, as 
 follows; Eva A., who became the wife of Hinman Holden; William D. , a merchant 
 in Batavia ; and Cornelia. The family are members of the Episcopal church of which 
 Mr. Smith was for a time a vestryman ; Mr. Smith died on April 13, 1893. 
 
 Smith, William D., was born in Batavia, N. Y., August 26, 1863. He is a son of 
 Wilber Smith, and grandson of Alva Smith, one of the pioneers of Batavia. His 
 father died in 1893. William D. Smith was graduated from Hobart College in 1884, 
 after which he engaged in the hardware trade, which he has since continued. In 
 1888 he was married to Helen McLeod Cross, daughter of Wilson Cross. Mr. Smith 
 has won recognition as a thorough and successful business man, and as an estimable, 
 substantial citizen. 
 
 Dolbeer, Charles H., was born in Perry, Wyoming county, N.Y., January 22, 1841, 
 son of William Dolbeer, who was a native of New Hampshire, and settled in Perry 
 in 1822. He married Caroline Smith and through life was a reputable and successful 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 151 
 
 wagon manufacturer. He was connected with the militia and held commissions as 
 quarter- master adjutant, lieutenant-colonel, and colonel of the One Hundred and 
 Sixty-First Regiment. The family trace their descent from Nicholas Dolbeer, of 
 Rye, N. H., who settled there about 1660. Charles H. Dolbeer was educated in the 
 public schools and a private academy, and in 1858 came to Batavia and entered the 
 employ of Alva Smith & Son. In 1862 he enlisted in the Twenty-fourth N. Y. Battery 
 of Artillery and was promoted to orderly sergeant. He was commissioned second 
 lieutenant of this Battery by Gov. Horatio Seymour, January 6, 1863, and was made 
 chief of General Ledlie's brigade ambulance corps in the same year. His service 
 was mainly in Eastern Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. He received 
 an honorable discharge in 1864. In 1866 he went to St. Louis, where he was em- 
 ployed in the othces of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad Com- 
 pany. In 1881 he removed to Little Rock, Arkansas, and became auditor of the 
 Memphis and Little Rock Railroad. He returned to Perry in 1891 and in 1893 came 
 to Batavia and engaged in the hardware business, from which he is now retired. In 
 1880 Mr. Dolbeer married Florence, daughter of James H. Beals, of Boston ; they 
 have two daughters: Florence and Caroline. Mr. Dolbeer stands high in the G. 
 A. R. He has been commander of Ord Post at Little Rock, and of Robinson Post 
 at Perry, N. Y. He is now a comrade of Upton Post at Batavia. 
 
 Seamans, Ezra A., was born in East Pembroke, N. Y., July 13, 1849. His father, 
 Charles Seamans, was a native of Woodstock, Conn., and came to Genesee county 
 in 1839, where he was engaged as a shoe manufacturer ; he married Hannah, daughter 
 or Ezra Howard. Mr. Seamans helped to build the seminary and gave largely to 
 the Baptist church ; he died in 1888. Ezra Seamans was educated in the seminary 
 at East Pembroke, and entered the hardware business in 1873, in which he has con- 
 tinued for twenty-five years. In 1875 he married Esther, daughter of Edward Smith ; 
 they have one son, Webb, and one daughter, Leoni. 
 
 Olmsted, John R., was born in Le Roy, N. Y., October 17, 1819, son of Col. Will- 
 iam and Cynthia (Franklin) Olmsted. His parents were natives of Connecticut, his 
 father coming to Genesee county in 1810. John R. Olmsted was educated in the dis- 
 trict schools and at Round House School, from which he was graduated. He 
 studied law in Le Roy and in Rochester, and was admitted to the bar in 1847. He 
 began the practice of his profession in Le Roy with Mr. Charles Bartow (deceased), 
 and for half a century was in practice, ranking with the best lawyers in the county 
 for many years. He never sought office, devoting his attention strictly to his pro- 
 fession, attaining success. In 1896 he retired and is now enjoying the fruits of his 
 industry. He was married in 1853 to Elizabeth M. Allen, of Mumford, N. Y. ; they 
 have six children: John B., Harvard '76, a lawyer in Buffalo; Oliver A., Harvard '83, 
 in the grain business at Chicago; Allen S. of Cornell, and Jacob W., manufacturers 
 in Le Roy ; Mrs. E. P. White, Wellesley College, of Amsterdam, and Lily R. , Ing- 
 ham '92 and Columbia College '99, musical department. Mrs. Olmsted graduated 
 from Ingham University in 1845 and has since been known as a writer of poems and 
 essays for newspapers and magazines. Her history appears in "A Woman of the 
 Century," edited by Frances E. Willard and Mary A. Livermore. 
 
152 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 Morris, William, p. o. Le Roy, N. Y., was born in England, November 23, 1827, a 
 son of John and Elizabeth Morris. William Morris was educated in the common 
 schools and has always been a farmer. He married Rachael Graham, July 23, 1854; 
 they have had twelve children of whom seven survive; Camilla, Clara A., George 
 A., Walter F., Willie I., Etta L. and Herbert E. Mr. Morris is one of Le Roy's rep- 
 resentative farmers of irreproachable character. 
 
 Johnson, William J., p. o. Mumford, N. Y., was born in, Mumford, December 25, 
 1858. His father, William Johnson, was a native of England, and came to Genesee 
 county in 1853 ; he was always a farmer and married Eliza Huffer. William J. was 
 educated in the common schools and has always followed farming. He married 
 Clara, daughter of James Ridd ; they are the parents of Gay R. and Everett. Mr. 
 Johnson is a successful farmer and is respected in the community. 
 
 Williams, Jennie. — Robert Williams was was born in Denoigt, North Wales, June 
 7, 1815, and came to the United States in 1849, settling in Batavia. He married 
 Ann, daughter of John Coville; they had J;wo daughters: Annie and Jennie. Mr. 
 Williams was one of the best informed men on horticulture in Western New Y^'ork. 
 His death, which occurred May 27, 1897, was a serious loss not only to his family, 
 but to the community. 
 
 Howell, Livingston D., was born in Bethany, Genesee county, N. Y., February 28, 
 1858, a son of Leonard and Elizabeth (Wells) Howell, natives of New York and Con- 
 necticut respectively, who came to Genesee county at an early day. Mr. Howell's 
 father was a farmer and quarryman and died on the farm now owned by Livingston 
 D. He was a soldier in the late war, served as captain of Co. K, 100th Regiment, 
 and was twice wounded on his right breast. Livingston D. Howell was raised on 
 the old homestead and was educated in the district schools and Le Roy Academy. 
 He has always followed farming and quarrying and owns 200 acres of land with a 
 fine quarry which has been worked for about twenty-five years. He employs on an 
 average forty to fifty men, the stone being shipped principally to Tonawanda for 
 furnace purposes. Mr. Howell is an enterprising citizen and enjoys the respect of 
 the community. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and A. O. U. W. He married 
 Elizabeth Wheelock ; they have four children: William L. , Mabel E., Mary G. and 
 Everet L. 
 
 Heal, M. W., p. o. Le Roy, N. Y., was born in Devonshire, England, October 6, 
 1827. His father, John Heal, was a native of England, and came to Genesee county 
 in June, 1836, where he followed farming. He was sergeant in the Bellevue troops 
 for several years in England. He married Mary Warren, of England. Their chil- 
 dren were William, Edward, James, Robert, John W., Mary Ann and Elizabeth. 
 Mr. Heal died in 1877. M. W. Heal was educated in the common schools and was a 
 farmer until 1864, when he purchased the hotel at Stafford, which he conducted for 
 twenty-seven years. He married Harriet E., daughter of John March; they had six 
 children: William H., John M., Frank E., Hattie, Emma and George. Mrs. Heal 
 died December 4, 1894, and Mr. Heal subsequently married the widow of Henry 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 153 
 
 Lock. He held the office of deputy sheriff twelve years and of constable thirty 
 years. He also dealt largely in farming implements, and for over thirty years was 
 an auctioneer. 
 
 Morris, J. L., p. o. Le Roy, N. Y., was born in Ireland, May 14, 1833. His father, 
 Thomas Morris, was a native of Ireland, and came to New York in 1853, and to Le 
 Roy in 1853, where he was a merchant tailor. He married Julia Lynch, and died in 
 1866. J. L. Morris was educated in the common and normal schools, and was for 
 some time engaged in the dry goods business. He subsequently became interested 
 in quarrying and stone cutting. He married Anna, daughter of Peter Doland ; their 
 children are Anna N., Mary L., Emma A., Frank L., Jennie E. and Josephine C. 
 
 Sutterby, Joseph, p. o. Le Roy, N. Y., was born in Seneca Falls, N. Y., July 81, 
 1867. His father, Henry Sutterby, was a native of England and came to Seneca 
 Falls in 1859, where he followed farming. He held the office of trustee of schools for 
 a number of years. He married Elizabeth Norris, of England; they are parents of 
 Henry, William who died in 1855; John, Elizabeth, Judith, Frank, Gertrude, 
 Joseph, Fred, Jessie, Charlotte and Mabel. Mr. Sutterby died in February, 1896. 
 Joseph Sutterby was educated in the common schools and Seneca Falls Academy. In 
 1887 he attended the Ontario Veterinary College of Toronto, from which he gradu- 
 uated in 1889, and came to Le Roy the same year. He is one of the leading veter- 
 inaries of the county. He has established a good reputation for several veterinary 
 remedies, among which are his spavin balsam, condition powder, heave remedy, 
 and Sutterby's chemical dehorner. In 1891 Dr. Sutterby married Florence, daugh- 
 ter of H. C. Duguid. They have had two sons, Ralph D., who died in February, 
 1896, and Floyd, born February 38, 1897. 
 
 Skinner, Dr. Scott W., was born in Monroe county, N. Y., July 16, 1844, was 
 educated in the public schools, and when the war broke out enlisted in Co. G, 78th 
 N. Y. Infantry, serving from December 16, 1861, to April 5, 1865; was with Sher- 
 man on his march to the sea, and in many of the campaigns of the Army of the Poto- 
 mac. He was captured September 17, 1863, at the battle of Antietam, and five 
 hours later made his escape. He was captured a second time at Peach Tree Creek, 
 Georgia, on July 21, 1864, and three hours later made his escape. At the close of the 
 war he resumed his medical studies and was graduated from the Medical College of 
 Philadelphia, March 4, 1868. He immediately began practice in Rochester, N. Y. 
 Later he removed to Richmond, Va. , and in 1874 came to Le Roy, where he has built 
 up an extensive and lucrative practice. He was the first president of the first board 
 of education in 1890, and was again elected in August, 1896 ; has held the office of 
 coroner for some time ; was health officer for two years; was made president of the 
 Republican Club in 1888, which office he has held continuously since. He is a mem- 
 ber of the Masonic fraternity and was master of Olive Branch Lodge No. 39 three 
 years ; high priest of Le Roy Chapter No. 183 seven years in succession, and a mem- 
 ber of Batavia Commandery No. 34 He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, in 
 which he was regent seven years, and president of the Empire Order during its 
 existence. He was president of the pension examining board of surgeons under 
 
154 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 President Harrison, and holds the same position under President McKinley. In 1888 
 he organized a local military company and has been its commander ever since. In 
 1868 Dr. Skinner married Ellen L. Smith, of Wayne county, N. Y. ; they have 
 three sons: Scott W., jr., a graduate of Union College and the Albany Law School, 
 now practicing in Waterford, N. Y. ; Merton R , a graduate of Hahnneman Medi- 
 cal College of Pniladelphia in 1898, now in the Rochester Homeopathic Hospital, and 
 R. Lee, a graduate of Union College, now in busmess in Le Roy. 
 
 Williams, L. T., p. o. Le Roy, N. Y., was born in Le Roy, December 27, 1848. 
 His father, Cornell Williams, was a native of this State and a lifelong farmer. He 
 married Mary J. Doty and their children were: Horatio, George, James, Caroline, Her- 
 bert, and the subject. Mr. Williams died in 1883 and his wife in 1879. L. T. Will- 
 iams was educated in the common schools and Le Roy Academy. He engaged at 
 the carpenter and joiner trade and later became a carpenter and builder. In 1896 
 Mr. Williams was elected trustee of Le Roy village and in 1897 was chosen its first 
 president. In 1898 he was elected noble grand of Le Roy Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 
 731. Mr. Williams married Elizabeth, daughter of Alvin Clark; their children are: 
 Florence L. and Howard F. 
 
 Prentice, Charles F., was born in the town of Stafford, Genesee county, N. Y. , 
 September 5, 1833. His father, Daniel Prentice, was a native of Massachusetts and 
 came with his parents to Genesee county, N. Y., early in the present century, locat- 
 ing at what is now Stafford, where he followed farming. C. F. Prentice was edu- 
 cated in the public schools and reared on a farm. He came to Le Roy in 1865 and 
 bought the mill property built by Jacob Le Roy in 1832, and has continued the mill- 
 ing business since. He later purchased a mill in Batavia in connection with a part- 
 ner, operated it a few years and sold it. He also owns a fine farm at Stafford. He 
 is a member of one of the old and substantial families of Genesee county and is a 
 citizen of high repute. He organized the successful Le Roy Salt Company in 1884, 
 and has been its president since its organization. He is also president of the Hy- 
 draulic Electric Company, organized in 1896, of Le Roy, and with his son, Howard, 
 now owns the entire plant, of which his son is secretary. The Le Roy Power and 
 Milling Company was organized in 1896, and he has been its president since. He is 
 a stockholder in the Citizens' Bank of Le Roy, and has in many ways exerted a large 
 influence upon the welfare of the village and town. In 1803 Mr. Prentice married 
 Rosepha J. Cole, a native of Michigan ; they have two daughters and a son. 
 
 Dutton, G. W., p. o. Le Roy, N. Y., was born in Oneida county, N. Y., May 27, 
 1836. His father, Horace Dutton, was a native of Vermont and came to Wyoming 
 county in 1837, where he was engaged in farming. He married Katherine Codding- 
 ton, was justice of the peace many years, and died in 1848. G. W. Dutton was edu- 
 cated in the common schools and the academy at Arcade, Wyoming county. On 
 March 7, 1860, Mr. Dutton married Emma, daughter of Gregory Metcalf of Vermont ; 
 they have had two children: Amelia H. and Fred G. Mr. Dutton is one of the pro- 
 gressive farmers of Le Roy and a respected citizen. 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 155 
 
 Torrey, Amos G., p. o. Le Roy, N. Y. , was born in Gorham, N. Y., August 4, 1838, 
 and was engaged in the wholesale drug business. He went to Europe a number of 
 times and reported for the New York World and Brooklyn Eagle. He married Clara, 
 daughter of Harrison Osborne, a native of Le Roy, who was a dry goods merchant 
 there. Their children were: Samuel, who died in 1893; Amos G. and Clara B. Mr. 
 Torrey died in 1880. He did a large amount of literary work, contributing many 
 articles for the leading magazines. 
 
 Patterson, Jerome J. , was born in the town of Elba, N. Y. , January 3, 1861, a son of 
 Jerome and Elizabeth (Crawford) Patterson, and was educated in the schools of Bata- 
 via. He learned the druggist business in this place and in 1886 became a member 
 of the firm of W. S. & J. J. Patterson. William S. Patterson, who was a brother of 
 the subject of this sketch, died December 3, 1898. It is doubtful if the loss of any 
 citizen of Batavia has ever been more deeply felt by the community. Jerome J. 
 Patterson has since continued the business. The establishment is now one of the 
 largest in Genesee county, and has been built up on a foundation of integrity and 
 honorable trade methods. Mr. Patterson is the inventor of a machine for the pro- 
 duction of acetylene gas which promises results of large importance. He has spent 
 considerable time in Europe, superintending its introduction. Mr. Patterson is a 
 Republican and acts the part of the progressive citizen in the promotion of public 
 affairs. 
 
 Simpson, William C, was born in Ithaca, N. Y. , in 1829, and came to Genesee 
 county when a boy with his parents, Hiram and Mary Simpson. He married Christ- 
 ina, daughter of John and Mary Moore; they have one daughter, Minnie E. , wife 
 of Dr. Benjamin F. Showerman. Mr. Simpson through life was connected with 
 mercantile operations. He was for many years a member of the well known dry 
 goods firm of Southworth & Simpson. After the death of his partner, Gardner T. 
 Southworth, August 6, 1884, Mr. Simpson continued the business alone until his 
 death. His death, which occurred August 31, 1893, was a loss not only to his family, 
 but to all who knew him ; of sterling integrity and conservative character, he repre- 
 sented a high standard of citizenship. He was for many years a member of the 
 vestry of St. James church in Batavia. 
 
 Keeney, N. B., p. o. Le Roy, N. Y., was born in Le Roy, October 4, 1830. His 
 father was a native of Connecticut and came to Genesee county in 1816. His mother 
 was Mary Bishop; they had ten children, only two of whom are now living; Mrs. 
 Emma K. Bixby, of St. Louis, and N. B. Keeney. Mr. Keeney was educated in the 
 common schools and then engaged in farming. He now owns 2,400 acres of land in 
 South Dakota, making sheep and cattle raising a specialty. He is also engaged 
 with his son Calvin N., in the produce and seed growing business, in which they have 
 a large and successful trade. Mr. Keeney married Mary M., daughter of Calvin Ely 
 of Lancaster, N. Y. ; they are the parents of Calvin N. Keeney and Mrs. Martha K. 
 Robinson. 
 
 Lapp, Joseph, is proprietor of a planing mill, manufacturer of sash, doors, blinds. 
 
156 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 mouldings, cisterns, etc. , in I.,e Roy, the business having been established in the 
 spring of 1890 by the firm of Kroner & Lapp. They purchased the ground and erected 
 thereon a large building 53 by 80 feet and equipped it with modern machinery. He 
 employs from ten to twelve men, and his goods are mostly used in this section. Jo- 
 seph Lapp was born in Le Roy, N. Y. , October 17, 1864, was educated in the public 
 schools and was variously employed for many years. He engaged with Mr. Kroner 
 in establishing his present business, which has been successfully developed. Charles 
 Lapp, father of Joseph came to Le Roy in 1854 and worked for Chauncey Olmsted 
 for many years. He is still living in Le Roy, now retired, and is father of eight chil- 
 dren, six of whom are now living. 
 
 Gilbert, Sephrine D., secretary of S. C. Wells & Co., was born in Wyoming county, 
 N. Y., in 1867, and came to Le Roy with his parents when three years of age. He 
 was educated in the Le Roy Academic Institute, from which he was graduated in 
 1885. He read law with Thomas P. Hedden two years, but never entered into prac- 
 tice. While in the law office he was elected a justice of the peace, which office he 
 held ten years. He was at the same time engaged in the coal and ice business. In 
 February, 1897, he became associated with S. C. Wells and was prominently influen- 
 tial in having the firm incorporated in June, 1897, he becoming its secretary, which 
 position he has held since. Upon the death of Mr. Wells, on July 21, 1897, Mr. Gil- 
 bert became the acting manager of the company. They employ about twenty persons 
 in the manufacture of the well known Shiloh's Family Remedies, Karl's Clover Root 
 Tea, etc. Mr. Gilbert is a young man of rare executive ability and his efforts in pro- 
 moting the large business under his management have been crowned with success. 
 He was a village clerk of Le Roy more than ten years, being defeated only twice in 
 all that time. He also held the office of justice of sessions for the years 1892 and 1893. 
 He has been chief engineer of the fire department two years arrd a member of the 
 volunteer fire department sixteen years. In 1889 Mr. Gilbert married Ada G. Collins, 
 of Le Roy. Mr. Gilbert's parents were William and Harriet B. (Dailey) Gilbert, na- 
 tives of New York State, who came to Genesee county in 1870 and located in Le Roy. 
 William Gilbert died in 1886. 
 
 Rogers, Fred C, planing mill operator, manufacturer of sash, doors, blinds, win- 
 dow frames, mouldings, cisterns, dealer in timber, etc. — This business was estab- 
 lished in 1865 by S. F. Curtiss, who was succeeded by Mr. Rogers in 1889. Mr. 
 Rogers was born in the village of Le Roy, May 2, 1855, a son of Nathaniel M. and 
 Mary J. (Webb) Rogers. His parents were natives of Connecticut and came to Gen- 
 esee county about 1836, locating in the town of Scottville, and later in Le Roy. 
 When a boy ten years of age Nathaniel M. Rogers started in life for himself. He 
 was educated in the public schools and worked nights and mornings for his board. 
 He afterward worked in the thrashing machine factory at Roanoke and during the 
 big strike of that concern he and one other man were the only two that held out for 
 ten hours a day, the regular day's work being twelve hours. He learned the builder's 
 business and became a prominent contractor, erecting many buildings throughout 
 Western New York. After the Le Roy fire he built up the burned district on the 
 north side of Main street. About 1860 he engaged extensively in the produce busi- 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 157 
 
 ness, carrying it on until 1871, when he retired; he died in July, 1894. Fred C. 
 Rogers was educated in the Le Roy Academic Institute and afterward followed car- 
 pentering and building until 1889, at which time he purchased his present business. 
 This is now one of the largest concerns of its kind in this section. He is a member 
 of the I. O. O. F. and is noble grand of this lodge; also a member of the fire depart- 
 ment. In 1880 Mr. Rogers married Jennie Baxter ; they have three children : Fred 
 H. , Marion and Vera. 
 
 Redfield, Frank B., was born in Batavia, March 20, 1847. His father, Heman J. 
 Redfield, was a native of Suffield, Conn., and the family trace their descent from 
 William Redfield, who came from England in 1639. Heman J. came to Ontario 
 county in 1800 and for about twenty years practiced law in Le Roy. In 1836 he 
 came to Batavia in the interests of the Holland Land Co. He married Abbie N. 
 Gould, January 27, 1817, who died in 1841, and he afterwards married Constance C. 
 Bowles. Mr. Redfield was one of the prominent men of Western New York, serving 
 as State senator, collector of port of New York under President Pierce, district attor- 
 ney and master in chancery and other positions of honor and trust ; he died in 1877. 
 A sketch of his career appears elsewhere in this work. F. B. Redfield was educated 
 in the public schools and in Canandaigua and Concord, N. H. In 1874 he married 
 Caroline, daughter of William Dolbeer; they have two daughters, Constance and 
 Rachel Dolbeer. For many years Mr. Redfield was prominently identified with the 
 New York State, the Western New York and the Genesee County Agricultural Socie- 
 ties, and he served as director of each. Of late years he has been connected with 
 the management of the Batavia Industrial Company, of which he is an officer. Mr. 
 Redfield is one of the wardens of St. James Episcopal church. 
 
 Fiske, Sylvanus W., p. o. Morgan ville, N. Y., was born in the town of Stafford, 
 N. Y., October 8, 1829. His father, Henry A. Fiske, was a native of Jefferson 
 county, N. Y., and came to Genesee county in 1810, where he was engaged in farm- 
 ing. He married Eliza Parker ; they were the parents of Samantha Fiske Brooks, 
 born September 5, 1831; Henrietta, born July 21, 1834, died February 25, 1845; 
 Amanda, born January 15, 1836, died March 2, 1845 ; Earles I. , born November 19, 
 1889; Wilbur, born May 5, 1843, died February 24, 1845; Henry L., born May 15, 
 1845, died March 1, 1845 ; Willis and Sylvanus W. Henry A. Fiske died September 
 22, 1863, aged sixty years. His wife was born December 19, 1810, and died January 
 20, 1874. Sylvanus W. Fiske was educated in the common schools and has always 
 been a farmer. He was commissioner of highways three years and assessor for three 
 years. In 1851 he married Genette, daughter of Aaron Beswick ; they had one son, 
 Henry L., born November 29, 1861, died February 19, 1879. In answer to an inquiry 
 from the editor of this publication, Mr. Fiske has lately written the following; " In 
 the early fifties I commenced with my wife to work out a debt for sixty acres of land. 
 I desired to see something of the world that 1 lived in. When the eighties arrived I 
 began to see a chance, and followed it up for eight years, visiting the Rockies, Mam ■ 
 moth Cave, Washington and California, stopping at all important points as I jour- 
 neyed. Then I went to Europe for three months. The next year I went to the 
 National Park, to Alaska and as far as Chilcoot, where they make icebergs of the 
 
158 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 ocean. It was always natural for me to gather all I could of nature's fine things. 
 In crossing the fields my pockets would fill up in spite of me, but my general work 
 of gathering commenced about the time I saw that I would be able to see something 
 of the world." Mr. Fiske has been an ardent student of nature and of the works of 
 primitive man. His collection of Indian relics gathered in many parts of the coun- 
 try, is a very remarkable and valuable one. It is now, by the liberality of the col- 
 lector, in the possession of the Holland Purchase Historical Society, and is preserved 
 in the famous Old Land Office at Batavia, where it attracts much interest and admira- 
 tion. Mr. Fiske enjoys the thorough respect and confidence of the community and his 
 mind is stored with much that is curious and interesting on the special topics to which 
 he has devoted so much attention. 
 
 Sprague, Eunice, p. o. Alexander, N. Y. , is a daughter of William and Melissa 
 (Hyde) Sprague, and was born in Livonia, Livingston county, N. Y., May 24. 1815. 
 She is a descendant on the maternal side from William Hyde, who came from En- 
 gland in 1633 to Massachusetts, and in 1639 located in Saybrooki Conn. ; through 
 Samuel (2), born in Hartford, Conn., in 1637; Samuel, jr. (8), born in Norwich, Conn., 
 in 1665; Elijah (4), born in Lebanon, Conn., in 1705; ' Moses (5), born in Lebanon, 
 Conn , September 11, 1751; Melissa (6), born in Connecticut, February 1, 1794; Eu- 
 nice (7), (the subject). Moses Hyde (5) married, in Connecticut, December 6, 1787, 
 Sarah Hyde Dana, daughter of Anderson and Susannah Huntington Dana ; she was 
 born September 30, 1763, and died November 5, 1854 Anderson Dana was born in 
 Connecticut and was a lawyer. He removed to Pennsylvania, where he lived six 
 years. At the Wyoming massacre he was killed, as was a son-in-law named Whiting. 
 Mrs. Dana, his wife, after the battle went to her house, a mile from the fort, and 
 gathered such necessaries as she could carry and her husband's valuable papers, in 
 momentary fear that she might be killed; that night, with her children and one 
 horse, in company with two other families, she set out for Connecticut, picking her 
 way through the woods by marked trees for fifty miles ; after three weeks of weari- 
 some travel and much suffering they arrived in Connecticut. William Sprague and 
 Melissa Hyde were married in Middleburg, Schoharie county, N. Y., on April 1, 1810; 
 they removed to Livonia, N. Y., in 1811, to Covington in 1830, and to Alexander in 
 1848. William Sprague was born September 12, 1784 and died on May 1, 1862, and 
 his wife Melissa died on July 30, 1867, in Alexander. Their children were as follows: 
 (1) Harry Sprague, born February 6, 1811, married Janet Scott on December 23, 1840, 
 and died December 18, 1886; he was a successful farmer, an honest man, and highly 
 respected by all who knew him; they had two sons: Albert, born January 21, 1843, 
 married Climena Paine on December 30, 1874; and Edwin, born July 18, 1847, and 
 now lives with his mother at the old home in Covington. (3) Cynthia Sprague, born 
 February 10, 1813, married Henry Watkins on April 3, 1833, and died October 17, 
 1881 ; she was a true Christian woman, devoted to her family and always ready to 
 help in any good work. Their children were as follows; Nathan M. Watkins, born 
 in Covington, N. Y., September 33, 1836, married Martha Gilmore on December 1, 
 1858, died May 31, 1893; and Mary M., born February 10, 1851, died August 26, 1869 
 — a dutiful daughter, greatly mourned by her parents and friends. (3) Eunice 
 Sprague, born May 24, 1815 ; she has-never married, but devoted herself to her par- 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. 159 
 
 ents as long as they lived. She still lives in the old home. For many years she lived 
 alone, protected by a faithful dog. (4) Lester Sprague, born in Livonia, September 
 7, 1819; he was graduated from Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y. , with the degree of 
 M. D., and first practiced in Homer, Mich., and subsequently in Naples, N. Y., where 
 he had a successful practice. October 2.'5, 1843, he married Martha J. Lyon, and his 
 death occurred on June 19, 1863, where he was beloved and mourned by many to 
 whom he had ministered. The children of Lester and Martha J. Sprague were these ; 
 William Lyon, born at Naples, July 37, 1849; graduated from Cornell University 
 with the degree of A. B. in 1873, and from Hobart College as A. M. in 1890 ; married 
 Alice Everett of Dansville, N. Y., on January 12, 1893; he was principal of Naples 
 Union school from 1864 to 1869, instructor in Latin and Greek in the State Normal 
 School at Buffalo, 1889-96, and now has charge of public school No. 34 in Brooklyn, 
 N. Y. ; he has a strong character and is a good representative of a long line of worthy 
 ancestors; and Laura Eunice," born July 37, 1860, at Naples; she was graduated from 
 Michigan University at Ann Arbor with the degree of Ph. B. in June, 1891, taught in 
 the State Normal School at Buffalo several years, and is now in a ladies' school in 
 Brooklyn, where thirty-five teachers are employed. She is called a very successful 
 teacher. (5) Drayton Sprague, born December 30, 1821, and married Cordelia Loomis 
 November 15, 1854 ; he has been a successful farmer and has satisfactorily filled 
 various public offices in his town. He served as supervisor in 1870 and 1871. He 
 possessed a decided taste for music, and for several years led the church choir. In 
 1886 he was severely injured by an accident, and the remainder of his life was filled 
 with great suffering, borne with unfailing patience. He died in May, 1899. Carl 
 Drayton, only surviving child of Drayton and Cordelia Sprague, was born November 
 1, 1858; married Carrie Jane Lewis February 24, 1886. They have one child, Clar- 
 ence Leon, born November 9, 1889. (6) Elmer Sprague, born August 24, 1883, died 
 in infancy. (7) George Sprague, born June 25, 1837 ; he received the degree of M. D. 
 from Albany Medical College, and during the Civil War enlisted as assistant surgeon 
 in the 5th Ohio Cavalry, his first service being at the battle of Pittsburg Landing; he 
 was in active service for full three years, a portion of the time as surgeon of his regi- 
 ment. He was a skillful surgeon. In 1865 he settled in Alexander, where he died of 
 diphtheria November 26 of the same year. 
 
 Lewis, William Walter, was born in Alexander, N. Y., August 27, 1844. He is the 
 son of Anson and Mary (Peck) Lewis. Anson Lewis was a prominent citizen of Alex- 
 ander and served several years as supervisor of the town, where his father, James 
 Lewis, had been one of the pioneer settlers. James Lewis died September 2, 1871, 
 and the death of Anson Lewis occurred December 31, 1892. W. W. Lewis was edu- 
 cated in the public schools and in the Genesee and Wyoming Seminary at Alexander. 
 In 1862 he entered the employ of the Erie Railroad. In 1864 he went south in the 
 employ of the United States as military telegraph operator, and after the close of the 
 war he remained in East Tennessee as an operator until 1868. From 1869 to 1883 he 
 was the station agent of the Erie Railroad at Caledonia. In the latter year he came 
 to Batavia to take a similar position, which he still retains. In 1871 he married Jennie 
 Carmichael, and they have one daughter Blanche, the wife of Arthur M. Armstrong, 
 of Buffalo. Mr. Lewis has for many years been one of the directors of the Genesee 
 
160 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 County Loan and Building Association, in which he takes a great interest. He is a 
 public spirited citizen and is active in school and church matters; in politics he is a 
 a Republican. He served as president of the village of Batavia for the year 1892. 
 
 Gleason, Patrick, p. o. Le Roy, N. Y. , was born in Le Roy, June 18, 1859. His 
 father, Michael Gleason, was a native of Ireland and came to Genesee county in 1850 ; 
 his wife was Mary, daughter of Thomas Mackey, and their children were Patrick, 
 Thomas and Katherine. Mr. Gleason died March 9, 1873, and bis wife July 5, 1889. 
 Patrick Gleason was educated in the common schools and afterwards worked in the 
 produce business. In 1886 he engaged in the coal and produce business for himself. 
 In 1888 Mr. Gleason married Mary P., daughter of Robert Moody; they are the 
 parents of Mary, who died in 1892; Agnes, Robert and Philip. Mr. Gleason now has 
 one of the largest cold storage establishments in Western New York, having two 
 large refrigerator machines ; large quantities of fruit are brought here from different 
 States. He has branch offices in a number of other towns in this State. He also 
 owns a very large bean elevator, handling about a quarter million bushels a year 
 and employing 150 people. 
 
 Miller, F. W. & Co. , manufacturers of machinery and agricultural implements of 
 all descriptions. — This business was established in 1880 by A. Miller & Son and con- 
 tinued until 1886 under that name. The father died in 1886 and the business was 
 continued by F. W. Miller until the beginning of May, 1897, since which time it has 
 been conducted by the F. W. Miller Manufacturing Co. , the partner being C. W. 
 Bradley. They removed to Le Roy in the fall of 1895 and Mr. Miller erected the 
 buildings in that year, the main building being 100 by 40 feet; foundry, 80 by 50 
 feet, and three other buildings. They employ on an average twenty-five men and 
 do a large business in the manufacture of various kinds of implements and machin- 
 ery. Mr. Miller is a native of Orleans county, N. Y., born in 1854, and was edu- 
 cated in the Normal School at Brockport. He is a practical mechanic with rare 
 natural aptitude for the busmess. Mr. Miller is also an inventor and is the patentee 
 of the celebrated Miller Bean Harvester, which is widely known ; is also inventor of 
 the Miller's Pride Steel Land Roller, Miller's Bean Planter and a number of other 
 improvements in plows, cultivators, etc., all of which are manufactured by this 
 company. In the spring of 1898 Mr. Miller was nominated for president of the vil- 
 lage of Le Roy, but declined the nomination. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. 
 Lodge. He has been twice married; first to Marian C. Cruthers, and second, in 
 1888, to Charlotte L. Tiffany ; they have three sons : Joseph A. , aged nine years ; 
 Walter O. , aged four years, and Fred Tiffany, an infant. 
 
 Hills, J. R., p. o. Le Roy, N. Y., was born in Albany, N. Y., December 13, 1830, 
 a son of Rensselaer Hills, a native of Albany also. Mr. Hills married Jennie, daugh- 
 ter of Asel Knapp, of Dutchess county, a man of sterling integrity and a farmer. 
 Mrs. Hills has one daughter, Matie L. Hills Trega. Mr. Hills died July 4, 1883. 
 He was a thorough business man and in the community where he lived was highly 
 esteemed. 
 
PERSONAL REFERENCES. ' 161 
 
 Brown, John S., was born in Batavia, N.Y., June 1, 1856. His father, John Brown, 
 was a native of Ireland and came to the United States in 1843, settling in Batavia. 
 He died in October, 1896, and his wife in May, 1897. In 1896 Mr. Brown established 
 his present grocery business. In 1887 he married Margaret E. Keefe ; they have had 
 these children: Margaret, Louise, Joseph, Leo, William, Stephen, Edmund and Vin- 
 cent. Margaret died in 1893. Mr. Brown is a respected citizen of Batavia and by 
 honorable methods has built up a successful business. 
 
 Moulton, Warren E., p. o. Alexander. — The Moulton family were among the first 
 settlers of the town of Alexander. Captain Royal Moulton, the grandfather of the 
 subject of this sketch, was born in Springfield, Mass., December 36, 1772, and he 
 died in 1865 He was the first settler on the Batavia road and the first Whig super- 
 visor elected in the town. He was a son of Joseph Moulton, who was married three 
 times and had nineteen children. In some instances a younger child was given the 
 same name as a child who had died. Royal Moulton married Betsey Trask. She 
 died in 1843. The children of this family were Polly, born in 1797, died 1889 ; Lewis 
 born in 1800, died in 1803; Betsey born in 1803; Lucinda born in 1804; Marcia born 
 in 1806 ; Elbridge Gerry born August 23d, 1812 ; and Byram born in 1818. Elbridge 
 Gerry Moulton is now the oldest living native born resident of the town of Alexander. 
 He was engaged in the dry goods business for many years and has the credit of hav- 
 ing done a larger volume of trade than any other man in Alexander, his sales in some 
 instances having amounted to more than $100,000 a year. He served as supervisor 
 in 1840, fifty-nine years before the publication of this work. The services of no other 
 surviving supervisor date back so far into fourteen years. He was also a member 
 of the board of supervisors for the year 1848. He has also served as town clerk and 
 was postmaster from 1849 to 1853. In 1859 he was elected to represent Genesee 
 county in the Assembly of the State and was honored by re-election in 1860. By 
 his first wife Mr. Moulton has two children, Franklin G. Moulton and Mrs. Helen B. 
 Tisdale, both residing in Batavia. In 1849 he married Mary, daughter of Pomeroy 
 and Harriet (Buell) Warren, and they had four children: May E., now deceased, who 
 was the wife of John T. Chamberlin, Warren E., Mrs. Harriet C. Cptes and Mrs. 
 Edith A. Spann. Mrs. Moulton died April 33, 1899. Warren E. Moulton was born 
 in Alexander, April 34, 1853. He was educated at the public schools and at the 
 Genesee and Wyoming Seminary. After leaving school he engaged in farming un- 
 til 1891, when he opened a bean house. In 1894 he formed a co-partnership with 
 David G. Thomas under the firm name of W. E. Moulton & Co., and thefirm are 
 dealers in grain, beans and other farm produce. Mr. Moulton married Cora A., 
 daughter of David and Betsey (Chaddock) Johnson, and they have one daughter, 
 Bessie M , born April 5, 1880. He always has been a Republican and is one of the 
 most active and influential men in his town and county in party matters. 
 
 Mockford, Edward John, was born in England in 1853 and came to the United 
 States in 1856. In 1868 he entered the employ of Johnston, Huntley & Co. at Brock- 
 port, and when the business was reorganized under the name of The Johnston Harv- 
 ester Company he continued his connection with the concern. Starting in a subordi- 
 nate position he subsequently filled the positions of bookkeeper, cashier, secretary, 
 
162 OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE. 
 
 superintendent and vice-president. In the latter part of 1898 he severed his connec- 
 tion with the company and later established himself in Chicago where he is president 
 of the Advance Packing and Supply Co. Mr. Mockford married Adelle Spring and 
 they have three children, Ada Elizabeth, Richard Edgar and Susie Frances. He 
 has been actively identified with the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He 
 was superintendent of the Sunday school for many years in Batavia ; he was also for 
 several years a member of the board of directors of the Y. M C. A. 
 
INDEX, 
 
 Abbey, Richard, 103 
 
 Abbott, Jonathan G., Dr., 384 
 
 Accident, railroad, near Corfu, 352 
 
 Ackley, Anson, 150 
 
 Adams, Amos. 117 
 
 Andrew, 148, 150 
 
 Ebenezer, Rev., 158 
 
 Elisha, 100, 115 
 
 George, Rev., 168 
 
 Jason, 150 
 
 John R., Rev., 166 
 
 M. B., 810 
 
 Oliver G., 288 
 
 Parmenio, 184, 278 
 
 William, 110 
 Adgate, C. V., Rev., 164 
 
 Joseph, 106 
 
 Thomas, 149 
 Adkins, Philip, 103, 116 
 Adley, Peter, 105, 116 
 Alabama, "Acid Springs" in, 455-457 
 
 churches of. 162, 163, 167, 253 
 
 first school in, 395 
 
 gazetteer of the town of, 455-460 
 
 growth of industries in, from 1861 to 
 1898, 235 
 
 physicians of, 384 
 
 pioneers of, 111, 457 
 
 settlers in after the war of 1812 148 
 
 Tonawanda Indian Reservation in, 
 460 
 
 town oflicers of, list of the, 458, 459 
 
 villages and hamlets in, 459 
 Aldrich. Wanton, 150 
 Alexander, churches of, 87, 163, 167 
 
 first school in, 395 
 
 gazetteer of the town of, 460-463 
 
 growth of industries in, from 1861 to 
 1898, 235 
 
 physicians of, 883 
 
 pioneers of, 109, 110, 461 
 
 public library, 89 
 
 settlers in, after the war of 1812, 149 
 
 town officers, list of the, 463 
 Alger, John, 100, 117 
 
 Almy, Stephen O., Dr., 148, 379 
 
 William, 111 
 Allen, Alden Rev., 158 
 
 Amasa, 111 
 
 Barber, 111 
 
 Edwm, Rev., 160 
 
 Ethan B.,Gen., 171, 846 
 
 Isaachar, 111 
 
 Joel, 394 
 
 Libbeus, 148 
 
 Milton, 150 
 
 Orange, 150 
 
 Seneca, 238 
 Allison, James, 196 
 Alvord, Joseph, 100, 115 
 
 Joseph, Dr., 875 
 
 Patrick, 117 
 American Malting Co. , 380 
 Ames, Benedict, 116 
 Amy, William A. , Dr. , 380 
 Anderson, Alexander, 96 
 
 Daniel, Rev., 166 
 
 David, 90, 96, 100, 106, 117, 150, 242, 
 276 
 
 John, 83 
 Andrews, Elijah, 118 
 
 Elisha, 106 
 
 R., Dr., 384 
 Annin, Joseph, 91, 96, 153 
 Annis, Henry W., Rev., 166 
 Anson, Leonard, Elder, 151, 157, 159 
 Armstrong, D., 357 
 
 E. R., Rev., 163 
 
 Laurens, 103 
 Arnold, Aaron, 104 
 
 Eben, 104 
 
 J., Dr., 100 
 Ashley, Abner, 116, 149 
 
 Thomas, 100 
 Atwater, E. W., 317, 318 
 
 Lucius, 242, 343 
 
 L., Rev., 166 
 Auger, Apollos P., Dr., 388 
 Austin, Caleb H., Dr., 378, 380 
 
 Charles, 149 
 
164 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Austin, Clarence B., 301 
 
 George J., 310 
 
 James, Capt. , 95, 104 
 
 Joseph, 96 
 
 Stephen G., 194 
 Averill, Horatio, 288 
 Avery, Oliver, 104 
 Ayrault, Allen, 194 
 Ayer, Daniel, 103, 116 
 
 Darius, 103, 116 
 
 Oliver, Rev., 90 
 
 Babcock, Asa, 109, 168 
 
 Isaac, 100 
 
 Isaiah, 377 
 
 Job, 103, 116 
 
 Marcus L., 343, 388, 301, 302, 304 
 Backus, Harry, 96 
 
 Timothy, 96 
 Bacon, David R., 346 
 Badger, Edmund, 118 
 
 Joseph, Rev., 157, 158 
 Bahn, Philip, Rev., 352 
 Bailey, Aaron, 150 
 
 Erastus, 151, 156 
 
 Jonathan, Capt, 108 
 
 Joshua, 119 
 
 Lucien R., 185, 309, 311, 312 
 
 Saxton, 107 
 Baker, C. L., Dr., 257 
 
 ChaunceyS.. Rev., 166, 168 
 
 Erasmus D ,Dr., 383 
 
 James, 149 
 
 John FoUett, Dr., 388 
 
 N., jr., 148 
 
 R., Rev., 166 
 
 Sheldon H., Rev. 166 
 
 Solomon, 104, 117 
 Baker Gun and Forging Co. , 318 
 Balch, Frank, 149 
 
 J. O., 436 
 Baldwin, Rice, 195 
 
 T., Rev., 163 
 Ball, Frank W., 196 
 
 John, 108 
 Ballard, Benjamin F., 154, 155 
 
 Frank W. . 371 
 
 James, 148, 152 
 
 Lyman, 153 
 
 Randolph, 154, 155, 355 
 Ballou, JohnM., Rev., 160 
 
 S. S., Rev., 353 
 Bangs, Lucius M., 167, 353 
 Bank. Citizens, of Le Roy, 348 
 
 Exchange, of Oakfield, 336 
 
 Farmers and Mechanics, of Batavia, 
 194 
 
 Genesee County, 309 
 
 Bank of Batavia, 304 
 
 of Batavia, Farmers', 301 
 
 of Batavia, First National, 301, 
 303 
 
 of Genesee, Exchange, 393 
 
 of Genesee of Batavia, 287, 288 
 Bannister, Daniel W., 106, 111 
 
 Nathan, 96, 102 
 
 Versal, 148 
 
 William, 117 
 Bar and judiciary, biographical sketches 
 
 of members of the, 341-372 
 Barber, Burnham, 151 
 
 Isaac, 89. 109 . 
 
 Jesse, 104 
 
 John G., 196 
 
 Joseph, 119 
 
 O. P., Dr., 381 
 Barden, Alva O., 234 
 Bard well, John, 107 
 Barker, Joseph, 150 
 
 Marcus, 150 
 Barlow, Benjamin, 106. 149 
 
 Jonathan K., Dr., 106, 165, 384 
 Barnard, O. H., Rev., 162 
 Barnes, Edmund, Dr., 379 
 
 J. C, 257, 331 
 
 Levi, 89 
 Barney, Lewis, 106, 117 
 Barr, Cornelius, 109 
 
 Loren, 109 
 
 Loring, 168 
 
 Phineas, 109 
 
 Phineas, jr., 285 
 Barrel!, A. C, Rev., 159 
 Barrett, Joshua, 118 
 
 Moses, Dr., 381 
 
 Rev. Fr., 253 
 
 Solomon, Dr., 381 
 Barrows, Chester, 96 
 
 Calvin, 106 
 Bartholf, Guilliam, 147 
 
 J. L, 148 
 Bartlett, Jonas, 96 
 
 Joseph, 106, 117, 118 
 Barton, A. P., 194 
 
 Augustus L., 119 
 Bartow, Alfred F., 345 
 
 A. J., 170 
 
 Charles, 345 
 
 Jacob, 345 
 Basom, Samuel, 148 
 Bassett, Samuel, Capt., 104 
 Basten, W. F., Rev., 159 
 Batavia, arsenal at. 90, 276 
 
 churches of, 88. 157, 160. 169, 192, 
 252-254, 276-278, 326-333 
 
 division of the town of, in 1804, 84 
 
INDEX. 
 
 165 
 
 Batavia, establishment of first printing 
 office in, 274 
 
 first schools in, 394 
 from 1841 to 1861, 195 
 gazetteer of the town of, 463-472 
 town officers of, list of the, 464-470 
 physicians of, 375-378 
 pioneers of the town of, 97-101, 463 
 post-office established at, 98, 273 
 school system of, 896-104 
 settlers in, after the war of 1812, 147 
 148 
 Batavia village, Bank of Genesee of, 287, 
 288 
 
 banks of, 393, 301, 303, 804 
 branch Genesee County Bible So- 
 ciety at, 278 
 brewing industry in, 286, 387 
 business houses'of, in 1849, 296' 
 
 297 
 charter, and amendment to, of, 
 
 379-284 
 charter, amendment of, 294, 295 
 churches of, 292 
 Consumers' Electric Light and 
 
 Power Co. of 319 
 early hotel building in, 308 
 electric light plant of, 321 
 E. N. Rowell Co. at 311 
 erection of county buildings at, 
 
 271 
 Evangelical Association of, 331 
 fire department, first of, 285, 286, 
 
 288, 389, 394, 395, 298-301 
 fires in, 278, 279, 390-393, 397 
 First Baptist church of, 338 
 first fire engine in, 388 
 first frame building in, 373 
 First Freewill Baptist church of, 
 
 333 
 first grist mill at, 268 
 first land office building at, 368 
 first merchant in, 372 
 First Methodist church of, 337 
 first officers of, 284 
 first plotting of the site of, 269 
 First Presbyterian church of, 336 
 first public road through, 368 
 first saw mill at, 368 
 flour mills at, 319 
 founding of the, 366-268 
 funeral services of President Lin - 
 
 coin at, 303 
 gazetteer of, 470 
 grape sugar trial at, 310 
 growth of, in 1853, 397 
 Hotel Richmond at, 819 
 improvements in, in 1803, 373 
 
 Batavia village, incorporation of, 379 
 " Land Office war" in, 293 
 list of business houses in, in 1819, 
 
 278 
 lots in, when first plotted, 274 
 naming of, 267 
 village officers of, 471, 472 
 ordinances, early, of, 285 
 presidential candidates at, 310, 
 
 331 
 population of, as indicated by 
 
 election of 1802, 273 
 Richmond Memorial Library at, 
 
 317 
 Roman Catholic church of, 329- 
 
 381 
 St. James Episcopal church of, 
 
 838 
 St. Paul's German United Evan- 
 gelical church of, 331 
 sanitary improvements in, from 
 1800 to 1833 (extract),. 269, 270 
 second land office building in, 272 
 secret societies of, 831 
 Smith Brothers' Shoe Co. at, 333 
 streets of, original plan of, 374 
 town hall, history of, 322-326 
 Young Men's Christian Associ- 
 ation of, 318 
 Batavia and New York Wood Working 
 Co., 330 
 Board of Trade, 321 
 Carriage Wheel Co., 315 
 Club, the, 311 
 
 Commandery, K. T., 480, 481 
 Farmers' Club, 808 
 Gas and Electric Light Co., 398 
 Library Association, 304 
 Lodge, F. & A. M., evolution of, 
 
 415^29 
 Lyceum, 394 
 Manufacturing Co., 313 
 Preserving Co. , the, 308 
 Rifles," the, 804-306 
 Shorthand and Business School, 410 
 Street Railroad Co., 831 
 Bateman, Samuel C, Dr., 384 
 Bates, Asher, 94, 97 
 Horace, 151 
 Phineas, 96 
 Battery, Twenty-second Independent, 
 roster of the, 221-228 
 
 Twenty-fifth Independent, roster and 
 officers' record of the, 223, 334 
 Beach, Edmund, 96 
 Jesse, 96 
 Philip, 96 
 Bean, John, 103, 113 
 
166 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Beardsley, Levi, 148 
 
 SethW., Rev., 158 
 
 Ziba S., 177 
 Beck, Fr., 254 
 Becker, P. F., Rev , 254 
 Beckley, J. N., 242 
 
 Ward, 96 
 Beckwith, Barach, Rev., 159 
 
 T., 147 
 Beecher, Linus, 149 
 Belden, R., Dr., 377- 
 Bell, Cyrus P., 186 
 
 Thomas E., Rev., 163, 165, 166 
 Bemis, Jonathan, 103 
 
 Jotham, 82 
 Benedict, Charles E., 237 
 
 E. B., Dr., 383 
 
 Isaac, 150 
 
 Samuel, 117, 377 
 
 Samuel, jr., 298 
 Benham, R. H., Dr., 378 
 Bennett, Elder, 159 
 
 Erastus, 106 
 
 James, 106 
 
 James, jr., 149 
 
 James F., 238 
 
 Jeremiah, 106, 278 
 Bentley, Nicholas, 108, 118 
 
 Joseph, 117 
 Benton, Oliver, 287, 288 
 Bergen, churches of, 86, 105, 162, 165, 
 194, 253 
 
 fire department, 245 
 
 fires in, 241, 244 
 
 first school, mills, etc., in, 105 
 
 first schools in, 895 
 
 gazetteer of the town of, 472-475 
 
 growth of industries in, from 1861 to 
 1898, 234, 236. 289 
 
 marl bed in, 239 
 
 physicians of, 388 
 
 pioneers of, 103-105, 478 
 
 school system of, 405 
 
 settlers in, after the war of 1812, 149 
 
 town officers of, 473, 474 
 
 villages and hamlets in, 474, 475 
 Bergen Board of Trade, 248 
 
 Enterprise, The," 437 
 
 Roller Mills, 240 
 Bergin, Michael F., 245 
 Berry, Charles, Rev., 167 
 
 John, 116 
 
 Robert, 116 
 Beswick, Charles, 150 
 Bethany, churches of, 89, 106, 159, 160, 
 163, 165 
 
 first mills, stores and taverns in, 106 
 
 first school in, 896 
 
 Bethany, gazetteer of the town of, 475-477 
 
 growth of industries in, from 1861 to 
 1898, 235 
 
 pioneers of, 105, 106, 475 
 
 settlers in, after the war of 1812, 149 
 
 town officers of, 476 
 
 villages and hamlets in, 477 
 
 Academy, 409 
 Betts, Robert P., 285 
 Biddlecome, D.. 151 
 Bierce, M. H., 303 
 Big Kittle, Seneca chief, 20 
 Big Tree, or Middle, Road, survey of, 84 
 Bigelow, Albert, Rev., 162 
 
 Betsey, 102 
 
 E. A., Dr., 876 
 
 George F., 802 
 
 Jerome L., 802, 309 
 
 Zenas, 102, 115 
 Billings, Appleton W., Dr., 387 
 
 James A., 148 
 
 James Avery, Dr., 376 
 
 Jonas S., Dr., 383 
 Billington, Absalom, Dr., 382 
 
 L. W., Rev., 163 
 Bingham, Eleazer, Dr., 877 
 Bird, Milton, 149, 162 
 Bishop, Edwin L., 196 
 
 Samuel, 111, 148 
 
 T. M., Rev., 158 
 
 William Le Roy, 148 
 Bissell, Aaron, 104 
 
 Alexander, 104 
 
 C. Fitch, 188, 849, 357 
 
 D. Jackson, 198, 346, 373 
 Levi, 104 
 
 Bixby, Jason, 1U6 
 
 John, 117 
 
 Jonathan, 106, 117 
 
 Miles F., 154 
 Blackman, Hiram, 100, 115 
 
 M. H., Rev., 353 
 
 William, 88, 100, 109, 115 
 Blackmer, H., Rev., 163 
 Blain, John, Rev., 160 
 Blair, John S., 151 
 Blakely, Dennis, 154 
 Blanchard, Thomas, Dr., 884 
 Bliss, Benjamin, Dr., 380 
 
 Charles, 118 
 
 Isaac, Rev., 162 
 
 John, Rev., 159 
 
 John T., 149, 162 
 
 Thomas, 148 
 Blodgett, Benjamin, 100, 269; extract 
 from letter of, concerning the early 
 press in Batavia, 274, 275 ; 484 
 
 Caleb, 103, 109, 118 
 
INDEX. 
 
 16'? 
 
 Blodgett, Caleb, jr., 103, 118 
 
 Elijah, 103 
 
 Emery, 119, 149 
 
 Ezra, 117 
 
 George W., 95 
 
 Heman, 300, 398 
 
 Jonas, 110, 118 
 
 Rufus, 116 
 
 Solomon, 109, 116, 149 
 Bloom, Carl, 354 
 Blossom, William, 393 
 Blount, Sarah M., Miss 410 
 Boak, J. K. andW. C, 196 
 Board, F. W., 310 
 Bogue, Nelson, 185, 348, 357 
 Boiler, C. F., Rev., 353 
 Bond, G. A., Rev., 168 
 
 James R., 184 
 
 Oswald, 151, 300 
 Booth, James, 150 
 Bostwick, H. O., 257 
 Boughton, E. N., 108 • 
 
 Orris, 108 
 Boutwell, Ira, 148 
 Bovee, Lorenzo J , and others, killing of, 
 
 by railroad, 247 
 Bowen, Daniel F., 149 
 
 David, 100, 116 
 
 George, 356, 301, 303, 304, 359 
 
 Peleg, 107 
 
 William A., 345, 246 
 Bowers, S., 149 
 Boyce, E. W., 240 
 Boyd, Alexander, 151 
 
 William, Lieut, torture of, by the 
 Indians, 46-49 
 Boynton, John, 105, 117 
 
 J. T., 200 
 Bradford, C, Dr., 376 
 Bradish, J. Holley, 185, 257, 311 
 
 P P 303 
 Bradley, C. W., 334 
 
 Leman, 111 
 Bradway, S., 110 
 Brainard, Ahimaz, 378 
 
 Seba, Col., 90, 110 
 
 S. B.. 149 
 Branan, John, 97 
 Branard, Polly, 376 
 Brant, Joseph, 44-48 
 Bray, James, 235 
 Brayman, Bartemus, Rev., 160 
 Brayton, Orville, Rev., 166 
 Brewster, Albert, 194 
 Briggs, Amasa, Dr. , 383 
 Brigham, E. P., Rev., 159 
 Brisbane, Albert, 98 
 
 George, 98, 298 
 
 Brisbane. James, 88, 93, 98, 101, 115, 266, 
 . 267, 272, 273, 275 
 Brisbee, Charles, 149 
 Bristol, B., 151 
 
 Eh, 106 
 
 Elijah, 116 
 
 Elisha, 118 
 Britton, Miles, 150 
 Brooks, Benedict, 288 
 
 Micajah. 100, 116 
 
 Noah, 117, 118 
 Brougham, Thomas P., Rev., 257, 331 
 Brower, Charles P., 167 
 Brown, Albert E., 186 
 
 Buell, 106 
 
 Daniel B., 83, 100, 118, 374, 346 
 
 Elijah, 113 
 
 Ephraim, 100, 375 
 
 E. W., Rev., 163 
 
 Heman, 106, 117 
 
 H. M., Rev., 194 
 
 John W., 150 
 , Johnson B., 303 
 
 Joshua L. , 294 ; sketch of, 348 
 
 J. S., Rev., 166 
 
 Lyman, 149 
 
 Martin, 865 
 
 Nathaniel, Rev., 89, 106, 117, 161 
 
 Nelson, 240 
 
 Othniel, 103 
 
 Peleg, 108 
 
 P. E., Rev., 164 
 
 R. R., 150 
 
 Rev. Fr., 193 
 
 Thomas, 195, 288 
 
 William E., Dr.. 383 
 
 W. S., 196 
 Brownlee, R. C, Rev., 164 
 Bryan, William G., 394, 303, 849 
 Bryant, Calvin E. , 288 
 Buck, D. D. , Rev. , 164 
 
 Elisha, 150 
 Buckley, Abraham, 96 
 
 Asa, 117 
 Buel, Nathaniel, Capt., 95 
 
 Thankful, 96 
 Buell, Abel, 105, 117 
 
 Asa, 96 
 
 Augustus, 104 
 
 Columbus, 313 
 
 Edward G., 811 
 
 Grant W., 2^5 
 
 Israel, 106, 117 
 
 Jeremiah, 148 
 
 Josiah, 104 
 
 Willis, 96 
 Buesch, G. F., Rev., 353 
 Buffum, O. B., Rev., 253 
 
168 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Bull, Pierpont E„ 150 
 Bullard, Paul, 112 
 Bunker, B. B., Rev., 168 
 Buntley, Eldridge, 103, 118 
 Burden, John, 233 
 Burgess, Edmund, 109. 117 
 
 R. A , Rev., 158 
 Burke, Daniel. Rev., 169 
 Burkhardt, H. J.. Dr., 356 
 Burlingarae, J., Rev., 158 
 Burnham, Reuben, 111 
 Burns, L. F., Rev., 255 
 Burr, James, 148 
 
 Samuel, 148 
 Burrows, Harry, 335 
 
 Roswell L , 387, 388 
 Burt, D. E., Rev., 167 
 
 George, 185 
 
 Timothy, 83 
 Burton, Elder, 87 
 
 William, 117 
 Bush, William H., 85, 100, 118 
 Bushman, Jacob, 150 
 Bushnell, J., 151 
 Busti, Paul, 66, 67, 68, 70, 101 
 Butler, Ammi R. R., Dr., 383, 384 
 
 C, 148 
 
 Edward H., 248 
 
 Elizur, Dr., 379, 384 
 
 Harvey, 150 
 
 Joel, 96 
 
 John, Col., 44, 45 
 
 h. C, Rev., 162 
 
 Salmon, 96 
 
 Samuel, Dr., 104, 105, 384 
 
 T , 151 
 
 Walter N., 45 
 Butlin, H., Rev., 168 
 Butterfield, Abraham, 96 
 Buxton, William, Rev., 161 
 Byam, David, 164 
 
 Byron churches of, 89, 160, 161, 189, 254, 
 355 
 
 first school in, 396 
 
 gazetteer of the town of, 474-479 
 
 growth of industries in, from 1861 to 
 1898, 229, 233 
 
 physicians of, 886 
 
 pioneers of, 112, 478 
 
 school system of, 406 
 
 settlers in, after the war of 1812, 150 
 
 town officers of, 478, 479 
 
 villages and hamlets in, 479 
 
 Cadman, Christopher, 96 
 Cady, John, 110 
 
 Joseph, 117 
 
 Return B., 110 
 
 Caldwell. C. H., 319 
 Calhoun, John P., Rev., 162 
 Calkins, E. Kirby, 435 
 
 Virgil C, 195 
 Call, Daniel, Rev , 158 
 Cameron, J. D., 153 
 Campbell, James, 148 
 J. A., Dr., 383 
 Peter. 83 
 T. B.,147 
 Caney, Ashton W., 257, 321 
 Canfield, David, 277 
 Cantling, Eleazer, 100, 115 
 Cardus, Thomas, Rev., 166, 170 
 Carlisle, John G., extract from the ad- 
 dress of, on Robert Morris, at the ded- 
 ication of the Historical Museum, 259, 
 261 
 Carpenter, A. G., 196 
 Clement, 148, 284 
 
 C. N.,248 
 Joseph, 118 
 Wheaton, 112 
 
 Carr, Eli, 151 
 
 Hannah, 148 
 
 Horace, 117 
 
 H. W., Rev., 168 
 
 J. H., Rev.. 158 
 
 Samuel, 108, 110, 118 
 Carter, Benjamin, 108 
 
 Brazilla. 107 
 
 Daniel, 108 
 
 David, 108. 110, 118 
 
 Orange, 106, 107, 117 
 Carver, Elisha, 109, 116 
 
 Gardner, 94 
 
 Shubal. Rev., 163 
 Gary, Alfred, Col., 408 
 
 Benjamin, 100, 116 
 
 Charles, Dr., 288, 
 
 Ebenezer, 87, 88, 98, 99,' 115, 366, 367, 
 275 
 
 Trumbull, 98, 99. 300, 377, 279, 284, 
 387, 388, 394, 803 
 
 Walter, 388 
 
 Collegiate Seminary, 408, 409 
 Case, L.C., 338 
 
 William, Rev., 158 
 Casey, John P., 310 
 Cash, Nathan, Capt., 103 
 Castle, L.B., Rev., 164 
 Cazenove, Theophilus, 65 
 Chaddock, Dennis B., 149 
 
 D. K.,338 
 Frank E.,348 
 Hiram, 308 
 Isaac, 106, 110, 218 
 Luther, 149 
 
INDEX. 
 
 169 
 
 Chaddock, Thomas, 149 
 
 W. H., 348 
 Chaffee, Charles, Dr. , 383 
 Chamberlain. D. C, Dr., 380, 388 
 
 Frank, 298 
 
 Hinds, 94, 159, 170 
 
 Joseph, 106 
 
 Stewart, 242 
 Chamberlin, Charles H., 200 
 
 John, 110, 118 
 
 S.,196 
 Chamberlyne, I., Rev., 164 
 Chambers, John, 106, 127 
 Champion, Aristarchus, 194 
 Champlain, expeditions of, 24, 25 
 Champlin, Gilbert R. , Dr. , 376 
 
 Lodowick, Capt. , 149 
 
 S P 195 
 Chandler! Daniel H., 177, 284-286, 289, 
 347 
 
 I., 194 
 
 T. W., Rev., 163 
 Chapin, C, Dr., 100 
 
 Daniel, 83 
 
 Ephraim, Rev., 89, 276, 278 
 
 Frank, 108 
 
 Silas, 100, 115, 276 
 Chapman, Hiel, 117 
 
 W. M.,196 
 Chase, Abner, 150 
 
 Benjamin, 103, 117, 118 
 
 Manna, 117 
 Chatfield, John, 389 
 Cheeseman, Lewis, Rev., 160, 162 
 Cheney, Elijah. 151 
 Cherry Valley massacre, the, 45 
 Chester, John, 194 
 Child, I., Rev., 167 
 Childs, Eber, Rev, 160 
 Chilson, Henry, 234 
 Chipman, T. D., Rev., 158 
 Choate, S. P., Dr., 377 
 Church, Dennis, 194 
 
 George H., 234 
 
 first Protestant Episcopal, in the 
 county at Sheldon, 90 
 Churches, first, 86, 87 
 
 of Alabama, 163, 163, 167, 253 
 
 Alexander, 163, 167 
 
 Batavia, 157, 160, 169, 192, 253-254, 
 276-378, 393, 826-332 
 
 Bergen, 162, 165, 194, 253 
 
 Betkany, 159, 160, 163, 165 
 
 Byron, 160, 161, 189, 254, 255 
 
 Darien, 163, 168, 252 
 
 Elba, 161. 168 
 
 Le Roy, 157, 159, 164, 165, 255 
 
 Oakfield, 168, 193, 254 
 
 Churches of Pavilion, 157, 166, 167, 169 
 
 Pembroke, 157, 153, 192, 193, 253-255 
 
 Stafford, 158, 161, 169 
 Churchill, Daney, 149 
 
 Ezekiel, 110, 116 
 
 Gilbert, Dr., 384 
 
 John, 110 
 
 John, jf., 118 
 
 Josiah, 102, 149 
 
 Lovell, 83 
 
 Worthy L., Gen., 87, 98, 102, 115 
 Civil List, 438-443 
 Clark, Arthur E., 256, 257, 311, 362 
 
 B , 151 
 
 Bannan, 108 
 
 David, 103, 110, 117, 118 
 
 Elijah, 118 
 
 Ezra, 150 
 
 Ichabod, Rev., 159 
 
 J. B., Rev., 158 
 
 Lemuel, 103 
 
 Lemuel, Rev. , 162 
 
 Lemuel L.. 100, 116, 117 
 
 NorrisG.,Dr.. 378 
 
 N. G., Mrs, 200 
 
 Samuel, 83 
 
 S. C, Rev., 164 
 Clarke, Joseph, 389 
 Clapp, Amasa, 96 
 
 N., Rev., 163 
 Clemens, A. L., 108 
 Clement, David S., 118 
 
 James, 116 
 Clements, James, 100 
 Cleveland, S. D., 108 
 Cliff, W. B.,Rev., 168 
 Clifford, Samuel, 153 
 
 Samuel R., 187 
 Clisby, James, 118 
 Clute, N. M., Rev., 160, 163 
 Clutz, C, Rev., 167 
 Cobb, E. W., 151 
 
 H. W., Dr., 882 
 
 Lovell, 111 
 Cochran, John, 369 
 Cochrane, James, 100 
 Codman, John, Dr., 380 
 Coe, Harry, 151 
 
 Horace S. , 151 
 
 Ezra, 151 
 
 Ithamar, 96 
 
 Jacob, 96 
 
 James R , Rev., 194 
 
 Martin O., Col., 153, 170 
 
 Philemon E., Rev., 163 
 
 R. H., 194 
 
 William, Dr., 96, 97, 379 
 Coffin, Aaron D., 237 
 
170 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Coggeshall, William B., 105, 116 
 
 William, 105, 116 
 Colby, AbnerC, 107 
 
 Daniel, 107 
 
 L. H., 150 
 
 Reuben, 107 
 Cole, Luther, 83 
 
 William, 150 
 Coleman, Nathaniel, 100 
 Coley, J. M., Rev., 167 
 Collins, A. G., 153 
 
 John, 83 
 
 L. D., 317 
 Colony, De Witt C, 195 
 Colt, A. M.,315, 316 
 
 James R., 315 
 Colton, Calvin, Rev., 90, 170 
 
 J. & M., 152 
 
 Manley, 148, 158 
 Colville, W. L., 325 
 
 Company D, 14th Regiment, roster of 
 the, 204 
 
 K, 12th Regiment, roster of, 202 
 
 the Genesee, in the 28th Regiment, 
 rosters of officers and privates of, 
 203, 204 
 Comstock, A. O., 196, 200 
 
 F. M., 196 
 
 Lee, 96 
 
 Samuel F., 196 
 Conable, F. W., Rev., 163 
 Cone, Hobart B.,368 
 Conklin, E. L., Rev., 165 
 
 Harry, 111 
 Cook, Asahel, 112 
 
 David, 112 
 
 D. D., Rev., 168 
 
 E. M., 148 
 Frankie, Rev., 168 
 Israel, 106 
 Joseph, 96 
 Philip, 149 
 PhilosG.,Rev., 259 
 W. B., Rev., 168 
 
 Cooke, Jay, Rev., 254 
 Cooley, Carlton, 151 
 
 Charles, 100, 115 
 
 Richard, Rev., 166 
 Copeland, J. A., Rev., 165 
 Corbin, W. D., Rev., 166 
 Corey, E. J., Rev., 167 * 
 
 •■ Corfu Enterprise, the," 437 
 
 Gas Company, 239 
 
 village and village officers, 495 
 Cornplanter, Seneca chief, 20, 21, 65 
 Coroners, list of, 441 
 
 Corporations, tax-paying, list of, 443-445 
 Corwin, G. S., Rev., 161 
 
 Cotes, Albert L., Dr., 378 
 
 B, S.,303 
 
 John, Dr., 148, 376 
 
 John R., Dr., 378 
 
 Levant Ballard, Dr. , 376 
 
 Levant B., Mrs., 200 
 
 Richard, Mrs., 200 
 Cottrell, G., 149 
 
 Counties of the State, original, 1 
 County buildings, 169, 177, 186 
 
 clerks, list of, 439, 440 
 
 judges and surrogates, list of, 438 
 
 treasurers, list of, 440 
 Countryman, J. B., Rev., 165, 166 
 Court, County, 338, 339 
 
 judges of the, down to 1847, 342 
 
 of Appeals, 334, 335 
 
 of Chancery, 336 
 
 Supreme, 335, 336 
 
 Surrogate's, 339, 340 
 Courts, changes in the character of the, 
 made in 1894, 340 
 
 evolution of the, 333, 334 
 
 first in the county, 83 
 
 legislative enactments concerning 
 the, 337 
 Covell, Richard, jr., 298 
 Cowan, William L., Capt., 200, 204, 205 
 Cowdin, Augustus N.j 185, 288, 311, 323 
 Cowdry, James, 116 
 
 Jeremiah, 106 
 
 Jerry. 117 
 
 Jesse, 117 
 
 Warren A , Dr., 380 
 Cox, Alexander H., Dr., 384 
 
 Elisha, 100, 116 
 Crabb, Pepworth, 301 
 Craft, G. H., 238 
 
 Henry, 309, 319 
 Cram, W. I., Rev., 159 
 Crampton, Uriah, 104 
 Crane, Amherst, 278 
 
 Frank L., 370 
 
 Russell, 100, 115 
 Cranell, P. W., Rev., 167 
 Cravens, Charles, Rev., 165, 166, 168 
 Crawford, Albert, Dr., 382 
 Creameries and cheese factories, 236, 
 
 238 
 Criswell, J., Rev., 168 
 Crocker, Allen, Rev., 158 
 
 Elijah, 148 
 
 Isaac, 148, 151 
 
 L. S., 301 
 Croff, Ganson W., Dr., 388 
 Crofoot, Joel, 151 
 
 William R., 357 
 Cromwell, William, 161 
 
INDEX. 
 
 171 
 
 Crosby. Jedediah, 104 
 
 Orris, Dr., 375 
 Crosman, Cortland, 185 
 
 Peter, 111, 157 
 Cross, Abel, 151 
 
 Erastus, Dr., 388 
 
 H. T., 293 
 Crossett, James, 103, 118 
 Culver, Charles, 105, 116 
 Cully, David, 83, 115 
 Cummings, Calvin, 151 
 
 H. F., Rev , 158 
 
 Samuel, 109, 117 
 
 Simeon, 100, 277, 284, 285 
 
 V. M., 289 
 Cunningham, Thomas, Rev., 193 
 Curtis, Daniel, 100, 115 
 
 John L., Dr., 378 
 
 Joseph, 96 
 
 Jotham, Capt., 93, 97 
 
 Owen, 107, 108 
 
 William, 100 
 Curtiss, C. E., 196 
 Cushing, Pierre, Rev., 158 
 Cutler, Jeremiah, 100, 116 
 
 " Daily News, The,'' Batavia, 437 
 Dalby, I. M., Rev., 164 
 Daly, C. S., Rev., 163 
 Danforth, Francis, Rev., 160 
 Daniels, H , Rev., 159 
 
 Noble, 151 
 
 William, 148 
 Danolds, David, 103 
 Darien, churches of, 163, 168, 252 
 
 first school in, 396 
 
 from 1841 to 1861, 198 
 
 gazetteer of the town of, 480, 481 
 
 growth of industries in from 1861 to 
 1898, 234 
 
 physicians of, 387 
 
 pioneers of, 106-108, 480 
 
 settlers in, after the war of, 1812, 150 
 
 town officers of, 480-481 
 
 villages and hamlets in, 481 
 Darrow, Edwin, 309 
 
 George, 109, 115, 116 
 Darwin, A., Rev., 162 
 
 R., Rev., 149 
 Datton, Charles, Rev., 165 
 Davidson, Chester, 106, 118 
 
 Peter, 106, 118 
 Davis, Abram, 104 
 
 Benjamin, 384 
 
 Calvin, 96 
 
 Daniel, Gen., 94, 117, 146 and note 
 
 Eleazur D., 150 
 
 Garrett, Dr., 68, 100, 384 
 
 Davis, James, jr., 95 
 John, 237 
 Levi, 101, 116 
 Lydia, 94 
 Naomi 94, 151 
 Norton S., Col., 96 
 Samuel, 84, 95 
 Davy, J., Rev., 166 
 Day, James, 108 
 John W., 246 
 Paul E., 148 
 Stephen, 117, 149 
 W. Harris. 362 
 Dean, M. C, Rev., 164 
 Debow, Jemima, 100 
 John, 102 
 S., 149 
 Decker & Titman, 229 
 Dedication of the Holland Land office as 
 a museum, 255-266 
 
 distinguished visitors at the, 266 
 extract from the address of Hon. 
 
 J. G. Carlisle at the, 259-261 
 list of the chorus of singers at 
 
 the, 265, 266 
 order of the parade at the, 258, 
 
 259 
 poem of J. H. Yates read at the, 
 262-265 
 De la Barre's administration, 31 
 De La Matyr, G. Rev., 163, 164 
 Dellinger, John, 257 
 Dennison, George, 151 
 De Nonville, invasion of the Seneca coun- 
 try by, 32, 33 
 Demary, Newcombe, 149 
 Deming, John, 148 
 Derby, J. M., Rev., 167 
 Development just before the war of 1812, 
 
 88 
 Devil's Hole, the massacre at the, 40-42 
 Dewey, Israel M., 115 
 James, 101 
 John, 105, 115, 116 
 De Wolf, John, 101 
 Dexter, R. H., Rev., 160 
 Dibble, Andrew, 112, 148 
 
 Edgar C, 150; sketch of, 343 
 Richard, Dr., 148, 376 
 S., 164 
 
 Silas, jr., 101, 117 
 Dickey, F. O., Rev., 253 
 Dickinson, Moses, 149 
 Dietrich, W. H., 437 
 Dillon, Rev. Fr., 192, 198 
 Dimmick, Moses, 116 
 Dimock, Dwight, 186 
 Disbrow, Lewis, 101, 106, 109, 115, 116 
 
173 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 District a''torneys, list of, 440 
 Dixon, Cliarles, 149 
 
 W. R., 149 
 Doane, Israel, 108, 117 
 Dodge, Abner C, 193, 195 
 
 A. F., Dr., 377 
 
 C, 150 
 
 C. F., Rev., 168 
 J. S., Dr., 382 
 
 Dodgson, Delos, 257 
 
 D. L., 248 
 E A 257 
 
 Dolbeer, C. H. , 357, 303 
 Donnan, William C, 155, 156 
 Donnocker, G., Rev., 253 
 Doran, Michael, 236 
 Dorman, John, 101, 293 
 
 William W., 311 
 Dorrance, John L., 294 
 Doty, John, 151 
 
 John C, 334 
 
 Leonidas, 301, 302 
 Douglas, Beriah, Dr., 380, 385 
 
 S. C, 338 
 Douglass, Cyrus, 96 
 
 George, 348 
 
 L., 303 
 
 Peleg, 100, 106, 116 
 
 Rowley H., 333 
 Downey, A. H , Prof., 405 
 Drake, Francis B., 117 
 
 James, 108 
 
 Jesse, 108 
 
 John, 108 
 
 Samuel. 108 
 Draper, A, D., 170 
 Driggs, George, 103 
 Dringernan, August, 355 
 Dryer, G. H., Rev., 164 
 Duboc, Henry A., Rev., 194 
 Duell, Isaac, 148 
 Duffy, Hugh, 101, 117 
 Duguid, Henry, 238 
 
 H. C, & Son, 156 
 
 Jason, 151 
 
 Nelson, 185 
 Dunham, Fred H., 357, 363 
 
 Gideon, 83, 100, 103, 115 
 Dunlap, William, 200 
 Durboraw, John, Dr., 383 
 Durfee, I. S., 185 
 Durkee, Jonathan, 107 
 
 J. H., Rev., 170, 354, 357 
 Dutton, Charles, Rev., 166 
 
 Simeon, 151 
 Dwight, Theodore, 154 
 Dyer, W. H., 406 
 
 Eades, Elisha A., 116, 118 
 Eager, Herbert B., 387 
 
 John, 387 
 
 Wellington T., 357, 387 
 Earl, Holland, 156 
 East, C. R., Rev., 168 
 Eastland, John, 149 
 Eastman, G. V. C, Rev., 193 
 
 Nathaniel, 117 
 Eckler, N. A., 345 
 Eddy, C, Rev., 168 
 Edgerton, Richard, 109 
 Edson, Rev. Mr., 162 
 Edwards, T. A., 161 
 Eggleston, Ebenezer, 116, 118 
 
 Eben, 103 
 Elba, churches of, 89, 161, 168 
 
 fires in, 347 
 
 first mills in, 109 
 
 first school in, 109, 396 
 
 gazetteer of the town of, 481-483 
 
 growth of industries in, from 1861 to 
 1898, 335 
 
 physicians of, 388 
 
 pioneers of, 108, 109. 483 
 
 school system of, 406 
 
 settlers in, after the war of 1812, 150 
 
 town officers of, 483 
 
 village and hamlets in, 483, 483 
 Eldridge, Sylvester, 118 
 Elections, first, on the Holland purchase, 
 
 83. 83 
 Ellicott, Andrew A., 101 
 
 Benjamin, 83, 97, 366, 367 
 
 Gideon, 101 
 
 John B.. 101 
 
 Joseph, 65-68 ; correspondence of, re- 
 lative to slow sales of land, 69, 70 ; 
 biographical sketch of, 77-79; 80- 
 82, 90, 94, 97, 98, 101, 169, 184, 266- 
 368, 271-274; as county judge, 342 
 EUinwood, Henry P., 338 
 Elliott, George, 103 
 
 John, 96 
 
 Jesse, Rev., 161 
 Ellis, John J., 339 
 Ellison, D. J., Rev., 167 
 Elwell, H. B., Ill 
 Ely, Augustus H., 96 
 Emerson, George, Dr., 383 
 
 George O., 245 
 Emery, Sanford, Dr., 386 
 Emmons, David, 96, 97 
 Enger, John, 195 
 English claims to territory, 23 
 
 colonization, 35 
 
 control of eastern New York, 36 
 
INDEX. 
 
 173 
 
 English, discouraging prospects of the, 
 at the beginning of the final struggle 
 in 1756, 37 
 
 occupation of the western frontier by 
 the, 40 
 Ensign, Seymour, 101, 103, 110 
 Ernst, John F., 294 
 Evans, David E. , 99, 182, 284, 286, 288 
 
 S. R., Rev., 163 
 Evarts, David H., 104 
 
 H. H., 149 
 
 Stephen R., 104 
 
 W. W., 194 
 Everest, I., 149 
 Everett, Thomas E , Dr. . 878 
 Ewing, William, 101, 117 
 Eyres, John, 231 
 
 Fairbanks, Daniel, 87 
 
 Parley, 116 
 Fairchild, David, Dr., 96 
 Fales, Justus, 150 
 Falkner, H. H., 196 
 
 James, 194 
 Fancher, Bela. Rev., 162 
 
 David, 149, 162 
 Fanson, Francis W., 236 
 Fargo, J. G., 248, 303 
 
 O. T., 149 
 Farmer's Brother, 64 
 Farnham, E., Dr., 377 
 
 Jacob, 117 
 
 James, 236 
 
 Lathrop, 149 
 
 Levi, 95, 96 
 
 Nathaniel, 148 
 
 Philo, 150 
 
 Reuben H., 301, 302 
 Farrall, G. A., 317 
 Farwell, Elisha, 83 
 Faunce, Eleazer, 106 
 Fay, Ezekiel, 106 
 
 Israel, 106 
 
 Levi, Dr., 383 
 
 Timothy, 110, 118, 149 
 
 Warren, Dr., 151, 154. 200, 385 
 Fellows, Joseph, 109. 116, 118, 287, 288 
 
 Marcellus, Capt., 149 
 
 N., Rev., 166 
 
 Samuel, 195 
 Felton, Levi, 83 
 Ferguson, L. D., Rev., 158 
 Ferris, Arthur, 257 
 
 James C, 154, 155, 287, 288 
 Ferrin, C. J., jr., 312 
 Field. George, Rev., 254 
 
 Harvey, 104 
 
 Joareb, 104 
 
 Field, Joshua, 104 105 
 
 Nathan, 104 
 
 Othniel, 101, 118 
 
 Wickham, 104 105 
 Filkin, David, 118 
 Filkins, James, 148 
 Finch, Silas, 389, 284^286 , 
 First Judges of Common Pleas, list of, 
 
 438 
 Fish, Eli, 195, 307 
 
 Eli H., 286-288, 302 
 
 Libbeus, 101, 115, 286, 287 
 
 Levi, 150 
 Fishell, Henry, 233 
 Fisher, Alanson, 242 
 
 John, 170, 200, 302 
 
 John, Mrs., 200 
 
 Lillie, 109 
 Fisk, N. M., Rev., 166 
 Fiske, Thomas, 158 
 Fister, Isaac, Rev., 168 
 Fitch, C, Rev., 168 
 
 Frederick, Dr., 96, 97, 379 
 
 Graham, Dr., 380 
 
 Timothy, 148 
 Flagler, J. S., Rev., 168 
 Fletcher, Oliver, 105, 116 
 
 O. N., Rev., 167 
 FoUett, Frederick, 274. 289, 294, 435 
 
 Nathan, 284-286, 389 
 
 Oren, 148 
 Foot, John, 288 
 Foote, George, 303 
 
 John B., Lieut, 203 
 
 Robert L., 302 
 Forbes, Marion, Rev., 167 
 Force, Solomon. 119 
 Ford, Charles E., Dr., 376 
 
 Nathaniel, 150 
 
 Phineas, 101, 242 
 
 Sylvanus, 243 
 Fordham, Gideon, 96, 196 
 
 Silas, 96 
 Foreman, I. M., 152 
 Forster, J. L., Rev., 166 
 Forsyth, John, 83, 100, 115 
 Fort Frontenac, capture of, by Colonel 
 Bradstreet, 38 
 
 Stanwix, results of the treaty of, 51 
 Foster, Addison, 303 
 
 Calvin, 293 
 
 Daniel, 148 
 
 Eden, 151, 168, 184 
 
 Edson, 101 
 
 F. L., Rev.. 253 
 
 John L., 301 
 
 Lemuel, 108, 150, 278 
 Fowler, J. D., Dr., 387 
 
174 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Fowler, Morelle, Rev , 303 
 Fox, Alvin J., 301 
 Ebenezer 95 
 Elisha, 117 
 Ezekiel, 101, 117, 376 
 Jabez, 84, 95, 96 
 Franklin, Daniel, 104 
 David, 104 
 Ishi, 104 
 John, 96 
 Reuben, 104 
 Sylvanus, 104 
 Freeman, Edward P., 196 
 French activity in 1756, 37 
 claims to territory, 33 
 occupation of Niagara under De 
 
 Nonville, 33 
 wretched condition of the, in the 
 
 spring of 1759, 38 
 and English campaign of 1756, 37 
 campaigns of 1757-58-59, 38 
 contentions, 35, 36 
 military preparations during the 
 
 technical peace 1748-56, 36 
 struggles for territorial suprem- 
 acy, 35, 36 
 and Iroquois treaty, disastrous ter- 
 mination of, 34 
 French, Jerome, 198 
 Richard B., 149 
 & Co., 335 
 Friedly, John, 354 
 Frost, Asa, 117 
 Fuller, AsaW., Dr., 381 
 B A., Dr., 387 
 Benjamin F., Dr., 388 
 E. W., Rev., 165 
 Gardner, Prof. , 413 
 James, 116, 150, 168 
 James M., Rev., 164, 166 
 John, Rev., 166 
 Holland, 163 
 Furman, E. S., Rev., 166, 168 
 
 Gage, Adin G., 343 
 
 Homer L. , 345 
 
 L. L., Rev., 166 
 
 M. B., Dr., 384 
 Gaines, Benoni, 113 
 Gale, Aaron, 110, 118 
 Gallagher, Thomas, & Sons, 339 
 Gallup, Jacob, 148 
 Gamble, William, 387 
 Ganson family, the, 93, 93 
 
 Holton, Dr., 377 
 
 James, 97, 153 
 
 John, 93 
 
 John, jr., 83 
 
 Ganson, John S., 195, 388, 389 
 
 settlement, the, 93 
 Gardiner, W. C, 316 
 Gardner, Benjamin, 83 
 George W., 103 
 H. v., Rev., 194 
 James, 148 
 Jeremiah H. , 103 
 John, 103 
 John C, 300 
 Nicholas D., Dr., 380 
 Washington, 150 
 Garfield, William B., 150 
 Garnet, William, Rev., 167 
 Gary, David, 118 
 Gates, Jeremiah, Rev., 158 
 
 Seth M.. 148, 154, 170, 346 
 Gay, C. C. F., Dr., 387 
 
 R., Dr., 884 
 Geer, Samuel, 87 
 
 Samuel F., 83, 98, 100, 115, 271, 373, 
 378 
 Gelser, G., Rev., 353 
 Genesee and Wyoming Seminary, 409 
 country," meaning of the term, 53 
 knowledge of gained through 
 
 military expeditions, 50 
 claims of Massachusetts and 
 New York to the, 54 and note, 
 55 
 emigration to, after 1783, 51 
 county, condition of at the beginning 
 of the war of 1813, 132 
 
 condition of at the close of the 
 
 war of 1813,' 147 
 condition of at the close of the 
 
 Civil war, 337 
 erection of, 1 
 geology of, 3 
 
 growth of industries in, from 
 1861 to the present time, 338- 
 240 
 in the Civil war. 199-327 
 in the war with Spain, 350-353 
 just before the Rebellion. 198 
 organization of the new, in 1841, 
 
 189 
 population of, as indicated by 
 
 election of 1803, 373 
 Primitive Man in, by S. P. 
 
 Moulthrop, 446-455 
 railroads in, 4 
 streams of, 2, 3 
 subdivision of the original, 1, 
 
 3 
 sugar beet cultivation in, 349 
 topography of, 3 
 towns of, 4, 5 
 
INDEX. 
 
 175 
 
 Genesee county, Wyoming county set oflf 
 
 from, 187 
 Genesee County Agricultural Society, 
 184-186 
 
 Bible Society, 170 
 Fruit Growers' Union, 248 
 Medical Society, 374, 375 
 Permanent Loan and Building 
 
 Association, 309 
 Volunteer Firemen's Associa- 
 tion, 249 
 Pioneer Association, 242, 243 
 Courier, The," 436 
 Intelligencer, the pioneer news- 
 paper, 88 
 & Venango Petroleum Co. , 302 
 Gesner, A. H., Rev., 158 
 Gettings, Elisha, 100, 115 
 Gibbs, Horace, 109 
 Giddings, Edward, 336 
 
 Elisha, 116 
 Gififord, Abraham, 151, 161 
 John, 87, 104, 149 
 Henry D., 149 
 Gilbert Baxter, 150 
 
 family, the, prisoners of the Senecas 
 
 at Buffalo Creek, 49 
 John, 95, 148 
 Sephrine D., 196 
 Samuel, 96 
 Gildersleve, William, Rev., 161 
 Gilmore, William, 151 
 Gillespie, George D., Rev., 158, 162 
 Gillett, Charles, 303 
 J. B., 246 
 Moses, 150 
 Gillette, George M., 246 
 Gilman, H., Rev., 163 
 Gillmore, S., & Co., 233 
 
 & Carpenter, 233 
 Glade, John, 357 
 Gladden, Joseph, 110, 117 
 Glass, Cyrenus, 117 
 Rufus, 151 
 William, 151 
 Gleason, George U., Dr., 387 
 John S., 246, 248 
 P., 235 
 Samuel, 104 
 Glowacki, Henry I., 302, 312, 354 
 Godfrey, Newcomb, 118 
 Richard, 101, 117, 118 
 Thomas, 101, 117, 118 
 Goff. Samuel, Rev., 168 
 Goodenow, Henry, 96, 164 
 Goodrich, Benjamin C, 118 
 Josiah, 149 
 J. C, 253 
 
 Goodrich, Moses, 106, 117 
 Goodwin, Charles T., 245 
 Gorham, Nathaniel, 56 
 Gorton, William, 149 
 Goss, David, 101, 108, 110, 117 
 Gould, Charles R., 309 
 
 John, 118 
 Gove, C. C, Rev., 194, 409 
 Graham, Benjamin, 118 
 
 Israel, 118 
 
 Nathan, 117 
 
 Roswell, 99, 115 
 Grand jury, first in the county, 83 
 Grannis, Samuel, 170 
 Grant, Elder, 89 
 
 Jacob, 303 
 
 Stephen, 288, 289 
 Graves, D & W., 158 
 
 E. L., Rev., 253 
 
 Libbeus, 111 
 Gray, B. B., Rev., 160 
 Green, Andrew Hunter, 150 
 
 Frederick R., 348 
 
 John, 149, 307 
 
 Loren, 200 
 
 Micajah, 103, 118 
 
 N. H., 248 
 
 Thomas, 148 
 
 William, Rev., 103, 157 
 Greenough, John, 106, 117 
 Gregg, Hiram, Rev., 162 
 Gregory, E. B., 437 
 Greig, John, 83 
 Greneback, J., Rev., 353 
 Gresham, Walter Q., 358 
 Griffin, Thomas, 150, 235 
 Grimes, Alexander, 106 
 
 John, 106, 116, 117 
 Grinnell, Albert A., 337 
 Griswold, Benajah, 113, 150 
 
 C. D., Dr., 878 
 
 G. S., 357, 310, 437 
 
 Jesse, 104 
 
 Julius, 96 
 
 Zeno, 234 
 Gross, L.,Rev., 354 
 Grout, James S., Dr., 382 
 Guiteau, J. C, 309 
 Gumaer, Benjamin, 148 
 Gunn, Alanson, 101, 116 
 
 Linus, 101 
 Gustin, Walter, 200 
 
 G. W., 148 
 Guttridge, James, 116 
 Gwinn, William R. , 195 
 
 Hagar, J., Rev., 168 
 Hahn, L. W., 301 
 
176 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Haight, Jonathan T., 83 
 Halbert, Amos, 151 
 
 William, 111 
 Hall, Amos, Gen., 83, 96, 101 
 
 David, 101, 103, 105, 116 
 
 Elder, 167 
 
 Ezekiel, 96 
 
 E O., Rev., 166 
 
 Friend, 95 
 
 Gilbert, 83, 94 
 
 John, Dr., 383 
 
 Joseph F., 357, 435 
 
 Samuel, Col., 109, 117 
 
 & Grimes, 235 
 Halsey, Edward, 200 
 
 Heman, Rev., 149, 150, 160 
 Halstate, John, 116 
 Halsted, David, 149 
 
 John, 106 
 
 Thomas, 106, 117 
 Hamilton, John M., 257 
 Hand, George W., 436 
 
 H. W., Rev., 168 
 Hannum, Horace, 151. 343 
 Hard, Reuben, Rev., 159 
 Harding, Thomas. 106 
 HarloflE, Fred, 254 
 
 John, 254 
 Harlow, Charles J., 198 
 
 Henry L., 198 
 
 Jefferson P.. 198 
 Harmon, Ransom, 84 
 
 Shadrach, 150 
 
 Stephen, 109 
 Harper, George, 108, 118 
 
 John, 108, 118 
 
 Oliver, 150 
 
 Robert, 148 
 Harrick, George, 118 
 Harrington, C. H.,318 
 
 John M., Dr., 388 
 
 Sally, 163 
 Harris, Charles D , 186 
 
 Daniel, 148 
 
 G. M., Rev., 164 
 
 I., Rev., 168 
 
 James, 150 
 
 Levi, 117 
 
 Seth, 96 
 
 William, 96 
 
 William P., 388 
 Harroun, Samuel, 150 
 Hart, Ephraim, 88, 148, 275 
 
 M. W., Rev, 167 
 
 Rufus, 83, 100, 115 
 Hartwell, J., Rev., 164 
 Harvey, Horace J., 337 
 
 Nathan, 96 
 
 Hascall, Augustus P., 194, 197, 243, 345 
 
 Hiram W., 857 
 
 Jeremiah, and Sons, 95 
 Haskell, C. L., Rev., 165 
 
 J., 303 
 Haskins, Timothy, 149 
 Hastings, Jonathan, 150 
 
 Rufus, 103, 117 
 Hatch, Timothy, 148, 158 
 Hathaway, Levi, 158 
 Hawes, Benjamin F., 360 
 Hawkins, C. J., 149 
 
 Harvey, 87, 90, 110 
 
 Henry, 90, 387, 388, 398 
 
 Jesse, 116, 293 
 
 Rudolphus, 110 
 
 Timothy, 110 
 
 Van Rensselaer, 293 
 Hawks, Joseph, 100, 106, 116 
 Hawley, Chapman, 93 
 Hay, E. R., 185 
 
 John, 95, 164 
 Haynes, Jucius M., Dr., 384 
 Hayse, Moses, 115 
 Heacocks, James, 117 
 Heacox, Clark, 88, 375 
 Heddon, Thomas P., 355 
 Hedges, Hiram, 150 
 Hendee, John, 151 
 Hendry, Thomas M., Dr., 383 
 Hennepin, Father, account of La Salle's 
 
 expedition by, 38-30 
 Henry, Daniel, 83 
 
 Francis J., 337 
 
 Hugh, 101, 116 
 
 James, 101, 117 
 
 John, ]16 
 Henshaw, Charles, sketch of, 344 
 Her, F. R., Rev., 253 
 Herman, L., Rev., 253 
 Herrick, A., Rev., 168 
 
 Francis, 111 
 
 Israel, 96, 164 
 
 Julia, 164 
 Herring, John, 101, 117 
 Heston, Samuel, 304, 333 
 Hewitt, Amos, 104 
 
 Joseph, 93 
 
 M. L., Rev., 165 
 
 Marlbro W., 333, 351 
 
 Winter, Dr., 101, 875 
 Hibbard, Solomon, Rev., 87, 161 
 Hickey, E. F., 338 
 Hickox, John, 147, 377 
 Hicks, F. M., Rev., 165 
 Higgins. Asa, 151 
 Higley, Isaac, 108, 150 
 
 Levi C, 406 
 
index; 
 
 177 
 
 Hill, Albert, 148, 151 
 
 Benjamin, Dr., 96, 111, 380 
 Charles, 151 
 E. W., Rev., 163 
 Paul, 100, 115, 117 
 Timothy, 104 
 Hinckley, Ichabod, 150 
 Hinkley, Paul, 100, 115 
 Hitchcock, T. C, Rev., 166 
 Hoag, C. H., Rev., 163 
 Israel, 150 
 W , Rev., 164 
 Hodgman, T. Mr, Rev., 160 
 Hodgson, D. L., 185 
 Hoge, George, 103, 118 
 Holbrook, Chester T., 113 
 
 William, 96 
 Holcomb, J. E., 151 
 Holden, George H., Mrs., 300 
 Hinman. 101, 177, 356 
 James, 100, 115 
 R. O., 147, 303 
 Samuel C, 101, 398 
 S. C, Mrs., 200 
 Holland Land Company, growing oppo- 
 sition to the, 177 
 
 individuals composing the, 65 
 meetings in opposition to the, 183 
 Holland Land Company's oflHce, dedica- 
 cation of, as a museum, 255-266 
 
 established on the site of Bata- 
 via, 80 
 purchase, description of various par- 
 cels of, 73 
 
 first town meeting on the, 83 
 
 lands included in the, 60 
 
 list of purchasers of lands of, up 
 
 to 1807, 115-119 
 original map of the, 73 
 principal surveyors of the, 66 
 ranges and townships of, as in- 
 cluded in the present counties 
 and towns, 113-115 
 reason for slow sale of the lands 
 
 of the, 88, 81 
 survey of the, 66, 67 
 Holland Purchase Historical Society, 256 
 Hollister, Allen, Rev., 87, 149 
 
 Silas, 147, 278 
 HoUs, E. F., Rev., 254,255 
 Holmes, George H , 339 
 Harry, 148 
 Joseph, 148, 163 
 J. W., 257 
 Holt. Horace R., 195 
 W. H., Rev., 167 
 W. W., Rev., 253 
 Honeck. C. H., 320 
 
 Hooker, L. S., 228 
 
 S. Percy, 196 
 Hopkins, Orlando, 83, 115 
 
 Samuel M., 184 
 
 Timothys., 83 
 
 W. B., 253 
 Horning, Nelson, Dr., 384 
 Horton, Anna, 111 
 Hosraer, Albert, 289 
 
 George, 83 
 
 Simeon, 109 
 Hotchkiss, Sterling, 148 
 Houck, Philip, 237 
 Hough, C. W., 257, 307, 318, 321 
 Houghton, Charles, 309 
 
 C. C, Rev., 164 
 
 Daniel C, Rev., 198, 194 
 
 Horace B., 149 
 Housel, W. S. & C. E., 339 
 Howard, Charles H., 309, 313 
 
 Henry, 148 
 
 H. U., 155, 388 
 
 H. U., Mrs., 200 
 
 John, Dr., 385 
 
 Royal T., 288, 309 
 
 Samuel T., 155, 196 
 Howe, Darius, 151 
 
 George M. , 436 
 
 Ira, 109 
 
 John, 89, 109 
 
 Phineas, 89, 109 
 
 Seth, 89 
 Howell, Hugh, 83 
 
 H. B., Rev., 165 
 
 Livingston D., 229 
 
 Nathaniel W., 83 
 Howland, Albert, 333 
 
 Gideon, 148 
 Howse, Ehsha, Rev., '278 
 Hoyle, John L., 150 
 Hoyt, James G., 101,348 
 Hubbard, Harvey, 103 
 Hudson, Henry, Dutch claims based up- 
 on the discovery of, 22 
 Huggins, Carlos, 200 
 
 Nathaniel, 150 
 Hull, Abner, 104, 105 
 
 Carlos A., 105,256, 357 
 
 Ebenezer, 104 
 . Ferdinand H. , 105 
 Hulett, A., 200 
 
 Oliver, Dr.. 386 
 Hulse, Smith, Rev., 161 
 Humelbaugh, W. E., 196, 246 
 Humphrey, Amos, 107, 108, 119 
 
 B., 289 
 
 Elkanah, 113 
 
 John, 118 
 
178 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Humphrey, Sylvanus, 109 
 
 William, 119 
 Hunn, Horace, 235 
 Hunt, B., Rev., 168 
 Huntington, Gurdon, 118 
 
 H. A., 309 
 
 John, 106 
 Huntley, Byron E., 316, 317 
 
 Davis, 150 
 Hurd, Theodore C, Dr., 384 
 
 William P., Dr., 385 
 Hurlburt, Daniel, Gen., 104 
 
 Elisha, 106 
 
 Jesse, 100, 115 
 
 Jonathan, Dr., 877 
 
 Uni, 148, 152 
 Hurty, Elijah, 848 
 Hustes, J., Rev., 164 
 Hutchins, A. E., 153 
 
 H. S., Dr., 309 
 Hutchinson, A., 150 
 
 Jonathan, 186 
 
 R. L.. 338 
 
 WilHam, Rev., 159 
 Huyck, William P., 196, 238, 248,361 
 Hyde, Caleb, 83 
 
 Daniel, 149 
 
 J. W., 200 
 
 Indian reservations in the Genesee coun- 
 try, 56 note 
 Indians, alleged bribery of, by the Hol- 
 land Company, note 65 
 
 expedition of Colonels Van Schaick 
 and Willett against the Onondaga, 
 45 
 
 Iroquois, domain of, 5-7 
 
 Neutral Nation of, 10 
 
 religion of, 10 
 
 Seneca, principal villages of the, 9 
 Ingalls, Calvin, Rev., 105 
 
 Otis, 115 
 Ingalsbe, Adna, 167 
 
 Ebenezer, 148 
 
 Elijah, 148, 167 
 
 Elijah B.,148 
 
 E. J., 185 
 
 Parley V., 148 
 
 Ryal, 148 
 Ingersoll, David, 106, 118 
 
 Nehemiah, 151 
 Ingham, Emily E., 406, 408 
 
 Marietta, 406 
 
 M. M., 194 
 Ingham Collegiate Institute, 194 
 
 University, 406-408 
 Irlbacker, John, 237 
 
 Iroquois confederacy, laws and customs 
 governing the, 9 
 confederacy, tradition of the origin 
 
 of, 8 
 council methods of the, 14 
 manner of selecting names for in- 
 fants among the, 13 
 method of reckoning degrees of con- 
 sanguinity among the, 11 
 succession of sachemships among the, 
 
 13 
 the eight tribes of, 10 
 tribal and family relationship of the, 
 
 11 
 Portland Cement Co., 240 
 Irwrin, Robert, 150 
 Ives, Henry, 303 
 
 Levis., Rev., 277 
 
 Jackman, James L., 149 
 Jackson, Charles C. , 117 
 
 Levi, Mrs., 300 
 
 Z. S., Dr., 378 
 Jacks, Samuel, 101 
 Jameson, F. M., 185 
 
 F. M., Mrs., 324 
 Jefferson, Alva, 107 
 
 A., Col., 200 
 
 Ichabod, 107 
 Jemison, Mary, biographical sketch of, 
 
 57, 58 
 Jenkins, Harmon, Rev., 161 
 Jenks, Obadiah, 150 
 Jerome, Horace, 101, 109, 116, 118 
 
 Joel, 109, 118 
 
 Samuel, sr. and jr., 103, 117 
 Jervis, K. P., Rev., 164 
 Jesuits, labors and influence of, 25, 26 
 Johnson, C. A., Rev., 257 
 
 Guy, Col., 44 
 
 H., 96 
 
 John, Sir, 44 
 
 L., Rev., 163, 253 
 
 Nathaniel, 109, 116 
 
 Samuel, Rev., 158 
 
 William, 109 
 
 William, Sir, at Niagara in 1871, 40; 
 43 
 Johnston Harvester Co., the, 816, 317 
 
 Samuel, 316 
 Jolles, Samuel, 150 
 Jones, Alanson, 106, 116 
 
 Alvah, 118 
 
 Amos, 110,118 
 
 Daniel, 108 
 
 E., Rev., 253 
 
 George, 335 
 
INDEX. 
 
 179 
 
 Jones, Henry C, 177 
 
 James. 117 
 
 John H.,83 
 
 Joseph, 151, 161 
 
 Levi, 108 
 
 Nathaniel, 108 
 
 N., Rev., 166 
 
 Silas, 148 
 
 W. F.,153 
 
 Zebulon, 150 
 Joslyn, Isaac M , 333 
 Joy, Thaddeus, 152 
 
 Theodore, Capt., 96, 97 
 Judd, Asenath, 164 
 
 Liberty, 106 
 
 Orange, 95, 111 
 
 Salem, Rev., 166 
 
 Timothy, 148 
 Juries, first, in the county, 83 
 Justices of sessions, list of, 438, 439 
 
 Kay, R. F., 148, 164 
 Kean, Rev. Fr., 355 
 Keeney, Calvin E., 348 
 
 C. N., 233, 346 
 
 Toseph, 148 
 
 'N. B., 338, 331, 233 
 Kellogg, Charles H., Rev., 194 
 
 Elisha, 109, 117 
 
 Enos, 82, 83, 109, 116, 118 
 
 Esther, 376 
 
 Orsamus, 105, 116, 118 
 
 Seymour, 83, 101 
 Kelsey, A., Rev., 166 
 
 Charles, 104 
 
 Daniel, Capt., 104 
 
 Ezekiel, Dr., 380 
 
 G., 149 
 
 Harvey, 104, 105 
 
 Hobart S., 196 
 
 Martin, 96, 104 
 
 Uriah, 96, 104 
 Kemp, B. George, 185 
 Kendall, Charles 393 
 Kendrick, George, 393 
 
 William P., Rev., 160 
 Kennard, John, Rev., 166 
 Kennedy, John, Prof., 256, 357 
 Kenny, Adelaide R., Mrs., 356 
 Kenyon, Christopher, 103 
 
 E. L., 185 
 Keyes, Chauncey, 101, 237 
 
 E. R., Rev., 163 
 
 Flint L., Dr , 384 
 
 Thaddeus, 95 
 
 William, 101, 272 
 
 Zenas, 101, 116 
 Kidder, Earl, 300, 343, 293 
 
 Kidder, Perry H., 406 
 
 Rufus, 108, 119 
 
 Selah, 151 
 Kimberly, Homer, 289 
 
 T. C, 388 
 King, A. H., 387 
 
 F. E., Rev., 163 
 
 Isaac, 117 
 
 Leonard, 103 
 
 Merritt, 151 
 
 Rufus H.. 387, 388 
 
 Rufus L., 194 
 
 Stephen, 150, 393 
 
 T. S., Dr., 385 
 
 ■William, 117 
 Kingsley, David, 109, 116 
 
 Esther, 276 
 
 Patience, 276 
 
 Solomon, 101, 105, 116, 276 
 Kinne,, Jonas, 111, 148 
 Kinsey, R. L., 319 
 Kirkham, Chauncey, jr., 184 
 
 O. C, Rev., 159 
 Kirkland, Samuel, Rev. , adoption of, by 
 
 the Senecas, 15, 16; 43 
 Klein, August, Rev., 354 
 
 A. B., Rev., 355 
 
 F., Rev., 353 
 Knapp, William, 89 
 Kneale, A. H., 406 
 Knight, Samuel S., 383 
 Knott, William, Rev., 165 
 Knowlton, Daniel, 151 
 
 Rich & Co. , 156 
 Kraft, S. B., Rev., 253 
 Kroner & Lapp, 337 
 Kurtz, Frank, 335 
 
 Ladd, E. H.,405 
 
 M. A., 153, 198 
 
 Thomas, 153 
 
 Thomas C, 148 
 Laid, D., 151 
 Laing, Samuel, 109, 150 
 Lake, Henry, 101, 116 
 
 Samuel, 377 
 Lamb, Elijah, 150 
 Lamberton, Abner, 116 
 
 Amos, 101. 116, 117 
 
 Asher, 106, 117 ' 
 
 John, 98, 100, 108, 109, 115, 115, 268 
 
 Reuben, 101, 117 
 Lampkins, Abram D., 196 
 Lampson, Amos, Rev., 159, 163 
 
 Miles P., 148, 154-156, 194, 288 
 
 Miles P., jr., 154-156 
 
 William, 154, 155, 248, 388 
 
 William, Rev., 157 
 
180 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Lanckton, John B. , Rev., 166 
 
 "Land office war," history of the, 178- 
 
 182 
 Landon, James, 104 
 
 John, 104 
 
 Seth, 117 
 Lane, Louis B.,256, 369 
 
 Smith, 150 
 Langdon, Seth C, 150 
 Laning, Gideon, Rev., 166 
 Lanning, Ralph, Rev., 89 
 Lapham, Ira, 161 
 Larkin, T. W., 196 
 La Salle, explorations of, 26-31 
 Latham, John, 110 
 
 Samuel, 90, 110 
 
 Adget, 151 
 
 Anson, 150 
 
 Bial. 161, 156 
 
 Caroline, 150 
 
 Elisha H., 150 
 
 Francis C, 229, 809 
 
 George, Capt., 103, 105, 116 
 
 Henry, 105, 148 
 
 John A., 150 
 
 Joshua, 153, 154 
 
 Solomon, 105, 117 
 Latimer, Daniel, 289 
 
 J., Rev., 164 
 Lauderdale, Edward, 151 
 Lawrence, Ebenezer, 96 
 
 Peter, 435 
 
 Prescott, Dr., 380 
 
 Silas. 96 
 Lawson, Frank E., 371 
 
 John W., 118 
 Lay, George A., 289 
 
 George W., 148,288, 347 
 
 James B , 289 
 
 Jonathan, 287, 288 
 
 Ganson & Co., 156 
 Layton, Thomas, 83, 101 
 Leach, Jesse, 103 
 Leavenworth, Hobart, Rev., 161 
 
 William W.,316 
 Le Barron, Daniel, 148 
 Lee, C. M., 288 
 
 D. J., 150 
 
 Elias, 109, 116 
 
 Elihu Dr., 377,382 
 
 Elijah, 150 
 
 John, 109, 116 
 
 Josiah, 119, 153 
 
 Orrin, Dr., 384 
 
 Quartus, 150 
 
 Thomas, 117 
 Lemon, J. B., Rev., 167 
 Lent, C. V. N., Dr., 377 
 
 Lent, David Dean, 257, 321, 361, 435 
 John, 154, 155 
 John H.,153, 196 
 Leonard, John S., 101, 116 
 Le Roy, ancient fortifications in, 487 
 bridge over the Oatka in, 96 
 changes in name of, 97 
 churches of, 90, 157, 159. 164, 165, 255 
 first birth and marriages in, 94 
 first merchants in, 97 
 first mill in, 96 
 first physician of, 97 
 gazetteer of the town of, 483-488 
 killing of Lorenzo J. Bovee and fami - 
 
 ly by railroad, 247 
 Masonry in. 432-434 
 mastodon remains found in, 249 
 physicians of, 379-382 
 pioneers of, 93-97, 483, 484 
 post-office established at, 97 
 salt manufacture in, 231-233 
 school system of, 404 
 settlers in, after the war of 1812, 148 
 town officers of, 485 
 village, and village officers, 485-487 
 banks of, 154-156 
 charter amendment of, 249 
 development of, from 1812 to 
 
 1841, 152-156 
 fire department of, 156, 195, 196 
 fires in, 197, 241, 243, 247 
 gas and electric light plants of, 
 
 248 
 growth of industries in, from 
 1861 to 1898, 228-233, 235-336, 
 239 
 incorporation of, 153 
 new charter of, 197 
 Le Roy Bicycle Club, 238 
 
 Business Men's Association, 246 
 Firemen's Benevolent Association, 
 
 1«6 
 Gas Light Company, 197 
 Gazette, The,' 436 
 Library Association, 229 
 Lodge No. 73, 1. O.O. F., 238 
 Power and Milling Co. , 328, 248 
 Le Roy, Jacob, 153, 158, 387, 388 
 Le Seur, James A. , 249, 257, 371 
 
 J. W. Dr., 256 
 Lester, Joseph, 110 
 Letson, George, 103 
 James, 103 
 Wilham, 103 
 Levi, Solomon, 103 
 Lewis, Calvin, 111 
 Elias A., 302 
 EzekielT., Capt, 110, 116 
 
INDEX. 
 
 181 
 
 Lewis, Fred A., 357, 370 
 
 James, 149 
 
 Peter,100, 103, 115 
 
 R. S., 257, 436 
 
 W. W.,810 
 Library, first public, 89 
 Lilly, Moses, 96 
 Lincoln, A., 101 
 
 Alfred, 116 
 
 C. J.. 150 
 
 Jedediah, 105 
 
 John, 149 
 
 Lemuel F. 160 
 
 Samuel, 103 
 
 Sylvester, 106, 116 
 
 Sylvester, jr., 106 
 Lindsley, John, Rev., 86, 87 
 Little, Alexander, 110, 118 
 Lloyd, W. L., 170 
 Locke. E. W., Rev., 168 
 Long, Aaron, Dr., 883 
 
 David, Dr., 108, 110, 119, 383 
 
 John, 108, 110 
 
 J. C. Rev., 163 
 Loomis. Elijah, 113 
 
 Nathaniel, 149 
 
 TheophilusS., Dr., 384 
 Lord, A. D., 170 
 
 Alansou D., 149 
 
 Asa D., Dr., 413, 413 
 
 Daniel, 111 
 
 JaredS., 149 
 Loring, Nahum. 148 
 Losee, R. R., 186 
 Loucks, S„ 246 
 Lounsbury, E. B.,Dr ,887 
 
 Isaiah B., Dr., 383 
 
 Robert. 106 
 Love, G. F., Rev., 167 
 Low, C. W., Rev., 353 
 Lowe, George F.. 338 
 Lucas, Wilhara, 101, 116 
 Ludden, S. D., Major, 202 
 Lund, Jesse, 118, 148 
 
 Joseph, 242 
 Lusk, S. B.,185, 243, 302 
 
 William, Rev., 198 
 Luttington, Fayette, 89 
 
 Zalmon, 89 
 Lyman, Burnham, 110, 118 
 Lyon, Isaac D., Ill 
 
 McAlpine, Lemuel, Dr., 383 
 McCleary, D. C.,289 
 McClelland, J., Rev., 168 
 McCollister, John, 110, 118, 150 
 McCoUum, Jacob, 96 
 Moses, 96 
 
 McCormick, E. M., 302 
 
 HoUis, 301 
 
 John, 117 
 McCracken, Asa, Dr., 101, 375 
 
 Benjamin, 151 
 
 D.,277 
 
 Daniel, 100, 163 
 
 David, Dr., 99, 115, 151, 375 
 
 Mary A. , 168 
 
 Rufus, 100, 117 
 
 William J., 118 
 McCulley, John H., 185 
 
 Thomas, 148, 277, 278 
 McCrilles, William, 103 
 McCumber, Nathan, 118 
 McDonald, Alexander, 83 
 McDermott, Hugh, 83, 84 
 McElver, James, 229 
 McEwen, J., Rev., 163, 164, 166 
 
 & Cole, 239 
 McGlew, Rev. Fr. , 193 
 McGowan, Rev. Fr., 194 
 McGrath, William, 103, 116 
 Mcllroy, A. M.,406 
 Mclntyre, Levant C, 256, 302, 818 
 McKain, Abel, 118 
 
 James, 100, 115 
 McKenzie, James R. , 246 
 
 John, 357, 303 
 
 John M.,185, 186, 318 
 
 W. F.,196 
 
 & Benedict, 334 
 McKinney, Daniel, 87 
 McKnight, George H., Rev., 158, 194 
 McLaury, J. F.. Rev., 160 
 McLean, Andrew, 118 
 
 Lewis F., 388 
 McLelland, Duncan, 87 
 
 James, 87 
 McNaughton, George, Dr., 882 
 
 John, 83 
 McNeal, Benjamin F., 166 
 
 William, Rev., 168 
 McPherson, Alexander, 96 
 
 Allen, 96 
 
 DanielJ.,346, 248 
 
 James, jr. . 96 
 
 John, 87, 96 
 McVane, P., 148 
 McVean, John, 83, 87 
 McWain, Andrew J., 247, 435-437 
 McWethy, James, 111 
 
 Levi, 111 
 Mace, B. F., Rev, 161, 166 
 Macy, Sylvanus J., 244 
 Madison, S., Rev., 164 
 Mager, Charles, 237 
 Magovern, William, Rev., 163, 168 
 
183 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Mallory, James, Rev., 161, 166 
 
 M., Miss, 200 
 
 William L., 323, 334 
 
 W. S.,302 
 Maloney, John, 154, 156 
 Maloy, Rev. Fr.,194 
 Mann, Chester, 15U 
 
 David, 150 
 
 Donald, Rev., 159 
 
 Elisha, 100, 116 
 Manson, N., 149 
 Marcellus, George E. , 436 
 March, Samuel, 195 
 Markham, William W., Dr., 385 
 Marsh, Azor, 101, 116 
 
 Daniel, 106, 150 
 
 E. W., Dr., 388 
 
 Isaac, Capt.,95, 96 
 
 Jonas, 117 
 
 Wolcott, 149 
 Martin, David, 148 
 
 D. L., Rev., 159 
 
 Henry, 293 
 
 Jacob, 148 
 
 R., Rev., 163 
 
 Stephen, Dr. , 383 
 Martindale, John H . Gen., 353 
 Marvin, Nathan, 103 
 Mason, A. H., Rev., 163 
 
 Elisha, Rev., 149, 164 
 
 Wheaton, 148 
 Masonry in the county, 415-434 
 Masse, S , 357, 309 
 Mather, David, 100 
 Mathers, Elizabeth, 376 
 Matthews, Vincent, 83 
 
 Wilmot D.,230 
 Mattison, Abraham, Col., 107 
 
 D. W., Ill 
 Mattoon, Charles N., 194 
 Maule, John, extract from the book of, 
 describing his journey through the 
 Holland purchase, 71-73 
 Maxwell, Robert A., 185, 257, 287 
 May, Hiram, Rev., 167 
 Maybee, Suffrenus, 83 
 Meacham, John G., Dr., 385 
 Meade, Colton, Rev., 162 
 Mede, Alexander, Rev., 167 
 Medical education, evolution of, 373, 374 
 
 Society, Genesee county, 374, 375 
 Members of Assembly, list of, 441-443 
 
 of Congress, list of, 443 
 Mentz, William, Rev. , 252 
 Merrifield, R., 398 
 Merrill, Asa. 150 
 
 Jared, 105 
 Merriman, William F., 304, 309 
 
 Merritt, Daniel, 235 
 
 David, 149 
 Messenger, Elizur, 101, 116 
 Metcalf, John, 149 
 
 Kendrick, Rev., 158 
 
 Zebulon, Dr.,377 
 Middaugh, Martin, 83 
 Miles, Ebenezer, 96 
 
 Seth, 151 
 Military records of the Civil war, incom- 
 pleteness of the, 227 
 Millard, David, Rev., 158 
 Miller, A. E., 231, 232 
 
 A. T., 311 
 
 Bros. & Co. , 240 
 
 David C, 101, 172, 175, 277, 434 
 
 Elisha, 112 
 
 E. W.,339 
 
 F. T., 186 
 F. W.,334 
 Henry, ltl6, 118 
 H. B.,Dr.,383 
 H. T.,257, 304 
 John, Rev.. 159 
 Lemon, 148 
 O.J., 234 
 Philip, Rev., 253 
 R. D., Rev., 163 
 W. S.,150 
 
 Millet, Stephen C, Rev., 162 
 Millett, Reuben, 151 
 Mills, Daniel, 108 
 
 George, 108, 150 
 
 James, 118 ' 
 
 John, 108 
 
 Joseph, 109 
 Milnor, James, 289 
 Miner, John, Rev., 161 
 
 Nathan, 101, 109, 116, 117 
 Minor, John, Rev., 159 
 Mitchell, James P., 342 
 
 James R., Capt., 200-204, 309 
 
 William, 163 
 Mix, Ebenezer, 99, 161 
 
 Malcolm D, 437 
 Mockford, E. J.,317 
 Moffit, P.S., 292 
 Monell, C. H., 300, 301, 303 
 
 Henry, 301, 302 
 Montcalm, activitv of, in 1756, 37 
 Mooers, Alonzo T', 335 
 
 Timothy, 110 
 Mook, Abraham, 238 
 Moore, Daniel De Lacy, Rev., 159, 193 
 
 John, 238 
 
 Walter B., Capt, 205 
 
 W. L.,Rev., 163 
 Moorehouse, Alfred, 96, 164 
 
INDEX. 
 
 183 
 
 Moorehouse, Elisha, 118 
 Morgan, Benjamin, 83, 87, 98, 100, 115 
 Charles, 148, 155, 196 
 Cornwell, D., 301 
 David, 106, 117 
 F. H., 196 
 L. C, 152 
 William, 153 
 
 Masonic episode, the, 171-177 
 Morris, David, Rev., 169 
 Morris P urchase, sale of the, to the Hol- 
 land Company, 59 
 
 Reserve, the, final disposal of, 60 
 Morris, Richard G., 113 
 
 Robert, dedication of the old Land 
 Office as a monument to, 257, 258 
 extract from address of Hon. J. 
 G. Carlisle relating to, 359- 
 261; 266 
 letter of, to the president regard- 
 ing extinguishment of Indian 
 title to his purchase, 61, 62 
 purchase of, 56 
 Thomas, proceedings of conference 
 of, with the Indians for extinguish- 
 ment of their title to the Morris 
 purchase, 62-65 
 & Strobel, 229 
 Morrison, Thomas D., Dr., 384 
 Morrow, J., Rev., 164 
 Moulthrop, M. N., 185 
 Moulton, E. G., 200 
 Frank G., 319 
 Royal, Capt., 168 
 Muchmore, L. C, Rev., 168 
 Mudge. John, 83 
 
 John. Rev , 160 
 Miihlhauser, G., Rev., 354 
 Mullen, I. T., Dr., 383 
 Isaac v., Dr.. 383 
 JohnR., Dr., 383 
 Muller, Mathias, 348 
 Munger, Bela, 104 
 James, 104 
 M. J.. Dr., 383 
 Rufus, 149 
 William, 115, 273 
 William H., 87, 104 
 William P., 149 
 Munn, Jason, 96 
 Joel, 118 
 Phineas, 118 
 Munson, Jeremiah R., 83 
 Murder trial, the first, 87 ' 
 Murdock, S. H., 196, 329 
 Murphy, E., 235 
 Hugh, 96, 158 
 M. & B., 97 
 
 Murry, George, 151 
 
 John, 108 
 Mylcrane, William F., 318 
 
 Nash, Azor, 117 
 Neasmith, J. B., 167, 185 
 Nelson, Colonel, 167 
 Nesbit, Robert, 96 
 Nettleton, Abel, 96 
 
 Phineas, 104 
 
 K. D., Rev., 164, 168 
 New York State School for the Blind, 
 
 411-415 
 Newbold, T. H., 288 
 Newburg, Ira, 150 
 Newell, A. C, Rev., 353 
 
 Graham, 96, 97, 158 
 Newman, J. C, Rev., 167 
 Newspaper, first in Batavia, 274 
 Newspapers of the county, 434-437 
 Newton, Ira, 149 
 
 Josiah, Gen., 149, 293 
 Niagara, capture of, by the English, 39 
 
 re-occupation of, by the French, 35 
 Nichols, Jacob, 168, 243 
 
 Reuben, 118 
 Noble, R., 100, 115 
 Nobles, Calvin, 195 
 
 James, 151 
 
 J. & A., 152 
 
 Major, 115 
 
 N. C, 195 
 
 N. D., 319 
 
 Russell, 103 
 North, Noah, 90, 149 
 
 Safford E., 342, 256, 257. 309, 310, 318 
 Northrup, B , 151 
 Norton, A., 150 
 
 Anson, 148 
 
 Ebenezer F., 83 
 
 Erastus, 150 
 
 E. F., 148 
 
 George H., Dr., 382 
 
 Harmon, 150 
 
 Locklin, 89, 108 
 
 Moses, 118 
 
 Robert, 118 
 
 W. F., 149 
 Noyes, Abel, 148, 158 
 Nutlen, David, Rev., 166 
 
 "Oak openings," description of, by Dr. 
 
 Dwight, 84 
 Oakfield, ancient fortification in, 488 
 
 churches of, 166, 168, 193, 254 
 
 fires in, 241, 347 
 
 gazetteer of the town of, 488-491 
 
184 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Oakfield, growth of industries in, from 
 1861 to 1898, 233, 237 
 
 industrial development in, 1841-61, 
 195 
 
 physicians of, 384 
 
 pioneers of, 103, 489 
 
 school system of, 404 
 
 settlers in, after the war of 1812, 151 
 
 town officers of, 489, 490 
 
 village, incorporation of, 195 
 
 villages and hamlets in, 490, 491 
 Oakfield and Alabama Fish and Bird Pro- 
 tective Association, 238 
 
 Fertilizer Co., 273 
 
 Reporter, The," 437 
 O'Donoghue, Eugene, Dr., 383 
 O'Farrell, Francis, Rev., 193 
 O' Fling, Patrick, 108 
 Ogden, Gouverneur, 83 
 Olmstead, Chauncey L., 197, 198 
 Olmsted, C. P., 195 
 
 D. W., 156 
 
 Elijah, 151, 166 
 
 F. A., 195 
 
 H. W., 195 
 
 John R., 372 
 
 John R. , Mrs. , 229 
 
 J. W., 196 
 
 Stephen, 96, 195 
 
 William, Col.. 97 
 
 & McKenzie, 229 
 
 & Staples, 233 
 Olney, John, 87, 109, 115, 117, 118 
 
 L. W., Rev., 161 
 Onderdonk, H. L., 302 
 Ontario county, erection of, 51 
 O'Reily, Thomas, 238 
 O' Riley, Rev. Fr., 194 
 Orr, John, 103 
 Orvis, Gershom, 106, 117 
 Osband, G., Rev., 164 
 Osborn, A. J., Rev., 253 
 
 Ezra W., 90, 149 
 Osborne, Asa, 116, 117 
 Oswego, capture of, by Montcalm in 1756, 
 
 37 
 Otis, Levi, 323, 324 
 
 Thomas, 288 
 
 W. L., 311 
 Owen, Alanson, Dr., 382 
 
 Zalraon, 96 
 Owens, H. J., Rev., 163 
 
 Packard, Benjamin, Dr., 385 
 Packer, J., Rev., 167 
 Page, John, 149 
 
 J. Quincy D., 234 
 
 Moses, 106, 110 
 
 Paine, A. C, Rev., 192 
 
 James L., 303 
 
 Parley, 284 
 Palmer, Bela, Rev., 161 
 
 R. C, Rev., 161, 166 
 Pamphilon, Henry, Dr., 384 
 Pardee, Tracy, 148, 301, 302 
 
 William, Dr., 384 
 Parker, Albert, 185 
 
 A. C, Rev., 158 
 
 Frederick B., 186, 238 
 
 Harmon, 233 
 
 J. N., 186 
 
 Nelson, 109 
 
 Preston R., Rev., 166 
 
 R., Rev., 164 
 
 Samuel, 112, 302 
 
 Sherrard, 108, 112 
 
 Spencer, 108 
 
 Stephen, 107 
 
 S. S., 235 
 
 Thomas, 109, 116 
 Parkhurst, Frederick S., Rev., 164 
 Parks, Benjamin M., Elder, 112 
 
 Lucius, 154 
 Parmalee, Reuben, Rev., 90 
 
 Solomon H., 195 
 Parmele, L. B., Dr., 382 
 Parmelee, David W. , 96 
 
 Ebenezer, 96, 104 
 
 Elias, 96 
 
 Myron H., 245, 246 
 
 Phineas, Capt., 104 
 
 Rachael, 105 
 
 Roswell, 104 
 Parrish, Isaac, 110 
 
 William, 103, 110, 118 
 Parsons, A., 149 
 
 Marshfield, 148 
 Partington, J., Rev., 160 
 Parvin, R J., Rev.. 158 
 Pasel, C, 254 
 Pasko, E. W., Rev., 168 
 Patchen, Aaron D., 288 
 Patterson, Benjamin, 119 
 
 Ezra, 83 
 
 J. J., 256 
 Pavilion, churches of, 157, 166, 167, 169 
 
 first school in, 896 
 
 gazetteer of the town of, 491-493 
 
 growth of industries in, from 1861 to 
 1898, 234-236 
 
 physicians of, 385 
 
 pioneers of, 111, 491 
 
 salt manufacture in, 236 
 
 settlers in, after the war of 1812, 151 
 
 town officers of, 492 
 
 villages and hamlets in, 493 
 
INDEX. 
 
 185 
 
 Pearce, C. R., Dr., 384 
 Pearson. Richard, 105, 111 
 
 W. E., HI 
 Pease, Alvin, 303 
 
 Ephraim, 117 
 
 Noah, 117 
 
 Robert B., 304 
 Peck, Alfred, Rev., 166 
 
 B. F., 185 
 
 Daniel, Rev., 161 
 
 Elder, 159 
 
 Elias, 96, 186 
 
 Eliphalet, 149 
 
 Elizabeth, 276 
 
 Israel M., 242 
 
 J. B., Rev., 168 
 
 Mather, 106 
 
 Myron H., 304, 855 
 
 Myron H., jr., 256, 364 
 
 Richard, 105 
 
 Samuel, 269, 434 
 
 W., Rev., 163 
 
 W. H., Rev., 253 
 Peckham, William, 150 
 Pembroke, churches of, 89, 157, 163, 192, 
 193, 258-255 
 
 first school in, 396 
 
 gazetteer of the town of, 493-496 
 
 growth of industries in, from 1861 to 
 1898, 233, 235 , 
 
 natural gas in, 239 
 
 physicians of, 382 
 
 pioneers of, 110, 494 
 
 school system of, 406 
 
 settlers in, after the war of 1812, 151 
 
 town officers of, 494 
 
 villages and hamlets in, 495, 496 
 Perit, Peletiah, 194 
 Perkins, John H., 162 
 
 T. H., Rev., 163 
 Perry, A., 148 
 
 David, Rev. , 90 
 
 Eli, 106, 117 
 
 George, 335 
 
 Horace, Rev., 163 
 
 Isaac, 96 
 
 Nathan, 83 
 
 Reuben, 109 
 
 Rowland, 111 
 Peter, James, 148 
 Peters, Joseph, 108, 118 
 
 Joshua, jr., 150 
 
 T. C, 200 
 
 William, Capt , 104 
 Pettibone, E. B., Col., 109 
 Pfitzinger, M., Rev., 252 
 Phelps, Austin, 159 
 
 Davenport, Rev., 158 
 
 Phelps, Elijah, 111 
 
 Oliver, 56; conference of, with the 
 Indians, 58 
 
 Royal, Rev., 88, 89, 112, 276 
 
 Samuel, 111 
 
 Zerah, 88, 100, 115 
 
 & Gorham purchase, the, 53-55 
 Philleo, Joel, 151 
 Phillips, IraE., 180 
 
 L., 303 
 Pierce, Job, 83 
 
 Marmaduke, Rev., 89 
 
 R. D., Rev., 166 
 
 S., 156 
 
 William, 101, 116 
 Pierpont, J. E., 293 
 Pierson, Daniel, 96 
 
 John, 104, 308 
 
 Josiah, 88, 104, 105, 149, 163, 300 
 
 Linus. 104 
 
 Luther C, 149, 164 
 
 Philo, 96, 97, 104 
 
 Russell, 96, 104, 149, 164 
 
 Simon, 87, 95, 96, 104, 149 
 Pike, John B. , 323 
 
 Myron S., 437 
 Pinney, Nathaniel, 105, 116 
 Pioneer life, description of, by William 
 
 H. Bush, 85 
 Pioneers, characteristics of the, 152 
 
 of the county, 91-112 
 Plant, S., 151 
 Plato, John F., 184, 308 
 Piatt, Elijah, 803 
 
 Ezra, 83, 94, 158 
 Plumb, H. N., Rev., 253 
 Plumley, A., Rev., 168 
 Poesche, Otto, Rev., 254 
 Pollard, W. G., 310 
 Pompelly, H., 195 
 Pond, Cyrus, 193, 195 
 
 C. D., 303 
 
 Elijah, 161 
 Popple, William D., 398 
 Porter, Benjamin, 83, 100 
 
 Benjamin, jr., 177 
 
 Farley, Rev., 161 
 
 George, 151 
 
 Henry, 151 
 
 Philo, 110, 149 
 Post, James, 101, 118 
 Poste, B., Rev., 168 
 Potter, David, 104 
 
 George H., 200 
 Potterton, T. E., Rev., 168 
 Powell, G. W., Rev., 165, 168 
 
 Stephen, 118 
 Powers, Blanchard, 101 
 
186 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Powers, Patrick, 87, 101 
 
 Peter, 100, 115, 116 
 
 Richard, 150 
 
 Webster, 118 
 Pratt, Almond, Dr., 380 
 
 C, 257 
 
 E. R., Mrs., 200 
 
 George W., 185 
 
 J. W., 310 
 
 O. S., 308 
 
 Silas, 108, 116 
 Prentice, C. F., 158. 228, 332, 238, 246, 248 
 
 C. H., Dr., 248 
 Daniel, 102, 242 
 
 D. C. Howard, 238 
 Elisha, 102 
 William E., 365 
 
 Press, the, 434-437 
 
 Preston, Benham, 109, 112, 116 
 
 John B., Rev., 160 
 Price, William, 235 
 Priester, Edward, 196 
 Prindle, Harvey, 96, 117, 149 
 
 Lyman, 95, 105, 116, 118 
 
 Samuel, 105, 116 
 Pringle, Benjamin, 243, 288, 823, 324, 350 
 
 Carrie, Miss, 200 
 
 Lemuel T., 116 
 Printing press, the first, 88 
 Proctor, Thomas, Gen., mission of, to 
 
 pacify the western Indians, 51 
 Prout, William, 117 
 Putnam, Franklin, 118 
 
 Peter, 105. 117, 118 
 
 Radley,. Richard, Rev., 162 
 Railroad transportation, early, 192 
 Railroads, 191, 243-246 
 Ramsdale, Jonathan, 161 
 Rand, Charles F., Capt., 202 
 Randall Fence Co. , 287 
 
 Frederick S., 358 
 
 William P., 338 
 Ranger, Amos, 100 
 
 Samuel, 101, 118 
 Rano, Isaiah, Dr., 882, 388 
 Ransom, Asa, 68, 83 
 
 Henry B , 68 note 
 Rathbun, Benjamin, 183 
 
 Israel, 154, 155, 287, 388 
 Rawson, Daniel, 117 
 Read. Joshua W., Dr., 382 
 
 Nathaniel, 328 
 Red Jacket, biographical sketch of, 17- 
 
 20; 58, 59, 64 
 Redfern, F., Rev., 167 
 Redfield, Frank B., 185, 256, 257 
 
 Heman J., 96, 154, 242, 294, 803, 351 
 
 Reed, D. D , Rev., 159 
 F B., Rev., 157 
 Herbert A., Rev., 160 
 Horatio N., 200 \ 
 
 John, 151 
 Samuel, 117 
 Regiment, Twelfth, Company K of the, 
 201, 202 
 
 Fourteenth, Company D of the, 304, 
 
 205 
 Fifteenth Cavalry, Company E of 
 the, roster and officers' record of, 
 220, 221 
 Twenty-eighth, Genesee company in 
 
 tbe, 202-204 
 Forty-ninth, Genesee county contin- 
 gent in the, 234 
 One Hundredth, the Genesee com- 
 pany in the, roster of, 205 
 One Hundred and Fourth, the, 224, 
 
 225 
 One Hundred and Fifth, roster and 
 
 officers' record, of the, 306-309 
 One Hundred and Twenty-ninth 
 (Eighth Heavy Artillery), roster 
 and oSicers' record of the, 209-320 
 various, in which were Genesee coun- 
 ty men, 225 
 Remington, C. W., Rev., 163 
 Resolutions, a set of unique, 190 
 Reynolds, Alpheus, 147 
 
 J. J., 151 
 Rhea(Rea), Alexander, 83, 90, 109, 115 
 Rhoads, Hezekiah, 115 
 Rhodes, H., 100 
 Rice, E. A.. Rev., 164 
 Peter, 103, 115 
 Thomas, 110 
 Rich, Gaius B., 170, 387, 388 
 
 Knowlton, 187 
 Richards, Clarence O. , 238 
 Frank, 237 
 John, 148 
 Paul, 186, 188 
 Richardson, C. C, Rev., 168, 354 
 Frank, 316 
 F. E., 257 
 James, jr., 148 
 John, 117, 118, 148 
 Richmond, Cynthia L., Mrs., 353 
 Dean, jr., 309 
 Dean, Mrs., 200 
 Mary E., Mrs., 356, 317 
 Samuel, 200, 303 
 Riddle, Lyman, 110 
 
 Sanford, 149 
 Rider, Charles M., 196 
 Riggs, Jedediah, 105, 116 
 
INDEX. 
 
 187 
 
 Ripley, A. P., Rev., 164, 168 
 
 H. M., Rev., 168 
 
 M. W. Rev., 163 
 Risey, Samuel, 118 
 Risley, Samuel, 277 
 Rix, Ira, 235 
 
 Joseph, 168 
 
 Joshua. 149 
 Road, first, opened through to Black 
 Rock, 51 
 
 from Batavia to Angelica, opening of 
 the, 178 
 Roads constructed in 1798, 67, 68 
 Robbins, Amasa, 117 
 Roberts, A. A., 248 
 
 James, 96 
 
 John, 106, 116 
 
 P., Rev., 168 
 Robertson, G. H., 185 
 
 Martin F., 350 
 
 Rufus, 153, 154, 323, 324 
 Robinson, Daniel, 149, 162 
 
 Frank J., 371 
 
 James, 103, 116 
 
 J. E., 288 
 
 John P., Rev., 162 
 
 Laban H., 234 
 
 Roraback, 103, 117 
 Robson, Joseph H., 185, 301 
 Rochefoucauld Lianoourt, extract from 
 
 record of journey through the Hol- 
 land purchase, 70, 71 
 Rockwell, L. E., Rev., 168 
 Rogers, C. B., & Co., 230 
 
 Elijah, 151 
 
 F. C, 230 
 
 J. M., Rev., 158 
 
 W. H., Rev., 253 
 Rogerson, Edward, 230, 246 
 Rokewood. E. H., Dr., 377 
 Rolfe, L. F., 186 
 
 J., 149 
 RolHn, D. M. L., Rev , 253 
 Root, Augustus I., Capt., 200-202 
 
 Elijah, 109, 116 
 
 Elijah, jr., 118 
 
 John, Dr., 378 ' 
 
 Solomon, 148, 158 
 Roraback, John, 108, 118 
 Rose, Alford, 117 
 
 Alfred, 106 
 Rosecrance, Daniel, 803 
 Ross, John C. , 196 
 
 JohnZ., Dr., 101, 277, 375 
 
 Samuel Z., Dr., 376 
 Rowan, Jerome, 304 
 Rowe, Abel, 83, 100, 115, 367 
 
 Albert, 242, 243 
 
 Rowe, Elijah, 109, 116 
 
 T. T., Rev., 166 
 Rowell, Edward N., 311 
 Royce, Francis, 151 
 Ruby, Francis, 151 
 Rumsey, Charles S., Dr., 375 
 
 Daniel, Dr., 385 
 
 Henry, 102, 110, 118 
 
 Jesse, 106, 115 
 
 Levi, 346 
 
 Nathan, 101, 149, 177 
 
 WiUiam, Col., 83, 98, 102, 115 
 Rupe, C. M., Rev., 159 
 Ruprecht, C. H., 311 
 Russell, Benjamin, 100, 115 
 
 Edward, 321 
 
 Ezra, N., 119 
 
 Page, 111 
 
 Samuel, 109, 115, 117 
 
 Stephen, 100, 115, 267, 269, 272 
 Rural Academy, East Pembroke, 410 
 Ryan, Stephen Vincent, Rev., 258 
 
 Sadler, L. L., Rev., 166 
 Safford, Grenville R., 186 
 
 Jesse, Col., 150 
 Salisbury, David, 150 
 Salt manufacture in Le Roy, 231-233 
 
 in Pavilion, 236 
 Saltonstall, Dudley, 96 
 Samson, J. P., 233, 248 
 Sanborn, John W., 170 
 Sanderson, Pliny, 96 
 Sandrock, George, 237 
 Sanford, Ezra, 112 
 
 WD., 257 
 Sarles. David, 117 
 Saulsbury, Henry, 108 
 Saunders, J., 149 
 Savacool, Joseph, 118 
 Sawtelle, Asa, 108 
 Sawyer, Dudley, 109, 117, 150 
 Scanlon, Dennis, 246 
 Scarff, J. M , Rev., 161 
 Scatcherd, A. D., 257, 320 
 
 J. N., 283, 320 
 Schlanch, G. R., Rev., 167 
 Schneider, H. A., Rev., 252 
 
 Theodore, Rev., 252 
 School commissioners, list of, 440 
 
 Mrs. William G. Bryan's, in Batavia, 
 395 
 
 statistics, 415 
 
 system, evolution of the, 389-393 
 Schools, first in Batavia, 394 
 
 first in the county, 393 
 
 first in the various towns, 395, 396 
 Schoonover, S. W., Rev., 253 
 
188 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Schubmehl. Nicholas 239 
 Scofield, Ebenezer, 242 
 
 Martin, 168 
 
 Samuel, 242 
 Scott, Chester, 150, 151 
 
 David, Capt., 96, 103, 177 
 
 Jariel, 118 
 
 M., 116 
 
 M., Rev., 163 
 
 Orange, 164 
 Scoville, Ebenezer, 149 
 Scribner, Aaron, 95 
 Seager, Micah, Rev., 164, 166 
 Searls, John, 150 
 Seavey, D., 158, 243, 301 
 Seaver, David, 242, 301 
 
 James E., Dr , 387 
 
 John, 150 
 
 Lucas, 302, 435 
 
 William, 148, 170, 289, 322 
 Sedgwick, A., Rev., 160 
 Seeley, Ebenezer, 118 
 Selden, Clark, Deacon, 104, 148 
 
 R. L., 170 
 Selleck, Joseph. 83 
 Sellon, R R., Rev., 158 
 Senecas and English at Niagara in 1760- 
 61, 40 
 
 treaty of peace between the, in 
 1764, 42 
 
 efforts of the British and colonists to 
 secure the fealty of the, in the 
 Revolution, 44 
 
 Gen. John Sullivan's expedition 
 against the, 45-49 
 
 principal villages of the, 9 
 
 the, as described by Wentworth 
 Greenhalph, 14, 15 
 Severance, Elisha, 148 
 
 Thomas, 96 
 Seward, Calvin, 104 
 
 Job, 104 
 
 Leverett, 110 
 Seymour, Deacon, 109 
 Shaeffer, Peter, 83 
 Shaffer & Hardy, 156 
 Shaw, A. A., Rev., 167 
 
 Guy, 149 
 
 J. B., 194 
 Shearer, Isaac, 116 
 
 Israel, 106 
 Shedd, David, 112 
 
 John W., 196 
 
 Joseph, 106, 118 
 Sheffield, Frederick M. , 309 
 Sheldon, Samuel, 148 
 
 William, Dr., 96, 97, 379 
 Shelling, G., Rev., 164 
 
 Shepard, Asahel, 149 
 
 Guy B., Dr., 384 
 
 Horace, 105 
 
 Isaac, 111 
 James, 149 
 Shepherd, Horace, 116 
 
 William, 150 
 Sheriffs, list of, 440 
 Sherman, A. M., Rev., 325 
 
 Pardon C, 188 
 Sherwin. Sidney A.. 257, 304, 363 
 Shotwell, Isaac, 150 
 
 Richard, 150 
 Shrigley, E. W., Rev., 168 
 Shultz, Louis, 254 
 Shumway, Cyril, 111 
 
 Joshua, 111 
 
 M. D., Rev., 165, 166, 168 
 
 William, 150 
 Shute, Henry, Rev., 161 
 Siegrist, J., Rev., 252, 253 
 Siez, Frank, 196 
 Simmons, John, 233 
 Simonds, Benjamin, 149 
 
 John, 149 
 Simpkins, J. N., Rev., 163, 166, 168 
 Sinclair, R., 96 
 Skelley, A. W., 257 
 Skillman, D. S.. Rev., 168 
 Skinner, John B., 154, 258 
 
 L. A., Rev., 163 
 
 Roger, 170 
 
 Samuel, 154, 288, 345 
 Slawson, W. B., Dr., 384 
 Slayton, Henry, 159 
 Sleeper, Abraham, 150 
 Slingerland, H. A., Rev., 163, 168 
 Sloan, Arthur W., Rev., 158 
 
 Benjamin, 150 
 
 Horace, 150 
 Slosson, W. B., Dr., 378 
 Small wood, Wilbur F., 248 
 Smead Charles, 106 
 
 Marshall, 151, 154, 155, 194 
 
 W. C, 151 
 Smiley, Francis, Dr., 383 
 Smith, Albert, 346 
 
 Alva, 148, 287-289, 398 
 
 Alva, Mrs., 200 
 
 Amos, Rev., 166 
 
 Anthony C. , 323 
 
 Benjamin, 149 
 
 Charles, Dr., 380 
 
 Chauncey P., Dr., 96, 97, 379 
 
 Comfort, 109 
 
 David, 101, 116 
 
 Eleanor, 276 
 
 Elisha, Capt., 110 
 
INDEX. 
 
 189 
 
 Smith, Ella, Dr., 97, 379 
 
 Hiram, 103, 109, 116, 117 
 
 Homer P., Dr., 387 
 
 H. Ryan, Rev., 164, 166 
 
 Isaac, 83, 84, 101, 116 
 
 James H., Dr., 383 
 
 John, 104, 116 
 
 John W., 309 
 
 Joseph H., 307 
 
 Junius A , 200, 289 
 
 Junius A., Mrs., 200 
 
 J. A., Rev., 164, 166 
 
 J. F., Rev., 253 
 
 J. P., 101 
 
 Levi, 118 
 
 Louis E., 332 
 
 Lucius, 161 
 
 Lucius A., 294 
 
 Phineas, 117 
 
 P. H., 303 
 
 Perrin M., 159, 345 
 
 Reeder, Rev., 165, 166 
 
 Richard, 83, 148, 161, 273, 277, 333; 
 sketch of, 342 
 
 Samuel, 104 
 
 Seth, 151 
 
 Stanley M., 196, 249 
 
 Sumner C, Rev., 166 
 
 S. B., 149 
 
 Wilber, 304, 309, 310 
 
 Walter H., 358 
 
 William, Rev., 161 
 Snell, C. A., 257 
 Snow, Jesse, 151 
 Soper, Horace U., 188, 303; sketch of, 
 
 343 
 Southard, Josiah, 106, 117 
 Southwell, Silas, 149 
 Southwick & Staples, 235 
 South worth, Eleazer, 108 
 
 Wheaton, 104 
 Spalding, Daniel, Dr., 385 
 Spaulding, Aaron, 111 
 
 Elbndge G., 194 
 Spencer, Elijah, 100, 115 
 
 E. M., Rev., 159 
 
 Isaac, 100, 277 
 
 John, 116. 149 
 
 Joshua, Rev., 89 
 
 Urial, 278 
 Spinning, O. A. F., Rev., 159 
 '•Spirit of the Times, The," 435 
 Sprague, James, 111, 116, 178 
 
 Jesse, 111 
 
 Johns., 116 
 
 William M., Dr., 388, 386 
 Spring, Amos, 111 
 
 Calvin, 111 
 
 Spring, Erastus, 111 
 
 S. C, 149 
 Sprout, Esther, 102 
 Squire, Burgess, 116 
 Squires, John, 110 
 Stafford Benefit Association. 243 
 
 catastrophe on Railroad in, 246 
 
 churches of, 103, 158, 161, 169 
 
 first school in, 103, 396 
 
 from 1812 to 1841, 156 
 
 gazetteer of the town of, 496-498 
 
 growth of industries in, from 1861 to 
 1898, 233 
 
 Masonry in, 433 
 
 physicians of, 384 
 
 pioneers of, 93, 101-103, 496 
 
 settlers in, after the war of 1812, 151 
 
 town officers of, 497 
 
 villages and hamlets in, 498 
 Stage, Isaac N., 154 
 
 Peter, 115, 118, 151 
 Stanley, Alanson, 96, 164 
 
 Elisha, 96, 152, 153, 155, 158 
 
 Elisha, jr., 154 
 
 Elliott L., 148 
 
 John H., 196 
 
 J. Harlow, 96 
 
 J. H., 153, 196 
 
 Thaddeus, 96, 158 
 Stannard, Gehial, 110 
 Stanton, Phineas, 194 
 Starks. Abraham, 101, 116 
 
 Henry, 101 
 
 Pardon, 116 
 Starkweather, A. M., Rev., 161 
 
 Thomas, 106, 117 
 Starr, Noah, 111, 154 
 State Senators, list of, 443 
 Staunton, Phineas, Col., 407 
 Steadman, John, 40, 41 
 Stedman, Bayard J., 369 
 Steele, A., Rev., 164 
 Stein, August, Rev., 354 
 Steuben, F. A., 196 
 
 L. W., 196 
 Stevens, Alden S., 343 
 
 Alva, 149 
 
 C. G., Rev., 166 
 
 Daniel, 104 
 
 Horatio, 288 
 
 James W., 99, 115, 367 
 
 Luman, 242 
 
 Mary Lucy, 98 
 
 Thomas, 104 
 
 William W., 237 
 Stewart, David, 106, 118 
 
 James, 149 
 
 James S., 242 
 
190 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Stickney, John, 108 
 
 Lemuel, 150 
 Stiles, Ralph, 389 
 
 Richard, 106, 117 
 Stillwell, Stephen, 96 
 Stimars, James, 149 
 
 Jonas, 149 
 Stirason, E., 303 
 
 S. M., Rev., 803 
 Stimpson, H. R., Rev., 161 
 Stinson, Hiram K., Rev., 167 
 Stitt, J. W., Rev., 160 
 Stocker, Carl, Rev., 254 
 Stoddard, Abijah W., 383 
 
 Daniel C, 150 
 
 Richard M., 70, 94,97 
 
 Robert W., 83 
 Stone, Ely, Rev., 159, 166 
 
 F. L., Dr., 385 
 
 L. D., Dr., 378 
 
 Moody, 116 
 Storm, Isaac, 111 
 Story, William H., 303 
 Stoughton, Amzi, 96 
 
 S., 101 
 Stover, P. R., Rev., 164 
 Stow, Amos, 103 
 Stowell, L. S., Rev., 167 
 Stratton, Ebenezer H., Rev, 161, 169 
 Streeter. Barton, Dr. , 383 
 Stringer, Henry, jr., 118 
 Studley, Thomas, 96 
 SuUings, William, 148 
 Sullivan, Lot B , Rev., 157, 160 
 Sullivan's expedition against the Sene- 
 
 cas, 45-49 
 Sumner, Ephraim, 150 
 
 Jerome, 108 
 
 John, 108 
 
 Jotham, 108 
 
 W. E., 186 
 Surrogates, list of, 438 
 Sutherland, David, 108 
 
 Isaac, 83, 84, 98, 115, 268, 371, 372, 
 276, 377 
 
 Jacob, 170 
 
 John, 108 
 
 Joshua, 101, 116 
 Sutton, Elisha, 117 
 Swan, WiUiam, 170 
 Sweatland, John, 85 
 Sweatwell, Oliver, 117 
 Sweet, John M., 316 
 Sweetland, C, 151 
 Swift, John, 83 
 Sylvester, Solomon, 118 
 
 Taft, F. L. B., 196 
 
 Taft, Robert L., 155 
 
 Taggart, Moses, 148, 188, 342 ; sketch of, 
 344 
 
 Samuel, Dr., 386 
 Tainter, Benjamin, 101, 116 
 
 TcssG 1X6 
 Talbot, Theodore F., 170 
 Talman, E. P., Rev., 163 
 Tarba, M. B., 333 
 Tarbox, H. P., 288, 304, 364 
 Tavernkeeper, a primitive, 81 
 Taverns, first, on the highway to Bufifalo 
 
 Creek, 68 
 Tax roll of 1800, 74-77 
 Taylor, A. B., Rev., 168 
 
 Eli, 185 
 
 EHsha, 113 
 
 G., Rev., 166 
 
 Gideon M., 148 
 
 John, 89 
 
 Silas, Dr., 386 
 
 Stephen, 96 
 Teller, J. V. C, Dr., 377 
 Templeton, Thomas, 163 
 
 Thomas, 149, 162 
 Tennant, Abel, Dr., Ill, 385 
 Terrill, Elliott, 111 
 
 Ezra, 111 
 
 Laura, 111 
 
 Solomon, 111 
 Terry, Addison, 300 
 
 James Z., 186 
 
 Lvman, 303 
 
 William, 113 
 
 Zeno, 113 
 Thayer, Daniel, 148 
 
 William, Major, 108 
 Thomas, A. H., 318, 435 
 
 Ezra, 103, 118 
 
 H., Dr., 876 
 
 H. H., Rev., 167 
 
 John, 334, 335 
 
 Samuel, 148 
 
 William, Capt., 96 
 Thompson, Abner, 150 
 
 Amos, 118 
 
 Andrew, Dr., 195, 884 
 
 Charles B., 436 
 
 Daniel S. , 245 
 
 Hazel, 111 
 
 Hubbard, Rev., 157, 158 
 
 Jacob, 118 
 
 John, 65, 266, 367 
 
 John A., 83, 115 
 
 Levi, 110 
 
 M. L. R. P., 194 
 
 Nahum, 118 
 Thomson, R. F., 200 
 
INDEX. 
 
 191 
 
 Throop, Joseph, 104 
 
 Orange, 104 
 Thunder storm, disastrous, 246 
 Thwing, John, 96 
 Tiffany, Adna, 150 
 
 D., 108 
 
 George A., 96, 158 
 
 George F., 97 
 
 H. G., 108 ■ 
 
 James G., 108, 149 
 
 Silas, 148, 150 
 Tilden, Stephen B., 117 
 Tillotson, Chauncey, 151 
 
 Elijah, 100, 115 
 
 James, 150 
 Tisdale, D , 284 
 
 Henry, 289 
 
 Ira J., 108 
 Todd, Charles E , 435 
 
 Henry, 435, 486 
 
 I. A., 185 
 Tomlinson, Daniel W., 255, 356, 294, 298, 
 302, 304. 311 
 
 George, 300 
 
 John, 153, 186 
 
 MarkW., Dr.. 384 
 Tompkins, Angus L., 196 
 
 Daniel D., 87 
 
 James, 151 
 
 J. E., 140 
 
 John J. J., 196 
 
 Joseph, 148 
 
 W. H., 298 
 Tone, Thomas J., 340 
 Torrence, William, 185 
 Torrey, A. G., 300 
 
 John, 105, 116 
 
 J., Rev., 168 
 
 Silas, 109, 117, 118 
 Totherob, William W., 170 
 Town meeting, unique method of voting 
 
 at the first, 83 
 Town, I. Norman, 101, 289 
 
 Norman, 289 
 
 O., jr., 185 
 
 Reuben, 101 
 
 Rowland, 100 
 
 Rowlen, 115 
 Towne, Amos, Dr., 376 
 Towner, Ephraim, 278 
 Towns, dates of organization of, 5 
 Townsen, C, Rev., 161 
 Townsend, E. G., 185 
 
 Ira, 151 
 Tozier, Joseph C. , Dr. , 380 
 Tracy, Edmund, 110 
 
 Phineas L., 170, 387, 388; sketch of, 
 343 
 
 Treaty with the Six Nations, releasing 
 the unimproved lands in certain reser- 
 vations, 189 
 Trescott, B. F., 335 
 Trial, a remarkable, 170-172 
 Triangular tract, survey of the, 70 
 True, Moses E., 315 
 Tryon, S. A., 196 
 
 I. C, Rev., 158 
 Tubbs, George, 151 
 Tufts, Aaron, 151 
 
 Thomas, 96, 153 
 Turner, Mark, 109, 150 
 
 Mason, 109. 150 
 
 Thomas, 108 
 Tuscaroras, the, absorbed by the Iro- 
 quois, 36 
 Tuttle, Thomas B., 246, 248 
 
 W. S., Rev., 164, 168 
 Tyler, Malachai, 103 
 
 Warren J., 185 
 Tyrrell, David, 106, 116 
 
 Irene, Mrs., 236 
 
 Joel, 101, 117 
 
 William. 369 
 
 Uebele, Louis, 254 
 
 Underhill, John, 150 
 
 Upham, A. S., 194, 200 
 
 Upson, S. C, Dr., 386 
 
 Upton, Daniel, 148 
 
 Emory, Gen., 201. 202, 235, 326 
 Post, G. A. R., of Batavia, 312-315 
 & Warner. 387 
 
 Vallett, Joseph, 303 
 
 Van Cleve, Aaron, 100, 377 
 
 Van Debogart, Cherrick, 149 
 
 C. W., 185 
 
 Joseph, 118 
 Vandenburgh, Frank P. , 337 
 Vander Kemp, John J., 66 
 Vanderpool, L., Rev., 193 
 Vandeventer, Peter, 83-84, 115 
 Van Tuyl, Abraham, 289 
 Vaughan, Jonathan, 108 
 Vermilye, William M., 287, 288 
 Verplanck, Isaac A., 294, 348 
 Vickery , Howard W., Dr., 388 
 
 Jonathan, 150 
 
 Thomas, 150 
 
 William, 150 
 Vining, E., Rev., 159 
 Vosburg, A. R., Rev., 162 
 Vosburgh, Selah, 148 
 Voss, C, 354 
 
 Wadsworth, James, 388 
 
192 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Wadsworth, J. S., 288 
 Waite, Chester, 96 
 
 Daniel D., 95, 434 
 
 Daniel E., 302 
 
 Ira, 150 
 
 J. M., 242 
 
 Richard, 95, 96 
 
 R. L., Rev., 168, 164 
 
 William, 110 
 
 W., sr,, 106 
 Wakeman, E., 303 
 
 Seth, 148, 200, 242, 294, 302, 322, 349 
 
 Seth, Mrs., 200 
 Waldo, Spencer, 110 
 Walkenshaw, James M., 301 
 Walker, Amasa, 112 
 
 Amos, Dr.. 383 
 
 Cyrenus, 242 
 
 Cyrus, 302 
 
 Daniel, 111 
 
 Edward C, 248, 304, 367 
 
 Ezra, 111 
 
 Isaac, 111 
 
 John, Rev., 162 
 
 Loomis, 111 
 
 Nathaniel, 101, 115, 116 
 
 O., 105 
 Walkley, Richard, 111 
 
 Stephen, 96 
 Wallace, Elisha,106, 116 
 
 Hugh, Rev., 151, 163 
 
 TcflflQ 104 
 
 Wallis, Hugh, Rev., 150, 157 
 
 William M., Dr., 384 
 Walthers, Frederick, 68, 101 
 Walter, Joseph, 151 
 Walton, James, 148 
 
 Joseph, 89 
 Walsworth, James, 111, 117 
 
 William, 83 
 War, the, closed by the treaty of Rys- 
 wich, 35 
 Queen Anne's, 35 
 results of the, leading to the treaty 
 
 of Utrecht, 35 
 of 1744-48, 36; 1756-63, 37-40 
 of the Revolution, 43-50 
 of 1812, abandonment of Fort George 
 and burning of Newark, in the, 
 132, 183 
 battle of Queenston, 126 
 capture of Fort George by the 
 
 Americans in the, 180 
 causes leading to the, 119-122 
 daring exploit of Lieutenant El- 
 liott in the, 126 
 poltroonery of General Smyth in 
 the, 128, 129 
 
 War of 1812, sacking of Buffalo in the, 
 134-139 
 
 the battle at Black Rock, 130, 181 
 the campaign of 1812 in the, 
 
 125-129 
 the campaign of 1813 in the, 129- 
 
 189 
 the campaign of 1814 in the, 139- 
 
 147 
 the Indians in the, 124 
 
 meeting, the first, of the Civil war, 
 199, 200 
 
 of the Rebellion, 199-227 
 Ward, Butler, 151-156 
 
 Daniel, 151 
 
 Harold B., 156 
 
 John, 87, 104, 151, 164 
 
 John, Deacon, 105 
 
 John H., 256, 257, 311 
 
 Joy, 96 
 
 Levi, sr., 26 
 
 Levi, jr., 86, 87, 148, 149 
 
 Levi, Dr., 104, 105, 149, 888 
 
 Milton, Rev., 162 
 
 M. C, 104 
 
 W. H., Col., 104 
 Warn, Lyman, 150 
 
 Milo, 150 
 
 William, 150 
 Warner, Asahel, 149 
 
 A. J., Rev., 194 
 
 Albert R., 185, 301 
 
 Consider, 187 
 
 Elijah, 152 
 
 E. S., 298 
 
 Thomas, 96 
 
 W. L., Rev., 166 
 Warren, Abijah, 117 
 
 Augustus, Rev., 166, 167 
 
 Horace M., 303, 324 
 
 Jabez, 83, 84 
 
 John, sr., 162 
 
 J. T., 229 
 
 Richard, 162 
 Washburn, Edward A., 256, 802, 363 
 
 J., 100 
 
 Julian J., 256, 307 
 
 Timothy, 115, 117 
 Waterbury, J. H., Rev., 158 
 Waterman, O. J., 801 
 Watkins, John B., 101 
 
 William, 148 
 Watson, George W., 370 
 
 Nathaniel, 102 
 
 William C, 256, 257, 309, 359 
 
 William Henry, 370 
 Wayback, Gottlieb, 254 
 Wayman, A. J., Rev., 158 
 
INDEX. 
 
 193 
 
 Wayne, Anthony, Gen., subjugation of 
 
 the western Indians by, 52 
 Weaver, George D. , 356 
 Webb, Benjamin, 96 
 
 Jacob, 150 
 
 John, Capt., 96 
 
 Samuel, 151 
 
 Thomas, 236 
 Weber, Peter, 234 
 Webster, Asa, 117 
 
 David, 148 
 
 Leonard, 128 
 
 William E., 257,366 
 
 William H., Dr., 377 
 Wedge, Matilda, 150 
 Weeks, Joseph, Rev., 158, 193 
 Weibel. J. H.., Rev., 158 
 Weld, Parker, 148 
 
 Washington, 96, 151 
 Wells, Benjamin, 151, 168 
 
 Calvin, 150 
 
 D. N., 200 
 
 George H,, 328, 246 
 
 Schuyler C, 228 
 
 William H., 279 
 Welton, AlansonW., Rev.. 276 
 Wentworth. J. B., Rev., 164 
 Wenzel, Carl Edward, Rev., 255 
 Western Farmers' Mutual Insurance Co., 
 303 
 
 Star Chapter, R. A. M., 430 
 Wheelpr, Abel, 101 
 Wheat, E. A., Rev., 168 
 Wheaton, Joseph, 147 
 Whipple, Ezra, 118 
 Whitcomb, E. M., Mrs., 287 
 
 Philo, 106, 117 
 
 Samuel, Elder, 148, 162 
 
 Ward B., Dr., 257 
 
 W. W., Mrs., 324 
 Whitcome, T. I., Rev., 168 
 White, Aaron, 100, 103, 109, 115, 118 
 
 Albert H., 233 
 
 Alexander, 87, 104, 149 
 
 Daniel, Dr., 96, 111 
 
 David, 96 
 
 Joel, 148 
 
 Miles G., 150 
 
 Phineas, 102 
 
 Samuel, 151 
 Whiteman, A. O., Rev., 87 
 Whiting, R., Rev., 161 
 
 William, 95 
 
 W., Rev., 165 
 Whitney, E. M., 235 
 
 I. A., Rev., 167 
 Whitten, Archibald, 109 
 
 Archileas, 84, 116 
 
 Wiard, George, 307, 309, 310 
 
 Thomas, sr. , 305 
 Wiard Plow Co., the, 230, 306-308 
 Wickham, Stephen, 116 
 Wiesseman, C. A , Rev., 252 
 Wight, Abbott, 148 
 
 George, 148 
 Wightman, A. O., Rev., 160 
 Wilber. Harry, 302 
 
 Sanford, 303 
 Wilbor, W. C, Rev., 164 
 Wilbur, A. D., 170 
 
 Charles, 91, 94, 97 
 
 Cyrenus, 87 
 Wilcox, Aaron, 148 
 
 Alfred, Dr., 154, 380 
 
 A. E., 104 
 
 Borden, 108 
 
 Elnathan, 110, 118 
 
 Hamilton, 104, 105 
 
 Jeremiah, 168 
 
 Moses, 148 
 
 Nathan, Major, 96, 104 
 
 Pitman, 104, 149 
 
 Stephen P., 96 
 
 Titus, 105 
 Wilder, Henry, 100, 115 
 
 Reuben W., 101, 117 
 Wildey, O. P., Rev., 168 
 Wildman, Julius, 150 
 
 Thorp, 150 
 Wilford, E. B., 302 
 
 Jeremiah, 150 
 Wilkinson, A. L., Rev., 159 
 
 D. C, 338 
 
 JoelS., 106, 116 
 
 Miles, 116 
 
 Peter, 106 
 Willard, Jonathan, 83 
 Willett, James M., 300, 350 
 
 John W., 150 
 
 Samuel, 303 
 Willey, A., Rev., 159 
 Williams, Asa, 148, 150 
 
 Benajah, Rev., 166 
 
 Chauncey, 200 
 
 Elias, 88, 101, 274 
 
 Gurdon, 117 
 
 Henry, 110, 118 
 
 Isaac R., 106 
 
 L. T., 249 
 
 Oswald, 101, 115, 277 
 
 Richard, 148 
 
 William, 106, 117 
 Williamson, Charles, 67 
 Willis, Alva U., 300 
 
 John, 108 
 
 Sylvester, 242 
 
194 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Wilson, Ebenezer, 106, 118 
 
 E. L., Rev., 353 
 
 Isaac, 106, 117, 170 
 
 John, 150, 289 
 
 J. C, 303 
 
 Martin, 151 
 Wing, G. W., 110 
 
 Shubael, 110 
 Winslow, C. R , 357 
 
 Noah, 150 
 Wisner, Polydore B.', 83 
 
 William C, 194 
 Wiss, John, 196, 246 
 Witherell, Elder, 159 
 Wolcott, Chauncey, 163 
 
 Erastus, 103, 150 
 
 John S., 118 
 
 Lydia. 163 
 
 Stephen A., 94, 96 
 
 Thomas R., 148 
 Wolfley, Martin, 254 
 Wolley, Samuel B. , 96 
 Wood, Benjamin R., 357, 319 
 
 Frank S., 343, 343, 356, 309, 311, 363 
 
 James D., Rev., 161' 
 
 John, Mrs., 300 
 
 Jonathan, 101, 117 
 
 Nelson D. , 435 
 
 William, 100, 115, 118 
 Woodruff, Asa A., 195 
 
 Landon D , Dr., 386 
 
 Truman H., Dr., 377 
 Woods, H. C, Rev., 166 
 
 James, 83 
 Woodward, Daniel, Dr., 96, 109, 380 
 
 Herbert P., 356, 364 
 
 Nathan Armsby, 366 
 
 Orator F., 226 
 
 Woodward, Theron P., 309 
 Woodworth, Charles, 150 
 
 David, 103, 118 
 
 P., Rev., 160, 163, 164 
 Wooley, J. R.. Rev., 168 
 Worden, Benajah, 103 
 Worthington, D. B., Rev., 163 
 
 GadB., 356, 398,302, 304 
 
 Gad B., Mrs., 200 
 Wortman, Andrew, 83 
 
 Ephraira, 108, 118 
 Wright, Asher, 253 
 
 Benjamin, 86, 104, 149 
 
 E., 151 
 
 F. E., 236 
 George, 108 
 
 G. W , 200 
 Horatio N., 184 
 Hulda, 276 
 Isaac, 116 
 Isaac R., 116> 
 Joel, 104 
 
 Jonathan, 96. 104, 150 
 Seaman T., 196 
 Selah, 87, 149 
 
 Selah M., 104 
 Wurts, M., 148 
 Wylie, A., M., Rev., 158 
 Wyoming massacre, the, 44 
 
 Yates, John H., 243, 257; poem by, read 
 at dedication of the Historical Mu- 
 seum, 262-265 
 
 Thomas, Mrs., 200 
 Young, Brannon, 294 
 John, 108 
 Sylvanus L. , 111 
 
 PART 
 
 Brougham, Thomas P., Rev., 531 
 Calkms, E. Kirby, 531 
 Dellinger, John, 533 
 EUicott, Joseph, 501 
 Holden, George H., 503 
 Hough, Charles W., 504 
 Huntley, Byron E , 505 
 Hutchins, Horace S., Dr., 506 
 Kingman, Franklin D. , 508 
 Marcellus, George E., 510 
 Maxwell, Robert A., 511 
 North, Safford E., 513 
 Pardee, Tracy, 515 
 
 Parish, Eliphalet, 516 
 Parker, Samuel, 517 
 Richardson, William E., 518 
 Richmond, Dean, 519 
 Sanders, Archie D.,521 
 Tomlinson, Daniel W., 523 
 Townsend, Morris W., Dr., 523 
 Upton, Emory, Gen., 534 
 Ward, John H., 536 
 Washburn, Julian J., 537 
 Wiard, George, 528 
 Worthington, Gad B., 530 
 
INDEX. 
 
 195 
 
 PART 
 
 Acker, William A, 69 
 Adams, Amos H , 76 
 Ahl, Charles, 136 
 Allen, Gideon, 136 
 
 Seneca, 125 
 
 William, 47 
 Ames, Alfonzo, 144 
 Andrews, Lewis B., Dr., 68 
 Anthony, Paul. 125 
 Armstrong, Addison, 124 
 Avery, RufusG., 64 
 
 Babcock, William Eaton, 145 
 Baker. Cyrus C, Dr., 92 
 Baldwin, William H., 48 
 Ball, Frank W., 8 
 Barber, Henry I., 17 
 Barlow, Charles, 52 
 Barnes, Joseph C, 50 
 Barr, William J., 83 
 Barrett, A. M., Mrs., 112 
 
 Joseph B. , 125 
 Bartlett, Ruius, 34 
 Bauer, John, 125 
 Beckwith, Harris P., 77 
 
 Richard S., 91 
 Bennett, Albert F., 134 
 Bierce, Miles H., 90 
 Bissell, James A., 105 
 
 Russell, 14 
 Blood, Luman, 135 
 Bogue, Nelson, 120 
 Booth, Joseph, 51 
 Bower, Abner, 60 
 Boyce, James A., 55 
 Bradish, J. Holley, 12 
 Brainard, Luretta C. , 64 
 Briggs, William J., 8 
 Broadbooks, Peter, 116 
 Brodie, John, Mrs., 5 
 Brown, Anthon H., 145 
 
 John S., 161 
 
 William F., 67 
 
 William H., 128 
 Bryant, Clarence, 100 
 Buckley, Michael, 103 
 Bull, Pierrepont E., 133 
 Burkhart, Harvey J., Dr, 81 
 Burr, Fred H., 45 
 Bushman, Henry, 68 
 
 Call, Robert, 98 
 Callan, Lawrence D., 123 
 Canfield, Burroughs P., 17 
 Caple, Alfred, 43 
 Henry, 42 
 
 Carpenter, William, 83 
 Carrier, Ansel Kellogg, 79 
 Cary, Martin, 130 
 Casey, John P., 48 
 Chaddock, Frank E., 58 
 
 Joseph, 63 
 Chamberlin, Amos, sr., 51 
 Chick, Charles F., 29 
 
 William, 110 
 Childs, Wilber J,. 132 
 Christie, Daniel H., 22 
 Church, George H., 122 
 Clark, Edward H., sr., 27 
 
 Eliza E , Mrs., 75 
 
 Mary, Mrs., 110 
 Cleveland, John, 10 
 
 John F., Dr., 36 
 
 WilHam H., 25 
 Cockran, William, 68 
 Coffin, A. D., 124 
 Cofran, Thomas K., 29 
 Cole, George W. , 139 
 Collins, George B., 98 
 Colville, William, 73 
 Cook, Charles, 142 
 
 Homer, 122 
 
 Walter, 59 
 Covert, James H., 4 
 Crocker, J. Lyman, 69 
 Curtiss. Stephen F., 38 
 
 Daggs, Charles H., 54 
 Dailey, Michael, 115 
 Darbee, Francis, 121 
 Darrow, Asa K. , 21 
 Davis, Angela K. , 75 
 Day, Elijah, 77 
 Deming, Henrv D., Ill 
 Dennis, M. O..'l50 
 Dibble, Isaac Vaughn, 87 
 
 Joseph D., 139 
 Dickinson, William H., 19 
 Dillon, Michael, 140 
 Diver, Edward, 23 
 Dodge, Erastus S., 78 
 Dolbeer, Charles H., 150 
 Donnan, William C, 77 
 Dorman, Carlton G. , 147 
 Douglas, Caroline, 81 
 Douglass, Hart, 121 
 Downey, James, 93 
 Drake, George L , 109 
 
 Samuel O., 13 
 Duguid, William H., 142 
 Dunlap, William C, 44 
 Dutton, G. W., 154 
 
196 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Earl, Thomas A., 133 
 Ebling, Charles M., 95 
 Edgerton, Alanson, 125 
 
 Henrv G., 130 
 
 Philo,' 143 
 Ellenwood, Samuel E., 24 
 Elliott. Edwin R., 22 
 Ellis, John J., 72 
 Elston, Isaac, 149 
 Englisch, Otto B. , 47 
 
 Fanson, Francis William, 57 
 Fargo, Adelbert B., 96 
 Farley, Abiather, 112 
 Farnsworth, Nathan H., 74 
 Farrall, George A. , 49 
 Feezlear, Jerome T., 188 
 Ferris, Arthur, 116 
 Fink. Fred, 64 
 Fisher, Carlton G. , 28 
 
 Joseph D., 71 
 
 Marion O. , 56 
 
 Monroe L., 126 
 Fisk, Pliny B., 100 
 Fiske. Sylvanus W., 157 
 Fitzsimons, John, 132 
 Flint, James Monroe, 19 
 Foss, Fred. 134 
 Fountain, Norton, 137 
 Fuller, George D., 108 
 
 Gabbey, John M., Dr.. 141 
 Gardiner, William C, 12 
 Gardner, Jeffrey W. , 30 
 Garwood. Frank, 74 
 Gibson. Robert, 128 
 
 William, 141 
 Gilbert. Sephrine, 156 
 Gill, James, 33 
 Gillett, Jerome, 4 
 
 Samuel. 35 
 Gillette. Charles L., 131 
 
 George M.. 101 
 Glade. John, 81 
 Gleason, John S. , 59 
 
 Patrick, 160 
 Godfrey, Oscar E.. 30 
 Gorton, Warren, 94 
 Gourley, James, 143 
 Green, Newton H., 66 
 GrifBn, C. H., 123 
 
 Samuel B., 43 
 Grinnell, Albert A., 46 
 Griswold, William, 5 
 Gubb, William, 90 
 Guiteau, Jerome C, 117 
 
 Hackley, Francis A., 88 
 
 Hackley, O. Delos. 87 
 Hager, John F., 55 
 Halbert, William R., 34 
 Hall, Samuel T., 134 
 Halsey, Fred, 111 
 
 Henry, 124 
 Halsted, LivenusS., 82 
 Ham, Philip, 43 
 Hamilton, John M. . 13 
 Hammond, O. D., 116 
 Harmon, Edwin M.. 34 
 Harrington, Andrew B. , 65 
 Harris, Frank J. . 129 
 Hastings, John C. , 63 
 Haxton, George W., 55 
 Haywood, John, 121 
 
 Sally, Mrs., 55 
 Hazleton, Sidney S., 118 
 Heal, Frank C, 51 
 
 M. W., 153 
 
 William H., 48 
 Hebbard, L. B., 4 
 Herrick, Edward P. , 60 
 Hewes, Marcena Ballard, 60 
 Hills, J. R.,160 
 Hint, John A., 65 
 Holden, Hinman, 82 
 Holmes, David Corwiu, 111 
 
 Westley G., 31 
 Horton. Medad S., 82 
 Howard, Aaron E., 42 
 Howell, Livingston D., 152 
 Hull. Abner, 89 
 
 Carlos A., 89 
 
 Eugene D., 90 
 
 Ferdinand H., 89 
 
 Newton M., 90 
 
 William Burton, 89 
 Hunn. William H., 102 
 
 Ingalsbe, Ebenezer, 66 
 
 Elijah, 118 
 
 Harmon C, 144 
 
 Parley v., 45 
 Ingraham, George S., 137 
 Ivison, Charles, 32 
 
 Jacks, James C, 129 
 Jackson, A. P.. Dr , 114 
 Jewell, Edgar M., 50 
 Johnson. William J., 152 
 
 Uri, 9 
 Tones, Cornelia A., 26 
 
 Eli M., 143 
 Joyce, William H., 103 
 
 Keeney, N. B., 155 
 
 Keleher, Jeremiah J., Dr., 20 
 
INDEX. 
 
 197 
 
 Keller, Andrew, 123 
 Kellogg, Charles F., 149 
 Kemp, B. George, 115 
 Kennedy, Frank, 28 
 Kennev, Richard R. , 129 
 Kidder, Oel S , 143 
 Kinne, Charles A. , 108 
 
 Royal W., 25 
 Kraatz, Louis, 96 
 
 Lake, Charles B., 11 
 Lapp, Joseph, 155 
 Larkin, Thomas W., 149 
 Laramy, Philip, 102 
 Lathrop, Jay, 33 
 Lawrence, Edwin L., 7 
 Lay, John F.,9 
 Lear, George W., 14 
 
 William S., 14 
 Le Seur, J. W., Dr., 11 
 Lewis, Cornelia T., 41 
 
 Jasper B., 99 
 
 J. M., Dr., 144 
 
 Robert S., 88 
 
 William Walter, 159 
 Long, John, 20 
 Loomis, Calvin S. , 76 
 Loveridge, Joel A., 31 
 Lowe, George F., 14 
 Ludlum, Herbert H. , 42 
 
 McCrory, John, 80 
 McCuUey, John H., 107 
 McElver, James, 138 
 McEwen, J. William, 56 
 Mclntyre, Estes E., 81 
 McPherson, Daniel J , 61 
 McVean, Archibald. 104 
 Macomber, John L., 123 
 Mallison, Jefferson H., 22 
 Maloney, John, 137 
 Marsh, Almond C, 95 
 Masse, Solomon, 49 
 Martin, Charles T., 76 
 
 John S., 4 
 
 William A., 74 
 Mayback, Jacob, 45 
 Merrill, Abner J., 66 
 
 Nelson J., 54 
 Merriman, Henry W., 85 
 
 Josiah, 85 
 Miller, Eugene H., 144 
 
 Francis T., 54 
 
 F. W., & Co., 160 
 
 HoldenT., 92 
 
 R. Tracy, 108 
 Miner, Austin T., 131 
 
 Sherman L., 130 
 
 Mix, David EUicott Evans, 18 
 Mockford, Edward John, 161 
 Moissinac, Eugene H., 16 
 Morris, J. L., 153 
 
 William. 152 
 Moule, Philip H., 128 
 Moulthrop, Edwin U. , 33 
 
 M. Nelson. 47 
 Moulton, Edward F., 135 
 
 Orsamoud B., 135 
 
 Warren E., 161 
 Moynihan, Michael, 95 
 Mullen, Albert T., 33 
 
 John W., 112 
 Munger, Henry M., 78 
 Mylcrane, William T., 128 
 
 Nash, Amerissa E., 45 
 Nelan, Maurice, 110 
 Newton, Charles J., 29 
 Nightingale, John, 133 
 North, James Agard, 131 
 Norton, Franklin, 64 
 
 Harry C, 139 
 Myron W., 143 
 Nye, Ira H., 127 
 
 Oathout, Charles E., 59 
 Olmsted, Albert C, 116 
 
 John R., 151 
 
 William D., 51 
 Owen, John D., 140 
 
 Page, J. Quincy D., 104 
 Palmer, Samuel P., 79 
 Parish, George B., 142 
 Parker, Frank J. , 74 
 
 Harlow E., 109 
 
 Orrin C, 130 
 
 William H., Dr., 126 
 Parmele, Lucius B., Dr., 96 
 Patterson, Jerome J., 155 
 Paul, Henry, 3 
 Pease, Edward, 93 
 
 Robert B., 51 
 Perkins, Samuel F., 115 
 Perry, C. E., 117 
 Pestlen, Charles, jr., 102 
 Pettibone, James A., 135 
 Phelps, George H.,69 
 Philleo, Henry S., 15 
 Pierson, Dwight H., 144 
 Porter, George A.. 5 
 
 H. P., Mrs., 19 
 Post, Abraham. 107 
 
 Jesse F., 76 
 Powers, Menzo E., 73 
 
198 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Pratt, Charles, 139 
 
 John W., 91 
 
 Melvin D., 104 
 
 William F. , 148 
 Prentice, Charles F., 154 
 Prince, Alpheus, Dr., 67 
 Prole, George, 33 
 Pugsley, Charles S., Dr., 134 
 
 Radley, William H., 85 
 Randall, Perry, 36 
 Rathbone, Arthur Barker, 105 
 Raymond, Walter H , 32 
 Reddish, Frank O., 84 
 Redfield. Frank B.. 157 
 Reed, Julius W., 44 
 Reid, James, 132 
 Rhodes, George, 111 
 Richardson, Frank, 115 
 Richley, Alexander F. , 29 
 Roberts, Charles D., 137 
 Robinson, Laban H., 17 
 Rogers, Fred C. , 156 
 Rogerson, Edward, 35 
 Root, Charles. 38 
 
 Oliver, 138 
 Rowell, E. N., 11 
 Rurasey, Edward D., 87 
 Rupp, Andrew, 107 
 
 Charles 71 
 Ruprecht, Charles H., 78 
 Russell, George A , 35 
 
 Sage, W. Monroe, 57 
 Samson, John P., 7 
 Sanders, Edwin Burden, 15 
 Scanlon, John. 106 
 Scarff, James Madison, Rev. , 43 
 Schafer, Herman, 113 
 Scheer, George, 70 
 Schlenker, Jacob, 10 
 
 John, 118 
 Scott, George W. , 89 
 
 Isaac Caniff, 109 
 Seamans, Ezra A., 151 
 Searles, Isaiah, 67 
 Searls, Clayton, 134 
 Seaver, Charles A. , 84 
 Seward, Charles F., 56 
 Seyffer, George G., 35 
 Seymour M. D., 138 
 Shepard, Henry, 37 
 Shotwell, Isaac M., 49 
 Showerman, Benjamin F., 117 
 Silliman, Charles D., 103 
 Simonds, Frank W., 113 
 Simpson, William C, 155 
 Skinner, Scott W., Dr. 158 
 
 Smith, Edward, 34 
 
 Mary E. , 132 
 
 Stanley M., 33 
 
 Wilber, 150 
 
 William D., 150 
 
 W. H., 137 
 Snell, H. E., 136 
 Sparling, Frederick, 21 
 Speyer, George, 148 
 Spink, Winfield S., 143 
 Sprague, Eunice, 158 
 Stage, Jerry, 84 
 Standish, Mary E. Mrs., 10 
 Stanley, G. W., 94 
 Staples, Job A., 97 
 Steele, Andrew G., 66 
 Steiner, Samuel, 35 
 Stevens, Elsworth T., 58 
 
 William Webber, 47 
 Stickle, Charles W., 93 
 Stone, Frank L., Dr., 38 
 Strong, George. 126 
 
 Sylvester F., 130 
 Stutterd, Joseph F., 49 
 Sumner, Clarissa, Mrs., 23 
 
 Jerome, 16 
 Sutherland, James H., 127 
 Sutterby, Joseph, 153 
 Sweet, Charles A., 96 
 
 John M.,73 
 Swezey, Hiram, 130 
 
 Taylor, Eli, 86 
 Terry, John W., 132 
 Thomas, Charles, 15 
 
 Charles H., 69 
 
 David G., 63 
 
 Jesse M., 71 
 
 John, 12 
 Tillotson, Fred D., 123 
 Todd, Henry, 87 
 Tompkins Family, The, 80 
 Torpy, Anson, 103 
 Torrey, Amos G., 155 
 Townsend, Horace E., 41 
 Tryon, Augustus S., 13 
 Tupper, Sheldon C, 36 
 Turner, A. L., 136 
 Tuttle, Thomas B., 53 
 Tyler, Martin C, 119 
 
 Underbill, Alfred, 90 
 Uphill, B. B., 76 
 William H., 131 
 
 Van Alstine, Samuel, 140 
 Vancuren, Edward, 137 
 Vickery, Maria H., 97 
 
INDEX. 
 
 199 
 
 137 
 
 18 
 
 118 
 
 Wade, James J., 94 
 
 John H , 94 
 Wagner, Joseph W.. 
 
 Mathias, 108 
 Walkley, Rosman L., 
 Walworth, Truman J. 
 Warboys, John, 100 
 Ward, Butler, 3 
 Washburn, George C, 
 
 John, 118 
 Waterman, Anthony J., 139 
 
 Bennett, 54 
 Watson, Clifton, 68 
 Weaver, George D., 119 
 Webber, John H., 131 
 Weed, Harvey, 74 
 Welker, John, 75 
 Wells, Schuyler C. , 6 
 Wheat, Elias A. , 86 
 Wheeler, G. Harrison, 131 
 White, Darius, 139 
 
 Iverson W., 67 
 
 Peregrine Kirk, 53 
 Whiting, Flavins J. , 99 
 
 Wiedrich, George D., 78 
 
 John, 27 
 Wilber, Adelle. Mrs., 93 
 Wilder, John. 30 ■ , 
 
 Willis, AlvaU., 79 
 Williams, Anson P., 113 
 
 Jennie, 153 
 
 L. T., 154 
 
 Myron A., 76 
 Williamson, George D., 50 
 Wilson, Locklin M., 13 
 Winslow, Charles T. . 95 
 Wolcott, Albert W., 6 
 Wood, Frank D., 61 
 
 Leonard C, 85 
 Woodward, Orator F., 37 
 Wright, Frank E. , 43 
 
 F. S., 149 
 
 James H., 131 
 
 Orlo W., 38 
 
 Yates, John H., Rev., 70 
 Zurhorst, Augustus F. G., Dr., 45 
 
 PORTRAITS AND ILLUSTRATION. 
 
 DelHnger, John, facing page 533, Part H 
 Ellis, John J., page 72, Part III 
 EUicott, Joseph, facing page 366, Part I 
 Gillette, George M., page 101, Part III 
 Hough, Charles W. , facing page 504, Part 
 
 Huntley, Byron E. , facing page 316, 
 
 Parti 
 Hutchins. Horace S. , Dr., facing page 
 
 506, Part II 
 Jackson, A. P., Dr., page 114, Part III 
 Kingman, Franklin D., facing page 508, 
 
 Part II 
 Maxwell, Robert A., facing page 511, 
 
 Part II 
 North, Safford E. , frontispiece 
 
 Pardee, Tracy, facing page 515, Part II 
 Parker, Samuel, facing page 303, Part I 
 Richardson, William E., facing page 518, 
 
 Part II 
 Richmond, Dean, facing page 519, Part II 
 Sanders, Archie D., facing page 531, 
 
 Part II 
 Townsend, Morris W., Dr., facing page 
 
 473, Part I 
 Wiard, John H , facing page 301. Part I 
 Ward. George, facing page 307, Part I 
 Worthington, Gad B., facing page 530, 
 
 Part II 
 
 Relics of Primitive Man, facing 450, 
 Part I