History of Livingston County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 1

Author: Smith, James Hadden. [from old catalog]; Cale, Hume H., [from old catalog] joint author; Mason, D., and company, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & co.
Number of Pages: 744


USA > New York > Livingston County > History of Livingston County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 1


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EX LIBRIS


W.H. SAMSON.


1800


Class 121


Book 175E


-


LIVINGSTON COUNTY PUBLIC BUILDINGS, GENESEO, N. Y.


-1687-


-


HISTORY -OF ---


Livingston County,


NEW YORK,


WITH


allustrations and Biographical Sketches +


SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS.


By JAMES H. SMITH, 11


ASSISTED BY HUME H. CALE.


Published by D. MASON & CO.,


SYRACUSE, N. Y.


-188I


F


SYRACUSE, N. Y .: TRUAIR, SMITH & BRUCE, PRINTERS AND BINDERS. ISSI.


11


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER I .- Aborigines - Pre-Historic Period -PAGE The Iroquois Confederacy Its Origin and Organization -Tribal Relations- Secret of Its Power-Its Superiority and Suprem- acy-Its Degeneracy ..


CHAPTER 11 .- Indian Habits and Usages- Indian Dwellings-Indian Towns-Social Usages -Dress and Habits-Law of Marriages- Experimental Marriages-Family Disci- pline-Amusements-Dances and Feasts -The War Dance-Stated Annual Festi- vals-Medical Feasts-Dreams-Wizards and Witches-Burials-Wampum-Hos- pitality.


20)


CHAPTER III. - Early Discoveries-European Com- petition in the Western Continent-Settle- ments and Conflicting Claims of the Dutch, French and English-The English Snpercede the Dutch in New Netherlands -Iroquois and Early Colonists - Cham- plain's Invasions of 1609 and 1615-Loca- tion of the Fort attacked by Champlain in 1615-Iroquois make Peace with French - Iroquois Conquests and Supremacy ..... 32


CHAPTER IV. - French and English Rivalry-Ex- pedition of M. de Courcelles against the Mohawks - M. de Tracy's Expedition against the Mohawks-Peace of Breda- French and Iroquois at warin 1669-Peace of 1673 - M. de la Barre's Expedition against the Senecas-MI. de Denonville's Expedition against the Senecas-French and English War of 1689-Attack on Mon- treal and Quebec-Frontenac Invades the Onondaga Country-Treaty of Ryswick- Treaty of Utrecht-Tuscaroras admitted to Iroquois Confederacy - French and English War of 1744-1748-Treaty of Aix- la-Chappelle - War Renewed in 1755- Treaty of Paris-Pontiac's Conspiracy- War of the Revolution-Present Status of Iroquois. 39


CHAPTER V .- The Senecas-Their Origin and Sym- bols-Antiquity and Extent of their Conn- try-Their Status among the Iroquois- Their Early Town Sites-Greenhalgh's Journal-The Senecas Visited by LaMotte, Hennepin and LaSalle-Mission of Sieur de Joncaire - Jesnit Missions -- Jogue's Mission to the Mobawks -- Le Moine's Mission at Onondaga-Chanmonot Estab- lishes the Missions of St. Joseph among the Cayugas an:l of St. Michael among the Senecas -- Missions of Fathers Fremin, Raffeix and Garnier - Seneca Mission Resumed by Fathers Garnier and


PAGE


CHAPTER V .- ( CONTINUED. Vaillant Fathers Bruyas and Fenelon- Episcopal Missions-New England Mis- sions-Rev. Sam'l Kirkland-Missionary Societies of Massachusetts and New York. 59 CHAPTER VI .- Titles to the Soil-Extinguishment of Indian Titles-Line of Property-Con- flicting Claims of New York and Massa- chusetts-Preemption Line-New York and Massachusetts Surrender Claims to Territory to Federal Government- Treaty and Cession of 1784-Phelps and Gorham's Purchase- Treaty and Cession of 1788-Pultney Estate-Holland Land Company-Holland Purchase-Connecti- cut Tract-Transit Line-Morris Reserve - Forty thousand acre Tract-Morris Hon- orary Creditor's Tract-Robert Morris' Letter to President Washington-Treaty and Cession of Big Tree in 1797-Red Jacket's Insincerity-Difficulties Experi- enced in Determining the Extent and Boundaries of Reservations-Mary Jemi- son's Farm - Lessee Company - Effort made to Dismember the State-Reserva- tions made in 1797-Treaty and Cession of 1826 ..


CHAPTER VI1 .- Early Civil Divisions-Formation of Livingston County-Original Towns in Livingston County-Subsequent Ter- ritorial Changes-Topography-Bounda- ries, Area and Geographical Situation- Improved Land in 1820 and 1875- Char- acter of Surface-Genesee River-Falls at Portage-The Genesee made a Public Highway -Charlevoix's Description of the Genesee in 1712-Indian Name of the Genesee-Its Principal Tributaries- Canaseraga Creek - Cashaqua Creek - Conesus and Hemlock Lakes-Climate of Livingston County-Soil-Staple Produc- tions-Chief Industry-Comparative Anal- ysis of the Census of 1875-Livingston County Compared with other Counties in the State-Towns in Livingston County Compared


CHAPTER VI11. - Geology-Succession of Under- lying Rocks in the County -- Water-lime of the Onondaga Salt Group-Onondaga Limestone -- Corniferous Limestone -- Mar- cellus Shales -- Hamilton Group-Gene- sce Slate - Portage Group - Casbaqua Shale -Gardean Shale and Flagstones- Portage Sandstones Diagonal Lamina- tion-Ripple Marks-Casts of Shrinkage Cracks-Concretions or Septaria-Casts


a. v. 12 gia 2


4


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER VIII. - (CONTINUED. ) PAGE


of Flowing Mud, Etc. - Indications of Coal- Sulphuretted Hydrogen Springs Avon Springs- Brine Springs-Alluvial Deposits Marl Chara Mastodon Re- mains ...


CHAPTER IX .- First Settlements and Measures Leading Thereto Military Tract-Mill- Yard Tract Census of 1790 First Set- tlements in Livingston County -Commun- ication opened with the Settlements in Pennsylvania - Arks - Charles William- son becomes Agent of the Pultney Estate - Progress of Settlements under his En- ergetic Exertions-The Village of Wil- liamsburgh Founded - Settlements Re- tarded by War with the Western Indians and unfriendly Attitude of the British in Caunda " Simcoe War" - Remarkable Progress of Settlements Scotch Colony at Caledonia -- Robert Manro's Descrip- tion of the Genesee Country in 1801-Set- tlements Interrupted by War of 1812- Population at Different Periods-Homes and Privations of the Early Settlers. ...... 91


CHAPTER X .- Internal Improvements - Indian Trails Routes Indicated by Blazed Trees Improvements in Natural Water Chan- nels- Western Inland Loek Navigation Company -- Old Genesee Road-Caynga Bridge - Seneca Turnpike Company - First Mail between Whitestown and the Genesee - Williamsburgh Road -First Vessel and Steamboat on Lake Erie The Erie Canal-Early Speculations Regard- ing It-First Survey Thereof- First Board of Canal Commissioners First Contract on Erie Canal Construction Commenced The Completion Celebrated Erie Canal Enlargement-Navigation of the Genesee First Canal Boat and Steamboat thereon Genesee Valley Canal Preliminary Measures- Construction Luthorized-1ts Completion - Dansville and Rochester Railroad - Geneseo and Pittsford Rail- road-Attica and Hornelsville Railroad- Portage Bridge-Portage Riot -- Buffalo and Cohocton Valley Railroad - Rochester and Genesee Valley Railroad -- Genesee Valley Railroad -Avon, Geneseo and Mit. Morris Railroad -Dansville and Genesce Valley Railroad Company -Erie and Gen- esee Valley Railroad- Silver Lake Rail- road Canandaigua and Niagara Falls Rail- road-Rochester, Nunda and Pennsylvania Railroad-Rochester and Genesee Valley Canal Railroad.


CHAPTER XI .- Societies-The Medical Society of the County of Livingston-Its Organiza- tion and First Officers-Succession of Presidents of the Society - Names of Members from its Organization-Origin of Homeopathy - Its Introduction into Livingston County -Homeopathic Med- ical Society of Livingston County Its Constituent Members-Succession of P'res- idents of the Society-Additional Mem- bers The Livingston County Agrienltu- ral Society - First Officers - Premiums Awarded Classification of Members in 1855-Prominent Stock Raisers and Hor- tienlturists in Connty-Snecession of Pres- idents of the Agricultural Society Liv- ingston County Stock Association-Liv- ingston County Historical Society-Liv- ingston County Pioneer Association ....... 110


CHAPTER XII .- The Press of Livingston County- PAGE Origin of the Press- The American Press -Its Marvelous Growth Early Journal- ism in Livingstou County The First Newspaper in Livingston County-The Union and Constitution-The Livingston Republican - The Dansville Express - The Laws of Life and Journal of llealth -. The Nunda News- The Dansville Adver- tiser The Mt. Morris Enterprise-The Livingston County llerald -- The Union Citizen The Caledonia Advertiser-The Springwater Enterprise - Obsolete Pa- pers. ... 121


CHAPTER XIII. - Early Courts- County Seat Des- ignated-First County Officers- County Buildings - First Court in Livingston County - County Poor-House - Insane Asylum-Livingston County Civil List -- Delegates to State Constitutional Couven- tions-State Senators Members of As- sembly First and County Judges-Surro- gates - District Attorneys - Sheriffs - County Clerks - County Treasurers -- County Superintendeuts of the Common Schools - School Commissioners - Presi- dential Electors- Representatives in Con- gress ... .. 127


CHAPTER XIV .-- War of the Rebellion -Iis Under- lying Canse Seeession of South Carolina, Followed by Other States -- First Measures to Repress Rebellion -- Ready Response of the North- Additional Troops Called for- Prompt and Generous Response of Liv- ingston County -- Thirteenth Regiment- Twenty-Seventh Regiment -Thirty-Third Regiment-Regimental Camp at Geneseo -One Hundred and Fourth Regiment, or Wadsworth Guards-Calls of July 2, 1862, and August 4, 1862-Military Districts Formed -- The One Ilundred and Thirtieth Regimeut, or First New York Dragoons- One Hundred and Thirty-Sixth Regiment -The Draft-Quotas Under Various Calls -Subsequent Calls-County Bounty - Enormous Local Bonnties-State Bounty -- Local Bounties Abrogated-Contribu- tions to the Support of the Indigent Fan- ilies of Volunteers-Quotas Under Last Three Calls 134


CHAPTER XV .- Ilistory of the Town of North Dansville 155 CHAPTER XVI. - History of the Town of Ossian .... 209 CHAPTER XVII .- History of the Town of Spring- water 216


CHAPTER XVIII. - History of the Town of Sparta. 224 CHAPTER XIX. - History of the Town of West Sparta ... 235


CHAPTER XX. - History of the Town of Nunda .... 212 CHAPTER XXI .- Ilistory of the Town of Portage. 262 CHAPTER XXII. - History of the Town of Mount Morris. . 983 CHAPTER XXIII. - History of the Town of Conesus 323 CHAPTER XXIV .- History of the Town of Leices- ter 338 CHAPTER XXV .- History of the Town of Grove- land .. 348


CHAPTER XXVI .- History of the Town of Livonia 361 CHAPTER XXVII. - Ilistory of the Town of Gen- eseo. .. 381 CHAPTER XXVIII. - History of the Town of York. tto CHAPTER XXIX .- History of the Town of Avon ... 426


-


5


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER XXX .- History of the Town of Cale- PAGE


donia. 447 CHAPTER XXXI .- History of the Town of Lima ... 469


ILLUSTRATIONS.


Alverson James Lawrence, LL. D., Lima, portrait,


(steel) ... .facing 487


Atherton Oliver, Leicester, portraits self and wife,


.facing 343


Ayrault Allen, Geneseo, portrait. .facing 395


Allen, Samuel P., Geneseo, portrait facing 388


Barker S. S., Nunda, portraits self and wife ... facing 260


Barney George W., Mt. Morris, portraits self and wife. .facing 310 Beardsley Jared, Portage, view of residence .. facing 270


Beebe James E., Leicester, portraits self and wite .. facing 338


Beecher Jobn S., Livonia, portrait. 381


Bennett Charles D., Portage, portrait .facing 278


Bennett George Hosmer, Lima, portrait .facing 489


Bennett Joel C., Portage, portrait. . 277


Bennett Mrs. Walter, Portage, portrait. 279


Bennett J. Yates, Portage, portrait. 280


Bigelow Epaphroditus, Geneseo, portrait 407


Bingham Bros., Mt. Morris, bank block ......... facing 303 Bissell Daniel H., M. D., Geneseo, portrait .... facing 405 Blake Jesse, Livonia, portrait. 380


Blakeslee Senator, York, portrait ..... ... between 424-425 Brooks Gen. Micah, Mt. Morris, portrait ....... facing 316 Brown Merritt H., Dansville, portrait. 201


Butler Frederick W., Geneseo, portrait .. 406


Cameron Angus, Caledonia, portrait .. 463


Cameron Jolm, Caledonia, portraits self and wife,


Cameron Duncan A., Caledonia, portrait ... facing 451


.. 465


Chamberlain Oscar L., West Sparta, portrait 239


Coe Nathaniel, Portage, portrait. .facing 278


Coe George F., Conesus, portrait .facing 333 Colt Hon. Charles, Geneseo, portrait. 409


Craig William, York, portrait facing 426 Crossett John, Geneseo, portrait. (steel) .facing 404


Court House ... . Frontispiece


Donnan David, York, portrait ..... .. between 424-425


Dickinson E. O., Nunda, residence. .... .between 242-243 Driesbach Elias, Sparta, residence ......... between 226-227 Driesbach Henry. Sr., Sparta, portraits self and wife,


Driesbach Henry, Jr., Sparta, portrait, (steel) .facing 226


. between 234-235 Driesbach Elias, Sparta, portrait, (steel), between 234-235 Ebenriter Mary Biekel, Groveland, portrait .... facing 356 Faulkner Dr. Jas., Dansville, portrait, (steel) .. facing 197 Field Leonard B., Dansville, portrait. 240


Flory John, Sparta, portrait . facing 233 Foote Chester, Mt. Morris, portrait .. facing 278 Fowler N. Harmon, Livonia, portrait. 378


Francis Franklin B., Lima, portrait .. 489


Fraser William, York, portrait .. .facing 416 Galbraith John, Sparta, portraits self and wife


.facing 228 Geiger Elias H., Ossian, portraits self and wife, (steel).


between 214-215 Geiger E. H., Ossian, view of residence, between 210-211 Gibbs Hon. Leman, Livonia, portrait 379 Gilbert Charles S., Avon, portraits self and wife, between 442-443 Gilbert Charles S, Avon, view of residence, and mills between 442-443 Gilbert Joel, Conesus, portrait .. 337


Gray Dr. Arnold, Springwater, portrait


Gray Thomas, Geneseo, portraits self and wife, facing 383 Gilman John, Groveland, portraits self and wife,


facing 354 Grant Giles P., Caledonia, portrait, (steel) ... .. facing 464


Hartman Wm., Dansville, portraits self and wife, .facing 188 Hamilton William, Caledonia. portrait, (steel), facing 462


PAGE


Hamilton William, Caledonia, view of residence.


warehouse and elevator. facing 456 Hampton Isaac, Ossian, portraits self and wife,


.facing 212 Hanby John, Geneseo, portraits self and wife, facing 385 Haynes Jonathan Hunter, Geneseo, portrait ... facing 384 Haynes John, Geneseo, portrait. .facing 384 HIedges Job C., Dansville, portrait .facing 190 Hendershott Charles, Groveland, portraits self and wife .. facing 353


Hyde Corydon, Ossian, view of residence. . .facing 214 Hyland George, Dansville, portrait facing 196 Hyde Corydon, Ossian, portraits self and wife, facing 214 Jackman Moses, Livonia, portraits self and wife,


facing 373


Jacques Russel R., Livonia, portrait. ... 350 Jackson Dr. J. C., Dansville, portrait, (steel) ... facing 192 Johns Geo. H., Sparta, portraits self and wife ... facing 229 Johnson Leicester, Avon, portraits self and wife, .between 446 447


Johnson Seymour, Avon, portrait. facing 447 Kiehle Benj, Sparta, portraits self and wife .... facing 231 Kysor Mrs. Julia A., West Sparta, residence ... facing 240 Kysor Benjamin F., West Sparta, portraits self and wife ... facing 240


McClintock Joseph, Geneseo, portrait 405


MeLean Archibakl H., Caledonia, portrait, (steel)


.facing 465


McLean Hector, Caledonia, portrait, (steel) ..... facing 468 McPherson Daniel, Caledonia, portrait. .. 417 McPherson Donald, Avou, portrait, (steel) .. .... facing 446 Mann Wm. K., Groveland, portrait, (steel) .... facing 359 Martin A. H., Lima, view of residence ..... .facing 472


Martin A. D .. Lima, view of residence .... facing 472 Martin Alexander, Lima, portrait, (steel) ....... facing 480 Mills Myron H., Mt. Morris, portrait, (steel) ... facing 318 Norton William H., Springwater, view of residence,


Norton John B., Springwater, portrait. facing 216


223 "Our Home Hygienic Institute," Dansville, view of


.. between 176-177


Page Herman D., Nunda, portrait facing 244 Page Albert, Nunda, portrait. facing 244 Paine Earl J., Nunda, portrait ... .facing 260 Parker David Curtis, Lima, portrait facing 470 Passage Daniel, Nunda, view of Water Cure ... facing 262 Pease Henry, Livonia, portrait. 378


Perine James P., West Sparta, portrait ... .facing 241


Perrin Andrew N., Conesus, portrait


.facing 336


Perrin Mrs. R. M., Conesus, view of residence .. facing 324 Pierson Frederick Bushnell, Avon, portrait .... facing 445 Pray Isaac. Groveland, portraits self and wife, facing 360 Pierson F. B .. Avon, view of residence ... between 428-429 Pray Isaac, Groveland, view of residence. ...... facing 360 Proctor Lucian B., Dansville, portrait. .. 203


Phillips Jonathan, Mt. Morris, portrait .. .facing 278 Piffard David, York, portrait, (steel). facing 419 Reynale Wm. H., M. D., Dansville, portrait .... facing 194 Riley Richard Alsop. Geneseo, portrait .. .. facing 386 Root Capt. George W., York, portrait. .. facing 423 Royce John Sears, Leicester, portrait, (steel) ... facing 347


Sanders C. K., Nunda, view of residence ..... . facing 246 Sackett Col. Orange, York, portrait, (steel) .... facing 421 Shutt John, Sparta, portraits self and wife ..... facing 230 Sleeper Col. Reuben, MIt. Morris, portrait. 322


Smith John, MIt. Morris, portrait facing 288


Smith Col. George. Livonia, portrait .facing 362


Smith Willard HI., Caledonia, portrait, (steel) ... facing 453 Smith Joseph W., Dansville, portrait. .facing 194 Smith Jesse, Sparta, portrait .. 233 Society of Christian Believers, Sonyea, view of the home. .. between 358-359 Stevens Archelaus, Dansville, portrait. 202


Stewart Niel, York, portrait, (steel). .facing 422 Townsend John H., Nunda, portrait. .facing 260 Vary William, Lima, portrait, (steel). .facing 4×8 VanDoren Win., West Sparta, portraits self and wife,


facing 241


CONTENTS.


PAGE


Grant Giles P., Caledonia. 464


Gray Dr. Arnold, Springwater. 223


Gray Thomas, Geneseo ... facing 383 Hampton Hon. Isaac, Ossian. facing 212


Hamilton William, Caledonia. 462


Hanby John, Geneseo .. facing 385


Haynes Jonathan Hunter, Geneseo. facing 381


Hendershott Charles, Groveland facing 353


Hartman William, Dansville .. facing 1×8


Hedges Col. Job Clark, Dansville. facing 190


Hayues John, Geneseo. facing 384


Hyland George, Dansville. 196


Hyde Corydon, Ossian.


214


Jackson Dr. James C., Dansville 192


Jackman Moses, Livonia. facing 373


Jacques Russel R., Livonia. 380


Jemison Mary, Mt. Morris. 285


Johns George 11 , Sparta. . facing


Johnson Leicester, Avou 417


Jones Capt. Horatio, Geneseo. 409


Kielle Benjamin, Sparta. facing


231


Kysor Benjamin F., West Sparta 241


Logan Edward, Groveland 360


Mann W. K., Groveland. 350


464


Mclean Hector, Caledonia .. 467


McClintock Abraham, Geneseo. 405


Martin Alexander, Lima .. 4:0


Mills Myron H., Mt. Morris. 318


McPherson Daniel, Caledonia 467


McPherson Donald, Avon. 446


Norton John B., Springwater 993


Page Herman D., Nunda. facing 244


l'aine Earl J., Nunda 261


Page Albert, Nunda facing 244


Parker David Curtis, Lima. facing 470


Pease Henry, Livonia. 378


Perine James P., West Sparta. 241


Perrin Andrew N., Conesns ... 33G


Pierson Frederick Bushnell, Avon. 445


321


Piffard David, York ..


421


Pray Isaac, Groveland.


360


Proctor Lucian Brock, Dansville, 20.5


Reynale Win. H., M. D., Dansville ;.


Riley Richard Alsop, Geneseo. facing 386


Root Capt. George W., York. 423


Royce John Sears, Leicester 347


Hackett Col. Orange, York 421


Shutt JJohn, Sparta .. faring 230


Sleeper Col. Renben, Mt. Morris


Smith Joseph W .. Dansville ..


195


Smith Jesse, Sparta .. 233


Smith John, MIt. Morris 288


facing


Smith Col. George, Livonia. facing 362 Smith Willard Huntington, Caledonia. 465


Stevens Archelaus, Dansville 202


Stewart Niel, York .. 422


Townsend John H., Nunda.


VanDoren William, West Sparta. 241


Vary William, Lima ..


Ward Rev. Ferdinand DeW., Geneseo. . facing 401


Water Cure and Mineral Springs, Nunda 262


Warren Sammel, York 424


Weidman John, Springwater.


Walker David, Caledonia 468


West Erastus, Livonia. facing 370


Wells Harlow Willard, M. D .. Caledonia. 466


White John, Groveland 361


Whitmore William, Leicester .. 348


White Hon. William M., Ossian. 214


Whiteman Reuben, Dansville ... 193


Williams Col. George, Portage


Wilhelm George, Conesns .. 336


Woodruff Buell D . Livonia ..


Wiard Matthew, Avon. facing 430


Whaley Charles E., Avon. between 436-137


Zerfass George, Dansville. 204


Allen Sammel P., Geneseo. facing 388


Atherton Oliver, Leicester facing 343


Alverson James Lawrence, LL. D., Lima 486


Ayrault Allen, Geneseo .facing 305


Barker Seth S., Nunda 260


Barney George W., Mit. Morris facing 310


Bennett, Joel C., Portage 277


Bennett Charles D., Portage.


Bennett Mrs. Walter, Portage. 279


Brunett J. Yates, Portage.


Beche JJames E., Leicester facing 338


Beecher John S., Livonia .. 3×1


Bennett George Hosmer, Lima.


Bigelow Epaphroditus, Geneseo ... 107


Bissell Daniel II., M. D., Geneseo. 405


Blake Jesse, Livonia. 3×0


Blakeslee Senator, York


Brooks Gen. Micah, Mt. Morris. facing :16


Brown Merritt Holmes, Dansville. 201


Buunell A. O., Dansville .. 203


Bunnell Major Mark J., Dansville 203


Butler Frederick W., Geneseo ..


400


Cameron John, Caledonia. facing 451


Cameron Angus, Caledonia ..


463


Cameron Duncan A., Caledonia


465


Chamberlain Oscar L., West Sparta


Voe llon. Nathaniel, Portage 2278


l'oe George F., Conesus ... 339 facing


10


Crossett John, Geneseo


404


Craig William, York


126


Christinu Believers, Society of, Groveland.


Dickinson E. O., Nuncha


261


Donuan David, York 424


Driesbach Henry, Sr., Sparta facing 226


Driesbach Elias, Sparta ... 234


Driesbach Henry, Jr., Sparta


Ebenriter Mary Bickel, Groveland facing 35G


Fanikuer Dr. James, Dansville. 197


Field Leonard B., West Sparta 240


Francis Franklin B., Lima .. facing 233


Flory John, Sparta


321


Fowler N. Harmon, Livonia


377


Fraser William, York 423


Geiger Elias H., Ossian. 215


Gibbs llon. Leman, Livonia


Galbraith John. Sparta. .facing 22%


Gilbert Charles S., Avon between 442-143


Gilbert Joel, Conesns .. 337


Gihuan Phillip, Groveland facing 35t


(hlman John, Groveland .facing 351


PAGE


Weidman John, Springwater, portraits self and wife, .facing 224 Warren Sammel, York, portrait ... .facing 424


Ward Rev. Ferdinand De W., Geneseo, portrait, facing 401 Walker David, Caledonia, portrait .. 460 ... Weichnan John, Springwater, residence. .facing 224


Wells Harlow W., M. D., Caledonia, portrait, (steel )


facing frit


West Erastus, Livonia, portraits self and wife ... facing 370 Wiard Matthew, Avon. portrait facing 430 White W'm. M., Ossian, portrait, (steel ) ... .. .. facing 209 White John, Groveland. portrait ... 361


Whiteman Renben, Dansville, portrait. ...... facing 193 Whitmore Win., Leicester, portraits self and wife, ( steel) .. .between 348-349


Whaley Charles E., Avon, portraits self and wife,


.between 436 437


Whaley Charles E .. Avon, view of " Sanitarium,"


between 136 437


Wilhelin George, Conesus, portrait. .facing 335


Williams Col. George. Portage, portrait 2×1


Woodruff Buell D., Livonia, portrait .. 379


Zerfass ficorge, Dausville, portraits self and wife ..... 204


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


MeLean Col. Archibald H., Caledonia.


Phillips Jonathan, Mt. Morris.


Colt Hon. Charles, Geneseo.


Fonte Chester, Mt. Morris.


INTRODUCTION.


IN THE preparation of the history of the county treated of in this volume the authors have endeavored to confine themselves to a concise and truthful statement of facts, leaving deductions and moralisms, except where such were necessary to a proper elucidation of the subject, to the individual reader ; and in gleaning these facts they have laid under contribution every available source of information in the effort to arrive at correct data. This, however, has not always been possible, for much is given that rests for its authority entirely upon verbal statements, which, even among the best informed, are subject to the lapses of memory. When conflicting statements have been observed, as was to be expected there would be in so broad a field of inquiry, an honest effort has been made to reconcile them and make them con- form to the probable fact ; for while each individual expects the record of a fact to conform to his remembrance, it is notorious that all do not retain precisely the same recollection of it. To this end also, records have been consulted where such existed and were accessible, both to supplement and establish a verbal fact, and as an original source of information. These, however, were often fragment- ary, sometimes entirely wanting, and while their incompleteness was perplexing, their frequent indefinite- ness was even more so, so that it was often necessary to supplement them by verbal information.


The materials for such a work were widely scattered. They laid mainly in the imperfect town, county, church, school, society and private records, and in the vague and faded memories of individuals. Much time, labor, diligent research and patient inquiry have been required to gather these materials and collate them into systematic order. Every town has been visited, and its records and well-informed citizens have been consulted. In addition to these, the files of local and other papers have been scrutinized, and the works of numerous authors laid under contribution ; but as the latter have generally been referred to in the text, especially when quoted, we do not deem it necessary to enumerate them here. A few local gleaners, of acknowledged ability, in this field of historic inquiry, had rescued from oblivion much that has served to embellish the annals of Livingston. The fruit of their labors was kindly placed at our disposal.


Much more might have been given, enough to swell the volume to twice its present size, by the multiplication of details which some would regard with interest and others as unimportant ; much indeed was prepared and still more gathered, but it was found necessary to eliminate it to bring it within the scope of this work. In discarding matter we have aimed to retain that which seemed most important- most worthy of preservation.




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