USA > New York > Genesee County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Genesee County, New York, v. 1 > Part 1
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01177 0473
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
A
DESCRIPTIVE AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF
GENESEE COUNTY
NEW YORK
V. I
EDITED BY
SAFFORD E. NORTH
THE BOSTON HISTORY COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
1752966
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 reader- 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
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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 naild- 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-
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INTRODUCTORY.
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 to me 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.
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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- puhc .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 Expylition-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 .37-43
CHAPTER V.
The War of the Revolution-Expedition of General Sullivan into the Genesee Country-The Seneca Indians Route.1 -- Lieutenant Boyd's Awful Fate- First White Settlement at Batta'o Creek 43-50
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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 Ell .- cott, the First Agent on the Purchase, and His Operations-Old Indian Trails -- Taxpayers in Gebesee County in 1900-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 Bat wvia and Budalo -The First Town Meeting-First Courts in tienesce County-Division of the Town of Batavia-Life of the Pioneers -- The First Church in the County -Other Pioneer Religious Organizat ons-The First Murder Taal-The First Printing Press and Newspaper-The Arsenal at Batavia 80-90
CHAPTER IX.
PIONEERS OF GENESEE COUNTY 91-113
CHAPTER X.
The War of 1812, and the Part Taken Therein by the Inhabitants of Genesee County 119-14:
CHAPTER XI.
Changes Along the Various Lines of Endeavor in Genesee County from the Case of the War of 1912 to the Erection of the Present County of Genesee in 1-11 -Some of the Settlers of Those Days-Early Hotel- The Fenablishment of Important Manufacturing Industries-Schools -- Many New Churches Founded1 -Effort to Remove the County Seat to Attica -The Farnsworth Triad-The Morgan Episode-A New Jail-The Land Office War-Discontent Among the Land Holders-Formation of the County Agricultural Society-Freetion of the New Court House-Division of the Old and Creation of a New Gen- esee County 117-198
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CONTENTS.
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 Daring 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 Well- 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 Conta-Churches Established in Genesee County During this Period 227-255
CHAPTER XV.
DEDICATION OF THE HOLLAND LAND COMPANY'S OFFICE AS A HISTORICAL MUSEUM 255-266
CHAPTER XVI.
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA .266-332
CHAPTER XVII.
BENCH AND BAR OF GENESEE COUNTY 333-372
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION 373-359
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CONTENTS. CHAPTER XIX.
EDUCATION IN GENESEE COUNTY
389-415
CHAPTER XX.
MASONRY IN GENESEE COUNTY 415-434
CHAPTER XXI.
THE PRESS OF GENESEE COUNTY 434 -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 199-582
PART III.
PERSONAL REFERENCES 1-162
INDEX.
Part I
163-194
Part II
.194
Part III 195-199
СТИ ЛИСТ
xi
1
CONTENTS.
PORTRAITS AND ILLUSTRATION.
Dellinger, John facing page 532. Part II . Ellis, John J. .page 72. Part III . Ellicott, Joseph facing page 266, Part I
Gillette, George MI page 101. Part III
Hough, Charles W. facing page 504, Part II
. Huntley, Byron E.
facing page 316. Part 1
.Hutchins, Horace S., Dr. faring page 506, Part II page Il1, Part III
. Jackson, A. P., Dr.
· Kingman, Franklin D facing page 505, Part II
Maxwell, Robert A. facing page 511. Part II North, Safford E. .frontispiece Pardee, Tracy
Parker, Samuel
facing page 515. part II facing page 302, Part I
Richardson, William E.
facing page 512, Part II
Richmond, Dean facing page 519. Part II Sauders, Archie D. facing page 521. Part II Townsend, Morris W., Dr. facing page 473. Part 1
Ward. John H. facing page 301, Part I facing page 806, Part I
.Wiard, George
Worthington, Gad B.
facing page 530. Part 11
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 Railroads 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 12, 1722, Tryon county was taken from Albany county, and the name was changed to Montgomery in 1784. Mout- gomery county originally included nearly all the central and western part of the State. January 26, 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 june- 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 ?, 1806, when Allegany county was set off by act of the Legislature. Allegany county then comprised parts of Genesee, Wyoming and Liv- ingston counties. The northern section was set off to Genesee county in 1811, and 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.
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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-
1 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 carte n' for about ten intles below Batavia.
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GEOLOGY.
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 Onondaga 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
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
depositing lime in the form of marl. Along the northern 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 cast- 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 extend- in a generally southwesterly direction through Le Roy, Stafford, Ba- tavia, Pembroke and Darien. The Delaware, Lackawanna and West- ern Railroad erosses 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 and 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,
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THE IROQUOIS.
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, 1812; 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 II.
The Great Iroquois Confederacy-Its Foundation, Customs and Laws-Its Wide Dominion-The Seneca Indians, the Aborigines of Genesve County-Subdivisions of the Five Nations-Political Aspect of This Powerful 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 Oncida 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-
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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:
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