A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 100

Author: Minard, John Stearns, 1834-1920; Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Alfred, N.Y., W. A. Fergusson & co.
Number of Pages: 1102

USA > New York > Allegany County > A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York > Part 100

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The first sawmill was built in 1823 by Blakely and Doake. Its site is occupied by the hardware store of Mr. Seeley, and the stores of Wells Bros., Goodrich & Skiff, Geo. S. Hopper, and the residence of C. F. Skiff was the mill yard. The pioneer blacksmith was Ruby who built a shop at the south end of the bridge. The first physician was Dr. Balcom (See page 235). The writer well remembers him as an aged man mounted on an old white horse; staff in hand and pill-bags astride, slowly wending his way to the bedside of the sick.

James D. McKeen, the pioneer merchant, a former foot-peddler, put on sale a few goods, first in the bar of Ingham's tavern, but, about 1825, changed

742

HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

quarters to the front room of the framed addition. His success encouraged him to build the first store of the village. . This was the "old red store" and the " old red rookery " of later years. It stood near Mechanics Hall in the corner of the beautiful grounds surrounding N. P. Baker's residence. Other stores soon followed and each had its lumber yard while some added an ashery, one having stood on the high bank of the creek near Henry's opera house, and another near R. M. Skiff's. Lumber and shingles were used almost as currency at prices which would astonish our modern dealers. The "ash gatherer " would go all over the country trading calico, etc., for ashes, which, converted into pot and pearl-ashes, would be sent to market and exchanged for cash or more goods. These goods were hauled from Albany by teams, making the goods very dear to the settlers. After 1826 goods were shipped by canal to Rochester, from there poled up the river in flatboats to York Landing, where our merchants would send teams for them.

The first school was taught by Charles Mather in the winter of 1823-4 in a schoolhouse just completed. Miss Harriet Utley succeeded him the next summer. Miss Utley and her sisters Huldah and Dolly, twins, were generally known as the "Utley girls." They had for many years been teachers in the district schools of this and adjoining towns, and many of the older people of this section made their acquaintance (as did the writer) in the "old log schoolhouse," with its ample fireplace appropriating nearly the whole of one end, and its row of desks, or rather continuous desk and seat, around and along the other end and sides; when "boarding around " was the order, the sharp rapping with the ruler on door or window casing, served all the purposes of the modern school-bell; and black-boards and steel pens were things of the "dim future." These "Utley girls " were the best of nurses, ministered frequently to the suffering and afflicted, and their pres- ence and attention were thankfully welcomed. Self reliant, taking an ardent interest in public affairs and neighborhood prosperity, sociable, charitable and merciful, their lives were devoted to the good of others, and left in the memories of their many friends pleasant recollections. Rufus Chaffee con- ducted the first school for instruction in music as early as 1826. He also worked in the sawmill by the bridge and was there crushed to death while removing ice from around the pitman.

The first gristmill in Hume village was erected in 1829 by Ozro Thomas and John Freeman. The principal gearing was made of wood. It had two "run " of stones, and stood on the north bank of the creek (in the rear of N. M. Wells' barn). It ran but a few years, being superseded by the present mill which was built by Albert Utley, Gordon M. Abel and a Mr. Griffith.

The first tannery was built by Townsend and Smith, and stood near the residence of L. D. Hubbard. Another was built in 1832 by Alanson and Wm. R. Skiff on the north side of the creek, about where H. C. Brown has a barn.

Dr. Seth H. Pratt (see page 236), came about 1825. He was orator at the

743.

HUME.

first "Fourth of July celebration " of the village in 1825 or 6. Tables were spread in front of Ingham's tavern under a bower, seats were constructed, a stand erected, and the oration delivered on a little flat under the creek bank, long since washed away. Gen. Partridge was marshal.

Hume postoffice was established in 1826, with Chauncey G. Ingham postmaster, who held office over 15 years. The first mail contained but one article, a letter. The receipts for the first few years averaged about $10 per annum. Soon after 1826 the Holland Company appropriated $1,200 for roads and bridges in Hume, the work to be done under the direction of Judge Dole and Mr. Ingham. This was for the main or stage road from Angelica to Batavia, which ran through by Absalom Ayers' over the old "gulf road " route, striking the river near Geo. P. Leet's in Caneadea. Down the river from Leet's no road had been opened. Samuel Mills, son of Gen. Mills of Mt. Morris, was the first lawyer (about 1840). He remained but a short time.

Wolves were very plenty around Cold Creek, and were loth to leave for some years after the first settlement. One of the settlers, who lived about where H. C. Brown's house stands, one dark night heard a noise under his window, which he raised, and, thrusting out an arm, he seized a wolf by the leg.

WISCOY, so long called Mixville, deriving the name Wiscoy from the creek, and Mixville from Ebenezer Mix of Batavia, the early owner of the land, was settled in 1828 by Lawrence Wilkes, a blacksmith, who married a sister of Mrs. Mix. A sawmill was built the same year for Mr. Mix by David Knight. A bridge was thrown across the stream this season, the stringers being placed in position the day after the mill was raised. Jon- athan Wilkes was the contractor. Henry Torrey built the gristmill and the first hotel in 1829. The first merchants were Orrin Kingsley and Isaac Wheeler* who opened a store in 1830. The goods were brought from Albany in canal and river boats to York landing, thence to destination in wagons or sleighs. The first physician was Dr. Keyes, locating in 1830. The first blacksmith was Lawrence Wilkes. Miles Dodge built the furnace in 1842, and conducted an extensive business, increasing its facilities until they con- structed steam engines and mill machinery. Other early settlers were, David Gear, David Ayde, one Sawyer and Hibbard Pride. Benjamin Cooley settled in 1816 about a mile north of the village, building a sawmill on the East Koy in 1825.

Wiscoy was the seat of the famous Fourieristic " Mixville Association," which went into operation about 1844 or 5 and proved a dismal failure, involv- ing many in bankruptcy. The beautiful rapids and falls of the Wiscoy at this place and the two falls at Mill's Mills gave the stream its name "Wis- coy," " Five-fall-brook," or, as some have it though not as correctly, "Many-fall-brook," from the fact of its descent of 90 feet in less than 1 mile, with substantial rock bottom and banks, affording facilities for dams, mills,

* Isaac would never sell the last thing of a kind as " it would break the assortment."

744

HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y

factories, etc., seldom equalled. When first gazed upon by the white man it must have been romantic indeed. The waters are remarkable for steadi- ness of flow and volume, and should to-day be turning thousands of spindles and driving hundreds of looms. Possibly it might have done so had not too high a price been placed upon it by the early owners.

FILLMORE village is situated at what was, before the turning of the chan- nel of the river by the state in 1839-40, the mouth of Cold Creek, and for years preceding the establishment of the postoffice it was known as " the mouth of the creek." Up to 1836 its site was covered with a heavy growth of pine, buttonwood, butternut and elm. John Whiting early built a saw- mill on the creek, settling on the farm now owned by W. B. McCrea. This mill was followed by the Lapham mill, Abraham Lapham from Macedon, Wayne county, succeeding Mr. Whiting in the spring of 1841. Abner Leet erected the first public house, known as the "Red Tavern," in 1838. It was literally in the woods, and stood where the Prospect House stands. Thos. R., Uriah and Edwin Leet of Caneadea were his sons. He was one of the few who wished to name the place Fayette City, and across the north end of the hall connected with the tavern the words. "Fayette City Hall " were posted in an arch, but the place was never to any extent known by that name. Asgil S. Dudley the first merchant, had a small stock in the present resident of R. P. Tarbell. Wright & Baker soon after opened a store in the building near the M. E. church now the property of Dennis Torpey. Alex- ander Ferguson was the first blacksmith in a shanty on the site of Wm. P. Brooks' residence. He is well remembered by older people here, as the typical son of Vulcan, herculean in stature and in strength. The first wagon makers were H. M. and Noah B. Howden, who rented a shop built by Enos Stockwell in 1849 about where Mrs. Holland lives. The first work they did was making two very heavy lumber wagon boxes for Geo. Quinn, a contract- or on the canal. Mrs. Melancton Morgan, widow, and Harvey M. Howden are the longest residents of Fillmore, and his house on Genesee street built in 1850, was the first one in that part of the town. Levi Rice, a cooper, was an early settler here. His log shop stood in the rear of Joseph Ensign's house. Enos Stockwell, blacksmith, came in 1841. He worked first for the men getting out stone for locks from the quarry on the Andrew Caldwell farm. Soon coming to the village he occupied a shop about where S. S. Hamilton lives. Energetic, public spirited, Fillmore will long remember him as a benefactor. He built a number of dwellings and the Thomas Duffy hotel.

The large warehouse and store which stood on the basin in canal days and was bought and moved around parallel with the railroad by D. W. Sweet, was erected by Whitbeck and Hall about 1851-2. This is an old land-mark. Jeremiah B. Whitbeck and Theodore F. Hall came from Rochester in Jan- uary, 1850, with a letter of introduction from Gen. Micah Brooks to my father. Mr. Whitbeck tells me he has always remembered a remark my father made in reference to a question, as to how large a business a well

745

HUME

conducted store here might expect to do. It was that "if they put in the right kind and stock of goods, they might do $12,000 per year," which Mr. W. says they exceeded the first year, and later very much enlarged. They purchased the stock of Lyman Bailey, who conducted business under the hall part of the " Red Tavern " where Hiram Huntley and Daniel D. Gardi- ner had traded, and took possession Feb. 22, 1850. The stock invoiced $800, $400 of which was side pork, at four cents per pound. In March they oc- cupied the building now Wm. Foote's carriage factory, where they did busi- ness until the large warehouse on the basin was occupied in 1852. Mr. Hall retired in 1854, Mr. Whitbeck continuing the business, taking successively as partners Albert Anderson, Samuel A. Farman and William P. Brooks.

The first school was taught in the summer of 1841 by Mary Ann Fergu- son, in a board shanty, near where John Hodnett now lives. A log structure, used for school purposes, stood about where Patrick Hodnett lives. Jere- miah Morrill and one or more of the Utley girls taught here. In 1844 this district and the one over the river were consolidated and the present " Mi- nard schoolhouse " was built. In 1851 the district was divided, and Fill- more established schools. The postoffice was established in 1850 with A. S. Dudley postmaster, named Fillmore for President Fillmore.

Dr. Isaac Minard for many years at Pike, was here for a short time as early as 1848, and is conceded to be the pioneer physician. Dr. Nathan Haskins, formerly and subsequently of Centerville, was here in 1851 and for several years after. Dr. Finn came about 1851, remained about one year. In 1859 Dr. D. L. Barrows from Rochester, located here for a number of years.

During the construction of the Genesee Valley canal there was an influx of Irish. After the canal was built they remained and became tillers of the soil. The first canal boats were here in June. Joseph Ensign says the first boat in Fillmore was the "Daughter of Temperance," John Boardman, captain. These first boats were gaily decked with flags and mottoes. The writer remembers one, "The Peoples Line Against Monopoly," and how little Charley Barnard said "Yes, I know old Monopoly. He lives in Mt. Morris, keeps a hardware store, is rich, and is hard on the poor." Lumber now found a ready market at home at enhanced prices, and wood, which be- fore had to be burned in the process of clearing, could be shipped to Roch- ester at remunerative prices.

In ante-canal times the stage coach was the most expeditious mode of travel along the Genesee valley. The "Genesee Valley Express," a stage line from Mt. Morris to Cuba, was for a while a popular institution. Soon after the opening of the canal the packet canal boat Frances, for a time made regular trips between Mt. Morris and Oramel. Bands of music attracted pleasure parties to take passage, and dances were a not uncommon feature. The boat horn, sounded at the meeting of a boat or on approaching a village, gave as much pleasure to its hearers as does now the whistle of the locomo- tive. Joseph Moon with his famous key-bugle used frequently to be a pas-

746

HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

senger and would regale the people along the canal with a free "open-air " concert. But the packet did not "pay " and soon ceased to run. There were too many locks to pass to give the speed desired and the stage line had its own way again until the railroad came.

David Bemis was the first, or one of the first shoemakers. George W. Dresser for some years carried on shoemaking, where John Caldwell's house is, and George W. Wiles for a few years from 1851 had a shoeshop where is now E. Ward's store. About 1855 he built a tannery north of the cheese factory site and is the only tanner Fillmore ever had. John Grosvenor was an early tailor.

From 1846 to 1850 " the mouth of the creek " was the headquarters of a band of horse thieves and gamblers. John Allen, Henry Hyslip, Jerry Whaley and one Tyler were leading members and their rendezvous, the " Red Tavern," was kept by Ed Rice. Stealing horses from the Indians on the Buffalo reservation was a regular occupation. They were at last detected in this, arrested, prosecuted and several sent to prison, breaking up the gang.

THE CANEADEA INDIANS .- For some years after the Indian title was extinguished (1826) the Caneadea Indians continued in undisturbed posses- sion of the rich lands of the reservation. Only occasionally would a white attempt to cultivate any of it. Their possession retarded settlement along the river but contributed to the cultivation of neighberhood relations between the two races and many pioneers became intimate with them. Prominent among the Indians was the old chief Shongo. His home was near the resi- dence of B. F. McClure in Caneadea. Mrs. Sarah Ingham said that he used frequently to visit their house, and would relate his exploits in war, of being in the battle of Saratoga under Burgoyne. show the four ball holes in one arm and the scars of several sword cuts. He was fond of " snick-e-i," but of sound judgment, fine personal appearance and influential with his people. He came to be quite thrifty, had horses, cattle and hogs. His son George married a daughter of Mary Jemison. For an account of Hudson see page 35. "Old Wayne Washington " was an Indian of note. He was also known as John Mohawk. He it was to whom VanCampen "lent his hatchet " on one occasion, that is, sent him away with a tomahawk sticking in the back of his neck and shoulder. He lived to be over 100 years old and lies buried back of Delos Benjamin's residence. One of his sons was called the best runner of the Reservation. Long Beard, from whom "Long Beard's Riff" takes name, lived on the Benj. and Judson Gillett farm (once on the farm next above), and for an Indian was quite a farmer, raising grain, horses, cattle and sheep. Skanoboy, gift boy, given by and adopted from another tribe, lived with Long Beard. He was physically perfect, but destitute of principle and disliked by nearly every one. He was fond of "firewater," and once paid a liquor bill of 20 shillings by an elegant otter skin he had stolen (for which the Indians severely punished him). Mr. Ingham exchanged this skin in Batavia for nearly enough nails and glass to furnish the framed

747

HUME.

addition to his log tavern. Copperhead lived to be very old. John Shanks, a " medicine man," Sun-ge-wa (Big Kettle), the Trimsharps, Sharpshins, Bear hunter, Elk hunter. Chickens, Joe Dan Johnson, Powderhorn, Chick- nit were names borne by Indians of lesser note.

During the war of 1812 these Indians remained loyal to our people. Once the whites were much alarmed. The Indians were missing, and it was feared they had joined the British but they were only away hunting pigeons. One of the Trimsharps was once at Joel Cooper's house on the Reservation. Turning to one of Mr. C's unmarried sons, "John," the Indian said, " You young, me no young, why you no git you squaw ? Me bring squaw next time I come." To this young Cooper assented and thought no more about it. In a few days "Old Tom " re-appeared with a charming young squaw, whom he had brought from Tonawanda to become his bride. The Indian was in earnest and John had to marry or " back out." He chose to repudiate and the squaw went back with "Old Tom."

Parley Short once cut some hay on shares for Indians on the "round flats." The hay was stacked to remove in winter. When they began to draw it away some Indians proceeded to resist its removal by force. Seizing a fork one advanced upon the whites when Mr. Short dealt him a blow which laid him prostrate, and checked the warlike demonstrations. It was several minutes before the Indian arose and when he did he said " I will help you my friend."

EARLY SETTLERS ON THE RESERVATION, beginning at the south were, Gardiner Thayer, Timothy Rice, taking up one of the lots of the "Old Town Flats," Marinus W. Miner, Henry D. Lyman, Warren Cowing and John Whiting. Allen Nourse and George Minard from Vermont, came about 1831, the former settling a mile and a half from Fillmore east of the river, the latter coming a year earlier made his home on the lot opposite the mouth of Cold Creek, about the time the Indians all left. The present farms of Geo. E. Minard and James C. Smith were included in his purchase. Minard and Nourse were prominent and did their full share towards public improve- ments, roads, bridges, etc. When they settled it was an unbroken wilder- ness east to the top of Snider Hill in Granger. Samuel Bowen, Isaac Gibbs, Joel Cooper, Daniel P. Brooks, were early settlers east of the river, on the west side were Sanford, Fish, Jonathan Hammond and his sons, John M Edson, Augustus and Orvillo. Simeon Short's farm joined the reservation on the west. He came from Ossian; was a hardworking man, and died over forty years ago.

The first sawmill on Rush Creek was built about 1830 by one Price. Jay Farnsworth and Lovett S. Albee from Vermont settled upon Rush Creek about 1834. They took up and divided a hundred acre lot. Lumbering oc- cupied much of their time as upon most of the land was a splendid growth of pine and oak. About 1840 Mr. Albee built a sawmill on his land, Farns- worth having become the owner of the Price Mill. At that time a bushel of corn would buy a good pine tree, and a pound of pork pay for a pine sawlog

748

HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

of average quality. Shingles was a staple product. They were usually car- ried north and exchanged for apples, flour, pork, etc. They seldom brought money, and when sold for cash brought a very small price. Hunting was practiced to a considerable extent. Deer were plenty and a good venison steak no rarity. Wolves disappeared entirely about 1850.

Many of our pioneers were in the habit of trespassing on the non-resi- dent timbered lands. A fine pine or oak tree had great attractions for them, and when it cameunder observation of one who had no decided conscientious scruples its fate was sealed. About 45 years ago, the " village tract " was the scene of unusual activity in the way of stealing timber. The lots of the " village tract " were owned by a number of proprietors, who drew lots for the loca- tion, or settled the matter so that all the lots of one proprietor were not to- gether but scattered. The land was thickly timbered with remarkably fine pine, and the conditions furnished the most tempting opportunity for secur- ing it, as in order to make an action lie for trespass, the lot, or lots would have to be specified, which would involve a careful survey of the whole tract. The business began cautiously, but two or three attempts to prosecute hav- ing failed they "went for " the village lots, with a vengeance. And such havoc as they made. The writer well remembers how merrily the axes rang among those " monarchs of the forest " and how they fell, and what a crash- ing noise they made, not only in the daytime, but in those long moonlight winter nights. One would fell a treeand saw it into logs, another would watch his opportunity and when the first had gone perhaps for his team, would steal the logs and draw them to the mill, where perhaps a third one would seize the lumber as soon as it was sawed and rush it to market. Of course the sawmill men looked out for their share. Thus was the "village tract " despoiled of its grand old forest. It was on this tract that about 1845 one Wiley, shot a huge, very ferocious wild animal the like of which was never before or since seen in these parts. Its skin after it was stuffed must have been fully six feet from nose to tip of tail; it was of a yellowish color, with dark spots, and appeared much like a huge cat.

The first school in what is now District No. 8 was taught by Almena Nourse in the winter of 1833-4 in a shingle shanty about 14 by 24 feet in size, which had been built and used for a residence by Lewis Waldorff. After the erection of the log schoolhouse proper, the first school was taught by Cyrene Wood of Portageville Mrs, Rosalia Wood now of Centerville, a daughter of pioneer Joel Cooper, taught one term there. Salina Blanchard, from Ver- mont, taught the first school in the Hammond district in a log house near where Julius E. Franklin now lives.

A FLOOD INCIDENT .- One of the most serious difficulties our pioneers had to encounter was crossing the river, and they met with many adventures.

All early settlers remember a horse my father brought from Vermont. As years passed he was known by many from Portage to Belfast, as " Mi- nard's old John." He was an honest horse, a very " knowledgeable " one-

749

HUME.

He would work on either side, and with almost any and everything, was never sick or lame, but would not plow a furrow after the dinner horn sounded! He would swim the river at whatever stage it might be, and was ever ready to stem the tide. Once on returning home my father found the river had risen rapidly. Selecting what he supposed the shallowest place, he plunged in; but horse and rider at once "got into deep water," and be- came separated in the current, the horse coming out on the side he went in on and the rider lodging against some driftwood below. The horse had no notion of deserting his master and when he got a good footing, stopped and looked anxiously for his rider, who was endeavoring to mount the pile of flood trash. What was to be done? Darkness was fast approaching and not a human being within hearing. Father called, the horse whinnied in re- sponse, and seemed to comprehend the situation and determined to rescue his master. Coming down the river to a point opposite, the horse attempted to reach him, and the water not being so deep there succeeded. His master mounted him and was soon free from his perilous position. "Old John" lived many years, was never sold and died at an old age.

BROOKS GORE OR DUTCH HILL was last to be settled. The part lying in Hume, though needed to make the 6 miles square as the townships were usually laid out, was not included in the survey of Township 6, Range 1, but was surveyed and described as part of Township 5, Range 1, by Alexander Rea, and called Section 5 of Township 5. This accounts for the seeming discrepancy in some of the title deeds of Dutch Hill property, wherein lands are described as situated in Hume, and also as being part of " Section 5, Township 5, Range 1, of the Holland Company's Survey," which is Caneadea. I have frequently been questioned in relation to this discrepancy, many think- ing that there was something wrong about the matter.

Daniel Arnold was the first one on the Gore, "taking up" 60 acres of the Chas. Lapp farm soon after 1840 at about $4 per acre. He began a saw- mill on a brook on this land but soon sold to Augustus F. Purdy now living in Fillmore who completed the mill. Peter Horton and Daniel Clark settled about 1844 on the farm now owned by H. W. Rice. One Eddy, Jonathan Covel and Joshua Straight were early settlers. Mr. Horton was probably the last one in town to use the primitive drag. Henry C. Howden, Daniel Price, Jefferson Hurd, and Mr. Hall were early settlers on Brooks Gore which comprised about 10,000 acres of the purchase of Gen. Micah Brooks. Settlements did not rapidly progress here until about 1850, when Gen. Brooks induced some German immigrants to locate. They wrote letters to Germany which induced others to come over and a considerable German colony was formed which gave the name Dutch Hill. No part of the town has exhibited more rapid improvement in thrift and good husbandry than Dutch Hill. The soil is good, and the Hill ranks in productive capacity fully equal to the older settled portions. Its stumps have nearly all disappeared; the woodman's axe rings not now half so merrily as in times gone by. In a

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 100

Author: Minard, John Stearns, 1834-1920; Merrill, Georgia Drew Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Alfred, N.Y., W. A. Fergusson & co. Number of Pages: 1102

Author: Minard, John Stearns, 1834-1920; Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Alfred, N.Y., W. A. Fergusson & co.
Number of Pages: 1102