A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 11

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 11

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).

1837. First public house in Alma by Azor Hurlbutt, and first death in Willing, a young child of Austin Butler. By an act of the Legislature " that part of Little Genesee creek, extending from the sawmill now owned and occupied by Messrs. T. and M. Cowles, in Bolivar in the county of Allegany, to the Pennsylvania line is hereby declared a public highway." April 4th the name of the town of Haight was changed to New Hudson. The Allegany Mutual Insurance Company was incorporated by act of the Legislature passed

HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

April 13th. The bill provided that "Jesse Angel, Benedict Bagley, Ezra Smith, Edward H. Johnson, Richard Charles, Augustus A. Common, Gilbert B. Champlain, William A. Kirkpatric, Orleton N. Messenger, Milton McCall, Ransom Lloyd, Lawrence Hull, Hiram Wilson, John B. Church and Samuel King, and all other persons, who may hereafter associate with them in the manner hereinafter prescribed, shall be a corporation, by the name of 'The Allegany Mutual Insurance Company,' for the purpose of insuring their respective dwelling houses, stores, and other property against loss or dam- age by fire." This company continued for ten years when it closed, assess- ments having become so frequent and oppressive as to make a member- ship in the company undesirable. The board of supervisors organized by electing Josiah Utter chairman and Thomas J. Dwyer clerk. Ezra Smith, Alanson Burr, John Brathwait, Samuel C. Wilson and Chauncey F. Clark were elected county superintendents of the poor. There were two newspa- pers published in the county, and the board resolved to print the official can- vass in each. The bounty on wolves was placed at $10, a resolution having been offered to fix it at $20 and lost. The judges' seats in the court house having become worn it was resolved that $20 be raised for the purchase of five chairs for the judges, and that the judges be a committee to secure the same. $50 was voted for stoves and pipes and fixing fire-places in the county poor house. A bridge having been commenced at Burrville (Canea- dea) and more funds needed $200 was voted to complete it, and $78.05 appro- priated to purchase a set of weights and measures for the county. It was considered that $25 would pay for necessary repairs to the court house, and $20 was voted to build a fence around the back yard of the court house. Only $55 were paid in wolf bounties, this was for three old and five young ones. Alexander S. Diven presented a bill as district attorney for $301.30 and George Miles, for same service, $279.02. Seth H. Pratt, of Hume and Samuel Russell of Alfred were elected to the assembly.

1838. The first religious services in Alma were held by Rev. Reuben Kent. First public house in Fillmore opened on the hill west of the route of the canal, by Abner Leet. The First Baptist Church of Whitesville organ- ized with 11 members by Rev. John B. Chase. A Presbyterian Church organized by Revs. Lemuel Hull, Phineas Smith and A. S. Allen. Work on the Genesee Valley Canal was being prosecuted, and the construction of the Erie Railroad commenced, which stimulated the hopes and lightened the labors of our people. Both lines were to pass through the county. July 26th occurred one of the most fearful wind storms that ever visited the county. Its tract covered a width of three-fourths of a mile. Scarce a tree was left standing in its course. Houses, barns, wagons, all things in its way were hurled to the ground, and in some instances moved quite a dis- tance. Wm. V. Ayers was living in the track, though not in the midst of its worst effects, with his wife and child he escaped injury by seeking the shelter of the milk-house. Stephen Wilson had a horse killed. The water in the river was swooped up leaving the channel for a few minutes dry. The mud

FOURTH DECADE .- 1831-1840.

and water were scattered over everything in reach, and, near the Transit, the soil from a field was swept completely off plow-deep. The storm came from the west and passed in a southeast direction, crossing the Genesee a little below the Transit bridge. Its effects were seen for years. But one evidence of this storm remains, a pine stub lying in the stump fence north of the Transit school-house. The board of supervisors, 28 members, organ- ized by choosing Wm. Welch chairman, and Thos. J. T. Dryer clerk. James Matthews, Jason Hunt and J. B. Welch were appointed a committee to obtain board, etc. The board in joint action with the judges appointed Ezra Smith and Chauncey F. Clark, county superintendents of the poor, and could agree upon no others so they dissolved the joint meeting. Nine wolves and 16 whelps were paid for, bounty allowed, $170. A. S. Diven was dis- trict attorney, his bill for services was $482.78. Considerable dissatisfac- tion being felt in regard to the non-assessment of personal property, this preamble and resolution was passed: "Whereas it is evident that the assessors in many of the towns have neglected to make a correct assessment of personal property in their several towns, which neglect operates unjustly on those towns which do assess the same, therefore, Resolved by this board that any assessor who shall hereafter neglect to ascertain and assess the personal property of his town according to the best information he can obtain. shall be presented to the Grand Jury, for indictment." " Resolved that a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolution, be taken by each supervisor, and read at the next town meeting in his town." Seth H. Pratt, of Hume and William Welch of De Witts Valley were this year elected to the Legislature. Granger was April 18th formed from Grove as West Grove. Wirt was erected from Friendship and Bolivar.

1839. Asgil S. Dudley opened the first store in Fillmore, and Zebina Dickinson and Oliver Ackerman settled in Willing. March 6th the name of the town of West Grove was changed to Granger. Work on the Genesee Valley Canal had been put under contract, and work was being actively pros- ecuted, furnishing opportunities for many to work with teams and other- wise, thus earning money to help them over the hard places. A great in- flux of foreigners, mostly Irish, occurred about this time, the inducement being the "public works." The First M. E. Church of Andover organized with 11 members by Rev. Samuel Nichols. Benjamin Burlingame was chairman of the board of supervisors, Isaac G. Freeman clerk, Elias Hull, Ithamar Smith, Reuben Weed. Samuel C. Wilson and Abner Adams county superintendents of the poor. A motion to remove the county treasurer, A. C. Hull, was carried by one majority. Ransom Lloyd was then appointed county treasurer and his bail fixed at $40,000. The stock of the county in the New York and Erie Turnpike was sold to Hon. P. Church, for $200. A panther bounty of $2.50 and on 9 wolves at $5 were paid for. First compli- mentary resolution to chairman on record was passed by the board.

1840. This decade closes with increasing prosperity. Work had been commenced on the Erie Railroad and the Genesee Valley Canal. Mills were

HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

being erected, and lumber manufactured in large quantities, which sought markets by way of Olean and the Allegany river, Hornellsville and the Cohocton, and Mt. Morris and the Genesee Valley and Erie canals. A better class of buildings of all kinds was observable, and people were becoming contented and happy. This year was distinguished by the great presidential campaign, in which "Tippecanoe and Tyler too " and many other songs were sung and which actually wafted Gen. William Henry Harrison into the presi- dential chair on a tidal wave of campaign melody, over Martin Van Buren the Democratic candidate. This tabulated statement from the records of the board of supervisors, shows the valuation of the real and personal prop- erty of the several towns: Angelica, personal $12,866, real and personal $204,866; Almond, $5,325, $200,325; Allen, $300, $114.300; Alfred, $9,374, $179,374; Andover, $205, $116,205; Amity, $3,034, $221,034; Belfast, $720, $140,720; Birdsall, -, $90,000; Bolivar, $1,813, 881,813; Burns, $11,230, $119,230; Caneadea, $2,330, $169,330; Centerville, $11,440, $171,440; Clarksville, $276, 872,276; Cuba, 82,235, $172,235; Eagle, $1,700, $131,700; Friendship, $6,910, $146,910; Genesee, $650, $82,650; Grove, $180, $88,180; Granger, $2,525, $134,525; Hume, $6,450, $251,450; Independence, $1,900, $166,900; New Hudson, $1,000, $128,000; Nunda. $33,134, $383,134; Ossian, $6,033, $126,033; Portage, $13,500, $383,500; Pike, $23,140, $345,140; Rushford, $19,784, $219,784; Scio, $389, $250,389; West Almond, $4,376, $101,376; Wirt, $3,175, $118,175. There were 30 towns represented on the board of supervisors. W. Hicks was elected chairman and Wm. P. Angel was chosen clerk. Alexander S. Diven's bill as District Attorney was $371.72. Reuben Weed, Abner Adams, Jonathan Smith, Sam'l C. Wilson and Henry Stevens were elected county superintendents of the poor. H. W. Bullock attended the board and furnished fuel and lights for 119. The com- mittee to visit the poorhouse reported 57 inmates, number received during the year 84, and the average number of inmates 42.

CHAPTER XVIII.

FIFTH DECADE .- 1841-1850.

W THEN this decade opened the county presented a lively and prosperous spectacle. Work on the Genesee Valley canal and the Erie railroad was being pushed rapidly forward, the great number of common laborers, workmen and artisans employed made a good home-market for the surplus products of the farms, and, besides, many farmers availed themselves of the opportunity to employ their teams upon the public works, for which they received a fair renumeration, thus helping them out in their payments upon

FIFTH DECADE-1841-1850.

their places. Money was reasonably plenty, and it was a time of quite general prosperity.

1841. Thirty towns were represented upon the board of supervisors this year. Samuel Russell was chosen chairman, and Samuel Van Wickle clerk. A change was made in the administration of the affairs of the com- mon schools. The old office of town inspector of common schools was abol- ished and deputy superintendents of common schools were elected, one for the northern and one for the southern district. Wm. C. Kenyon was chosen for the southern, and Abraham Burgess for the northern district. The superintendents of the poor elected this year were Joshua Vincent, Tarbell Gordon. John Powers, Nathaniel Olney, and Alvin Burr. The whole amount of taxes spread upon the county this year was $10,623.07. Lorenzo Dana and Horace Hunt were elected to the assembly. Alexander S. Diven was elected district attorney. The account of Wilkes Angel, the retiring district attorney, was audited at $316.63.

On the 6th of October, 1841, a meeting was held at the court house at Angelica, at which the Allegany County Agricultural Society was organized with the following officers: President, Wm. G. Angel; vice-presidents, John Ayers, George Lockhart, Orra Stillman, James Wilson, Jr., Andrew Baker, Wm. Van Campen, Stephen Wilson, Jr., John Boles, Martin Butts, Stephen Mundy, Rodman Freeborn. Wm. A. Stacy, Edward H. Johnson, Peter Leroy, David T. Hamilton, Josiah Utter, Isaac Van Nostrand, John White. Jabez Burdick, Luther Couch, Samuel C. Clark, John Seaver, Asa K. Allen, Jacob Clendening, John Jones, James Perkins, James McCall, Abraham Middaugh, Jesse R. Gibbs, and Jonah French; recording secretary, A. S. Diven; corre- sponding secretary, Ransom Lloyd; treasurer, Alvin Burr; board of mana- gers, Vial Thomas, Stephen Woodruff, Charles Maxson, Brice Carr, Hiram Harmon, John Simons, William Brown, James Matthews, Eli Lasure, Noah Smith, Elias Smith, Levi Latham, Wm. Duncan, Moses Parsons, Stephen Wing, Hollis Scott, Samuel Jones, Reuben Weed, Hiram Wilson, Oliver M. Russel, Samuel S. White, Calvin B. Lawrence, Isaac Andrews, Joshua Rathbun, Moses Smith, A. F. Messenger, Abram J. Lyon, William Knight, John Lockhart, and Daniel Willard. The society thus formed still exists. It has had its seasons of prosperity and adversity, as with all such institu- tions, has grounds well adapted for its purposes, and holds a fair every year at Angelica.

1842. Work on the Genesee Valley canal and Erie railroad was sus- pended this year; on the former owing to a change in the state administra- tion, and policy regarding the prosecution of public works; and on the latter on account of "hard times" to obtain money for its prosecution. This made our people feel sad, and though their hopes were not entirely blasted their hearts were made sick. Thirty towns were this year represented upon the board of supervisors; Wm. Hicks was made chairman, and Lewis D. Simons clerk. Abraham Burgess was allowed $327.50 for services as deputy superintendent of common schools, Wm. C. Kenyon $106, and L. H.

100

HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

Maxson $72; the two latter for the southern district. The whole amount of taxes levied in the county this year was $15,317.98. The propagation of silk worms and the production of silk it would seem was receiving some atten- tion at this time, judging from this quotation from the proceedings of the board of supervisors: "The certificate of Jonathan E. Parmalee and Ephraim Smith having been presented to the board by which it appears that Otis Ward has raised 9 15-16 pounds silk cocoons, and Arad French 25} pounds; on motion, resolved that the amount specified in said certificate be allowed, and that the treasurer of the county of Allegany pay to the bearer thereof 15 cents for each pound of cocoons above mentioned." Samuel C. Wilson was elected county treasurer, and Hiram Wilson and Ralph C. Spencer were elected deputy superintendents of common schools. Bids for the county printing were received, that of E. C. Palmer for $25 and that of Purdy & Horton for $24.75, the latter was awarded the work. Number of paupers in the county poorhouse, 47; smallest number at any time during the year 33.

The proceedings of the board of supervisors for 1843 are missing. Samuel C. Wilson was appointed first judge this year.

1844. The number of towns was still 30, and Robert Flint was made chairman and Samuel Van Wickle clerk of the board of supervisors; Andrews A. Norton, Ephraim Smith, John Powers, Norman Howes and Ithamar Smith were elected superintendents of the poor. District attorneys Wilkes Angel and M. B. Champlain were allowed claims, the former $105.41, the latter $195.75. Alfred Lockhart was elected treasurer, Ralph C. Spencer and J. J. Rockafellow deputy superintendents of common schools, the former being allowed $483, and the latter $308, for services the past year. The number of paupers in the county poorhouse at time of visitation was 34. David Brown's bill for wood, lights and attendance, during session of the board was $15. Dennis B. Chapin from the southern and Samuel Blodgett from the northern district were chosen pupils to attend the state normal school at Albany, the first in the county. Martin Grover of Angelica, then known to many as the "ragged lawyer," was elected to Congress, the dis- trict comprising the counties of Allegany and Steuben. Nathaniel Coe of Nunda and John G. Collins of Angelica were elected to the assembly. Sam- uel C. Wilson was appointed surrogate.

1845. In 1845 Horace Hunt was chosen chairman of the board of super- visors, and Samuel Van Wickle clerk. A claim for bounty on ten pounds of silk cocoons at $1.50 was allowed, the last appearance upon the records of that industry. Candles and sperm oil were still used for illuminating pur- poses, and Sheriff Brown was directed to purchase "four pairs of snuffers, and shovel and tongs for use in the court house." Postage was still very high; in an account of A. Lockhart, an item "Postage on letter from Utica, 19 cents " appears. A bounty of $30 was allowed for two wolves killed, the state also paying $10. This is the last mention of wolves in the proceedings of the board of supervisors. It is perhaps proper and is certainly interest-

101

FIFTH DECADE .- 1841-1850.

ing to note that in the 27 years of which we have the data, 1.255 wolves and panthers were reported and "certified to " as having been killed; for which bounties aggregating $19,496 were paid by the county and state, not includ- ing town bounties. From the organization of the county, or rather from 1808, the time of the first possible meeting of the board of supervisors, there are 10 years for which no data can be found. Now, if the ten years for which the accounts are missing, were up to the average of those accounted for, there must have been as many as 1,746 wolves and panthers killed, from 1808 to 1845 inclusive, at a cost to state and county of $26,679.70. The records reveal nothing as to bounties on bears, but panthers were included in and rated the same as wolves, only 3 however were reported. This of course indicates that panthers were not frequently found, and that bears, if some- what numerous, were not aggressive or troublesome. Nathaniel Coe and John G. Collins were re-elected to the assembly. Marshall B. Champlain was appointed district attorney.

1846. At the general state election, Nov. 4, 1845, a convention was ordered for the purpose of framing a new Constitution. The vote stood "For a convention," 213,257; "No convention," 33,860. Accordingly the Legislature passed an act calling the convention to meet at Albany, June 1, 1846, when the convention met and performed its labor so as to adjourn on the 9th of October, submitting the new constitution to the people at the general election held Nov. 3, 1846, when it was adopted by the following vote: Amended constitution, "Yes," 221,525; amended constitution, "No, " 92,436. Allegany county was represented in the convention by William G. Angel and Calvin T. Chamberlain. Mr. Angel was a leading and influential mem- ber, delivering a speech on "the qualifications and duties of the executive" which was not excelled by any speech made on that subject in the conven- tion. To quote L. B. Proctor in his "Lives of Eminent Lawyers of New York:" "His speeches on the apportionment, on the election and tenure of office of the Legislature-on the judiciary articles-on the canals and finan- ces, and on the rights of married women, were fertile with practical, use- ful and liberal suggestions, and furnished the convention with a fund of valuable information, which greatly aided the members in their delibera- tions." Grover Leavins and Samuel Russell were elected to the assembly. Martin Butts was elected county clerk, and Joshua Rathbun sheriff. This year the towns of Eagle, Pike, Portage and Nunda were, against the strong remonstrance of the rest of the county, set off to Wyoming and Livingston counties. Early this year war with Mexico commenced, owing to the annexation of Texas by the United States. Volunteers were called for and all troops necessary for its prosecution were obtained by voluntary enlist- ment. A number went from Allegany, enlisting at Buffalo, the nearest recruiting station, but no company was organized here. The effect of the war, which lasted some two years, was hardly perceptible in this section.

1847. Ever since the abandonment of the public works in 1842 the peo- ple had been unceasing in their efforts to effect a resumption. Timber which

102

HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

had been gotten out for the structures, and in many cases the half finished bridges, waste-weirs, etc., were decaying, and along the line of the canal damages were paid to contractors, enough it was declared in some instan- ces to have completed the work; but in 1847 people began to think that work would soon be resumed; the conviction had good effect, and even the despair- ing indulged hope. Only 26 towns were represented on the board of super- visors. Anson Congdon of Clarksville was chosen chairman, and A. B. Hull clerk. At the first session on the second day Hull was removed and Joseph W. Stewart elected; a very strange procedure to say the least! John Wheeler of Granger and William Cobb of Independence were elected to the assembly. William G. Angel was elected county judge, and Lucien P. Weth- erby district attorney.

1848. Work was resumed upon the Genesee Valley canal and about the same time upon the Erie railroad, and a general revival in all business lines soon followed. Orville Boardman of Rushford and Erastus H. Willard of Friendship were sent to the Legislature.

1849. Anthony T. Wood of Ossian and Joseph Corey were elected to the assembly, John J. Rockafellow county clerk, Joab B. Hughes sheriff.

1850. The population of the county was 37,808, some 3,000 less than that of 1840, but when the before mentioned loss of four towns is taken into account an actual gain in the 26 towns remaining is found. Emery E. Nor- ton and Anson Congdon were elected to the assembly, and Augustus L. Davidson elected district attorney. The decade closed with lively prosecu- tion of public works, and good prospects for the early completion of both canal and railroad.

CHAPTER XIX.

SIXTH DECADE .- 1851-1860.

TN 1851 two events of great importance to Allegany occurred: the opening for navigation of the Genesee Valley canal to Oramel, and the completion of the Erie railroad. Enterprises of all kinds were greatly stim- ulated, lumbering especially, and the woods rang as never before with the sound of the woodman's axe and the rallying cries of the noisy teamsters. Great numbers of sawmills were built, many of them driven by steam power. The forests disappeared rapidly, and were remarkably soon succeeded by cleared fields and comfortable homes. Industry in whatever channel di- rected was reasonably rewarded, cattle were raised quite extensively, sheep in large numbers covered our hills and the people were happy and contented. John Wheeler of Granger and John R. Hartshorn of Alfred were elected to

FIFTH DECADE .- 1841-1850.

103

ALLEGANY,

IN 1850.

COUNTY.

WYOMING COUNTY

LIVINGSTON

OSSIAN.

UVILLE.

HUME.

GRANGER.

GROVE.

BURNS.

COUNTY.

RUSHFORD.

ALLEN.

BIRDSALL

ALMOND.

NEW-HUD

WEST

ALMOND.

ALFRED.

ANDOVER.

CLARK

SCIO.

SEE.

PENDENCE.

PENNSYLVANIA.

JNO. S. MINARD DEL

S STEUBEN 4

KSVILLE.

WIRT.

CATTARAUGUS

AMITY

CUBA.

BELFAST.

EA.

CANEA

ELICA,

E NOSHIP.

BOLIVAR

CENTERV

104

HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

the Assembly. Lucien P. Wetherby was elected county judge. Robert Norton from Connecticut began the manufacture of pine-apple cheese at Rushford, April 1, 1851, the first made in the state.

1852. In the autumn of this year, Asahel N. Cole started a newspaper at Belfast, the Genesee Valley Free Press, its original purpose and design being to supply the Free Soil Democrats with an organ, turning out, however, to be the first Republican paper in the county, if not indeed of the state and nation. Its fearless and pronounced position in politics, its boldness in the proc- lamation of its doctrines, together with the fact of Mr. Cole's connection with, and being a ruling spirit in, the FIRST REPUBLICAN CONVENTION ever held, which convened in the old court house at Angelica, October 17, 1854, gave to Mr. Cole the rightful claim in the minds of many to the paternity of the Republican party, and so the old court house is looked upon by ardent partisans as the veritable birthplace of their party. 1852 was the last year in which the Whigs presented a candidate for the Presidency, Gen. Winfield Scott being their standard bearer, and Gen. Franklin Pierce of New Hamp- shire, the candidate of the Democrats. General Scott was badly beaten. It may be safely stated that 1852 marked the advent of the mowing machine, that wonderful invention which has wrought such a revolution in farmwork during "haying time." Marshall B. Champlain and Emulous Townsend were elected to the Legislature.

About 1853 was inaugurated a crusade against the pine stumps covering a large area of the newly cleared land, making the cultivation of such lands, which are nearly always rich and productive, very difficult and laborious, not to say provoking. Stump-pulling machines were largly employed, and miles and miles of stump fences (in their day considered very desirable, though now they are considered a nuisance) were made.

The year 1854 was perhaps more distinguished in a political way than in any other, as it was the year in which the Republican party first placed a state and county ticket in the field. Lucien B. Johnson and Lucius S. May were elected to the Assembly.

1855. As early as 1855 the project of removing the county seat to some point on the line of the Erie railroad began to be talked of. The dilapidated condition of the old buildings, and the great change in routes and modes of travel, brought about by the railroad, were the reasons assigned by those who advocated the change. Dairying as an industry was receiving consider- able attention. Rushford, Centerville, Almond, Alfred and Independence were foremost in the manufacture of butter and cheese, which found a ready market, and were now shipped by rail and canal, instead of being hauled by teams to Rochester and Buffalo. Quite a variety as to quality was offered and some particular makes became famous and were eagerly sought for. Woolen factories at Rushford, Almond, Angelica, and Friendship turned out large quantities of cloth and yarn. "Shoddy " was as yet unknown, and the memory of those " sheep's grays " and finer finished fabrics and flannels is still cherished by the older ones. Flax, which years before and for a long

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A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 11

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