A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 24

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 24

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HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS .- The first meeting of the Executive Board of the Allegany County Federation of Women's Literary Clubs and Societies occurred at the library building in Belmont, Sept. 11, 1895. The members of the board present were: President, Mrs. Hamilton Ward, Bel- mont; 1st vice president, Mrs. F. B. Church, Wellsville; 2d vice president, Mrs. F. B. Keeney, Belvidere; secretary, Mrs. F. L. Charles, Cuba; treasurer, Mrs. S. M. Norton, Friendship; alternates, Mrs. Rice, Friendship and Mrs. L. A. Platts of Alfred. The invitation to hold the annual meeting in Wells- ville, as guests of the Monday Club, was accepted, and a program arranged for that occasion. The preparatory sessions to this annual meeting of the Federation were enthusiastically attended and great interest was manifested. Allegany may be proud of this organization since she has the first County Federation of Literary Clubs and Societies organized in the state, and it was the first one received into the State Federation and also the General Federa- tion. All women's clubs in the county that have been organized at least one year, and are existing for the purposes of culture and intelligence, are eligi- ble. Application for membership shall be made to the president or secre- tary at least two weeks before the annual meeting, and shall be accompanied by a copy of its constitution and by-laws, a sketch of the work of the club, its membership, etc. The first annual meeting was held at Wellsville, Oct. 23, 1895. It was largely attended. Mrs. Hamilton Ward of Belmont, Mrs. F. L. Charles of Cuba. Mrs. Frank B. Church and Mrs. Nora E. Darling of Wellsville, represented the Allegany Federation at the first annual meeting of the New York State Federation held at Brooklyn, Nov. 20, 1895. Here Mrs. Hamilton Ward, the honored president of our County Federation was elected a vice president of the State Federation.

A POLITICAL EQUALITY county organization was effected at Belmont, Jan. 23, 1895, with Mrs. Ida K. Church of Wellsville, president; Mrs. Eliza B. Fries of Friendship, 1st vice president; Miss Mary E. Bowler of Lit- tle Genesee. 2d vice president; Mrs. Sara W. Freeland of Wellsville, secre- ary; Mrs. Mary B. Miller of Andover, treasurer. The first annual meeting (suffrage convention) was held at Andover, Dec. 5. 1895, where these officers were elected: President, Mrs. Ida K. Church, Wellsville; vice president, Mrs. Eliza B. Fries, Friendship; recording secretary, Mrs. Sara W. Free- land, Wellsville; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Abigail A. Allen, Alfred; treasurer, Mrs. A. M. Burrows, Andover; auditors, Miss Fannie Lewis, Wellsville. Mrs. Hendricks, Andover; honorary vice presidents, Mrs. Brad ley. Andover, and Mrs. Allen, Alfred.

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CHAPTER XXXI.

PROMINENT ORGANIZATIONS.

T HE ALLEGANY COUNTY G. A. R. ASSOCIATION .- At the state capital at Springfield, Ill., July 12, 1866, was organized the Grand Army of the Republic. The objects of the organization, which is composed of those who were officers and private soldiers in the late civil war, are the fostering of fraternal relations, and the keeping alive the zeal of patriotism, and devotion to our country, mutual support and assistance, clothing the naked and feed- ing the hungry, furnishing employment to destitute sick and wounded com- rades and caring for the widows and orphans of the gallant dead. While it wisely claims to abstain from political and partisan action, it has, as an organization, taken an active part in public matters affecting their general interests, notably, to secure increased pensions for many deserving classes, and to remove conceded obstacles to a fair construction of the application of pension legislation. The organization is National. Departmental and by Posts. In the department of New York in 1894, there were 670 posts, with a membership of 39,909.

January 15th, 1891, 33 delegates, from the different posts in the county, assembled at Cuba, and organized the ALLEGANY COUNTY G. A. R. Asso- CIATION, with the following officers: President, P. G. Mayhew, Angelica; 1st vice president, A. M. Boyd, Wellsville; 2d vice president, L. A. Krusen, Stannards Corners; secretary, C. H. Miner, Cuba; treasurer, W. Kelly, Bel- fast; O. D., P. C. Soule, M. D., Wiscoy. The objects of the association are in accord with the national organization, and also to effect unity of purpose and action by the posts of the county. Twelve posts were represented at this first meeting. The next meeting was held in Wellsville, May 14th, 1891, and the same year the association met at Cuba, on the grounds of the Temperance Camp Meeting, and the meeting was called the " campfire " of the Association. The attendance was large.

The second annual meeting was held at the court house in Angelica, December 31st, 1891. 13 posts were represented with 31 delegates, and the officers elected were, President P. G. Mayhew, Angelica; 1st vice president, A. M. Boyd, Wellsville; 2d vice president, A. B. Cottrell. Bolivar; secretary, R. H. Grady, Cuba; treasurer, E. O'Malley, Cuba; O. D., J. E. Middaugh, Scio. The Association met next at Alfred, February 25th, 1892, 10 posts being represented by 33 delegates. The next annual meeting was held at Belmont, December 30th, 1892, 36 delegates being present from 14 posts, and choice of officers was made as follows: President. A. M. Boyd, Wells- ville; 1st vice president, J. W. Marsh, Alfred; 2d vice president, L. Burdick, Nile; secretary, R. H. Grady, Cuba; treasurer, E. O'Malley, Cuba: O. D., Robert R. Seely, Belfast; chaplain, W. B. Wagoner, Cuba. Aug. 11th. 1893,

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a campfire was enjoyed at Friendship. The third annual meeting was held at Belmont, December 28th, 1893, at which were elected: President, J. W. Marsh, Alfred; 1st vice president, L. Burdick, Nile; 2d vice president, Geo. A. Green, Belmont; secretary, R. H. Grady, Cuba; treasurer, E. O'Malley, Cuba; chaplain, T. C. Carrier; O. D., A. H. Waters, Belmont. 9 posts were represented with 26 delegates. At the spring meeting at Andover, April 26th, 1894, 11 posts were represented with 25 delegates. A campfire was held Aug. 17th, 1894, at Belfast.

The fourth annual meeting was held at Belmont, December 13th, 1894, at which 11 posts were represented, 27 delegates being present. These offi- cers were elected: President, J. W. Marsh; 1st vice president, L. Burdick; 2d vice president, R. R. Seeley; secretary, R. H. Grady; treasurer, E. O'Malley; chaplain, A. L. Halbert; O. D., A. H. Waters. The campfire held at Belmont, Oct. 3, 1895, was a very pleasant meeting. Hon. Seymour Dex- ter of Elmira, addressed the large gathering with a most pertinent, able and patriotic speech.

At the fifth annual meeting held at Belmont, December 19th, 1895, the following officers were elected; President, Captain R. R. Seeley, Belfast; 1st vice president, E. O'Malley, Cuba; 2d vice president, R. Tremain, Wells- ville; secretary, R. H. Grady, Cuba; treasurer, Thos. S. Tefft, Belmont; O. D., A. H. Waters, Belmont; chaplain, A. L. Halbert, Belmont.

At present there are 16 posts in the county, and their numbers, names and locations are as follows: No. 86, A. K. Thorp Post, Belfast; 183, Stephen T. Bartle Post, Cuba; 195, Revere Post, Belmont; 237, Burnside Post, Wiscoy; 241, Hatch Post, Friendship; 247, H. C. Gardner Post, Bolivar; 249, Cassius Maxson Post, Richburg; 261, Hakes Post, Scio; 296, S. H. Weed Post, Canaseraga; 332, Wesley Rolfe Post, Stannards Corners; 333, Sawyer Post, Whitesville; 336, Dexter Post, Wellsville; 428, B. Frank Maxson Post, Alfred; 481, Edward Seaman Post, Andover; 502, Wilbur Haver Post, An- gelica; 603, A. & I. Van Nostrand Post, Short Tract.

WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS .- An auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Re- public, Woman's Relief Corps have been organized in many if not all of the counties of the state. The county of Allegany is not backward in this move- ment, as by the following list of names and presidents of corps, it appears that 12 out of the 16 posts of the county have their auxiliary organizations. No. 19, Dexter, Wellsville, Rosella H. Boyd; 49, Stephen T. Bartle, Cuba, Eunice Thompson; 54, H. C. Gardner, Bolivar, Etta Dunning; 67, Sawyer, . Whitesville, Augusta Forsyth; 68, Cassius Maxson, Richburg, Mary R. King; 69. Wesley Rolfe, Stannards Corners, Vina L. Krusen; 90, Hatch, Friendship, Eliza Benjamin; 95, Wilbur Haver, Angelica, Mary O. Blanch- ard; 155, Ed. Seaman, Andover, Frances Boyd; 161, B. Frank Maxson, Alfred, DeEtte Place; 169, O. & I. Van Nostrand, Short Tract, Hattie E. Hall; 173, A. K. Thorp, Belfast, Jennie A. Babcock.

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FARMERS' ALLIANCE AND INDUSTRIAL UNION .- The first organiza- tion of this character in the state was organized at Richburg, April 3, 1890. The next was formed at Inavale, also in Wirt, April 17, 1890, by D. Frank Allen the state organizer. June 3, 1890, a temporary organization of the county was formed at Friendship with 13 Sub-Alliances. July 8, 1890, the permanent organization of the county was perfected with these officers: S. L. Stanton, president; J. D. Rogers, vice president; George A. Scott, secretary; D. C. Millis, treasurer; Dennis Barnes, lecturer. Through the efforts of Mr. Allen, assisted by secretary Scott, the order was established in every town of the county by the spring of 1891, when there were 80 Sub- Alliances, with more than 5.000 members. The county has ever since re- tained its place as the banner county of the state in Alliance work. Several co-operative stores have been established by the order, which has been the means of saving thousands of dollars to its members. Several halls have been built, notably Sherman Alliance, No. 2. Hall, at Inavale, which. together with the sheds and other property, is valued at upwards of $1,000. Much benefit has been derived from the social and educational features of this order, as no other organization has ever attained so great a membership or reached the same class of people. Present officers of the County Alliance are: John C. Powers, president; S. L. Stanton, vice president; M. C. West- cott, secretary and treasurer; D. F. Allen, lecturer.

THE ALLEGANY COUNTY FARMERS' CLUB .- Owing to the loss of the records of this club up to two years ago, this account can not be given as much in detail and particulars, as might be desired. From information gained from Mr. A. W. Litchard and one or two others, we learn this:

It was organized in February, 1883, at the court house in Angelica. The attendance was not large, but energetic, wide-awake, enterprising elements were present and well represented. Mr. Hiram Karr of West Almond was elected its first president, and Joseph H. Rutherford of Angelica its first sec- retary. Meetings were held during the year at different places, and con- siderable interest awakened. In 1884, William Weaver of Angelica was made president, and the membership of the club considerably increased. Mrs. M. L. Rumpff of Angelica was this year, or the next, made secretary, and published the proceedings regularly in her paper. Every Week, which became an organ of the society, and continued as such for six or seven years, during her incumbency of the office. She was succeeded by J. F. Coad of Cuba, and Mr. Charles Stillman of Alfred, the present secretary, succeeded Mr. Coad about 1893. In 1885 David H. Norton of Friendship, was elected president, and the interest in the meetings kept on increasing. In 1886, W. D. Renwick of Friendship was president, and in 1887, Wm. McClumpha, also of Friendship. In 1888 Almanzo W. Litchard of Rushford was elected president, and has been re-elected every year since. Meetings are held every month, most of the towns in the county being visited. Great interest had been worked up, and the meetings are well attended. The membership

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is now over 1,000. A number of farmers' institutes have been held, which have been well attended, instruction being given by lectures, illustrated and otherwise, by expert scientists employed by the state. The information imparted has been of a practical nature, and of great advantage. It would be difficult to properly estimate the value the club has been to the agricul- turists of the county. Its president, Mr. A. W. Litchard, has lately been designated as an instructor at the institutes, and in point of intelligence and solid worth the membership of this club is excelled by none in the state. During the presidency of Mr. Norton, the late A. N. Cole extended a formal invitation to this club and the Elmira Farmers' Club, to visit him at his Home on the Hillside at Wellsville, during the strawberry season. The invitation was accepted and the two clubs visited Mr. Cole, feasted on strawberries and cream, and experienced a royal good time generally. This was a great advertisement for the club and helped largely to direct public attention to its proceedings. At the present time the discussions are published in full regularly in many of our county papers, and are very instructive and use- ful. The club has been a grand success. " May its shadow never grow less! "

THE ALLEGANY COUNTY FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE INSURANCE COM- PANY was organized in April, 1887, with A. W. Miner, of Friendship, presi- dent, L. M. Wait, of Friendship, treasurer, and J. H. Rutherford, of Angelica, secretary. Mr. Rutherford has been the secretary from organization. President Miner was succeeded in turn by Herman Rice, and A. W. Litchard, the present incumbent, and Mr. Wait has been continued treasurer. The company is now insuring the property of its members to the extent of $5,000,000. The directors are A. W. Litchard, Rushford; Charles F. Moul- ton, Cuba; Lorenzo M. Wait, Friendship; James L. Crittenden, Whitesville; John E. Middaugh, Scio; R. Emmet Middaugh, Friendship; Walter L. Rew, Friendship; Alonzo H. Hooker, Angelica; R. J. Brockett, Angelica; E. D. Barry, Almond; Wm. E. Pierson, Fillmore; Ebenezer S. Bartlett, Belfast; J. B. Sayres, Black Creek; Will H. Langworthy, Alfred; Joseph H. Ruther- ford, Angelica.

THE ALLEGANY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY .- Pursuant to notice published in the county papers, these gentlemen assembled at the office of (then) Judge-elect S. M. Norton in Friendship, December 6, 1889, for the purpose of organizing a county historical society: Richard Church, J. S. Minard, W. D. Renwick, Evander E. Hyde, Stephen Pollard, J. F. Rice, Prof. John P. Slocum, L. M. Wait, Herman Rice, Elmer E. Peterson, W. N. Ren- wick, S. M. Norton and Geo. W. Fries. S. M. Norton was made temporary chairman, and W. N. Renwick temporary secretary. J. S. Minard moved that the secretary read the constitution and by-laws of the Buffalo Historical Society, for information and suggestions sought for. It was carried. A motion made by Herman Rice, that J. S. Minard be made president of the .

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permanent organization, was seconded by W. D. Renwick and carried. Mr. Minard took the chair, thanking the meeting for the honor conferred upon him. A motion of Major Church that George W. Fries be made permanent corresponding and recording secretary was carried. Mr. Herman Rice was elected treasurer and Richard Church first vice-president. President Minard then appointed a committee of three, John P. Slocum of Angelica, Stephen Polland of Wellsville, and W. D. Renwick of Friendship, to draft and report a constitution and by-laws. The committee on constitution and by-laws were instructed to make the call and name the time and place of the next meeting for some time in January, 1890, and the meeting adjourned.

The next meeting was held on the 8th of January, 1890, at the office of D. P. Richardson in Angelica. The committee reported a constitution and by-laws which were adopted, and a general discussion of objects to be sought and methods to be pursued, was had, much interest being manifested. In the evening a public meeting was held at the courthouse, and the Hon. Nor- man Seymour of Mt. Morris, delivered an address appropriate to the occa- sion, and president Jno. S. Minard delivered his inaugural address. These were published in the Friendship Register, and the latter one in the Northern Allegany Observer at Fillmore. The meeting was regarded as a success. though it was not largely attended. No more meetings of the society were held until the near approach of the centennial of the settlement of Allegany county infused zeal into some of its members. It was thought by many that the Centennial, if celebrated, would stimulate to life and activity the Historical Society, while others holding to the same views, also considered that the celebration should be conducted under the auspices of the society. And so, a call being published in the county papers to that effect, a meeting was held at the courthouse in Belmont, in October, 1894, at which the matter was brought up. This meeting was well attended. A delegation of the ladies of the Belmont Literary and Historical Society was present, and, through Mrs. Hamilton Ward, its president, very graciously offered the Historical Society the use of its hall for meetings and a room in which to keep relics, curios, etc. This offer was as thankfully accepted, as it was graciously made. The celebration of the centennial of Allegany's settlement was taken up, and the idea being generally entertained that such a celebra- tion should be held under the auspices of the society, the president was directed to appoint a committee of five to name the time and place for such celebration. This meeting was very pleasantly entertained by the reading of interesting papers written by Dr. E. E. Hyde, on "Early Times in and around Belmont," and by Mr. H. D. Kingsbury, ex-president of the Livings- ton County Historical Society, on Historical Societies.

In January, 1895, the annual meeting of the society was held at Ward Hall, Belmont, when the old officers were re-elected except treasurer, and W. J. Richardson of Belmont, elected treasurer in place of Herman Rice, deceased. At the evening session, a public meeting, the secretary read a paper written by S. A. Earley, Esq., of Wellsville, on "Our Early Schools,"

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and the president read a paper on "The Caneadea Reservation and some Indians of the Upper Genesee."

No meetings have since been held. Quite a number of presents have been made to the society in the way of historical relics, and a good nucleus of a valuable museum has been made. The present officers are Jno. S. Minard, Fillmore, president; Richard Church, New York City, vice presi- dent; Geo. W. Fries, Friendship, corresponding and recording secretary; W. J. Richardson, Belmont, treasurer, and Stephen Polland, Belmont, custodian.

CHAPTER XXXII.

MEDICAL SOCIETIES AND PHYSICIANS

F ROM the days of Hippocrates the practice of medicine has been consid-

ered useful and honorable, and classed with the learned professions. To be a successful practitioner of the "healing art " calls into exercise the keenest faculties and most commendable attributes of human nature. Especially is this true of the doctor in a new country. Remote from the centers of civilization and of civilizing influences, his neighbors in some in- stances the rude Indians who lingered in the reservations, in others the venturesome, though as a rule shiftless, squatters, who, in many cases, preceded the advent of the earliest permanent settler, his nearest contem- porary in the profession dwelling quite likely 75 to 100 miles away, and that distance mostly covered by unbroken wilderness, depending upon malarial conditions, and diseases peculiar to new countries to furnish him with patients from families widely scattered and homes which could boast of nothing over and above the absolute necessities of life, the pioneer physician of Allegany had certainly a hard time of it. That man, according to all accounts, was Dr. Ebenezer Hyde, who, born in 1777, studied medicine with his cousin, Zenas Hyde, at New Marlboro, Mass., graduating about 1795. He came here in 1804, and settled with his family at Belvidere in 1805. He had an extended practice for 40 years, and was, until 1831, the only physician in Amity. He died in 1858, his wife in 1854. His commodious log house was the first hotel of the town, and was the home of the pioneers. He has many descendants in this county. Some of the Indians on the Caneadea Reserva- tion were his best paying patrons, for it is a fact that for some years the Indians had more money than the whites.

It is perhaps proper to state right here that the Senecas had their " medicine men." Shongo (Gah-nee-son-go) was one and Mohawk another, and while, after the coming and settlement of the first white physician, the

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Indians in some instances sought medical advice and treatment of the pale- faced doctor, it is equally true that some of the whites consulted "Dr." Shongo and "Dr." Mohawk. Persons are living who have known of Mo- hawk's visit to Friendship to see a sick man, he going twenty miles from his residence in Hume. To give a slight idea of the rude and primitive methods of treatment of these "Indian doctors " this incident is related. A settler received an injury on his back which resulted in a bad sore. Some friends persuaded him to go to Shongo for help. He did so. Shongo was found. A number of people were present. Assuming a profoundly wise look Shongo ordered the clothing removed from the back of the patient and closely ex- amined the sore. Quickly gathering some dry punk-wood, he ordered the man to lie face down on the ground. Then, rubbing the punk-wood in his hands directly over the sore, he soon covered it with the dry powder. Or- dering a strong man to each hand and foot, and telling them to "hold him strong," with steel and flint he ignited the punk which immediately took fire and made it extremely uncomfortable for the patient. He yelled and screamed in a frightful manner, trying his best to wrench himself from the relentless grasp of the men who, obeying Shongo's orders to "hold him! hold him!" uttered in tones of thunder, did indeed hold him as in a vise. When the punk was consumed the man was allowed to rise, then Shongo blew away the fine ashes from the sore, re-examined it, and with an air of triumph said, in effect, "I can cure BURNS." He then gave something to apply to the sore and it was soon healed.

On some visits to distant patients Dr. Hyde was accompanied by an In- dian guide. At other times he carried an axe with which to " browse " his horse and " spot " trees to guide his way back, and often, detained by storms and swollen streams, he was forced to spend the night in the woods on beds improvised from hemlock boughs. The Genesee and its tributaries were great hindrances to the early physicians. No bridges had been constructed and "fording" and the canoe in summer, and the ice in winter were the only means of crossing the streams. The usual mode of travel was on horse- back, with saddlebags containing a small stock of medicine thrown over the doctor's saddle. These remedies were few in number. Rhubarb, jalap, calomel, salts, were the staples and were greatly depended upon. Emetics were frequently given, and bloodletting often resorted to. The inevitable turnkey was always at hand, and the lance for bleeding in the vest pocket, and it has been truly said that "the instruments used in surgical operations, were often obtained from the chest of a carpenter or manufactured by the nearest blacksmith." "The distance from the centers of medical knowl- edge and their infrequent opportunities for consultation compelled them to rely almost wholly upon their own resources," and so, of necessity, they were men of great self reliance, and apt in emergencies.

For some years Dr. Hyde had the entire ride of a large extent of country, his visits extending as far north as Wyoming county and south into Penn- sylvania. In 1809 he opened his large log house (on the site of the residence

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of S. H. Whitcomb, Esq.) as a public house, it being on the line of travel to the great West, the route of the famous turnpike. Dr. E. E. Hyde is authority for the statement that over 100 horses, and a corresponding num- ber of men, women, children, wagons and carts loaded with household goods, etc., have been entertained at once.

About 1812 or 13 Dr. Hyde was informed that Dr. Dyer Strong had settled in Rushford, (then Caneadea) and, not far from the same time, that Dr. and Rev. Jabez Spicer had "hung out his shingle " in Andover, (then Alfred). In 1822 Dr. Gilbert B. Champlain settled in Cuba, and in 1823 Dr. Joseph Balcom established himself at Hume, and a little later Dr. Seth H. Pratt, in Hume also. As early as this, too, had Dr. Charles D. Robinson begun practice in Almond, and in 1825 Drs. Anthony Barney, Jonas Well- man and Richard Charles had located respectively in Independence, Bolivar and Angelica. And thus it came to pass that Dr. Hyde at last had profess- ional neighbors. When great emergencies are to be met and great questions solved God sends the men fitted to meet and solve them. And so when a new country is being settled a hardy robust stalwart class of doctors are required, and in our case the requisition was promptly honored by the appearance of the stalwart pioneers just named. It is doubtful if ever a new country was supplied with better physicians than was Allegany county. They were an honor to their profession, a boon to the afflicted, and their posterity point with just pride to their records and careers.

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A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 24

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