A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 54

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 54

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Joseph Gillies, so long and popularly esteemed as a genial landlord and host, was born in Scotland, Sept. 9, 1825, there married Miss Helen Kissock June 3, 1846, and soon came to America. He came from Livingston county to Almond in '54 and some years later to Angel- ica. He has been an ardent Republican from the organization of the party, and his official career has been no less varied than responsible. He was appointed enrolling officer of Almond in '63, only to be chosen before the close of that year to the position of special agent of the

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provost marshal's office of the twenty-seventh congressional district of New York ; and in '65 he received an appointment as revenue assessor for the eastern district of Allegany county. In '70 he was elected to the office of sheriff of Allegany county, and discharged its duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to those by whose favor he had been thus honored. He was again elected sheriff in '80. He has been prominent in other ways in county politics. As a landlord of the St. Charles Hotel of Angelica and other leading hotels in this section, he will be long remembered, as will be his quotations from Burns. He is now manager of Hotel Sher- wood, Hornellsville.

Rev. Thomas Osgood came to Centerville in 1834, afterward went to Warsaw, where he died. His first wife was Betsy Seeley ; his second was Mrs. Polly Couch, whose son Jona- than Couch was a prominent resident of Centerville, serving the town as supervisor and the village as postmaster. Mrs. Osgood died in '78. The children of Rev. Thomas and Betsy Osgood were Moses S. of Warsaw, Charles of Machias, Celestia (Mrs. James Smith) of Wirt, Alzina (Mrs. S. Miller) of Bolivar, John D. of Eagle, Climena (Mrs. Edward Hayward) of Frews- burg. Edmond O., Harriet (Mrs, Ira Acherman) of Pike, Henry M. (deceased), a soldier of the Mexican War, Viana (Mrs. Robert Miller) of Bradford, Pa. and James A. By his second wife Mr. Osgood had two children, Mariam (Mrs. John Cooper) and Oliver, both of North Dakota, Mr. Osgood was ordained a Wesleyan minister and became one of the first seceders from the M. E. church on the slavery question. Edmond O. Osgood born March 10, 1826, married, Oct. 28, 1849, Rowena C., daughter of Park Colgrove, of Bradford, Pa., and their children are Celestia M. (Mrs. Rev. Willard Robinson) of Stockton, William T., of Caneadea, Mary R. (Mrs. J. A. Kennedy) of West Virginia, Henry H. of Angelica, Hattie O. (Mrs. Perry Osgood) of Angelica, Edmond B. of Brockton, Mariam (Mrs. G. E. Meeker) of Hornellsville, Charlotte C., Adelbert O. of Hornellsville, Adelia O. (Mrs. W. S. Gibson) and James A. (deceased). Mr. Osgood was reared in a family in Wyoming county. He came to Friendship when 14 and later lived in Almond, resided in Bradford, Pa., from '49 to '78 when they came to Angelica in September. When 17 Mr. Osgood became nearly blind from cataract of the eyes and until '75 was scarcely able to perceive daylight. Through the intercession of a friend he was induced to go to Elmira, where Dr. Updegraf performed one of the most difficult operations ever known to optical science, restoring an almost clear sight. We mention this because of the 32 years of nearly total blindness which Mr. Osgood so patiently bore and so fortunately recovered from. He is now retired from a successful career as an undertaker and furniture dealer.

Edward P. Burdick, son of William and Mary (Hancock) Burdick, was born July 20, 1823, in Almond where he received his education. In '48 he married Gardeen, daughter of John J. Davison of Birdsall. They had 4 children, Evert (who fell from a load of straw Jan. 5, 1892, and died the 12th), Edmond C. of Angelica, Mary E. (Mrs. Henry Button of Coudersport, Pa.) and William of Belmont. Edward P. Burdick settled in Angelica in '67, and is a farmer. He and his wife are members of the M. E. church. William Burdick, his father, was born Dec. 12, 1775, at Watch Hill, R. I. He married first Nabby Stillman, had 4 daughters. His second wife was Mary A. Hancock, born at Stonington, Conn., in 1793. She was a niece of John Han- cock, the first signer of the Declaration of Independence. They had Io children. In 1818 or '19 they came to Alfred, and Mr. Burdick worked for Clark Crandall for several years, then moved to Almond in '23 and kept a hotel in a loghouse on the state road. He was justice of the peace and constable for 21 consecutive years, was deputy sheriff, town collector and held other offices. Mr. Burdick was well educated, versed in law and a man of energy and resolu- tion. He arrested many criminals, and when they refused to go, he often tied them to the horses' tails. Daniel Burdick, grandfather of Edward P., was a soldier in the Revolution.

Richard S. Charles, son of Dr. Richard Charles, was born in Angelica Nov. 1, 1830. He married Mary Lloyd. They have 2 children, Esther A. and Clinton L. Mr. Charles has been a successful tiller of the soil. An extended sketch of his father is given in the medical chapter. Robert H. Charles, son of John and Esther (Hughes) Charles, was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, in 1814. He married Jane Young in '32, came to America in '36, to Angelica the same year, and commenced the business of harnessmaking with his brother Andrew Charles. After some three years he engaged in farming. His wife died in '76. Of his 10 children, 4 are living. Richard A. was a soldier in Co. B, 67th Reg't Pa. Vols. and resides in Washington, John H. was a member of Co. G. 130th Reg't. N. Y. V. and was killed at Five Forks, April 1, '64, Rob- ert Y. was in Co. G, 130th Reg't N. Y. V. and was wounded at Cold Harbor (dec), David S. was in Co. B, 67th Pa. Reg't and was orderly sergeant. He died in Washington in '64. Amelia R. is a teacher in Washington, James T. lives in Buffalo.

John Common married Isabel Wandlas Nov. 3, 1765, in the parish of Bellingham, he died in 1802, his wife in 1771. Robert Common, son of John, was born in 1769 in County North- umberland, England, and married Elizabeth, daughter of John and Jane (Cerrick) Armstrong. In 1801 he came to New York City, and returned to England. In 1818 he again came to

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America locating at Angelica as a farmer. He died in '43, his wife in '57. Their 9 children John, William, Robert, Thomas, Isabel, Edmond. Jane, Sarah and James are dead. John Common, son of Robert, born in 1802, came with his parents to Angelica, and as he grew older worked much for the Church family in clearing lands. He married Margaret (born in 1802), daughter of Robert and Margaret (Barrie) Renwick, Nov. 19, 1827, and settled on the farm now owned by his daughter Helen M. Common. He was a well known farmer, and both himself and wife were Presbyterians. He died June 1, 1877, Mrs. Common Aug. 18, 1886. Their children were Helen M., Elizabeth I. (Mrs. W. A. Weir), and John R. Helen M. Common says : " My grandmother was Elizabeth Armstrong Common. Her father was John Armstrong and her mother's maiden name was Jane Cerrick. Her grandfather was Robert Armstrong, and his wife was Jane Magee. He lived to be nearly 100 years old. He lost his sight while trying to save some property from a burning building, and he was blind for 20 years. Her grandmother on her mother's side was Elizabeth Bell, and her grandfather's name was Edmund Cerrick." Robert Renwick, son of Robert and Elizabeth (Thompson) Renwick, was born in Roxborough, Hobkirk Parish, Scotland, in 1775. He married Margaret Barrie, who died Oct. 16, 1815, leaving six children, whom Mr. Renwick brought to Angelica in 1817, where he settled on a lot of wild land and made his home until his death Oct. 30, 1849. His children were Margaret, Robert, George, Janet, John and Adam.

William Crandall came to Spring Mills in Independence in 1833, and was a boot and shoe- maker. He died in June, 1888. His children were Charlotte A. (Mrs. G. W. Rose), Sidney, Villetta (Mrs. John Rose), and Anna A. (Mrs. D. Dexter). Sidney Crandall was elected in '91 for three years as superintendent of the poor and came to Angelica Jan. 1, 1892, to assume the duties of that office. He was re-elected in '94 and is now in office. Mr. Crandall has been for years a prominent member of the G. A. R., and worthily so, for he was orderly sergeant of Co. H, 85th New York, during nearly four years of the War of the Rebellion. He was captured April 20, 1864, and suffered the horrors of imprisonment in Andersonville for almost one year.

Daniel C. Grunder, son of John and Catherine (Mayers) Grunder, was born in Grove, July 4, 1843. In '68 he married Agnes A., daughter of David and Cordelia Lowell. They have one son, Walter L. Mr. Grunder is a member of Nunda Station Lodge, F. & A. M., Genesee Chap- ter at Belfast, and DeMolay Commandery at Hornellsville. Mr. Grunder has been the keeper of the almshouse for Io years, and it is universally conceded that the almshouse at Angelica is the best conducted one of the state. Mr. Grunder represented Grove 5 years in succession on the board of supervisors and was serving in that office when he became keeper of the alms- house. He has been 15 years justice of the peace.

Henry Smith, son of Capt. Leonard and Mary (Beckensto) Smith, was born March 7, 1813. He came to Angelica from Seneca, N. Y., in 1830. He married Mary, daughter of Oren Smith, and located in Angelica, and was overseer of Judge Church's farm for 7 years and was widely known. Mr. Smith was a deacon of the Presbyterian church. He died March 31, 1870, his wife died July 12, 1892. C Of their 9 children 4 are living. Matilda (Mrs. Leander Callaghan) of Germantown, Neb., Frank M., Smith J., (Mrs. John Mapes), and Oren, who was born May 27, 1849, married Emogene, daughter of Richard Scholes of Birdsall. Mr. Oren Smith is a farmer, and has been in charge of Charles d'Autremont's farm in the village of Angelica for 18 years.

Daniel Pierce (Pearce) came from Rhode Island to Alfred in 1811 and " took up " 300 acres of wild land near " Five Corners," and was well known there. He married first, Elizabeth Brown, second, Mrs. Steadman. Of his 9 children none survive. His son, John V. Pierce, mar- ried Abigail Cole. Their children were Leonard C., Elizabeth (Mrs. John Latham), Alma (Mrs. Willard Allen), Ellen (Mrs. Ira Way), Thomas W,, Andrew J., of Cuba. Mrs. Willard Allen had two children. Jennie T. Allen and Fred P. Allen, both reside in Angelica.

John B. Norton, M. D., was born April 21, 1793, at Greenville. His father settled in Cayuga Co. at an early day and was a farmer in Aurelius. John B. attended the seminary at Auburn for 2 years. In the War of 1812 he acted as first sergeant in Capt. Daniel Eldridge's company at Sachem's Head Harbor, L. I., and later at Buffalo under Gen. Peter B. Porter. He studied medicine and practiced at Auburn and in 1820 settled at Springwater. He married Jane C. Marvin. They had 8 children. Dr. Norton died in '78, Mrs. Norton in '60. Their son, John M. Norton, came to Birdsall in '46, and in '49 married Sarah E., daughter of Elias Randolph. He was largely engaged in farming and stock dealing in Birdsall, and also was much interested in Sunday school work there. In '87 he moved to Angelica where he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. They had 13 children, Il are living.

Joseph, Isaac and John Peavy (brothers), came to Allen and were among the pioneer settlers, the settlement is known as " Peavy settlement." Sylvanus Peavy, son of Joseph, mar- ried Adelia Smith and made his home in Allen and cultivated his land. Of his 9 children 5 are living. Nancy F., married, first, John Lilly, a son of John Lilly. They had 2 children, William J. of Buffalo, and Captola L., who married Julius C. Averill. Mrs. Lilly married second, William

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Franklin. Julius C. Averill, son of Julius C., was born in Belmont. He was educated at the Belmont Union School and is engaged in merchandising in Angelica.

Thomas Thornton, a native of Ireland, emigrated to America about 1845 and located in Attica, where he married Mary Hanlon and came to Angelica in the fifties, where he has been a blacksmith. Four of his eight sons are living. Thomas C. Thornton, his son, a well-known hardware merchant here, died Dec. 22, '94. Samuel Thornton, another son, born in Angelica Sept. 24, '66, was engaged in the hardware business and was burned out in the fire of April, 95, but soon rebuilt. Samuel Thornton married Helen Lowe, June 14, 1893.

William P. Scheanck came from New Jersey to Birdsall in 1816 where he " located " his lot of wild land and became a farmer. Col. Daniel Scheank, his son, married Ordelia Pratt. He was a farmer and supervisor and was well-known as colonel of the militia. He had 5 sons and 4 daughters. He moved to Angelica in '52. William C. Scheank, son of Daniel, married Polly Ellsworth, made his home in Angelica and is a farmer, a raiser of bees, and a breeder of Jersey cattle.

John T. Snyder, of German descent, was born in Columbia Co. In 1839 he settled in Hume, and in '55 he moved to Granger where he died. His wife was Rachel Emmons of Hume. Mr. Snyder had 4 sons in the Civil War. Harmon E. and Horatio E. in Co. B, 4th Regt. H. A., Martin W. was in Co. G, 130th Regt. N. Y. Vol. and was killed at Shepardstown, Va., Aug. 25, 1864. John L. Snyder was in Co. I, 130th Regt. N. Y. Vol. He enlisted Aug. 5, 1862, was discharged in July, 1865. He married first, Mary C., daughter of William Wallace, second, her sister, Annette. He has one child, Martin W. Mr. Snyder settled at first in Granger, but is now a resident of Angelica. He is a member of Wilbur Hover Post, 502, of Angelica.

H. S. Hastings, son of E. H. Hastings, was born in Wellsboro, Pa., in 1865. He was edu- cated at the high school of Wellsboro and was graduated therefrom in '83. He is auditor and general agent for the Central New York & Western railroad, and resides at Angelica.

Frank M. Decker, son of Frederick and Mary (Lane) Decker, was born in Wayland, N. Y., Nov. 26, 1864. He married Jennie, daughter of Henry Jones of Alfred. In '83 he commenced Jailroading for the Central New York & Western railroad, and is now conductor on the road.

Frank W. Warner, D. D. S., son of Roswell R. and Sarah A. (Chandler) Warner, was born in Gallion, Ohio, Dec. 26, '67. In '73 his father moved back to Angelica, and Frank attended district schools, and later attended the Philadelphia (Pa.) Dental College where he was gradu- ated in '91. He then located in Angelica as a dentist, and now he has a branch office at Belfast in addition to the Angelica office, and is vice president of the county dental society.

Amos Keeney, a native of East Hartford, Conn., came to Warsaw, N. Y., in 1803. His wife was Martha Brooks. His son Harry was born in 1801 and married Maria Albro. He was an agriculturist. He died at Warsaw. His son Matteson was born in Warsaw in '28. He married, first, Martha Bristol, second, Sarah C. Bristol, settled in Warsaw and subsequently re- moved to Angelica where he resides. He has two children, Frank, who lives in Utica, and Fred B. Keeney, who is proprietor of the Church Homestead, and is a practical and a model farmer. He married, first, Elizabeth Montgomery, second, Johanna H. Colman, third, Elizabeth M. Gunseul.

Fred Piatt is the grandson of Charles Piatt, who was born in New Jersey, Feb. 22, 1797, married Elizabeth Rose and settled in Sparta, Livingston Co. Their children were: Rebecca, Mary, Clarissa, Charles, Samuel, Elijah, Hannah, Joseph A., Elizabeth and Rhoda. Elijah born in Sparta in 1827, came to Allen in '40 with his father. He married Elizabeth, daughter of William M. Rutherford from England ; children, William R., Fred R., Lyman R., and Nellie M., now a teacher and an artist. Fred R. was born on the old homestead he still owns, now 425 acres, in '61. He attended Normal School at Geneseo, and was reading law in Hornells- ville when his father died in '83. Since then he has been a farmer, keeping 65 cows, a dealer in live stock, and a cheese maker. In '91 Fred Piatt and Lyman Piatt built the cheese factory on the Short Tract road, and in '92, Piatt & Osgood bought the Empire cheese factory on the state road. Mr. Piatt is a staunch Republican, has been clerk of Allen 7 years, and in '94 was elected justice of the peace. He is a member of the M. E. church at Short Tract, and for 9 years has been superintendent of its Sunday school which now numbers 208 scholars, and is one of the most flourishing schools in the county. He married in '86, Lizzie, daughter of M. H. Closser of Dalton. Their children are Morton A., Donovan E. and Marjorie. In December, '95, Mr. Piatt moved to Angelica and is there building a large dry goods store and warehouse. The town of Allen loses in him a good citizen and reliable business man.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JUDGE PHILIP CHURCH.

John Barker Church was an English gentleman of considerable means and a liberal education. He emigrated to America about the time of the breaking out of the Revolution. Entertaining a profound sympathy for the colonists he resolved to espouse their cause, and, under the name of John Carter, which for some good reason he for awhile assumed, he was com- missary to the French army. Making the acquaintance of Hamilton, Greene, Gates and Schuyler, he became socially interested in the family of the latter, whose eldest daughter, Angelica, he married July 23, 1777. Philip Church. their son, was born in Boston, April 14, 1778. The family during the war resided at Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Albany, as Mr. Church's duties required his presence in these places. While yet an infant Philip was present at the Schuyler mansion near Albany with his mother while on a visit to her father's when the memorable attempt was made by John Walt- meyer, a Tory refugee at the head of a party of Tories, Canadians and In- dians, to capture General Schuyler, and destroy the powerful influence he was exerting against the banded Tories and Indians. . As the banditti forced an entrance into the house, Margaret Schuyler (afterwards wife of Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer) discovered that her sister's child had been left asleep in the cradle upon the ground floor. Rushing down stairs and pass- ing her father against his remonstrances, she seized the child, and was pass- ing the beseigers when Waltmeyer, mistaking her for a servant maid, de- manded "Wench, where is your master?" With remarkable presence of mind she replied, "Gone to call the guard, " and made a safe retreat with the child. An Indian threw his tomahawk at them which fortunately did no further harm than to tear Miss Schuyler's dress, slightly graze the in- fants' forehead, and spent its force in making a cut in the stair railing. Judge Church in later life used to exhibit the scar, and the mark of the tomahawk is still to be seen in the Schuyler mansion.

The family of Mr. Church acoompanied him to Paris after the Revolu- tion, Colonel Trumbull, the celebrated American artist, then residing in Paris, painted a portrait of the boy Philip, which has always been regarded by the family as a treasure of inestimable value. In Paris Mr. Church re- newed his old-time close relations with LaFayette, and made the acquaint- ance of Talleyrand and many other eminent statesmen of France. He later took up his residence in London and at " Down Place," his country residence on the Thames, about four miles from Windsor Castle. The London home of Mr. Church, was the frequent resort of Fox and Pitt, and, on the break- ing out of the French Revolution, when the refugees fled to London, he had as guests Talleyrand and many of his companions. Having been a decided

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partisan of the colonies during the Revolution, and having connected him- self by marriage with so notorious a "rebel " family as the Schuylers, Mr. Church found himself not in good repute with the high Tory party, and un- der the special disfavor of his uncle. He was however elected a member of Parliament from Wendover, warmly espoused the liberal party, and adhered to Mr. Fox when it was said in derision that " his party could go to the House of Commons in a hackney coach." His family physician was the physician of George III., and long before it transpired publicly, he informed Mr. and Mrs. Church of the king's aberration of mind, and did not hesitate to attrib- ute to the loss of the American colonies the development of this hereditary tendency. Philip pursued his studies at Eton, one of the famous schools of England, for six years. Here he formed a acquaintance with many later eminent in English history. On one occasion he met the Prince of Wales afterward George IV. The prince was always friendly to him, but George III. could never forget the part the older Church had taken during the Rev- olution, and as he rode by "Down Place " he would sneeringly point to it as the residence of the " American commissary." After leaving Eton Philip entered the Middle Temple and commenced the study of law. In 1797 John B. Church resumed his residence in New York. He was then considered one of the richest men in the country. Philip accompanied the family and resumed his law studies in the office of Nathaniel Pendleton, Esq., and was admitted to the bar, receiving his license from Morgan Lewis, justice of the supreme court, July 14, 1804. In 1801 he acted as second to Philip Hamilton in his duel with E. Eckhard, when young Hamilton was killed on the same ground where his father later met his death.

Previous to his admission to the bar, and when the prospects of war with France made necessary the organization of the provisional army, Philip was appointed an infantry captain by secretary of war James McHenry. General Washington at first declined to approve the appointment owing to the youth of Mr. Church, but afterwards, in deference to the wishes of Generals Schuyler and Hamilton, and being favorably impressed by the efficiency and promptitude of the young man, whom he met on several oc- casions, gave his approbation, and the appointment was made. Church was immediately after appointed by Hamilton as his aide-de-camp. The original commission is in the possession of Major Church. Captain Church as chief of his staff accompanied General Hamilton to Philadelphia to take part in the solemn obsequies of General Washington who died Dec. 14, 1799, and to pay the last tribute of respect to the great departed. Captain Church was Hamilton's private secretary though the year 1800, and remembered filing away among the papers of General Hamilton, the original copy of the fare- well address of Washington.

Soon after the Revolution John B. Church loaned Mr. Morris a consid- erable amount of money, and, as he had not yet become a citizen, took secur- ity in the name of his brother-in-law, Gen. Alexander Hamilton, as trustee, on the square between 8th and 9th streets, and Chestnut and Sansom Sts.

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in Philadelphia. In 1795 or 1796 this mortgage was released, and security taken on 100,000 acres in the Genesee country. The consideration in this last mortgage was $81,679.44. Mr. Church still being an alien, this was also given to General Hamilton. In 1799 Captain Church visited Canandaigua to attend the sale under foreclosure of the 100,000 acres, bid in the property and took a deed in his own name dated May 6, 1800. The property however was really purchased on joint account with his father, who offered him a half-interest to conduct the subdivision and sale of the tract.

In 1801 Captain Church left the city of New York on an exploring expedition. He stopped at Geneva to purchase camp equipage and provis- ions, and plunged into the wilderness of Western New York. At Almond he met Maj. Moses Van Campen, whose services he had previously engaged as surveyor, John Gibson, John Lewis and Stephen Price. Almond was the settlement nearest the tract and had not yet been dignified with a name. A thorough exploration of the tract was their object. In this the company encountered fatigue, hunger, hardships and privations, and to Captain Church it opened up a new and startling chapter of adventures. It was indeed a great transformation, from the city of New York to this primeval forest with its population of bears, deer and wolves, and it certainly required courage, energy and endurance of a high order to execute the undertaking, and in after life Captain Church frequently related an exciting incident. He had cut his foot and was confined to the camp. The rest of the party after being out all day became bewildered on attempting their return. He could hear their shouts from afar, which occasionally sounding, indicated that they were going in the wrong direction. He shouted at the top of his voice and tried to get their attention, but all to no avail. Finally their shoutings died away in the distance, and as the sombre shades of evening came spreading over the grand old woods, they brought a strangely impres- sive stillness and an awful, almost intolerable, sensation of loneliness. The night at length wore away and with the arrival of morning the lost party returned.

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A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 54

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