A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 57

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 57

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).

449

AMITY.

In 1870 Charles T. Silsby and a Mr. Cady removed a business of manu- facturing butter pails, firkins and tubs from Seneca Falls to Belmont, in order to be near to the raw material. This employed from 20 to 25 men. Early in the eighties the plant was devoted to the manufacture of tooth-picks. Finally that business ceased and the plant was idle for a few years, when John Dean bought the property, and in 1894 sold it to the citizens of Bel- mont, Chas. S. Whitney, Wm. P. Clark and W. J. Richardson holding the title as trustees. It is now contracted to the Carter Package Company, which employs from 30 to 40 men. All kinds of wooden packages are manu- factured. Its capacity is 1,000 or more packages per day. E. M. Harrison is president, Harold Harrison treasurer, F. C. Carter secretary, and H. C. Carter manager of the Carter Package Co.

About 1887 F. M. Babcock and Isaac Averill started a stock farm in the northern outskirts of the village for the raising of blooded horses, which were then so much in demand. The business was conducted a few years, the partnership dissolved, and Mr. Babcock started another farm just south of the village. The business ceased to be profitable in a few years.

In February, 1888, the American Hotel an old landmark was burned. For two years there was no hotel accommodation in the village. In the spring of 1890 a company was organized to build a hotel which should cost $15,000. Charles S. Whitney, L. F. Willetts, Isaac Willetts, Henry Wier, Wm. P. Clark, E. I. Davis and W. J. Richardson were the corporators. More land in addition to the old site was bought, and the capital increased to $30,000. Work was commenced, and as it progressed capital to the amount of $45,000 was found to be required; and The Belmont was finally finished and furnished at an expense of $57,000 or $58,000. Before completion how- ever a mortgage was placed upon it to secure the necessary money. Isaac Willets furnished the funds, took the security, and his estate now owns the property. The Belmont is the best hotel building of the county, is lighted by electricity and has all the modern hotel conveniences and appliances. Besides the hotel, the building includes the State Bank of Belmont, the postoffice, the drug store of Mills & Green and other business rooms and offices.

The County Seat and buildings .- Between 1855 and 1858 the removal of the county seat from Angelica to some point on the line of the Erie railroad was seriously discussed, and some political infelicities occurring about the same time the times were considered ripe for such a movement. The legis- lature was invoked, and a bill was passed appointing a commission to make selection of a site for the new county seat and the necessary buildings. Belvidere laid claim to its location, but Belmont was adjudged by the com- mission to be the new county seat. No time was lost in appointing building commissioners and putting the work under contract. The work was prose- cuted during 1859, and completed in 1860. A half-shire enterprise soon took form and resulted in the passage of an act providing that the courts be held alternately at Belmont and Angelica, which continued in operation un-

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HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

til the fall of 1892, since which time Belmont has been, and is now adjudged by the courts to be, the sole county seat of Allegany county.

The erection of the county buildings at Belmont, though somewhat shorn of its importance by the half-shire act, still afforded an added im- petus to building up and beautifying the town, and the village took on new life. The buildings comprised a court house, clerk's office and jail. The jail had been used but little, however, before the half-shire act went into opera- tion, whereby the old jail at Angelica became the only place for the incarcera- tion of county criminals. The new jail was therefore unused till about ten years ago when the structure was made the office of the county clerk, and the old clerk's office became the office of the surrogate. In 1894 a new jail building was constructed northwest of the court house, and now that there is no half-shire all the county buildings are located on "Table knoll " in Belmont, a most beautiful location.

The Town Cemetery .- Interments were early made in various localities. Many of the older citizens believe that the first burials were in the old bury- ing-ground on the Dea. Harry Davis farm south of Belmont, and it is the opinion of the venerable Jesse Sortore, that Deacon Davis' father was one of the first there buried. Another burying ground was on the road on the east side of the river, on the Thibou farm, another on the same road on the Ethan Rogers farm, and still another near Belvidere. Early in 1866 initial measures were taken toward the opening of the beautiful cemetery which now reflects so much credit upon the town. It was determined to make it a town affair, and the first meeting of town officers to take action concerning it met April 20, 1866, when there were present, E. F. Willetts supervisor, Leander Gorton and V. A. Willard justices of the peace, and J. H. Brown- ing town clerk. The offer of Mark W. Pike to sell 8.37 acres of land for $650 was accepted. May 29, 1866, the town board voted to pay J. C. Averill $400 for clearing the ground of stumps and building a certain amount of fence. This work was completed July 28, 1866, and the ground plowed and sown to wheat, which matured and was sold to E. F. Willetts for $2.25 per bushel. Leander Gorton and E. F. Willetts were appointed to lay the grounds out as a cemetery, and the tract was divided into five sections and 250 lots, with convenient walks and driveways. The ground being elevated, and considerably broken by knolls and depressions, it afforded favorable conditions for the exercise of skill and taste in the arrangement of road- ways and other features, which have made it one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the county. In 1873 a vault was constructed at an expense of $500, and by 1879 nearly $2,000 had been expended in the purchase and fit- ting up of the grounds, which still continue to receive proper attention, and show the tasteful skill of Mr. M. W. Sortore who has for many years been a very efficient superintendent. The first one buried here was Peter Rey- nolds, Jan. 13, 1868. The town is legally authorized to purchase additional grounds to the extent of 30 acres.

451

AMITY.

Banks .- Prior to 1861 the nearest banking facilities were at Hornellsville and Cuba; Olean and Bath were sometimes visited on such business. About that time, possibly not until 1862, Andrew Langdon, now president of the Empire State Savings Bank of Buffalo, opened a banking office in Belmont. With his father, J. LeDroit Langdon, he had in 1856 opened the first hard- ware store in the village, on the south side of Main street. The store was burned in 1861. the father dying a few weeks later. The banking office was opened in the new brick block, part of which Mr. Langdon built, which stood on the opposite side of the street from the hardware store. Mr. Langdon writes: "The volume of business I cannot state from memory, but it was not very large. It was during the period of . wild cat ' banks, numerous counterfeits and high premium on gold." During the time of Mr. Langdon's banking business, John Thompson & Co. conducted an exchange and bank- ing office about a year, when it was succeeded by C. S. Whitney & Co. Mr. Langdon discontinued the business probably prior to 1865, for in September of that year E. W. Chamberlain & Co. suceeded Whitney & Co. and, until they went out of business in June, 1875, this was the only institution of the kind in the town. Then C. M. Marvin conducted banking for a year or so when M. E. Davis succeeded to the business and conducted a private bank and exchange office for about ten years. The necessity for an institution capable of doing a more extended business becoming more and more appar- ent a state bank was organized and a charter secured bearing date June 25. 1888. The bank was soon in operation. The first officers were Elmore A. Willetts president, and W. J. Richardson cashier. The present officers are E. A. Willetts president, W. K. Paul vice president, W. J. Richardson cashier. The directors are E. A. Willetts, M. W. Pike, W. J. Richardson and M. E. Davis. The State Bank of Belmont has a capital of $25,000 (au- thorized capital $100,000), affords all the banking facilities needed by the town, does a conservative, safe business, is located in The Belmont hotel building, and is an institution which the people fully appreciate. The con- dition of the bank Dec. 18, 1895, was: Resources .- Bills discounted $90, 452.80, national bank $2,924.56, Buffalo bank $2,212.51, United States bonds $1,000, furniture $3,100, expenses $2,467.87, cash $7,941.94, total $110,099.68. Lia- bilities .- Capital $25,000, surplus $5,000, profit $5,656.33, deposit account $74,443.35, total $110,099.68.

Business Houses .- The principal enterprises are a cheese factory; Clark Bros. foundry and machine shop; Davis & Bissell's saw, shingle and plan- ing mills; Amity Mills, Hood & Bradley, full roller process; Belmont Mills, W. H. Van Campen & Son, patent " straight-grade " flour and feed; Carter Package Co., buttertubs, etc .; Davie & Green and M. E. Davis dry goods; John Nicholson, hardware, carriages, sleighs, etc .; Geo. Peck & Son and H. W. Farwell, watches, jewelry, etc .; J. W. Bartlett, merchant tailor and un- dertaker, J. H. Bissell, furniture; Mills & Green and C. G. Anderson & Son, drugs, medicines, etc .; M. N. Sammet & Bro., clothing; J. Sortore & Sons, grocers; Adams & Newcomb, bakers and grocers; Ostrander & Co.,

452

HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

boots and shoes; Allen & Pease, Wier & Co., M. D. Leilous, T. & D. Mar- geson, meat markets; George L. Tucker, laundry; H. E. Davis and C. L. Slafter, livery.

Hotels .- The Belmont, E. D. Clark; Cottage Hotel, E. N. Black; Allegany House, F. Broadbent.

Insurance .- E. W. Chamberlain, Reynolds, Ackerman & Tefft, R. A. Whitcomb.

Dentists .- C. B Newton, P. D. Greene.

Attorneys .- Reynolds, Brown & Reynolds, V. A. Willard, S. H. Tracy, E. W. Chamberlain.

Physicians .-- C. G. Anderson, H. A. Barney, W. J. Hardy.

Dispatch Printing Co.,-C. L. Stillman & Co.

Photographer .- E. L. Lewis.

Belmont is supplied with lights and fuel by the Allegany Gas Company. Electricity is also used for lighting to some extent. Mr. Frank Van Cam- pen has a dynamo in his mill, which lights his residence and two or three street lamps. The Belmont, and Clark Bros. also use electricity for lighting.

The Samuel VanCampen Family .- One of the best remembered of the very early settlers of Amity was Samuel VanCampen, who settled on the east side of the river on the farm now owned by Thomas Emerson as early as 1806. He was a younger brother of Major Moses VanCampen, and in moral character, physical courage, strict integrity and religious inclinations, he strongly resembled him, but little can be learned of his early life. To show the material out of which was made those invincible spirits and domes- tic heroes who made the first openings in our forests, cut the first roads and built the first rude habitations, the following, a copy of Samuel VanCampen's indenture as apprentice, is given as it gives an idea of the typical better-class pioneer of Allegany. The copy is literally verbatim. Where the stars occur the paper is so worn as to be illegible.

This Indenture, made this Twenty Fifth Day of February, and in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Two, Witnesseth that Samuel Van Campen, Son of Cornelius Van Campen Deceased hath of his own Free and Voluntary Will, or by and With the Consent of his Mother Winnifred Van Campen, Placed and Bound himself Apprentice unto Joseph Heaton of Lower Smithfield township, Northumberland County and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Blacksmith, to Learn the Art and Mistery of the Black Smith's Trade after The manner of an Apprentice, to serve him and his Heirs from the Day of the Date Hereof, For and During the Full Term of Eight Years & two months, During all Which Term, Said Apprentice, his said Master Faithfully Shall Serve, His Secrets Keep, his Lawful Demands Gladly Every Where Obey, he shall Doo no Damage to his Said Master. Nor See it to be Done by Others Without Leting or Givin Notice to his Said master, or his ; he Shall not Waiste his Said masters Goods, Nor Lend Them Unlawfully to Others; he Shall not commit Fornica- tion, Nor contract Matrimony Within the Said Term ; at cards Dice or any Other unlawful game he Shall not play, whereby his Said master may have Damage With his own Goods, or the Goods of others, he Shall not Absent himself Day or Night From his Said master's Service Without his Leave, Nor haunt Taverns or play houses, but in all things Behave himself as a faithful apprentice ought to doo During Said Term and the Said master and his Shall Use the

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AMITY.

utmost of their Indeavours to teach him his Said Apprentice the Said Trade Science or Ocupa- tion of Black Smith With all things thereunto Belonging, and Shall and Will Teach and Instruct or cause to be Well and sufficiently Taught and Instructed after the Best way and manner that he can and Shall and Will also Find and Allow unto the Said apprentice Meat Drink Washing and Lodging And Apparial both Linen and Wollen and all other Necessarys fit and convenient for Such an apprentice During the Term Aforesaid, and the Said master Shall also give the Said apprentice his Every Day Wearing Apparil as Also One Intire New Suite of Decent Cloth- ing fiting For A freedom Sute For Said Apprentice in Witness Whereof I have Hereunto Set my hand and Seal the Day and Year Above Written

Signed Sealed &

Delivered in the presence

Winnifred Van Campen [ J

Joseph Heaton [ ]

John Camden

Northumberland County february the 28th 1782.

This day the before me and acknowledged This Indenture to be thier Voluntary Act and Deed.

given under my hand the day and year above written. Nicholas Depew

This indenture is endorsed.

" A Cancelled Indenture 28 May 89, of

Samuel Van Campen from

Joseph Heaton."

The indenture was cancelled about a year ahead of time, and so the con- clusion is warranted that he was a faithful apprentice and became thoroughly learned in " the Art and Mistery of the Black Smith Trade." The original document is owned by Mr. Frank VanCampen, of Belmont, by whom the writer was greatly favored in the preparation of this sketch. As early as 1816 Mr. VanCampen was a justice of the peace, and a member of the court of common pleas, and the court of general sessions of the peace. Samuel VanCampen was the first postmaster keeping the office in his house on the farm. Its name was Genesee Valley, and it was instituted soon after the town was organized. From the marble slab in the cemetery, which marks the place of his burial, we learn that this worthy pioneer died June 30, 1849, at the age of 80 years.

Samuel VanCampen's children were William, born in 1790, married Har- riet Ingraham who died in 1843. He married second, Nancy Byrns of Bel- fast; Sarah married John Rathbun of Almond, whose family consisted of 2 or 3 children, one of whom married Mrs. B. B. Clark, one of the early mer- chants of Belmont, and who some say built the first brick store in town; Moses, born in 1800, married Caroline Wilkins. Their children were William, Ambrose, Addison and Lovinia, who married Elias Rogers; William has been in the employ of the Standard Oil Company at Corry, Pa., for a number of years; Ambrose went to Bay City, as long ago as 1860, where he died some ten years since; Addison is living in Belmont occupying a responsible posi- tion in the Clark Bro's foundry and machine shops.

William VanCampen whose entire mature years were spent in the town of Amity, died on the 3d of May, 1875, at 85 years of age. Many are still left who were personally acquainted with him. Those who knew him best

Samuel Van Campen [ 1

of us John Chambers

454

HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

say his was a noble life, and he a domestic hero, meeting manfully every duty, and though his career was not marked by exceptional incidents, nor made brilliant by wonderful exploits, his life was one of untiring industry and painstaking toil, which was so characteristic of his Dutch ancestry, " in- dustry and toil, that were as essential to the development of our national re- sources as were the soldierly characteristics and deeds of his uncle Moses, and those who fought by his side, were to the achievement of our national independence." Though frequently importuned to become a candidate for official honors and emoluments, his only public services were those rendered as United States marshal, as town clerk and occasionally as assessor for his town. He was a consistent member of the Baptist church for many years, and for a good share of the time a deacon. He was twice married and lived happily with the partners of his choice. He had three sons and four daugh- ters. Julia Ann the eldest married Jesse Sortore a respected citizen and lifelong resident of Amity. Hiram became a worthy preacher of the Univer- salist faith, and is now an insurance agent at New Bedford, Mass .; William Hanford, passed his life in Amity, principally on the farm, though for the last twenty years he was in the milling business, with his son Frank, who still conducts the business in the stone mill, the oldest in town; Mary married William Pettibone; Caroline became the wife of Dr. John Norton; Samuel R. married a daughter of T. J. Rathbone, of Elmira, and died some two years since in London, Eng., whither he had gone to prosecute historical researches in the British museum. Samuel R. was an enthusiastic student of Holland history and in many matters connected therewith was an acknowledged authority with the scholars. He had published a work on some historical subject and was engaged in the preparation of another when he died very suddenly. Two sons of his are now living in Elmira, Samuel R., a lawyer, and John R., engaged in business; Harriet (dec.) married Dr. Hulbert, who now lives in Bay City, Mich. William Hanford VanCampen had two children, Carrie who married Dr. F. O. Gilbert of Bay City, Mich., and died there some ten years since, and Frank, the well-known and highly esteemed business man of Belmont.

Belvidere village, in the northwest part of the town, was named from Judge Church's residence about a mile distant in Angelica. It is situated near the mouth of Van Campen creek and is the northernmost point in the county reached by the original New York and Erie railroad. From this fact, and also from its being centrally located in the county, it was at one time favored by many as the site for the county buildings. When the postoffice at Belvidere was established about 1835, it was named Hobbyville, from the postmaster general, whose name was Hobbie. The little hamlet around the corners was also called by the same name until about the time the railroad was completed, when it was changed to Belvidere. Belvidere is now a station on the Erie railroad, has two hotels. E. P. Sanborn and L. C. Scott are dealers in general merchandise. James Moran is postmaster. A cheese factory here is well patronized.

455

AMITY.

Withey is a little hamlet and postoffice on Philips creek, in the eastern part of the town. A schoolhouse and the Wesleyan Methodist church are all the public buildings. Two stores, one kept by Simeon Brown, the other by W. H. Button, afford all the facilities for trade the place demands. Alvin E. Hall conducts a cheese factory at this place. The postoffice was estab- lished in 1887 and the present postmaster is W. H. Button.

About 1835 or 6, John B. and Philip Church, Jr., determined to utilize the water-power a half mile east of Belvidere (about that time named Hobby- ville) and erected a dam and a large mill which they called the Triana mill, and for a while prosecuted an extensive lumber business. The buildings they used have tumbled down and scarce a vestige is left of its former importance.

The present town officials are: Supervisor, Melvin E. Horner; town clerk. P. K. Holden; justices, O. F. Morehouse, Eldyn E. Reynolds, C. E. Whitcomb, B. P. Mapes; highway commissioner, Henry Weir; overseers of the poor, George Benjamin, Peter Reynolds; collector, Delos A. Van Campen; inspectors of elections, 1st district, Bernard B. Ackerman, Geo. Peck, L. W. Ely, I. J. Elliott; 2d district, Charles Wallace, Wallace H. Windus, Paul Cussack, John Henry; constables, James Johnson, James D. Crawford, G. N. Cline, S. P. Weaver. D. A. Van Campen; excise commissioners, Alexis R. Halbert, Charles H. Norton and Luman Lewis.

Supervisors .*- John Simons, 1830-32 ; Alvan E. Parker, 1833-34 ; Benjamin Aldridge, 1835-36 ; Walter S. Church, 1837; Moses Van Campen, 1838; Benjamin Aldridge, 1839-40 ; Batman Fitz Simmons, 1841-42 ; Francis Norton, 1843 ; Benjamin Aldridge, 1844; Noah C. Pratt, 1845 ; Randall Reed, 1846 ; Batman Fitz Simmons, 1847-48 ; Geo. W. Horner, 1849-51 ; Frank Leach, 1852; G. M. Cooley, 1853-54; Consider Ellis, 1855 ; J. Rathbun, 1856-57 ; Ben- jamin Norton, 1858 ; Lucius C. May. 1859-60 ; Silas Richardson, 1861-65; E. F. Willetts, 1866-67 ; Benjamin Norton, 1868-69; E. F. Willetts, 1870; Wilkes Angel, 1871 ; D. S. Lan- phear, 1872-73 ; V. A. Willard, 1874-75 ; Rufus Scott, 1876-78 ; A. C. Hall, 1879-81 ; Geo. H. Blackman, 1882 ; Elba Reynolds, 1883-4; Wm. P. Clark, 1885-6; Elba Reynolds, 1887 ; T. S. Tefft, 1888-9 ; C. S. Whitney, 1890-92 ; M. E. Horner, 1893-95.

List of soldiers buried in Amity .- In the Belmont cemetery : Bela Bartlett, Peter Rey- nolds and James Sackett, of the war of 1812-14. A. G. Cartwright, Orson Andrews, Robert H. Tucker, Elisha Sortore, Bradley Bowers, William Pettibone, Riley Utter, Anson T. Lawton, Byron D. Southworth, Timothy Eddy, Lucius Ward, David Crocker, Frank Van Orsdale, Charles Barnes, Samuel McGibeny, Wilbur F. McGibeny. Frederick Scribner, Jefferson Gorton, George Weaver, Henry Davis, Col. A. J. McNett, of the war of 1861-5. In the Norton ceme- tery : Col. Jedadiah Nobles, Zebulon Nobles, of the war of 1812-14, and John Rathbun, Henry Hungerford, of the war of 1861-5. At Belvidere : Jerry White and William Higgins of war of 1812-14, and William Comstock, Charles Ouesterhout, George Barnard and James White of war of 1861-5. Ira Weaver buried on the battlefield.

* Furnished by Charles Stillman.

456

HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

CHAPTER XLII.

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES.

C CHURCH HISTORY .- The first religious services held in Amity were conducted by Rev. Robert Hubbard in 1814 at Samuel Van Campen's house.

Baptist Church .- The first mention of religious services by Baptists in this town was in 1816, when Rev. Jonathan Post preached in private houses, barns, groves or in any place where the people could get together to hear him. Soon after this Rev. David Cross baptized Harry Davis. In 1818 the First Baptist church of Angelica was organized in a schoolhouse near where Cyrus Windus now lives, (it was Angelica then). The church had ten mem- bers, and in a few weeks nine united by baptism, making nineteen scattered over a large extent of country. This church existed but a few years, sev- eral members going out in 1822 to form a church in Friendship. Before this the church numbered 50 members, but seems not to have had a pastor or a stated place for meeting. The present church was recognized by an ecclesi- astical council April 24, 1832, composed of 43 members, dismissed from the church in Friendship for that purpose, and called the Baptist church of Amity, the town having been formed two years before. The name of the church was changed to Belmont in 1867. The first pastor was Rev. A. Tuthill, he first deacon Harry Davis, the first clerk William Van Campen, who served until 1848, when Jesse Sortore was elected, who continues in the same office. The pastors in the order in which they have served the church are, Rev. A. Tuthill, C. Randal, H. H. Whipple, Mr. Munger, E. Smith, B. M. Thomas, N. E. Chapin, B. M. Thomas, E. Smith, O. B. Call, A. C. Newland, D. M. Root, W. H. Randal, C. H. James, W. F. Purington, R. A. Waterbery, William Brooks, M. M. Coleman, G. E. Weeks, W. F. Benedict, H. D. Baldwin, A. M. Bennett.

In 1853 twenty members were dismissed to organize a church in Wells- ville, and in the same year Ely Davis, Jesse Sortore and Charles Davis were elected trustees. By direction of the church they purchased the lot where the church now stands and the house was dedicated in January, 1856, cost- ing about $3,000. In the summer of 1872 it was badly damaged by lightning, but was immediately repaired and furnished with a bell, at a cost of nearly $2,- 800. The purchase of the bell and the finishing of the basement is largely due to the energy and push of Dr. C. B. Newton, one of the trustees. In 1891 the house was again repaired and beautified at a cost of $1,100. In 1882 the church purchased a house on Norton St., for $1,400, which was largely the gift of Ely Davis. The church has licensed three and ordained four ministers. A Sunday school has been maintained since its early history, and a Y. P. S. C. E. since 1888. The church reports a present membership of 178, the S. S. 201 with an average attendance of 102 and the Y. P. S. C. E. has 52 active and 14 associate members. The first pipe organ of the town

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A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 57

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