A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 60

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 60

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John Norton came to Belmont, then Philipsburg, in 1831, and his son Francis in 1832. He died there about 1836. John Norton, Philip Church. Ellis May and Timothy H. Burbanks at one time owned nearly the whole of Belmont. John and Francis Norton were prominent in the early settlement and took active part in the educational, religious and business interests. Francis Norton was superintendent of schools for Amity many years. His children were Ruth A. (Mrs. Mark Pike of Belmont, dec), Dr. John (dec.), Jeriah W. (dec.), Diana (dec.), Joseph S., William (dec.), Frances (dec.), and Alice (Mrs. M. W. Sortore of Belmont.)

William Noble was born Oct. 22, 1782, in Hartford, Conn., and died in Amity Feb. 18, 1868. Jan. 4, 1811, he married Susan Gilbert in Whitehall, N. Y. Mrs. Noble was a native of Ver- mont. They located a home near Whitehall, built a fine house, but lost it by defects in the title. At this time he met Orange Church who sold him an Amity farm, but before he reached his new purchase Mr. Church was killed. Mrs. Church however ratified the sale. The Noble family left Whitehall with two yokes of oxen, George W. the oldest son, nine years old, drove one yoke. The Amity farm had but a small clearing and a log house, but Mr. Noble developed a fine farm by industrious labor. The family were zealous Methodists, and generous contribu- tors to the first church erected in town. Mr. Noble was a Whig and a Republican. His wife survived him, dying at 94. Their oldest son, George W., died in Chicago, Ill., in 1885, where their youngest son, Gilbert, also lives. Hiram Noble, son of William, was born at Whitehall in 1820, and was but four years old when he came to Amity. He has always been a farmer, owns about 160 acres. He married in September, 1847, Emily Sortore. They have six chil- dren. The family are members of the M. E. church. Martin Noble,son of William, was born in 1822 in Whitehall. In 1847 he married Phoebe E. Ketchum. Their only surviving child, Laura A. married Lester Bellamy of Angelica. Mr. Noble was a millwright 12 years, a black- smith 13 years, had a wagonshop a few years, kept livery stable 18 years and has later been a farmer. Roswell Noble, son of William, was born on the old homestead in 1826, married Catharine Whaley of Illinois, owns the homestead farm settled on in 1824. He kept a livery stable in Belmont about 7 years and most of his life has been engaged in farming. He passed two years in Chicago, but prefers life on the old farm.

John W. Pease, son of Abner and Pamelia (Winslow) Pease, was born May 4, 1828, at Lyons. While yet a lad he went to learn the mason's trade and has since followed the busi- ness. He has erected many buildings in the county by contract, he has built the foundation for 36 bridges on the Genesee river and its tributaries, he built the First National Bank build- ing at Cuba, and has done more mason contract work than any other man in the county. He was a contractor on the R. & P. railroad, has been foreman for the Erie railroad for several years. In 1890 he opened a stone quarry of pure sandstone and does a good business in that line. Mr. Pease married Sarah Clark of Mt. Morris. Their children are Eugene W., Blanche B., Frank L, a merchant in Corning, and Emma E. (Mrs. Elgin Conklin of Corning). Mr. Pease, after residing 2 years in Angelica and 8 years in Belfast, settled here.

Peter Post, son of Abram, was born April 6, 1807, at Angelica, and at his death in 1894 was the oldest native resident of the county. His father, a native of Jersey City, N. J., was son of John, who came from Holland to Jersey City before the Revolution. Abram came to An- gelica about 1801, bought 150 acres, and made a pioneer home. He was a noted hunter and killed many deer and bears. His wife was Hettie Metzger. They had 9 children. He died an old man at Belfast. Peter Post was engaged in lumbering and for four years owned a large sawmill near Belfast. About 1860 he settled in Belvidere where he kept hotel until his death.

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Stephen Pollard, son of Stephen and Sarah (Anderson) Pollard, was educated as a teacher, and was graduated from Friendship Academy. He was a successful teacher until 1890, when he was elected school commissioner of the Second District of Allegany county, which, by re- election he still holds.

Alexander Potter, son of Alexander and Mary (Ware) Potter, was born May 8, 1819. He married in 1850 Hannah T. Tuck, both being natives of Kennebec Co., Maine. Mr. Potter came to Belmont in 1852, and built mills for various parties until 1861, when he devoted him- self to the manufacture of oil barrels until 1868. In 1870 he built a shop for making wagons and has since carried on that business. Mrs. Potter died Jan. 1I, 1874. Of their 8 children 5 attained maturity ; Herbert R., of Eau Claire, Wis .; James P., of Duke's Center, Pa .; Emma, of New Hudson ; Jesse L. and Eddie A. The latter was born in Belmont in May, 1856, mar- ried Ettie Hardy, and has one child, Lottie. Mr. Potter was the popular landlord of the Hotel Belmont until 1894, and has a livery stable.

Mark W. Pike was born in Vermont. He attended Livonia, N. Y., Seminary, and married Ruth A., daughter of Francis Norton. Children, Harriet E., Mary A., Ruth G. Mr. Pike was an active business man, engaged extensively in lumbering, owned over 1,000 acres of oil lands in Alma, and there created the village of Pikeville, going three miles into the woods to build saw and shingle mills, fifteen dwellings and a schoolhouse. Here he taught the Sabbath school, and his wife led the singing. Later Mr. Pike bought a large tract of timber land in Sheboygan Co., Mich., built mills, a large hotel, secured the locating of a railroad station, and developed the village of Rondeace, giving lots to those who would build on them. He was a very kindhearted and benevolent man, who was ever actuated by Christian principles, was Presbyterian in religion, doing much for his church. A Democrat in politics he held every office in the gift of the town, but refused to aspire for higher political place. He died May 31, 1892. Mrs. Pike died in 1895.

Hon. Silas Richardson, son of Silas, was born in Greene, Me., August, 1820, and came to this county about 1845. His wife was Sarah A. Miller and their children were Edwin S. and Lizzie M. (Mrs. Horace Dobbins of Buffalo). Mr. Richardson was in lumbering and mercantile business for many years. Politically he was a Republican, and took an active part in political affairs. He was in the legislature in the years 1867 and 8. He died May 26, 1885. Edwin S. Richardson was born in 1856. He was graduated from the Rochester Business University in 1879. In 1881 he married Jennie A. Roth. In November, '89, he entered the county clerk's office as clerk, and in '92 was appointed special deputy clerk.

William J. Richardson, son of Alvan, (see Wirt) was born in Wirt, Mar. 31, 1849. He resided on the farm with his father, and was engaged in agriculture and teaching. In 1880 he was census enumerator ; he has been two years supervisor and served as town clerk two years. In '82 he was elected cashier of the First National Bank of Richburg. In '87 he came to Bel- mont as cashier of the State Bank of Belmont. Mr. Richardson married Helen, daughter of Andrew Jordan, and has one son, Fred. The family are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Richardson stands high in the estimation of the people, is much interested in all things apper- taining to the advancement of the community, is treasurer of the Allegany County Historical Society, and one of the vice-presidents of the Allegany County Sunday School Association. He is also a Freemason, holding membership in the lodge at Belmont.

Justus Scott settled here in 1822, one mile east of Friendship. He was a shoemaker and a farmer. He married Alice White. They had 13 children. His son, Asa, was 15 years old when his father moved here. Asa was in the lumber business for several years and kept a store in Friendship. He married Mary Hughes ; of their 5 children 3 survive. Asa Scott died Jan. 6, 1892. His widow resides here. George Scott, son of Justus and Alice (White) Scott, was born July 15, 1831, on the old homestead. He received a common school education, became one of the leading farmers of the town and took great pride in agriculture. He mar- ried Rebecca, daughter of Elias Benjamin, and had 2 children, Charles J., who is a farmer on the ancestral acres, and George A. Scott, who was born in 1866, and was graduated from Rochester Business University in 1889. He taught school 4 years. In 1891 he was elected secretary of the State Farmers' Alliance, and, in October, 1892, became editor of the Spirit of Reform, an Alliance paper of Belmont. In 1891 he was the nominee of the Peoples' and Pro- hibitionist parties, and received 3.000 votes. He was the first candidate ever nominated by the Peoples' party. Mr. Scott married, Feb. 22, 1893, Lottie J. Webster of Wellsville. In 1894 he was elected secretary of the National Protective Legion.

Thos. J. Slafter, born in Thetford, Vt., in 1831 settled six miles from Belmont in what is now Ward. He was a millwright, and married Rebecca Seaver of Worcester, Vt. Children : Oramel W., Carlos L., Mary J. (Mrs. Haskell Fillebrown). Mr. Slafter died in 1871, his wife in 1870. Carlos L. Slafter was born Mar. 16, 1832, in Amity and has lived here most of his life.

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He has been in the livery business since 1880. In 1885 he built the Belmont opera house which burned Dec. 29, 1893. Mr. Slafter married Lucy C. Tracy. They have one child, Anna H.

Roger Stillman, son of David R. and Martha M. (Greene) Stillman of Alfred and grandson of Isaiah and Betsey (Bassett) Greene, was born in Alfred June 18, 1855. He availed himself of the educational advantages of Alfred University, then learned the printer's trade at the Sab- bath Recorder office at Alfred, and was foreman of pressroom and job department for there years. He has travelled extensively, been connected with numerous newspapers. was publisher of the West Winfield News in Herkimer county in 1886, and later purchased the New Berlin Gazette in Chenango county. In 1893 he purchased one-half interest in the Belmont Dispatch, of which he is editor. He married, June 8, 1880, Carrie L., danghter of Wesley and Maryette (Wright) Gibbs of Almond.

Benjamin Tefft came to Almond from Westerly, R. I., about 1825. He married Isa- bel, daughter of Job Kenyon. They had 6 children. Mr. Tefft was a farmer. He died in '66 his wife in '51. Thomas S. Tefft, their son, was born Dec. 8, 1843, in Angelica. In '62 he en- listed in Co. H. 130th N. Y. V. and served until the close of the war, having seen service in the 42 battles in which his regiment was engaged, and was honorably discharged. He is a mem- ber of Revere Post No. 195, G. A. R , and is also a Freemason. Mr. Tefft then learned the carpenter and builders' trade, and continued it for 17 years. In '82 while building a bridge at Bradford, Pa. for the Erie railroad, he slipped when boarding a train, and fell under the cars and both legs were cut off. In '83 he entered the office of the county clerk of Allegany county, and has served as clerk and deputy clerk ever since. He was supervisor in 1888-9 and has been justice of the peace and town clerk, In '71 Mr. Tefft married Waity Adelaide, daughter of Henry Reynolds of Ward. They had 8 children, 7 of whom survive.

George L. Tucker, son of Richard and Catharine F. Tucker, was born in New York City, June 30, 1820, son of a prominent commission merchant of that city. George was educated at Rev. Augustus Mechlinburg's school, and, in '45, made his home with his brother Robert H. in Friendship staying there two years. He then engaged in farming at Aurora for 3 years. later came to Belmont, where he resided until '61, when he enlisted in Co. H, 11th Pa. Vols He was later color sergeant in the 85th N. Y. He was captured at Plymouth, N. C., taken to Andersonville prison, detained there three months, was in Charleston a few days, then con- veyed to Florence, S. C., where he was nine months in prison. In July he was discharged and came home. He is a member of Revere Post, No. 195, G. A. R. He married in '61, Ida, daughter of Bela Bartlett and has three children : George L., Richard I. and Catharine.

George L. Tucker, Jr., was born May 16, 1866, was educated at Belmont and at Borden- town, N. J. He went to Clinton, Iowa, when he was 19 and entered a newspaper office and was later foreman of the Advertiser office at Lyon for eight months. In 1888 he returned to Belmont and opened a job printing office, and soon after, in company with H. C. Norris, estab- lished the Andover News. He carried on the hardware business at Belmont for 3 years, and is now a Pullman car conductor on the Erie railroad. In 1890 Mr. Tucker married Grace, daughter of Frank and Laura (Cook) Vanderhoef. They have two daughters: Grace and Rebea. Mr. Tucker has a fine collection of Indian relics, which were on exhibition at Allegany's " centen- nial " and attracted much attention.

Hon. Hamilton Ward, who has made his home here since he commenced the practice of law in 1851, has attained a national reputation, and is the most prominent citizen of the town. He married Mary Chamberlain and has two children, Hamilton (see page 292), and John C., a student of Harvard University. Mrs. Ward has been a leader in literary circles, in the estab- lishment and success of the Belmont Literary and Historical Club, and a liberal contributor to the library building. Judge Ward's biography (page 262) was in print before he was appointed member of the Appellate Court of the Fourth Department, which sits at Rochester. This honor was most worthily bestowed.

Charles S. Whitney is a son of Michael T. Whitney who was born in Montpelier, Vt. When a young man Mr. Whitney walked from Vermont to Olean, N. Y., in 1822, on his way west to seek his fortune. At Olean he took passage on a raft of lumber down the Allegany and Ohio rivers, and brought up at or near Gallipolis. Ohio. where he engaged in teaching school. He married one of his scholars, Miss Harriet Smith. In 1826 he moved with his family on to a farm 3 miles west of the city of Cleveland, Ohio, which is now in the city limits. In 1832 he sold his farm and packing his goods and family into a cloth covered wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen he started again for the far west and the Indian country near the Maumee river, where now the city of Toledo is located, and where he purchased a farm of 80 acres at $1.25 per acre, then covered with timber and now a part of the city. In 1835 he sold his farm and engaged in mer- chandising, and died in 1837. He left a family of 4 children, the oldest, Charles S. Whitney, was born Feb. 12, 1824. He having to " shuffle " for himself (with no schooling after his fa-

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ther's death), engaged in various pursuits, working on a farm by the year, warehouse boy, clerk- ing in a grocery, postoffice, etc., etc., until 1848, when he started in the mercantile business for himself. In 1850 he followed the gold excitement to California, where he remained one year. In 1851 he came to Belmont, married Clara A. Parker. the daughter of A. E. Parker, was en- gaged a few years in general trade at Belmont with A. E. Parker, finally purchased Mr. Parker's interest, and continued the business several years alone. He was postmaster 6 years under Abraham Lincoln's administration, served 3 terms as supervisor of Amity. He gave up mer- cantile business and the postoffice in 1866, and has since been engaged in the oil business.

William Willett came from Washington county in 1847, settled in Wirt, about 21/2 miles south of Nile, engaged in the lumber business, and for several years operated a sawmill. In 1853 he moved with his family to Will Co., Ill., where he resided until 1859, when he moved to Ionia Co., Mich. He served three years in the 6th Mich. Cavalry with distinction during the Rebellion, and after the war returned home, where he died in 1870. George Willett, a younger brother of William, came to Allegany county in 1843, lived in Wirt, and later in Richburg. After the oil-fields of Allegany were opened up, he moved to Friendship. George Willett was widely known as one of the most expert millwrights in the country. He now resides in Fre- donia with his only daughter, Mrs. DeMuth. C. W. Willett, a son of Wm. Willett, was born in Wirt in 1850, and went west with his parents in 1853. At an early date he found employ- ment in a sawmill, and, by careful attention to the details, was rapidly promoted, until he had full charge of one of the largest mills in the country. Mr. Willett gained considerable notoriety as an expert mill-builder, and drifted into the machine business. For a number of years he represented the Filer & Stowell Co. of Milwaukee, Wis., on the road. He has also been con- nected with two other well-known firms, and during his travels has visited nearly every town and hamlet in the country from the Pacific to the Atlantic. In 1891 Mr. Willett became con- nected with the well-known firm of Clark Bros. of Belmont, and has been with them up to date. Mr. Willett is widely known among mill-men as a wide-awake and progressive man, and he has contributed in no small way to bring about the present high standard of economic methods in the manufacture of lumber.

S. Hale Whitcomb, son of Jeriah, was born April 15, 1826, in Granville, Washington Co., and came with his father to Belmont in 1833. Here his father engaged extensively in lumber- ing and carried lumber to Olean, and from there it was floated by him to Natchez, New Orleans, etc., in arks. He died Mar. 16, 1873. Mr. Whitcomb in 1850 became superintendent of the Belvidere farm of Judge Philip Church, continuing as such until 1858, when he removed to Geneseo to take charge of the home farm of Gen. Wadsworth. In 1864 he returned to Bel- videre to the Church farm which he conducted until 1874 when he took charge of the lumber and land interests of the estate of Philip Church, Jr., in which position he continued until 1879. Since which time he has been engaged in farming, buying and selling real estate and oil matters. In 1850 he married Jane V., daughter of Wm. Pitt. Their children are Eugene P., oil operator of Bradford, and Chas. E. a farmer of Belvidere.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ALVAN EARLE PARKER.

"Even farther back than the beginnings of English history must we go for the origin of the name Parker. It is as old as Parcarius, park-keeper or shepherd. From this employment it was derived, thus extending back through the ages unbroken to the making of the Roman language." The first American of the name was Abraham, of Woburn, Mass., taxed there Sept. 8, 1645, the first taxpayer on record in this country. His estate joined that of Moses Cleveland, ancestor of President Cleveland. Abraham had numerous younger brothers, early settlers and original proprietors of Chelmsford and Groton, Mass., leaders and prominent men. Their progeny became active in the settlement of the Connecticut valley and are largely represented in most of the towns of Vermont. The town records of Chester,

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HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

Vt., say, "Elijah Parker purchased land Dec. 17, 1778," his residence being given as "Westminster, Cumberland Co., Province of New York " (later Vermont), "Yoeman." Timothy Parker, of the same place, " housewright," purchased land in Chester, April 3, 1779. Neither Elijah nor his father Timothy appear as residents of Chester until 1780, when they are recorded as petitioners for a town meeting held Aug. 18, 1780, to add an extension to the meetinghouse. Timothy Parker, Esq., was chosen one of the building committee. In 1781 Elijah Parker was chosen constable and collector, and Timothy Parker grand juror. Elijah dealt extensively in real-estate, buying and selling. He was born Feb. 1, 1756, married Mary Earle, June 7, 1781, and died March 22, 1822. Mary Earle was born in Shrewsbury, Mass., March 5, 1764, and died in Belmont, N. Y., Sept. 29, 1855, in her 91st year. Her children were Catherine (married Dr. Timothy Parker), Timothy S .. Arvilla (married 1st, Martin Taylor, 2d, Joel Rose), Phila (married Solomon Willard), Elijah and Ashbell (twins), and Alvan Earle Parker. According to the Earle Genealogy, Mary Earle was a descendant in the sixth generation from Ralph Earle, the emigrant, the line being Ralph 1, William 2, Ralph 3, Robert 4, George 5. This George Earle, born in Leicester, Mass., in 1735, was son of Robert and Mary (Newhall) Earle, and married in 1757, Mary, daughter of Thomas and Azubah (Rice) Baker, of Shrewsbury, Mass. He was a gunsmith, removed to Chester, Vt. about 1770, commanded a company of militia at the Battle of Bennington, and died suddenly July 2, 1806. His children were George, Frederic, Artemas, Mary, Lydia, Xenophon, Walter, Catharine, Alvan. Ralph Earle, the emigrant, born 1606, at Exeter, England, in 1634 married there Joan Savage and came to America early, dying at Portsmouth, R. I., in 1678. His wife was some ten years his senior, and exceeded her 105th year of life. Ralph was, in Oct., 1838, with 38 others named in the Newport, R. I., records as being " admitted to the inhabitants of the Island now called Aqueedneck, having submitted themselves to the Government that is, or shall be, established according to the word of God therein." He was a long time "innkeeper " at Portsmouth, " was much in town affairs and of good repute." Alvan Earle Parker, son of Elijah and Mary (Earle) Parker, was born in Chester, Vt., Nov. 26. 1799, went to Clarendon, Vt., in 1821, where he took the "freeman's oath " in September, and married in September, 1823, Sarah, oldest daughter of Benjamin and Rachel (Wetherbee) Parker, who was born in Clarendon in 1795. They resided in Clarendon and Rutland, Vt., until 1830 or 1831 when they came to Amity, locating in the rude hamlet of Philipsville, now the charming county- seat Belmont. Mr. Parker brought a small load of the merchandise adapted to the pioneer wants of the new country by horse team for miles through an almost unbroken wilderness from Rutland, and started the first store of the village in the upper story of a carding mill which stood on the site of the gristmill at the end of the bridge crossing the Genesee on Schuyler street. The business increased to large proportions and was conducted by Mr. Parker over 20 years, when he was succeeded by his son-in-law, C. S.

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Whitney. He was a Republican from the organization of the party, and for long years was supervisor, postmaster and a justice of the peace. His clear penmanship and accurate business judgement made his services in much demand for the drafting of legal and other papers, and he was popularly known as " the old scribe." The fidelity with which he transacted all busi- ness was appreciated by the people and he was identified with every thing as a leader and counsellor. He was an honest man, who, while demanding his just dues, acknowledged the full demands of others. By his industry, foresight, and diligent attention to business he acquired wealth, although at the beginning of his business activity he had but small means. In his later years both he and his wife were members of the Episcopal church. Mrs. Parker was much esteemed throughout the community, especially for her extreme kindness of heart and her readiness to aid the needy. She died Jan. 26, 1876. Mr. Parker died April 5, 1890, after a residence of nearly 60 years in the town and village. Their children were Henry A. (dec.), Frances E.(widow of Dr. Archibald Morris), Clarissa (Mrs. C.S. Whitney )(dec.), Charles.

ISAAC WILLETS.

Isaac Willets was not a native of Allegany county, having been born near Aurora, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Dec. 2, 1825. Although not a professing member of the Society of Friends, more popularly called Quakers, he came from a long line of Quaker ancestors, having been descended from Richard and Mary Willets, who came from the west of England and settled at Hemp- stead, Long Island, in 1680. They were Quakers and Mary Willets was a preacher of considerable note. Their descendants, particularly those who lived on Long Island and in its vicinity, were always active in the affairs of the church, forming an unbroken line of Quakers down to the present time, and establishing a record of over two hundred years strict adherence to the principles of the faith. The late Samuel Willets of New York City, a cousin of the father of the subject of the sketch, liberally endowed Swarthmore College, an institution of learning under the supervision of the Society. Early in the present century, Abram and Henrietta Frost Willets, the parents of Isaac Willets. left Long Island and settled in a small Quaker community near Aurora, on Cayuga Lake. Railroads to what was then regarded as " the west " were then unknown, and they made nearly all the journey by water, going by way of the Hudson River and the Erie Canal, the latter having been opened but a short time previously. Isaac Willets spent his younger years in the vicinity of his father's home, attending the country schools in his youth and assisting his father on the farm during his early manhood. In 1855, when he was thirty years old, he came to Allegany county, whither his brother, Leonard Willets, had preceded him, and engaged in the lumber- ing business at Oramel. In 1859, he married Harriet Ayers, daughter of Wilson Ayers of Transit Bridge, and soon afterwards, in 1860, moved with his young wife to Kendall Creek, near Bradford, Pa., where he and T. B.

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A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 60

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