USA > New York > Allegany County > A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York > Part 64
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James A. Reese, son of John and Betsey (Ellis) Reese was born in Dansville. In 1872 he married Sarah, daughter of Asa and Mary (Lewis) Hammond of Angelica, and settled in Scio They have a daughter. Ida May. In 1877 he was engaged in the oil business at Duke Center. and in 1881 went to Allentown and was also in the hardware business with B. Palmer. He, drilled one of the first wells in the town. Reese & Palmer continued there until 1886, when they sold out and went to Salamanca, where they were in trade 2 years. Mr. Reese returned to Scio and the ferm where he now resides. In 1885 he represented his party, the Democratic, as a supervisor in Alma. In 1891 he was a candidate for supervisor of Scio on the Peoples' ticket and was beaten by 7 votes. In 1894 he was candidate for county clerk.
Nelson Reynolds, son of Garner, was born in 1840. He married Mary J., daughter of Washington and Grace (Apsey) Dodge, settled in the town of Ward, but subsequently located in Scio. He was a farmer and lumberman. He died in 1881, his wife in 1880. They had 4 children, Arthur, died young, Elba A. who is a cheesemaker, Grace V. and Ardell W.
John Simons. son of John, was born in Dryden in 1816. When 9 years old his father moved to Amity and settled near Scio. He married Sarah Bellamy and had 2 children, John B. and Charles A. Mr. Simons died in 1863, his son, John B., in 1864. His widow resides in Scio. Charles A. Simons, V. S., was born in June, 1849, studied medicine with Dr. T. F. Major, kept a drug store in 1877-8 at Ceres. He then commenced practice as a veterinary surgeon, and after 3 years in Wheeling, W. Va., and 3 years in Alliance, Ohio, he settled in 1887 in Scio where he is yet in practice. In 1870 he married Kate J. Hawley of Ceres. Silas Bellamy one
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of the early settlers, was a native of Connecticut, came here early, married Betsey Knight and died in 1836.
Curtin Smith, a native of Delhi, married Aurelia Gillett, in 1820 went to Gainesville, in 1822 he became a pioneer settler of Wirt. They had II children. In 1839 he returned to Gainesville where he died Sept. 13, 1867. His wife died Oct. 27, 1866 Isaac Smith, son of Curtin, was born in Delhi, Nov. 18, 1818. In 1840 he married Harriet Collins, and located on the farm in Wirt. In 1841 he moved to Scio and settled on the farm now owned by him. He has been a farmer and lumberman. He moved to Scio village in 1867, has been assessor 3 years, poormaster several years. His children are George W., Miles C. and Stephen E. of Huron, So. Dak. George W. Smith was born Aug. 25, 1841. He resided with his father until he was 25 and assisted in clearing the farm. In 1866 he married Elma, daughter of William and Mary (Huntley) Waterbury of Cuba, and settled on a farm in Scio, Their children are Eugene and William. He later learned the blacksmith trade and is now engaged in business in Scio village. Miles C. Smith was born in Gainesville, June 22, 1847. In 1867 his father went to Scio village and established him in trade, and he now has a general dry goods and grocery store. In 1877 he married Mary C., daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Whiting) Gillett. He has been supervisor of the town 3 years, town clerk for 5 years, and notary public for sev- eral years.
Joseph Knight, the pioneer settler of Scio, a native of Worcester county, Mass., came from Oneida Co. in 1805, purchased his farm, cut the first timber and made his log house. He mar- ried Sarah Stewart. They had 4 sons and 4 daughters. Mr. Knight died in 1829. His son, Samuel, who was about 14 years old when he came with his father to Scio, experienced all the labors and privations of the pioneer. He married Sallie Millard and had 8 children. He died in 1852, and his wife in 1875. Bradley Knight, son of Samuel and Sallie ( Millard) Knight, was born July 18, 1829. He married Minerva Brown, and has two children, Ella (Mrs. John Can- field), and Gertrude. Mr. Knight resides on the farm that his father purchased.
William Wright was born in Yorkshire, England, May 16, 1788. He emigrated to America when a young man, passed a few years in the Mohawk Valley, and there married Elizabeth Reynolds. About 1820 he came to Belvidere, and was an overseer for Philip Church, with his residence in the White House. In 1827 he purchased a farm in Scio, settled on Knight's Creek, and was also engaged in lumbering. He had a family of 11 children. He died in 1854, his wife in 1873. Robert Wright, second son of William and Elizabeth (Reynolds) Wright, was born in the White House at Belvidere, May 10, 1823, and came to Scio when a child. He married Catharine Welch, they had 6 children, of whom only 2 survive, George R. and Alice E. (Mrs. F. H. Langworthy). Mrs. Wright died in 1870, and Mr. Wright married Nancy Middaugh. Their children are : Arthur S. (dec), Edmund E., J. Stanley, Wilton M. and Edith. He has been engaged in lumbering and farming, assessor 6 years and highway commissioner for 3 years, and resides 3 miles from Scio on the farm on Knight's Creek which he has occupied since 1847. The family are members of the M. E. Church. William Wright, son of William, was born in Scio in 1834. He married Martha L., daughter of Thomas Lewis. He had 2 children, Walter B. and Cora M. He was a farmer and lived on the old homestead where his children now live. He died Feb. 22, 1890, and his wife died March 2, 1894. John Wright, oldest son of William, Sr., was born May 10, 1819, in Montgomery Co., and came to this county with his parents. He married Clarissa Welch and had 5 children, 2 are living, Freelove (Mrs. G. E. Babcock), and Josephine (Mrs. Albert Babcock). Mrs. John Wright died in March, 1884. Mr. John Wright has been a farmer and lumberman, assessor 6 years, and justice of the peace 4 years. The brothers John and Robert are now the oldest residents on Knight's Creek. John S. Wright, son of McCarty Wright, was born in Thurston, Steuben county, April 10, 1853. In 1875 he married Belle, daughter of Isaac M. Saunders of Rathbone. Their children are Isaac M., Charles E. and Mabel S. In 1877 he removed to Scio, where he has since resided. In 1886 he engaged in the oil producing business with Isaac Miles. In 1894 he sold out his interest in the oil business. Mr. Wright was road commissioner in 1886-7-8, and was elected assessor in 1893.
B. M. Vincent
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
BENJAMIN M. VINCENT.
The Vincent family is among the ancient ones of the Christian era, dat- ing back at least as far as the third century, for just at its close, in 304, is fixed the date of the martyrdom of St. Vincentius, the Latin form of the name. From that time devotion to religious principle appears inherent in the family. Paul de Vincent, a Catholic saint of the sixteenth and seven- teenth centuries, was a zealous propagandist, founder of the Brotherhood of Lazarites, and also of the world renowned organization of "Sisters of Char- ity." The name also appears in the south of France among the Huguenots who by persecution were driven from their country for their adherence to their religion. From that early day every generation seems to have its rep- resentatives in law, literature or religion, and prominent among the religious leaders of the present day is found Chancellor John H. Vincent, the distin- guished bishop of the Methodist Episcopal church, whose name is insepara- bly linked with the development of the farfamed Chautauqua movement and University. The earliest members of the Vincent family in America were Adrian Vincent, a passenger from London in 1634 in the Mary and John; Humphrey, of Cambridge in 1634, of Ipswich in 1638; John, of Lynn, who re- moved to Sandwich at its early settlement, representative "in 1639 and six years after;" John, of New Haven, in 1639; Nicholas, of Manchester, in 1679; Philip, "a gentleman of ancient family in the south of Yorkshire " came to New England, and probably saw actual service in the Pequot war, as, after its termination, he published in London in 1638 "The true Relation of the late Battle Fought in N. E. between the English and the Pequot salvages;" William, who in 1651 had a grant of land at New London, which he did not improve, but was at Providence in May, 1666. This last is perhaps the an- cestor of the Rhode Island and Connecticut families, members of whom were early settlers along the Hudson. The first of this family in Allegany was Joshua Vincent, who, in 1808, brought his family from Petersburg in Rensselaer Co., and, as an early settler, made a permanent home in Almond and Alfred among the " Seventh Day " people, in whose religious faith he joined. He had a taste for mechanics and operated a carding mill a short distance below " Baker's Bridge." He had two sons, David and Joshua, of whom David came when but a child from Petersburg to Almond alone on horseback. From thenceforth he lived in Almond, was for years a confiden- tial employee of Hon. Clark Crandall, and died, when 68, on the farm his labor had developed from the wild land that he located. His wife survived him only from November to February. He married Freegift, daughter of Christopher and Lois (Coon) Saunders. Their children were Christopher, Amelia (Mrs. Russell Burdick), David, Lois, Abigail (Mrs. Tunis Van Ant- werp), Orrin, Eli (died from wounds received in the battle of Gettysburg), Benjamin Morrill, Albert, John C., Joseph, Eleanor (Mrs. Philetus Andrews),
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HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.
Nathan, Jane (Mrs. Alonzo Rogers), Mary (Mrs. Henry Stillman), Susan (Mrs. John Cottrell).
Benjamin Morrill Vincent was born on the family homestead in Almond, Dec. 16, 1831. Until he came of age his life was passed in farm labor and in attendance at the common schools. After he became a voter he worked one year "by the month," then, March 30, 1854, married Sarah, daughter of Jesse and Angelina (Sims) Ferrin, whose father was a native of Grafton Co., New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Vincent resided in Almond until in the fall of 1857, he purchased the sixty-five acres on lot 1 in Scio, which has since been their permanent home. Removing thither Jan. 7, 1858, they here made the nucleus of the present holdings. The small acreage first purchased here by diligence, industry, thrift and business acumen was increased to 225 acres in the home lot, while Mr. Vincent, at his death, February 13, 1896, owned 2,765 acres in this state, Michigan and Kansas, 200 acres of which are in the Allegany oil field. Mr. Vincent's diligence, thrift and practical common sense were active factors in transforming the forest wilds into well tilled fields. He enjoyed the quiet, rural pioneer life, and it is to be noted that his love of home and its surroundings was a large element in his gener- ous nature, he finding his keenest enjoyment in the home atmosphere, sur- rounded by his little family, and in the entertainment of his many friends. In 1883 oil was found on his land, and from the royalty derived from the numerous wells drilled on his property he acquired bountiful wealth. But its acquisition never changed the unpretentious nature of the man, nor chilled his sympathy with all forms of distress or suffering. He remained through life the same loyal friend, devoted husband, loving father and ex- emplary citizen. He was a Republican from 1856 and an adherent to the re- ligion of his fathers. He was not desirous of nor called to prominent official places, but in the positions of trust and influence held in the town where he lived and died he earned the good opinion of all. Such a life, simple and un eventful as it may appear to be, has a value not easily measured. Two children claim this honored couple as parents. Charles F. (See Courts and Lawyers), and James Albert, who married Myrtie, daughter of Oliver Norton, has one child, resides in Allentown and is an oil operator.
CAPT. JOHN EMORY MIDDAUGH.
It is nearly four score years since the Middaugh family has had foothold on the soil of "Grand Old Allegany." In 1819, so saith the historian, a set- tlement was made on what has since been known as Middaugh Hill by John Middaugh, others of the family soon following. The Middaughs are of Dutch ancestry, some of the family emigrated to New Jersey and New York from Amsterdam, Holland, before the Revolution. In the early part of this cen- tury we find them in Dryden, Tompkins Co., and there Elijah, a son of Abra- ham, was born. He came to Scio in 1826 and located on the farm now owned by his son, John Emory Middaugh. The Middaughs cut the first road from the Genesee river to their land, and made the first clearings on their farms.
I. E. Middag
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The father of Elijah came a few years later and passed the remainder of his life on the farm with his son. Mr. Middaugh married Louisa Noble, and 6 sons and 2 daughters were born to them. Henry C., who resides at Claren- don Hills, Ill., is the owner of a farm of 400 acres; William N. who enlisted in Co. C, 67th Regt. N. Y. V., and was mortally wounded at Spottsylvania, Va., and died at Fredericksburg. Va., May 20, 1864; John E .; Fletcher D., who was killed by a stroke of lightning, May 30, 1859; Lester F., who resides in Elk Co., Pa .; one who died in infancy; Marion B. (Mrs. L. D. Stowell of Black Creek); and Susan P. (Mrs. Horace Noble of Erie. Pa.). Elijah Mid- daugh died Oct. 17, 1872 and his wife Jan. 24, 1889.
Capt, John Emory Middaugh, third son of Elijah and Louisa (Noble) Middaugh, was born Jan. 20, 1838, in Scio. He was educated at Friendship Academy and Alfred University, and had the novel experience of teaching school in the Indian Territory with Creeks and Cherokees for his pupils. The black clouds of the threatening war had hardly obscured the sky of our peace when Mr. Middaugh offered his services in his country's defense, and April 25. 1861, enlisted in Co. C, 67th Regt. N. Y. V. and was elected second sergeant. He was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks, Va., and by order of Gen. Abercrombie was promoted to second lieutenant. In January. 1863, he was promoted to a first lieutenantcy and transferred to Co. K, and placed in command. May 6, 1864, he was wounded at the battle of the wilderness, and at the battle at Fredericksburg he led his company and made a success- ful charge. Mr. Middaugh participated in 23 engagements, was a loyal and brave soldier and received his honorable discharge from service July 4, 1864, with rank of first lieutenant. He was appointed captain in Hancock's Veteran Reserve Corps, Jan. 5, 1865.
" Not in his battles won, Tho' long the well-fought fields may keep their name, But in the wide world's sense of duty done,
The gallant soldier finds the meed of fame."
Mr. Middaugh returned to his home in Scio, and Jan. 5, 1868, married Elizabeth S., a daughter of John Gorton. She was graduated from Alfred University in 1862. They have three children, John E .. Jr., and Henry G., both lawyers, located in Buffalo, and Annie. a graduate of the Geneseo Nor- mal School in class of 1895. Mr. Middaugh was one of the organizers of Hakes Post, No. 261, G. A. R., of Scio, and was its first commander, holding that office 5 years. He has held the elective offices of justice of the peace and assessor. He is a member of Allegany Lodge F. & A. M., of Friendship. He was an oil operator for some years, and now conducts his fine farm, Maplehurst, of 430 acres, where he has a most enjoyable home. He is now vice president of The Allegany County Farmers' Co-operative Fire Insur- ance Company and one of its directors.
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HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.
ALLEN.
CHAPTER XLIII.
BY JOHN S. MINARD.
T HE town of Allen, named in honor of the hero of Ticonderoga, was formed from Angelica, Jan. 31, 1823. Its population in 1860 was 991; in 1870, 794; in 1880, 818; in 1890, 717; in 1892, 728. As created Allen comprised all of township five, range two, of Morris Reserve, the west half of township five, range one, of same tract, and in addition, the six northeast lots of the last mentioned township (present Birdsall). By act of May 4, 1829, the Birdsall part was set off and since that time the town has remained as now defined. being township five, range two, and has an area of 22,764 acres. It was embraced in the 100,000 acre Church Tract, and settlement was begun before the subdivision of the town was made, which was done in the fall of 1810 or spring of 1811 by Major Moses Van Campen. Its surface is gener- ally hilly upland, broken into ridges by Baker's, Wigwam, Plum and Rush creeks. The hills in some cases reaching an altitude of 600 or 700 feet above the lowest valleys. The soil is in most part clayey, underlaid with hardpan, while gravelly loam is shown in some of the valleys. Beech, maple, basswood, elm, pine, hemlock, oak and cherry were the leading kinds of timber found by the first white visitors.
Local historians without exception have ascribed to James Wilson, who emigrated from Ireland in 1804, the honor of making the first settlement in this town in 1806. While this may be true as to the fact of actual settlement, it is quite possible that Robert Barr preceded him in his advent into this wilderness, as Major Van Campen, in his notes of lot 61, begins at "a cherry post standing in a lot of land surveyed for Robert Barr the 12th day of August, 1805," which post stood on the south line of the township. This was, in all probability, the first piece of land surveyed for anybody in the town of Allen, whether first to be occupied or not. Mr. Wilson had stopped for a short time at Geneva and Angelica, but in 1806 " took up " the farm on Baker's creek, which he cleared up and upon which he spent the remainder of his life. His son, the late Col. William Wilson, so well and favorably known by our county people, achieved an enviable position in town and county, becoming a member of the legislature, where he demonstrated his fitness for the position and served his constituents faithfully. It is said he was the first white child born in Allen, making his appearance Jan. 10, 1810. Joseph G. Wilson, another son of James, is still living on the state road, and is postmaster at the State Road postoffice. This postoffice was established in March, 1881, with Jesse L. Whiteman, postmaster. He was succeeded
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by Mr. Wilson Dec. 10. 1883. Shortly after Mr. Wilson's appearance in the woods of Allen, came Robert Barr. * who also located on Baker's creek, and only a little later Archibald Taylor located in the southeastern part on lot 54. He was also a native of Ireland, living for a short time in New York. +
Robert McBride was one of the earlier settlers in the eastern part of the town, taking up land on lot 39, in the neighborhood of the "Tracy Place " (later). His purchase is mentioned by Van Campen in his notes. It was this Robert McBride who once set a trap for a bear, which he suspected of prowling about the neighborhood. Upon visiting the place where the trap was set it was gone; abundant evidence was left however of his bearship having been caught, and of the struggle which followed in pulling the trap away from its fastening. For a wonder it so happened that no gun was at hand; so, providing himself with a heavy hoe-handle, and, taking a sack of cakes. he started in quest of bruin, followed by some of his and his neighbor Wilson's children, who were greatly excited and wanted to see the sport. They found no trouble in tracking the bear, and came up with him still lugging the trap. McBride and the bear met and a fight ensued. It was " short, sharp and decisive, " and the bear quickly succumbed, "For," said McBride, "I give him about a dozen right over the head, I did! I did! "
Supervisors from 1823 to 1895 .-- James Wilson, 1823-24-25-26-27-30-31 ; Silas F. Little- john, 1828-29 ; John W. Stuart, 1832 33-35-36-37-44-46-49-54 ; Ege Pierson, 1834 ; James Wilson, Jr., 1838-39-40; Erastus Walker, 1841; Wm. Wilson, 1842-43-63-64-65 ; James Wilson, Jr., 1845 ; James Armstrong, 1847-48 ; E. B. Winans, 1850-51 ; Reuben W. Botts- ford, 1852 ; Wm. Franklin, 1853 ; Luzon VanNostrand, 1855- 56-71-72 ; H. B. Burt, 1857-58- 69-70-73-77-86-90 ; A. P. Smith, 1859-60 ; Eber Seely, 1861-62; Robt. R. Seely, 1866-67 ; J. H. Rutherford, 1868-74-75-76; V. Q. Smith, 1878-80 ; I. L. Fisk, 1879 ; James C. Burr, 1881-82: Tunis Cole, 1883-84; E. W. Botsford. 1885-87; N. C. Fisk, 1888-89 ; John A. Jones, 1891-92 ; H. J. Achilles, 1893-94-95.
The present town officers are : Henry J. Achilles, supervisor ; Geo. W. Davis, town clerk ; John Gans, William Scholes, Burt Pitt, assessors; William Vincent, overseer of poor ; John Yager, highway commissioner ; John A. Jones, Melvin Webster, Ernest Herke, justices ; Eugene Crandall, collector ; William Swyer, Eugene Crandall, constables ; William Gallman, Ira Merritt, William Laurie, Michael Lenahen, inspectors of election.
Religion .- The first religious services in Allen were conducted by Rev. Robert Hubbard in 1821, and it was mainly through his efforts that a Pres- byterian church was organized in 1826, Rev. James H. Hotchkin author of "Hotchkin's History of Western New York," assisting. There were only ten original members, and it was received into the Presbytery of Bath October 4th of that year, and, on the organization of the Presbytery of Angel- ica, it was transferred to that body. In 1829 40 members were reported; in 1836 there were 100 members, and in 1846 only 50. Rev. Samuel Sessions was installed pastor Feb. 26, 1840, and dismissed in July, 1841, the only instance in which the church had a regularly installed pastor. Rev. Moses
* Robert Barr was a Scotchman who came in about 1805.
+ Other authorities say that Archibald Taylor came to Allen soon after 1804, being the second settler in the town ; he died there .- EDITOR.
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Hunter, Rev. Silas Hubbard, Rev. Loring Brewster, Rev. John M. Biar, and Rev. Mr. Andrews at different times served as supplies. It is stated by some that the once quite renowned evangelist, Augustus Littlejohn, had considerable to do with this church. It is certain that he at one time held a revival there. The erection of a house of worship was some years subse- quent to the organization of the church, and during its early years meetings were held in the primitive schoolhouse or in private houses, as that was the custom which prevailed in those days. The public houses were often opened for worship, services being held in the ballroom, where such a room existed. This church entirely disbanded previous to 1851 when it was re-organized as a Congregational society, with a membership of 64. A German Lutheran Society having been organized, the building was sold to it in 1868. A few years later it was sold to the town, and is now used for town-meetings, elections, caucuses, etc.
About 1844 a Methodist class of fifteen members was formed, and, in 1849, a church edifice was built which cost about $1.500 and was capable of seating 300 persons. The class was connected with the Methodist church at Angelica. A class was formed on the Peavey road about 1848, and in 1862 a church edifice was erected costing about $700, seating 200 persons. The pulpit was supplied by the Angelica pastor.
There is a Baptist church on the Peavey road, the society being organ- ized in 1847, the edifice being erected in 1858. For a number of years the pulpit was supplied by a resident pastor. Afterwards the pastor of the Baptist church at Belfast supplied the pulpit. At present there is only occasional preaching service; no Sabbath school being sustained.
The Methodist Episcopal church in West Allen has no services, and now forms a part of the Angelica charge. In the eastern part of the town and at Aristotle occasional services are held in the schoolhouses. Some attend church at Short Tract, while others go to Angelica.
The only organized church society in Allen at present is the German Lutheran at Allen Centre. Rev. Mr. Buch of Wellsville is the pastor, preach- ing once in three weeks.
John Mullender, one of the first, if not indeed the very first county treasurer, is also mentioned in Van Campen's notes as having commenced operations on lots 30 and 35, on territory included in the farm of the late Henry Burt. It is doubtful however as to his ever being an actual resident of the town, as he was an early resident of Angelica village. About 1815 came the Peaveys, a whole "lot " of them: Joshua, Nehemiah, Joseph, Isaac, Ichabod and John, every one with a scripture name, and settled in the south- west part of the town giving the name to the "Peavey Road," upon which they settled. To-day not a man of the name of Peavey is to be found in the town. The Tellers and McCoons were settlers at an early day. Teller, the father of Senator H. M. Teller, of Colorado, soon after took up his residence in the adjoining town of Granger. In 1817 Erastus Walker from Vermont came driving a team all the way loaded with household effects and articles
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necessary for use in the pioneer life to which he had resolved to apply him- self. Chester Roach, one Otto and a Lefever began at the Center in 1817, and a widow Armstrong about the same time settled in the southern part, Mrs. Armstrong in 1827 opened the first hotel kept in town. This was near the south line of the town. In 1820 George Glover settled in the southwest part of the town, and Daniel Baldwin bought Otto out in 1820 or 1821. In 1822 Joseph Jennings from Massachusetts took up a farm on Baker's Creek, in the south-central part, still or quite lately occupied by his descendants. The Walkers, Joseph, Jonathan and Robert, also from Massachusetts, set- tled in the east part the same year. Asher Miner from Norfolk, Conn., set- tled in the southwest part in 1824, building the first sawmill on Wigwam Creek the next year (the first one in town, however, was built by Moses Treat on Baker's Creek in 1820), and his brother Martin settled a little east of the Center about the same time.
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