USA > New York > Allegany County > A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York > Part 66
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131
The town cannot boast of many improvements in the shape of manufac- tories, but the manufacture of potash has given place to what is called the Allegany Chemical Works, situated at Hiltonville, near the town's southeast corner on lot 7, in 1875. The products of these works are, acid (acetate of
508
HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.
lime), alcohol and charcoal. For the manufacture of these articles about 2,000 cords of wood is used annually.
The Central & Southwestern railroad crosses the town north and south, but for a few years it was not of much benefit to our people, it being in con- trol of men who had no sympathy for the farmer, and was almost sure to stop running when most wanted; but for the past two years it has been con- trolled by a company that keeps it going and it is a good medium for the people to convey their produce to markets, and will be better still when the southern portion is completed, giving us an outlet both ways.
Elias Hull kept the first hotel at what is now Knightsville, and Joseph B. Welch kept the first store in town at the same place. The first sawmill was erected by William Lord on Black Creek in 1824. Other sawmills have been built in town as building material and lumber interests have called for them, and were removed to other parts, as the forests disappeared, until there are but two that now do business. One of them is owned by Albert Doolittle situated on lot 22, and the Keeney mill on lot 35.
The first school was taught by Hannah Scott in 1822 and there are now seven school districts with well built schoolhouses, and education is on a par with other more favored towns.
The first religious worship was held in the house of Wm. Dey in 1823 and the first church was organized by Rev. E. Dewey in 1825. There are now three churches, one at the village of Birdsall, the Crittenden M. E. church erected in 1871 (first pastor Rev. Alfred J. Blanchard; present pas- tor Rev. J. Davis); another in the southwest corner of town called the Bird- sall M. E. church, erected in 1872; the third, St. Joseph's Catholic church, is in the eastern part of the town.
There is but one small village, Birdsall, with 160 inhabitants. It con- tains one church, one schoolhouse. two stores, a postoffice, two blacksmith- shops and one hotel.
The first birth was James E. Matthews, son of James Matthews, Mar. 7, 1820. The first marriage was that of Samuel Van Wickle and Harriet Freeman in 1821. The first death was that of Leah Riggs, daughter of Samuel Riggs in 1824.
The town of Birdsall was formed Mar. 2, 1830, at the house of James Matthews, pursuant to an act passed by the legislature May 4, 1829. The meeting was under these justices: James Matthews, Elias Hull, John P. Van Allen. Andrew Hull was chosen supervisor; Horace B. Camp, clerk; Thomas Parker, Riall Thompson, James Matthews, assessors; Samuel Hodgmen, Thomas Havens, David Bennett, commissioners; David Bennett, Abram Havens, Daniel Schenk, school commissioners; Joseph B. Welch, Horace Camp, John P. Van Allen, inspectors of election; Josiah Whitman, Gilbert C. Little, overseers of poor; C. Sleteker, T. Van Wormer, J. Jack- son, constables; Josiah Whitman, Lawrence Dey, justices; Aaron Hale, sealer. The successive supervisors have been Andrew C. Hull, John P. Van Allen, Isaiah Whitman, James Matthews, J. G. Freeman, W. C. Mat-
509
BIRDSALL.
thews, Daniel Schenk, Isaac B. Stedman, L. E. Dungan, Jesse D. Carpenter, Jacob Young, Naaman Case, Henry Newton, Patrick Haire, Asa Helm, Henry Carpenter, Amos Southard, Peter M. Young, S. P. Stiles, Wilson Stiles, Albert Doolittle and James Haire, the present incumbent. Some served one year and others more.
Hay is the leading product. Large quantities are shipped every year. Wheat, oats, rye, barley, corn and buckwheat are the cereals raised. The potato crop is fast becoming the leading one. Apples, pears and plums are the kinds of fruit we raise. Apples were a large crop until within the last three or four years. Before that time there were from 2,000 to 3,000 barrels of apples shipped from this town alone. Stock is not raised in quantities equal to other places, but beef, mutton and wool can be produced here of as good quality as in other parts of the county.
The population is composed of diffierent nationalities, of which the Irish are a large part. In 1830 there were 534 inhabitants, in 1835 573, in 1840 there were but 328. This decrease was caused by many families removing to the western states, but for the next five years the number had increased to 475. The population is 878 in 1892, assessed valuation of real estate $217,228.
Many of the first settlers have not left any records or papers by which their native place, their age and residence at time of death can be deter- mined. The first of those that can be ascertained is Lawrence I. Dey, set- tled in the town May 5, 1822, and resided there until March 4, 1869, when he removed to Angelica where he died April 24, 1876. John Marlat came from New Jersey about the same time as the Dey families and located on lot 4. There are none of the old settlers now living. John J. Davison, born March 10, 1785, in New Jersey, married Elizabeth Dillentay, came to Birdsall in 1825 and carried on farming and carpentering. He had 8 children. His death occurred in 1867. Peter Young, now resides at the village of Birdsall, was born in Livingston county in September, 1827, and married Sarah Bat- terson May, 1849. Jacob Young also born in Livingston county in October, 1829, came to Birdsall when his brother did and married Harriett C. Dey in September, 1860. He died in October, 1890. Henry R. Newton, resident farmer born in September, 1835, served as supervisor. He married Olive Morley in September, 1863. Amos Southard born in September, 1830, mar- ried Jane Bardeen July, 1869, served as supervisor. Farmer. William Selover, now the oldest resident in town, lives in the village of Birdsall. Some of the oldest residents are A. Gillies, T. Gillies, M. Clancy. M. Feath- erstone, Dickson Bros., J. B. and J. K. Riley, E. J. Merz, farmers. H. J. Baxter, S. Buzzell. merchants. E. M. Halbert, carpenter.
Patrick Haire was born in County Clare, Ireland, March, 1817. In 1847 he came to America and settled in Wheatland. N. Y. In 1851 he came to Birds- all, and purchased a farm. He married Nancy Harrison who had 3 children. His second wife was Joanna Prendergast. They had 4 children. He has been twice elected supervisor of his town, several times town clerk and
510
HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.
assessor, and was railroad commissioner. James Haire, son of Patrick, was born Feb. 24, 1862, has held the offices of collector and highway com- missioner and in 1894 was elected supervisor.
Soldiers .- David Abbey, born March, 1841, moved to this town '55, served in Ist N. Y. Dragoons. Wounded at Cold Harbor. He married Amanda Bacon in '65. Resides in Allen. Jehiel Abbey born January, 1838, come to this town '55, enlisted in Ist N. Y. Dragoons, was wounded at Cedar Creek, and was ten months in hospital. He married Lizzie Willis in '75, now resides in Angelica. Henry Carpenter born in West Almond in March, 1841, served in the 188th N. Y. He married Axa Hall in December, '69, and has been supervisor. Loren G. Jennings, born in Angelica in August, '31, married in November, '62. Eliza Walker. He en- listed in '65. James McWaver born in Almond in February, '28, came to Birdsall in '48, mar- ried Amanda Stedman August, '53, enlisted October, '64, and was wounded at the battle of Gravelly Run. Arunah Willis was born in Angelica in February, '39, enlisted in Ist N. Y. Dragoons, and participated in a number of engagements. He married Julia Clark in October, '61, and now resides in Angelica. Edwin Ackley, now resident of town, enlisted from Almond in 104th N. Y., and was wounded at Antietam. He married Janet Halbert. John Deming, en- listed in Ist N. Y. Dragoons, is a Birdsall farmer. Lyman Deming, enlisted in Ist N. Y. Dra- goons, resides at Belmont. Gideon Stockwell member of Ist N. Y. Dragoons, is a mechanic and resides in Birdsall. George Helm served Ist N. Y. Dragoons. He married Mary Stock- well, and died soon after being discharged. Albert Doolittle, Ist N. Y. Dragoons, discharged with regiment, married Miss Gibson, engaged in lumbering and farming and has been supervis- or. Theodore Ostrander enlisted in Ist N. Y. Dragoons and resides in Minnesota. Nelson Ostrander served in Co. I, 188th N. Y. He married Mary E. Young. Occupation, blacksmith. Asa Helm enlisted in 188th N. Y., was in several engagements and discharged with regiment, now resides at Canaseraga. He married Addie Young. Amasa Aber born in Birdsall, enlisted in the 188th N. Y. Vol., was killed March 31, '65, at battle of Gravelly Run. John Selover married Elizabeth Young, enlisted in 188th Regt., was killed at battle of Hatcher's Run Feb. 5, '65. John Holleran was in the army and now resides in Olean. George Mapes, a blacksmith, enlisted under last call but was not sent to the front. Leonard Waver, son of James McWaver, enlisted under last call, was taken sick at Elmira and discharged, at close of war returned home and died in about two weeks. Wm. F. Young, a musician in 85th N. Y., was wounded in hip in '62. He resides in Angelica. David Terwilliger 85th N. Y., was taken prisoner and died in Andersonvile. Beniah Terwilliger 85th N. Y., was discharged for disability and died soon after reaching home. Joseph K. Weaver, the writer of these sketches, was born in West Almond in January, '39, married Lucy J. Harman in March, '66, and settled in Birdsall in '70, He was a member of Co. D, 86th N. Y., enlisting in November, '61. He is a farmer and surveyor. Leroy Odell, 104th N. Y., now resident of Birdsall, married Miss Berry. Simpson Travis of Co. D, 86th N. Y., was wounded in hand. He married Miss Phippen. Charles Riley, Co. D, 86th N. Y. Vol., discharged at expiration of service, married Miss Page and removed to Pennsylvania where he died. Will Riley, 86th N. Y., was wounded in right elbow. The joint was shattered, the bone was removed and the arm healed. He resides in Idaho. John Morley of ist N. Y. Dragoons, was killed in battle in 1863.
511
WEST ALMOND.
WEST ALMOND.
CHAPTER XLV.
BY GEO. A. MORTON.
G ENERAL DESCRIPTION .- West Almond was formed from Angelica, Almond and Alfred April 15, 1833, and is a broken, hilly, upland town lying a little northeast of the center of the county, and contains 22,109 acres. Its population has never exceeded 1,000, being 935 in 1860, 799 in 1870, 803 in 1880, 649 in 1890 and 642 in 1892 .* The greater part of the soil is muck or loam with a subsoil of stony clay or hardpan. The drainage of the north part flows to Black Creek, and that of the south flows off in the Angel- ica, Philips and Karr Valley creeks, all three of which rise in the town. Thus the water from the east part reaches the Atlantic through Chesapeake Bay by way of Karr Valley creek while that of the west finds an outlet through the river St. Lawrence. The town is chiefly inhabited by farmers engaged in dairying, to which the soil is best adapted.
The Central New York & Western railroad crosses the northwest corner of the town in the valley of Black Creek, and has a stopping place there called Bennets.
West Almond (P. O.) is a scattering hamlet situated on Angelica creek, southeast of the center of the town and contains two churches, two stores, two blacksmith shops, a schoolhouse, a cheese factory, and about twenty dwelling houses.
Early Settlers .- The pioneer settler of West Almond was Daniel Ather- ton, who settled at the center in 1816 and kept the first tavern in 1817. Jason Bixby, Isaac Ray and Daniel Hooker settled on the " turnpike " before 1818. About the same time John Alfred from New Jersey settled near the north line, and other settlers coming soon after from the same state, the fact has given to that part the name of "Jersey Hill." Seth Marvin, Ches- ter Bennett, John Patterson, Jasper White of Vermont, Richard Carpenter with his sons, Samuel and Smith, David H. and Ellison Carpenter and Abial Weaver were among the first settlers. Elijah Stevens settled in 1820, Daniel Dean in 1822, Joseph, John and Matthias Engle in 1823 and Alvin Stewart in 1825. Wm. and Sether Dean, Joshua and Ira Baker. Sidney Marble, Philip McHenry, Joseph Hodges, Henry Lewis, John Lockhart and Carey Baker came soon after.
The first town meeting was held Mar. 1, 1836, at the house of Elijah Horton when were elected: supervisor, David Brown; town clerk, William Dean; collector, Ira Baker; justices of the peace. Caleb Knight, John Engle, and Sidney Marble; assessors, Philip McHenry, Joseph Hodges and Henry
* The turnpike from Bath to Olean, one of the main routes toward the great west, passed through the town, bringing many settlers, and population increased rapidly, reaching the maximum in 1850.
512
HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.
Lewis; constables, Nicholas Trimmer, Ira Baker and Norman Randall; school commissioners, Joseph W. Engle, John Lockhart and Abijah Brown; inspectors of common schools, Sether Dean, George B. Engle and Orange Sabin; road commissioners, Newell Ives, George W. McHenry and Isaac Blinn; overseer of the poor, Richard Norton; sealer of weights and meas- ures, Dennis Pickett.
Enoch Hanks built the first sawmill in 1833 on Angelica Creek. Five others followed but all are gone now. Dr. Orange Sabin practiced medicine in the town over 50 years, having come about 1835. There is no physician in the town at present. There are eight common district schools in the town. The business interests, other than farming, are one blacksmith shop, one general store, and three cheese factories.
The Baker cheese factory in the southwest part of the town, was built by Abel Baker, about 1870, and has been owned by the family since. The present proprietor is James A. Baker. It uses the milk of 200 cows and in 1894, 60,000 pounds of cheese were made.
In 1895 a "limburger cheese " factory was built which uses the milk of 100 cows.
The M. E. Church of West Almond was organized in 1861 with 30 members. The first pastor was Rev. Woodruff Post, the present pastor is Rev. Wm. Wilson. The house of worship was built in 1861 at a cost of $2,000 and there is also a parsonage and barn. Total value of church property $3,000. Pres- ent membership 23. The trustees are Edward Wyse, D. L. Baker, Lewis Hills; stewards, Edward Wyse, Abashaba Sawyer, Fannie Margeson. The first Sunday school was organized in 1862 with Cornelius Lord as superin- tendent. The present officers are Edward Wyse superintendent, Wm. Wilson assistant superintendent, Grace Welch secretary and treasurer. There are 5 teachers, and 40 pupils.
Baptist Church .- Dec. 3, 1831, at the house of Daniel H. Pierce in the southeast part of what is now West Almond (then Alfred), Job Pickett, Moses Johnson, Joel Carrington, Peter Burrus, Daniel H. Pierce, Jesse B. Boroughs, Daniel Pickett, Alonzo Burrus, Arvis Burrus, Hannah Pickett, Annah Boroughs, Nancy Carrington, Phoebe Boroughs, Octava Burrus, Lovina Pierce, Rene Mathews and Electa Carrington met and formed themselves into a church, called the Alfred Baptist Church and afterwards united with the school district (now Dist. No. 4) in building a log house which was used as a place of worship and for school purposes. Rev. J. P. Evans was the first pastor. (Burrows is probably the proper spelling.)
Oct. 9, 1824, Jonathan Post, Thomas Stutson, Aaron B. Jones, Robert Miller, Susan B. Stutson, Aurelia Stutson, Amanda Barnaby, Marylia Jones and John Stutson, met at the house of Thomas Stutson, (on the farm now owned by G. A. Morton then in Angelica) and joined in covenant, forming the Angelica Baptist Church (that in Angelica village being called the Angelica Village Church) using the schoolhouse near Mr. Stutson's for a place of worship. The first pastor was Rev. Jonathan Post, ordained at the court
513
WEST ALMOND.
house in Angelica March 2, 1825. In 1835 the church membership was 57. when it united with the 31 members of the Alfred Baptist church to form the Baptist church of West Almond. This was organized Oct. 22, 1835, with 88 members. The first pastor was Rev. J. P. Evans. The first house of worship built in 1842 and used until 1861, was a plain old-fashioned church, substantially built, and without paint or steeple. It had a pulpit at one end. with a gallery for singers over the entrance hall at the other end. The present house of worship, built in 1861 at a cost of $2,000, is a tasty edifice, well built and well kept. It will seat 275 persons. The present member- ship is 45. The church is now without a pastor. The deacons are, Geo. W. Watson, Vinton Wardner and Heman Margeson. The officers of the Sunday school are George W. Watson superintendent, Vinton Wardner assistant superintendent, Mrs. Edward Ives, secretary, John Watson treasurer. There are 35 pupils and 4 teachers.
Supervisors :- 1836, David Brown; 1837, Elijah Horton; 1838, David Brown; 1839, 1840, 1844, 1854-56, Jesse B. Gibbs; 1841, 1845, 1860, 1868, 1869, 1872, 1873, 1875, Orange Sabin; 1842, 1843, Allen Norton; 1846, 1848, Samuel M. Eddy; 1847, 1850, Luman B. Elliot; 1849, Henry MeGibeny; 1851, 1852, Thomas Richardson; 1853, Philip McHenry; 1857, Jonas G. Prentiss; 1858, 1859, Hiram Karr; 1861, 1866, 1867, Andrus Post; 1862, 1863, George Morton; 1864, Edwin Baker; 1865, Fernando C. Lord; 1870, 1871, Jeremiah Halsey; 1874 and latter part of 1894 (to fill vacancy caused by resignation of Walter Waver), Sherman G. Hurd; 1876, 1877, 1891 and part of 1892 (resigned in November), Wesley B. Welch; 1878, 1885, John A. Ives; 1879, 1880, Darius White; 1881, 1882, H. H. Watson; 1883, 1884, A. J. Bennett; 1886, George E. Shaw; 1887, 1888, Owen Baker; 1889. 1890, George A. Morton; latter part of 1892 (to fill vacancy caused by resignation of Wesley C. Welch) and 1893, George W. Watson; first part of 1894 (resigned), Walter Waver; 1895, Avilah Cartwright.
The present, 1895, town officers are : Avilah Cartwright, supervisor; Alfred Fletcher, town clerk; George W. Watson, Avilah Cartwright, George A. Morton and Lewis Waldorff, justices of the peace; Llewellyn Hadsell, road commissioner; Michael Coot, overseer of the poor; Fred Halsey, Charles Morton, Frank D. Welch and Smith Dean, inspectors of election; W. W. Wyse collector; John Costello, James Stewart, John Baker, and W. W. Wyse, constables: S. Adams, J. O. Fuller and A. J. Bennett excise commis- sioners.
LATER SETTLERS .- Joshua Baker, son of Gideon, was born in 1778 in Lisbon, N. H. He married first Margaret Houston, second Elizabeth Parker. He came from Broome county to West Almond in 1832, and took up and cleared the land now owned by J. T. Green. He died on this farm in 1842, his wife in 1858. The only survivor of their 13 children is Dewitt C. Baker, born Aug. 26, 1824. He married Mary L. Parker in 1856 and settled where he now resides and conducts his large farm. His five children are Clara E., Charles F., John, Mary and Stephen P.
514
HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.
Abel Baker, born in 1822, married Sarah C. Green, and settled where his son William A. now lives. He was a farmer and cheesemaker, and justice of the peace several years. His other son James A. married Adda L. McGibeny and has two children, Sarah G. and Wil- liam W.
Andrew J. Bennett, son of Dr. William and Orrilla (Rawson) Bennett, was born in 1836 in Bradford, Pa. He married Josephine Palmer of Fremont. In 1866 he came to West Almond and located at Bennett's Station. He is a farmer and breeder of and dealer in fine stock. He has been supervisor of the town for several years, assessor 18 years and is postmaster. He has always been a Democrat. His children are, Victoria (Mrs. Henry Mead), Frederick and Flora.
William A. Cartwright, a native of Rhode Island, came to Amity among the early settlers. He was a farmer. He married a Davis and had 3 sons and 4 daughters. John C., his son, was born in 1812, married Hannah, daughter of Spaulding Burdick, and located in Bolivar, from there removed to Belmont where he died in 1862. His second wife was Mary Ballou; of their 4 children 2 are living. Avilah Cartwright, son of John C. and Hannah B. Cartwright, born March 27, 1836, married Mrs. Dyantha (Aldrich) Irish in 1860. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. I, 85th Regt. N. Y. Vols., which being previously captured at Plymouth, N. C., he served in de- tachment to the 80th N. Y. V. V. I. He was discharged July 15, 1865, when he returned to Belmont where he lived until 1879 when he settled in West Almond. He is a farmer, has been justice of the peace 10 years, is now (1895) supervisor. His first wife died Dec. 24, 1876. He married, second, Emma A., daughter of John and Ruth (Gillett) Renwick of West Almond.
Daniel Dean came at an early day from New Jersey to West Almond. He was an agent for Judge Church and was well known in town. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. He married first, Nancy Sampson, second, Mary Jewell. Oliver Dean, his son, married Mrs. Eliza (Stevens) Bostwick. (See Almond).
Erastus Gleason, a native of Lowell, Mass., came to this town about 1833, he was a shoe- maker by trade.
Patrick Griffin, born in Ireland, came to America about 1850 and settled in West Almond, where he has since resided, in 1851. He married Jane Holleran and had 8 children-two dying in infancy in Ireland, and 4 sons and 2 daughters born in America. They are Rev. James, John, a lawyer of Hornellsville, Michael, a lawyer of Grand Rapids, Mich., Thomas, an insurance agent of Grand Rapids, Maria (Mrs. W. F. McNamara) of Corning, Jennie (Mrs. George McMahon) died at Elmira in 1893.
Harry, son of Zachariah Hurd, was born in Sandgate, Vt., in 1805. He married Jemima Hamilton, and came here in 1836.
Jeremiah Halsey, son of Lewis and grandson of Stephen, born in Tompkins Co., married Mary A. Burdick. He was a farmer, supervisor and justice of the peace. His 2 children were John (dec.), and Mary L. (Mrs. John Marvin). George Watson from Washington Co., settled in the southwest part of the town with his son Elijah H., who married Ada Spencer. He and his wife were members of the Baptist church. He died in 1874, his wife in 1887. His son George who married Martha O. Hanks, has been justice of the peace 20 years.
Justin Hills, born in Hebron, Washington Co., N. Y., of English ancestry, came early in the thirties to West Almond and located on the land now the pleasant farm of George E. Shaw. He married Sarah Burrows, a member of the numerous family of that name which was so prom- inent in the early history of the town and the organization of the Baptist churches. He did his full share of clearing off the forest, and developed a good farm. Of his II children only 4 are living : Levi, Eliza (Mrs. Seely Bostwick), Laura (Mrs. A. Hellen), and John. Burrows Hills, son of Justin and Sarah (Burrows) Hills passed his life on the old homestead, marrying Mary Nichols, a descendant of the Herkimer county family of that name, of whom many came to this county in the early days. He died in 1862, Mrs. Hills in 1870. George E. Shaw, son of Moses and Sarah (Herald) Shaw, was born in Conneaut, Crawford Co., Pa., Feb. 16, 1859. He was educated at the common schools and Northeast Seminary, and in 1879 married Emma E., daughter of Burrows and Mary (Nichols) Hills, and in 1880 they made their home in West Almond on the ancestral acres of Mrs. Shaw's father and grandfather. Their children are Leroy E., Frank H., and Glenn. Mr. Shaw was formerly a school teacher and is now a farmer. He is a Prohibitionist in politics, has held the office of justice of the peace since 1882 and was supervisor of West Almond in 1886, one of the first two Prohibition supervisors elected in Allegany county.
Josiah, son of Newell Ives, was born in New Jersey. His father settled in Tompkins Co., and came to West Almond about 1820. He was a farmer and hotel-keeper.
James Lord, son of Henry and Anna (Van Dyke) Lord, was born at Great Bend, Pa., in 1800. When he was 9 years old his father moved to Starkey, Yates county. James Lord
515
WEST ALMOND.
married Sarah, daughter of Daniel and Temperance Washburn. In 1839 he settled in West Almond, and has been a farmer and wagon maker.
Walter Major, son of Stephen, settled in Hornellsville where he was a farmer. His son, Stephen Major, married Ellen, daughter of William and Susan (Clark) Rude of Almond, and settled in West Almond. He was a man whose word was as good as his bond, and was much esteemed by his townsmen. He was assessor for 15 years. Mr. Major enlisted in 1864 in Co. E, 188th Regt. N. Y. Vols., was discharged in July, 1865. He died March 23, 1894. His children were Frank (died aged 2 years), Eva (Mrs. J. M. Hadden of Hornellsville), Fred W. of Elmira. Mrs. Ellen R. Major occupies the old homestead at West Almond.
John McGibeny came from Ireland about 1787 and settled in Hebron, N. Y. His sons Samuel, John and George were soldiers of the War of 1812. In 1839 Samuel with his family came to West Almond. He was a blacksmith and worked at that trade during life. He was married three times, to Nancy Qua, Jane Kelley and Hope Dewers, and had nine children, 3 sons and I daughter now living. James B. McGibeny, son of Samuel, born Feb. 7, 1835, came with his father in 1839 to West Almond, was graduated from Alfred University in 1860, married Hannah Sterritt of Philadelphia, Pa., in 1862, and, in 1864, went to Minneapolis, Minn., as superintendent of music in the city schools. He was engaged there four years, at Winona two years, and at Portland, Oregon, four years. In 1875 he commenced giving concerts, and, as the celebrated McGibeny family, his family has won high praise in all parts of America.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.