A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 71

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 71

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SOME PERSONAL CHRONOLOGIES .- Oliver Ackerman, son of Elisha, was born in 1813. He married Angeline, daughter of Josiah Rogers, and moved to Willing very early with his wife and three children, and located on a lot of wild land now the farm owned by his son Lucius. He built a log house, cleared the land and made a pleasant home where he died in 1883, and his wife died May 23, 1884. Seven of their nine children are living. Mr. A. was road commissioner for several years. Lewis H. Ackerman, son of Oliver, was born Nov. 5, 1835. He married Lodema, daughter of Major and Aurilla (Harris) Payne, and made his home in Willing. Always a farmer, he has been supervisor six years, justice of the peace four terms, justice of sessions three years. He enlisted in Co. B, Second Indiana Cavalry in Sep- tember, 1861, served two years, and was promoted to orderly sergeant and Ist lieutenant. In 1863 he was mustered out on account of ill health and returned to Willing. In 1864 he and Elias Horton, of Whitesville, recruited Co. I for the 189th N. Y. Mr. Ackerman was commis- sioned Ist lieutenant in this organization in September, 1864, and was mustered out in 1865. He has one child, Earl.

Lucas A. Babcock, son of Nathan, was born May 17, 1828. Marrying Elvira L. A. Wil- son, daughter of Matthew, he settled in Independence. Several years later he made his home in Willing, where he has been a farmer and dairyman. He has two children, Adelbert A. and Alice R. (Mrs. Elmer E. Parker). In company with S. L. Hall in 1877 Mr. Babcock purchased the Line Brook creamery at Hallsport and transformed it into a cheese factory. This now uses the milk of 500 cows, and has a product of 150,000 lbs. of cheese yearly. Adelbert A. Babcock is a merchant at Hallsport in company with his brother-in-law, E. E. Parker, with whom he is also engaged in extensive dairy operations. He is also postmaster. He married Flora Beach. Elmer E. Parker, son of Hiram, born Feb. 17, 1852, married Alice R. Babcock, resides at Hallsport, where, with A. A. Babcock, he conducts merchandising and one of the finest dairies of this section and is justice of the peace.

Augustus Beach, son of Uriah, was born in Connecticut and moved to Willing in 1835 and settled on the farm now owned by Columbus Beach, his son. He took up 100 acres of wild land, built a log house, cleared his farm and made a comfortable home. He was wellknown in town, was a farmer and carpenter, and assessor several years. He married Lovina Skinner and had children : Columbus, Azariah, and Lydia A. (Mrs. Jacob Johnston). He died in Sep- tember, 1862, his wife in March, 1866. Columbus Beach was born Feb. 20, 1823, married

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HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

Miranda, daughter of Simeon Wilcox, and settled on the farm now the property of his son, S. A. Beach. A farmer all his life, he has been a justice of the peace 12 years and road commis- sioner 5 years. He had four children : S. Augustus, Flora M., Eva A., and Adelbert (dec.). S. Augustus Beach, son of Columbus, was born July 22, 1847, and is now located at Shongo as a merchant. He married Lucy Coller, was town clerk for several years, and in 1881, 1882, 1891, 1892, supervisor of Willing.

Daniel Bess, son of John, was born in Greenwood, Steuben county. About 1852 he was engaged in the mercantile business at Andover. In October, 1855, he married Lephia E. Fos- bury, daughter of James, and settled in Willing where he has been both farmer and merchant, and is proprietor of the Shongo House. His daughter, Eva J., is Mrs. A. M. Doremus of Shingle House, Pa. James Fosbury, son of Stephen, was born in Bainbridge, N. Y .. married Lomanda Jones and settled in Wellsville about 1840 as a blacksmith. Some years later he moved to Andover and passed some years on a farm he bought there. He later was a farmer in Willing

and then moved west where he died. He served as a soldier in the 37th Iowa during the civil war. He had 12 children, 4 of the 8 now living reside in this county. His sons were Augustus and Julian (who served in 85th N. Y.), Heber and Eugene.

Edward Foster from Madison county settled early on a lot now owned by Philo Payne, and passed his life there. His son, Anthony R., born in Madison county, came to Willing in 1837, in 1840 settled on lot 139, where his son Ai E. now lives. He married Ann Maria, daughter of Ebenezer and Lois Richmond. Children : Edward R., A. J., Ai E., Louisa M., and Lottie Maria Foster adopted in March, 1864. Anthony R. died in 1880 and his wife in 1878. Edward R. Foster was born Nov. 21, 1841, and married Louisa A., daughter of Theo- dore and Rebecca (Graves) Livermore, Dec. 24, 1864, and settled on the farm where he now has his home. Their children are Clark O., Louisa E., Edwin D. Ai E. Foster was born July 13, 1849, and married Helen M., daughter of Edward A. and Lucretia (Harris) Richmond, who died in 1876. His second wife was Ina A. Livermore. Mr. Foster was born and has ever re- sided on the old farm, and has five children: Harry L., Mabel, Grace, Elmer E. and Archie R.

Thomas Fortner came from Tompkins county to Independence Feb. 21, 1821, and located 100 acres on a part of the John Hill farm where he lived till 1833 when he moved to lot 138 in Willing. Nichols Fortner, son of Thomas, settled in Willing, married Lestina, daughter of Nathan Woodcock, and was a blacksmith and farmer Byron Fortner, son of Nichols, born Oct. 10, 1841, married Eveline Kellogg, and in 1882 settled on his present farm. He is a farmer and has been justice of the peace four years. Children Earnest R. and Lillian M.

Seth Graves, son of Bela, born in Connecticut, came to Willing in 1828 and settled on the farm now owned by his son George. He took up 64 acres, built a log house, barn and black- smith shop, and became noted as a hunter. He married Jane George, and had II children. George Graves, son of Seth, was born in Tioga, Pa., in 1817. He married Jane Hunter, set- tled on the old homestead, is a farmer and blacksmith, and has nine children. A. L. Graves, son of George, was born in 1863, married Jennie, daughter of A. J. Rolph, of Canisteo, and has two children, Pearl and Cecil. Mr. Graves resides on the old homestead and has been high- way commissioner.

John Lestner, son of John and Julia (Baer) Lestner, was born June 9, 1839 in Dusznik, Prussia. He came to America in 1856, first to Germania, Potter Co., Pa., and in 1857 to Inde- pendence. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Co. H, 85th N. Y. Vols., and was with the regiment when captured at Plymouth, N. C., in April, 1864. He was taken to Andersonville prison and was there until Sept. 11, 1864, when he was transferred to Charleston and later to Florence, S. C. March 3, 1865, he was sent north and was mustered out April 27, 1865. He returned to Willing, in 1866 married Deborah J. Philips and settled on lot 212 where is now his home. He is a member of Wesley Rolfe Post, No. 332, G. A. R. He has three children, Minnie E., Lura and Sarah T.

Henry Mapes, a revolutionary soldier, came to Belfast about 1806. He was a cooper and farmer and married Sally McElwaine. Of their nine children none are living but John G. By a second wife Mr. Mapes had four children. John G. Mapes, son of Henry, born in 1809, mar- ried Sally Rogers, and was a carpenter and builder in Belmont until 1855 when he moved to McKeen Co., Pa., to manufacture lumber, and in 1865 removed to the place where he now lives in Willing. Mrs. Mapes died in 1868 leaving 2 surviving children. Thomas Mapes, son of John G., born July 27, 1837, in September, 1862, enlisted in the 172d Pa. Vol. and was commissioned second lieutenant of Co. H. He was discharged in 1863, in 1864 came to Willing, in 1866 mar- ried Madora, daughter of Nicholas Fortner. Children Berton G., Clair F., Anna L., and M. May. Mr. Mapes has been a farmer, a merchant, assessor and postmaster.

Hiram Parker, son of Ebenezer, settled in Independence early. He married Cynthia Covell and made his home on the farm where his son Clark now lives. He was an earnest hard-work- ing farmer, built a log house, cleared up a farm and developed a comfortable home. He died in

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WILLING.

1883. His wife survived him and now lives at Hallsport. The children living are Helen, Elmer E., James D., Clark H., and Rose B. (Mrs. L. T. Shannon).

Orville T. Perkins was born in Willing, July 21, 1845, lived upon a farm until in October, 1861 he enlisted in Co E, 93d Regt N. Y. Vols., being but just past 16 years of age and weigh- ing but 113 pounds. He was first placed in the drum corps but soon was sent back to the ranks. He was promoted to corporal in '63, re-enlisted in the field in December, '63, promoted to ser- geant in May, 1864, transferred to Co. A, July 3, '64, promoted to Ist sergeant and placed in command of Co. A, in September, '64 was promoted to sergt. major and April 4, '65, promoted to 2d lieut. He commanded a company five months, was in the army nearly four years, was in 39 battles (including the final " roundup " of Lee at Appomattox), was mustered out July 13th, '65, and eight days later celebrated his 20th birthday with relatives in Willing. He has always held his residence in Willing, although he was four years in the pinery of Wisconsin, and about one year at Duke Centre, Pa. He has been postmaster at Hallsport eight years, assessor six years, justice of the peace nine years, commander of Wesley Rolfe Post, G. A. R. for 11 years, accountant and treasurer of the Hallsport cheese factory 16 years, and supervisor of the town for the last three years. He married, Oct. 27, 1866, Clarrie F. Livermore of Independence. Children : Archie D., Lytie G. and Essie S. C.

Clark Witter was an early settler in Almond, where he took up a lot of land. He moved in 1838 to Willing settling on the farm now owned by Lowell Fanton. He later removed to Friendship where he died. He was a lumberman as well as a farmer, and reared nine boys and two girls. Daniel P. Witter, son of Clark, was born in Almond in 1832. He married Betsey Foster, daughter of Asa and Susan Taggart, and settled at Stannard's Corners, where he died in 1889. He combined lumbering with farming, and was prominent in town, taking great in- terest in its affairs, was justice of the peace several years and supervisor during the important period of the Civil War. He had seven children ; six are living : Dencie (Mrs. C. D. Mills), Clara (Mrs. Sidney Crandall), France M., Libbie (Mrs. Peter Packard), Dr. G. H. Witter, of Wellsville, and Lewis D. Witter, who was born May 5, 1850, and in 1880, married Bettie, daughter of Wellington and Olive (Phillips) Hayes. They have four children, Victor, Jessie, Willie and Lawrie. Mr. Witter was supervisor of his town in 1885, '86, '89. '90. Luke G. Witter, son of Clark, married Ruth J., daughter of John Witter, and settled in Almond. In 1841 he moved to Willing and located as a farmer on the place now owned by his son Lorenzo where he died in 1881 and his widow in 1885. He had three children, Lucretia, Lorenzo and Zurial. Lorenzo married Mattie, daughter of George and Huldah (Bliven) Sisson, and succeeded to the homestead of his father. Mr. and Mrs. Witter have two children, Josie M. and G. Clifford.

Nathan Woodcock, son of Nathan, was born in Swanzey, Cheshire Co., N. H., and came to Willing in 1833. He took up 200 acres of land now owned by David Wilson, cleared up a farm and passed his life here. He married Abigail Crosset ; of their ten children 6 are living. Nathan R. Woodcock, one of these children, was born May 1, 1821. He married Delilah Burrows Jan. 14, 1847, and settled in Willing. August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. A, 136th N. Y. Vols. as a drum- mer and was mustered out in 1865. He is a member of Wesley Rolfe Post, and has been its chaplain since organization. Mr. Woodstock has three children, Effie A. (Mrs. Ambrose Ben- jamin of Scio), Melvina L. (Mrs. Wm. Kruson), and Nathan O.

Eben Covell, son of James, was born in Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y. He married Sophia Barker, daughter of Samuel of Italy, Yates Co. About 1827 he moved to Independence and subsequently removed to Naples, N. Y. After several years he moved to Willing where he died. Of his 10 children 5 are living.

548

HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

ALMA.

CHAPTER L.

A LMA IS A rough hilly town on the south border of the county surrounded on the north by Scio and Wellsville, on the east by Willing, on the south by Pennsylvania and west by Bolivar, and although it has fine farms in some parts, and much pine and other lumber has been taken from its forests, its importance and wealth has principally come from the mineral treasures under its surface. Here the Allegany oil field was first shown to exist, and to-day, after eighteen years, the oil is found in paying quantities and fur- nishes the chief revenue of the town. The steep hillsides are not well adapted to cultivation and the streams, Honeoye creek and others, have but narrow valleys and flow in deep ravines for the most part. The "Niles Hill " country is a fine farming section. There are two sawmills, one hotel and one store in this town on the Honeoye. Jones' steammill and shinglemill was built by Wallace Jones. The town has 28,349 acres of land, the equalized value of its real estate in 1894 was $286,496, the assessed value of personal property $2,375, and there was $23,414 assessed to corporations.

This "first township of the second range of the Morris Reserve " was taken from Willing, Nov. 23, 1854. It comprises the Lawrence Tract, 144 lots, 15,360 acres, and 40 lots of the 9,640 acres of the Patterson Tract, there being a strip of this tract, 40 chains, 83 links wide, extending along the south side of Scio and Wellsville now included in these towns. The written history of Alma began in a general way in 1620 when King James of England granted the first charter of this territory from 42 degrees to 44 degrees north latitude reaching from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans, continuing on through the grant by Charles I. in 1663 to the Duke of York and Albany of the Province of New York, which extended from a north and south line 20 miles east of the Hudson west rather indefinitely and embraced the present states of New York, New Jersey, etc. Massachusetts became later undisputed owner of the grants, and consequently of Western New York .* It includes the various changes of title to the soil.

* In April, 1788, Massachusetts contracted to sell to Nathaniel Gorham and Oliver Phelps, contractors of army supplies during the Revolution, who lived near Boston, their right to full 6,000,000 acres for $1,000,000 to be paid in three annual installments, for which a paper money issued by Massachusetts and called Consoli- dated Securities was to be received at par. This was then selling at 25 per cent and made the land cost less than 5 cents per acre. In July, 1788, Phelps and Gorham purchased the Indian title to 2,600,000 acres of the eastern portion of their Massachusetts purchase bounded on the west by a line drawn south from the conflu- ence of Canaseraga creek to the Genesee river and from thence northerly along the river to a point 2 miles north of Canawagus village (now Avon), thence west 12 miles, thence northwardly so as to be 12 miles distant west from the road to Lake Ontario. In November, 1788, Massachusetts gave to Phelps and Gorham a deed of the land to which they had extinguished the Indian title, and this forms the Phelps and Gorham Purchase. That portion of the purchase west of the Genesee (about 28 miles by 12) was given by the Indians for the con- sideration that a mill should be built at the great falls (Rochester), and is known as the " Mill Seat Tract."

In 1790, when the United States assumed the debts of the States, the consolidated securities of Massachu- setts at once rose to par without a rise in the value of real estate. Phelps and Gorham failed to pay, but the state allowed them to relinquish their title to the western two-thirds of this territory. March 12, 1791, Massa- chusetts again sold the territory to Robert Morris in five different pieces by different deeds. The first, west of the Phelps and Gorham tract, was to be 12 miles wide, the second, third and fourth were to be each 16 miles wide, and the fifth was to contain the remainder of the claim of the state, be it more or less. The last four pieces, including 3,300,000 acres, Morris sold to some Holland merchants. This land is the Holland Purchase. The tract of the first deed took the name of Morris Reserve because Morris retained it when he sold to the Holland Company. Mr. Morris was soon overtaken by business reverses and contracted to sell the Reserve in parcels of from 40,000 to 150,000 acres, thus giving name to different portions as Church tract, Bond tract, \Villing and Francis, Schermerhorn, Short, Sterrett, Lawrence and Patterson.

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ALMA.

The title of the realty of Alma is well defined by deeds recorded in the Allegany county clerk's office, particularly one in Book A of Deeds, page 333, which relates that in "May, 1797, Robert Morris, Esq., of Philadelphia, Pa., of the first part, and Garrett Cottringer, gentleman, and Bridget. his wife, of the same place, of the second part, and Samuel Sterrett of Baltimore, Md., merchant, of the third part, made a contract whereby Sterrett purchased from the others the south end of the Morris Reserve, 175,000 acres. (This stretched along a wide distance and embraced much of the land that after- wards became the Church Tract.) In December, 1797, Samuel Sterrett con- tracted to George Harrison, who, in January, 1798, sold to Joseph Sterrett the 25,000 acres now known as the Lawrence and Patterson Tracts." On page 165 of the Book of Deeds referred to commences the record of a deed copied for us by W. F. Allen, of Friendship, which is a history in itself.

THIS INDENTURE made the 28th day of March, 1801, between Thos. L. Ogden, of the city and state of New York, Esq., of the one part, and Joseph Sterrett, of the city of Baltimore and state of Maryland, Esq., of the second part, Whereas: Thomas Mather of the city of Albany, merchant, by indenture of release bear- ing date April 22, 1800, did remise, release and quickclaim unto said Thos L. Ogden, his heirs and assigns, all that certain tract or parcel of country situated in the county of Ontario and state of New York, bounded South by the Pennsylvania line; North, by the line which divides the dominions of the King of Great Britain from the territories of the United States, West, partly by lands reserved by the state of New York extending from L. Ontario to L. Erie along the river Niagara and partly by lands ceded by the state of New York to the United States and purchased by the state of Pennsylvania commonly called the Presque Isle Angle and East- erly by the land confirmed to Nathaniel Gorham and Oliver Phelps, by the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ; and Whereas Roger Sprague, Esq., Sheriff, of said County of Ontario, by deed of inden- ture, bearing date the thirteenth day of May in the same year, did grant, bargain, sell and convey unto Thos. L. Ogden, his heirs and assigns, all and singular, the said tract of country, the same having been theretofore seized and taken by the said sheriff as and for the property of Robert Morris, Esq., under and by virtue of a certain writ of the people of the state of New York, commonly called a Testatum Fieri janas and sold to the said Thos. L. Ogden at a public auction (he being then and there the highest bidder for the same) as in and by the said several deeds of indenture may appear, and whereas : by certain articles of agreement bearing date April 22 in the same year, made and executed by and between Thos. L. Ogden of the first part : Wilhelm Willink, Nicolaas Van Staphorst, Pieter Van Eghen, Headrick Vollenhoven, and Rutger Ira Schimmelpennick of the second part, and Gouverneur Morris of the third part, it was declared and agreed that said tract of country should be so purchased and held by the said Thos. L. Ogden upon the trusts and the several interests and purposes in the said articles of agreement expressed and declared and among other things, IN TRUST, to grant, release, and convey certain parts and parcels of said tract of country. in the articles of agreement par- ticularly mentioned and described, to certain persons therein particularly named, and claiming the same, or such part or parts of the said several tracts of land, any or either of them, as Alexander Hamilton, David A. Ogden, and Thomas Cooper, of the city of New York, Esqs., or any two of them should under their hand prescribe and direct, and in respect to the rest and residue of the said Tract of Country IN TRUST, to grant and release, sell and convey the same to such person or persons in such part or parts and upon such terms and conditions as they, the said Alexander Hamilton, David Ogden and Thomas Cooper, or any two of them, should under their hands prescribe and direct, and not otherwise, as in and by the said articles of agreement relation being thereto had may appear, and Whereas the said Alex. Hamilton, David A. Ogden, and Thos. Cooper, in execution of the powers vested in them as aforesaid, by a writing under their hands and seals, bearing date Jan. 22, 1801, have among other things ordered, appointed, directed and prescribed that the said Thomas L. Ogden should release, convey and confirm unto the said party hereto of the second part, his heirs or assigns, in FEE SIMPLE all that tract or parcel hereinafter mentioned and described being part and parcel of the same tract of country so as aforesaid granted and conveyed to the said Thomas L. Ogden, as in and by the said writing relation being thereto had may also appear. NOW THEREFORE,

This Indenture Witnesseth that the said Thomas L. Ogden, in pursuance of the said direction and appoint- ment, and in consideration of One dollar to him in hand paid by the said party hereto of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, Hath bargained, sold, released, conveyed and confirmed, and by these presents doth bargain, sell, release, convey and confirm, unto the said second party hereto, his heirs and assigns, all that certain tract or parcel of land situate, lying and being in the county of Ontario and state of

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HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

New York aforesaid : Beginning at a point in the Pennsylvania Line Six miles West from the South West corner of the lands purchased by Nathaniel Gorham and Oliver Phelps from the Five Nations of Indians by deed bearing date 1788, and running thence Due West along said Pennsylvania line 6 miles to the South East corner of lands deeded to Wilhelm Willink and Jan Willink and Wilhelm Willink, Jr. and Jan Willink, Jr., thence Due North 6 miles, 40 chains and 83 links, along the meridian line run by Joseph and B. Ellicott as part of the eastern boundary line of the said tract of land of the said Willinks et al, to a point to be planted, thence Due East 6 miles to a point to be planted in the western boundary line of the lands of Thomas Will- ing Francis, thence due south along the boundary line of the lands last mentioned to the place of beginning- containing 25,000 acres.

May 29, 1812, Joseph Sterrett, of Baltimore city, merchant, and Molly his wife, for the sum of $30,000, deeded to Robert Gilmore, Jr., and John Oliver, merchants, of the same city, In trust, The Lawrence tract (6 miles by 4 miles) containing 15,360 acres, to be sold as they thought best, but the proceeds was divided into 24 shares, of which Gilmore, Jr. & Oliver owned 6, Robert Gilmore the Elder 4, Hugh Thompson 4, Mark Pringle 4, John Sherlock 4 and William Lonnan 2; all these being business men of Baltimore. This deed relates that not only land was sold, but all houses, buildings, improvements, water ways, watercourses, rights, liberties, privileges, appurtenances and advantages to the same belonging. In 1830 John Oliver having died, Robert Gilmore, Jr., sold for $6,912 to Richard M. Lawrence of N. Y. City, the tract which bears his name In 1814 Joseph Sterrett sold to Thomas Tennant the north 9,640 acres in trust to be disposed of, and the pro ceeds to be paid under certain conditions to Mr. Sterrett. In 1815 Tennant disposed of the property at a pub- lic sale held in the city of Baltimore for $14,942. The purchaser being Joseph W. Patterson of Baltimore.

The forests first echoed to the tread of actual settlers in 1833, when Myron Hough, a Canadian, and John Longcore located here. Others soon came, Azor Hurlbutt on lot 26 in 1834. He opened the first " tavern " in 1837, and his daughter Emeline was the first white child born in the town. Wm. Smith, one Harding and one Hunter came in 1835, when the sole roads were rough sled tracks in winter and footpaths in summer. Samuel B. Stebbins, a very active citizen, was here in 1836 on lot 20. Rev. Reuben Kent was here in 1838; his daughter Clarinda taught the first school in 1839. Myron Allen the pioneer of Allentown came to lot 1 in 1839, and Samuel Wyvell was an early settler. From 1840 to 1850 solid residents made homes, and the ring of the axe, the falling of trees and the burning of " slashings " went on mer- rily. Jared Emerson come in 1840. The first sawmill was built by J. W. Post in 1843, in which year also came William Andrus to lot 22, as did his stepson, R. R. Russell, who has been one of the town's most valued citizens. Samuel Peet opened the first " store " in 1844, Jacob Crandall came in 1845, Paris Clair in 1848, and Joseph Smith and others in 1849 and 1850. In the next ten years many came, lumbering was an important industry, numerous mills were built and great gaps were cut in the heavy forests. Among other names of settlers are Cole, Chamberlain, Oviatt, Bartlett, Elliott, Garrison, Nobles, Wilcox, etc., a goodly number.

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A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 71

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