A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 72

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 72

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A great event occurred at Hurlbutt's tavern March 6, 1845. None other than the town's first town meeting. The list of officers elected contains names of other prominent settlers. There were elected John H. Foland, supervisor; Darius C. Rudd, clerk; Arvis Burrows, John C. Rowell, Walton T. Rice, Ambrose Straight, justices; S. B. Stebbins, A. R. Southmade, Al- zina Straight, assessors; Solomon Allen, Daniel Shaw, Jasper White, road commissioners; Ebenezer Southmade, Charles C. Fay, inspectors of election W. S. Oliver, superintendent; John Halbert, overseer of the poor; Samuel Wyvell, constable and collector; William Andrews, Saul G. Green, Solomon

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Allen, constables. The town's first census, 1855, showed 412 population, that of 1860, 578; 1870, 766; 1880, 865; 1890, 1,509.

In the early days of the town there came to this wild district, it is said, a man who purchased a small mill and ostensibly manufactured lumber, which each season he would raft down the Ohio. His real business was the making of counterfeit silver coin which he distributed freely at the various towns he passed on his rafting trips. After some years stay in Alma sus- picion fell on him and he was forced to flee. During the lumbering period small centers of activity sprang into being. Alma (formerly Honeoye Corn- ers, Honeoye and Shongo), Pikeville, where Mark W. Pike for ten years from 1856 conducted lumber manufacturing on a large scale, and Allentown in the extreme northwestern corner.

ALLENTOWN became very prosperous after the discovery of oil, growing with the development, which took on the characteristics of a " boom," and stores, hotels, shops were rapidly built of wood. The streets were crowded with men and horses at all hours of the day and night, and "leases " and "rigs" and "drilling," "wildcatting." and "oil" were the absorbing topics of conversation. Numerous wells were drilled and many of them were producers. Some of the first ones put down are yielding enough to pay for keeping the pumps running to-day. Allentown is surrounded with derricks which tower like giant finger-posts indicating the source of the town's wealth. (See the history of the Allegany oilfield on page 144.) Riley Allen, the most prominent business man, lives just over the Scio line, but he is so identified with Allentown and Alma that his biography is put in this town. Allentown has witnessed all the changes of an oil city, prosperity, a deep depression, and then a steady solid growth. It has three small hotels, the office of Allen & Coyle oil producers, four stores, boiler and machine shops, flourishing societies, G. A. R. Post, and schools, and one of the best appointed post offices in the county. There is also a "church union " meetinghouse where the Methodists hold regular religious services.

Terrence Higgins opened a general store here in 1880 or 1881, and in 1888 took his brother James into partnership, forming the firm of Higgins Brothers. They have also a grocery store in Austin, Pa. Hugh J. Coyle also conducted a store from 1881 to 1890, and in 1892 again engaged in trade.

The Allentown (Scio) cheese factory was built by a stock company, but, since 1884, has been owned by Riley Allen. The milk of from 250 to 300 cows is here manufactured. The product in 1893 was about 80,000 lbs.

The Allentown High School* is in a very healthy condition. No person has taken greater interest in this school than Mr. Riley Allen, one of the chief tax payers of the town. He has served as trustee for nearly ten years, and still ably fills that position. Prof. O. M. Burdick was principal of the school for four years, until 1895 and succeeded in introducing a course of study by which the school is graded and capable of doing better work. Too

* Contributed.

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HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

much praise cannot be given the people of Allentown who have aided and encouraged this work. With an enthusiastic trustee, faithful teachers and an intelligent public, such results are not surprising. The school has 130 scholars on its roll, with an average attendance of nearly 100. To say that the school remains so uniform in size (when speaking of an oiltown, where removals are constantly taking place,) speaks volumes as to the character of the work done. The school building was built in 1883 and cost $2,000. It is artistic in design, and commodious in its arrangement-a credit to the vil- lage in which it is located. The teachers now are Prof. George E. Miller, principal; Edith LaZear, intermediate department; Gertrude Sullivan, primary.

The religious life of Alma commenced in 1838 when services were held by Rev. Reuben Kent, and twelve years later the Methodists formed a clsas. The Niles Hill Seventh-Day Adventist church formed August 10, 1862, with 32 members, by Rev. N. Fuller, is still in existence with a fine church build- ing at Petrolia. We have not been able to obtain its present condition.

Eastern Star Chapter .*- The first charter for a chapter of this order here was granted to 62 members for Allentown Chapter, (Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Hulbert being the first promoters) which was organized March 31, 1887. by Mrs. Sadie McKelvey of Rochester, Grand Matron, with Mrs. Lina Raydure, Worthy Matron, Robert Mccutcheon, Worthy Patron, and 65 members. The chapter was sustained until 1894 when the charter was surrendered and some of the members united with ladies in Bolivar in applying during the same year for a charter for a chapter to be located at Bolivar. This was granted and Buttrick Chapter, No. 109, O. E. A., was then organized with these charter members: Mrs. Melvina Allen, W. M .; Mrs. Harriet Beatty, A. M .; Mrs. F. A. Hulbert, Treas .; Mrs. Frank Beers, Sec .; Mrs. Clara Andrews, Con .; Mrs. Lillian Tuttle, A. Con .; Mrs. Garthwaite, Warder; Mrs. Ada Barber, Ada; Miss Estella Smith, Ruth; Mrs. Bertha Weiler, Esther; Mrs. Hunt, Martha; Mrs. Ella Dunning, Electa; Thomas P. Lardin, W. P. The chapter is flourishing and meetings are held bi-monthly on second and fourth Tuesdays in Masonic Temple, Bolivar. Mrs. Melvina Allen has been W. M. for five years in Allentown and Bolivar, and District Deputy Grand Matron of the 13th District for two terms. 1890 to 1895.

Marshall Phillips Post, G. A. R., No. 640. Alpheus L. Witherspoon, for- merly of Co. I, 19th Maine, gives us this information concerning this post and the soldiers of Alma. "This post was organized by the efforts of A. B. York and others who became active members and the charter was granted Sept. 28, 1889. The first officers and members were: A. L. Witherspoon, commander; Frank C. Dore, senior vice commander; Sheldon S. Applebee, junior vice commander; Edwin C. Baker, quartermaster; Frank N. Smith, surgeon; Riley R. Russell, chaplain; Charles Woodard, O. D .; Alva B. York, O. G .; and A. J. Eveland, James Q. Welch, Lester L. Lewis, Henry L.

* Contributed.

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ALMA.

Lamb, William H. Richardson, Christopher Filber, Thomas P. Lardin, Charles H. Young, Newton Phillips, William H. Dunn. Names of men that did not join any post: Jacob Apker, Jesse Johnson, Daniel Simons. "On the 30th day of June, 1893, I. A. L. Witherspoon, then acting quartermaster, did square all acounts on the book, paid the per capita tax to the Department of New York, and reported that there was not enough membership to sus- tain the post, as there was not interest enough taken by the members to get out enough members to hold any meeting whatever. And so we had to let the post go by the board. The greater part of the members now belong to other posts, some at Wellsville, some at Bolivar, some at Richburg, a number have left this part of the county, one is dead (A. J. Eveland), and one (Chris- topher Filber) in the State Soldiers' Home at Bath."

Supervisors .- 1855, John H. Foland ; 1856, '57, Arvis Burrows ; 1858, '59, Luman B. Elliott ; 1860, '61, '62, Mark W. Pike ; 1863, '64, '65, Luman B. Elliott ; 1866, John H. Foland ; 1867, '68, Ittai Elliott ; 1869, George S. Wilcox ; 1870, '71, '72, I. J. Elliott ; 1873, Henry C. Wilcox ; 1873, '74, Martin Strickland ; 1875, '76, '77, I. J. Elliott ; 1878, '79, '80, '81, Stephen J. Rhoades ; 1882, E. E. Lindsley ; 1883, W. S. Raydure ; 1884, '85, H. J. Coyle ; 1886, James Reese ; 1887, James Shields ; 1888, '89, Newton Phillips ; 1890, Newell Phillips ; 1891, '92 George S. Wilcox ; 1893, '94, '95, Terrence F. Higgins.

The present town officers are T. F. Higgins, supervisor; G. S. Wilcox, clerk ; James McCarriston, collector ; W. A. Vance, overseer of poor ; D. S. Johnson, E. C. Baker, F. E. Elliott. justices of the peace ; H. J. Coyle, W. F. Lane, commissioners of excise ; E. H. Gigee, H. H. Hanchet, H. L. Elliott, assessors.

SOME OF THE TOWNSMEN .- Daniel H. Anderson was born in Warren county, N. J., in 1843. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. H, 31st Regt. N. J. S. V., and served nine months, the term of his enlistment. In 1872 he went to Parker City, Pa., and was employed as a pumper. In 1874 he commenced as a producer of oil in Clarion county, Pa., and has been in that business ever since. In 1881 he came to Richburg. In 1882 he married Miss Helen Johnston, of Edenburg, Clarion Co., Pa. In 1884 Mr. Anderson located in Allentown, where he is largely interested in the oil business.

Hugh J. Coyle, son of Peter, was born in Scio in 1857. In 1881 he came to Allentown, built a store, and established himself in the mercantile business, which he conducted for seven years. He then sold his store, and engaged in the oil business, forming a partnership with Riley Allen, under firm name of Allen & Coyle, and has been in the oil business since, operat- ing in both the New York and Ohio oil fields. In 1892 he again went into trade. Mr. Coyle has been town clerk four years and supervisor for 1884-5. In 1885 he married Mary E. Cul- bert and has four children.

Oscar F. Barnes, son of Hiram and Charlotte (Almy) Barnes, was born May 9, 1835, in Spafford, N. J. In 1855 he came to Wirt and engaged in agriculture. In 1865 he married Lucinda Brandon of Amity and they settled in Scio. Mr. Barnes has held the office of high- way commissioner for one term. In 1891 he located in Allentown. Mrs. Charlotte (Almy) Barnes married second, Lemuel Bessey and removed to Wirt in 1860, where she died in 1868.

Ittai Elliott, a native of Massachusetts, came to West Almond in 1826, bought a farm, built a log house and made the first clearing. His wife was a Miss Page. Of their 10 children, Jared P. Elliott, the oldest son, was born in 1809, chopped the first fallow on the farm and slept on hemlock boughs. He married Mary Smith. They had II children. He resided on the old farm until about 1864 when he moved to Alma and settled in the south part of the town. He held the office of assessor and highway commissioner of West Almond. He has been justice of the peace two terms and highway commissioner 3 years. His wife died in February,

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HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

1890. Henry S. Elliott, son of Jared P., was born on the old homestead at West Almond in 1832. In 1864 he settled in Alma, and has been a farmer and lumberman. He has served as collector for 2 years and assessor for several years. He married Elizabeth Wilson, their chil- dren are Julius A., Belle (Mrs. Wells Wyvell), Ward H., Jennie (Mrs. John Riley of Olean).

Robert A. Mccutcheon was born at Big Bend, Pa., in 1857. When he was 12 years old, he commenced to work pumping oil and received $1.25 per day, and has been engaged in the oil business since. When 14, he learned telegraphy, attended Janes' Academy at Clintonville, and high school at Emlenton. He was in the Clarion oil-field from 1876 to 1880, in the Butler oil-field one year, in 1881 went to Bradford, and after remaining three years, in 1884. he came to Allentown as operator and engineer for the National Transit Co., and has been with it since. In 1882, Mr. McCutcheon married Kate Richardson and has 5 children. He is special agent for the Pennsylvania Mutual Life Insurance Co., is a member of Wellsville Lodge No. 230, F. & A. M., Wellsville Chapter R. A. M. No. 143, St. John's Commandery of Olean No 24, Ishmalia Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Buffalo.

Marshall N. Phillips, son of John, was born Aug. 31, 1822, in Vermont, and when 6 years old, came with his father to Bolivar, and in 1846 married Sarah Green. Their six children sur- vive. Marshall N. Phillips enlisted in Co. A, 179th N. Y. Regt., and was wounded at the battle of Petersburg, Va., June 17, 1864, and died June 21. The G. A. R. Post at Allentown was named for him.

Newton Phillips, son of Marshall N., was born in Bolivar in 1847. He enlisted in Co. A, 179th N. Y. Regt., and served two years. He was wounded at the battle of Petersburg, and was discharged in 1865 for disability. He is a member of Marshall Phillips Post No. 6. In December, 1876, Newton Phillips married Phebe Perry of Sharon, Pa., they have 3 children. Mr. Phillips has been in company with his brother Newell, since 1880, as an oil producer and has 48 wells. He has been supervisor two years (1888 and 9), is a member of Wellsville Lodge, F. & A. M. No. 230, Wellsville Chapter, Olean Commandery and Mystic Shrine of Buffalo.

Robert R. Russell was born in Homer in 1824. He came to Alma in 1843, bought the farm where he now resides, made the first clearing on it and built his loghouse. January 1, 1849, he married Ada E., daughter of Wilson Phillips. They had 4 children, all are living. Mr. Russell worked in the first steam sawmill erected in the county 50 years ago. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. H. 160th Regt. N. Y. S. V., was taken prisoner at Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864, and was detained as prisoner until about March 1, 1865. He was in all the engagements in which his regiment took part and was discharged June 5, 1865. Mr. Russell has held the office of highway com- missioner, assessor and other town offices.

Lagrand A. Tuttle, son of Caleb, was born near Windsor, N. Y., Oct. 11, 1854. In 1856 his father came to Scio, and when a boy Lagrand was clerk in a store in Scio for 4 years. In 1878, he went to Rixford, Pa., and established himself as a merchant. The next year he pur- chased a variety store, which was burned in 1880, Mr. Tuttle losing about $2,000. In 1883 he came to Allentown, and was in trade 4 years. He then commenced business as an oil producer, which he still continues. He has been notary public since 1883, was appointed postmaster in 1894, is a member of Macedonia Lodge No. 258, F. & A. M. of Bolivar, and Bolivar Chapter. In 1879 he married Lillian, daughter of Sherman S. Perkins of Scio. He is also a member of St. John's Commandery, No. 24 of Olean, N. Y.

William A. Vance, a native of Butler county, Pa., was born in 1847. In 1866 he com- menced dressing tools in the Pennsylvania oil field, and was drilling and pumping until 1877, when he commenced producing oil in the Butler field and was engaged in that vicinity antil 1883 when he came to Alma. Here he drilled 18 wells for Anderson, Otis & Co., and wells for other parties. Since 1884 he has been in the business for himself. Mr. Vance has held many town offices, highway commissioner for three years, assessor, constable and overseer of the poor. He is a member of Wellsville Lodge, No. 230, F. & A. M. Mr. Vance married in 1871 Emma S. Thompson.

George S. Wilcox, son of Clark, was born in Groton, N. Y., Oct. 22, 1818. He came to Wellsville in 1852, engaged in lumbering and built a shinglemill on Brimmer brook. In 1857 he located about five miles south of Allentown, buying a sawmill on Centre brook, which he con- verted into a steammill and ran until 1892. He bought the Central House, Allentown, which he conducts, in 1893. He was the first Republican elected supervisor of Alma serving three terms. He has held most of the town offices, been justice many years, and often a delegate to county and other conventions.

Alva G. York came to Scio with his father, Barnabas York, in 1808, when a child. They were among the pioneers of the town. Alva G. York married Amy Welch. Their children were Dr. Edgar, who was in the 85th Regt. N. Y. S. V., was in a rebel prison, now lives in Kansas, Delos and Thomas died in the army, John died about 1860, Alva B. and Delight, who married Frank Vosburg and died in 1888. Mr. York died in 1892, his wife in 1864. Alva B. York, son

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Billy aller

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of Alva G., was born in Scio, in May, 1845. He worked for his father who was a lumberman for some years. In January, 1864, he enlisted in Co I, 109th Regt. N. Y. S. V., and was dis- charged Aug. 6, 1865. He was a charter member of Hallett Post of Belmont. In 1868, he mar- ried Marie, daughter of Wm. L. Norton. They have four children. Mr. York removed from Scio in 1882 to Allentown. He was justice of the peace four years in Scio, and four years in Alma, and has been postmaster of Allentown for five years, and is an oil producer. He is a member of Wellsville Lodge and Chapter F. & A. M., St. John's Commandery of Olean, No. 24.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

RILEY ALLEN.

The pen of the historian can in no better manner be employed than in perpetuating for posterity some of the incidents connected with those who by their energy and self reliance, industry and perseverance have raised themselves from humble positions to affluence, and have demonstrated themselves as important factors in the business and social life of the com- munity. One of these men is Riley Allen, of Allentown, the veteran oil pro- ducer, who is one of the leading men of southern Allegany. His extended acquaintance with oil and oil production in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and elsewhere has caused him to be known to and by more people than any other resident of that section. He was born in Wirt, a son of Clinton Allen, Nov. 18, 1848. He attended the district schools only until he was old enough to work, and has since that time acquired a most valuable practical education, laboring faithfully and intelligently, and attaining by his own exertions a most enviable success. He has had a rough, rugged school, but it has produced valuable results. He was early in life engaged in lumbering in Scio and in the forests of Pennsylvania. When the oil ex citement arose in Allegany he was one of the first to join the ranks of its developers, and being a warm and intimate friend of O. P. Taylor, he formed in 1880 what proved to be a lasting, pleasant and remunerative partnership with him under firm name of Allen & Taylor. Their first producing well was at Sawyer's Station. This was soon followed by the first well at Allen- town, which they drilled. They were also of the happy company which drilled the old Richburg well, which demonstrated the rich possibilities of this field on its completion on April 28, 1881. From that time on Mr. Allen has been a leading operator, and has experienced all of the " ups and downs" of life in the oil field. He is now interested in 400 wells located in the Alle- gany field, besides large holdings in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and is probably the largest individual operator of this field. He has domonstrated his practical ability in other kinds of business. He owns and operates seven farms and personally plans and supervises the work on them. He has a handsome dairy of 140 Ayrshires, and is an owner of the Allentown cheese factory. He laid out and plotted the village of Allentown, which bears his name, in 1881, and here his residence is pleasantly located. His wife. for- merly Miss Melvina Prince, is prominent in society circles and a leading

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HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

officer and a district deputy in the Order of the Eastern Star. Five daugh- ters and three sons constitute the family circle. In his business corre- spondence Mr. Allen has the able assistance of his daughter May, who is an expert business woman. Mr. Allen is a 32d Degree Free Mason, a member of the Mystic Shrine and of the Order of Elks. He is much interested in and liberal toward all objects he deems deserving of his aid, and the efficiency of the Allentown Union School is largely due to his personal efforts and liberality. He has been its popular trustee for many years. Mr. Allen occupies a high position, and his success has been gained by honest and hard labor, keen and wide-awake business sagacity, well-directed effort and in- telligent personal supervision of the details of his numerous fields of in- dustry. He has many friends, who esteem him for his personal good quali- ties, his liberal, open-handed generosity and his freedom from ostentation.

Allegany and Its People

A Centennial Memorial History

TOWNS OF THE PHELPS AND GORHAM PURCHASE

ALMOND, ANDOVER, INDEPENDENCE, BURNS, ALFRED.

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ALMOND.

CHAPTER LI.

BY D. A. STEBBINS, ESQ.

T THE TOWN of Almond was originally knownas township number four of the seventh range of townships which belonged to the Pulteney Estate. It was originally a portion of the town of Canisteo in Steuben county but, when Allegany county was formed in 1806, became a part of Alfred and so re- mained until by an act of the legislature March 16, 1821, the town of Almond was formed. Aportion of its territory was taken May 4, 1829, to form Bird- sall, and another portion was taken April 15, 1833, to form West Almond. The town contains 27,374 acres of land. The surface is hilly and is separated into several valleys. One valley extends from the county line southerly through Whitney Valley and is traversed by the Canacadea (formerly Kana- kadea) Creek, a tributary of the Canisteo river. McHenry Valley extends southeasterly through the town from Almond village. North Valley runs from the west line of the town northeasterly and North Valley creek empties into the Canisteo river at Arkport. A portion of the soil is sandy, some of it is clay and some loam, and a portion is gravelly and well adapted to raising hay, grain and potatoes. The Erie railroad crosses the south- eastern corner. The population has been: 1830, 1,804; 1835, 2,059; 1840, 1,- 434; 1845, 1,735; 1850, 1,914; 1855, 1,952; 1860, 1,739; 1865, 1,655; 1870, 1,686; 1875, 1,609; 1880, 1,567; 1890, 1,419; 1892, 1,413.

The first settlement was made in Karr Valley in 1796 by Andrew Gray a clergyman, with Moses Van Campen, Henry McHenry and Joseph A. Rath- bun. A deed is now in the possession of the writer dated Sept. 27, 1796, from Charles Williamson of Bath to Joseph A. Rathbun of Sharon, and con- veys "all that piece or parcel of land one mile square, for 449€ 4s., being on lot Number five, situate and lying and being in the Northern quarter of township number four in the seventh Range of Townships, in the County of Steuben, which said lot number five adjoins the Indian Line, and contains 647 acres of land, according to the survey made of said lot by George Bailey, in the month of May, A. D. 1793." The deed is signed by the initials C. W. with seal, and was never recorded. A bond is also given by Rathbun for the payment of money which is still in existence. This is probably a con- veyance of the first land in Allegany county, and shows that what is now Almond was originally a part of Canisteo. The first settlers came from Luzerne county, Pa. Joseph Coleman came with the first settlers as far as Canisteo, now Hornellsville, and assisted in building a gristmill there and the next year, 1797, settled on a farm in Karr Valley. In 1797, William Gray, Walter Karr, Samuel Karr, Joseph Karr, Silas Ferry, Stephen Major, Benjamin Van Campen, and George Lockhart also settled in Karr Valley;

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they came from Wilkesbarre, Pa., and their mode of travel was in open scows up the Susquehanna River and they propelled their boats or crafts against the current by setting-poles. They disembarked at the Leffert farm in Canisteo, two miles below Hornellsville. There they set up their wagons, upon which they put their goods, which were drawn by oxen up Karr Valley. There were no roads and they were obliged to cut away the underbrush in order to pass through. From Hornellsville they followed Kanakadea Creek as far as the Joseph Lincoln place below Almond village; there they bore to the right through an opening in the hill and over sand hills. When they were within 200 rods of their destination, near where the stone house stands now owned by H. S. Hall, the wagon on which Mrs. Matthew McHenry was riding overturned and she broke her leg, and her husband and Rev. Andrew Gray set it successfully. Subsequently Mr. Gray sold out to Stephen Ma- jor, who cleared up the farm and occupied it until he died. Stephen Major was a tailor, and used to go to Angelica, Genesee and other places to make clothes. Matthew McHenry took up the farm where Lewis McHenry now resides and died in 1801. Samuel Karr took up and settled upon the farm now owned by J. M. Karr and died in 1843. George Lockhart located where Joseph Lockhart now resides, and lived to a good old age. Joseph Karr settled where Charles Karr now lives. Mr. Ferry located on the farm now owned by Clark Cotton. Joseph Coleman took up the farm now owned by Louisa Shephard.

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A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 72

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