USA > New York > Allegany County > A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York > Part 85
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 first meetinghouse was located near the junction of the three val- leys, one mile south of Alfred Station. The present house of worship is a neat and commodious building located at Alfred Station. It was dedicated in April, 1857, and has since been enlarged and greatly improved. This church has experienced many revival seasons, the most notable one was in 1878, when about 90 were added to its membership. Members in 1894, 277.
DEACONS .- Amos Burdick, a deacon of the First church, was recognized as a deacon of this church. Nathan Lanphear and Stephen R. Smith were ordained as deacons in 1832. Charles D. Langworthy and Daniel Potter, deacons of the First church, served this church in the same capacity. John Langworthy, a deacon of the First Seventh-day Baptist church of Hopkin- ton, R. I., united with this church in 1843, and served as deacon until his death. Lyman Lewis was ordained as deacon in 1873, Freeborn Hamilton, J. N. Forbes and John T. Green in 1873, Joseph Edwards, William H. Lang- worthy and S. C. Whitford February, 1888. CLERKS .- Amos Burdick from 1832 to 1847, then Charles D. Langworthy until 1853, when Freeborn W. Hamilton, the present clerk, was elected.
SCHOOLS .- From the beginning of her history Alfred has provided her- self liberally with district schools, and much attention has always been given to education. The remarkable growth of the academy and university has been the means of supplying the district schools with a high grade of teachers. Large numbers of educated men and women have gone out from Alfred who are to be found in honorable and useful positions throughout the country, and a good percentage of her present citizenship are college-edu- cated people.
641
ALFRED.
Early Teachers of District Schools .- Nancy Teater, Betsey Bassett, Amos, Paul and Oliver Crandall, Amasa L. Jones, Abram and John Allen, Henry Sheldon, Joseph Edwards, Daniel Babcock, William Moon, Moses Kemp, Sibyl Burdick, Alfred Barber, Thaddeus Baker, Jacob Ayars, Charles D. Langworthy, Charity Burdick, Orrin Davis, William M. Saunders, Lydia Stillman, John S. Baker, Lucy Pingrey, Jared Stillman, Calvin Withey, Paul M. Vincent, Hiram Cornwall. Daniel Stillman, Silas Palmiter, Edward Greene, Chauncey Witter, Olive Hull, Amarilla Collins, Lydia Burdick, Leroy Burdick, Philip Place, Ambrose Benjamin, Maxson Burdick, Erastus A. Green, Mary Adams, Gurdon Evans, Susan Coon, Clarissa Burdick, Elvira Stillman, Ezekiel Johnson, Elizabeth Wright, Eusebia and Hannah Stillman. Avis Satterlee, Sarah Stillman, Mary A. Sheldon, Susan Maxson, Martha Langworthy, Edmund Burdick.
TEMPERANCE .- Although spirituous liquors were freely sold and gen- erally used in the eary days, a strong temperance sentiment has long ex- isted. The first temperance society organized was formed in the First Al- fred church about 1830, after an address by Dr. John B. Collins. It secured a large number of of signatures to a total abstinence pledge. It held meet- ings at least twice a year, and provided for lectures, etc. With some changes of form and pledges, this society continued in active operation until 1844. Its first pledge did not include wine, cider and beer, but a total abstinence pledge used later received over 500 signatures, and the members mainly re- mained true to it, not only abstaining from the use of all intoxicating liquors but using their influence against their sale and use. Various other organi- zations have existed. The temperance sentiment has increased and no license has been granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors for more than half a century. Violations of the excise laws have been promptly punished and the traffic has practically ceased. The town enjoys almost entire im- munity from drunkenness, insanity, papuerism and crime. There has been so little of litigation that no lawyer has ever been able to make even a fair living here.
ALFRED .- In 1840 the village now called Alfred, two miles southwest of Alfred Station, contained less than 20 humble dwellings, a schoolhouse, two or three blacksmith shops, a cabinet shop, a shoe shop, a tannery and a tumble-down, nondescript building used as an ashery or manufactory of potash. The ashery stood on the east side of Main street, opposite the pres- ent site of the University Bank. The town " pound " occupied the corner of Main and University streets, where the Elisha Potter house now stands.
Ray Greene built and kept the first, and a very small, store. He also owned the ashery, managed by Solomon Pingrey. The store, also a dwell- ing, stood near the present postoffice. Paul Crandall, a brother of Deacon Amos, with Beeley Waterman, opened a second store in the building now belonging to Mrs. Milo Burdick and used as a tenement. Luke Green, who had at first worked at blacksmithing and afterwards carried on the tannery, with Philander Hartshorn, of Hornellsville, bought out Crandall & Water-
642
HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.
man. Orson Sheldon bought the interest of his brother-in-law, Hartshorn, and with Luke Greene succeeded Ray Greene. Luke Greene continued in the same business near the same place during his life, having for partners after Mr. Sheldon, Cyrenus Penny, Isaiah Green, and his sons, David C., Maxson J., Orson C. and Byron L. Luke Greene, with his partners, suc- ceeded to the ashery business also, and built another ashery, on the creek bank just west of the house now owned by Lyle Bennehoff. Stephen Beebe worked in both asheries. Amos Burdick kept tavern in the Spicer house. Isaiah Green, with his son-in-law, David R. Stillman, engaged in business in a new store built by Stephen Coon, facing Church street. Ezra S. Clark succeeded this firm, and was followed by David C. and Gideon Greene, Terry Chadwick and Isaac Fenner, George Chadwick, Ward & Gridley and Hiram C. Pettibone. Isaac Fenner built the store on Church street and was fol- lowed in business there by Ira B., Ezra P., Almond E. and William H. Cran- dall, in various forms of partnership. Clark Crandall was in the grocery trade on the west side of Main street, and had Gideen Greene for a partner. This business was continued by many different parties, among them Stephen C. Burdick, Alanson Potter, Hiram Palmiter, Lorenzo D. Collins, Gurdon Evans, Lyle Bennehoff and G. W. Rosebush, John G. Allen established a ready-made clothing store. Judge Clark Crandall was first to engage ex- tensively in the cheese trade. His sons, Ira B. and Ladurney, were engaged with him, and Ezra P. Crandall and William C. Burdick were connected with them later. Mr. Burdick has carried on this business continuously until the present, over forty years, and has greatly extended it.
Lyman Allen built the first book store and was succeeded in the book and stationery trade by Clark Rogers, Thacher & Nash, Ambrose C. Spicer, George Chadwick, Silas C. and Amos Burdick, Mark Sheppard, Aaron Coon, D. K. Davis and Joseph J. Jeffery. Barton W. Millard was the cabinet maker and undertaker, George, Jared and Nicholas Coon were blacksmiths, and have been succeeded by Ezra S. Clark, William S. Crandall, Orsamus Palmiter, Russell W. Burdick, Stephen C. Burdick, Abram Stannard, Enos P. Burdick, Thomas J. West, Charles Eaton, Henry M Davis, John P. Tis- dall and others. Jonathan Palmiter, Maxson and Phineas C. Stillman, Ira Pearce, Stephen, Elisha and Orson Coon, Joseph C. Eaton, Jeremiah Place, B. F. Potter, Stephen Powell, Thomas and Thomas J. Place and Daniel Perk- ins, have been carpenters and joiners. Philip S. and Erastus A. Green, Leonard Woolworth and Deloss Crandall, have been wagon makers. Luke Greene, Rogers Crandall and George Post, have been tanners and curriers. Barton W. Millard was for many years the chief house painter, William S. Burdick, James R. Crandall, Joseph Eaton, Samuel Whitford, Erastus A. Green and Jesse G. Burdick, have operated planing mills and sash and blind factories. Gardner Barber, Peleg West and Leonard Potter, have been shoemakers, Thomas and Samuel Ellis, harness makers, David Rose, jew- eller, Irving Saunders, photographer, Amos B. Collins and Walter T. Bliss, lawyers, and John B. Collins, John R. Hartshorn, Horace H. Nye and Wil-
643
ALFRED.
liam M. Truman, physicians. Jared Coon and Albert B. Sherman, have been manufacturers of cheese boxes.
Stephen and Elisha Coon built the "Tremont House " about 1850 which was kept by different parties, and about 1860 became the property of Wil- liam C. Burdick. It was destroyed in the great fire of 1887. Mr. Burdick has since built a much larger and finer hotel the "Burdick House."
The first postoffice at " Alfred Centre " was established about 1848, and at first received mail once a week. The postmasters have been: David C. Greene, Gideon Greene, Lyman Allen, Clark Rogers, Maxson J. Greene, Silas C. Burdick and Terry M. Davis. The postoffice is of the third class; postmaster's salary $1,200 yearly. It receives and sends out three mails daily, except Saturday and Sunday when there are two. In 1894 the name of the postoffice was changed from Alfred Centre to Alfred, and in March, 1895, the name of the village was changed to Alfred by vote at the village election.
The first printing office was established in 1859 by J. E. B. and William B. Maxson, who published The New Era, a weekly local paper. In 1872 the American Sabbath Tract Society established their publishing house at " Alfred Centre," with Rev. N. V. Hull as editor of their publications and David R. Stillman as business manager. This society published a number of papers, among them the Sabbath Recorder, the organ of the Seventh-day Baptist denomination, The Outlook, The Peculiar People, The Helping Hand. They also printed for Alfred University the Alfred Student, and for the Sun Publishing Association a weekly local paper called The Alfred Sun. In 1894 the Tract Society sold its outfit to the Sun Publishing Association and estab- lished headquarters at Plainfield, N. J. The Sun Association publishes its weekly in an enlarged form, and does job printing, stereotyping and book- binding.
The Alfred of 1895 is a bright village of about 700 inhabitants nestling high among the hills at the junction of two valleys. It extends a mile and a half in length and a half-mile in width, and is surrounded by magnificent mountain scenery and enjoys the purest atmosphere. The western slope of Pine Hill is covered by the substantial buildings and beautiful campus of Alfred University, and its dwellings and business houses are of a high class. Its streets, some of which are macadamized, are well-graded, sewered and lighted. Its sidewalks are many of them of flagstone, its bridges are of iron and cut stone. Alfred is an ideal little city among the mountains. No saloon or billiard table was ever kept within it. Notable among its build- ings is "Firemen's Hall," a fine brick structure, containing a public hall, town and village offices, dining room, kitchen, parlor, and suitable rooms, well stored with fire apparatus. Also its brick union school building erected at a cost of $9,500. A line of stages connects with all passenger trains at Alfred station of the Erie railway, and daily stages run to Hornellsville. The Western Union and Postal Telegraph Co.s each have here an office.
644
HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.
ALFRED STATION .- A rude pole bridge thrown across Whitney's Valley creek just below the junction of its two main branches on the road leading to the Baker settlement (Andover) in 1809 was called "Baker's Bridge," and it gave that name to the little settlement that grew up in its neighborhood. Judge Clark Crandall very early built a pailfactory half-a-mile below, of which Joshua Vincent was manager. Nathan Potter built in 1821 a carding machine halfway between. After his accidental death. his brother, Elisha Potter, carried on the business, but afterwards built a factory just across the town line in Almond. The first schoolhouse of the town, a log structure, was built near Albert Warren's house. The first frame schoolhouse was built on the east side of Main street near the lower part of the village, and near it was a blacksmith shop operated by Jonathan Crandall. A second blacksmith shop owned by a Mr. Selden, stood near the western part of the village. A tannery was carried on by John Thorp, and at the junction of the two branches of the creek stood a saw and gristmill built by Ephraim S. and Lodwick Davis. Samuel Russell engaged in the mercantile business in a very small way in a store that stood where Andrew Smith's blacksmith shop now stands, he removed to a store standing near the present site of T. R. Chase's store, and later to a better building on the present site of the post- office. Mr. Russell was connected at different times in business with Ros- well Adams. John L. and Timothy Russell, Chase, and others. His brother- in-law, Jay House, Cyrenus Penny and Luther Whitwood were among the clerks he employed. Ray Greene, Gideon C. Greene, Ezra S. Clarke, Leroy Burdick, William S. Crandall, Oliver P. Crandall, Benjamin F. Spencer, William A. Rose, Dr. J. R. Hartshorn and Aaron W. Coon are remembered as having also been in trade here. Reuben Monroe and Deacon Daniel Bab- cock were among the earliest tavern keepers. The Monroe hotel stood where the dwelling house of Mrs. Alma Greene now stands, and the house built by Mr. Babcock is still standing and kept as a hotel. Elias P. Burdick was first to engage in the jewelry and watch-making business which he carried on dur- ing his life time. He was succeeded by his son John C. Burdick. His sons, Reilay P. and Halsey M. were engaged for many years in the boot and shoe business. Deacon Daniel Potter and John T. Greene have been wagon mak- ers. Benjamin H. Greene (son of Edward Greene) and his son Melvin A., have been station agents.
Endless changes have taken place in the business and among the busi- ness men. Its location on one of the chief lines of travel for many years caused its name to be known far and wide and gave prosperity to its citizens. Now, the great Erie Railway system with its deep "rock cuts," its "big fills " and high bridges, winds through the valley on the east side high above the roofs of the town. Its busy station, surrounded by ample coal sheds and brick warehouses, lies adjoining the old "Hartsville Hill " road. The Baker settlement has come to be Andover, the pole bridge and its many more pretentious successors have gone down on the bosom of the flooded stream. A splendid iron bridge, resting on massive rock abutments, which
645
ALFRED.
in turn stand on deeply driven piles, has "come to stay." The name of the village has been changed to Alfred and later to Alfred Station, yet the old name, "Baker's Bridge, " like a dear old worn-out shoe can hardly be put away. It fits easily on pleasant memories, and no one can tell how long it will linger. The primitive, unpainted buildings have all disappeared, and neat substantial structures give evidence of thrift. The old mills are all gone, for the feeble and fickle stream could no more be depended upon to turn their wheels and the changed ways of business have taken away their usefulness.
Elisha C. Greene and George Burdick are the present physicians. Sam- uel L. Russell was the first postmaster and held that office many years. This was the first and until 1848 the only postoffice in town. Roswell Adams, Timothy R. Chase, William A. Rose, William R. Burdick, Stillman M. Bur- dick, Jerry K. Reading have been among the later postmasters. Timothy Russell Chase, Jerry K. Reading, Harrison W. Greene and M. A. Greene are the merchants; C. F. Locke is the harnessmaker; Mrs. Nancy Hamilton, widow of Arthur Hamilton, is postmistress; Claude Vincent is the jeweler; Isaac M. Lewis is cooper; Andrew Smith the blacksmith; Frank Pettibone is station agent, and W. R. Chase does a large business as subscription agent for news- papers and magazines; Louis Emerson is the hotel keeper and Harrison Kel- ler notary public; Halsey M. Burdick is the shoemaker and George Weis- brod carries on the meatmarket; William C. Burdick & Co. and Messrs. Gridley Brothers & Babcock own the warehouses at the station; and the Rock Cut Clay Co. owns the extensive pressed brick works farther up the track. A mile down the valley Stillman & Shannon carry on the wagon making business, and half a mile up on the Alfred road George Sherman manufactures paper boxes and Fred L. Heseltine operates a planingmill.
BUSINESS INTERESTS, MARCH, 1895 .- Village Officers .- President, L. A. Platts ; clerk, D. R. Stillman ; trustees, James W. Hoard, O. M. Rogers, Lyle Bennehoff ; police justice, James R. Crandall ; collector, E. E. Hamilton ; treasurer, D. S. Burdick. Celadon Terra- Cotta Co., Limited .- J. A. Hubbard, president ; J. F. Hubbard, treasurer ; Will R. Clarke, secretary ; offices, Alfred, N. Y .; No. 38 Park Row, New York; No. 809 Medina Temple, Chicago, III. Seventh-day Baptist Education Society .- L. A. Platts, president ; William C. Whitford, cor- responding secretary ; A. B. Kenyon, treasurer. Postoffice .- Terry M. Davis, postmaster. Fire Department .- William C. Dunham, chief; Will H. Crandall, foreman ; Frank Truman, assistant foreman ; Welcome F. Burdick, treasurer. Life Insurance .- Will H. Crandall. Foundry and Machine Shop .- David H. Rogers. Books, Stationery and Groceries .- Edwin Langworthy. Drugs and Groceries .- J. Reed Burdick. Manufacturer of Clothing, Gloves and Mittens .- Edwin S. Bliss ; also publishes the Sabbath School Visitor. Hardware, Tin Shop and Plumbing .- Burdick & Green. Cheese Box Manufactory .- Elisha P. Fenner. Millinery .- Mrs. L. A. Palmiter. Boots and Shoes .- Willis M. Wilbur. Alfred University .- Arthur E. Main, president of faculty ; Will R. Clarke, secretary of Board of Trustees. Univer- sity Bank .- Will H. Crandall, president ; Lewis A. Platts, vice president ; Elwood E. Hamilton, cashier. Alfred Mutual Loan Association .-- A. B. Kenyon, president ; Frank A. Crumb, vice president ; L. A. Platts, secretary ; W. H. Crandall, treasurer. Alfred Sun Publishing Asso- ciation .- Lyle Bennehoff, president ; D. S. Burdick, secretary and treasurer ; John M. Mosher and Frank A. Crumb, editors and managers. Cheese Dealers .- William C. Burdick & Co .: Wil-
646
HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.
liam C. Burdick, Calvin D. Reynolds, William C. Dunham. Fire Insurance .- A. E. & W. H. Crandall. General Stores .- Maxson J. Green, Lyle Bennehoff. Furniture .- Maxson J. Green. Dealer in Ready Made Clothing .- N. F. Allen. Livery and Stages .- Hoard & Clarke. Jewelry, Watches and Clocks .- William A. Rose, A. A. Shaw. Dentist .- Willis W. Coon. Wagon Makers .- D. F. Abbott, Philip S. Greene. Harness Maker .- Samuel Ellis. Undertaker .- Phil S. Place. Steam Laundry .- L. S. Beyea. Shipper of Produce .- Anson P. Saunders. Bicycles .- Niles & Whitford. Shoe Makers .- W. M. Wilbur, John Jaycox. Physicians and Surgeons .- Henry P. Saunders, Irving Truman, Mark Sheppard, Charles M. Post. House Painters .- Or- ville M. Rogers, Chester B. Stillman, Milo B. Greene. Hornellsville Stage .- Delwin M. Green. Blacksmith .- Charles L. Eaton. Meat Market .- Hubbard & Wheaton. Upholsterer .- Wil- liam T. Howell. Carriage and Sign Painter .- J. W. Halahan. Dealer in Lumber .- B. S. Bassett. Masons .- Dura Martin, Loren W. Collins. Carpenters .- I. M. Langworthy, James R. Crandall, William O. Place, Andrew Armstrong, Perry Button, Arthur B. Greene, Frank Sisson. Police Justice .- James R. Crandall. Notaries Public .- A. E. Crandall, D. R. Still- man, Charles Stillman, E. E. Hamilton.
PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY .- George Allen, Jr., son of George and Margaret (Chase) Allen was born in Marcellus, Onondaga Co. His mother was a daughter of Abner Chase. George Allen, Jr., married Hannah, daughter of Michael Wetherby. In 1823 he, with his brothers, Abner and Myron, came to Alfred on foot where he located and built his log house and brought his family to dwell in the fall. Four of his 12 children are living. George Allen, Sr., came later and lived and died in Alfred. His son Clinton, son of his second wife, settled at Allen- town. Ebenezer Allen, son of Myron, was born in Lysander, Onondaga Co. He came to Alfred about 1827 and settled on the farm now owned by his son Henry. Mr. Allen married Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Clair, and had a family of 9 children. Charles Allen, son of Ebenezer, was born April 11, 1843. He married Matilda, daughter of Cyrus Furnald, and settled in McHenry Valley in Almond where he was a farmer. He came to Alfred in 1888, and now resides in Hornellsville. His first wife died Feb. 8, 1873, leaving one child. His second wife was Ida, daughter of Solomon Allen of Alma.
Alvin C. Baker, adopted son of Seth and Elizabeth (Woodworth) Baker, was born in Andover. His grandfather Seth Baker was one of the first settlers. In 1886 Alvin C. Baker married Leona, daughter of Jerome Potter, and settled in Alfred. He is a cheesemaker and owns a factory at McHenry Valley. The Potters are an old Rhode Island family, locating in Alfred very early.
Oscar Beyea, son of Wright Beyea, was born in Putnam county, N. Y. When a boy his father moved to Hector, Schuyler county, where he afterward married Celecta Kingsley. He was a farmer. In 1848 he moved to Alfred, in 1862 went back to Hector, and in 1867 came to Hartsville, Steuben county, where he still resides. Frank M. Beyea, son of Oscar, was born March 27, 1842. January 23, 1864, he married Harriet M., daughter of Russell W. and Malvi- na (Middaugh) Burdick. He enlisted March 31, 1864, in Co. B, 179th Regt., N. Y. S., V., was wounded in front of Petersburg, Va., June 17, 1864, and April 2, 1865, and is now disabled from effect of wounds. His only child, Charley R., was thrown from his pony and killed July 12, 1876. Mr. Beyea and wife are members of the 2d Seventh-day Baptist church of Alfred.
Edwin S. Bliss, son of Ebenezer D., was born in Genesee June 15. 1836. In 1861 he mar- ried Sarah M. Humphrey, and settled in Genesee. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. A, 136th Regt., N. Y. S. V. In 1863 he was transferred to the 16th Regt., Veteran Reserve Corps as commis- sary sergeant, and was discharged in 1865. He then located at Richburg, where he carried on an extensive business in trade and manufacturing till 1887. Mr. Bliss was one of 3 men who sunk the first oil well at Richburg. In 1881 he moved to Alfred, where he established a cloth- ing manufactory which he still continues. In 1883 he became one of the organizers of the Uni- versity Bank, and was its president until 1894 when he retired. Since 1882 he has been the publisher of the Sabbath-school paper known as Our Sabbath Visitor. Mr. Bliss is a member of B. Frank Maxson Post, G. A. R .. Alfred. His children are Myrta S. (Mrs. Wm. H. Bassett), Edna A., E. Lee Rue and T. Coit.
647
ALFRED.
William C. Burdick is the second son of Amos and Anstis Clark Burdick, and was born in Alfred Nov. 26, 1829. He worked on his father's farm, and usually attended school at Alfred Academy winters, and when of age he entered the service of Judge Clark Crandall, at that time a dealer in cheese. After a few years he, with Ira B. and Ezra P. Crandall, organized the Alle- gany Cheese Company, which continued and greatly enlarged the cheese trade of the town of Alfred. Purchasing the interests of his partners, Mr. Burdick for many years conducted the business alone, but in 1886 Calvin D. Reynolds and Wm. C. Dunham were taken into part- nership under the firm name of Wm. C. Burdick & Co. This business, practically established and managed by Mr. Burdick, has, for more than 40 years, continued to be one of the most prosperous business enterprises of Western New York. Mr. Burdick has twice represented his town on the board of supervisors (1874, 1875), and has served Alfred University as trustee con- tinuously since 1857. He married Susan Sherman, of Alfred, June 19, 1856, who died in Feb- ruary, 1863. He afterwards married Mrs. Amanda (Crandall) Prescott, of Chicago, Ill. His daughters are Juliaette (dec.), the wife of Wm. C. Dunham, and Susan M., who is connected with the Seventh-day Baptist mission at Shanghai, China.
Silas C. Burdick, youngest son of Amos and Anstis (Clark) Burdick, was born in Alfred March 12, 1838. He was educated at Alfred and Madison (now Colgate) University, and has passed over 30 years in the mercantile business in his native town. He has served as town clerk one term, supervisor two terms, and was appointed postmaster at Alfred by President Benjamin Harrison, which office he held nearly four years. Mr. Burdick has for many years served as a trustee of Alfred University. In 1863 he married Mary, daughter of Hiram Tay- lor, of Wirt, a graduate of Alfred University. They have two daughters, Mary Leona, wife of John J. Merrill, and Emma Gertrude. Mrs. Burdick fitly illustrates Goethe's "Ewigweibliche." Mr. Burdick has been for years prominently identified with the business and educational inter- ests of Alfred. He possesses a strong personality, is a man of extended reading and informa- tion, and is a leading factor in all the educational advancement of the town, and gives much time to the affairs of Alfred University. That he is well versed in the town's history will be seen by a perusal of the very full history of Alfred in this volume.
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.