A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 93

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 93

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Samuel Hunt, a native of Vermont, came to Caneadea about 1820 and bought a farm. He married Hannah Peasley and had five children. Samuel P. Hunt, son of Samuel, born in 1823, married Caroline Green, and lived for years on the farm which he developed from a virgin for- est, making the first clearing and building the farm buildings. Here were reared their three sons and two daughters, and here May 2. 1884, he died. His widow resides in Belfast. Oren Hunt, son of Samuel P., was born July 11, 1846. In 1871 he married Sarah, daughter of Al- exander and Sarah Lang, located as a farmer in Belfast, but is now a stone mason on the W. N. Y. & P. R. R. He has 3 children, Lela M., Robert B. and Satie. He is a Methodist, and a Maccabee.

William Ingleby was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1845, and came to America in 1870, first locating at Castile for two years, then living in other places until 1890 when he established himself as a furniture dealer and undertaker in Belfast. He married Emma Willcockson and has one child, William. Mr. Ingleby is a member of Tent No. 47, K. O. T. M., and the family are adherents of the Methodist church. William Ingleby, Jr., was born in England in 1868, and is a printer by trade, but has been a partner in his father's furniture business in Belfast. He married Mabel, daughter of Clark Rice.

James Jennings came to Belfast in 1809 from Lawrenceville, Pa. He bought several hun- dred acres of the Holland Land Company, on which there was an Indian clearing and a log house where town meetings were held. His wife was Mary Doty. They had to children. His death occurred in December, 1859, and that of his wife in December, 1862. James O'Hara Jennings, son of James, was born in Belfast in 1822, and was educated and remained through life a farmer. He was quite extensively connected with the lumber trade and a dealer in real estate. He died March 23, 1895. His wife, formerly Esther Sortore Howell, is still a resident of Belfast. Their 4 children were Mary Helen, Julia Sophia, James Volney and Christopher, who died in infancy.

Christopher Jennings, son of James, was born in Lawrenceville, Tioga Co., Pa., Feb. 22, 1808. Coming to Belfast with his parents in 1809, he attained maturity in the pioneer days, and was one of those by whose efforts civilization replaced the savage condition. Feb. 4, 1838, he was married to Sophie Reese. They had 4 children, Charles, a Union soldier in the Ist N. Y. Dragoons, who died of fever in November, 1862 ; Susan S., Emma J. and James, drowned in the Genesee river when nine years old. Mr. Jennings died April 26, 1892. His widow still lives in Belfast. Mr. Jennings was a large land owner and a progressive farmer. He built the first brick building in Belfast, and always gave generously in aid of any improvement in the town. He was several times elected supervisor, and held that responsible office for three years during the civil war. He was a man of sterling integrity, and his influence was widely felt in the community.

David Kinney, son of Alpheus, was born in Union, Tolland Co., Conn., Jan. 5, 1813. His father came to Madison county, N. Y., in 1816. David married Betsey Sweet in 1837. She died in June, 1847. She had I son, Eaton, and 3 daughters. Mr. Kinney married Esther A. Hanks for his second wife. They had 5 children. David Kinney settled in Belfast in Novem- ber, 1837, and has been engaged in farming. Eaton Kinney, son of David, was born in Belfast Sept. 25, 1843. He enlisted in Co. F, Ist N. Y. Dragoons, was mustered into service Jan. I, 1864, and served until the close of the war. He was wounded Oct. 14, 1864. He is a member of A. K. Thorpe Post, G. A. R., No. 86. In 1866 Mr. Kinney married Eva M. Conover and had 4 children. In company with E. W. Gunn, he built the first and largest cheese factory in the town. Mr. Kinney has been assessor one term, and supervisor 2 years.

W. B. Manley, son of William Manley, was born in Ellicottville, Cattaraugus county, in 1859. He was educated at the public schools in his native town. When 16 years of age he learned telegraphy. In 1882 he was elected cashier of the Bank of Belfast. He helped organ- ize the bank, and has been its cashier since its organization in 1882. He had previously been in the banking office of J. King Skinner, and in the Bank of Gowanda. Mr. Manley married Minnie F. Reaser.

Addis F. Perry, son of Josiah Quincy Perry, an early settler of Rushford, was born in Lin- den in 1848. When 19 years of age he learned the art of cheesemaking and has been in that business since. He owns 5 cheese factories and one-half interest in another. In 1874 he mar-

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HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

ried Miss Carpenter and has 4 children. Ebenezer D. Perry, grandfather of Addis E,, and son of Josiah, was born in Massachusetts. He settled, in 1813, in the south part of Rushford, and was elected overseer of the poor of the first town meeting. He was a farmer. He married Hannah Spear. Of their 10 children only 3 are living. Josian Q. Perry, a son of Ebenezer P., was born Nov. 28, 1812. He married Emeline M. Knickerbocker in 1840 and settled in Rush- ford. In 1845 he moved to Lyndon, where he now resides. His children are Addis E. and Ebenezer P .. who resides in Ellendale, N. D. Mrs. Perry died in March, 1894. J. Q. Perry has been supervisor of Lyndon 6 terms, has held the offices of assessor, justice of the peace, high- way commissioner, etc.

Rozel C. Phelps, son of John B. Phelps, who settled at Oramel over 40 years ago, was born April 15, 1840, at Mt. Morris. He was educated at the common schools and Genesee Valley Seminary, and was graduated from Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Buffalo in 1864. In 1860 he received the nomination for a cadetship at West Point, but was unable to take the examination. October 11, 1861, he enlisted in Co. E, 76th N. Y. S. V. ; his company was trans- ferred to the 93d regiment. He was mustered out July 19, 1862, on account of sickness from which he never recovered. He is a member of A. K. Thorpe Post, G. A. R., was its adjutant 6 years, and commander I year, and has held most of the offices. During his army life he acted as quartermaster while the regiment was at Cortland and Albany, at Washington he was detailed to the medical department of Eckington Hospital, and also held an important position in Epiphany Hospital. From 1865 to 1869 he was in the employ of the Illinois Central R. R. at Cairo as forwarding clerk, and for 7 years he was engaged in cheese manufacturing at Oramel. In 1871 he married Mary E. Marble and has 2 children, George E. and Allie M. The family are members of the M. E. church. Mr. Phelps has resided in Belfast since 1882, has held the office of justice of the peace 3 terms, is now pension attorney, and is aid-de-camp on the staff of John C. Schott, department commander.

John Quinton, son of Joshua Quinton, born at Fairhaven, Vt .. June 27, 1818, came to Perry in 1840 and worked at his shoemaker's trade. Here he married Phoebe Waters May 31, 1841. (Joshua Quinton was privateer's-man on the "Gen. Armstrong," which sailed from Boston against the British in the war of 1812, and was one of six in charge of the " long Tom " 6-pounder pivot gun). John Quinton enlisted in the regimental band of the 28th N. Y. at Darnstown, Md., Aug. 10, 1861, and served until it was disbanded by order of Gen. McClellan. His son, Ambert F., enlisted in 1862 in Co. F, 130th N. Y., which in 1863 was the Ist N. Y. Dragoons, and served until the close of the war and was wounded May 8, 1864, at the battle of the Wilderness. He is a member of Stephen T. Bartle Post, No. 183, G. A. R., of Cuba. James K. another son enlisted in 1861, in Co. E, 93d N. Y., was discharged in 1862 on account of

sickness and died at Belfast Nov. 18, 1862. A daughter, Florence A., married George Sherman and died in 1871. Another son, Edwin E., enlisted in 1863, in Battery M., Ist U. S. Artillery, and served during the war. Mr. Quinton himself belongs to A. K. Thorpe Post, G. A. R., No. 86, of Belfast. He it was who, with J. S. Pitt of Short Tract, organized " The Allegany County Grand Army Corps," that attracts so much attention and applause. Every member is an " old vet." This corps has eleven pieces and a drum major, and is open for engagement at parades, drills, celebrations, etc. For terms, etc., address J. S. Pitt, Short Tract, N. Y. This drumcorps is perpetuated by Major McFlipp of the Elmira Telegram in a poem which con- cludes thus:

I hear the fifer's shrill trill-rill-ra And the rat-tat-tat and rum-tum-trum Of the double drag and big bass drum Of the Short Tract Band-the Veteran corps Bowed and grizzled, who long before, Thrilled men's souls as they marched away From these same hills on a summer day. O, music of harps on the golden shore, When our lamp goes out forever more, As it floats along the shining strand, Not sweeter will be than the Short Tract Band !

Robert Renwick, Jr., was born June 29, 1804, in the Parish of Hobkirk, Roxborough Co., Scotland. He came to this country when he was 13 years old with his father Robert Renwick, 3 brothers and 2 sisters, who settled in Angelica. He went to school winters and worked out summers chopping and clearing land till after he was 21 when he began teaching winters. He taught 2 or 3 terms at Caneadea, and one at Transit Bridge. About 1833 he commenced sell- ing goods for Sherman Bros. of Angelica, putting in his capital of $30, at Hopperville. He soon commenced business for himself. In the big flood his store was carried away. He then occupied Dr. Davis' office until he built him a store on the hill, which was the second building built in what is now called Belfast. He was in the mercantile business over 30 years. He

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BELFAST.

married Aug. 13, 1835, Harriet Ketchum. They had 8 children ; 3 died in infancy, the others are : Margaret, Bowman, Bruce, George and Sabrina. Mr. Renwick died Jan. 19, 1865. Har- riet Renwick was born Nov. 10, 1811, in Greene, Chenango Co., N. Y. Her father, George Ketchum, settled on a farm 2 miles below Belfast now Oramel when Harriet was 2 years old. When she was 19 she commenced teaching, and taught several terms on Gleason Hill. She and other ladies had the cemetery cleared and fenced, also the village park fenced. She and her husband worked hand in hand in helping the poor and those in trouble. She died March 12, 1860.

Newland C. Saunders, son of Harvey, was born in Franklinville, Cattaraugus Co., in 1845. In 1857 he came to Belfast and clerked in the store of Saunders Bros. About 1845 he bought his brothers' interest and has since carried on a general store. He also has a drugstore and is one of the leading merchants of Belfast. Mr. Saunders has been a member of the school board for several years. In 1875 he married Julia Jennings. They have I son and 2 daughters.

Captain Robert R. Seeley, son of Eber S. (who with his twin brother Silas, natives of Ver- mont, settled in Allen), was born July 13, 1837, in Allen, and was educated at Genesee Valley Seminary. In 186t he was graduated from Bassini's Musical School at Geneseo, and has taught music for 25 years. In 1862 he raised Co. I of the 16oth N. Y. S. V., was its first lieu- tenant and was promoted to captain. He was wounded at the Battle of Pleasant Hill, April 9, 1864. He served until the close of the war and was mustered out at Savannah, Ga. He is a charter member of A. K. Thorpe Post, No. 86, G. A. R., was senior vice-commander at organ- ization and for 8 consecutive years was commander. He was supervisor of Allen 2 years, and made his residence in Belfast in 1882, where he was elected justice of the peace in 1894. In 1870 he married Jane Armstrong, and has 2 children, Frank E. and Charles R. Frank E. had scarlet fever when 18 months old, and his hearing was so impaired that he is being educated at the Western New York Institute for Deaf Mutes.

John J. Shuart, one of the 1838 pioneers of Allen, was a native of New Jersey. He married Ruth Lounsbery, and had 9 children. In 1852 he moved to Belfast. He was a farmer. Charles D., son of John, was born Jan. 18, 1842, in Allen. He enlisted Sept. 3, 1864, in Co. F, Ist N. Y. Dragoons, and served until the close of the war. He was a charter member of A. K. Thorpe Post, and is quartermaster, which office he has held several years. In 1865 Mr. Shuart married Gertrude D., daughter of Justus H. Neeley. They had 3 children, Ruth A. (Mrs. J. D. Swift), resides in town, Fred W. and Bruce C., both deceased. Mr. Shuart has held the office of assessor 4 years. He has been engaged in farming since the war. The family are members of the Baptist church. Matthew Lounsbery, born in New Jersey in 1799, came to Belfast in 1824 and bought a tract of wild land in the southwest corner. He married Eliza Shuart, had 10 children, and transformed the forest into fruitful acres and a pleasant home. He died April 19, 1884, his wife June 14, 1886.

Benjamin S. Snider, son of Benjamin, was born June 14, 1821, in Rushville, N. Y. In 1824 his father moved to Centerville where he engaged in farming. His mother was Charity Green. She had 12 children. Benjamin Snider died in Granger. Benjamin S. Snider married Priscilla Very. They had 5 children, 2 died in infancy. He married, second, Hannah Webster. Mr. Snider enlisted in Co. D, 64th Regt., N. Y. S. V. He was discharged in November, 1864, by a special order of Hon. E. M. Stanton, U. S. Secretary of War. He was wounded at the battle of Chancellorsville by a gunshot in the right temple, was taken prisoner and was 20 days in Libby prison. He is a member of A. K. Thorpe Post, and has been a resident of Belfast since the war.

Seth Weed Lowell, son of Gideon, was born in Portage, N. Y., in 1845. He was in trade as a harness-maker in Fillmore for ten years. In 1883 he engaged in evaporating fruit at Olcott ; in 1890 he was at Brockville, Canada. In 1891 he located at Whitby, Canada, where he does an extensive business, employing 75 hands in the evaporating season. In 1868 he married Jennie Snider, daughter of B. S. Their children are F. Fern and James Russell. The daughter graduated in 1894 from Geneseo Normal School and went as a teacher to Rockville Center.

Rev. C. D. Swift was born in Burlington, Vt., Sept. 20, 1809. In 1823 his father, Wyatt Swift, brought his family to New Hudson. Rev. Mr. Swift has preached since 1832 and has been a resident of Belfast since 1839. He was ordained a clergyman of the Methodist church Oct. 14, 1860. He married Rebecca Tibbetts and has had 12 children.

M. D. Tarba was born in 1854 at Ontario, N. Y., was educated at the public schools of Ontario and Webster, graduating at the latter place in 1875. He possesses business and executive ability. He built the heading mills at Oakfield, and has been a burner and dealer in charcoal and owned the "Tarba camp " at Oakfield. He was originator and organizer of " The M. D. Tarba Mf'g Co." of Rochester, and is a successful business operator. He married Frances M. Homer, and settled at Belfast in the fall of 1894.

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HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

Cosanus Thurston, son of Nathan, was born in Farmington, Pa., in 1833. June 8, 1865, he located at Friendship, and pursued his trade of carpenter and joiner. In 1870 he married his third wife, Ruth A. Wales. They have two children. Mr. Thurston's first wife was Deb- orah Ann Watson, and his second Henrietta Burt. Since 1890 Mr. Thurston has been a resi- dent of Belfast.

Elijah Very came to Belfast from New Hampshire when a lad with his father, Samuel, about 1815, and on attaining manhood married Olive Crawford. After a few years of life here he moved to a farm he purchased in Caneadea, where he died in 1883. Of his 7 children 3 are living. John C. Very, son of Elijah, was born March 17, 1834, and in 1852 married Mary Wheeler. He has been a butcher and farmer, and has lived in Belfast since 1860, and has been constable and collector 3 years. The family are adherents of the Methodist church. Charles Very, only child of John C., was born in 1857, married Lillian Russell and has one child, Ella Irene.

Benjamin T. Willis, son of Leonard and Mary M. (Wicks) Willis, was born in Minerva, Essex Co., June 2, 1830. He became a clerk in 1848, and 3 years later opened a store in his native town and was postmaster there under Pierce's and Buchanan's administrations. In 1857, with his brothers, Woodward and Rodney, he came to Belfast and opened a general store which he kept for 20 years until it was burned. Then, after 3 years' partnership in a meat market with E. Warner, Mr. Willis again engaged in merchandising with I. S. Hunt as Willis & Hunt ; after 4 years the firm became as now, B. T. Willis & Son. They sell drugs and groceries. Mr. Willis also does a general insurance business. He is a Democrat, and, although having a majority vote of 75 against him to overcome, he was elected supervisor in 1871, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1885, and was appointed postmaster of Belfast in 1894. He married Mary F. Champney in 1858. Two of their three sons are living.

Warren Wilkinson, son of Eber G., was born in Clarksville, Dec. 31, 1854. When 15 years old he went to work in a cheese factory, thoroughly learning the business, and has all his life since been a practical and successful cheesemaker. In 1880 he purchased the White Creek cheese factory, and has since conducted it. He married in 1880 Anna J. Drake. They have one child, Eber G. Mr. Wilkinson is a member of Western Union Lodge, F. & A. M., Van Campen Lodge, I. O. O. F., and Belfast and Oramel Tent, No. 47. K. O. T. M.

Stephen Wilson, son of Stephen and (Cogswell) Wilson, was born in Montrose, Susque- hanna Co., Pa., April 13, 1808. When 10 years of age his parents moved to Wysox, Bradford Co., Pa. They subsequently settled in West Almond, and in 1829, moved to Belfast, where Stephen Wilson lived until his death, Feb. 27, 1895. From his father he inherited much of the Scotch trait of character, and was a man of pronounced political and religious views. In his time he was prominent in local politics, and for many years without interruption held some town office, having been supervisor, highway commissioner and justice of the peace. During the early seventies he was one of the 3 leaders in a successful fight against bonding the town for a proposed railroad. In politics he was first a Democrat, second a member of the Free-Soil party and a Republican from the founding of that party ever after.

In the early years of Uni- versalism in this county he was a prominent Universalist layman; and there were few Univer- salist ministers in northern Allegany who did not partake of his hospitality. The " whirlwind " of 1838 tumbled his new frame barn down upon him and his team of horses, and hurt him con- siderably. The house, a nearly new frame dwelling, was unroofed and partially moved from its foundation walls, while pieces of the siding were carried into West Almond. These boards were painted red, and the house was the only red one in the path of the cyclone. His infant daughter was taken from the cradle by her mother when the storm struck the house. A heavy stone from the chimney was subsequently found lying on the pillow where the infant's head had rested but a short time before. In 1832 Stephen Wilson married Martha A., daughter of John McKeen, who died in 1889. Mr. McKeen was a native of Belfast, Maine, and a member of the first board of assessors here. In 1839 he emigrated to Texas. Of the 5 children of Stephen Wilson, Oscar and George W. are living. Oscar Wilson was born in 1836, married Mary A. Crandall and has 2 children, E. Manley, who was educated at the Genesee Valley Seminary and graded schools, and Edith.

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FRIENDSHIP.

BY L. C. ALDRICH, ESQ.

CHAPTER LIX.

ONG AGO in the early years of the century, when township 3, range 1, of the Holland Purchase, formed a part of the old town called Can- eadea, the people of the various localities throughout the region exhibited con- siderable rivalry as against those of other places, sometimes friendly and occasionally of an unpleasant nature. In this township, tradition tells us, the inhabitants of the hills and the valleys were arrayed one against the other, and disputes frequently led to personal combat; and one locality, that where- on was built up the first hamlet called Friendship, was once designated Fighting Corners. In later years as settlement increased the differences and animosities of the past were amicably settled and friendship prevailed; and in allusion to this period of reconciliation the name "Friendship " was given the settlement and also the subsequent town. "It is said on good authority that the town and settlement were named by pioneer Davis, father- in-law of Timothy Hyde, who came to Western New York from Vermont in 1804 and settled one mile south of Belvidere. He purchased the first settled farm in Friendship from Frier, who came in 1806. Davis sent over to the people who were contesting about the name, the suggestion, which they adopted, that they should call it Friendship. As originally created on the 24th of March, 1815, Friendship included all the territory of the town so named, and also the present towns of Cuba, Wirt, Clarksville, Bolivar and Genesee. Within its boundaries were the contents of six full townships, numbers one, two and three of the first and second ranges. Cuba was set off in 1822. Bolivar in 1825, and a portion of Wirt in 1838. The other towns mentioned as comprising original Friendship were the results of later sub- divisions. The mother of towns from which Friendship is descended was Leister, formed and named March 30, 1802, one of the original civil divisions of Genesee county. The name was soon changed to Leicester, in allusion to the christian name of Leicester Phelps, son of Oliver Phelps of the Phelps and Gorham proprietary. Angelica was formed from Leicester, Feb. 25, 1805, and Caneadea was set off from Angelica, March 11, 1808. Reduced to its present area, Friendship contains 22,760 acres of land. Its location in the county is central, and in quality of soil, natural resources and general productiveness, it ranks among the best of the county's divisions. Indeed, nature dealt favorably with this locality, for in Friendship we have one of the best drained and watered towns of the region, while very little of its lands is not available for successful cultivation. The principal watercourse is Van Campen's creek, which crosses the town from southwest to north- east, and its main tributaries are the North Branch, the South Branch, and

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HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

Moss Creek, each of which discharges into the greater stream near Friend- ship village. The headwaters of White Creek are in the northwest part of the town. The land surface generally is rolling and hilly, but nowhere mountainous or difficult of ascent. From both north and south boundaries of the town is a gradual descent toward the central valley through which flows VanCampen's Creek. The soil is a good quality, strong and durable, specially adapted to the growth of hay and pasture grass, yet produces abundantly in general crops in return to the intelligent efforts of the hus- bandman.

SETTLEMENT .- Well settled authority accords the distinction of having been the pioneer of township three, range one, to Samuel Wardell, a native of Connecticut, born March 27, 1763. "Squire" Wardell, as he became known in later years, was an early settler in the upper Canisteo valley, but lost his lands there through some defect in the title. He then left the region and in 1807 came to this part of Angelica, hoping to re-establish a prosperous condition for himself and his family. He took up two hundred acres of land, a part of which is the present farm of Henry Babcock. The house in which the pioneer died, May 9, 1833, is now owned by D. T. Lyman. Pioneer War- dell made his first clearing, built a log cabin and sowed a small field of winter wheat during 1807, and then returned to Canisteo for the winter. In the spring of 1808 he moved his family and stock to the town, and here he after- ward lived, a useful and respected citizen. He was justice of the peace many years, and possessing a good fund of common sense was frequently called upon to determine matters of controversy among the settlers. Mr. Wardell and his wife, whose maiden name was Anna Wheeler, and two of their chil- dren, are buried in Nile cemetery. Three daughters and a son moved west with their families and settled in Indiana and Illinois. The youngest daugh- ter, their only child born in this town, married Vaness Voorhies, of Nile. Another daughter, Abi, who was one year old when Squire Wardell settled here, married Jonathan Phinney and moved to what is now Wirt, where she died April 25, 1891. She was the last surviving member of her father's family.

It is interesting to note in this connection that the lands whereon Sam- uel Wardell made the first settlement were originally " articled " to Simeon Gates, William Burnett, James Green, Seth Marvin, William Higgins and Levi Couch. Their purchase was made in 1806, and comprised a considera- ble tract of land in the vicinity. Not all of these, however, became residents of Friendship. The names of Green and Marvin have been preserved in the county, while settlers Gates. Burnett and Higgins remained in the town. The others pushed on westward and settled in new localities. This colony came to Friendship in 1807, and at the same time came Zebulon Gates and John Harrison. William Burnett lived a little south of what is now the Christopher Blossom farm.

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A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 93

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