A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 95

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 95

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SCHOOLS .- Of the educational system of the town at large the records furnish but little information that may be regarded as reliable, while ever doubtful tradition is equally untrustworthy. However, all past writers have agreed that the first school was taught by Pelatiah Morgan, beginning, it is said, about 1810 or 11, but its location is now unknown. Under com- petent authority, the first school was opened soon after the formation of the town, and the voters in townmeeting appropriated for school support "all the money which the law allows." The first division into districts was somewhat informal, and only 2 were maintained previous to 1818, when a 3d was added; and in 1819 No. 4 was created from Nos. 1 and 2. Nos. 5, 6 and 7 were laid off in 1820, and No. 8 in 1821. The districts at that time differed materially from those of more recent years, for we must remember that previous to 1822 the town comprised the entire southwest part of the county. After a portion of Wirt had been taken off the territory of Friendship was re-districted, and from the order of things then established the present school system of the town has grown and developed, now more perfect and beneficial in practical results than at any time in its history. As now con- stituted the districts number 8, each provided with a good comfortable schoolhouse, while the village high school ranks among the foremost educa-

* Jonas G. Wellman, son of Dr. Jonas, born Aug. 31, 1838, enlisted April 30, 1861, Co. I, 27th N. Y .; . shot through leg July 21, 1861, at Bull Run, captured and prisoner at Libby until Oct. 5, 1861, paroled, reach- ed Friendship Oct. 15, 1861, leg amputated Nov. 5, 1861 ; discharged Dec. 15, 1862.

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tional institutions of the county. During the current year ending July 31, 1895, 15 teachers were employed, while the number of children attending school was 497. The value of school property is estimated at $35,000, and the town's assessed valuation is $1,008,216. Of public school moneys there was apportioned to the town $2,024.71, and by local tax the additional sum of $7,214.48 was raised.

SUPERVISORS .- John Higgins, 1815-16 ; Samuel Derby, 1817-19 ; Sylvanus Merriman, 1820-25 ; Asa Le- Davidson, 1826; Josiah Utter, 1827-37 ; Samuel S. Carter, 1838 ; Martin Scott, 1839-40, and 1842 ; Galen B. Everts, 1841 ; Henry Baxter, 1843 ; Luther Stowell, 1844 ; William Pardy, 1845 ; Wm. H. King, 1846-48 ; Samuel C. Cotton, 1849; F. L. Stowell, 1850-51 ; Jerome B. Harrison, 1852-53, and 1856; Wm. H. King, 1854-55, 1857, 1862-63, and 1865 ; Roderick Stebbins, 1858-61, and 1873 ; George W. Robinson, 1864 ; Abijah J. Wellman, 1866-72 ; Robert A. Scott, 1874 ; W. Ward Rice, 1875-76 ; Asher W. Miner, 1877-78 ; S. McArthur Norton, 1879-81 ; Herman Rice, 1882-83 ; Philip W. Coyle, 1884 ; Fred C. Mulkin, 1885, 1887-88 ; F. L. Dayton, 1886; Christopher S. Blossom, 1889-90 ; Manley W. Hobart, 1891-93; Ralph D. Rowley, 1894-96.

TOWN OFFICERS, 1895-96 .- Ralph D. Rowley, supervisor ; William A. Hart, town clerk ; (he served in 1854, '55, '58, '59, '82, '90, '91, '92, '93, '94, '95, '96.) John B. Whitford, Edgar A. Hewitt, William H. Scott and Frederick A. McKee, justices of the peace ; Ambrose P. Willard, Nicholas Wetherbee and Alonzo C. Taft, assessors ; Abner Smalley, highway commissioner; James W. Jordon, overseer of the poor ; Horace Corwin, collector ; Rev. Francis M. Alvord, James M. Bullard and Albert G. Hinman, commissioners of excise.

CHAPTER LX.

FRIENDSHIP VILLAGE.

PREVIOUS to the construction of the State Road through this town the settlers reached the interior lands by a primitive highway running along the south bank of Van Campen's Creek from Belvidere to the Lewis Utter farm; thence crossed to the north side and continued on west through the town, following the course of the creek more closely than the new thor- oughfare. About the first step in the direction of a hamlet settlement was that taken by Othello Church in the erection of a gristmill on the bank of the creek in the year 1815, near what may now be described as the foot of Water street. In the next year two log dwellings were built near the site of the Baptist church, and soon afterward Mr. Church built his own dwelling where the American House now stands. Here he met a tragic death in De- cember, 1823, at the hands of David Howe. However, previous to his death Mr. Church sold or leased the mill to Samuel S. Carter, who changed it to a carding and fulling mill, and for several years afterward it was one of the most conspicuous enterprises of the region. Col. Samuel King, the land . speculator, also proved an active factor in early events, and about the year

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1820, possibly a little later, built a large and pretentious tavern in the settle- ment, at what is now the corner of Main and Water streets. Truman Hill kept the house and its reputation as a place of entertainment spread far and wide. Here were held the meetings of the masonic lodge, while the place was famous in other ways for its notable assemblages. The building was burned about 1828, and its site was afterward used for other purposes. In- deed, for many years this eastern part of the present village was the chief center of trade and all business, and it was not until the construction and operation of the railroad that the location was changed. Still, among the early factors in village life, who have not been mentioned, were Peter G. Chapman, Hollis Scott, Mr. Davidson, Stephen Smith, Damon Church, Orange Church, Smith Church, Rufus Scott, and others, perhaps equally worthy of mention, but whose names are now lost to memory.

A fruitful and reliable source of information concerning early events of village life is found in the almost remarkable memory of William A. Hart, who came to the locality in March, 1842, with Joseph P. Reynolds and wife, the latter being sister to Mr. Hart. He was then 13 years old and what he saw and learned from older inhabitants were boyhood facts and became firmly impressed on his memory. Editor George W. Fries, of the Register, with the tastes and inclination of the antiquarian, made written data of Mr. Hart's reminiscences and recollections and the present writer is kindly fur- nished with them.

About the time indicated the Colwell ashery stood near the site of the brick house afterward owned by Prof. Miller, while Mr. Colwell's store stood near the Benjamin Robinson place of later years. Colwell also built another "potash " near the Thomas Pierce house. The most pretentious dwellings of the hamlet were those of Mr. Colwell and Deacon Stowell. Bradley's hotel was on the site of Deacon Robinson's house. The centre of business and hamlet population was about where Judge Norton now lives. William Colwell, Rufus Scott and son Martin, and W. J. and Arba Wellman had stores, each keeping a large stock of general merchandise, and doing a suc- cessful business for many years. The only other store in town at that time was on the site of the "old brick store," away up west of the four corners, on land now owned by Mr. Mulkin. In 1825, according to the memory of Mr. Steenrod, Rufus Scott kept hotel, Martin Scott sold goods, one of the Churches run the gristmill, and Samuel Carter operated the carding and full- ing mills. Local interests in the lower village were never greater than those noted, although as years passed the business places changed hands. P. and J. D. Hartshorn did business in 1852 where Edward Newton now lives, Jar- vis Alger had a harness shop, Robinson & Wingate run the carding and clothmill, Edward Hatch kept a tin shop and stove store.

On the west side of the North Branch another settlement sprung into existence, though perhaps of less importance than the lower village. The older residents will remember the famous hostelry kept by Josiah Morris, and the racing and wrestling events of every Saturday afternoon. Opposite to the

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HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

Morris tavern Henry D. Babcock kept store. However, with the completion of the railroad these interests naturally removed to the center, and both east and west villages declined in business importance.

At the Four Corners, as then called but now the corner of Main with Depot and Mill streets, the first business enterprise was the store building erected by Stephen Smith, as early perhaps as 1830. On the site was after- ward built the " brick store," then owned by Elisha Strong. The building was burned in April, 1868. In 1842 Damon Church built the large frame flourmill, on the west side of Mill street, south of Mr. Hart's corner. The building still stands and is occupied for business and dwelling purposes. About 1846 Arba Wellman moved up from the lower village and opened store near the Corners. and in 1852 built on the site of the First National Bank. This corner, and a considerable tract of land north and west of it, was pur- chased in 1851 from Dr. Dana by William Colwell and Roswell Spear, and by them was cut up into village lots. February 14th in the same year, the first locomotive came into the town on the Erie road. The company designed erecting a depot near Samuel Cotton's house, upon which the people at the Corners at once purchased and gave for a site the widow Galen Evarts lot. Here the station was built and has ever since been maintained. Morris C. Mulkin began business in the village in 1854, and is still in trade, the oldest merchant in the town At that time J. W. Rowley & Co. were in the " brick store," selling dry and dress goods and groceries. Other merchants of about the same period, says Mr. Mulkin, were George W. Robinson, Arba Wellman, Albert F. Wells, jeweler, and possibly one or two others of less note. Gen. Robinson began business about 1850, with a stock of dry goods. In 1852 headded a banking department, and in 1855 was exclusively in thelatter line in the old brick store. William A. Hart opened store in 1859 in the build- ing now occupied as postoffice, and for the succeeding twenty-four years was one of the most active business men of the village. His dwelling is one of the oldest buildings of its class in the village, and was erected by Peter G. Chapman.

Such was the situation and condition of business life in Friendship half a century and more ago. During the twenty years following 1850 few changes were made except in ownership, a new generation of actors succeed- ing the old. Between 1870 and 1880 the village suffered serious losses through fire, yet we are told that fire is a great " purifier and renewer." The old burned structures were replaced with new, many of the latter being of brick, substantial and ornamental. The same is also true of the dwellings of the village, all " built from the stump," secure in construction and pleasing in appearance. Twenty-five years ago, says Judge Norton, the leading mer- chants were Price & Bradley, William A. Hart, and M. Scott & Co., Higgins & Lewis (druggists), Calvin Cross. also Morse & Cross, hardware, M. C. Mul- kin, grocer and banker. The First National Bank was also doing successful business, succeeding Miner & Wellman, bankers. In 1868 Ephraim Fair- banks built the American Hotel, but through loss by fire the old building has

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been twice rebuilt. The Mansion House, now burned, was built in 1877. Having thus traced the growth of business interests through different periods, we may with propriety refer by name to the present mercantile houses of Friendship, and then turn to other elements of municipal being and note them briefly.

At present the representatives of the dry goods business in Friendship are: Robert A. Scott, D. A. Daniels, and Price & Rose; the clothiers are: M. Unger and E. A. Hewitt; hardware dealers. Drake Hardware Company, and Corbin, Carter & Co .; druggists. A. V. Jones, and F. H. Mason; grocers, Graham & Robinson, Jordon & Stevens, C. B. Wales, M. C. Mulkin, and E. B. Fairbanks; meat and provision dealers, VanHorn & Jordon, and E. J. Norton; boat and shoemakers, George W. Smith, C. Kershaw, and J. L. Moll; saddler and harnessmaker, O. G. Sherman; ladies' wear, Mrs. E. M. Stoneman; millinery, Miss L. J. Cross and Misses O. & B. Briggs; furniture dealer and undertaker, F. A. McKee; bakers, Charles Niver, Mrs. L. B. Scott, and Mrs. Wm. Dougherty; tailors, H. L. Dwight, and John J. Tun- nington; confectioners, Simons & Steenrod, and Charles Brisco; jeweler, Chas. S. Lane; variety store, J. E. Beebe; grist and sawmiller, F. L. Hull.

MANUFACTURES .- As a manufacturing center Friendship has attained little prominence among the villages of the county, and at no time in its history have the industries been more than a few in number. The old grist and carding and fulling mills at the lower village were pioneers in their respective lines of production, but of these only the gristmill now remains in operation. Its present owner is F. L. Hull, who is also owner of a saw- mill on the same location. The Damon Church mill, on Mill street, did a successful business for many years but it is now a thing of the past and put to other uses.

The Friendship Sash and Blind Co., (Limited), was formed in February, 1886, and was under the active management of A. B. Vorhis, employing about 75 men. The second proprietors were Pitt & Bradley, who were in time succeeded by Mr. Hollister. Under the latter the concern went into the hands of a receiver and eventually was owned by the First National Bank. It is now operated by Park, Rowley & Reese and doing a successful business.

The Friendship Creamery was established in 1889, and for about 2 years was conducted on the co-operative plan, but with indifferent results. In 1891 the plant was purchased by Latta & Hobart, and for the next 5 years was operated by that firm on correct business principles, therefore with a fair measure of success. The equipment was so changed that cheese could be made when the butter market was depressed, and during the year 1895 the firm manufactured about 50,000 pounds each of butter and cheese. Manley W. Hobart became sole proprietor of the business on Jan. 1, 1896.

The Morse & Willis M'fg Co. was started in 1893 as a cheese box factory but closed in 1895.

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HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

John Thurston is proprietor of a planing and sawmill and lumber yard, located on Elm avenue.

SCHOOLS .- In the early history of the town a little log school stood southeast of the village south of the creek, at the foot of the hill. Another was located over on the west side of the North Branch, near the Nile corner, as commonly known. In later years the district school was a frame building on Water street, and here many of the youth of the town received their early training. A good school was always maintained in the district, yet in 1848 a number of the progressive men of the locality determined to estab- lish an institution of higher order, and afford the masters and misses of Friendship the advantages of a thorough education at home.

FRIENDSHIP ACADEMY .- This once noted institution was brought into existence through the public spiritedness of a number of the leading citizens of the village and its vicinity, Roswell Spear, the fame of whose axes and other edged tools extended over a wide area, donating the site it is said. The organization took definite form in February, 1848, and in December following the academy was opened for pupils. The first score of years of its operation witnessed a fair measure of success, but later on, by reason of dissensions in the board of management and among the stockholders, there came a decline in profit and interest with ultimate dissolution and abandon- ment. Other causes than those mentioned contributed to the perhaps untimely end of the academy enterprise, among which may be mentioned the growing standard of the free school system and the increased number of tuition academic schools in the state. At the organization meeting Feb. 5, 1848, Roswell Spear was elected president; Luther Stowell, vice presi- dent; Hazen Hughes, clerk, and Arba Wellman secretary. At the next meeting William Colwell was chosen treasurer, and trustees were designated as follows: Roswell Spear, Solomon S. Abbott, Hiram Abbott, E. H. Willard, William Colwell, Martin Scott, Samuel C. Cotton, Luther Stowell, Frederick Lambert, John F. Olney, Daniel Miner, Solomon Silsbee, Cady R. Walker, Joseph C. Sibley and Daniel Willard. The building was erected during the summer and fall of 1848, and on December 1st was opened for its intended use. It was located on the south side of Main street, about midway between the old and new villages. The first principal was Dennis C. Walker, followed in succession, by Prof. Jeremiah Hatch, Prosper Miller, Wm. H. Pitt, Pros- per Miller, Charles Spaulding and Frank W. Stevens, and Richard Lee Thacher. The latter was the last of the principals under the old regime. In fact he conducted the school independent of the trustees, and in the rela- tion of proprietor. Prof. Miller was compelled to resort to law to enforce his claims against the owners, and the result was he became possessed of the property. For a time the building was leased to the trustees of the free school district, and in the fall of 1893 was destroyed by fire. Prof. Jeremiah Hatch, whose name is doubly identified with Friendship as an able principal of the academy and as the gallant soldier whose name is borne by the local Grand Army Post, has been mentioned on page 263. Born in Vermont in

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1820, he entered Middebury College in 1836, graduated in 1840, taught in the Southern states in 1841 and 1842, traveled and lectured for several years, and in 1849 took charge of Friendship Academy. He taught here 5 years "a most competent and enthusiastic instructor, displaying executive powers of a high order." In 1855 he moved to Oramel, was appointed canal collector, read law with A. P. and B. Laning, and later formed with them the law firm of Laning, Hatch & Laning. From 1858 till 1862 he was in partnership with Samuel Hayden. In 1862 he was prominent in raising and organizing the 130th N. Y. (1st N. Y. Dragoons), in which he was captain. He died of typhoid pneumonia in December, 1862, and was buried in the " old " ceme- tery of Friendship (see Roll of Honor). He had a rare power of attaching men to him and bore prominent part in the educational work of this county. His teaching was inspiring and thorough. "These nobler influences were preparing young men for trying times and momentous action." Prof. Wm. H. Pitt says, "Prof. Hatch was a fine scholar and natural orator. Of splen- did physique, graceful movements, polished manners, one can readily see why the young men under his instruction tried to copy his diction and style. His lovable qualities, buoyant spirits, encouragement and kindly advice made a lasting impression on his pupils .. He was a ready writer and for a time an editor. While listening to his eloquent lectures on geology at Friend- ship I was first awakened to a love of that science." Hon. Hamilton Ward says: "He was an exceedingly able man, with a high sense of honor, and one of the most eloquent men I ever knew."

The Friendship Academy and Union School was in a measure the outgrowth or continuation of the old academy enterprise, though on a materially dif- ferent basis. The old district school had ever been maintained in the village, but the enlargement of local interests demanded an advance in the character of the system of instruction. The dissolution of the academy corporation offered an oppportunity, therefore trustees A. B. Bradley, W. A. Hosley and F. P. Merriman called a meeting of the qualified voters of district No. 1, on July 27, 1887, to determine upon the propriety of a Union Free School. The vote showed 172 for, and 51 against the proposition. The first board of education comprised S. McArthur Norton, Emmett G. Latta, Mrs. Stella E. Rice, B. F. Williamson, Charles H. Hammond, Mrs. A. A. Pearse, Chas. S. Lane, Mrs. Kate M. Wellman and George W. Fries. The officers of the board were S. M. Norton, president, and Charles H. Hammond, secretary. Sept. 27, 1889, the board purchased the Smith Church property on Main street, west, whereon was erected in 1890 the splendid academy building, which now graces its site, one of the most complete structures of its kind in the county; and in 1895 an annex was built and equipped in the most modern style, with every desirable feature of the model preparatory school. The original build- ing cost about $18,000, and the addition about $10,000. Indeed, the state re- gency has raised this institution to the dignity and standing of the High School, by which name it is hereafter to be known. The first principal of the Union School was A. H. Lewis; he was succeeded by Frank Cuddeback, and the

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HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

latter by the present principal, Thomas Hoyt Armstrong, who entered upon his duties in September, 1893. On Sept. 3, 1888, George W. Fries was elected president of the board of education, and served in that capacity until Sept. 5, 1893, when he was succeeded by Emmett G. Latta. The present board is composed of Bensley Williamson, M. D., Emmett G. Latta, George W, Fries, George A. Eaton, Charles B. Wales, Harmon A. Corbin, Frederick A. McKee, Darius A. Daniels and Manley W. Hobart. The officers are Em- mett G. Latta, president; George A. Eaton, secretary; W. C. Kingsbury, treasurer.

BAXTER UNIVERSITY OF MUSIC .- In a small room on Main street in the village of Friendship, in 1853, James Baxter laid the foundation for one of the most worthy and beneficial institutions ever established in the town, and possibly in the state. In later years, as the school became more thoroughly known and understood, the village merchants profited greatly by its presence, while local society circles were for the time a constant source of entertainment. Had the intention of the founder been preserved in the management of the institution it might to-day have been as flourishing as in the past, but foreign and unfortunate influences worked disaster and the ultimate termination of its life. The original name of this institution was "Baxter's Music Rooms," but the first five years of its existence were so gratifying in results that the more dignified designation of "Baxter's Musical Institute " was adopted. Soon afterward a building was erected for the exclusive use of the school, occupied first in 1861, whereupon the name was changed to " Baxter's Institute of Music." However, still greater successes were in store for the founder, and at the end of another 5 years an addition was made to the building and the name then changed to " Alle- gany Academy of Music." On the 17th of March, 1870, the name " Baxter University of Music " was adopted, and continued as long as the institution was in existence. As high as 151 pupils have been in attendance at one time, from 16 states, 2 territories and Canada.

LAWYERS .- See Courts and Lawyers.

PHYSICIANS .- See Medical Chapter.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT .- In 1881, after much discussion of the subject, a village fire department was organized. Among the leading factors in the enterprise were A. B. Bradley, Charles S. Lane, S. McArthur Norton, W. Ward Rice, Herman Rice and A. J. Wellman. At that time there existed a manifest desire to secure an order of incorporation for the village, but no direct attempt was then made to do so. However, a fire district was estab- lished according to law, by the board of supervisors, in which body Mr. Norton was then the local representative. This secured to the department maintenance by the district, but the apparatus was purchased by a fund raised among the enterprising business men of the village, who contributed about $10,000 for the purpose and for the department building. The latter cost about $3,000. It was erected in 1881. The first apparatus comprised a first-class Silsby steamer, and the A. L. Elliott Hose company's cart and

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hose. The first officers were A. B. Bradley, chief engineer; H. M. Lang, 1st asst .; and Theron Cross, 2d asst. The subsequent chiefs have been, E. G. Latta, F. A. McKee and T. J. Rose, in the order named. The present de- partment is supplied with all necessary apparatus for extinguishing fires, and is indeed a well organized and prudently managed body. The equip- ment consists of Friendship Steamer Co., No. 1, 32 men; Joe Gorton Hose Co., No. 1, 28 men; J. Raymond Wellman Hook & Ladder Co., 30 men; and a Steamer Supply company, composed of 18 youths and young men. The officers are T. J. Rose, chief; A. L. Wicks, 1st asst .; and A. M. Wellman, 2d asst. In the department social organization, M. W. Hobart is president, F. R. Utter treasurer and H. A. Corbin secretary.

BANKS .- In 1852 George W. Robinson established a banking depart- ment in connection with his mercantile business, and after a few years gave his exclusive personal attention to the banking interests. Later on, at an exact date now lost, Asher W. Miner and Abijah J. Wellman also estab- lished a banking house in the village, under the firm name of Miner & Well- man. In fact this firm are understood to have succeeded to Gen. Robinson's banking business and continued it. At the same time these partners were merchants and lumbermen.

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A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 95

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