A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 99

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 99

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HERMAN RICE.

Herman Rice, son of Josiah and Sophronia (Tuttle) Rice, was born of English ancestry in Salisbury, Herkimer county, June 28, 1837. In the fer- tile county of his birth he attained his majority as a wide-awake, progressive farmer, making agriculture not only his occupation but a scientific pursuit.

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HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

He loved the fields, the out-of-door life, the comfort of the large herds of cattle under his care, and, when he and his young wife made their home in Cuba in 1867, it was to apply his cultivated intelligence in the demonstra- tion of what an argiculturist might and could accomplish ou Allegany soil. He purchased the John Cole farm, in a few years made his home in Friend- ship, and, as his increasing needs demanded, added farm after farm to his possessions, until his accession of broad acres made him the largest land- owner of the town. These farms were conducted by him with unvarying annual success, and he so educated his tenants that many of them became successful farmers on their own lands. He was one of the few agriculturists who possess the secret of successful tenant farming. He was not merely a farmer but also a keen business man. His farms were conducted on busi- ness principles, and in all departments of industry he left the impress of a mind of more than usual perception and sagacity. During the first few years of his residence here he made weekly trips throughout this section to purchase cheese, and became thoroughly conversant with the county, its resources and its people. Perhaps no other resident of the county had so wide an acquaintance. When Cuba became an established weekly cheese market Mr. Rice was regularly in attendance as the selling agent of several factories. From his wide acquaintance with the various sections of Alle- gany county no one was better acquainted with its resources and their pos- sibilities of development, and he frequently stated that its natural condi- tions of soil, water, and climate fitted it to become the equal of the rich dairying section of Herkimer county. The truth of this he demonstrated in his own success. He was a leader in other business fields. Among the first to profit by the discovery of oil in the Allegany oil field, his sagacious power of forecasting events led him to sell his holdings when prices were at their highest. He had a natural and intuitive grasp of the principles under- lying financial success and would have acquired an assured position in the front ranks of operators on Wall street had circumstances located him in their midst. He was an active, busy man, was twice supervisor of Friend- ship, served on the village board of education from its organization, was one of the organizers and president of the Farmers' Co-operative Insurance Company for many years, and was director and vice president of the Citizens' National Bank of Friendship from its organization. He was among the founders and one of the first vice presidents of the Allegany County His- torical Society, was greatly interested in preserving all things appertaining to the pioneer period, and had a large store of historical reminiscences of early days in the Mohawk Valley. He was an extensive reader of good lit- erature and a discerning critic of merit in authors. He possessed fine per- sonality, courteous and winning manners and a host of friends. He was con- servative, careful and of sound judgment, had a fine legal and judicial mind, weighing values and possibilities with an accurate mentality, and, as a re- sult, was rarely the victim of a poor investment. When he died, May 29, 1894. the town and county lost one of its ablest citizens. Mr. Rice married

Stanman Rice

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FRIENDSHIP.

Stella E., daughter of Col. T. H. and Eliza (Salisbury) Ferris, Sept. 29, 1862 .* Their children were Joseph F. (see Courts and Lawyers) and Charles.

WILLIAM H. PITT, A. M., M. D .. PH. D.

Prof. William H. Pitt was born at Short Tract, Sept. 8, 1831. (See Gran- ger.) He was the oldest boy in a farmer's family of ten children, and his edu- cation was acquired by himself through sheer pluck and energy in the con- stant face of difficulties. He left the farm when 16, " clerked" in a store some years, attended Alfred Academy three years, taught at Friendship three years, was graduated at Alfred in 1857, and entered Union College in 1858, graduating therefrom in 1860. He was then principal of Spencer, N. Y., High School for two years (1861-2), held the same position in Angelica Academy in 1863-4-5, was superintendent of education at Warren, Ohio, in 1867-8, principal of Friendship Academy in 1869-70-71, was professor of physics and chemistry in Buffalo High School from 1872 to 1890, was State Analyst of Foods and Drugs in 1881 and 1882, and has been professor of chemistry and physics in the Medical Department of Niagara University since May 26, 1884. Union College gave him the degree of A. M. in 1863, the Medical College, University of Buffalo, that of M. D. in 1879, and Alfred University that of Ph. D. in 1886. He has contributed papers to the Buffalo Medical Journal and other periodicals and to the published proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and has been a member of the Buffalo Society of Natural Science since 1872, doing origi- nal work on the Journal and adding specimens of his discovery to its col- lections. He has described and illustrated several new fossils found near Buffalo, among them the first pteregotus (it is believed) found in this coun- try. His greatest fame has been acquired in his applications of geology and chemistry to petroleum. In both these fields he is high authority. His declaration that oil existed north and east of the Oil Creek district was fol- lowed in 1876 by the opening of the Bradford field. In 1880 he published a map of the region along the line dividing the head waters of the Allegany and Genesee rivers where he also declared oil to exist. His theory guided O. P. Taylor in opening up the Allegany oil field, After many fruitless ex- periments Prof. Pitt discovered a method of extracting the sulphur from the nearly valueless Ohio and Canadian oils. The result has been to revolution- ize the petroleum industry in those fields and to many times enhance their value. His process is in successful operation at the Paragon Oil Refinery at Toledo, Ohio, of which he is consulting chemist. His scientific knowledge has been rewarded with a handsome competency, which neither tends to slacken his desire for study nor to change his genial unostentatious nature. He is and ever will be a thorough student. He married Miss Elizabeth Church of Friendship, May 18, 1861, and their summer home in this village is one of the attractive centers of society.

* The name Ferris is from Leicestershire, England, from Henry, son of Gualchelme de Feriers, house of Feriers, to whom William the Conqueror gave large grants of land in the three shires of Stafford, Derby and Leicester. Jaffrey Ferris, made freeman in Boston in 1635, was one of the first settlers of Greenwich, Conn., and is the ancestor of many of the name now in America.

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HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

HUME.

BY JOHN S. MINARD.

CHAPTER LXI.

H UME, one of the north towns of the county, named probably from the En- glish historian, Hume, is bounded north by Pike and Genesee Falls in Wyoming county, east by Granger along the northern part, the Genesee river forming the boundary, and along the southern part, the Transit Meri- dian or eastern line of the Holland Purchase; south by Caneadea and west by Centerville. In the subdivision of the "Purchase " Hume was township 6. range 1. Augustus Porter in 1798 ran the boundary lines of the Caneadea Indian Reservation which forms a large percentage of its area, and in 1805 William Peacock subdivided all that part not included in the Reservation, the Cottringer and Church tracts and "Brooks Gore," into lots and made no mention of any white man in its territory. The rich flats along the river were then sparsely populated with Seneca Indians who had quite a village on land now the farms of the late Ebenezer Kingsley. Jim Hudson, the chief, lived in a hut where Dwight Gillett's house is. This village was called Wis- coy, an Indian word which Geo. H. Harris said signifies "under the bank." I however think it took its name from Wiscoy creek, "Wis " being the fifth Indian numeral, and "Koya," or "Coy," a stream or creek. Wiscoy, the creek of five falls. The early whites called it " Indian Town," and also the "Lower Caneadea Village."

At the first settlement Hume was part of the then extensive town of An- gelica. Nunda was created March 11, 1808, and Hume was part of its terri- tory until March 6, 1818, when Pike was erected. The first town meeting of Nunda was appointed to be held at the house of Peter Granger in present Pike. From 1818 our town was part of Pike until March 20, 1822, when "Township 6, Range 1," was organized as the town of Hume, and the first town meeting was " to be held at the house of Gardner Cook " (on the farm now owned by Stanley Mills.) In 1846 the "Gore " was added. This is that portion of Hume lying east of the Transit, made up of parts of the Church and Cottringer tracts. The population of the town was largest in 1860, 2,142. From 1870 when it was 1,920 it has remained nearly stationary being 1,922 in 1875, 1,905 in 1880 and 1,913 in 1890.

The surface is largely hilly upland, watered by the Genesee river, the East Koy, Wiscoy, Cold and Sixth-town creeks which empty into it from the west, the Sixth-town discharging into Cold Creek and Rush Creek (Indian Shon-wit-te-ye) on the east, and by several smaller streams. Many mill sites were found on these streams, notably the Wiscoy, which affords one of the finest water privileges in the county. The soil along the river was deep and

HUME.

very rich, especially adapted to the growth of corn. The hills presente almost every variety of soil. Some of the best uplands in the state are found within its limits, and some of the poorest. The original timber was of grea variety, comprising nearly every kind to be found in the state. The river flats varying in width are bordered by hills rising more or less abruptly from 150 to 200 ft. Hume contains 24,274 acres and has an equalized assessed valuation of real and personal estate of $619,663. Owing to its numerous streams and water powers it has a number of business centers. Since the abandonment of the canal and the construction of the railroad along its line, the village of Fillmore has made considerable growth and ranks first of all the shipping points between Rochester and Olean. Rossburgh, in early cana days " Mixville Landing," later Wiscoy Landing, is another railroad statio: whose shipments are considerable. There are five postoffices in the town,. Hume, Fillmore, Rossburgh, Wiscoy and Mills Mills.

Roger Mills from Canajoharie was the pioneer of Township 6, Range 1, if not of the whole town. He stopped for a time in Pike, then a hamlet of half-a-dozen families, and there hired one Olin for $1 to pilot him through the Wiscoy valley in search of a mill site. The "upper falls," with its splendid water power, facilities for dams, mills, etc., determined his location, an? going to Batavia in the spring of 1806, he "articled " lots 36 and 37 ant. returned at once to build his log cabin. In 1807 a dam was made and a saw- mill erected, the first in a large extent of country, to which settlers of Arcade even came for lumber. (Elisha Johnson in his report of his survey of the Cottringer tract made in 1807 says, "The last season a sawmill was erected on Wiscoy creek and is now in operation," but I find no verification of this statement.) A gristmill was built in 1808. The castings and stones were brought from Albany on sleighs the winter before by George Mills and Zach. Keyes. Men came from Geneseo, 30 miles away, to aid in the " raising," as did also some of the Caneadea Indians. This mill was of quite primitive construction with its gearing, cog-wheels, etc., mostly made of wood. Its erection was however an important event, and the first products of many a new settlement were ground at this mill, people bringing grain of their first crop even from Great Valley, 40 miles, fetching their "grist" on the " drag," the only vehicle the wild wood paths admitted to pass. This was a small crotched tree of which the prongs or branches served as runners and the body as tongue. Upon this a yoke of oxen could draw quite a "grist " in winter or summer. Many grists were carried in bags on horse- back. The Indians also used this mill, abandoning their mortar and pestle. They called it "Tes-e-o-na," and the sawmill "Kan-is-te-o-ni." This they never patronized. Too much labor was needed to cut and draw the logs.

It was in this old mill that Elisha Mills in 1809 offered for sale the first stock of goods. Part of it was used as a dwelling, and it is said that Goodwin Mills was there born. In early winter months a stock of venison and deer skins accumulated, quite a trade being driven with the Indians, with a loaf of bread given for a ham and two for a saddle of venison. When a load of

HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

72₽ enison, deer skins and peltry had been collected, some enterprising mem- vær of the " settlement " took the best team and marketed them in Philadel- shia or in Albany. The mill was also the pioneer hotel, those coming from great distances to the mill would (if detained) be furnished with food by the miller, and would use sacks and bags of grain for beds. Here also were distributed the few letters and fewer papers brought from the nearest postoffice.

Many were the purposes served by that historic old mill. Soon after the War of 1812-14 Leonard Smith sold army clothing here. The same old w Il and frame stands to-day, having been added to and altered from time '1 time. For over 80 years its " noisy wheel" has seldom ceased its n lutions, and seldom, until within 10 years, have other than some of the Millses run it. The builder of this mill returned to Montgomery county in 1811 where he died. His son Roger came the same year with his family and moved into the mill, adding ashanty for a kitchen. A frame house was soon built, the first, or one of the very first ones of the town. This house still stands, changed however by repairs and enlargements. It was long owned by Philo Mills, who resided his 80 years of life here, dying in 1892 in the same room where he was born

In the summer of 1812 Caroline Russell, daughter of Samuel and Mrs. Permelia Penfield, taught the town's first school in a buildingnow the stable of the barn of the late Philo Mills. S. M. Russell, Esq., of Cuba, is probably the only surviving pupil. George Mills opened the first log tavern in 1815 a few rods above the Philo Mills house. Hewas frozen to death and buried in the orchard back of his house. Of course a blacksmith was demanded early at the mills and by the settlers, and Thomas Pyre was the pioneer. The few letters and very few newspapers sent to the pioneers at first came from Geneseo postoffice, later from Warsaw, then from Perry and for some years before Hume had an office Pike was the one most used. Several of the set- tlers would join in subscribing for a paper. Its contents would be read aloud in the store and then in turn it would visit all the families.

In 1816 Roger Mills and Bailey put up a carding mill a few rods below the gristmill, conducting the water used in that mill thither in a flume. This was the first carding mill in a wide territory. Machinery for dressing cloth was later added, and here the home-made cloth of the settlers for miles around was colored, dressed and pressed. By 1817 or 1818 grain was abund- ant and a distillery was built on the place now owned by Stanley Mills, another soon after at the " Mills," and yet another between Mills Mills and Wiscoy. These manufactured from the surplus grain whiskey which was ich easier to market than the grain.

In 1809 Joshua Skiff from Otsego county, paid Mr. Mills $5 for his lance on lot 38 (he having " booked " it), secured the article for the north art, and commenced clearing. By fall he had three acres cleared and sown

wheat. Then he had a " raising " at which were 11 men and two women.

e completed his cabin, went back to Otsego, returned early in 1810, with

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HUME.

his wife, Lucina Wright. Four of their five children were born in that old cabin. M. W. Skiff born in 1810 it is believed was the first white child born in Hume. Two of his children survive, the venerable Joseph B. of Hume and Harvey J. of Iowa.

Moses Robinson came from the same place and with Mr. Skiff, located on lot number 32. He was one of those energetic men, who always make a mark in the world. He did his share in clearing and enclosing the broad fields which to-day distinguish the " Moses Robinson place " and the cluster of convenient and extensive farm buildings, with the spacious and imposing residence, attest the enterprise as well as some of the peculiarities of " Uncle Moses."

Edmund Skiff about 1810 or 1811 settled upon lot 24. His wife was much afraid of the Indians who often visited them. When the war broke out in 1812, she would not remain so near the frontier and they returned to Otsego. After the war they settled in Pike.

Hubbard Fuller, who traded his place for Edmund Skiff's, came in 1812 and "articled " lands near by, and at one time owned quite an extensive tract. John and Benj. Fuller were his sons.

Luther Couch about 1814, at first teaching a school, a little north of Hub- bard Fuller's, whose daughter Sylvia he married, commencing housekeep- ing in Pike near where his father lived, but soon " taking up " land on lot 24, which he cleared and made to blossom with great crops. He was one of the best of farmers, and the farm is yet known as the " Couch Place." When in 1844 or 5 the country was aglow with the excitement of the "Fourierite As- sociations," he sold his farm and invested all in the " Mixville Association " and became its president. It ran for a few years and closed in disastrous failure. Mr. Couch lost largely and lived but a few years.

Aaron Robinson, brother of Moses was early upon lot 32, the part known later as the " Alger place." He was for years a man of extensive business operations. The house and other buildings he erected at a large outlay of time and expense. He put up a tannery a short distance north of the house, over 100 feet long, also conducted a boot and shoe shop, and employed a number of men. Generous to a fault while in prosperity, hospitable alike to friends and strangers, he acquired a habit which brought adversity, and he was compelled to part with his place and it came into the hands of Adol- phus Alger, who resided upon it until his death.

In 1815 there were not more than 20 families in town. Quite animpetus was then given to settlement for some ten years when scarcely a man could be met who did not come from Otsego or Montgomery counties. Edward Doud, father of Orrin, James and John, came in 1815 locating on lot 31 and pay- ing $4.50 per acre, the highest price as yet paid in the township, most of it having sold for $2.50. Wm. Doud, son of Orrin, still owns the ancestral acres, one of the best farms in town, while Geo. E. Doud, son of James, possesses the "Old Homestead." Charles Trall, whose sons Rhyla and Luman are still remembered, came also in 1815, locating on lot 7.

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HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.

The next day after his arrival Trall caught a wolf and shortly after helped to kill two bears, which had been caught in traps. One Damon was a very successful trapper, catching bears, wolves and large numbers of smaller game. A good yoke of cattle would then bring from $50 to $60, the best of three-year-old steers from $18 to $20. The Holland Company for a few years sent their agents over the "Purchase " to receive and collect cat- tle and receipt the price agreed upon on their land contracts. This was quite an aid to the settlers, as the country was not yet visited by the pro- fessional drover and many were hard pressed for the means to make their payments. These cattle were driven to Philadelphia and sold.

Pioneering on the "Gore." While these settlements were being made the Indians still occupied the river flats of the reservation. The tortuous course of the stream, exposing such a vast surface to evaporation, the con- sequent fogs and malaria, the prevalence of fever and ague, conspired to retard settlement on the river. Elisha Johnson notes in 1807 that "N. Dixon had made improvements on lot 109," now in part owned by Geo. Gillett and Judson Stockwell. He was probably the pioneer of that part of the town. John Bellinger from Otsego came in 1809, "taking up " land on lot 112, now owned by John Gleason, Dexter Carpenter from Vermont, came in 1819, taking part of lot 111, now owned by Frank Gillett.

When Gillett came he found a log house tavern kept by one John Potter near the river on the land he purchased. This was on the first road opened up the river, which followed substantially the " Indian Trail." Being cen- trally located, when this region was all Nunda the elections and town meet- ings were there held, as well as the first company and "general training." Capt. Samuel Russell used to command at those dispays.

Esau Rich, a Cheeny, Daniel Hendee, a Fancher, Joel Stockwell and a Hawley, were also early settlers east of the "Transit," and north from the Reservation, and one Lay was there found who had been for 30 years leading a roving life with the Indians. Jason Goodell taught the pioneer school on the "Gore " in a log barn near Mrs. Dudley's place. Maria Bellinger suc- ceeded him there. The settlers generally went (in 1819) to Hunts Hollow to trade, and get their mail. The nearest physician was Dr. Moses on "Oak Hill " and ague the prevailing complaint. There were no bridges and ford- ing was the usual way of crossing the river, except in high water when canoes were used and in winter ice bridges were the popular thing. Some deaths by drowning occurred, and many exciting adventures and hair breadth escapes are related by the pioneers upon the river. The first re- ligious services were held by Eld. Lindsley, a Presbyterian missionary. The first ground used for cemetery purposes was the "Carpenter burying ground." The first interment was that of Phebe Coon about 1834.

HUME VILLAGE. (Cold Creek) *- During the progress of the events we have just related, the site of this village was dressed in its natural loveli-

* I am largely indebted to Mrs. Sarah Ingham, landlady of the Ingham Tavern for so many years, for in- formation concerning the settlement of this village.

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HUME.

ness. The beautiful waterfall, the perpendicular walls of rocks, with trees along its banks almost interlacing above its foaming waters made a picture of great beauty. This great " mill privilege " soon caught the eye of Roger Mills, and was " taken up " at an early day, the "article " covering lot 28. He held it for a number of years, later he exchanged his right with one Bush- nell for a yoke of oxen. This was but a short time before settlement was commenced. It was again transferred before it was deeded. It is not known that Bushnell ever lived here.

Sylvanus Hammond, from Middlebury, was the pioneer of Hume vil- lage, erecting the first house, a log one on the site of residence of J. Van- Dresser about 1820. Ira Higbee early built a log house where James Ing- ham lives, but soon sold to Ebenezer Utley from Butternuts, Otsego Co., who came in January, 1823. James Drake made a clearing and erected a shingle- shanty style of cabin, nearly or quite on the site of Henry Wells' residence, and Luther Merchant from Middlebury, put up a log structure about on the site of the Henry House. Mr. Ingham bought his interest and occupied the house in March, 1823, coming from Bethany whence he had removed from Herkimer Co. They came down the narrow ravine which makes up the hill nearly opposite where Mrs. Climena Kendall lives. Gen. Elijah Partridge had previously "planted his destiny " a little to the south, " taking up " lots 18 and 34. A bridge had been built across the creek by Geo. Dennis and Geo. Barker. And such a bridge ! It was made by felling large pines, hew- ing them on three sides and placing them side by side across the stream, (then much narrower than now) until sufficiently wide for travel,and where needed, filling in between them with sticks properly shaped like "chinking up " a log house.

In June, 1823, Mr. Ingham put up a framed addition to his log house and opened the first public house in Hume village. Of its local patrons the Indians were quite numerous, sometimes coming in large numbers, and fre- quently the kitchen floor was literally covered with Indians of both sexes lying with their heads to the fire. A few rods west from the " Ingham Stand " is a famous spring at the base of a terrace. Around this the Indians would sit on the logs and partake of their simple lunch, indulging in mirth, sentiment and joke. The spring was called by them the "cold spring." I believe this the origin of the name of the creek.

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A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 99

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