A history of Livingston County, New York : from its earliest traditions, to its part in the war for our Union : with an account of the Seneca nation of Indians, and biographical sketches of earliest settlers and prominent public men, Part 36

Author: Doty, Lockwood L. (Lockwood Lyon), 1827-1873; Duganne, A. J. H. (Augustine Joseph Hickey), 1823-1884
Publication date: 1876
Publisher: Geneseo [N.Y.] : Edward L. Doty
Number of Pages: 762


USA > New York > Livingston County > A history of Livingston County, New York : from its earliest traditions, to its part in the war for our Union : with an account of the Seneca nation of Indians, and biographical sketches of earliest settlers and prominent public men > Part 36


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Thus was brought to a successful issue one of the most important enterprises of the Genesee Valley. For years it was a "child of sorrow," meeting with reverses and misfortunes enough to have filled the bravest hearts with dismay. But at last, through the


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indomitable will and the energy of its projectors, the road was finished and opened to the public. The re- sult should prove a suggestive lesson to the promoters of later but equally unfortunate railway projects.


In 1857 was experienced one of those strange storms of financial disasters which sweep over the country at well defined intervals, carrying ruin to business men, crippling and retarding enterprise, and throwing help- less upon the world thousands of laboring men with- out work or the means of livelihood. Yet in this county its effects would have been comparatively lightly felt had it not been immediately preceded by another calamity of equal magnitude, the almost total failure of the wheat crop. For many years the grain raised on the fertile hills and in the fruitful valleys of the Genesee had borne the highest price in the market, and the flour merchant who could ticket his cargoes with the magic word "Genesee," was sure of a sale, even in very dull markets, at by far the best rates. The tables of the wealthy were deemed lacking in an important particular, if unsupplied with bread made from the celebrated "Genesee wheat," and far and wide it was eagerly sought for by those who could appreciate its worth. But in 1855 a terrible enemy to this great staple, the so-called weevil, made its appear- ance, and its ravages caused the almost total failure of the crop. Hundreds of fields of bright, waving grain, fell a sacrifice to its remorseless onslaught, and where thousands of bushels of wheat had been har- vested before, only a few hundreds rewarded the husbandman for his labor now, while many fields proved a total loss. This great failure of the princi- pal crop, coupled with the stringency of the times, caused a financial distress unknown for years, and a large number of business failures followed. The banking institutions of the county, however, remained


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firm during the general crash throughout the country, and not only bravely weathered the storm, maintain- ing their integrity while hundreds of other banks went down, leaving their promises to pay, worthless as rags in the people's hands, but extended sub- stantial aid to the entire business community. The ravages of the weevil continued for several seasons, but not to so serious a degree as at first. Neverthe- less, it was years before the county again reached its former importance as a wheat-growing district, and never since has its wheat filled the place in the mar- kets of the world it once occupied.


At the fall election of 1858 the Republicans sup- ported John N. Hurlburt for Sheriff ; Charles Root for County Clerk ; S. N. Chamberlain for Sessions Justice ; Lyman Turner for Superintendent of the Poor ; C. R. Blackall for Coroner ; Samuel L. Fuller and John Wiley for the Assembly. William Irvine was the nominee for Congress. The Americans also presented a ticket for popular approval, although their strength had greatly diminished, and this was destined to be their last appearance as a party organ- ization. The American nominees were George F. Coe, Sheriff; County Clerk, Matthew Porter, Jr .; Sessions Justice, William Houghton ; Superintendent of the Poor, Peter Miller ; Coroner, James E. Jenks; Assem- bly, Lyman Odell, Samuel Skinner; Congress, Gold- smith Denniston of Steuben. The Democratic party entered the field with the following ticket : Sheriff, Wil- bur Watson ; County Clerk, Charles L. Bingham ; Sessions Justice, Utley Spencer ; Superintendent of the Poor, George Mercer ; Coroner, Arnold Gray ; As- sembly, John H. Jones and David D. McNair. The Democratic nominee for Congress was George B. Bradley.


The election resulted in sweeping Republican vic-


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tories throughout the State. In the county the Re- publcan majorities ranged from 1,000 to 1,400, and every nominee of that party was elected.


For the first time since the disintegration of the old Whig party, the fall election of 1859 found party lines clearly defined, and the contest between two great organizations. The American party had dis- solved, and its members found places in the ranks of the other two parties, the accessions from this source of the Republican party being the greatest, on account of its position on the slavery question, which had become the leading and all-absorbing issue.


The Republicans of Livingston supported the fol- lowing ticket at this election : County Judge, Sidney Ward ; District Attorney, Gershom Bulkley ; County Treasurer, Chauncey R. Bond *; Sessions Justice, Charles H. Randall ; Coroners, William Nisbit and Zara H. Blake ; Assembly, Samuel L. Fuller and John Wiley ; Senator, D. H. Abell. The Democratic nomi- nees were, George Hastings, County Judge ; Adoniram J. Abbott, District Attorney ; George Mercer, County Treasurer ; Utley Spencer, Sessions Justice ; William H. Bennett and Arnold Gray, Coroners ; James G. Clark and Joseph W. Smith, Assemblymen ; Senator, Linus W. Thayer. But little interest was manifested in this election, except in the strife to secure the office of County Judge. The friends of Mr. Hastings made an unusual and successful effort in his behalf, and he was re-elected ; his majority, however, being only 94. The rest of the Republican ticket was elected by large majorities.


The allotted period to be covered by this history has


* While holding this office, Mr. Bond died June 2, 1860. The vacancy thus caused was filled by the appointment of James T. Norton to the office. At the fall election of 1860, Mr. Norton was elected for three years, and re- tired at the end of that time having declined a re-election.


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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.


now been nearly all brought under review, and a brief comparative view of the county, showing its growth, material progress and importance may not be out of place.


The census of 1860 showed the population of Living- ston county to be 39,546, and the assessed valuation of real and personal estate, in that year, was $14, 306, 555 ; for causes already named, the showing of population not being as favorable as that of 1850. The wealth of the county, as shown in the tables of assessed valua- tion, makes a more favorable exhibit, the increase since 1821 amounting to $12,128, 654, or nearly six fold. When organized the county had twelve towns. The division of Sparta into the towns of North Dansville, Sparta and West Sparta, increased the number to fourteen, while the annexation, from Allegany, of the towns of Nunda and Portage in 1846, and Ossian in 1857, brought the number of towns up to seventeen, and added a rich and flourishing territory. All build- ings necessary for the transaction of public business, the safe keeping of important records, or the care or confinement of its unfortunate and vicious classes, had been provided, equalling in size, convenience or cost, those of any rural county in the State.


Internal improvements had kept pace with the county's growing strength. The Cohocton Valley railroad skirted its eastern border, the Genesee Valley Canal wound along its western boundary, while mid- way between them was the newly completed Avon, Geneseo and Mount Morris railroad, connecting at the former place with the vast network of railroads ex- tending over the country. The educational progress of the county also furnished a proud record. The Genesee College and Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, Geneseo Academy, and the academies of Avon, Moscow and Dansville, together with the excellent


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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.


schools, public and private, of other towns, had a wide reputation, and some of them, especially the three first named, were filled with students from all parts of the globe. Added to these was the Atheneum (Wadsworth) Library at Geneseo, with its thousands of volumes, free to all residents of the county. Nor were the institutions of religion neglected. The churches of the several denominations throughout the county were beautiful, commodious and costly edi- fices, and the people generally a church-going and God-fearing community.


In worldy affairs the inhabitants of the county were also prosperous and happy. The country had in a great measure recovered from the effects of the finan- cial reverses of 1857, the crops were uniformly good, manufacturing and commercial interests were thriving, and a bright, peaceful and prosperous future seemed dawning on the people.


Just as this period had been reached, occurred the ever memorable presidential campaign of 1860. It is unnecessary to recount here the many exciting inci- dents of that period, which are still fresh in the public mind, and will remain so, long after the recollection of subsequent campaigns becomes a dim and shadowy picture of the past. In its furor and excitement, its campaign songs and partisan bands of uniformed men ; in the intensity and bitterness of the feelings it engen- dered ; even more in its after results ; it stands out as one of the most important epochs in our national history.


The Republicans early entered the field with Abra- ham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin as their national standard bearers. The Democratic party, less fortu- nate in uniting its forces, presented two tickets for public approval. The regular nominees of the party were Stephen A. Douglass and Herschell V. Johnson ;


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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.


the candidates of the "Seceders' convention" were John C. Breckenridge and Joseph Lane. A fourth party, calling itself the Constitutional Union party, put up Jolin Bell for President and Edward Everett for Vice President.


Passing over the State nominations of these con- testing parties, we come to those of more immediate interest, the county nominations. The Republican party supported the following ticket : Congressman, Robert B. Van Valkenburgh ; County Treasurer, James T. Norton ; Sessions Justice, Charles H. Ran- dall ; Coroners, J. B. Patterson and Loren J. Ames ; Assemblymen, Matthew Wiard and George Hyland ; School Commissioners, Franklin B. Francis and Har- vey Farley. The Republican nominee for Presiden- tial Elector was James S. Wadsworth. The nominees of the Democratic party were for Congressman, Charles C. B. Walker ; County Treasurer, Hezekiah Allen ; Sessions Justice, Utley Spencer ; Coroners, George H. Bennett, Zara W. Joslyn; Assemblymen, David H. Albertson, David Davidson ; School Commission- ers, Daniel Bigelow, Samuel D. Faulkner.


The canvass in this county was conducted with the same feeling and earnestness which everywhere marked it. Wigwams sprang up here and there : lofty poles flung to the breeze the banners of the con- tending parties ; bands of "Little Giants" and "Wide Awakes" almost daily paraded the streets, or lit up the dark night with their smoking torches ; and frequent political gatherings were addressed by the chosen orators of the opposing factions. It was the campaign of 1840 repeated with variations; the days of "Tippecanoe and Tyler too" revived.


At last the decisive day came when the parties met at the polls to declare their political preferences, and when the smoke of battle rolled away, it was found


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that the Republican party had achieved a great and unparalleled victory. Like the whirlwind it had swept everything before it in the North, and state after state had rolled up majorities before unknown. In Livingston county the entire Republican ticket was elected, the majority on the electoral ticket being 1917, and on the county ticket averaging over 1800,- a result that was astonishing to men of all parties.


CHAPTER XIX.


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LIVINGSTON'S PART IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.


Whatever else may be recorded on the page of his- tory, the brave valor and unflattering patriotism of a people should have a prominent place, and be written in characters as lasting as the eternal hills. It is with this fact in view that some attempt is here made to give an account of Livingston's part in the War of the Rebellion, and of her contributions of men and money in support of the general government, when foes assailed it, and the national life was in danger.


The people of this county have ever been notable for their loyalty and patriotism. Many of its earliest settlers, when they penetrated the forests of this then vast wilderness, were fresh from the toils, privations and bloody battles of the Revolutionary struggle ; and a few years later, when the British foe again in- vaded our shores, no people responded more readily to the call of the government for help, endured the privations and dangers of war more cheerfully, or rendered greater service in repelling the enemy than the loyal citizens of Livingston. Love of country was with them a strong passion. Some of their best blood had been given in its defense, and their sturdy, hon- est, fearless character made them warmly devoted to the principles of civil and religious liberty upon which the government was founded.


Thus, when intelligence came that the Southern people had risen in open rebellion, their patriotic zeal was aroused to the highest pitch, and an earnest reso-


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lution found unanimous expression that the govern- ment should be sustained, and the Nation's life preserved, cost what it might.


It is not so long ago but that many still remember the intense excitement that prevailed when news came of the firing upon Fort Sumpter. The national em- blem had been insulted, the federal authority defied, the safety of the Union was threatened ! The dark cloud that had long been overhanging the nation had burst, the storm was upon it, and people awoke from fanciful security to find themselves involved in all the horrors of civil war. Then it was that the people of Livingston county, in common with the whole loyal North, rose up in their patriotic strength and asserted their determination to defend the government. they had founded and cherished, against the traitorous hands that were raised to destroy it. The valleys reverberated with the patriotic songs of loyal men ; the Spartan hills echoed back the sound ; and from near and far came ever-increasing evidence that when the princples of free government were assailed Old Livingston would be among the first to tender its ser- vices for protection and defense. It was no time now for partisan feeling, or for luke-warm measures. A graver duty presented itself, and with party lines obliterated, partisan differences forgotten, the people united upon the common platform of "The Union, Now and Forever," and sung in unison the patriotic lines,


"Our Country ! right or wrong- What manly heart can doubt That thus should swell the patriot song, Thus ring the patriot shout ? Be but the foe arrayed, And war's wild trumpet blown,-


Cold were his heart who has not made His country's cause his own! "


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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.


Under the calls of President Lincoln for troops, Livingston county was among the first to make en- listments. Union meetings were everywhere held, and prominent men of all parties united in addressing them and in securing volunteers. Before the smoke had scarcely cleared away from Sumpter's ruined walls, a large number had enrolled themselves under the Union banner, and were forming themselves rap- idly into companies. Nor did the people forget, in this hour, the duty which they owed to the families of those who enlisted to fight their battles for them. Relief funds were raised in the several towns, and the brave soldier, when he went to the battle's front, had the satisfaction of knowing that those dependent upon him would be well cared for by those who had under- taken this patriotic duty. Loyal men gave freely and cheerfully to this holy cause, and these funds were swelled to most generous proportions. Unfortunately their aggregate amount cannot be sta ed, but it is cer- tainly safe to say that the contributions made in this way were not less than $50,000.


Later, when the Sanitary Commission had been or- ganized, liberal aid was constantly given this impor- tant branch of the service by the county, and no little credit is due the loyal wives, mothers and sisters who worked with a devotion worthy of this noble cause, to render it efficient in field and hospital.


And later still, when the long struggle had drawn heavily upon the home circles, the Union arms had suffered repeated reverses, and even strong men were filled with doubts and fears ; when this dark hour had come and enlistments were slow, the county came nobly to the rescue and offered liberal bounties to re- cruits, counting no cost too great that would save the Nation, or preserve the honor of Old Livingston. The money thus paid amounted to the vast sum of


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Twelve Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars, or nearly one-tenth of the total assessed valuation of the county.


As early as June, 1861, the county had furnished five companies of volunteers, without including a large number, probably enough to have formed another company, who had enlisted at Rochester and other places. These five companies were raised in the towns of Dansville, Geneseo, Lima, Mount Morris and Nunda, and were officered as follows : Dansville com- pany, Carl Stephan, Captain ; George Hyland, Jr., 1st Lieutenant ; Ralph T. Wood, 2d Lieutenant. Geneseo company, Wilson B. Warford, Captain ; Moses Church, 1st Lieutentant ; John Gummer, 2d Lieutenant. Lima company, James Perkins, Cap- tain ; Philo D. Phillips, 1st Lieutenant ; H. Seymour Hall, 2d Lieutenant. Mount Morris company, Charles E. Martin, Captain ; Joseph H. Bodine, 1st Lieuten- ant ; Oscar H. Phillips, 2d Lieutenant. Nunda com- pany, James M. McNair, Captain ; George T. Hamil- ton, 1st Lieutenant ; Henry G. King, 2d Lieutenant. All of these companies rendezvoused at Elmira, but, perhaps unfortunately, they were assigned to different regiments.


The Dansville volunteers were made Company B of the 13th Regiment, N. Y. V. I. and in the organiza- tion of the regiment Captain Stephan was made Lieu- tenant Colonel, and George Hyland, Jr., became Cap- tain of the company. The 13th Regiment was raised in Rochester in April, 1861, by Colonel Isaac F. Quimby, and was the first to pass through Baltimore after the memorable attack by the mob of that city on the 6th Massachusetts (April 19th, 1861). It partic- ipated in the first battle of Bull Run, Siege of York- town, battles of Hanover Court House, Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mills, Turkey Bend, Malvern Hill, 2d Bull


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Run, Antietam, Shepardstown and Fredericksburgh. The regiment was mustered out May 14, 1863, having served two years. Throughout its term of service the " Old 13th" was distinguished for its gallantry and bravery, and won a record for meritorious service which will ever be a source of just pride to its living veterans.


The Lima and Mount Morris companies were made a part of the 27th Regiment, N. Y. V. I., the former as Company G, and the latter as Company H. This regiment was formed at Elmira from companies recruited in Rochester, Binghamton, Lyons, Angelica and this county, with Colonel Slocum, afterward made a Major-General, in command. It took part in the battles of 1st Bull Run, Mechanicsville, West Point, Gaines' Mills, Goldborough's Farm, Chickahominy, White Oak Creek, Malvern Hill, Crampton Pass, An- tietam, and the first and second battles of Fredericks- burgh. It was mustered out May 31st, 1863, after serving the two years for which it was enlisted. The list of engagements in which this regiment participa- ted shows that it shared in some of the hardest fight- ing of the war, and it was distinguished for signal bravery and conduct becoming the true soldier of the Union.


The Geneseo and Nunda companies were assigned to the 33d Regiment, N. Y. V. I., the former as Com- pany E. and the latter as Company F. This regiment was composed of two companies from Seneca Falls, and one each from Palmyra, Waterloo, Canandaigua, Geneseo, Nunda, Buffalo, Geneva and Penn Yan. The organization of the regiment was effected May 21st, 1861, with Robert F. Taylor as Colonel. On the Sth of July the regiment left for the front, and during its term of service participated in the battles of York- town, Malvern Hill, Fair Oaks, Williamsburg, Lee's


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Mills, 2d Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburgh, and many minor engagements and desperate skirm- ishes. The regiment was mustered out June 2d, 1863, and accompanying the order for this purpose was an address from General Sedgwick, in which he said :


" The General commanding the corps congratulates the officers and men of the Thirty-third New York Volunteers upon their honorable return to civil life. They have enjoyed the respect and confidence of their companions and commanders; they have illustrated their term of service by gallant deeds, and have won for themselves a reputation not surpassed in the Army of the Potomac, and have nobly earned the gratitude of the Republic."


The 8th N. Y. Cavalry numbered among its mem- bers many brave and gallant troopers from the differ- ent towns in this county, and in August, 1862, James McNair received a commission as Captain and re- cruited a large number of men in Groveland and the towns adjoining, who formed the nucleus of Company L of this regiment. Almost its first service won for the regiment a fame which to the close of the war was never diminished. When General Miles surrendered Harper's Ferry, this regiment not only cut its way out, but passing entirely through Lee's army, captured Longstreet's wagon train, and was safe inside the Union lines when the morning dawned. The regi- ment took part in the following engagements, which are engraved on a shield attached to its regimental flag-staff : Winchester, Harper's Ferry, Antietam, Snicker's Gap, Phillimont, Union, Upperville, Bar- ber's Cross Roads, Amisville No. 1, Amisville No. 2, Freeman's Ford, Beverly Ford, Middleburg, Gettys- burg, Williamsport, Boonsboro No. 1, Boonsboro No. 2, Funkstown, Falling Waters, Chester Gap, Brandy Plains No. 1, Brandy Plains No. 2, Culpepper, Rac-


ueadlier


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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.


coon Ford, Jack's Shop, Germania Ford, Stevens- burgh, Brandy Plains No. 3, Oak Hill, Bealton Sta- tion, Muddy Run, Locust Grove, Barnett's Ford, Craig's Church, Yellow Tavern, Richmond Defenses, Meadow Bridge, Hawes' Shop, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill 2d, Nottaway C. H., Roanoke Station, Stony Creek, Winchester 2d, Summit Point, Kearney- ville, Opequan, Front Royal, Milford, Fisherville, Tour's Brook, Cedar Creek, Middle Road, Lacey Springs, Waynesboro, Five Forks, Namazine Church, Sailor's Creek, Appomattox, Lee's Surrender. Six- teen officers were killed under the flag of this regi- ment, of whom two were from this county, Major James McNair, killed at Nottaway C. H., June 23d, 1864, and Captain H. C. Cutler, killed at Beverly Ford, June 9th, 1863. Captain Andrew Kuder and 1st Lieutenant Charles A. Goheen returned with the regi- ment, and were mustered out at the close of the war.


In the summer of 1861, while General Wadsworth was on a flying visit to Geneseo he stated to promi- nent gentlemen that the war was to be a long one, and he was extremely anxious that Livingston should do her whole duty. To accomplish this he proposed that a regiment should be raised in the county, and asked Col. John Rorbach to allow him to present the latter's name to the Governor for a commission to recruit such a regiment. After some hesitation Col. Rorbach con- sented, and in a short time he received a commission to recruit and organize a regiment for the service. The experiment seemed a hazardous one, inasmuch as the county had already furnished recruits enough at least for a regiment, but earnest men had hold of the meas- ure, and it was bound to succeed. It was also pro- posed to eall the new regiment the "Wadsworth Guards," in honor of the brave officer who had first proposed its organization, and who had already re-


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flected such honor on his native county by his daring bravery and self-sacrificing patriotism.


Colonel Rorbach found, after some weeks' hard work, that it would be impossible to organize a regi- ment without having a local depot to which he could send his recruits as fast as they were secured. He asked the State government, therefore, to establish a military depot at Geneseo, and an order to this effect was issued. The " old camp ground " at the head of North street having been selected as the site of the military depot, barracks were immediately con- structed, and the work of recruiting was again entered upon with new vigor. The men, as fast as they were enlisted, were sent to this depot, which was called Camp Union. The energetic commander of the post, seconded by his able assistants, pushed the work of enlisting men so vigorously that the minimum number was secured, and the regiment mustered into the ser- vice Jan. 24th, 1862. In the following month the Wadsworth Guards, as they were called, received marching orders, on the 26th of February, 1862, they departed for the seat of war. At Albany three companies were added to the regiment from Troy, to make its complement of ten, and an organiza- tion was perfected as the 104th Regiment, N. Y. V. I., with the following officers :




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