USA > New York > Livingston County > A history of Livingston County, New York: > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51
The question of the completion of the road re- mained in a state of vexations uncertainty until the fall of 1855, when a meeting was held at Rochester, composed largely of representatives from this county,
* The original intention had been to extend it to Pittsburgh, but this idea was entertained only for a short time.
1
!
1
1
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
461
to consider the question of completing the long de- layed enterprise. It had been proposed that a com- pany be formed to complete the road from Avon to Mount Morris, and then to lease it of the Genesee Valley company. In furtherance of this plan a com- mittee consisting of three Rochester gentlemen, and John R. Murray and Lester Phelps of Mount Morris, was appointed to solicit subscriptions. The latter gentleman stated that his town had already subscribed $80,000 for this object, and Geneseo would take 890,- 000 more. The road-bed was already partially graded, $100,000 having been expended by the old company on this part of the line, and it was believed that $200,- 000 would complete it. On the 21st of June of the following year another meeting was held at Geneseo, at which it was stated that the Rochester and Genesee Valley Railroad Company had offered to release all its right and title in and to the line south of Avon to any company that would complete the road from Avon to Mount Morris. Accepting this proposition, steps were immediately taken to form a new company, and George S. Whitney, William T. Cuyler, William M. Bond, C. H. Carroll and H. P. North were appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions to the stock. An organization was effected at this meeting by choosing as directors John R. Murray, Allen Ayrault, H. P. North, Hiram P. Mills, C. H. Carroll, W. C. Hawley, J. S. Wadsworth, Charles Jones, William A. Rey- nolds, John Fowler, William T. Cuyler, R. P. Wis- ner and William Kidd. At a subsequent meeting Henry P. North was made President of the company. and Richard P. Fitzhugh and E. R. Hammatt were added to the board of directors, in place of Mr. Rey- nolds and Mr. Ayrault.
The most untiring efforts were now made to secure subscription to the stock along the whole line of the
462
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
road, and many were so desirous of seeing it com- pleted that they took more stock than they were able, or should have been required to hold. Two promi- nent citizens, now in mind, in this manner opened the way for a series of financial reverses that have swept away a fine property, and left them in straightened circumstances. Republics may be ungrateful, but it little behooves the people of the Valley to treat lightly the claims to lasting honor and gratitude of such men, who have helped to make it a rich and prosperous community.
Such was the success of the company in securing subscriptions that in October, 1856, a contract was made with George W. and George B. Phelps for the completion of the road by the 1st of September of the following year. Work was immediately commenced by these energetic contractors, and pushed forward with all possible dispatch. In the calculations made, however, the financial crisis of 1857 did not enter as a factor, and consequently when that period was reached and all public or private enterprises were seriously embarrassed or wholly suspended, this one proved no exception. Unable to provide the contractors with the means to prosecute the work, the directors were compelled to suspend operations, but early in 1858 they were resumed again, through the earnest and indefatigable efforts of the officers of the company. On New Year's day, 1859, the first train entered Gen- eseo, and soon after the road was completed to Mount Morris. Regular trains commenced running in April, 1859.
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
---
1
....
463
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
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- ont 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
.
i
464
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
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-
-
-
465
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
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 bf 1860, Mr. Norton was elected for three years, and re- tired at the end of that time having declined a re-election.
466
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
467
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 ;
.
468
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 John 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
i
469
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
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.
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-
471
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. .
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! "
!
472
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 stated, 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
-
473
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
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
·
:
1
474
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
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 8th 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
1
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
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."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.