USA > New York > Ontario County > A history of Ontario County, New York and its people, Volume I > Part 40
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
in the election of William Clark, supervisor; Joel Watkins, town clerk : Jabez Metcalf. Edward Kibbe, and Edward Lane, assessors ; Nathan Watkins, William Dunton, Elijah Clark, commissioners of highways; Captain William Watkins, Captain E. Cleveland, and Robert Wiley, poormasters; Elisha Parrish, constable ; Louis Par- rish, Reuben Parrish, John Weaver, Isaac Post, pathmasters ; John Jolinson, Benjamin Hardin, Isaac Whitney, fence viewers; Jabez Metcalf, poundmaster. The town at this time seems to have stood in need of poormasters more than other officers.
In 1796, Benjamin Clark built a grist mill a little below where the Ontario mill now stands. The mill was 30 by 40, and the rais- ing day was a great event. The people gathered from far and near, even the women assisting in raising the ponderous frame. The mill stones were brought from Wyoming, Pennsylvania, with great difficulty. Four yokes of oxen were employed and it was necessary to cut a road nearly all the way through the forest. This mill cost about $1.000 and would grind sixty bushels of grain in twenty-four hours. There was great rejoicing among the people when it was completed. for prior to this time they had been obliged to go long distances for their grinding. For seven years there were no roads for teams leading out of the settlement.
In 1797 the first school-house was built on the square and this was afterwards known as the town house. I think this building was the one destroyed by fire in recent years. It was two stories in height. The first store was run by a Hollander named Hesel- guesser and was located on the flats near the brick house or Simons farm. Land on the flats was worth one dollar per acre and the hills were practically worthless. The hill lands were traded for pork, rum, and tavern bills.
The winter of 1797-98 was noted for depth of snow. The Indians could not hunt even with snow shoes and were in great distress. Had they not been supplied by the settlers, they must have starved. In 1798, the Indians held a great festival. They assembled from a great distance, all dressed in their neatest attire. A large fire was built near the Erastus Hamlin house. The Indians stood in small groups, the squaws sitting on the ground, the papooses lashed to boards set up against the trees. At a given signal they danced about the fire, beating small drums and singing in a loud monotonous tone. This gathering must have been about the last general gathering of the Indians in this valley. It was a
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THE TOWN OF NAPLES.
large gathering and attracted the attention of the whole settlement.
From 1799 to 1815, there is not much evidence showing what was transpiring in the settlement. The war of 1812-14 had been fought and it is known that several of the settlers took part.
In 1808 the name of the town was changed to Naples. There can be no doubt but that the settlement had grown in point of numbers and influence. In 1815 and 1816 portions of the town were set off into Italy and Springwater.
The people who had gathered here at that time were neces- sarily confined to their own home associates. Communication with the outside world was difficult. There were few roads and these were difficult to travel. The people were primitive in their ways and their wants were few. Most of them lived in log houses with- out glass windows, ill fitted to exclude the cold. Had it not been for the roaring log fires kept up during the winter the inmates must have suffered. Wood and timber was very abundant then and for many years thereafter. The family utensils were clumsy ; home- spun clothing, coarse but durable. A special suit was provided for the Sabbath. In winter they wore shoes and leggins. Boots were rare and would last many years. In summer the men generally went barefooted and so did the women and children. Carpets, sofas, and pianos were unknown. Tea and coffee were scarcely obtain- able. Oysters, ice cream, and cigars were unknown. They spun the cloth and made their own garments.
The people seem to have been without a church building prior to the year 1825. Then the new Congregational church was dedi- cated. It was located on the old square and in front of the ceme- tery. It was a fine building and a source of pride to all. It was used as a church for many years, first by the Congregationalists and afterwards by the Wesleyans. It stood idle for a number of years and was torn down in 1870 or 1871. The village grew to the south. Land was cheaper and mills and hotels had been built in that locality. The Presbyterian church, an outgrowth of this old Congregational society, built its first house of worship in 1850. This was burned in March, 1874, but soon afterwards was replaced bv the building now in use. The Baptist people had organized in 1842. A church building was erected soon after. That building now forms a portion of the Alfred Griswold shop. The present edifice was erected in 1855. The Methodist society was formed and a church built on the present site about 1830. In 1851 a new church
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
was built, and in 1880 a new brick church was built on the site of the old one, which was torn down. The first church now forms a part of old Independence hall, the Loveland mill, and this is about to become the new Grange hall.
The Roman Catholics have a nice church located on Tobey street and it was erected in 1882. All of these churches are in a flourishing condition. Rev. J. Moss is the pastor of the Methodist church, Rev. J. H. France that of the Presbyterian, and Rev. S. T. Harding that of the Baptist. The Catholic church has no resident priest. For many years there was a church known as the Christian church, with a resident pastor, but it has ceased to exist and the church property has been converted to other uses.
Prior to the building of the Christian church there was no public hall. When this church was built the basement was known as the Hall of Science, and here nearly all entertainments of all kinds were held. It was here the Sabins land suit was tried with Hon. William H. Seward as one of the counsel. This created great excitement at the time. This hall gave way in 1861 to the Marks or Independence hall and that in turn gave place to the new Memorial hall.
During all this time the village steadily grew to the southward. Alanson Watkins had erected a grist mill building below Myron Cleveland's house, but it was never used as such and was destroyed by fire in 1862 or '63, while in use by the first wine company. Grist mills, carding mills, saw mills, chain factory, tanneries were built, and additional hotels and places of business were completed and occupied.
Simeon Lyon seems to have been the leading spirit in these enterprises. He raised a large family, some of whose descendants still reside here. The town had spread out in each direction and school districts had been formed, farms cleared and settled. Large families were the rule and not the exception. I have before given the names of some of the settlers.
There were many others and I note those as furnished by Mr. Sutton. These were known as pioneers: James Lee, Richard Hooker, John Sibhart, William James, Asa Perry, Paul Grimes, Guy Hinckley. E. Stiles. Rev. Thomas Peck, John Powers, Seymour Gillett. Peter Whitney, William Oakley, Amaziah Cornell, Nathan Tyler. Abijah Shaw, Israel Meads, Zaccheus Barber, Oliver Tenney, Lemuel Barber. John Barber, Abraham and John Sutton,
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THE TOWN OF NAPLES.
Samuel Shaw, Jacob Dagget, Nathan Clark, Russell Parrish, Aaron Hunt, Jacob Holdren, Jonas Belknap, Gail Washburn, William Sullivan, Stephen Garlinghouse, Jesse Peck, Mr. Tallman, William West, Sr., Joseph Grant, Isaac Whitney, Benjamin Clark, Simeon Lyon, Stephen Storey, Doctor Newcomb, Isaac Sutton, Thomas Blodgett, John Blodgett, Thomas Bentley, William Bush, David Fletcher, Alanson Lyon, Elisha Sutton, Charles Wilcox; Bushnell Cleveland, Uriah Davids, David Carrier, Pitts Parker, Ichabod Green, Samuel Stancliff, John Cronk, Ithamer Carrier, Michael Keith, Reuben Parrish, Peabody Kinne, Robert Wiley, Nathan Watkins, William Watkins, John Hinckley, Nathan Goodell, Ami Baker, Joshua Lyon, Joseph Battles, Hiram and Stephen Sayles. These men settled up the town in every direction and laid the foundation for the prosperity which has followed their efforts.
The War History.
Many of the first settlers had, as I have before stated, seen service in the war of the Revolution. It is worthy of note that this town furnished a company to help guard the frontier in 1812-14. The military spirit was never suffered to become dormant. They had the custody for many years of the only cannon in the county. Military titles were quite common. General trainings were here observed with great pomp. In 1855, Captain A. A. Bingham formed what was known as the Ontario Light Guards. The company was beautifully equipped and had one of the best martial bands to be found in Western New York. Their beautiful silk flag is still pre- served by the G. A. R. post. This company was the pride of the town and was disbanded at the commencement of the Civil war. Many of its members took part in that war and several gained distinction in the service of their country. A few members still survive. Nearly all lie buried in Rose Ridge cemetery, Captain Bingham with the others.
More than two hundred soldiers from this town saw service in the war of the Rebellion. No town in the county can show a better record. There still remains a flourishing Grand Army post and also a Sons of Veterans organization. Decoration day is always properly observed here. A Memorial town hall was erected in 1872 in honor of these gallant men. This building and its well kept grounds are a credit to the place. Some of our citizens participated in the drafts that were made in 1863 and 1865.
436
HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
School History.
One of the first duties performed by the early settlers was the building of a school-house, as before stated. Prior to the erection of the Academy in 1860, the general education of the masses was obtained in the district schools. Three of these were located in the village proper. The others were in the various districts about the town. There were select schools in and about the village and they were presided over by such teachers as L. G. Thrall, Wells Hurlburt, John M. Nichols, Seth Baker, Susan Kilpatrick, Jane Mills, Sarah Parkinson, and others who were noted in their time. The district schools were maintained by a rate bill.
A movement was started in 1857 or 1859 to build a Union school. This movement was met with much opposition and was soon abandoned, being in advance of the time. A number of public spirited men soon after banded together and built the Academy in 1860, and its doors were first opened to students in the fall of 1861. The laying of the corner stone of this institution was one of the greatest events in the history of the town. It was the first brick building ever erected in the town. Its first principal was M. M. Merrill, who served in this capacity for five years and was followed by Prof. Charles Jacobus, P. V. N. Myers, Prof. Farmer, Davis Thrall. Bugbee, Sprague, and others who became prominent in the educational world. A few years ago, in 1897, the Academy was merged into a Union school and this with the three district schools embrace the school system of the village. The school in question has at all times been a success and many of its former students have become noted in the outside world as teachers, preachers, and men and women engaged in the various professions. The annual Naples gathering in New York city is a witness of this fact. Already eight of these have been held.
Literary Attainments and Music.
The town has always been more or less interested in literature and music. As early as 1831, there was a public lyceum and some of the early history was obtained from its records. This must have been maintained for years. It was in existence during all of the Civil war and for years thereafter. In 1872 it was still in existence. This gave place to the Webster Club which was main- tained for a few years. The Academy had two literary societies, one for each of the sexes. The Union school enjoys a fine library,
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THE TOWN OF NAPLES.
the gift of the family of the late Hiram Maxfield. This place was the home of much musical talent. The people have excelled in this direction. Naples was the home of the Deyo, Pierce, and Sutton families, who were wonders in their day as singers and musicians. All of the principal homes have musical instruments of some kind and there is no lack of talent in this direction.
Public Men.
In the halls of legislation, both at Washington and at Albany, has this town been honored. Lorenzo Clark, E. W. Cleveland, E. B. Pottle, S. H. Torrey, Cyrillo S. Lincoln, Hiram Maxfield, E. P. Babcock, and George B. Hemenway, all of Naples, have served the county in this direction. Others of her citizens have been honored in county offices. Noah T. Clarke was born here and became prom- inent as an educator. Hon. Myron H. Clark, the only Governor of the State furnished by Ontario county, was born and grew to man- hood in this village. His brother, Stephen W. Clark, the author of Clark's grammar, resided here in his childhood and early manhood, and their parents are buried here in the old cemetery. Rev. Henry Webb Johnson, a noted Presbyterian divine, was a native of the village. Many of her citizens have held public office and some of them have gained distinction in their chosen professions.
The Press.
I have before spoken of the Record and the News. A little more of the history of the Naples Record might be of interest. It was first started in the basement of the Griswold mill on a job press by the late S. L. Deyo and Doctor C. H. Johnson. Doctor Johnson soon retired and Mr. Deyo became the sole proprietor. He enlarged the paper, erected a building for its use, and continued its publica- tion until February 1, 1873, when he sold a half interest to R. M. McJannett and continued that relation until July, 1877, when Mr. McJannett sold his interest to Mr. Deyo. Miles A. Davis was its editor for a time under a lease. It afterwards became the property of R. M. McJannett, who continued its publication until 1884. Mr. Deyo also established the Neapolitan in 1880. These two publica- tions were merged in February, 1884, under the name of the Nea- politan Record. October first, 1887, J. S. Tellier purchased the paper and has since continued its publication as the Naples Record.
Prior to these publications there had been other papers estab- lished. These were in advance of the times and for lack of support
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
soon ceased to exist. The Free Press was established by Charles P. Waterman in 1833. Another known as the Neapolitan was established by David Fairchild in 1840. This was afterwards changed to the Naples Visitor. R. Denton published the Naples Journal in 1853, and I think there was still another paper published for a short time in 1858 or 1859.
The Anti-Slavery Movement.
There was quite a strong anti-slavery movement in the town and village for some years preceding the war. Many meetings along this line were held here and what is known as an under- ground station existed. The late William Marks was prominent as a leader here and many fugitive slaves were entertained at his home. The old hearse, now the property of Supervisor J. H. Tozer, had a part in these missions. The town was strongly Repub- lican in sentiment, but few there were who were willing to be known as abolitionists.
The Grape Industry.
The culture of grapes has long been one of the leading indus- tries and it has become a large one. Early in the fifties Edward A. Mckay, a lawyer of the village, set one hundred and sixty vines of the Isabella variety. He had trouble in marketing them in New York and Boston, but in Montreal, Canada, he was enabled to obtain a large price. His success was soon followed by others and lands that were held at low value advanced very rapidly in price. This industry was the means of bringing to the place our German, population and to-day they and their descendants are among our best citizens. The railroad, completed in 1892, has added much to the prosperity and today the town ranks among the best as a market center.
Naples Union Agricultural Society.
For many years an annual fair was maintained. The present society was organized in 1886 and from its inception has been a grand success. The annual attendance is very large and the liberal spirit displayed towards exhibitors insures at all times a large display in every department. The by-laws provide that a new pres- ident shall be selected from its stockholders each year. The groutids are large and well kept and the buildings are amply suited for the purpose intended. This institution prides itself in the fact
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THE TOWN OF NAPLES.
that it has at all times paid its premiums in full, regardless of weather conditions.
Town and Village Officials.
The present town officials are as follows: Supervisor, J. H. Tozer; clerk, Ernest Goodrich; justices, J. T. Kenfield, J. H. Huntington, George A. Bolles, D. J. Doughty; superintendent of highways, A. J. Walker; collector, Frank Potter; assessors, John Goundry, J. C. Bolles. F. D. Yaw ; overseer of poor, Levi G. Strong ; constables, Nelson Hunt, C. E. Cornish, F. G. Pierce, Frank Cornish, Charles Briggs.
Former representatives of the town in the Board of Super- visors are living, as follows: E. A. Hamlin, George R. Granby, E. A. Griswold, D. J. Doughty, J. E. Lyon, G. B. Hemenway, C. L. Lewis.
The present village officers are as follows: President, A. M. Blake; clerk, C. E. Koby; trustees, M. M. Wheeler and D. J. Doughty ; treasurer, J. Gordon Lewis ; collector, A. J. Fries ; street commissioner, J. E. Lyon.
Past and Present Conditions.
For many years the town was without a railroad or telegraph. Telephones were unknown. All the products raised were carted in and out of the town by teams. Stage lines carried the passengers. The merchants kept general stores and several of them maintained lumber yards as well. There were many shoemakers residing in the place, for nearly all the footwear for men, women, and children was manufactured here. There were tailors in plenty. The milling interests were large, there being at the time no less than four well conducted flouring mills. Several saw mills had been erected in and about the country districts. A carding mill was in full blast, because of the fact that many of the ladies understood the art of spinning and nearly all, old and young, could knit their own stock- ings. The fuel was wood and the light for many years was that of whale oil and candles. Even bed springs were unknown. The people were indeed primitive in their ways, but at the same time they were highly intelligent and quick to grasp new ideas and new methods. They did at all times the best they could with the means at their disposal. This was manifested in their churches and homes and in the disposition of the people to obtain for their children better educational advantages. Money was scarce prior to the
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
Civil war and prior to 1875 the community was without banks, meat markets, barber shops, and other conveniences. The under- taker kept no supplies on hand, and the town was without a hearse until 1840 or thereabouts.
Very few of the business men of those times are left to tell the story. The venerable Deacon E. A. Hamlin, who was the super- visor for many years, both during the war and later on, still sur- vives, hale and hearty, and actively engaged in the duties of his farm. He has passed his ninetieth birthday. Mrs. Samantha Nellis is perhaps the oldest person in the county, being at the present writing more than one hundred years of age, well and active. There are several residents who have reached advanced age. Myron Cleveland and his wife are the only married couple still living who have resided in the village continuously since 1861.
The present population constitutes an up-to-date community, enterprising in all respects. The village has every facility for mak- ing home life desirable. Her schools and churches are first class. Very few places can equal or excel her in this respect. There is much of interest that could be said to the credit of this community did space permit. The writer, who was born and grew to manhood in that lovely valley, still cherishes a love for those hills, that valley, and these people which will exist so long as life shall last.
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THE TOWN OF PHELPS.
XXXIV.
THE TOWN OF PHELPS.
First Named Sullivan in Honor of the Commander of the Expedi- tion of 1779-The Early Settlers Men of Enterprise and Genius-Here One of the First Threshing Machines was Invented and Used-The Early Preachers and Teachers- The Village of Phelps.
BY EDWIN F. BUSSEY.
Until the invasion of Sullivan's army in 1779, the town of Phelps was the undisputed home of the Indians, who fared sumptu- ously on an abundance of game and the products of its fertile fields. In passing through this region, the soldiers of Sullivan's army had their attention attracted to the prolific fields of corn and fruit orchards belonging to the aboriginals, and they carried back to their homes in the east and south interesting stories of their dis- coveries, which a few years later led to an influx of settlers into Western New York.
The title to a very large tract of land bounded on the east by the 82nd meridian was transferred by the State of Massachusetts in 1788 to Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel Gorham, who were wealthy residents of that State. They in turn transferred the property to the early settlers, the first of whom to locate in what is now the town of Phelps was John Decker Robison, who with his family started from the eastern part of the State and traveled by means of bateaux through the Hudson, Mohawk, and Oneida rivers, and Canandaigua outlet, arriving at a point on the eastern boundary of the present village of Phelps on the 14th of May, 1789. Their journey occupied about two months. Mr. Robinson purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land and his first place of abode was a tent, which later was superseded by a log house.
The Robisons were quickly followed by the families of Pierce
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
and Elisha Granger, Seth Dean, Nathaniel Sanborn, Jonathan Oaks, Oliver and Charles Humphrey, Elias Dickinson, Wells Whitmore, Jesse Warner and others.
Ontario county began its legal existence on January 27, 1789. The town of Canandaigua was established under act of legislature the same date. The first name assigned to this town was Phelps- burg, and later it was called Sullivan, in honor of the leader of the Colonial army before referred to. The "district" held its first meet- ing at the inn of Jonathan Oaks, at Oaks Corners, April 4, 1796. The name of Sullivan was changed to that of Phelps at a session of the court in June, 1796, this in honor of the head of the syndicate that first opened the western wilderness to settlement and of the family so prominently identified with the early organization and development of Ontario county.
The old records, carefully preserved in the office of the town clerk, show that the pioneer settlers gave careful consideration to the needs of the town. Their first act was to designate the number of officers that the town should have, after which they proceeded to elect Jonathan Oaks, supervisor; Solomon Goodale, clerk; Joel Prescott, Philetus Swift, and Pierce Granger, assessors ; Augustus Dickinson, collector; Oliver Humphrey and Patrick Burnett, over- seers of the poor; Jesse Warner, Oliver Humphrey, and Philetus Swift, commissioners of highways; Cornelius Westfall, Abram Spurr, Charles Humphrey, Elijah Gates, Augustus Dickinson, John Patton, Wells Whitmore, and Jonathan Melvin, overseers of high- ways: Cornelius Westfall. Charles Humphrey, and David Wood- ward, fence viewers ; and Jonathan Oaks, pound keeper. A motion prevailed that one Augustus, whose last name has not been handed down to posterity, be constable.
It was voted that twenty pounds be raised for the support of the poor and the killing of native animals. It was also voted that hogs might run at large, if sufficiently yoked, from April 15 to November 15. At the town election held April 30, 1799, about eighty-five votes were cast.
The succession of supervisors has been as follows: Jonathan Oaks, 1796: Joel Prescott, 1797-1804, and 1806-09; Pierce Granger, 1805. Elihu Granger, 1810-11 : William Burnett, 1812-13, and 1816- 17: Lemuel Bannister, Jr., 1814; Thaddeus Bannister, 1815; Phi- letus Swift, 1818-22: William Hildreth, Sr., 1823-26; Thomas Edmonston, 1827: James VanDemark, 1828-29, and 1832-33;
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THE TOWN OF PHELPS.
Richard D. Cuyler, 1831 ; David McNiel, 1834; Isaac M. Norton, 1835; Frederick VanDemark, 1836-37; William Dickinson, 1838- 40; John S. Harris, 1841-42; Moses Chapman, 1843; Cornelius Horton, 1844-52; Henry C. Swift, 1853; Hubbard McLoud, 1854; Sylvanus B. Pond, 1855; Lewis Peck, 1856-59; Ambrose L. Van- Dusen, 1860; Nathan Oaks, 1861-64; Lysander Redfield, 1865; Henry Ray, 1866-67 ; Horatio N. Mather, 1868; Samuel E. Horton, 1869-70; David Cosad, Jr., 1871; Thaddeus O. Hotchkiss, 1872-73, and 1875-79; Hamilton McBurney, 1874; John C. Warner, 1880; Benjamin F. Odell, 1881-82; Abram S. Smith, 1883-87; Thaddeus O. Hotchkiss, 1888-90; George B. Shepperd, 1891; William C. Edmonston, 1892-95; John H. Roy, 1896-1905 ; William C. Edmons- ton, 1906-07; George W. Salisbury, 1908-1911.
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