USA > New York > Cortland County > Virgil > Festal gathering of the early settlers! and present inhabitants of the town of Virgil, Cortland County, N.Y., 1853 > Part 9
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Andrew Brusie was intelligent and useful,-was a Justice of the Peace several years-had a forge for 'manufacturing iron from frag- ments, which he prosecuted several years ; and when any one wished to speak highly of the quality of iron, he would say, "It is a good Brusie iron." He left the Town some years since. It is not known that he is still living.
Randall Williams was an early inhabitant of this Town-received rather of a limited education here. At the age of about eighteen he went to Pike county, Pennsylvania ; engaged in canaling; rose to be section engineer on seven miles of canal, implying confidence and ability. Afterwards went to Janesville, Wis., and has risen to affluence.
Reuben Gridley was a man of indomitable energy, and it was very much through his instrumentality that the road through Gridley Hollow, so called after him, was established and made fit for travel, and is the principal thoroughfare from Virgil to Marathon. He re- moved with a large family to Michigan some years since, where several of his sons have become men of property and influence.
John E. Roe settled here early in 1798. He was deficient in ed- ucation, and in order to supplement the same, attended the common school with his children, where he made acquisitions sufficient to fit him for the transaction of any business arising in ordinary life, and acquitted himself well in the office of deacon in the church of which he was a member. John E. Roe and Charlotte Roe were the par- ents of five children, who lived to mature life. The eldest, Betsey N. Roe, was reputed to be the first female child born in the Town. She grew up an intelligent, exemplary woman, early made profes- sion of religion, adorning the same by a life devoted to its interests. She removed to a western state some years ago, and has since died. She was a woman whom any man might be happy to call sister.
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Cotemporary with her was Sally, daughter of Jonathan and Lucinda Edwards. She was also intelligent and made early profession of religion, which she adorned with a pious and exemplary demeanor, and died in early womanhood, deeply lamented.
S. M. Roe, John M. Roe, Erastus G. Roe and Philip T. Roe, were the other children of John E. Roe, before named. . Their his- tory was common in that they had only the advantages of the com- mon school. All made profession of religion and became officers in the respective churches where they became located, several of which were weak and required much of their labor to sustain them. The eldest S. M. Roe was deacon in the Congregational Church in Vir- gil, his native place. Afterwards he removed to Cortland, where he engaged in the butter trade, involving also the purchase of wool, pelts, eggs, etc., till his health failed, when this business was given up. He has been elder in the Presbyterian Church there seventeen years. John M. was a leading and efficient member and officer in the Presbyterian Church in Marathon. He died nearly two years since, much lamented. Erastus G. Roe made profession of religion here-remained a few years, then left for Fulton county, Ill., about thirty years since. He has acquitted himself well as a Jus- tice of the Peace several years-was entrusted with much responsibil- ity connected with the war in caring for soldiers, securing their rights, etc., and active in matters of religion.
Nelson C. Roe, son of S. M. Roe, before named, spent his child- . hood and youth here. He afterwards removed to the West, and settled in Lyons, Iowa. . At the commencement of the war his pa- triotism moved him to raise a company of soldiers, of which he was made captain, went into service, was with his company in sixteen sanguinary battles, and though he had an epaulette and sword-belt shot off, he escaped unhurt.
NUNBER XXI.
I proceed to give some account of a few more names that deserve a notice in this direction. Hananiah Wilcox and Benjamin Harding, though natives of Cortlandville, yet as they received their
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education here, we feel justified in the allusion. Mr. Wilcox en- gaged in school-teaching in this Town and in Dryden, for a few terms-was an ardent friend and supporter of the temperance and anti-slavery causes. He lived in Dryden during the last thirty or more years, and was untiring in his devotion to these causes, as some would say, almost to a fault. He was a Justice of the Peace during several of the last years of his life, and died a few months since. Mr. Harding went to Kansas in a very early period of its settlement. He was a member of the Senate in the territorial Legislature which was dispersed by an armed force by order of the Government.
Leonard Fostser left Town early in life, and settled in Cortland- ville. He enjoyed the public confidence and was a reputable mem- ber and officer in the Presbyterian Church in that place. He re- moved to a place in the western part of the State a few years since. It was stated in a former number that a Post-Office was established here in 1808. The business done in it was small for a long time. The population was sparse and postage high. The writer was pres- ent on a time when the mail arrived, and when inquiry was made of the postmaster, James Chatterton, Esq., by some one interested, he answered that nothing came except one letter. The route then was from Ithaca to Cortland, and frequently performed on foot. It would seem to the present inhabitants to be quite a walk to go . through every day. I once met the man engaged in this service and asked him if he preferred to go on foot. His answer was that if he had a horse he would ride in preference to going on foot. Cheap postage, an increase of population, business and intelligence have added much to the business of this department, and now we have an office centrally located in a space of country of about six miles in diamater, with 275 boxes and a mail every day-for a few months past carried by a team of horses owned and driven by Mr. Julian C. Seamans, by whom also many passengers are carried with comfort and convenience. There are also two other Post-Offices in Town doing considerable business.
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NUMBER XXII.
T HE names of a few other men occur to me that deserve to be noticed, whose history is connected with the war.
Clinton D. Bouton entered early into the service of his country. He remained in the army till near its close, serving the Union cause acceptably and with fidelity. On his return home he settled in Dryden ; soon engaged in business, has been successful, and is one of the leading merchants in that village, and is the postmaster.
Daniel P. Griswold enlisted early, served faithfully, was in seven sanguinary battles, among which were South Mountain, Antietam and Gettysburg, where he received a severe wound in the leg, re- mained a long time in the hospital, and was finally discharged. The wound was incurable and amputation above the knee was resorted to. He lives in Town an example of industry and thrift. A broth- er of his entered the army and fell a sacrifice to his country's cause. His name was Barzilia Griswold.
We will now notice a few civilians. Isaac B. Bloomer received only the education furnished by this Town. He engaged early in teaching, and was afterward elected Town Superintendent of Com- mon Schools, which office he filled several years, discharging its duties acceptably.
Walter L. Chaplin derived his education from the means enjoyed here. He taught a while, then entered upon the labors and duties of land surveyor, and now enjoys a good reputation in that depart- ment.
The writer would be happy to set forth somewhat in detail a large number of the pioneers of the Town who have lived and died here. It must suffice, however, that a few of their names are mentioned. These, with many others, encountered the rigors and hardships of a settlement in the new country. Joseph Chaplin, John M. Frank, John Gee, James Knapp, James Clark, John Shevalier, Robert Ryan, John Snider, Enos Bouton, Joseph Bailey, Simeon Luce, Oliver Ball, Abner Bruce, Ezra Bruce, William Lincoln, Eli John- son, John Hill, Oliver Tyler, Silas Lincoln, Joshua Farnam, Jona- than Edwards, John Calvert, Moses Olmstead, Isaac Bloomer, David Snider, William Snider, William Powers, and many others,
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who, having served their generation, have passed away in advanced age, respected and lamented.
In my next I hope to be able to set forth some of the Virgil men living in Cortland.
NUMBER XXIII.
A GREEABLY to the intimation in my last number, I proceed to give some sketches of individuals living in Cortland who emigrated from Virgil. As I pass into town I find for the first man D. D. Crawford, long a resident of our Town, but recently removed to Cortland. His means for the acquisition of education were lim- ited. He commenced the business of active life with small advan- tages, and, indeed, I think I have heard him say that he was scarce- ly even with the world, but with the aid of his efficient helpmeet, attended with the divine blessing, he has accumulated a handsome property and sustains a good reputation. And I may as well pre- mise that all those of whom I am now to write, commenced with small means, and some were emphatically poor; and it is especially true of all that they had to pass through Valley Forge on their way to wealth and distinction. I use this phrase as happily descriptive of the embarrassments and difficulties in the way of each, as he has progressed from his small beginnings to his present position of in- fluence and respectability. If any are uninformed respecting the origin and meaning of this term or phrase, let them search it out and ascertain for themselves its signification, when they will appreciate its force in this connection.
Martin Luce was elected a Justice of the Peace, and held the of- fice during one term ; he was also chosen County Superintendent of the Poor, which office he held several years, discharging its duties acceptably.
The two Messrs. Holton are distinguished as mechanics of a high order in their trade as carpenters and house-builders. Amasa and Harrison Givens are successful merchants, having made great ad- vances on the small means with which they commenced, occupying a splendid store and are doing an extensive business.
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H. J. Messenger had only the opportunities afforded by the com- mon school. He and the others of whom. I shall write derived all their education from such facilities as this Town afforded, except in cases that will be noted as we pass along. Mr. Messenger was elected Justice of the Peace, serving the people ably and acceptably. He was also chosen Supervisor, in 1853. He commenced the mer- cantile business in East Virgil, in 1839, in company with William Gray, whom he bought out in 1840. He continued in that depart- ment of business there, at Killawog, and at Canandaigua, till 1857, when he went into banking with T. E. Hart, also formerly of Virgil. In 1860 he returned to Cortland and established the Messenger Bank, and he continued the same, doing a large amount of business in the time, till his regretted failure a few years since. He was principally instrumental in erecting several large brick blocks, thus giving an impetus to the department of building in the village. · He is now employed as Real Estate Agent, and in other responsible de- partments of public business, implying a large share of public con- fidence.
Alexander Mahan is much younger than any other of those men- tioned. His early prospects were not flattering. He engaged as an aid in butter buying. He afterward entered upon the same business, also embracing other articles of trade, such as wool, etc., on his own account. Within a few years he has been employed as book-seller, and has taken into partnership his brother-in-law, David F. Wallace. Recently, like Abraham and Lot, they have separated, and he has erected a splendid store near the Episcopal Church, which he is oc- cupying as a music store.
E. N. Johnson began as a clerk in a small store in East Virgil. He afterwards entered upon business on his own account, in Homer. He is now in Cortland doing a good business in merchandise, and is reputed to be successful.
Luce & Silverman are photographers and artists, holding a high position in that line. The first named is a native of our Town, and passed through a great affliction in one of his limbs. It was feared that he would not recover; but it is extremely gratifying to know that he has essentially recovered, and has attained an enviable posi- tion in the employment in which he is engaged. He is yet young and has the good wishes and hopes of all his friends for a long and useful life.
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NUMBER XXIV.
I continue in this number, the list of individuals deserving notice, who came from Virgil, now living, or who have lived in Cort- land. Nathan Smith was long a resident in our Town. He lived in the eastern part, and in early manhood attached himself to a com- pany of artillery then in active service, being in Town, and was pro- moted to the office of Captain, and was very active in that position. He was afterwards elected Justice of the Peace, and later was chos- en Supervisor, in which office his services were acceptable. He was an influential leader in the religious interests in that portion of the Town.
James S. Squires enjoyed but limited means for education in the locality in which he was reared. He was moved with a strong de- sire for greater opportunities, and as the best within his reach, he resorted to the means presented by the " Virgil Literary Institute, " located at the Corners, since called the Village, hiring his board by cutting wood at twenty-two cents per cord, and doing it within the term of school. He engaged in teaching in a back district where his services were so acceptable that the term was extended. He taught in Town, and in Pennsylvania several terms. He at length entered upon the mercantile business, and endorsing for parties that failed, his means were exhausted, and he was advised to make the best terms practicable with his creditors, settle up, and commence again in some distant locality. He, however, declined this counsel, on the principle that the place to find a thing is where it is lost, and remained, determined to pay the full amount of the demands against him, if industry and economy would do it, which was accomplished in a short time. This is an example eminently worthy of imitation. He commenced again in the same department on a very small scale, and was successful. He was elected Town Superintendent of Com- mon Schools, discharging the duties of the office with fidelity and success. He afterwards pursued the mercantile business in Cortland, till within a few years, when he retired from that department and became President of the Bank of Cortland, which position he occu- pied nearly five years. He has acquired a large property, of which he has devoted a liberal portion to the erection of the Baptist Church in Cortland, and to the thorough repairs put upon the Baptist
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Church in Virgil during the past year. He was very efficient and influential in securing the location of the Normal School in Cort- land.
Norman Chamberlain began life with small means, and these were soon put in jeopardy by endorsing for others who failed, by which he was severely straitened for several years. He was also long af- flicted with sickness in his family. Possessing the courtesy and af- fability so well adapted to fit him for the position of clerk in a mer- cantile establishment, he was employed in such capacity by the Messrs. Freer, in Cortland, in their extensive store for farmers' sup- plies, etc. He has risen from that position to be a principal mem- ber of a firm that owns an extensive store doing a very successful business. He has been once elected Supervisor of Cortlandville, where the party to which he belongs is greatly in the minority, though it may be said that a local question was involved which added to his party strength. He has been liberal in rendering aid in the same particulars with Mr. Squires.
E. P. Slafter commenced business life like the others named, with slender means. His first employment in active life was as a black- smith,-he afterwards entered upon the mercantile department, and being successful, his business enlarged and somewhat changed. Be- ing a ready accountant, he was soon entrusted with extensive ac- counts to collect and settle, and was a few years since the Cashier of the National Bank in Cortland, which position he held several years, discharging its duties with skill and fidelity. He has been active in Sabbath school matters ; has been President of the County Sabbath School Association, and for the past year Chairman of the Executive Committee of the State Sabbath School Association. He has also been generous in the bestowment of means for the erection and repairing of the two churches before named. He is now in the store with Chamberlain and others.
A. P. Smith, Judge and Surrogate of Cortland county, was a native of Virgil. He had the educational facilities afforded by our Town, and commenced to teach with the same. He afterwards at- tended the Normal School in Albany, and graduated there. He taught school again, a few terms, and entered upon the study of the law, and was admitted to practice. He was soon elected District Attorney, and later has been chosen County Judge, which office he
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now holds. He is reputed to be a sound lawyer, and his decisions are seldom or never reversed. He has written and published a his- tory of the 76th Regiment of New York Volunteers, which required much labor and research, and is accounted authentic and reliable.
Irving W. Palmer commenced the practice of law a few years since, and is well reputed in the same.
Arnold Stafford was successful in the acquisition of property, and enjoyed a good share of public confidence, which was evinced by his being chosen on the building committee of the M. E. Church in Cortland, and acting a prominent part in that committee. He died very suddenly, about two years since.
C. P. Snider set up merchandise in Virgil, and was a courteous, ac- ceptable trader while he remained with us. Since he has lived in Cortland he has been employed as merchant or clerk, and is a good business man.
E. F. Willet was an intelligent and estimable citizen. He ac- quired a good property, the main part of which he left with his son, and removed to Cortland. He was once chosen Supervisor of Vir- gil, and was alsocaptain in the malitia. He died a few months since, much respected and lamented.
NUMBER XXV.
A S stated in my last number, I had given what I intended in reference to individuals of, our Town, and was proceeding to draw some practical reflections derived from the facts set forth in the previous numbers. I have, however, come into possession of a fact in the notice taken of Jesse Storrs which I would have em- ployed then if I could have assured myself of its correctness, as I would be very averse to making statements unsupported by good authority. I greatly desired then to state the number of acres under cultivation by Storrs, Harrison & Co., in rearing trees, shrubs, plants, vines, evergreens, etc. This leads me to look back a little to the origin of all, and see " how great a matter a little fire kind-
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leth.". It was stated in our first notice that J. Storrs was a teacher of some eminence. It was his practice for several winters to teach in districts located from one and one-half to two and one-half miles from his residence-board himself and do his own work-partly from necessity and partly from the love of the employment and his desire to advance the cause of education. As stated before he had a partiality to fruit-growing, and engaged in the cultivation of apple trees on a small scale, procuring his cions where he could in the re- gion around, and having some whose worth had not been properly tested, bearing names which would now provoke a smile, and indi- cating the crude state of the profession or occupation of fruit culture. The writer having an orchard to replenish, dealt rather freely with him in the purchase of trees. His great care was to be able to as- sure the buyer that the trees sold would be true to the names given. He brought forward and gave currency to some new varieties, among which is the Munson Sweet, previously known by various different names. Also the Hutchings apple, which S. D. Storrs took to New England and gave it circulation through the northern and eastern New England States. Jesse Storrs took it to Painesville, Ohio, and gave it circulation in the northern and western United States. The parent tree is still living within four miles of the resi- dence of the writer. From the small beginning described the in- terest has grown till we find him in Painesville, Ohio, the senior partner in a firm that cultivates in the rearing of fruit trees, vines, shrubs, flowering plants, evergreens, etc., the wide extent of four hundred acres of land-a vast contrast from teaching school two miles from home and boarding himself, at perhaps, fifteen dollars per month, or traveling and keeping accounts in the interests of a marble shop ten miles from his family and home. If there is on earth a more extensive nursery, the writer has failed to learn its location. How many apple and pear trees would grow on four hun- dred acres, with rows three feet apart, and eight inches in the row ? How many hands would be required to cultivate such an area, keep it from weeds, prune, shape and balance the trees as they are pro- gressing toward the time when they. will be fit to transplant ? What a work to fill orders for the purchase of the products of such a nur- sery, to be sent over the wide area supplied by the same! Without wishing to invade the prerogative of some other writer, as the sub-
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ject is open, I venture to name another man, who, with Mr. Storrs, lived in Virgil till its division, in 1846, and employed in active ına- ture life in the same.
D. C. Squires, an elder brother of J. S. Squires, of Cortland, claims Virgil as his birth-place. Here he acquired an education with the limited opportunities enjoyed, which has enabled him to discharge the many responsible duties with which he has been charged, with signal ability and acceptance. It is said that in his early youth his insatiate desire for learning led him to spend many a night lying on the hearth-stone in the kitchen, studying by the light of pine knots or candles, and then prosecuting the arduous labors of the farm on the next day. The appreciative public have called on him to act in numerous offices and public trusts, among which are the following: He has held the office of Justice of the Peace twenty-eight years; the office of Supervisor of the Town fourteen years ; was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors six years ; was Superintendent of Schools several years, and School Commissioner one term ; was Justice of Sessions three years; was a Member of Assembly in 1865, and also in 1872. And in addition to these several positions of honor and trust, has had constantly on hand, in progress of settlement for the last ten years, the estates of several deceased persons, implying a large share of public confidence in his ability and integrity. He was also largely instrumental in procuring the division of the Town, and in giving the name to the present town of Lapeer, in which he lives. He was also a success- ful teacher of common schools for several terms.
It would be a pleasure to proceed with the names of other indi- viduals in Harford and Lapeer, such as the Taintors, Hemingways, Grays, Hunts, etc., but for the reason before stated I shall forbear to do so.
NUMBER XXVI.
I proceed to extend the list of those who live, or have lived in our Town, to whom credit is due.
Alexander Mc Vean has lived in Town, and in the adjoining town of Freetown, about sixty years. He is a man of good education and
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information, for the means enjoyed; has been a Justice of the Peace about thirty years ; is now in that office, and elected for an- other term ; has been postmaster in East Virgil for many years, and has held other important offices; is still vigorous at an advanced age.
William Bell has been a Colonel in the Militia and a Justice of the Peace two or more terms, and has held and acted in other im- portant offices.
Kinne Grow was a man of respectable talent and ability. He was a Colonel in the Malitia and a Justice of the Peace. He was cut off by death about forty years since.
P. F. Grow, brother of Kinne Grow, was a man of more than ordinary attainments and ability ; engaged somewhat in school- teaching; was a Justice of the Peace in the town of Richford, I think ; returned, and was a partner in a store; exerted much influ- ence in the Town; served as member of the Legislature one term, and acquitted himself there to the satisfaction of his constituents. He, also, died several years since. .
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