Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890, Part 24

Author: Beers, F. W. (Frederick W.), ed. 1n; Vose, J.W., and Co
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : J.W. Vose & Co.
Number of Pages: 920

USA > New York > Genesee County > Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890 > Part 24

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).

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of St. Joseph's Church, where 300 children are taught in all the branches. of a practical English education. Mr. Pringle donated $25 towards the purchase of the building and lot; Messrs. Redfield, Cary, Smith, Rowan, Glowacki, Haney, Ganson, Knowles, and Holden also contributed liber- ally. In November, 1850, Father Dillon resigned the pastoral charge, and was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Fitzgerald. Rev. Francis O'Farrell succeeded Father Fitzgerald on the 5th of September, 1852. On the 10th of December, 1855, Father O'Farrell was appointed vicar-general of the diocese of Buffalo, and rector of St. Joseph's Cathedral. Rev. Peter Brown succeeded him in Batavia. September 28, 1856, Father Brown re- signed, and was succeeded by Rev. James McGlew, who resigned on the Ioth of December, 1860, and was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Cunning- ham, with Rev. John Castaldi as his assistant. September 15, 1862, Father Cunningham purchased the present site of St. Joseph's Church, on the site where in early days one Williams owned a tannery, on the corner of Main and Summit streets, from Lawrence Timmons, for $2,500, and in 1864 the edifice was erected at a cost of $45,000. Father Cunningham, having retained the pastoral charge for nearly 13 years, was succeeded on the 23d of August, 1873, by Rev. P. A. Moloy. On the 22d of August, "1874, Father Moloy resigned to Rev. Martin McDonnell, who left in April, 1880. His charge at that time numbered about 2,200 Catholics. At- tica was also made a mission. He was succeeded by Father James Mc- Manus in January, 1882. He died in Batavia at the age of 40 years. Dur- ing his sickness Father Walsh, an assistant, was in charge until February, 1882, when Father T. P. Brougham, the present priest, was called to pre- side over the spiritual wants of the parish. Father Brougham came from Java. He had been previously at Somerset, Niagara County, in charge there of three churches for a period of 10 years. During his incumbency here great changes in the parish have taken place. The old convent, located on Jackson street, was sold in 1882, and the new one erected on Summit street the same year, as was also a parochial school adjacent, which accommodates 400 pupils. Sister Felice is in charge of the school. St. Joseph's Convent of Mercy is built of brick, and is a house for sisters, called the Mother house, or Novitiate, novices being taken in here and sent to all parts of the State.

Father Brougham was also instrumental in acquiring additional grounds east of the church, where in time will be erected a new priest's house. The church also has been completely renovated and newly dec- orated inside, making a very attractive edifice. The first convent (on

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Jackson street) was built in 1862, where they remained until 1880, when a building on Ross street was leased for two years, until the present edi- fice was completed.

The Bank of Genesee was incorporated under that name about 1829, and March 23, 1830, the first by-laws were adopted. The bank began business with a capital stock of $100,000, which was subsequently in- creased the same year to $150,000. Trumbull Cary was elected the first president, and William M. Vermilye, cashier. For many years it was the only bank in this section, and its business extended all over Western New York. The old bank building, corner East Main and Bank streets, is one of the old landmarks of Batavia, and is now occupied by the Ba- tavia Club. The bank was reorganized in 1851, as a State bank, and in March, 1865, it became the National Bank of Genesee, with a capital stock of $114,400. Previous to this period the capital stock had been changed several times, and for some years was $500,000. The charter to the bank was renewed in 1885, and it continued business as a National bank until June, 1888, when their charter was surrendered and it was re- organized under the State laws, with a capital of $75,000. The business office of the bank was removed to its present place, 98 East Main street, in September, 1887.

The officers of the bank from its organization have been as follows : Presidents : Trumbull Cary from organization until March 31, 1840; Phineas L. Tracy from 1840 to December, 1851; Benjamin Pringle from 1851 to June 12, 1855; H. U. Howard from 1855 to July, 1885; and A. N. Cowdin from 1885 (still serving). Vice-presidents : P. L. Tracy from 1834 to 1840 ; J. C. Ferris from 1840 to 1844 ; J. B. Skinner from 1844 to 1849; Benjamin Pringle from 1849 to 1851 ; Alva Smith from 1851 to 1853 ; H. U. Howard from 1853 to 1855 ; Alva Smith from 1855 to 1857; J. B. Skinner from 1857 to 1870; E. H. Fish from 1870 to 1874; Walter Cary from 1874 to 1880. Cashiers : William M. Vermilye from organization to May, 1830; J. S. Ganson from 1830 to January, 1838; J. E. Robinson from 1838 to 1851 ; T. C. Kimberly from 1851 to 1858; M. L. Babcock from 1858 to 1859; A. N. Cowdin from July, 1859, to July, 1885 ; Trumbull Cary from July, 1885 (still in office). It is im- possible to give a full list of directors who have served this venerable and noted corporation, but we subjoin a list of some of them whose names will be familiar to old-time residents. The directors elected June 8, 1830, 13 in number, were Jacob Le Roy, Oliver Benton, Alva Smith, James C. Ferris, Henry Hawkins, Gaius B. Rich, T. Cary, Rufus H. King,

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Jonathan Lay, R. S. Burrows, Israel Rathbone; P. L. Tracy, and Joseph Fellows. The following were elected subsequently : John Foot, David E. Evans, G. W. Lay, John S. Ganson, James Wadsworth, Horatio Stev- ens, Samuel Skinner, C. M. Lee, John B. Skinner, Benedict Brooks, Ho- ratio Averhill, Thomas Otis, William M. Sprague, J. E. Robinson, B. Pringle, S. Grant, A. D. Patchen, W. Cary, J. S. Wadsworth, and T. H. Newbold. When the bank became a National one, in 1865, the first di- rectors were Trumbull Cary, Miles P Lampson, Thomas Brown, Walter Cary, Alva Smith, William Lampson, H. U. Howard, E. H. Fish and R. T. Howard. The present board consists of five members, viz .: A. N. Cow- din, T. Cary, H. F. Tarbox, Dr. Charles Cary, and J. N. Scatcherd.

Augustus Cowdin, the father of Augustus N., was born in New Hamp- shire in 1803. At the age of 30 years he came to Batavia and engaged in the boot and shoe trade. He immediately identified himself with the Presbyterian Church, was for 50 years a teacher in the Sabbath school, and was ever a willing and valued helper in church work. He always proved himself worthy of the respect and esteem of the whole commu- nity, and held positions of trust at various times. He was justice of the peace, supervisor, superintendent of the poor, and a trustee of the Union

School. He died February 25, 1884 His wife was Jane G. Getty, a na- tive of this State. The son, Augustus N., born here in 1840, was reared and educated in the schools of his native place, and at the age of 17 years entered the bank (of which he is now the head) as a clerk. He filled all the intermediate positions, and is now its trusted and honored president. For one-third of a century he has been connected with the oldest and staunchest monetary institution of Genesee County, and has rounded out this long period with a reputation of unsullied honor and integrity. He has served as town clerk, as treasurer of the village, and is secretary and treasurer of the Gas and Electric Light Company. He is also a Knight Templar.

The First National Bank was established in 1864, with a capital stock of $50,000, and its number was 340. The first trustees were R. H. Farn- ham, C. H. Monell, George Bowen, Tracy Pardee, and Henry Monell, and the first officers elected were R. H. Farnham, president, and C. H. Mo- nell, cashier. The latter never acted, and subsequently, in June, 1864, Marcus L. Babcock was appointed to the office and served over one year. May 31, 1865, the capital stock was increased to $75,000, and January 9, 1883, was made $100,000, which still continues. The officers have been as follows: Presidents : R. H. Farnham from March 21, 1864,

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to June 29, 1865; Tracy Pardee from June 29, 1865, to January 10, 1884; Levant C. McIntyre from January 10, 1884 (still in office). Cashiers: C. H. Monell, appointed March 21, 1864; M. L. Babcock from June 4, 1864, to February 8, 1865 ; Daniel E. Waite from February 8, 1865, to August 13, 1866; L. C. McIntyre from August 13, 1866, to January 16, 1884; J. L. Bigelow, appointed January 16, 1884 (still in office.) The office of vice-president was created in 1883, and Gad B. Worthington was elected, serving in that capacity ever since. The first board consisted of five di- rectors, and in 1869 the number was increased to seven. The directors have been R. H. Farnham, C. H. Monell, George Bowen, Tracy Pardee, Henry Monell, John McKay, Leonidas Doty, John Fisher, Gad B. Worth- ington, and Cyrenus Walker. Since 1884 the board has consisted of the following members: L. C. McIntyre, D. W. Tomlinson, Samuel Parker, E. C. Walker, G. B. Worthington, and George Bowen. In 1874 the direc- tors were Leonidas Doty, Tracy Pardee, John Fisher, George Bowen, Ed- ward C. Walker, and Gad B. Worthington.

Gad B. Worthington, the vice-president of the First National Bank, was born in Lenox, Mass., in 1815, where he was educated in part, and at Owego, to which place the family moved, remaining there until 1836, when our subject came to Batavia, and was a clerk in the hardware store of Belden & Otis. Later he became a partner with them, and finally controlled the business, in which he has since been engaged. Mr. Worthington was one of the organizers of the Batavia Gas Light Co., and is now a director. He and family are members of the Episcopal Church. His children are Gad D., a partner in the hardware business; Edward W., an Episcopalian minister at Cleveland, Ohio; Amanda C., living with her parents; and Sarah, wife of E. De' L. Palmer, of Albany, N. Y.

Tracy Pardee, at one time president of the First National Bank, was a man of prominence in the village. He was born in Steuben County, and came to Batavia in 1852, where he lived until his death in 1883 He was at one time a member of the legislature. His father was in the War of 1812, and died in Elba in 1858.

Levant C. McIntyre, president of the First National Bank, is a native of Genesee County, and was born in 1829. His father, Eden McIntyre, was an early magistrate of the town. His mother was Harriet Dunham, a daughter of Col. Shubael Dunham, a very early tavern-keeper, from whom Dunham's Corners was named. Mr. McIntyre received good educational advantages, attending Cary Collegiate Seminary, and com- menced business as a druggist, pursuing the same for eight years in Ba-

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TOWN OF BATAVIA.

tavia. He then went to Romeo, Mich., in the dry goods business, and assisted in the organization of the First National Bank of that place, be- ing cashier of the same. He remained there until 1865, when he re- turned to Batavia, and became identified with its banking and business interests. Mr. McIntyre is conservative in the business management of his bank, yet withal progressive in spirit. He enjoys the confidence and esteem of the entire community. He is a member of the board of edu- cation, trustee of the Johnston Harvester Co. and the Cemetery Asso- ciation, president of the Y. M. C. A., and is foremost in acts of charity and benevolence. In 1852 he united in marriage with Miss Marietta Fellows, and they are parents of four children, viz .: Allan F., Mary L., Nellie G., and Grove E. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. McIntyre is an elder and superintendent of the Sunday- school.

The Genesee County Bank was organized as the Genesee County National Bank, No. 2,421, April 4, 1879, with a capital stock of $50,000. The first officers were S. Masse, president; Dean Richmond, Jr., vice- president; and William F. Merriman, cashier. The first board of direc- tors consisted of II members, viz .: Solomon Masse, Dean Richmond, Jr., Dr. H. S. Hutchins, Charles R. Gould, Henry Craft, William C. Watson, W. F. Merriman, J. C. Guiteau, Edwin Darrow, H. A. Huntington, and F. C. Lathrop. The officers have been as follows: Presidents: Solomon Masse from organization until July 14, 1885 ; Royal T. Howard from July 14, 1885 (still serving). Vice-presidents: Dean Richmond, Jr., from organization until January 12, 1882; Dr. H. S. Hutchins from January 12, 1882, until January 9, 1883; William C. Watson from Jan- uary 9, 1883 (still serving). Cashiers: William F. Merriman from or- ganization until June 22, 1880; Charles R. Gould from June 22, 1880, until August 28, 1882; Jerome L. Bigelow from August 28, 1882, until January 18, 1884; John W. Smith from January, 1884 (still in office). H. K. Buell succeeded W. F. Merriman as a director January 12, 1881, and Alvin Pease succeeded Dean Richmond, in May, 1882. January 9, 1883, the by-laws were amended, and the board was reduced from II to seven members. The present board consists of R. T. Howard, Mrs. A. R. Kenny, H. A. Huntington, William C. Watson, R. A. Maxwell, Henry Craft, and J. C. Guiteau. The charter of the bank was surren- dered to the government December 31, 1884, and the bank was at that time reorganized under the State laws as the Genesee County Bank. The place of business is 103 East Main street.

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Royal T. Howard, president of the Genesee County Bank, is a native of Wyoming County, and a son of Samuel and Roxa (Carpenter) How- ard, both from Connecticut. Samuel Howard came to Perry in 1811, where he married and resided until his death. Royal T. began business as a lumberman in Allegany County, pursuing this business for 18 years, and was also engaged in the manufacture of staves and heading in War- saw and interested in pine lands in Michigan. Mr. Howard removed to Batavia in 1871, purchasing a lumber yard and planing-mill, and soon after organized the firm of Howard & Olmsted, which continued business three years. The firm then became R. T. Howard & Co., and was such

until 1882. Mr. Howard engaged in various business enterprises until 1885, when he became president of the bank. He is also vice-president of the Genesee County Permanent Loan and Building Association.

John W. Smith, cashier of the Genesee County Bank, is a native of Batavia, where he was born April 23, 1850, and is a son of George W. and Mary A. (Baldwin) Smith. His father was a native of Vermont, and his mother of Connecticut. They have been residents of Batavia many years. John W. was educated in the schools of his native town, and early in life began his business career as recording clerk in the office of County Clerk Holden, where he was engaged six years. He began his banking life as book keeper in the First National Bank, where he was employed over one year, and subsequently entered the Bank of Batavia, with which institution he served as book- keeper until April, 1879, when, upon the organization of the Genesee County National Bank, he became identified with that corporation. In January, 1884, he succeeded J. L. Big- elow as cashier, which position he has creditably filled, and is still serv- ing in that capacity. Mr. Smith was married, August 30, 1871, to Miss Emma Fillmore, of Batavia, and resides at 112 Ellicott street. He and his wife are members of the First Baptist Church, of which he is clerk and a leading working member. He is also a member of the K. of P. and the Empire Order of Mutual Aid. He is a young man of ability, enterprise, and promise.

The Farmers' Bank of Batavia was established in 1860 by Leonidas Doty, who came from Attica, where he had been engaged in the bank- ing business with the late Dean Richmond. Mr. Doty came from Greene County, where he was born in 1812. He was in the mercantile business at Attica for 20 years, then engaged in banking, and was also identified in other business measures in that village. He was also one of the founders of the National Bank of Batavia, and a member of the vestry of St.

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James's Episcopal Church, being a liberal contributor to its support. He died in 1888, at Buffalo, where he had resided for 12 years after leaving Batavia. The Farmers' Bank has lately erected and is now occupying an elegant and commodious structure on the corner of Main and Jackson streets, having the best facilities for transacting its large and increasing business of any bank in Western New York outside of Buffalo. A few years since John H. Ward was admitted as a partner in the business of the bank, and he is now sole manager of the concern. He was born in Bergen in 1846, a son of Henry M. and Adelia C. (Curtis) Ward, who are natives of Bergen, and descendants of the earliest pioneers of that town. His father, Henry M. Ward, was a merchant, and died in 1857. His mother died in 1882. Their children were Emma C., wife of Prof. A. G. Clement, and John H., who began his business career at the age of 13 years as a clerk in Bergen. He was afterwards a member of the firm of Green & Ward until 1875, when he was elected sheriff of Gene- see County, and removed to Batavia. At the expiration of his term of office (three years) he entered the Farmers' Bank. Mr. Ward is the U. S. loan commissioner, and is a 32d degree Mason. He was united in marriage, in 1871, with Isabella D. Mann, of Syracuse, and they have one child, E. Gertrude.

The Bank of Batavia was incorporated July 11, 1876, with a capital of $50,000, the late D. W. Tomlinson being the leading man in its for- mation. In March, 1883, the capital stock was increased to $100,000. D. W. Tomlinson, son of D. W., is now president; H. F. Tarbox, vice- president; and H. T. Miller, cashier. The bank is located in a fine brick building at 71 East Main street.

Olive Branch Lodge, No. 39, was chartered in 1811, and held its first meeting May IIth at the public tavern of William Keyes. The first master was Ezra Platt ; senior warden, Richard Smith ; secretary, I. Bab- cock, who acted as such for four years. Richard Smith acted in the ca- pacity of warden three years. L. Foster was warden in 1814 and master in 1815. Blanchard Powers was master in 1816-17, J. Z. Ross in 1818, and Powers again in 1819-20, when sessions were held at his house in Bethany. The meetings in Batavia were generally held at the taverns, for want of regular lodge rooms, and after holding two meetings at Keyes tavern an arrangement was made with Aaron Van Cleve, sher- iff and landlord at the court-house, for their meetings in his tavern. On September 2, 1811, a plat of ground was bought by the trustees of the school district, acting in conjunction with the Free Masons, the sum of

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$5 being paid for the same. The location was on lot 32, north side of Main street, on the corner of an alley, and contained 1,500 feet of ground, being where 315 Main corner of Ross streets now is. This was sold by Nathan Rumsey, conditioned upon there being a two-story brick build- ing erected on the site within one and a half years, the lower portion to be occupied as a school, the upper portion for lodge uses. The Masons subscribed funds toward the erection of the building (as was understood). The War of 1812 prevented the completion of the building until the winter of 1813-14, when it was finished and ready for occupancy. The first meeting in their new rooms was held February 28, 1814, and subse- quent meetings were continued there until 1816, when they tired of the location and tried to sell their interests to the school trustees, but failed. Other meetings continued to be held at the taverns'until about 1819, when trouble arose among its members and the lodge was removed, and meetings were held at Bethany in Powers's and Huggins's houses and C. J. Lincoln's inn. From Bethany it was moved to Le Roy, where it is now located.

A new lodge was again formed in 1824, called " Batavia Lodge, No. 433," and a charter was granted that year. It was installed December, 13, 1825, at St. James's Church. William Seaver was the presiding officer for 10 years, and Blanchard Powers, senior warden. Richard Dibble was junior warden; and Richard Smith, secretary and treasurer. Meetings were held at Bissell Humphrey's " Eagle tavern " until it was burnt in 1833, and in 1839 the warrant was surrendered. The Mor- gan excitement, beginning in 1826, interfered seriously with the cause of Free Masonry, and for 16 years, or until 1842, meetings were held only at rare intervals. In 1842 the charter was revived, and for 18 months the lodge met at O. T. Fargo's tavern, midway between Batavia and Alex- ander. Ebenezer Mix was master for three years, Joel Allen two years, and G. B. Shepard one year. D. M. Seaver was junior warden, and H. Humphrey, treasurer. In January, 1844, they moved from Fargo's tav- ern to the " Cobble-stone block," and held regular meetings until 1847, when the charter was again surrendered. In the course of a year or so a new lodge, No. 88, was formed, but did not long survive. The records of this lodge were destroyed by fire, so names of officers cannot be given. In the winter of 1850-51 the fraternity again organized under the name of "Fisher's Lodge, No. 212" (named after Lillie Fisher, a very early settler of Alexander). They met for about one year at the old lodge rooms in the "Cobble-stone block." For masters until 1859 (when its

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charter was surrendered) there were Cyrus Pond, Horace M. Warren, E. C. Dibble, K. Ferren, Gad Worthington, and S. A. Wilson. H. T. Cross was treasurer for a few years, and John Eager and D. Seaver, sec- retaries. Meetings were also held at the corner of Main and Jackson streets, in the new hall occupied by the Odd Fellows.

In 1859 the charter of this lodge was surrendered, and what remained of Fisher's Lodge was reorganized April 7th into "Batavia Lodge, No. 475," the charter being granted July 4th. In 1860 or 1861 the Masonic fraternity desired more independent quarters, and they leased rooms in the Champion block, owned by Joseph C. Wilson. Again, in 1865, it was decided to make another change, and a spacious series of apartments were leased on the corner of Main and State streets, and about $2,000 expended in fitting up the same. The dedication of these rooms was the occasion of drawing together a large assemblage of the fraternity from all parts of the county, lodges from Le Roy, Canandaigna, Pembroke, and Akron being represented. A delegation of Knights Templars from Buffalo Commandery, led by Captain Lockwood, and another from Pen Yan; by Hon. Darius A. Ogden, in full regalia, gave splendid effect to the scene. The dedication was made by John L. Lewis, P. G. M., who delivered a brief address to the fraternity and citizens assembled in the park. The brethren, accompaned by the ladies, passed from labor to re- freshment in the dining room of the lodge. The meetings are now held in elegant rooms in the Walker block, which were dedicated in 1880. The officers are as follows: A. Hays, W. M .; B. F. Showerman, S. W., George E. Perrin, J. W .; Wilber Smith, treasurer; Charles W. Stickle; secretary; W. D. Sanford, S. D .; A. W. Tyler, J. D .; S. E. North, S. M. C .; A. J. McWain, J. M. C .; H. S. Morse, organist; and W. H. Brown, tiler.

Batavia Commandery, No. 34, K. T., was organized September 27, 1865, with the following officers: W. D. Sanford, E. C .; A. W. Caney, G .; W. P. Simpson, C. G .; Rev. Pierre Cushing, prelate ; F. M. Jameson, rec .; I. D. Southworth, treasurer ; A. Hays, S. W .; A. J. McWain, J. W .; A. T. Mil- ler, W .; John M. Kurtz, standard bearer; C. B. Austin, sword bearer ; H. S. Morse, organist ; W. H. Brown, sentinel. The present officers are: W. D. Sanford, E. C .; A. W. Caney, G .; W. P. Simpson, C. G .; I. D. Southworth, treasurer ; F. M. Jameson, recorder; Charles Pratt, trustee; Alexander Hays, S. W .; A. J. McWain, J. W .; A. T. Miller, T .; John F. Kurtz, standard bearer ; C. B. Austin, sword bearer ; W. H. Brown, S .; J. M. Hamilton, Andrew Hiller, and E. N. Stone, guards.

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Western Star Chapter, No. 35, R. A. M., was organized March 29, 1813. The officers of the chapter are A. W. Caney, H. P .; Alexander Hays, K .; George P. Bowen, S .; F. M. Jameson, secretary ; E. N. Stone, treasurer ; A. J. McWain, C. of H .; C. B. Austin, P. S .; George E. Perrin, R. A. C .; Andrew Hiller, 3d V .; Dr. H. A. Morse, 2d V .; A. T. Miller, Ist V .; W. H. Brown, tiler.

The Order of I. O. O. F., No. 197, was instituted in Batavia in August, 1868, by H. S. Andrews, D. G. M., with five original charter members, to wit : Weeden T. Bliss (deceased), formerly an attorney of Batavia ; William Hoyt, since moved to New York ; Simeon Lothiem, who now resides in Germany ; and Thomas Yates and B. P. Fonda, who are now living, the oldest members of the fraternity in the county. The present officers are Oscar Netzen, N. G .; Fred Gardner, V. G .; Frank Snyder, R. S .; Ira Howe, F. S .; Frank A. Moreau, treasurer. The lodge meets every Wednesday evening at their hall in Jackson street.

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Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890, Part 24

Author: Beers, F. W. (Frederick W.), ed. 1n; Vose, J.W., and Co Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : J.W. Vose & Co. Number of Pages: 920

Author: Beers, F. W. (Frederick W.), ed. 1n; Vose, J.W., and Co
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : J.W. Vose & Co.
Number of Pages: 920