Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890, Part 34

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 34

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).

William Ward was a native of Merton, Devonshire, Eng. By his wife, Ann, he had children as follows : John, Thomas, Hugh, and William. The latter came to Stafford in 1854, was a blacksmith, and died in 1854. He married Ann Horden, of Barnstable, Eng., and their children were John, Richard, Thomas, Sarah, Elizabeth, Ann, and William. William Ward, a native of Merton, in 1851 came to Stafford, and in 1888 to Batavia. He married Eliza, daughter of Francis and Sarah (Rice) Broadmead, of Eng- land, and they have an adopted daughter, Eliza A. Ward, who married Augustus Hammer, and now resides on road 65. Mr. Ward is a farmer, but was formerly a blacksmith.

Sylvanus Young, of German ancestry, came from Chenango County, N. Y., to Pavilion in 1811. He removed to Michigan, where he died, aged 70 years. His wife was Ruth Burgess, who bore him children as follows: Almira, Josiah, Lucy, Rachel, Sylvanus, Melissa, William, Henry, and Clarissa. William, born in Pavilion, came to Batavia in 1860, where he still resides. He married, January 20, 1847, Betsey, daughter of John and Clarissa (Sparks) Moore, of Massachusetts. Their children are John E. and William H. John E. married Clara L. Calkins, and they have a daughter, Edith. William H. married Harriet C., daughter of Nathaniel K. and Adeline (Brewer) Cone, and their children are Ruth A. and Hobart Cone, all residents of Batavia, on road 65.

The name of John H. Yates, for the past few years, has appeared in con-

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nection with a class of homely, popular ballads, which fairly entitles him to a prominent place among American poets. He was born November 21, 1837. He is a native of Batavia, of English parentage, and therefore posses- ses the simplicity of manners common to that class of people. His mother was a schoolmistress, and from her he inherited his literary taste. His edu- cation wasnot very extensive, taking in only the common English branches, and much of his time since early boyhood has been spent as clerk, yet he : is well informed on general subjects, and does good service as licensed preacher of the Methodist Church, of which he is a member. His active work as assistant editor of the Progressive Batavian, with which he has been connected for four years, brings him in contact with all classes of men, the better fitting him for the exercise of his excellent taste in subjects for poetry. He has written for the Rochester Sunday Morning Times, the Batavian, Harper's Weekly, and Harper's Bazaar, and his " Old Man Bal- lads" (as they are called), " The Old Man in the New Church," " The Old Man in the Stylish Church," " The Old Man in the Model Church," and "' Goin' West to Die " will ever appeal to the finer feelings and sympathies of all who inherit the love and respect of the aged.

Park Place School.1-Among the leavening influences of the village of Batavia, and, in fact, of the county, must be prominently included the Park Place School, whose incipient steps were so faithfully watched and cared for by its founder, Mrs. Ellen A. K. Hooker, who has so happily im- pressed her influence on all its pupils and students whose good fortune it has been to be under her guidance; and who now is in charge of the lady students of Cornell University; and to whom, being so prominently connected with Sage College as principal, those interested in the higher education of women look with great confidence. The school was founded September 11, 1884, and was organized with a college graduate in each position in its faculty; and its design was to prepare young ladies for en- trance into the most advanced colleges for ladies in the country. It is now presided over by Miss Mary J. Stephens, who maintains its high standing, and who is a lady of culture and refinement.

1 This article was furnished us too late to be printed earlier in the history of Batavia .- Editor.

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TOWN OF BERGEN.

BERGEN.

B ERGEN is situated in the northeastern part of the county, is the eastern town of the northern tier, and contains 17,289 acres of land. It is a portion of the triangular tract, described as sold to Le Roy and others from the Morris Reserve; it also has two tiers of lots from the Connecticut tract, on the west side of the town. The town was erected from Batavia, June 8, 1812, then including the present town of Byron, which was set off in 1820, leaving Bergen in its present form.

The soil is a very rich, fertile, and level farming land, with slight undu- lations and inclinations towards the north, and is gravelly with clayey loam. Black Creek flows easterly through the town, just north of the center, which, with its tributaries flowing from every direction, renders the entire territory of the town a well-watered, desirable section, and to its abundance, excellence may be added. Its agricultural interests excel, because of its advantages, and wheat, barley, beans, and potatoes are its main products in the order named.

The first settler in the town was Samuel Lincoln, who took articles for land in 1801. In the same year Mr. Lincoln received the following neigh- bors: George and William Letson, Benajah Worden, Richard Abbey, Sol- omon Levi, Jesse Leach, James Letson, Gideon Elliott, and David Scott. These were the pioneers who first built cabins and made clearings in the town. Between 1801 and 1810 the following pioneers settled: John Lan- don, Abram Davis, Alexander White, Captain James Austin David Pot- ter, Esq., Levi, Aaron, and Alexander Bissell, Amos Hewitt, Jedediah Crosby (died in 1834), Samuel Gleason, Esq., Captain William Peters, Aaron and Eben Arnold, Oliver Avery, Samuel Butler, Jesse Barber, John Gifford, Wheaton Southworth, Orange and Joseph Throop, Isaac Wallace, James Landon, and A. E. Wilcox. The following actual settlers came to Bergen between 1806 and 1810 from East Guilford, Conn .: Dea. Benja- min Wright, James Munger, Esq., Joarab and Wickham Field, Dea. Tim- othy Hill, Joel Wright, Stephen R. Evarts, David H. Evarts, Capt. Phin- eas Parmelee, Nathan Field, Uriah Crampton, Capt. Samuel Bassett, Selah M. Wright, Bela Munger, T. Wilcox, William H. Munger, Harvey Field, Joshua Field, Esq., Dea. Levi Ward, Dea. John Ward, Dr. Levi Ward, Col. W. H. Ward, Dea. Pitman Wilcox, Hamilton Wilcox, M. C. . Ward, and Gen. Daniel Hurlburt.

Those who came from Killingworth, Conn., prior to 1810 settled be- tween Bergen Corners and Fort Hill. They were Josiah Pierson and his five brothers,-Simeon, John, Philo, Linus, and Russell, -- David Franklin and his four brothers,-Ishi, Sylvanus, Daniel, and Reuben, - Harvey Kelsey, Capt. Daniel Kelsey, Uriah, Martin, and Charles Kel- sey, Josiah Buell, Jesse Griswold, Thomas Stevens, Daniel Stevens, Job

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GENESEE COUNTY.

Seward, Abner Hull, Sr., Ebbie Hull, Roswell and Ebenezer Parmelee, Samuel and John Smith, Phineas Nettleton, Maj. Nathan Wilcox, Dea. Selden, Augustus Buell, Jonathan Wright, and Calvin Seward. Others, in 1814-16, were William Gorton, Willian P. Munger, Alvah Stevens, and Lathrop Farnham. Lines Beecher settled in West Bergen in 1816.

The first church organization was established in December, 1807. The first Congregational religious society was organized January 25, 1808, at the house of Dea. John Ward. The first temperance society was estab- lished in 1826, with only six members-Rev. Josiah Pierson, Rev. He- man Halsey, Dea. Pitman Wilcox, Dea. John Spencer, H. H. Evarts, and Henry D. Gifford. The first religious meeting on the Sabbath was at the log house of David Franklin, and the first sermon preached in the town was in Mr. Franklin's barn by Rev. Calvin Ingalls, a missionary. The first school was taught by Harvey Kelsey, a graduate of Yale College. Titus Wilcox taught the second school, and Joshua Field the third. Chloe Wright, daughter of Dea. Benjamin Wright, was the first female teacher, Lucy Hill was the second, and Betsey Pierson was the third. The first marriage was that of Isaac Wallace and Susannah Brooks, at the house of Dr. Levi Ward, and by Judge Ezra Platt, of Le Roy. Luther, son of Jedediah Crosby, was the first male child born in the town. The first female born was Louisa, daughter of Orange Throop,

who became the wife of David Fancher. The first death was the child of Capt. Daniel Kelsey; the first death of an adult was Mr. Kelsey's wife, both dying the same year. The first frame house in the town was erected by Dr. Levi Ward, the second by Dea. Benjamin Wright. The first frame barn was built by David Franklin, the second by Dea. Wright. The first saw-mill in the town was erected by Jared Merrill, the second by Levi Bissell The first store in Bergen was opened in 1808, by Dr. Levi Ward ; the second in 1811, by Josiah Pierson; the third in 1812, by Titus Wilcox. The first inn opened in the town was in 1809, by Samuel Butler, and the first postmaster was Col. W. H. Ward. The first supervisor was Dr. Levi Ward, who held the office seven years. He died January 4, 1861, in his 90th year. The first road was opened in 1801, when the Lake road was surveyed and opened four rods wide from Le Roy to the lake. This road is now a very important one, upon which is the stone church, and is the principal street of Bergen village.

Hamilton Wilcox came to the town in 1808 from East Guilford, Conn. He taught school here at the age of 16, and was a successful teacher. When the call for troops was made in the winter of 1813-14 he left his school to take command of a company, to report at Buffalo, where he was when that " village " was burned. He was ordered to Black Rock in the night of December 30, 1813, as the enemy were crossing the river at that point. In the affray he received a bullet through his chest, lodg- ing in his arm. Several days after he was brought back to Bergen. It was soon necessary to amputate his arm, from which he died January 25, 1814, aged 28 years.

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TOWN OF BERGEN.

This town has been devoted to the cause of religion, and can point with pride to 12 of its citizens who have been leaders of flocks in the cause of the Master. They are Revs. Josiah Pierson, A. C. Ward, F. De Ward, H. M. Ward, William H. Spencer, H. W. Pierson, D. D. H. Parmelee, Bela Fancher, Franklin Howe, William H. Evarts, C. Dibble, and W. Pierson.

Solomon and Levi Leach, brothers, whose names are among the early settlers, traded wives, Levi giving Solomon five gallons of whisky "to boot." In two weeks, being sick of his bargain, he gave Levi a horse to trade back. It is just to presume that the whisky in those " hard " days was the great incentive to this unusual occurrence.

Bergen's town officers for 1889-90 are : Supervisor, Samuel E. Bower ; town clerk, E. L. Fisher; justices of peace, J. W. Stratton, S. E. Parker, J. Dean, E. H. Parmelee; commissioner of highways, A. A. Sands ; collector, George W. Sackett ; overseer of poor, M. Seeley ; assessors, D. McPherson, E. T. Stephens, James Templeton.

The Presbyterian Church at North Bergen was organized November 18, 1823, by the following persons, who assembled at the home of Jonah Gurthrie : Rev. A. Darwin, Josiah Pierson, John T. Bliss, and David Fan- cher. It was denominated the Congregational Church of Bergen, Byron, and Clarendon. Its original membership was 21, and at a meeting held April 11, 1827, at the stone school- house, it was resolved to become a Pres- byterian society and unite with the Rochester Presbytery. D. Fancher, Milton Bird, Thomas Templeton, and Daniel Robinson were elected the first ruling elders, and Milton Bird was ordained deacon. The first regular pastor was Rev. N. Clapp, who was ordained and installed February 25, 1827. On the 2d of April, 1829, the society was called after the postoffice of that time,-Lyme,- but in 1840 with the postoffice the name of North Bergen was appended to its religious title. In 1832 a framed church edi- fice was erected, neat and commodious, with a seating capacity of about 250, at a cost of nearly $10,000. The society numbers over 100 members, and Rev. Lindsey C. Rutter was the pastor as late as 1887. Rev. John R. Lewis is the present pastor.

NORTH BERGEN is a postoffice in the northwest corner of the town, containing a church, a store, two manufactories, and about 150 inhabitants.

STONE CHURCH (p. o.) is in the southeastern portion of the town, on' the Lake road, in direct line with Le Roy and Bergen villages. Good post- office facilities are enjoyed by its inhabitants, who number about four- score, and it contains one church, one store, and one manufactory. In 1828 Col. Norton S. Davis built a stone tavern, and kept it for some time.

WEST BERGEN is still another postoffice in the west part of the town, on the Central Railroad, and has a store and shop, with a good commu- nity around it.

The Cold Spring Creamery, on road 8, is owned by a stock company, and managed by B. A. Walker. It uses the cream from 900 cows, making 400 pounds of butter per day in summer, which is sold in Buffalo, Roch- ester, and New York.

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GENESEE COUNTY.

BERGEN is a pretty, flourishing, incorporated village, pleasantly situ- ated on the N. Y. C. & H. R. Railroad between Rochester and Buffalo, and is the principal village in the town, with a population of about 1,000 -a trifle more than one-third of the town. It contains four churches, two hotels, 14 stores, one machine shop, two grain elevators, eight man- ufactories of different kinds, three blacksmith shops, one saw and plan- ing-mill, two feed-mills, etc., and is one of the most healthy and pleasant hamlets of Western New York, enjoying all the facilities of daily mails and the advantages of the best of thoroughfares. This village has been unfortunate in being partially burned at two several times-January 16, 1866, and March 1, 1880; the last fire covered an area of five acres in the business portion, consuming elevators, stores, shops, offices, halls, ho- tel, dwellings, and barns, to the amount of over $120,000. Bert E. Hall, A. L. Green, and George H. Church were severely burned in their endeav- ors to stay the progress of the fire and save property. The burned dis- trict was at once built up with substantial brick buildings, with a vigor and perseverance peculiar to the enterprise of the place, and the pride of the citizens in their neat village is commendable. The Bergen village officers are as follows: George H. Church, president; A. T. Southworth, treasurer; D. J. McPherson, clerk; trustees, T. J. Tone, two years, James Miller, one year, T. D. Richardson, one year. The board of education is composed as follows : George H. Church, president ; L. D. Arnold, H. S. White ; G. N. Buell, collector. The officers of the fire department are : James R. Mckenzie, chief engineer; G. O. Emerson, president; M. F. Bergin, vice- president ; D. S. Thompson, secretary; Michael Bower, treasurer ; trus- tees, J. J. Snyder, D. A. Ide, James Whalen. Bergen Hose Company No. 1, 10 men, headquarters in Buell block : E. C. Snyder, foreman ; E. D. Snyder, assistant foreman; equipments, hose cart and 400 feet hose. Ber- gen Engine Company No. 1, 30 men, headquarters in Buell block: Irv- ing Ide, foreman ; G. W. Sackett, assistant foreman ; equipment, hand engine. The postoffice is located in the Southworth block on Lake street. M. H. Parmelee is the postmaster. He was appointed under the present administration and took charge of the office June 10, 1889. E. H. Par- melee is assistant postmaster and W. G. Woodworth, clerk.

The First Congregational Church of Bergen was organized in Decem- ber, 1807, by Rev. John Lindsley and 13 others. At this time Bergen was Northampton. Levi Ward, Sr., and Benjamin Wright were the first deacons, and Levi Ward, Jr., the first clerk. The present church organi- zation was perfected January 25, 1808, by the following persons, at the house of John Ward: Alexander White, John Gifford, Levi Ward, Sr., Benjamin Wright, Josiah Pierson, Simon Pierson, John Ward, Selah Wright, W. H. Munger, and Levi Ward, Jr. The first trustees were Al- exander White, Simon Pierson, and Levi Ward, Jr. This church, except- ing a Scotch church at Caledonia, is the oldest one west of the Genesee River. Rev. Allen Hollister was its first ordained minister, and was in- stalled July 4, 1810. The church edifice was first situated on Cemetery

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TOWN OF BERGEN.

Hill, one mile south of its present location, where it was removed in the spring of 1854 Rev. A. O. Whiteman was pastor at the time of its re- moval. Although a Congregational Church strictly, it placed itself in the Presbytery on the accommodation plan soon after its organization, and so it remains to-day. It has a fine frame building that seats about 400 peo- ple, and its property is worth $10,000. It has never had missionary aid in support of its ministry. Its present pastor is Rev. J. R. Lewis.

The Second Congregational Church of Le Roy and Bergen is in the southeast part of Bergen, which has originated the postoffice "Stone Church " in the town. Sixteen persons in 1828, March 18th, met and organized the society. They chose S. Dibble and J. Ward, deacons, and Russell Pierson, David Byam, and Luther C. Pierson as assistants, and the five were to be a standing committee. Quite a number from the First Congregational Church united with this society by letter early in its existence. On September 24, 1828, a stone edifice was erected, which has perpetuated the name "Stone Church " to the present time, although in 1864 a fine frame edifice was built upon the site, which was dedicated in 1865. The first pastor was Rev. Elisha Mason, who ac- cepted the call October 20, 1828. The church property is worth $4,000, its seating capacity about 250, and its membership about 65.

The First Roman Catholic Church of Bergen was erected in 1859. An organization had been effected prior to that date (about 1850), and meetings held from house to house. Rev. Father McGowan was mainly instrumental in the erection of the church, and for several years had the pastoral charge of the society. It is under the diocese of Buffalo, Bishop Ryan presiding. In 1883 the old church was torn down and the present edifice, more commodious and better, was erected, under the supervision of Father Maloy. It has a seating capacity of 400, cost $7,000, and is a fine frame edifice. It has not had a resident pastor dur- ing all these years, until Father O'Riley came in 1886. He was there 15 months. The Rev. Father H. H. Connery came in September, 1888, and now presides over the spiritual wants of the parish. He was born May 15, 1853, in County Derry, Ireland, and came to America July 22, 1875. He was educated at the Seminary of our Lady of the Angels, and placed in charge of the parish at Limestone, N. Y. He was there two years, at East Pembroke two years, and at Rexville, Steuben County, three years.

In June, 1872, a mission was organized in 'this town by Rev. E. L. Wilson, holding services in the M. E. Church and in David Hooper's hall. In March, 1874, Mrs. Cynthia L. Richmond presented the trus- tees of the parochial fund of the diocese a deed of lot No. 65, as a me- morial gift to her late husband, upon which the ceremony of laying the corner-stone was held June 6, 1874, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Coxe, who conducted the dedicatory services January 6, 1875. The building, which was consecrated June 15, 1880; is a frame one, with a seating capacity of about 200. The society is small, and is supplied by Rev. A. A.

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GENESEE COUNTY.

Brockway, of Attica, N. Y. It is called St. John's Church, and is situated on Rochester street. They have no settled rector.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church was organized April 5, 1831. The records of the society show that Rev. Reeder Smith founded a so- ciety prior to this date, which was called the " First Society of the M. E. Church of Bergen." A small plat of land, located on lot 120, in the town of Le Roy, on the 100,000-acre tract, was deeded to the society. It is said that the society was born in a revival meeting by itinerants, and was made part of the Scottsville circuit. The first place of worship was at the stone school-house, Bergen Corners, but the meetings were changed to the town-line school-house. A profitable season of meetings gave courage to build a church, and in 1838 an edifice, costing $1,000,

was erected. In 1853 the society removed to the present site the former edifice, and beautified and enlarged it at a cost of over $2,000. In 1873 the society numbered 45 members and was a part of the Churchville cir- cuit, but under the labors of Rev. T. E. Bell the membership in that year was swelled to 118 and 60 probationers, and a separate existence was created. In 1876 a parsonage was erected at a cost of $1,500, and August 3, 1882, the present elegant brick edifice, built in gothic style, was dedicated, with Rev. J. B. Countryman, pastor. Its value in dollars is at least $10,000, seating capacity 400, and the membership on Janu- ary 1, 1887, was 132. It has two endowments-the Doolittle fund of $500, and that of Wickham Fields of 17 acres of his town-line farm. The present pastor is Rev. J. A. Smith. The Sunday-school numbers 200 members.

Wardville Lodge, No. 198, I. O. O. F.,-originally No. 412,-was or- ganized September 19, 1849. Its founders were Dr. Andrews, Sr., F. T. Moseley, John Norton, E. B. Andrews, and H. S. Andrews. Fourteen members were initiated at the first regular meeting of the lodge. It is the oldest of its order in the county, having been sustained for 40 years, and is still strong in its old age. The first N. G. of this lodge was the elder Robert Andrews, M. D. Its books, regalia, furniture, etc., were lost in the fire of 1866, and again in the great fire of 1880, when Bergen suffered so greatly, its property was destroyed; still phenix-like, it has flourished, and has not missed any meetings during its adversity. The elegant rooms are now in the Carpenter block, and nearly 100 members enjoy the benefits of the fraternity. When the territory of Bergen was a wilderness Levi Ward, o'ne of the pioneers, prepared a map of the land where Bergen is, and purposed to call it "Wardville." It somehow lost his adopted name as to the town, but it is kept in memoriam by the old- est and most prosperous order of the county. The lodge has a member- ship of about '40. The officers are : E. C. Snyder, N. G .; J. J. Snyder, V. G .; G. W. Grimes, recording secretary; Fred Lewellyn, permanent secretary ; N. J. Davis, treasurer.

Bergen Lodge, No. 187, I. O. of G. T., was organized July 18, 1885, by the installment of the following officers: G. W. Parkerson, W. C. T .;

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TOWN OF BERGEN.

Mrs. Lizzie Murray, W. V. T .; Richard Bassett, W. chaplain; William Gillett, W. secretary; Miss Clara Peck, W. A. secretary; Fremont Peck, W. F. secretary ; Miss Stella Butler, W. treasurer ; Samuel Bassett, W. marshal ; Miss Rena Gordon, W. A. marshal; John Langham, W. O. guard; Bert Sackett, W. I. guard; Miss Ella Fenn, W. R. H. S .; Miss Emma Snyder, W. L. H. S .; Mrs. C. Clothier, P. W. C. T. The num- ber of charter members was 29, and George E. Whittaker was elected lodge deputy for the first year. The lodge has been a very active and successful one, and numbers now nearly 100 members. Its influence for good is felt and respected. The place of meeting is in the Carpenter & Mckenzie block.

Wilbur Fuller Post, No. 412, G. A. R., was organized October 13, 1883, with a charter membership of 16. The post occupies a fine suite of rooms in the Carpenter block, over Carpenter & Son's store. The charter members were William H. Randolph, H. C. Matoon, John Byrne, M. McFarlane, Jerry Feathers, William C. Kneale, Isaac Bristol, James A. Miller, Patrick Kerivan, H. W. Thompson, A. L. Preston, Ben- jamin Coxe, Murray Johnson, A. E. Wilbur, James A. Cooper, and Sid- ney Richmond. The post is a very strong and flourishing one for its age, and will hold its place with any other in the county. The present officers are as follows: H. F. Fordham, commander ; E. M. Wilcox, S. V. C .; E. C. Day, J. V. C .; J. A. Miller, adjutant; J. D. Richard, Q. M .; M. W. Townsend, surgeon; J. T. Crittenden, chaplain ; G. E. Wilber, O. D .; M. W. Lyman, O. G .; J. R. Emerson, S. M. ; E. How- ell, Q. M. S.

Bergen Grange, No. 163, was organized in March, 1873. It had a charter membership of about 18 members. N. C. Johnson was its first master. For a few years they used the Odd Fellows hall. In 1878 they had one of their own, but were burned out at the big fire of 1880. After the Carpenter block was rebuilt they had their lodge room overhead until the fall of 1885, when they sold out to the G A. R. Since then they have held their meetings at the homes of different members through- out the town. Its present membership is about 60.

The schools of the town are excellent, and 13 teachers are constantly employed in each school year. There are nine districts in the town, with a fine graded school in the village. The Union School building, which was erected in 1868, is located on Rochester street. The school is in a flourishing condition. The average daily attendance is about 140. Four instructors are employed, as follows: E. M. Crocker, principal ; Miss Mary J. Russell, second grade; Miss Ella Wood, intermediate ; Miss Maud Meyers, primary.

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Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890, Part 34

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