Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890, Part 73

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 73

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).

The entertainment of travelers in early times caused the erection of many taverns. Jonathan Bemis was a landlord as early as 1804. David Danolds was among the earliest, and he kept the old log tavern where Walther first opened. The building stood just west of the stone store- house. Henry Peck had a place of entertainment in 1827. Isaac New- ton Stage kept for 30 years where Mr. Heal now owns. He died in 1858. Others who preceded Mr. Heal were Wolfe, White, Fisk, and Odell. Ira Gilbert, who was the first postmaster, also kept tavern in the western part of the town, at a place once called "Churchill tavern," and for some time after " Temperance tavern." A Mr. Heacock married Gil- bert's widow, and the Temperance House was continued by them. Churchill had for a sign a plow, which was fastened upon the stump of a tree, 25 feet from the ground.

Besides the hotels kept at Morganville, when it was a prosperous vil- lage, was one opened by a Mr. Eggleston in 1809, on the Big Tree road, in the southwestern part of the town. This was afterwards kept by Mr. Lee, and later by Mr. Bartholf, and retained the name of Checkered tav- ern (being painted in checker style) for a long time. It was finally pur- chased by Mr. Wemple.

Present industries .- John Passmore is engaged in making a superior quality of cider at his mill on road 46. He manufactures 50 barrels per day, having a 16-horse power engine and all the latest improvements. His cider has attained a wide reputation for purity, and shipments are made all over the country. The mill was built in 1876.

The cider-mill at Stafford village is owned by E. M. Pamphilon and Charles and Alonzo Dezendorf. It was built in 1883, has a capacity of 30 barrels per day, and is run by steam.

643

TOWN OF STAFFORD.

An evaporator for drying fruit is located near the depot, and is a source of employment to many hands in the fruit season.

One of the principal industries of Stafford village is the finely equipped storage warehouse and feed-mill owned and operated by Sanders & Son, who are also extensive grain and produce buyers.

MORGANVILLE, so-named from Morgan of Masonic notoriety, is situ- ated about one and one-half miles north of the village of Stafford, on Black Creek, and has a population of over 100. Twenty years ago con- siderable business was transacted here, there being several mills and machine shops. The fall of the creek in that locality is 30 feet, which affords valuable water-power. The location of the new Geneva and Buffalo Railroad, just south of the village, and the new depot contem- plated, will undoubtedly cause business to revive in that section.

The Christian Church, located on the main street, was built in 1833, by a union of Christians and Universalists. The latter all died or moved away, and since 1870 the church has been termed Christian. The same denomination built a church in the eastern part of the town in 1836, . which was sold in 1867. The church was organized in 1816 by Rev. Joseph Badger, with 40 members. The first pastor was H. Thompson. The present number of members is 70, under the pastoral charge of Rev. John B. Clark, and there are about 70 Sunday-school scholars. The church will seat about 250 persons, and is valued at about $4,000.

Charles Lathrop built a brick hotel in 1835, and kept it several years. The house is now owned by H. Stone, but not used as an hotel. There was an hotel nearly opposite, kept in 1833 by Jerome Randall, in the house now owned by Edwin Ross.

The present grist-mill in Morganville was built about 1878, by John Simmons. It is of stone, 40x60 feet, three stories high, has two runs of stone, and does a custom and flouring business. It is now run by Robert M. Parkerson. The first mill on the present site was built by Adget Lathrop about 1820. R Fisher built an addition afterwards. This mill was burned in 1874. The wagon shop, built about 1853. is now owned by Albert H. White, who bought it in 1886, and has since carried on the business. He manufactures wagons, carriages, sleighs, potato diggers, etc. Besides these Morganville has a postoffice, store, harness shop, blacksmith shop, and a pottery.

It is said the first postoffice in Morganville was established about 1838, with Germain Lathrop as postmaster. The building used as such was built in 1820, and is now used for the same purpose. The old Remington harness shop is one of the few existing landmarks of the locality, being built by Hazen Moss in 1825. Another interesting building is the stone school-house, built previous to 1830, which was arranged for holding religious exercises, having a pulpit in onesend. Robert Fisher is to be credited for his efforts in establishing business at Morganville. He it was who built the stone mill and set on foot various enterprises that caused it to be a busy place from 20 to 40 years ago. He was the post-

644

GENESEE COUNTY.

master in 1869. David Rogers, a mechanic, about 1820, made the first cultivator with a wheel. His shop was in the old stone building erected by Mr. Bronson.

ROANOKE is a hamlet in the extreme southeast part of the town, near the Pavilion line. It was named by Major John Ganson in honor of John Randolph, of Virginia, whose residence in that State was so-called. The main branch of Oatka Creek skirts the southern part of the village, affording excellent power for grist and saw mills. A store, cooper shop, blacksmith shop, and about 25 houses make a good locality for business. J. H. Ganson and Jonathan Lay were prominent men in early times. They operated the old furnace.

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Roanoke was organized as a union church in 1840, with about 50 members, and with Rev. Daniel Burke as pastor. A church edifice was built in 1843, costing $1,500, and capable of seating about 170 persons. Services are only held occa- sionally.

The Roanoke roller-mills, located on the Oatka, have a full set of rolls. and three runs of stones, and are operated by H. C. Duguid & Son, who have operated them since 1887. They were built in 1835 by Lay, Gan- son & Co.

In 1840 S. Pierce operated the old (Northrop) woolen factory. Knowlton, Rich & Co. were there in 1845, and Shaffer & Hardy in 1853, when it was burned.

During the war of the Rebellion the town contributed nobly its share of clothing, money, and men for upholding the cause of the Union, and the heavy demands were readily responded to by each and every citizen. In all 50 men left the town for the field of battle, 23 of whom gave up their lives for the cause of their country. The return of those who survived was the occasion of great rejoicing, and public homage was accorded them ; while for the martyrs a beautiful monument was erected, in a conspicuous place in Rural Cemetery, where yearly the citizens vie with each other in honoring the memory of the names given herewith, and which are inscribed upon the shaft : John Ball, Martin R. Bowan, Christ Cooper, Mortimore M. Cummings, Thomas Gayton, Da- vid Greening, John Folk, George Jerry, Francis Lander, William F. Lewis, William F. Mills, George Merlin, Alonzo Nichols, Thomas Pass- more, Jr., Isaac Page, Thomas Phelps, William Rudd, Riley Stevens, Dewitt Van Alst, John T. Twamley, William Webber, F. B. Wright, and Charles Willmore.

Religion has always had a strong hold upon the residents of this town, and manifested itself as early as 1810, when services were conducted at the house of Col. Rumsey by the Rev. William Green. From this in - spiration the Baptist Church was started, and a stone structure, a part of which is now in existence, was erected in 1815, nearly one half a mile west of the Transit, on the road to Batavia. The building is now used as a tenement. The Rev. Amos Lampson was the first minister of this

645

TOWN OF STAFFORD.

church. In 1821 a Congregational Church was organized, which after- wards adopted the Presbyterian form of government. Rev. Mr. Huxley was the minister until about 1825, when L. Judson, until 1836, officiated under the patronage of the Missionary Society. Then followed Louis Mills, and afterwards H. G. Ward. A union church was kept up for some time, but dissatisfaction arose as to occupancy of the building, and separation was the result.

Owing to the influx of so many Church of England families about the year 1830 a movement was made towards the formation of an Episcopal Church. Previous to this the adherents of that church were compelled to go to Batavia or Le Roy. As early, however, as February 16, 1823, E. Mix, Lucius Smith, and Richard Smith, of Batavia, organized St. Phillips's Protestant Episcopal Church, but no records exist concerning it. In February, 1833, a parish was organized at Stafford village, under the name of Trinity parish, with the Rev. John P. Robinson in charge In October, 1834, there were 40 communicants. Services were held in the old stone (or union) church for want of an edifice of their own. In 1841, through the activity of the members, a church was built and consecrated in 1842 by Rt. Rev. Bishop Delancey, under the title of St. Paul's Prot- estant Episcopal Church. Richard and John Warren, Sr., were chosen wardens. Rev. George D. Gillespie, now bishop of Western Michigan, was the rector. In 1843 Rev. Stephen C. Millett was rector. He resigned in 1845, and John P. Calhoun succeeded him in 1846 He was followed by Rev. Milton Ward, and he by Rev. Philemon E. Coe in 1850. Rev. Richard Radley took charge in 1851, and served for 19 years, or until 1870. He died in 1879. Other rectors followed until 1882, when the Rev. Mr. Edson came, and in 1888 the Rev. E. R. Armstrong, the present rector. The present house of worship is a sub- stantial structure, built of wood on a stone foundation, and is capable of seating 300 persons. It cost $2,500. The present value of church property is $3,500. The membership of the church is 200, and the Sunday school has over 80 children.

Stafford Rural Cemetery Association .- Soon after the Holland Pur- chase was opened for settlement Col. Nathan Marvin purchased the lands now owned by Mrs Mary E. Bagot and Mrs. E. S. Wood. The early burials on these grounds, where Mrs. Bagot's small orchard now is, were Col. Marvin and Peter Stage. Four acres of land was set apart for town purposes : one acre for burial purposes, one acre for a town house on the Clipknock road, and two acres for church and school purposes, the whole forming a square of four acres. The land for burials was found unfit for the purpose, and Col. Marvin exchanged for an acre lying west of the Transit road, the location of the present cemetery. Burials were made on that plat thereafter, and an enclosure was made by. Maj. Harvey Sweetland. In 1831 Mr. Marvin sold his lands to Richard Rad- ley, reserving the acre for a cemetery, the school-house site, and ground where his children were buried. These reservations were afterward con-

646

GENESEE COUNTY.

veyed to Isaac N. Stage and the town of Stafford. The grounds were soon neglected and grew up to weeds and brush, and disorder generally prevailed. In August, 1865, the ladies of Stafford exhibited the usual energy of the sex by agitating the subject, and calling attention to the necessity of a reform in cemetery matters, which resulted in an enter- tainment, from which $65 was realized. From this time the subject was thoroughly ventilated, committees were appointed, and the above associa. tion was duly organized under the law of the State pertaining to ceme- teries. Israel M. Peck was chosen president; Stephen Crocker, vice- president; C. W. March, secretary ; and J. I. Stutterd, treasurer. After this the title to the land was vested in the corporation, additional land bought, and by a systematic plan lots and walks were laid out, the energy of its officers being met by the usual amount of prejudice and opposition, but the general good of the community triumphed. At a town meeting in 1868 $900 was taxed and voted to be expended for a

soldiers' monument. One was finally erected at a cost of $950, contain- ing names of 23 soldiers, former residents who gave up their lives in the Rebellion. The association has a fund of nearly $2,000, the interest of which is spent in caring for the grounds, the fund being augmented con- stantly by the sale of lots. The people of the town are justly proud of the few persons who gave their time and energies to the accomplishment of so beneficent an object. The present officers are Israel M. Peck, president ; John H. Drury, vice-president ; and John Sanders, secre- tary.

Stafford Benefit Association was originally organized in 1870, and the rules by which it is now governed were adopted at its reorganization in 1877. It was incorporated in 1881. The society is one of the most prosperous of its kind in the State. Its present officers are I. M. Peck, president (who has served as such for II years) ; O. J. De Wolf, vice- president ; E. M. Pamphilon, secretary ; and Archie D. Sanders, treas- urer. In 19 years there have been 37 deaths. There were 100 applica- tions for membership in 1888. The standing for 1887 was as follows : total income from fees, dues, and assessments, $1,612 ; disbursements for losses, claims, salaries, etc., $1,445 ; policies in force, 415 ; policies for the year, 68.

Stafford Lodge, No. 222, I. O. O. F., was organized in 1867, with the following charter members : William Barnett, John Sanders, John Pass- more, I. M. Peck, and A. Keller. It has been a flourishing organization, having at one time 85 members. It numbers now about 40. A large fund amounting now to $1,400 has been accumulated for the benefit of its members.

Transit Lodge, No. 363, was organized in October, 1823, with Dr. Sam- uel S. Butler as master ; Eden Foster, S. W .: and Jacob Wade, J. W. It was dedicated in September, 1825, and Rev. Lucius Smith, of Batavia, preached a sermon on the occasion. It survived only a few years.

Mrs. Elizabeth Bagot, only daughter of George and Mary (Radley)

647

TOWN OF STAFFORD.

Bagot, was born in 1833. Her father was among the first of a party of Englishmen to settle in the town, in 1831. She was baptized in Trinity Church by Rev. John Robertson. Her grandfather was one of the first wardens, remaining as such till his death in 1862. She received her educa- tion at the school of her uncle, Rev. Richard Radley, and completed her studies in Le Roy. During a visit to Elk City, Mich., in 1879, she married Richard Bagot, a prominent merchant and citizen, and at one time county clerk and treasurer. Mrs. Bagot's father and mother died the next year, and she returned to Stafford to settle the estate. She still carries on the 180-acre farm left her, besides spending much time in travel, passing her winters in Florida with her husband, whose interests in that State and Michigan are extensive.

Stephen Crocker, son of George and Sarah, was born in Bishop's Taw- ton, Devonshire, Eng., February 26, 1808. His father was a prominent farmer, holding 200 acres. He died in 1850. Mr. Crocker was educated at the public schools, finishing his studies at Barnstable. On leaving school he remained with his father until 1831, when he, with a party of Devonshire Englishmen, came to America, being among the first English settlers in this town. In July of that year he bought the Anson Bristol farm on the " Clipknock road." In September, 1832, he married Sus- anna, eldest daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Radley. In 1836, with two others, he went to St. Louis, and in 1839 returned to England, where he remained until 1841, when he returned to the United States with his parents and family. He was assessor of the town for six years, and during the Rebellion enrolled the citizens who went to war. Later he was one of the "war committee," doing efficient service, has been road commissioner for six years, and held the office of poormaster for about 20 years. He has also been elected town clerk, and during the administration of President Cleveland was appointed postmaster. Al- though a staunch Democrat his Republican friends have given him their suffrage. Mrs. Crocker died in 1879. They had one child, Elizabeth, born in 1833, who was the first one baptized in Trinity Episcopal Church at Stafford, by the then rector, John Robertson. She received her edu- cation at Mrs. Bryan's school in Batavia, and at the Ingham University of Le Roy. In 1855 she married Dr. Thomas, son of Rev. B. King, D. D., who was pastor of the church at Rockaway, N. J., for 50 years. Mr. King died in 1867, and two years later she married William Wood, son of Leonard, of Devonshire, Eng., by whom she had two children, Leon- ard and Gertrude. Mr. Wood died in 1884. In 1885 Mrs. Wood removed from " Wood's farm," Morganville, to the rectory in Stafford, and is now living with her father.

Miss Carrie Douglass, fifth child of Leander and Isabella Douglass, was born in Byron She was educated at Stafford and Le Roy. Her ability as an artist is of no common order. Her paintings of scenery and fruit are excellent, and for some time she carried on a studio in New York. She studied with Col. P. Staunton, of the Le Roy Art School, and later

648

GENESEE COUNTY.

with Frost Johnson, of New York. She is a niece of A. Hart Norris, and spends most of her winters at Spring Garden, Florida, where she has the management of the Norris Spring Garden silk farm. The father of Miss Douglass died on the Douglass homestead in 1872, and her mother in 1882. Besides attending to the duties of her 100- acre farm, and keeping up her artistic studies, she gives much of her attention to the Episcopal Church, of which she is a member, and attends to the wants of the deserving sick and poor in her section of the town.

~ John De Wolf, born near Hartford, Conn., married Lucy Jackson, and they had 12 children. In April, 1805, he moved to Batavia, when there were but two framed houses there-James Cochran's and William Keyes's. He was a cabinetmaker, and carried on that business there. In 1814 he located in Stafford, on road 29, on the farm now owned by John Mullen. He died in 1868, aged 86 years. Five of his children are living : Harlow and Peter reside in Michigan ; Zorada (Mrs. James Manning) resides in Batavia; and John and Orin reside in Stafford. Orin was born April 6, 1804, in East Bloomfield; and came to Batavia in 1805. He has resided here since 1814. He married Zobede Perkins, and they have had 14 children, of whom II are living. Mr. De Wolf is a blacksmith, and settled on the place where he now lives in 1830, carry- ing on the business since. He was deputy postmaster under Mr. Gilbert, at Transit (now Stafford), and served as constable in 1835 and '36. He was elected justice of the peace in 1852, and has held the office ever since, being elected six times without opposition. John, his brother, was born October 10, 1805, married Eliza Fales, and had a family of 10 children. He is a farmer.

Clark Daniels, born in Danville, Vt., in 1794, was the seventh child of Solomon Daniels. Only a common school education was afforded him. Entering the army at an early age he fought in the War of 1812, and is one of the few surviving pensioners of that struggle. He came to Staf- ford in 1815, when all around was a forest, and well remembers the cold summer of 1816, when wheat and corn could not grow, the latter being sold for $3 per bushel, and frozen at that. That year he bought the " Alfred Fisk " farm. He was burned out in 1818, and the same year married Laura Beswick, of Massachusetts. In 1827 he moved to Alle- gany County, where he lived until 1832, when he returned and bought the farm where Francis Darbee now resides. In 1835 his wife died, leaving seven children. He then sold his place and bought the " Bes- wick farm," and in 1836 married Mrs. Hannah Powers, by whom he had one child, Charles Daniels. In 1849 the " Beswick " farm was sold, and the " Allen " farm purchased. His second wife died in 1848, and he married, later, Huldah, daughter of James Courer, who died in 1862. The " Allen " place was then sold and the " Watson " farm bought. His son Charles entered the army in 1862 and fought under Gen. Dix. In 1864 Mr. Daniels married, fourth, Sarah Ware, widow of Jacob Bush- man. She, at the age of 84, is still living. In 1875 the " Watson " farm

649

TOWN OF STAFFORD.

was sold and the old " Lathrop " place purchased, which Mr. Daniels still owns. He cast his first vote for James Monroe in 1817, and has always voted the Republican ticket. He has been a member of the Christian Church for 50 years.

Thomas Waldron, son of Abraham and Sarah Waldron, was born in Devonshire, Eng., in 1853, was educated at the village school, and at the age of 15 was apprenticed to the coopers' trade, serving five years. April 7, 1872, he married Mary, eldest daughter of John and Jane Darch, and came to Monroe County. In 1875 he came to Stafford and engaged in business with his brother-in-law, John Darch. Two of his four chil- dren survive, viz .: John H. T., born in June, 1873, and Rosa Maud, born in May, 1886.

Henry A Fiske came from Jefferson County, N. Y., in 1810, when he was seven years of age. He married Eliza Parker, of Batavia, and had five children. He died in 1863, and his wife in 1874. His father, Syl- vanus, located on road 24, and had eight sons, of whom two are now liv- ing, viz .: Frederick in Indiana, and William in the State of Washington. Sylvanus W., son of Henry A., was born October 8, 1829. He attended school at Morganville until the age of 15, and taught until he was 20 years old, when he worked upon his father's farm, which he purchased. In 1851 he married Jeanette, daughter of Aaron and Electa Beswick, and they had one child, Henry, who died in 1879. In 1874 Mr. Fiske went to the Rocky Mountains. In 1880 his wife died from cancer, and February 28, 1881, he married Louisa, daughter of Tobias Hufletine, and spent some years in travel in this country and in Europe. Upon his re- turn he again occupied his farm, to which he has since devoted all his energies He was highway commissioner for two years.

Byron Farley came to Le Roy from Vermont. He was a cooper by trade, and had a family of nine children, five of whom are living, and two in this county. Maria, wife of Norman Stevens, resides in Le Roy. Abiathar, born in 1839, married Mary, daughter of Ephraim Niles, who came to Stafford in 1816, from Vermont. and settled on road 37. He married Polly Hill, and they had five children. He died in 1877, aged 97 years. His son Eben resided on the old farm until he died about 1851. Two other sons, Edwin and Ephraim, reside in Le Roy. The daughter Mary (Mrs. A. Farley) occupies the homestead. They have three children, De Forest, Fenton, and Estelle (Mrs. H. D. McCall), of Pavilion. Mr. Farley is a musician and leader of Farley's orchestra.

Michael Linsler, born in Steuben County, in December, 1849, mar- ried Margaret Coogan, of Wyoming County, and they have three chil- dren. He has been superintendent of C. F. Prentice's farm for the last four years, and a resident of the county since 1864. His father, Simon, came from Germany about 1837, and settled in Schenectady, and after- wards in Steuben County.

Dr. Newton Graves, a native of Herkimer County, was born in 1828, and graduated from Western Reserve College, of Ohio, in 1852. He re-

650

GENESEE COUNTY.

sided in Oneida County 20 years, and removed to St. Lawrence County, where he practiced for five years, and came to Stafford in 1884. He married Caroline Pierce, of Livonia, N. Y.

Abial Gardiner, son of Abial, came to Pennsylvania from England. He married Amanda Smith, of Middlebury, N. Y. John Smith, her father, was in the War of 1812. Mr. Gardiner settled in Elba in 1851, where he resided seven years, when he moved to Stafford and settled on the farm now owned by his son Enos J. He died July 13, 1879. He was born April 1, 1812, in Durham, N. Y. His wife died April 6, 1884. They had two children, viz .: Lydia A., who resides in Michigan, and Enos J., who was born June 24, 1845, and is a stock dealer and farmer. The latter married Olive E, daughter of Charles M. Hoyt, who was born in Florida, N. Y. Mr. Hoyt married Mary Galentine, of Rush, N. Y., and they had four children, three of whom are living, viz .: Eveline Good- enough, Sarah Jackson, and Olive E. He settled in Elba, where he re- sided until 1843, when he came to Stafford. He was a farmer, and died in June, 1889. His wife died July 15, 1881.

F. C. Miller, born in Germany, came to this country when he was 16 months old, with his father, Charles, in 1864. He married Addie Wa- terman. In 1888 he opened a general store at Morganville, and Septem- ber 12, 1889, was appointed postmaster at that place.

John Heywood, son of William, of Devonshire, Eng., was born in November, 1809, and came to this country in 1835. He received his naturalization papers in 1848. The same year he purchased the Hey- wood farm, and married Sarah, daughter of George Shapland, also from Devonshire Seven children were born to them, of whom five are living, viz : John, Elizabeth Radley, Anna Sutterby, Mary, and William. Mr. Heywood is considered one of the richest farmers in this section of the county.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890, Part 73

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