USA > New York > Schuyler County > Gazetteer and business directory of Chemung and Schuyler counties, N.Y. for 1868-9 > Part 23
USA > New York > Chemung County > Gazetteer and business directory of Chemung and Schuyler counties, N.Y. for 1868-9 > Part 23
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
short staircase we come to another Glen which contains the Shadow Gorge. The path through this is cut out of the rock, and the pass- age is difficult, though no serious accidents have ever occurred in the Glen. Passing on in our course, we take a view of Pluto Falls and the Spiral Gorge, and enter Glen Arcudia. Here the view is enchanting, and we would gladly linger and gaze upon the picture spread out before us, but we pass on to the Arcadian Falls, a beau- tiful cascade falling some twenty feet into a natural grotto. This is as far as the Glen has been made accessible to visitors. Thus we have taken the reader through the Glen, giving him but a faint idea of its beauties, and passing over many things quite as inter- esting as any we have attempted to describe. This point is two miles from the entrance, and 800 feet above the level of Seneca Lake. Days might be spent here in viewing the ever changing features of this mighty gorge, and yet be continually charmed by new beauties. Situated at the head of Seneca Lake, whose waters extend for forty miles to the north, it can hardly fail to become a place of great resort to the pleasure seekers of our country, as its charms become more widely known.
The first settlements were made near the head of the lake and along the valley of Catharine's Creek, about the commencement of the present century. George Mills was among the first settlers in town; he lived to a great age, upwards of 95. Judge John Dowe, David Culver and Jolin and William Watkins, were also among the early settlers. The first settlers at the village of Townsend were Claudius Townsend, Consider B. Evens, Jonas Blower and Dods Benson, in 1823. Ebenezer Perry was the first settler at Beaver Dams. At this place two dams were built across Port Creek by beaver; one of the dams still remains. A swamp, formed by the lower dam, is an alluvial deposit, 400 feet deep, from which lime is made. The first church edifice (Bap.) was erect- ed in 1833, at Townsend.
The population in 1865 was 3,432, and the area 22,196 acres.
The number of children of school age in the town is 1,181; the number attending school 831, and the average attendance 327. The amount expended for school purposes in 1867 was $3,408.65.
HECTOR was formed from Ovid, (Seneca County,) March 30th, 1802. It is the south-west corner township of the Military Tract, and the north-east corner town of the County. The surface is a rolling upland; its highest suminits are from 500 to 700 feet above Seneca Lake. The bluffs bordering upon the lake are from 100 to 300 feet high, and nearly perpendicular. It is drained by a large number of small streams, which flow into Seneca and Cayuga Lakes. Hector Falls, in the south-west part of the town, is a beautiful cascade upon a creek flowing down the bluff which bor-
182 GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
ders the lake. The soil is a clay, sandy and gravelly loam, in some places underlaid by hard-pan.
Perry City (p. v.) is situated upon the east line of the town, and contains about 150 inhabitants.
Mecklenburgh (p. v.) is situated about two miles south-west of Perry City, and contains three churches, several mills and about 400 inhabitants.
Reynoldsville (p. v.) lies near the center of the town and con- tains a church and about 150 inhabitants.
Bennettsburgh, (p. v.) in the south part, contains a church, several mills and about thirty houses.
Burdett (p. v.) is situated in the south-west part, and contains three churches, several manufactories and mills, and about 400 in- habitants.
Peach Orchard, (Hector p. o.) in the north-west part, contains three churches and about forty houses. It received its name from the fact of there being a large peach orchard in that vicinity when the town was first settled.
Polkville, in the north-west part, contains a church and about twenty houses.
Scarsburgh, (p. o.) in the north-east part, is a hamlet, containing two churches.
North Hector, in the north-west part, and Cayutaville, in the south-east part, are post offices.
Steamburgh is a hamlet in the north part.
Settlement was commenced in 1791, in the north-west part of the town, on the bank of the lake, by John Livingston and William Wickham. Reuben Smith, and his sons Reuben, Jabez, Samuel, Harvey, Caleb and Chauncey W., from Canaan, Coun., settled on Military lots 20 and 21, in 1794; Richard Ely and Grover Smith settled a little north of " Peach Orchard," and Daniel Everts south of the same place, in 1795. These were all from Salisbury, Conn.
According to the State Gazetteer, Polly Everts was the first child born in the town; but Rev. Mr. Hotchkin, in his History, says " A daughter of Mr. Fawcett's was the first white child born in the town of Hector. She was carried on horseback, soon after her birth, into the region of Northumberland, in the State of Penn- sylvania, to receive the ordinance of baptismn." A son of Captain Ely was the first white male child born in the town. The first marriage was that of Stephen Pratt and Betsey Livingston; and the first death that of William Wickham. The first school was taught at Peach Orchard by John Livingston. William Wickham kept the first inn, near Peach Orchard, and John B. Seely the first store, at Hector Falls. The first grist-mill and carding machine were put in operation, at the same place, by Samuel B. Seeley. The first church (Presb.) was formed by Rev. Mr. Stewart, at Peach Orchard, in 1809.
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
The census of 1865 gives the town a population of 5,048, and an area of 63,098 acres.
The number of persons of school age in 1867 was 1,662; the number attending school 1,266, and the average attendance 631. The amount expended for school purposes in 1867 was $8,575.50.
MONTOUR was formed from Catharines, March 3d, 1860. It lies upon the south border of the County, a little east of the cen- ter. The surface is a hilly upland, broken by the deep valleys of the streams. Catharine's Creek flows along the west border, in a deep ravine from 300 to 700 feet below the summits of the hills. The soil is chiefly a gravelly loam, mixed with clay.
Havana, (p. v.) incorporated May 13th, 1836, is situated on Catharine's Creek, about three miles from the head of Seneca Lake. It is a station on the canal, and also on the railroad, and contains three churches, two newspaper offices, two banks, the People's Col- lege, a hotel, two flouring mills, two founderies, one woolen factory, a plaster mill, extensive stone-ware works, a planing mill, a spoke and hub factory and several other establishments of less import- ance. The population is about 1,500.
The People's College was incorporated April 13th, 1854, and was located at Havana, January 8th, 1857. The Institution is now under Masonic auspices, in connection with an Asylum for Masonic orphans.
There are several natural curiosities in the vicinity of Havana worthy of more than a passing notice. Harana Falls is a beautiful cascade a short distance west of the village. It is upon a small stream that pours its waters into the Inlet of Seneca Lake. But the chief object of interest, and one that should be seen to be appre- ciated, is Mc Clure's Glon, a beautiful ravine worn into the rocks by the action of the water which for ages has been pouring its tor- rents into the 'basin of Seneca Lake. Until recently, the beauty and sublimity of the Glen were hidden from all except some daring adventurer whose love of nature, unimproved by art, led him to penetrate its wild and rocky chastns, or the more quiet recesses, and listen to the sweet murmur of the "Whispering Falls." The Glen was first made accessible to the public in the summer of 1867, by the construction of walks and the erection of bridges and stair- ways through its rugged and winding way. Near the entrance to the Glen is a beautiful grove, affording a fine resort for pic-nie par- ties. Here the Free Masons held a grand pic-nic on the 18th of September, 1867, at which the number in attendance was variously estimated at from 5,000 to 10,000 persons.
As we enter the Glen, the Portal Cascade first appears in view. Here the water of MeClure's Creek makes its final plunge into the basin of Seneca Lake. Passing along the narrow path we will next take our stand upon Sylvan Bridge that spans the stream above the
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
first falls, and gaze for a time upon the beauties of Glen Montour, as the first section is called. Pursuing our course, the Eagle Cliff Falls appear in view. These are the highest in the Glen, the un- broken fall of water being about fifty feet. The cliffs tower above the summit of the falls to the height of more than one hundred feet, rendering the scene peculiarly sublime and impressive. Ascending the oak stairway, the second subdivision of the Glen, The Pride of the Senecas, opens to our view. The stream appears to emerge from a spacious room in the form of an L. The main passage is sixty feet in length and about twenty-five in width, and the average height of the sides about thirty feet. From different stand-points in this section of the Glen we obtain views that are exceedingly beautiful and rarely equaled. We cannot stop to describe the beanties of the Curtain Cascade, or the wild and rugged seenery of Central Gorge, as viewed from the winding stairway. This Gorge varies in depth from fifty to one hundred feet. Leaving it and crossing the Cavern Bridge, located at the entrance of the Glen of the Caverns, we will pursue our way, taking a view of Hermit's Cave and the Whispering Falls as we pass along to Glen Chaos, where the rocks appear to have slid down into the ravine from its adjacent sides, and here lie imbedded in one chaotic mass. The Glen of the Echoes, and Echo Falls, will beguile us for a time ere we reach the Glen of the Pools. Here are numerous cavities, vary- ing in size and shape, some of them circular and very beautiful. Passing the Fairies' Cascade and the Summit Falls, we emerge to the highlands which overlook Seneca Lake. In taking the reader through the Glen, we have done little more than to give the names of some of the principal localities, all of which are suggestive, and must now leave him to visit the Glen, and see for himself the work of the Ahnighty's hand.
The first settlement of the town was made at Havana, in 1788, by Silas Woleott and a Mr. Wilson. George Mills, William Mc- Clure, Phineas Bowers, John King, and families by the name of Stevens, settled in the town, near Havana, in 1789-90.
Anthony Broderick kept the first school, in a house owned by Phineas Bowers, in 1792-93. Silas Wolcott kept the first inn, soon after his settlement, and Isaac Baldwin and George Mills the first store, in 1805, at Havana. Phineas Bowers erected the first grist and saw-mills, at or near the village.
Catharine Montour, in honor of whom this town was named, was a native of Canada, a half breed, her father having been one of the early French Governors; probably Count Frontenac. During the wars between the Six Nations and the French and Hurons, Catha- rine was taken prisoner, carried to the Seneca country, adopted and reared as one of their own children. When arrived at a suit- able age, she married one of the distinguished chiefs of her tribe,
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who distinguished himself in the wars of the Six Nations against the Catawbas, then a powerful nation living to the south-west of Virginia. She had several children by this chieftain, who fell in battle about the year 1730. She is said to have been a handsome woman when young, genteel, and of polite address, notwithstand- ing her Indian associations. She was accustomed to accompany the chiefs of the Six Nations to Philadelphia and other places where treaties were made, and from her character and manners was greatly caressed by the American ladies. At Philadelphia she was invited into the best circles and entertained at the houses of the elite of the city. She was commonly called " Queen Catharine," and had her residence near the present village of Havana. From the English Colonial Government she received a small salary for many years, on account of her influence with the Indians. The famous "Paint- ed Post," at the confluence of the Tioga and Conhoeton Riv- ers, is said to have been erected to the memory of the son of Queen Catharine.
Mr. Mills, the first merchant of Ilavana, was also one of the first navigators of Seneca Lake. "Mills Landing" was the head of nav- igation, and from .. this point, in his Indian batteaux, he transported the products of the soil, and received in return goods brought from New York via Albany, Mohawk River, Wood Creek and Seneca River. As the population increased, he increased the tonnage of his vessels, and did a thriving business.
The first sloop launched upon the lake was built under the pat- ronage of Col. Charles Williamson, in 1796, to ply between Geneva and Catharinetown. This event called forth the settlers from their cabins, and was regarded as an event of scarcely less importance than the launching of an ocean steamer in our seaports. It is said that natives of every State in the Union, and of every nation in Europe were present to witness the event. The first steamboat that navigated the lake was the Seneca Chief, and her first trip was made July 4th, 1828. In just twenty years from that day she was destroyed by fire.
The population of the town in 1565 was 1,854, and its area 11,323 acres.
The number of persons of school age in 1867 was 622; the number attending school 512, and the average attendance 204. The amount expended for school purposes in 1867 was $3,958.61.
ORANGE was formed from Wayne, (Steuben County,) Feb- ruary 12th, 1813, as "Jersey." Its name was changed February 20th. 1836. A part of Hornby, (Steuben County,) was annexed April 11th, 1842, and a part of Bradford (Steuben County.) April 17th, 1854. It is the south- west corner town in the County, and is bounded on the east by the pre-emption line. Its surface is a
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
rolling aud hilly upland, broken by the deep and irregular valleys of the streams. Mead's Creek, flowing south-west, forms the prin- cipal drainage. The soil is chiefly a gravelly loam.
Monterey, (Orange p. o.) situated on Mead's Creek, in the south part of the town, contains a grist-mill and about 300 inhabitants.
Sugar Hill is a post office in the north-east part.
The first settlements were made in 1799, by Abraham Rozen- back and Samuel Scomp, north-east of Monterey. Henry Switzer, from New Jersey, settled on Switzer Hill, in 1802, and D. Hewitt, from Rensselaer County, was the first settler at Monterey, in 1811. Abner and Thomas Hurd, and Brigham Young, the Mormon Pres- ident, were early settlers in the north-east part of the town. Wil- liam Wilkins, William De Witt, Andrew Fort, Daniel Curtis, Jed- ediah Miller and a Mr. Chapman, settled on Mead's Creek in 1811. David Kimball, and his brother Moses, John Dyer, Sylvester Goodrich, and three men by the name of Hewitt, settled in the town a few years later. Joshua Chamberlain came into the town and purchased the land where the village of Monterey stands, of a man named De Witt. The north-east part of the town, known as "Sugar Hill," did not receive its name from any considerable ele- vation in that place, but from the following circumstance : In this place was a fine grove of maples, and the early settlers in the adja- cent region, having in their hunting excursions discovered that there were no settlers upon the land, were accustomed to resort thither in the spring and manufacture a supply of sugar for the year ; hence the name "Sugar Ilill." The settlement in this vicinity was com- menced about 1s19 or 1820. Lewis Nichols, William Webb, Thomas Horton, Abraham and John Allen, Ebenezer Beach, Mr. Eveleth, Seymour Lockwood, and two families of Comptons, were among the first settlers. Dr. Hibbard and Abraham Lyboult came about the year 1821. After the commencement of the settlement the land was very soon taken up by actual settlers. The fertility of the soil and the proximity to Seneca Lake, their prospective mar- ket, together with the easy manner of obtaining land from the office at Bath, contributed to the rapid settlement of the town.
The first child born in the town was Elsie Switzer, and the first school was taught by Daniel MeDougall, in 1819, near Monterey. Thomas Hurd kept the first inn, in 1816, at Monterey, and Walter Hurd the first store, south-west of the same place. The first church (M. E.) was formed by Rev. Peregrine Hallett, the first preacher.
The population of the town in 1865 was 2,094, and its area 29,- 863 neres.
The number of persons of school age in the town in 1867, was 700, the number attending school 544, and the average attendance 247. The amount expended for school purposes the same year was 3,281.88.
CHEMUNG AND SCHUYLER BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 187
CENTRAL N. Y. FURNITURE WAREROOMS.
WICKES MOORE, Manufacturers and Dealers. WATKINS, N. Y.,
51.
Offer the public a large stock of Cabinet Ware, including new and elegant pattern- of Parlor and Chamber waits, Side Board -. Book Cases. Wardrobes. Extension Tables. Spring Bode. Mattra -- -. ( Huren'- Cabe. Fancy Bra Kers, Picture Frames and Window Shades. also cottage Chairs and Bedsteads, at greatly reduced prices, to bad any dealer in Central or Southern New York. at very lowest price -.
Special care to our Uralertaker's Department, with a splendid BEARSE and equip- ment- 17surpassed in this -retion. METALI AND ROSEWOOD BURIAL CASES AND COFFINS. in Large variety. constants on hun! 1.2. Isters and Repairing done A. I. MOORE.
with care and dispatel. Ware Booms opposite Jefferson House. GEN. A. WICKES.
BARNEY BROTHERS, No. 8 Baldwin St., Elmira, N. Y., GENERAL INSURANCE AGENTS,
Represent Nearly $10,000,000 of Capital In the following FIRST CLASS Companies :
Phoenix Life In. Co., Hartford, .1-sets, $4,000,000 - Germania Fire .. New York, -
1,000,000
Corn Exchange Fire In. Co .. .. .. .. 600,000 Hanover .. .. ..
over 600,000 .. 500,000
Market . .
Battle .. ..
.. 300,000
Farmer- Joint Stock Fire" Meridian. 1. 1., 1art., 200,000 United States .. . Baltimore, id., .. 500.000
'Travelers' Life and Accident In. Co., Hartford, Assets 1,000,000 Hartford Live Moch ..
..
500,000
1 .. L. BARNEY.
J. H. BARNEY.
18S CHEMUNG AND SCHUYLER BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
HI. BAKER,
WATKINS. N. Y ..
Watch Maker & Jeweler, DEALER IN
Watches, Clocks, Jewelry, Silver & Plated Ware. Yankee
Notions, Violin & Guitar Strings and Trimmings.
Watches and Clock. Repaired on Short Notice in the most approved Style, and warranted.
ALSO AGENT FOR THE CELEBRATED
KÆR3
Grover & Baker
SEWING
-
-
facturer of all Kinds of Jewelry. Rings, Spoons, de., neal- is Engraved, Rings, Pins, Chains. &c., of the Latest and Richest Patterns. in endless variety. constantly on hand.
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
READING was formed from "Frederickstown," (now Wayne, Steuben County,) February 17th, 1809. It lies upon the west bank of Seneca Lake, and is the central town upon the north border of the County. Its surface is a rolling upland, varying from 400 to 500 feet above the lake. The bluffs upon the shore are very steep, and in many places precipitous. The streams are small brooks and creeks. The soil is chiefly a clay loam.
Reading Center, (p. v.) situated in the central part of the town, contains two churches, one hotel, a store and several mechanic shops.
Reading, (p. o.) in the south-east part, is a hamlet. North Reading is a post office.
Judge Dow, from Connecticut, settled at Reading Center in 1790. David Culver followed in 1800. William Eddy, Abner and Tim- othy Hurd, Simeon and Matthew Royce, Reuben Henderson, An- drew Boothe, Samuel Gustin, John Bruce and Samuel Shoemaker settled within a few years thereafter. Alexander Hinton settled near Watkins in 1802. About 1806, John and James Roberts, Daniel Shannon, Caleb Fulkerson, Richard Lanning, George Plum- mer and Andrew McDowell settled in the town. Chester Corbett, who is still living in the town, settled here in 1813.
The first marriage was that of Elisha Culver and Susan Divins ; and the first birth that of Minor Culver. The first school was taught by Ira Parker, at the Center. David Culver kept the first inn, north of the Center, and David Culver Jr. the first store, at the same place. Eliadia Parker erected the first saw-mill. The first church, (Bap.) was formed by Elder John Goff, in 1810, at Reading Center.
The population in 1865 was 1,652, and the area 16,156 acres.
The number of persons of school age in 1867 was 472; the num- ber attending school 384, and the average attendance 170. The amount expended for schools the same year was 82,085.12.
TYRONE was formed from Wayne, (Steuben County,) April 16th, 1822. It is the north-west corner town in the County. Its surface is an elevated upland, divided into several ridges by the valleys of the streams. Its principal stream is Mud Creek, flowing south-west to the Conhocton. Little Lake, upon the west border, is about three miles long and one wide; and Mud Lake, in the south-west corner, is about one mile and a half long and half a mile wide. These lakes lie in deep valleys, and are bordered by steep hills, in some places precipitous, which rise from 300 to 400 feet above them. The soil is a clay loan.
Tyrone. (p. v.) situated in the south part of the town, contains two churches, a hotel, two saw-mills, two grist-mills, a tannery, half a dozen stores and several mechanie shops, and about 300 inhabitants.
L
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
Weston (p. v.) contains two churches, a hotel, several stores and mechanic shops and about 250 inhabitants.
Altay, (p. v.) in the north-east part, contains a church, a hotel, a store and two or three shops.
Pine Grove, (p. o.) a hamlet in the south-east part, contains a church.
The first settlement was made in 1800, by General William Ker- nan, of Ireland, upon a lot on a traet of 4,000 aeres, purchased by Thomas O'Connor, of the County of Roscommon, in Ireland. Mr. ()'Connor lived for some tine in a log house on the hill near Little Lake. A son and a daughter accompanied him, the former of whom is Hon. Charles O'Connor of New York City. A large number of Irish immigrants settled upon the O'Connor tract, but after a few years all left but Gen. Kernan. Abrabam Fleet, Sen., from New Jersey, and Captain John Seabring, were among the first settlers near Tyrone village, in 1800. Benjamin Sackett, Gershom, Thaddeus and Abram Bennett, and Jonathan Townsend were early settlers.
The first birth was that of Simon Fleet. The first school was taught at Tyrone village, by Hugh Jameson ; the first inn was kept by Captain Williams, and the first store by Thomas ()'Con- nor, near the north-west corner of the town. The first mill and factory were erected at Tyrone village, by Ralph Opdyke. The first church edifice (Union) was erected by the Presbyterians and Baptists ; Rev. Joseph Crawford (Presb.) and Rev. Van Rensse- laer Wall (Bap.) were the first preachers.
The population in 1865 was 2,073, and the area 22,612 acres.
The school population of the town in 1867 was 705 ; the number attending school 563, and the average attendance 278. The amount expended for schools the same year was $3,855.17.
1
CATHARINE.
191
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SCHUYLER COUNTY BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
EXPLANATIONS TO DIRECTORY.
Directory is arranged as follows: 1. Name of individual or firm. 2. Post office ad- dress in parentheses. 3. Business or occupation.
A Star (*) placed before a name, indicates an advertiser in this work. For euch ad- vertisement see Index.
Figures placed after the occupation of farmers, indicate the number of acres of land owned or leased by the parties.
Names set in CAPITALS indicate subscribers to this work.
The word street is implied in directory of Watkins.
For additions and corrections see Errata following the Intro- duction.
CATHARINE. (Post Office Addresses in Parentheses.)
ADAMY, DANIEL, (Odessa,) farmer 23. ADAMY, SOLOMON, (Lawrence.) over-| Beer of cheese factory and farmer 39. Agard, Daniel M., (Catharine,) allop. phy. sician.
AGARD. EATON J., (Odessa.) farmer 140. ATWILL, WM. REV., (Catharine,) Epis- copal clergyman.
Babcock. L. M., (Odessa,) lumberman.
Beard-, Lewis, (Catharine,) farmer 154.
BEARDSLEY, AARON B., (Odessa,) far- mer leas+4 45.
BEARDSLEY. BURR, (Odessa,) farmer 134. Beard -ley, Cyrus, (Catharine,) cooper and farmer 27.
Beardsley, F. C. Mrs., (Catharine,) farmer 15.
Beardsley, Francis S., (Catharine,) farmer 115.
Beardsley, James, (Catharine,) farmer 73. Beard-ley, Lewis 2d., (Catharine,) farmer 150.
Beardaley, Levi, (Alpine,) farmer 103. Beardsley, L. C., (Catharine,) farmer 120. Beardsley, Martha Mrs., (Catharine,) fat- Iner 93.
BEARDSLEY, PIIILO, (Odessa,) carpen- ter and joiner and farmer 10.
BEARDSLEY, SCIPIO C., (Catharine.) town assessor and farmer 100.
Beard-lev. Stephen. (Odessa.) farmer 115. BEARDSLEY, SUEL C., (Odesss,) farmer 9.5.
Beard-ley, Z. C., (Odessa. ) farmer.
BLEBE, ALBERT, (Cayataville,) farmer 113.
Berbe, John, (Cayutaville.) farmer 50.
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