USA > New York > Wyoming County > Gazetteer and business directory of Wyoming County, N.Y., for 1870-71 > Part 14
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In 1808, Benjamin Parker came near losing his life by bears. He was returning from Perry, through the forest that covered nearly the whole region between the Transit and Perry Center, when he met seven bears, three old ones and four young ones. Having no other weapon than a large club, he struck one of the bears, breaking his club and leaving no alternative but retreat, which was accomplished, taking refuge in a small tree by the roadside. His cry for help was heard by Mr. Smith. though more than a mile distant, and forthwith he came with ax, dog and gun, to the relief of the prisoner whom the bears were safely guarding. The four young bears and two of the oll ones were soon treed, and as it was near night, fires were kindled to prevent their escape. In the morning the two old bears were shot and the young ones taken alive.
Joel McWethey moved from Granville, N. Y., to Warsaw, in 1814. Ile served in the War of 1812. He raised a family of nine children, all but one of whom are now living, and all mar- ried. He resided in the town until about a year ago, when he and his wife removed to Wisconsin. He is now 82 years ok !. and his wife 81. David Mc Wethey, son of Joel, has lived in this town 57 years, and is now 64 years old. He has been a sucessful merchant in Wethersfield and Attica for 17 years, and has been a first class farmer in Wethersfield and Orangeville, his farm containing 100 acres. Mr. Me Wethey erected the stores now occupied by L. E. Walker and by Ottinger and Levi. The cost was $15,000.
. Previous to 1816 the site of the present village of Warsaw contained about half a dozen framed houses. At this time
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simeon Cummings, of Batavia, who had previously purchased torty acres of land of Judge Webster for the sum of 88,500. be- zan the construction of a grist mill. This, with the construc- tion of a mill race, gave increased activity to the place. The mill was put in operation the same year, and an oil mill was erected a year or two later, near where the race crosses Water street. Mr. Cummings laid out Water and Court streets, and the land adjoining them and Main and Buffalo streets was laid out into lots. From this time the village continued to improve gradually until 1836, when F. C. D. Mckay purchased the Web- ster estate, including the land on both sides of Buffalo street, west of the bridge. This was laid out into lots, and buildings were subsequently erected. In 1867 a fire occurred which de- stroyed several buildings on Main street, north of Buffalo, but the site was soon covered by a fine block of brick buildings which would be a credit to any village in the State. In 1868, George W. Frank and Elbert E. Farman purchased of John A. MeElwain several acres of land lying north of Genesee street and vast of the lots on Main street, and laid it out into building lots, opening two new streets.
For many years Warsaw was the center of trade for an exten- sive region. There were stores at Attica, Batavia and LeRoy, and at Perry, the only adjoining town so highly favored. Few woods were sold for cash, almost the whole trade being on credit or for barter. Notes were made payable in grain, lumber, cattle sud other articles. Maple sugar formed an important article of trade for many years, constituting the principal article for weetening. Ashes formed one of the most important articles of trade, and after being converted into black salts, was one of the most valuable articles at the command of the inhabitants; containing great value in small weight, they could be easily transported and commanded a ready market.
The manufacturing of the town has never been extensive. At an early day a carding and cloth-dressing establishment was built by Seymour Ensign, in the south part of the town, on a small stream that crosses the road near South Warsaw. Another was afterwards built upon Oatka Creek, in the same neighbor- hood. In 1816 a carding and cloth-dressing establishment was erected in the village by Samuel Hough and Elijah Norton. It was owned by several different parties and was afterwards changed to a tannery, and still later to a foundry, and is now owned by Mr. Henry Garretsce, In 1825 a woolen factory was started by Messrs. Conable & Moss, at South Warsaw. It was kept in operation for several years and was finally destroyed by fre. In 1841 a woolen factory was established by Gardner, Ut- ter & Co. An extensive business was carried on for several
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years. It was subsequently converted into a grist mill, now owned by Messrs. Brown.
In 1824 Horace Hollister established the business of carriage and sleigh making on Water street. In 1836 he sold out to the Buxton Brothers, who have continued the business with sligh: changes in the firm up to the present time. Their place v: business is now on Main street, near the Baptist church. "The began the business with a small capital, purchasing chiefly upon credit. The reputation which their work soon acquired, caused a large increase in their business, amounting to from 820.000 to 830,000 annually. Nearly $15,000 worth were sold in Illinois in a single year. The business is still continued by T. H. Bux- ton & Co.
The Map Roller Factory of Martin & Co., located about one and a half miles south of the village, was started in 1853, br Leonard L Martin, who had previously erected a saw mill at the same place. It gives employment to from ten to fifteen hands and turns out about $1,000 worth monthly. About 150 .- 000 feet of lumber are used and about 125,000 rollers are made annually.
The Foundry of Gates & Garretsee, in the south part of the village, turns out from $15,000 to $20,000 worth annually. Stoves are extensively manufactured, and various kinds of ma- chinery and agricultural implements.
The Patterson Manufacturing Company was organized in 1866. for the purpose of carrying on the business of manufacturing luniber. It is run by steam, and in addition to the usual m .:- chinery for dressing lumber, there is a manufactory of staves. heading and barrels.
The manufacture of Frank Miller's Water Proof Blacking, was commenced and carried on in this town for many years. Like many other enterprises, it was small in its commencement, bu: its merits gave a sale which has extended to almost every State. and brings to its inventor an income never anticipated in the early years of its sale. Mr. Miller is still a resident of Warsaw.
The first school in the town was taught by Samuel McWher- ter, about the year 1807 or 1808. It was kept in a log house. erected in 1804, by Amos Keeney, for a dwelling. The school- houses were of a pattern similar to the dwellings, built of logs. sometimes covered with shakes or slabs split from logs. seats were slabs resting upon four legs, and the writing desks were constructed by boring into the walls and inserting lary wooden pins, upon which boards were fastened. The pupils when writing faced the wall, and when facing the interior of the room had the edge of a board to lean against.
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The first church organization was effected July 14, 1808, un- der the labors of Rev. John Lindsley, a missionary in these parts. 1: consisted of ten members and was called the
First Congregational Church of Warsaw. It subsequently adopted the Presbyterian form of government and has so con- Enned to the present time. The names of the members at the Ume of the organization were Edward Goodspeed, Eliphalet Parker, Luther Parker, Ezra Walker, Abraham Reed, Israel Branch, Polly Day, Prudence A. Walker, Martha Parker and Rhoda Parker. Eliphalet Parker and Israel Branch were the first Dacons. Abraham Reed was chosen Moderator, and Ezra Walker, Church Clerk. It is not known at what time the first religions services were held, but as late as 1807, at the funeral of Dwight Noble, no religious services were held. Among the carly missionaries mentioned are Messrs. Phelps, Parmelee, Spencer, and Oliver Ayer. Mr. Ayer visited the place in 1808 or 1809, and spent one Sabbath, as was his custom, but observ- ing an unusual seriousness he spent a second Sabbath and wrote home for leave to remain longer. Permission was granted and he remained three or four months, his labor result- ing in the conversion of several heads of families, among whom Were some of the most prominent citizens of the town. Rev. Silas Hubbard was the first installed pastor, in 1813. In 1814 he resigned on account of ill health, and was succeeded in 1816 by Hippocrates Rowe, who supplied the churches at Warsaw and Orangeville on alternato Sabbaths. The first services were heid in the school house, which stood where the Baptist church row stands. The first church edifice was erected in 1817, by the Presbyterians and Baptists. It was inclosed and used in the summer season for several years, and was finally finished by the Presbyterians, who had purchased the interest held by the Bap- tists. A Sabbath school was established in 1818, one of the first in this part of the State. July 234, 1858, the Church celebrated. the fiftieth anniversary of its organization. Other churches in the village participated in the exercises. The present church edifice was commenced in 1864, and completed and dedicated September 21st, 1865. It is of brick, eighty-five feet in length and forty-five feet in width, with a tower and spire over the main entrance one hundred and fifty feet in hight. The win- dows are of stained glass and the interior arrangement is in good taste. The whole cost was abont $18.000. Rev. Joseph E. Nas- rau, the present pastor, was installed October 24th, 1855.
The First Methodist Episcopal Society of Warsaw was organized in 1820. Previous to this, classes had been formed and preach- ing by the circuit preachers was enjoyed. The first preachers
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of this denomination were P. Van Nest and A. Jenks, in 180%. Among the other early preachers were Cyrus Story, Joseph Gatchell, James Mitchell, William Brown and John Kimber- lin. From the best information at hand, it appears that a clas; was formed in 1809. Simeon Hovey was probably the fir .: class-leader, and Josiah Hovey and Shubael Morris were appoint- ed soon after. The class meetings in the north part of the town were held at the house of Josiah Hovey, and at the south part at the house of Solomon Morris, Sen. Among the early members of the society, not already mentioned, were John Mor- ris, Elam Perkins, Anson A. Perkins, Carl W. Flower, Simeon Gibson, and their wives ; Moses Perkins, Joseph Miller, Lyman Parker, and their wives; also the wives of Josiah Hovey, Sen., Nehemiah Park, Simeon R. Glazier, Daniel Knapp, and perhaps others. The first Trustees of the Methodist Society were Sim- eon Hovey, Chester Hurd, John Morris, Anson A. Perkins, Na- than B. Miller, Lyman Parker, Josiah Hovey, Roderick Chapin. Jr., and Eleazur Smith. The first house of worship was erected in 1824, at the Corners, about three-fourths of a mile north of the village. In 1825 it was removed to the site of the present church edifice. A new church was built in 1854, and in 1868 was thoroughly repaired and repainted outside, and frescoed and otherwise improved inside, at an expense of $1,300. This is now said to be the largest and best framed church edifice in the County.
The Baptist Church and Society of Warsaw was legally organ- ized June 9, 1828. The Trustees were David Fargo, Samuel Salisbury and Seth Higgins. The Church was organized Nov. 25th, 1810, by Rev. Mr. Irish, and consisted of the following members, viz., Joseph Porter and wife, Josiah Boardman and his wife and daughter. Noah Wiseman, John Truesdell, Levi Stearns, Hannah Stearns, John Brown, Win. Brown, Miriam Brown, Levi Rice, Hannah Rice, Jeremiah Truesdell, Elija !: Hammond, Rhoda Reed and Joanna Beardsley. Joseph Porter was the first Deacon, chosen in April, 1811. In the fall of this vear Elder Jeremiah Irons was engaged to preach one-fourth of the time for one year. He was succeeded by Elder David Hurl- burt, who served one year; and he was succeeded by Jabez Boomer, the first settled pastor of the Church. It has already been stated that the Presbyterians and Baptists erected a church jointly, in 1817, and in 1819 the Presbyterians assumed the en- tire interest. The first church edifice was dedicated during the pastorate of Rev. David Bernard, between 1827 and 1830. Pre- vious to the erection of this house of worship, the society wor- hiped in barns and school houses. Hon. James R. Doolittle,
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ate U. S. Senator from Wisconsin, wasa member of this Church. Their first house of worship was located in the south part of the village, near the old cemetery, and after being occupied for Twenty years, a new one was erected in the village and is now wecupied by the society.
The Congregational Church was organized Feb. 16, 1840. It was composed chiefly of those who had been members of the Presbyterian Church, and requested letters for the purpose of constituting a new church. Among the conditions of member- ·hup of this Church we find the following, viz. :
" No person shall be admitted to membership in this Church who does not wholly refrain from the use of all intoxicating drinks as a beverage, or who in any way gives countenance or myeport to the manufacture or traffic in such drinks for that purpose.
" No person shall be admitted to this Church, who is a slave- holder, or holds security in slaves as property, or traffics in the persons of men."
The first place of worship of this society was the " Baptist Vestry Room," on the south side of Buffalo street. They im- mediately took measures to erect a new church, which was com- Noted the next year at a cost of about 83,000. Its size was 36 : 45 feet. It was several times enlarged and improved, but a more commodious house being desired, carly in the year 1866, Measures were taken to erect a new one. The corner stone was laid with appropriate ceremony July 6, 1866. It was completed and dedicated, free from debt, Ang. 7, 1867. It is 94 by 58 feet in size, and will seat 660 persons. It is of the Norman style of architecture, with two towers of unequal hight, the highest be- ihig 64 1-2 feet. The organ, costing $2,000, was presented by Joshua H. Darling, Esq. The first pastor of this Church was Rev. Huntington Lyman. Rev. Edwin E. Williams is the pres- int pastor. The present membership is about 250. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the organization was celebrated Feb- rutary 16, 1865, and was participated in by a large number, in- cluding members of other churches in the town.
The Episcopal Church was organized May 12, 1852, under the name of the " Parish of Trinity Church." Services were held «t a much earlier date, and in Sept., 1828, six persons were con- Fried by Bishop Hobart. Rev. Richard Salmon, who labored 45 a missionary in this and adjoining towns for several years, re- forted in 1829 that the congregation was flourishing and the Sabbath School had increased from twenty-five to between eighty and ninety. Rev. A. D. Benedict was the rector of the Church at the time of its organization in 1852. John A. McElwain and
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John G. Meacham were elected Church Wardens; and Alon? W. Wood, Nehemiah Park, Jr., Linus W. Thayer, Noble Morr. Ransont S. Watson, Charles W. Bailey, Richard M. Tunks at ... Abel Webster, Vestrymen. Their house of worship was der .. cated May 25, 1854. Rev. John V. Stryker is the present recur.
The Frec- Will Baptist Church was organized, in the south -tas part of the town, in 1833, with four members. During the n x. year about thirty were added to the number, under the efficien labors of Elder H. Jenkins. Emery D. Albro and Alden Kent: were chosen Deacons. Their church edifice was completed a !. . dedicated in 1835. Elder H. N. Plumb preached on the over sion. Jared Miner and William Moses preached in the chung until 1836, when Elder Reed became its pastor.
A German Church is located in the west part of the town. and a
Roman Catholic Church in the village.
A Pioneer Festival was held at the house of Dr. Augusto. Frank, in February 1850. He had previously extended invit. tions to all persons, male and female, residing within the (t- poration and not less than fifty years of age. Fifty-five per:" were present on the occasion. After some time spent in sut ... intercourse, they partook of a bountiful meal, provided by their host, and listened to remarks from several of the early settlers who related incidents of pioneer life. Mr. Lyman Morris tak to the town in 1893. There was then only one acre of las! cleared within the limits of the township. The route from b: s. to Geneseo was by way of LeRoy, and was considered a th: days' journey. Mr. Fargo was the first to pass on the Old B: . falo Road with a wagon. The average age of the guests was : : years, and not one of them was a native of Warsaw.
In 1880 another festive gathering took place in the yards : Messrs. Frank and Edwin B. Miller. in pursuance of invitaties previously extended. The exercises consisted of music, speech. and general social intercourse. Refreshments were served the ladies. S. M. Gates made an address in. which he rela :. some incidents of pioneer life. Deacon Samuel Salisbury, ag ... 43 years, was called upon and addressed the meeting.
He was one of the pioneers of the town, and thought hel ! cleared more land with his own hands than any other man "for living in the town. He was once passing through some war. with two men, being a little in advance of them, when dr. alarmed him by the cry of Bear! Bear! Ile soon discovered To bear in a tree, and working his way down. Having a brus. hook in his band, he ran towards the tree, intending to be rush for the bear when he reached the ground. The bear, perveivir.
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Mis object, let go his hold and fell to the ground. They then Lad a race, Mr. S., brush-hook in hand, being the pursuer. The per terminated in the escape of the bear and also of the pur-
William Webster, brother of Elizur, came in 1803. He and his brother cut a road into the town. In 1808 he entered upon Je farm he still occupied, and had made it what it is. Ile + or not the oldest man, but believed he was the oldest settler in the town. He never had been troubled, as some young men of the present day seem to be, to find enough to do. He had worn inself out and would soon be gone.
Mr. Blam Perkins then spoke upon the subject of religion, und, after relating his experience, closed by exhorting all to come to Christ.
Mr. Julius Whitlock came to Warsaw in 1810, and took up bis farm. War came on soon after; Buffalo was burned and new's came that the Indians were coming down upon us. At one Eme he drove his cattle into a swamp, where he thought the Indians could not find them ; moved his pork barrel into the sods, and all hands left the house, he carrying the child, and remained all night. After that he belonged to a cavalry com- fany which was sent to Canada. The company fell into an ambush and were fired upon by the Indians. His borse was sounded, the company fled and he was left behind. William Bristol carne.back and rescued him.
Mr. Chester Hurd was a carpenter and joiner and had built right churches. He had built many good houses but had him- self always lived in poor ones, News came at one time that the Indians would be there the next day. Some of the women armed themselves with bush scythes, pitchforks and other weap- ons. Ile was framing a building, when Judge Webster came along and advised him to take the timbers and build a fort, say- ing the Indians were coming and we should want them. He left the work, went through the woods home and found his family abandoning their home and taking shelter in the woods.
Few towns can show a better record for patriotism and earnest rapport of the Government during the Great Rebellion than Warsaw. At the first public meeting called after the outbreak of the Rebellion, over $3,000 were subscribed for the support of the families of volunteers, and measures were taken to raise a company for the war. In less than a week a full company was raised, forty-estht of whom were from Warsaw. Gideon HT. Jenkins was the Captain, and Harwood A. Dudley, Lieutenant of the company. It was attached to the Seventeenth Regiment, and did good service during the time of its enlistment. During the fall of 1861, a full company of cavalry was recruited by Rev.
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II. H. Stimson and Asa B. Merrill; it was attached to the 9th. Cavalry and re-enlisted as veterans at the close of its three years service. Warsaw furnished twenty men to this company. Capt. W. G. Bently and Lieut. W. L. Knapp recruited a company for the same regiment, Warsaw furnishing its full quota. In 186: a town bounty of $60 was raised by subscription for each voltin- teer. In August, Capt. J. W. Knapp commenced recruiting for the 130th Regiment, thirty privates and six officers enlisting from Warsaw. Capt. Knapp served to the end of the war, was promoted to be Major and afterwards to the brevet rank of Colonel, Captain H. B. Jenks and Augustus Harrington re- cruited companies for the 136th Regiment, Warsaw furnishing seven officers and thirty privates for the former, and three officers and seven men for the latter. Warsaw furnished its full quota under every call without resorting to a draft in a single case. About two hundred men were furnished from this town during the war. In 1864 a Fair was held for the benefit of the Sanitary Commission, at which 8750 were raised. The amount raised by special tax for the support of the war, for bounties, &c., was $60,810. The town also paid $10,95G as » bounty, which was afterwards refunded by the State. The citi- zens generally contributed freely of their means, some of them paying from $600 to $1,000 for personal substitutes. When the patriotic soldiers returned at the close of the way, they were To. ceived in a way calculated to make them feel that their servic .. were appreciated.
Warsaw furnished one delegate to the Convention for revis. ing the State Constitution in 1821, viz., Elizur Webster. An- drew W. Young filled the same office in the Convention of 1s45. Augustus Frank and Wm. H. Merrill were the delegates t the Convention of 1867. Mr. Merrill was the member elected by the district, and Mr. Frank was elected one of the Delegates at Large on the general ticket.
This town has furnished two members of Congress. Hon. William Patterson was the Representative from 1837 to Is33. but died previous to the expiration of his term, Aug. 14, 1x3s. He was born in Londonderry, N. M., June 4, 1789, and removed to this State in 1815.
Hon. Augustus Frank was a Representative to Congress fron. 1859 to 1865. He served on the Committees on Patents. L .:- brary and Mileage. During his Jast term he was Chairman of the Committee on the Library. He was born igp Warsaw, July 12, 1826. In 1850 he was a delegate to the first National Com vention of the Republican party. During his service in Cum- gress he gave a cordial support to all the measures of the hd- ministration for the suppression of the Rebellion and the aboli"
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sion of slavery, representing faithfully the strong anti-slavery entiment of the district.
The first lawyer who located in this town was Robert Moore. 11, caine in 181;, and soon after removed to Perry, where he re- sided until his death. Mayhew Safford and Warren Lewis came slout the same time. Theophilus Capen, James Crocker, F. C. D. MeKay, Thomas J. Sutherland, James R. Doolittle, Linus W. Thaver, W. Riley Smith, W. S. Crozier, Leonard W. Smith, Charles W. Bailey, Harlow 1 .. Comstock, Charles Henshaw, Alonzo W. Wood. Henry C. Page, Byron Healy, Elbert E. Far- Lian, Myron E. Bartlett, I. Sam Johnson and Beriah N. Pierce, have practiced law and resided in this town since its settlement. The first physician in the town was Chauncey L. Sheldon, who came in 1808 and continued to practice until his death in 1828. Dr. Augustus Frank came in 1817, and after practicing for sev- ral years, engaged in mercantile pursuits. The other physi- sans who have resided and practiced in this town are Cyrus Kumsev, Peter Caner, Thomas P. Baldwin, Seth S. Ransom. Ethan E. Bartlett, Jonathan Hurlburt, Lindorf Potter, N. D. Stebbins, Dr. House, J. G. Meacham, C. W. Belden, Charles A. Dake, Dr. Blanchard, Dr. Day, Dr. Gardner, Dr. Wells, C. M. Dake, Milan Baker, E. W. Jenks, J. C. Pitts, Dr. Miller & Son, Dr. Maynard and Dr. Tibbets.
The population of the town in 1865 was 2,824, and the area $2,140 acres.
There are twelve school districts, employing fifteen teachers. The number of children of school age is 842; the number at- tending school, 597; the average attendance, 295, and the amount expended for school purposes for the year ending Sept. 30. 1869, was $5,599.61.
WETHERSFIELD was formed from Orangeville, April 13th, 1823. It is an interior town, Iving south-west of the cen- Wer of the County. The surface is a rolling upland. Tonawan- da, East Coy and Wiscoy Creeks all take their rise in this town.
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