USA > New York > Cattaraugus County > Dayton > Historical and biographical history of the township of Dayton, Cattaraugus County, New York : comprising the villages of Cottage, Wesley, Markham, Dayton, South Dayton, and Fair Plain > Part 14
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AN EARLY STORE SO. DAYTON. From a badly damaged tintype.
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NATHAN L. ROWE.
N. L. Rowe, postmaster at South Dayton was born May 30, 1842, in the town of Cherry Creek. Nathan Rowe, his father, died while the boy was but two years of age. He then went to live with Stephen Adams, where he remained until 18 years of age when he began work for T. B. Carr. The fall of 1861 he went to Buffalo and from there to Franklin, Pa., where he was in business for 13 years. He came to South Dayton in the spring of 1875, purchased the first lot, erected the first building, located below the Cottage road, and opened a grocery and a flour and feed store. This he has successfully conducted ever since. His fund of reminiscences of Pine Valley, if compiled and placed in book form would make an interesting volume. Mr. Rowe
NATHAN L. ROWE.
Postmaster at South Dayton.
married August 10, 1876, Belle E. Swift. They have one son, Frank, born July 9, 1879. Mr. Rowe's father was born in Otsego County, March 12, 1804, and died June 14, 1844. He married Mahalia Weaver, who was born October 3, 1807, and died February 22, 1883. They had eight children, LeRoy, born May 5, 1828, died April 5, 1897; LeGrand, born January 15, 1830, deceased; Fidelia, born June 4, 1833, died in infancy; Levi, born December 11, 1834, died October 28, 1845; Elias L., born June, 30, 1837, was killed in the war of the rebellion May 15, 1862; Lephe, born June 26, 1840, resides at Jamestown; Nathan L .; (subject) Fitch, born October 12, 1843, resides at Franklin, Pa. Mr. Rowe was appointed postmaster October 16, 1897, since which time he has conducted the office in a manner satisfactory to every patron.
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HOMER WHEELOCK.
Homer Wheelock, who at one time owned the land where the village of South Dayton is now located, was born in 1815. When he was but a small boy he moved with his parents from the eastern part of the state to Hamburg. He came to South Dayton in 1849, and in company with his brother, Joseph, purchased 300 acres of land. In 1861 they sold this to Frederick C. Phillips. In 1866 he moved to Fredonia and from there to Dunkirk, where he died in March, 1886. He married Sarah L. Houghton of Herkimer County in 1840. She was born in 1815, and died in November, 1889. Their children were: Amelia, born August 18, 1842, married L. Ranlett and now resides at South Dayton; Theodore, born in May, 1844, died at Fredonia, December 31, 1898; Augustus and Augusta (twins) born Jan- uary 28, 1846; Augustus now resides in the West and Augusta died at Fredonia, September 27, 1900; Z. Elmer, born in April, 1849, now resides at Fredonia; HOMER WHEELOCK. Lelia and Delia (twins) born August 21, 1853, the former resides at Fredonia and the latter at Geneva. Joseph Wheelock, a brother of Homer, now resides at Hamlet, N. Y.
BOUGHTON H. LAMB.
Boughton H. Lamb, one of the old and efficient Justices of the Peace of the town of Dayton, was born January 12, 1833, in the town of Pittstown, Ren. Co., N. Y. His father Boughton Lamb, was born in 1796, in Warren Co., N. Y., and died April 14, 1833. He married Lydia LeBarron, who was born December 23, 1798, and died October 12, 1875, in South Dayton. Their children were Eliza, Elizabeth, Myron, Andrew, Caroline and B. H. (subject). When about one year old Mr. Lamb moved with his parents to Hoosic Falls, where he remained until the spring of 1852, when he came to Dayton and commenced to work for Barzillai Merrill. He worked for him for five months during which time he helped to raise the first shingle mill at South Dayton. He then went to Otto, hiring out to James M. Barber, remaining but a short time and from there going to Illinois, returning to Otto in 1853, where he worked on a farm. In the spring of 1854 he returned to South Dayton, finding employment with Isaac Phillips of Villenova. From 1855 to 1859 he worked in Persia and Otto, removing in the spring of 1859 to the town of Leon, where he purchased a farm of 80 acres. In 1860 he leased his farm; returned to Otto and worked in a sawmill and for Oliver Dake. In 1863
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B. H. LAMB, Esq.
MR. B. H. LAMB.
he sold his farm to Wm. Seekins. In the fall of 1866 he moved to the town of Hanover, and in company with Geo. Harmon, purchased a farm of 136 acres near Smith's Mills. In 1870 he traded his farm for his present property with C. J. Wickham and moved to South Dayton January 30, 1871, where he has since resided. Mr. Lamb received his education in the early common schools. Leaving the fountains of theoretical knowledge he learned the carpenter's trade which he has combined more or less with farming. He has assisted in building many of the houses of South Dayton. On February 20, 1856, he married Harriet Parkinson of Otto, who was born January 18, 1830, in Schoharie Co., N. Y. Politically, Mr. Lamb is a Republican, and has been a Justice of the Peace ever since January 1, 1878, the duties of which office he has discharged with credit to himself and to the peace and good order of the town. He is a member of Cherry Creek Lodge No. 384, F. & A. M., and is a highly esteemed citizen.
EDWIN F. BEACH.
A person of diversified industry is Edwin F. Beach. To him belongs the honor of being Pine Valley's first station agent, tailor, printer, editor, pioneer merchant, postmaster, and influential citizen, and a person who did much for the place in its early days. He was born June 30, 1853, in Villenova, and moved to South Dayton in 1870. His first employment was in the store of John Wickham where he remained for four years, after which time he engaged with W. T. Wickham in the grocery business. When the railroad was completed in 1875, he was made the first station agent at Pine Valley. This position he soon gave up to learn the tailors trade, which vocation he
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followed for three years. On August 26, 1880, he established the Pine Valley Clipper which he conducted until April 16, 1882, when he sold to F. J. Wheeler (see South Dayton Press). Following his newspaper venture he began clerking for Robt. F. Ewing, remaining for three years, when he accepted a similar position with L. Ranlett for a like period of time. He was appointed as Postmaster under Harrison's administration. In 1890 he erected a store and did a flourishing business in clothing and gent's furnishings until September 1, 1897, when he sold and moved to Fredonia to educate is son. He remained at Fredonia until May 1, 1900, when he purchased a
EDWIN F. BEACH.
grape and fruit farm at Hanover Center where he now resides. He married October 28, 1874, Grace Young, a daughter of Geo. Young, who was born in Villenova, December 31, 1853. They have one son Orton E., born Augut 19, 1878, at South Dayton. He is at present the principal of a branch of Caton's Business College located at Dansville, N. Y. Mr. Beach is a son of Orlando E. Beach, who was born in Madison Co., N. Y. He was the first postmaster of South Dayton. He was killed by a tree near South Dayton January 15, 1876. He married Rosina C. Holmes, who was also born in Madison County in 1822. She died at Silver Creek, April 7, 1868. Their children were Milliard, Madelon, Edwin (subject), Willie, and Nellie.
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HENRY YOUNG.
Henry Young is one of Dayton's oldest residents. He was born in Poultney, Rutland County, Vt , June 24, 1814. He came to the town with his father, Geo. Young, in 1831, settling on the southwestern part of lot 59, a little north of the place where he now resides. He attended the 'Deestrict Skule' and secured such knowledge as was usually taught there. He was brought up as a farmer and was taught to do his farming by main strength and with no foolish machinery about it. He has cleared over 100 acres of land, has built three houses and a number of barns. His farm and buildings have been paid for by his own hard and industrious labor. Having lived here for the past seventy years he has had opportunity to observe the progress
HENRY YOUNG.
of the village of South Dayton. He has seen her advance from comparative insignificance to her present prominent position among the neighboring villages. He is now enjoying the evening of life with his companion of so many years at South Dayton. February 27, 1843, he married Ursula Barnes, who was born June 26, 1824, in Waterbury, Vt. They have had three children : Ellen, born November 29, 1843, married H. T. Rice; Esther, born January 28, 1845, married Samuel Fluker and now resides in the town of Hanover; Edward, born September 17, 1850, now resides in the town of Leon.
"Do unto the other feller as he would like to do to you but do it fust."
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JULIUS C. SHULTS.
Julius C. Shults is one of the men to whom the village of South Dayton is greatly indebted for handsome structures in which the citizens feel a just and honest pride. Mr. Shults is a contractor and builder. He always drew his own plans and has always been recognized as a very tasteful and competent architect. He moved to South Dayton from Ellicottville in 1875, when he purchased of John Wickham a square on Oak Street, between 1st Avenue and 1st street. He built the Valley House, several stores, and a number of residences, among them the residence of the late Robert F. Ewing. In
JULIUS C. SHULTS.
company with his brother Charles Shults, they operated for a number of years a planning mill, and manufactured sash, doors and blinds. In 1884 he moved to Jamestown and from there to Lily Dale. At present he is temporarily at Laport, Texas, superintending the erection of some buildings. The author of "Presidents, Soldiers and Statesmen" pays him this tribute:
"One of the first men in Cattaraugus County to enlist, was a son of William and Betsey (Johnson) Shults. He was born October 29, 1839, in Schoharie County, N. Y. When war's grim visage burst upon our nation, Mr. Shults was employed as a carpenter; leaving his plane and chisel, he enlisted the day after the call for 75,000 volunteers April 16, 1861, at Ellicotville, N. Y., in Company I, 37th N. Y. Vols , 1st Brigade, Kearneys Division of 3rd A. C.
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At the battle of Fair Oaks he was knocked senseless by the explosion of a shell and while in this condition was captured, but by mistake returned to the Union lines. July 2, 1862, just before Malvern Hill, he was hit by a minie ball on the belt buckle; he bore a conspicuous part in the battles of Seven Days Retreat and the 1st and 2nd Bull Run, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Glendale, Malvern Hill, Chantilly, Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg. It was at the fatal battle of Fredericksburg that Serg. Shults distinguished himself. Our columns were massed in battle array on the side hill expecting every moment an attack from the enemy. Nothing tries the courage of the soldier more than waiting for an attack. Moments passed, no rebels came over the hill, so in impatience, General Birney called for volunteers to go up the hill and find out what the enemy were doing. In an instant, Serg. Shults was running amid a storm of bullets (for the retreating rebels had thrown out their skirmish line) towards a large tree situated on the crest of the hill. Sheltered by this he could look down on the rebels forming for the charge. Bullets zipped and whistled. "Ring, ping," went the demoniac balls, as they plowed up the ground around him. One striking him in the heel. Julius C. Shults received the Kearney Cross as a medal for this gallant service. This cross was given to eight men of his county : Chas. F. Foster, dec., Jerome A. Andrews, Chas. Lattin, dec., and Julius C. Shults all of Co. I, Harmon E. Wentworth, Conrad Snyder, John D. Lyons and Jacob Albrecht, all of Co. H, 37th. In July, 1862, Serg. Shults was confined in the Davids Island Hospital, N. Y. H., on account of injuries received at Malvern Hill, and while there was granted a thirty days furlough. In December, 1862, at Falmouth, Virgina, he was detailed in the ambulance corps, Kearney Division, by reason of meritorious conduct on the battle field; after he had taught others how to fight he was discharged June 22, 1863, by expiration of term of service. Comrade Shults was first married to Angia Burlingham, by whom he had two children, Chas. J., (the publisher of this book, ) and Edward W. His last marriage was consummated March 22, 1872, at Utica, N. Y., to Catharine Hertzberger, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Hertzberger. Mrs. Shults was born June 27, 1837, in Bavaria, Germany. Mr. Shults' two brothers were in the great Northern army, Edward in 154th N. Y., died in service, and Chas. in 37th, was incarcerated at Libby and Bell Island. It is with pleasure that Serg. Shults looks back on the days of '61 when he donned the uniform of blue in defence of the stars and stripes. He is an architect and builder and resides in a spacious home at Lily Dale, N. Y. After his discharge from the army he was Deputy Provost Marshal in the 34th Congressional District. Comrade Shults relates the story of his capture. At Fair Oaks I was on the battle field about half an hour, most of the time unconscious, and the first I remember was the rebels giving me whiskey and gunpowder, which brought me to; we then started for Richmond but by mistake came among our own men. I in return took them prisoners and for my humane treatment received a ten dollar note, one of the first issued in the Confederacy. Comrade Shults is an enthusiastic G. A. R. man, Past Adjutant and Commander of the C. D. Nash Post 396. He is one of the honored citizens of Lily Dale, N. Y."
CHARLES SHULTS.
Charles Shults is a man who has witnessed the material development of South Dayton, and whose labor has been largely instrumental in the erection of many of her most substantial and beautiful buildings. He was born December 27, 1842, at Davenport, N. Y. Volume 2 of "Presidents, Soldiers, and Statesmen" speaks of him as follows:
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CHARLES SHULTS.
"When the war of the rebellion began Comrade Shults was the genial hotel keeper at Ellicottville, N. Y. He left a quiet life to take up arms in the defense of his country and was enrolled as a private of Co. I, 37th N. Y. Vols., 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 3rd A. C. May 14, 1861. Before the close of his memorable service he was made a Corporal. The battles in which he took so active a part are 1st Bull Run, Williamsburg, Yorktown, Fair Oaks, Seven Days Fight under Mcclellan, before Richmond, Charles City Cross Roads, 2nd Bull Run, and Chancellorsville. In June 1862, he was confined in hospital at Camp, Buffalo, Va., for four weeks with typhoid fever. June 30, 1862, he was captured by the rebels under Wil- der and spent two weeks in Libby and four at Bell Island. In August Comrade Shults was exchanged at Atkinsons Land-
ing owing to his wrecked physical condition, and sent to Washington, D. C., where he remained in the hospital for about four weeks. His term of service having expired Corp. Shults was given his discharge at New York, June 23, 1863. He returned home to quiet and rest where he hoped to regain some of his old- time vigor and strength. August 27, 1871, at Irving, N. Y., he was united in marriage to Delmitia Doane, daughter of Emerson E., and Julia (Cushman) Doane. Mrs. Shults was born January 13, 1847, at Hamlet, N. Y. Comrade Shults grandfather, William Johnson, was of Revolutionary fame, and his brother
MRS. CHARLES SHULTS.
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Edward C., of the 154th, died at the I. O. O. F. Hospital at Washington and was buried in Sunset Cemetary at Ellicottville, N. Y. Among his many reminiscences of 1861-'63 Mr. Shults relates the following: "At the time of my capture I was suffering from a wound and was in the hospital; eighty five others were taken at the same time. General Winder asked the rebel Lieutenant in charge of us "Where do these men come from? Take to the edge of the woods and hang them" * * * The night I was wounded my cap had been shot off my head. The day after Ellsworth was shot our regiment was on duty at Alexandria, Va., and I was in the Marshall House and sent pieces of the blood stained splinters from the stairs, to my home. Mr. Shults has been Tax Collector for 17 years and is still in office. He has been honored by the office of Commander of the South Dayton Post for many years and is now in office. He lives in South Dayton and is by occupation a carpenter." Mr Shults is a member of the M E. church, in which he, with his wife are active workers; a teacher in the Sabbath school, steward and class leader.
MRS. L. RANLETT.
LAFAYETTE RANLETT.
LAFAYETTE RANLETT.
Lafayette Ranlett, who for many years was a successful business man of South Dayton, was born July 8, 1838, in the town of Hamburg, N. Y. He moved with his parents to South Dayton in 1852, where his father built and operated the first mill in that part of the town. Mr. Ranlett began his business career by making shingles. This vocation he followed for twelve years when he engaged in the merchantile business with E. A. Chase. In 1880 after six years of profitable trade he purchased Mr. Chase' interest. He then successfully conducted the business until 1892, when he sold the stock of drugs to L. R. Fisher and closed out his other goods. In 1869 Mr. Ranlett was appointed as postmaster which position he filled to the satisfaction of all for fourteen years. He has been justice of the peace for one term, and a Notary Public for about 25 years. Since 1892 Mr. Ranlett has been engaged
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in farming and doing legal work. He is a great reader and is well informed on all subjects. He married April 19, 1863, Amelia Wheelock, daughter of Homer Wheelock. Their children are Ida, born April 14, 1866, who resides at Jamestown; Lois born September 20, 1869, married H. J. Cornell, October 18, 1888, and they reside at Buffalo; Will H., born October 14, 1872.
MRS. R. F. EWING.
Aurelia Culver Ewing, the wife of Robert Finley Ewing, was born March 9, 1828, in Little Valley, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. Her parentage was English. Her ancestors came from Wallingford, England, and settled in Wallingford
MRS. ROBERT F. EWING.
Conn. Her grandfather, Noah Culver, was born November 1, 1779, at Wallingford, Conn., and died August 27, 1864, in Courtland, DeKalb Co., Ill. Later he helped to build the town of Wallingford, Vt. Her mother, Sallie Fenn Culver, was born December 27, 1778, in Wallingford, Conn., and died November 18, 1833, at Little Valley, N. Y. At Wallingford, Conn., her father, Lyman Culver, was born July 7, 1803, and died November 15, 1851, at Cold Spring, N. Y. He was married at Castile, N. Y., October 17, 1824, to Emeliza Hull, who was born August 25, 1802, and who died December 19, 1838, at Little Valley, N. Y. Of this union were sprung six
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children. First, Susan Culver, born August 31, 1826, at Little Valley, N. Y., who married Henry S. Wilson, June 1, 1861, at Randolph, and is living in South Dayton, having no children. Second, Aurelia Culver the subject of this sketch, born March 9, 1828, at Little Valley, married to Robert Finley Ewing, December 1, 1854, and now living at Chicago, Ill. (for her three children see sketch of Robert Finley Ewing. ). Third, Robert Culver, born March 6, 1830, at Little Valley, married to Annie Kennicutt at Chicago, in 1865, to whom were born six children: Robert Lyman Culver, Edward Culver, Elizabeth Kenncuitt Culver, John Kennicutt Culver, Mary Emily Culver, the first of whom died before marriage the second in infancy. Fourth, Helen Culver, born March 23, 1832, at Litle Valley, unmarried and living in Chicago, Ill. Fifth, Gilber Culver, born February 20, 1834, at Little Valley, died July 5, 1836. Sixth, Marrion Culver, born December 10, 1837, at Little Valley, died January 25, 1838, at Little Valley.
Mrs. Ewing's father married a second time, on December 12, 1839, Sally Price, at Cold Spring, who died March 22, 1878, at Boulder, Colorado. Of this union were sprung three children. First, Carry Culver, born February 24, 1841, at Little Valley, and living in Longmont, Colorado. Second, Emma Culver, born April 29, 1843, at Cold Spring, died May 23, 1843. Third, Mary Culver, born September 12, 1844, at Cold Spring, married to Alexander Murray and living at Arvada, Colorado.
WILSON, HALE & CO.
Wilson, Hale & Co. are the leading general merchants of a large scope of territory centering in South Dayton. The business was established over twenty years ago, and has kept pace in progress and expansion with the flight of time and the growth of the village until now it is one of the most extensive and profitable anywhere known outside of the cities. It embraces everything that, can be desired in the line of dry goods, furniture, provisions, boots and shoes, notions, etc., etc. The firm which consists of H. T. Wilson, E. A.
PHILLIPS & NASH.
WILSON, HALE & CO.
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H. T. WILSON. E. A. HALE.
B. C. WILSON. WILSON, HALE & CO.
Hale, and B. C. Wilson, started in business in 1879 (see following biographies ). Under their skill the business has flourished steadily and the highest standard in goods and methods have been maintained, strict probility, politeness and considerate attention to every etail have been enforced. All the elements of good business management have given this store its popularity in the community, and the firm its high standing in the commercial world. They have achieved an enviable success and they have deserved it. They are upright and enterprising business men, who can see the trend of public sentiment in business and who spare no sacrifice to keep up with it. They in every way lay all their resources under tribute to meet the needs of the public, and do their part in promoting and advancing the general welfare of South Dayton.
MRS. H. T. WILSON.
HARVEY T. WILSON.
Harvey T. Wilson, one of the foremost business men of the town of Dayton, was born April 16, 1856, in Livonia, Livingston County, N. Y. He is a son of Henry S. Wilson (see this section) and moved with his parents when six years of age to Ellington, N. Y. He was educated at the Ellington Academy, and came to South Dayton in 1879, when he purchased the interest of C. E. Wade, of Wilson & Wade, in a general hardware store. The next
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year E. A. Hale joined with them and they erected another building adjoining, which they stocked with groceries, crockery, etc. From that time various improvements and additions have been made. Mr. Wilson married January 31, 1878, Elsie A. Dewey of Ellington. They have one daughter, Lettie B., born December 5, 1878. She married May 28, 1897, Morris Dye, and they reside at South Dayton. Mr. Wilson has served the cummunity in many ways. He is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows, A. O. U. W. and Maccabees. An astute business man, a good financier and an agreeable companion.
Julius Dewey was born in Vermont in 1799, and died at Ellington in 1871. Mrs. Parmelia (Gilbert) Dewey was born in Livingston Co., in 1816, and now resides with her daughter Mrs. Emma Carpenter at Silver Creek. Their children are Emma, born in 1853, she married January 1, 1873, Frank
E E
RESIDENCE OF H. T. WILSON.
Carpenter, and they reside at Silver Creek; Elsie, born June 1, 1856, wife of H. T. Wilson; Ellen, born in 1840, she married August 31, 1880, Byron Carpenter and they reside at Ellington.
MANUFACTURERS contemplating the removal of their factories to more desirable locations, or persons desiring to engage in the business of manufacturing, should not fail to look over the ground at South Dayton. It is the very best of a location.
No village has brighter prospects for future growth, or offers more attractions in the way of business opportunities or as a place of residence than South Dayton.
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EUGENE A. HALE.
Eugene A. Hale is a well educated, bright, energetic, and active business man, who is appreciated for his worth in the community. He is a son of Albert E. and Phoebe Jane ( Matteson ) Hale, and was born October 28, 1858, in Randolph, N. Y. Here he lived until he was eleven years of age when he removed with his parents to Cold Spring. He received his education at the district school and at Chamberlain Institute. He came to South Dayton October 7, 1880, and engaged in business under the firm name of Wilson, Hale & Wilson, dealing in hardware, groceries, and crockery. In 1882 the
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MRS. EUGENE A. HALE.
firm sold the stock of hardware to Berry & Turney and the groceries to the subject. From March 31, to June 15, he was alone, when he sold a half interest to H. T. Wilson. On June 18, 1888, B. C. Wilson purchased a third interest which partnership is still in business. Mr. Hale married December 12, 1878, Speedy D. Wilson. Their children are Winifred L., born January 28, 1880; Bessie F., born September 12, 1881, (see South Dayton School faculty ); Roy E., born March 6, 1885; Gerald Albert, born November 12, 1896. On December 23, 1885, Mr. Hale was appointed postmaster of South Dayton, which position he has acceptably and creditably filled for four years. He was again honored wth the same position November 25, 1892, serving four
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years. He is a first-class business man, a gentleman of upright character, and a citizen to whom the community may point with pride.
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