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 3
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The life of these early settlers was a hard one at the best. When they entered upon their lands (in which the usual extent of their proprietorship, was the privilege of purchasing if they should ever become able). The first
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work was to build a cabin of logs with stick chimney, and a window of oiled paper; then to clear and plant a small plot from the harvest of which, God willing, they might hope for a scanty subsistance for the family during the succeeding winter. When the crops were in still there was no rest from unremitting labor, for the work of clearing was never done, and fences must be built, while still more inexorable than all these was the demand for daily food, a demand not easily met in the time that must necessarliy elapse before the maturity of the crops. If by any mishap of drought or depredation or of early frosts these crops were lost, then the prospect became dark indeed, and it sometimes occurred that, under such circumstances, families, being entirely without pecuniary resources were reduced to actual suffering from want of food. The abundance of game and fish furnished considerable assistance at certain seasons of the year, toward supplying the necessities of the family, and instances were not infrequent, in which supplies drawn from the forests and the streams have allayed the pangs of actual hunger. Deer were abundant in all the woods, and in times when the snow was smoothly crusted, these were taken with scarcely any difficulty; although at these times their flesh was rather unpalatable from the flavor given by the hemlock on which they were compelled to feed when the snow covered every green thing. Yet it was food and as such was not unwelcome. Bears and wolves were also found here. Their presence was disliked by the settlers more because of their depredation on sheep, hogs, and fouls, than because of any danger of fear from them. But if the early settlers saw much of danger and privation they had many reasons for abundant gratitude; and the chief of these was their immunity from the danger of indian inroads. In other settlements the pioneer never slept free from the danger of attack and massacre. He never left home without the thought that his cabin might be burned and his family carried off or massacred before his return, and he never worked in his clearing without his rifle within reach.
But the first comers to these wilds braved no such danger. The settler might build his cabin in the loneliest dell of any of our hills or valleys and sleep in peace at night, and work unarmed in the dark woods by day without fear of harm from the savages for the spirit of the Seneca was cowed, his ancient ferocity was gone and his promise to live in peace with the white man was faithfully kept.
The Lodi Pioneer and Messenger was established at Lodi, then a part of the town of Perrysburg, of which the town of Dayton was also a part, by Lewis B. Edwards, in 1827. In 1830, Horace Greeley was a journeyman printer on this paper, remaining six weeks and leaving, as he expresses it, "no richer than I came."
THE total valuation of the property in the town of Dayton is as follows: Real estate, $435,577; personal, $38,400; railroads, $135,000; telegraph and telephones, $57,55. Total, $614,602.
IT is said that the name "Cattaraugus" is derived from the Indian word "Ga-ta ra-ke-ras," signifying a fetid shore or beach.
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MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.
WING to the limited water power in the town, little manufacturing was carried on so long as this was the only power. In 1817, Silas Nash, the pioneer manufacturer, put up a sawmill at Cottage, which he operated for a number of years. About 1853, John Knowlton began to operate a saw mill at Cottage, which has been improved and enlarged and is at present the property of M. W. Wilcox. At Markham, Col. Ralph Johnson began the tanning business soon after his settlement in 1815. His first vat was hollowed out of a large log. His facilities were gradually increased until he had about a dozen vats in use. The tannery was carried on until about 1865. About 1830, Ralph Johnson and Anson C. Merrill put up a sawmill at Markham. This was afterwards operated by Henry Markham, who added a shingle mill. Gorham Dart was an early shingle manufacturer, building three mills in the "swamp". Some of these mills were afterwards moved to other parts of the town and operated by Moses Dart and C. L. Watkins. As a rule the mills were operated in one place until the timber supply was exhausted and then moved to a more favorable locality. In 1873, Watkins and Tarbell removed their mill from East Leon to the neighborhood of Dayton village. In 1877, William Wolfe moved his mill from the Jamestown Crossing to lot 22, a little below Dayton village, and it was operated there until June 12, 1878, when it was demolished by a boiler explosion. A full account of this disaster appears elswhere in these pages. William Wolfe and Jacob Dersey each operated shingle mills for a time at what is now Fair Plain. In 1874, C. L. Watkins established a planing mill at Dayton and did a flourishing business for a number of years. In 1876, Fernando Smith established a stave and heading mill at Dayton, wihch was continued for some years. In 1852, Wallace and William Ranlett established a shingle mill at south Dayton which they operated for six years, and then sold to John Wickham and Charles Berwald. After a time Mr. Berwald sold his interest to Mr. Wickham, who in turn sold to N. W. Burkhalder and B. A. Whipple. In 1880, this mill was removed to the present site, the plant enlarged and new machinery for grinding, etc. was added, and it is now a very complete establishment. In 1878, Jesse Pyle erected a lumber mill at South Dayton and O. M. Barrus and J. W. Sherman also operated a saw mill there for some time. In 1878 Babcock & Co. established a stave and heading factory at South Dayton, which they conducted for six years. A shingle and box factory was also established at the same place by Palmer and Hall. Rev. William Allen established a
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barrel factory there in 1879, and soon after sold to T. G. Phillips. This mill was burned in 1883. Peter McCune and James Peters were engaged in the manufacture of brooms at South Dayton until about 1894. In 1875 Wm. A. Dexter established a mill at Wesley, which was moved to the present site in 1898, and today is one of the important industries of the town. Remington Bros. also operate a lumber mill near South Dayton, and are doing an extensive business. Lumbering is now carried on on a different basis than it was a few years ago. Then the work and the material was mostly paid for in orders which were honored at the stores for goods. These goods took the place of cash. But in these days of banks and railroads, the lumberman is expected to pay cash for every day's work and for all materials used in the business.
THE EARLIEST ROAD.
The earliest evidence of the existence or a suggestion of a road or traveled way other than the Indian trails, in all this locality is found on the state map of 1802, prepared by Simeon DeWitt, Surveyor- General of the State of New York. On this map there is a portage road starting at the north bank of the Cattaraugus Creek, and running thence across what is now Perrysburg and a part of Dayton to the headwaters of the Conewango's east branch. As this date was before the settlement of the town by white men, it seems evident that the road thus delineated must have been, merely a bridle path that had been cut through the forests by the surveyors of the Holland Land Company in 1798, for the passage of pack horses, which were employed in the transportation of supplies from boats or canoes on the Cattaraugus Creek across the highlands to the waterway of the Conewango. Probably the first road that was really laid out was the road running from South Dayton through Cottage to Perrysburg. On this there was travel as early as 1817. What is popularly known as the Jamestown road has been the principal road of the town, being to the eastern part what the other has been to the western. The roads at the present time are well ordered and mostly in good condition.
THE FIRST WILL.
The first will that appears of record in the Surrogate's office of Cattaraugus Co., is that of David Brand of Perrysburg, of which town Dayton was then a part, registered Aug. 23, 1820, in which he bequeathed to his beloved wife, Abigail Brand, all the land 'and premises in his possession with all the appurtenances thereto, during her natural life and widowhood; likewise one cow, one hog, one table, one chest, and all the household furniture, wearing apparel that she now wears or has hertofore owned, and all the ashes on the above mentioned premises and one years provisions after my decease such as the farm produces. The witnesses to the will are Timothy M. Shaw, Bela H. Redfield, Amos C. Merrill; before Jerney Wooster, Surrogate, Jan. 31, 1821. Letters testamentary in the above will were issued unto David Brand, executor, son of the deceased Jan. 31, 1821.
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THE ERIE RAILWAY.
The one enterprise of internal improvement, the project whose completion was the dawn of prosperity to this sequestered region and whose benefits have been great, is the Erie Railway. At the very early time when this great enterprise was conceived and commenced the public mind, in general, regarded the project as altogether chimerical, and its authors as visionary schemers who had undertaken a work impracticable in itself if not altogether impossible. And that even if it were within the bounds of possibility to overcome the barriers which nature had placed in the way of its accomplishment, the expense incurred must be so vast, that no adequate return on the outlay could ever be reasonably expected. The incredulity and ridicule thus encountered, was no small obstacle to success; and in addition to this and to the natural obstructions which barred the way of the enterprise. it was from first to last, surrounded by more formidable financial embarrassments than have often been met in the prosecution of a similar work. The Company was organized in 1835, with James G. King, as president, and an authorized capital of $10.000.000. The work was commenced CHANGE OF TIME. in 1836, completed to Hornellsville, and then to a point near Cuba, dur- New-York & Erie Railroad. ing the year 1850; to Dunkirk early in April, 1851. The first engine was run over the Western Division, April 17, 1851, and the directors made their first excursion to Dunkirk April 22nd. The final completion was celebrated by a grand excursion over the entire line on 2d. Morning Mail Train at 10 A. M. May 15, 1851. This was participated in by the President of the United States, 4th. Express train leaves at 5 p. m. Millard Filmore, and his Cabinet, including Daniel Webster, Secretary of State, and also by the Governor of the State, Washington Hunt, and other State officers together with the president, directors and the other officers of the company, and a large number of the most influential men of the country. As the opening train sped on the people everywhere greeted its progress with unbounded joy and exultation, as well they might, for its passage marked an Cattaraugus, Great Valley, Cuba. and 'all other eastern stations : HEBER SQUIER. Ag't. C. MINOT, Sup event which lifted the ban of isolation and doubled the value of their Dunkirk, Oct. 3. 1851. AsvIn39if domain.
The editor of the Cattaraugus (Go- wanda ) Chronicle in his issue of Friday,
N EEW ROUTE TO NEW YORK CITY, Via DUNKIRK and the Erie Railroad, connecting, with first class steamers on Lake Erie, the Michigan, Cleve- land, Columbus and Cincinnati, Cleveland and l'insburgh, Sandusky and Newark, Sandusky and Cincinnati Railroads, and first class steam. ers on the Chio and Mississippi rivers, and the Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania canals.
.. Traius leave Dunkirk as follows, Sundays ex- cep:ed :
Ist. Morning Express Train at 6 1-2 A. M. -
3d. ccommodation (2d class) at 1 1-2 P. M.
5th Express Cattle Freight, leaves at 3 a. m. 9th. Way Freight, leaves at 4 3 2 a. m.
N. B. The 5 o'clock p. in. train will - leave on Sundays and not on Saturdays.
econd class passengers taken on the accon). modation train at 1 1-2 o'clock, p. m. Fare through from Dunkirk to New York. $5,00.
Particular attention paid to the shipment of live Stock, and Freight of every description. The[ guage being 6 feet wide gives this route great ad- vantage over narrow Roads, in the transportation of stock and all other freight.
j
Freight Tariff distributed, giving full partic- ulars in regard to the prices of Freight.
01
Freight carefully shipped at Dunkirk, and each of the following Freight Stations : Forrestville. Little Valley, Olean,
10
Dayton, Allegany. Hinsdale, ce pu be
WESTERN NEW YORK
ter
·1
Reproduced from the Gowanda Reporter, Oct., 1851.
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April 25, 1851, in speaking of this great event actually found time to write the following brief account :
"On Tuesday last the President and Directors of the N. Y. & Erie Railroad Company passed over the road. They left New York at 11 o'clock A M. on Monday, stopped over night at Elmira, arriving at Dayton Summit at 5 o'clock P. M. on Tuesday, where a large number of our citizens were assembled, provided with the cannon belonging to this village, with which they gave the Pioneer Train a salute. One of the Directors made a few remarks, thanking the assemblage for the reception which they had given them, after which they proceeded to Dunkirk. We are informed that the cars will not commence running through until the 15th of May, this is, we believe fully determined upon."
HORRIBLE CASUALTY.
From the Cattaraugus Chronicle Gowanda, May 15, 1851.
We have just returned from the Railroad gathering at Dayton Summit, to greet the passing of the train with President Fillmore, Mr. Webster and other officals of the Government. There was a joyous gathering of the citizens, and all went happy till the arrival of the first train, a dark cloud passed over us in a sad and mournful accident. As Franklin Peacock and Ebenezer Henry of this place, were engaged in firing the cannon they were horribly mutilated by the premature discharge of the gun. Their arms were badly shattered and otherwise injured. Their lives are dispaired of. We hope the practice of burning gunpowder on such occasions will cease and if dire necessity requires it shall only be used in defense of liberty.
1462242
From the Cattaraugus Chronicle, May 22, 1851.
We are pained to announce that Mr. Franklin Peacock, one of the young men injured by the premature discharge of a cannon on the 15th inst, at Dayton Summit, died on Friday morning last. He was about 19 years of age.
From the Cattaraugus Chronicle, May 29, 1851.
Ebenezer Henry, one of the men who was hurt at Dayton on the 15th inst., bids fair to recover. We un- derstand that a purse of some $300 was raised for the bene- fit of him and the deceased a、 young Peacock, which was paid over to Mr Marsh, Treas- urer of the N. Y. & E. R. R.
Stages leave this House daily for Evans Centra Depot, and twice a day for Dayton. Depot. Guests con- ·veyed to any place desired, by Livery. Itt
GOWANDA and DAYTON
sat m€ m.
EXPRESS, 2x tb
Running between Gowanda and Dayton Sta- ou b
tion. N. Y. & E. R. R.
J. M. WHITCOMB ..
PROPRIETOR.
C
The above Express will leave Huyck's Hotel, Gowanda, |1 every morning, Sundays excepted, at 716 o'clock, running in connection with the Mail Train going cast; and in the afternoon al 313 o'clock, connecting with the Mail Train going west and the Express east. Fair 25 cents cach way. ET All business entrusted to his care will receive , prompt and careful attention.
Ł
5 Gowands Oot. 15, 1858. 11tf
Reproduced from the Gowanda Reporter, Oct., 1858.
From the Cattaraugus Chronicle, October 9, 1851.
We are gratified to "Chron- icle" the fact that the Board of Directors of the New York and Erie Railroad, have gen- erously presented to Ebenezer Atwater (Henry), who lost both arms and an eye, by the premature discharge of the can- non, at the Summit, at the celebration of the opening of
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the road, two hundred and fifty dollars as a testimony of their sympathy for his misfortune.
From the Cattaraugus Chronicle, October 23, 1851.
Ebenezer Atwater ( Henry ) the unfortunate young man who was injured at Dayton last summer by the explosion of the cannon fired on the occasion of President Fillmore, and other government officers being present in the first regular train on the N. Y. & E. R. R., has recovered with the loss of both arms amputated about four inches from the shoulders, and likewise the loss of one eye. He is indeed an object of sympathy and compassion, yet he walks about apparently cheerful and happy. As he is desirous of obtaining if possible artificial arms, we deeply sympathize with him and his friends, in his helpless condition, and as some benevolent efforts are being made in his behalf, we doubt not his misfortune will call forth the liberality of this community. We commend his case to the sympathies of the benevolent. Atwater is a young man about 20, and is a member of the Sons of Temperance, and we think his case of such a nature as to commend itself to the benevolence of the order everywhere.
From the Cattaraugus Chronicle, Gowanda, Thursday, July 31, 1851.
Trains which stop at Dayton, bound East:
Freight
6:15 A. M.
Mail and Passenger 11:11 A. M.
Accommodation Passenger 2:27 P. M.
Trains which stop at Dayton, bound West:
Mail and Passenger 4:45 P. M.
Express Passenger
11:11 A. M.
Accommodation Passenger
10:00 P. M.
Way Freight 5:55 A. M.
Carriage leaves M. H. Barker's Lodi House for Dayton Summit at 9:30 A. M. and returns on arrival of the 11:11 A. M. train. Leaves Gowanda again at 2:30 P. M. and returns on arrival of the 4:45 P. M. train.
Carriages always in readiness to convey passengers to any desired point, from Gowanda at reasonable prices.
THE BUFFALO AND SOUTHWESTERN RAILROAD.
The Buffalo and Jamestown Railroad Company was organized in 1872. The city of Buffalo contributed one million dollars and various towns along the line one million dollars in aid of its construction. Dayton for its share contributed liberally, $10,000, which was paid by tax all in one year following its completion. The work was commenced, pushed rapidly, and completed as far as Gowanda, October 20, 1874. It enters the town of Dayton at the northeastern corner and runs diagonally through the town a distance of about eleven miles, passing out in the southwestern corner. From Gowanda to Day- ton, a distance of 4 and 36 one-hundreths miles there is a grade of 132 ft. to the mile. At the village of Dayton the railroad passes under the Erie Tracks for a distance of 30 feet. The road was opened in sections of about five miles and was completed as far as Markham in July, 1875. The first passenger train was run over the track from Buffalo to Jamestown, Oct. 17, 1875. Eugene Haynes was engineer, and J. M. Richmond was conductor. The road was sold in Buffalo September 1877, by Geo. S. Wardwell, the referee
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in the suit of the Farmers' Loan and Trust Company against the Buffalo and Jamestown Railroad Company, et al., in pur- suance to a judgment of the Supreme Court, ren- dered Feb. 3. One bid of a million dollars was made by Abraham Alt- man, J. M. Richmond, John F. Moulton, W. H. H. Newman and Wil- son S. Bissell, a commit- tee of the bond holders, and as no other bids were made the road was TUNNEL AT DAYTON VILLAGE. struck off to them. In 1880 the name was changed under the management to the Buffalo and South Western Railroad. It is now under the new management of the Erie, and is one of the best paying branches on the whole Erie system.
DAYTON DEPOT BURNED -- 1853.
From the Independent Chronicle, Gowanda, September 1, 1853.
About 9 o'clock on Monday evening, we discovered that a conflagration was in progress, south of our village, and immediately started to discover its whereabouts-which proved to be at Dayton Depot. The fire originated in one of the wood-sheds attached to the Depot and was very soon beyond the control of human power. The Depot was soon in flames and so rapid the progress of the destroying element, that there was hardly time to save the freight, merchandise, flour salt, etc., in store; fortunately however, the amount was small, and resolute hands soon rescued the bulk and placed it at a safe distance from harm. The entire line of sheds, covering a large amount of wood were soon wrapt in flames, and a heat created so intense, that the piles east of the track soon became ignited and added still more to the already sea of fire. The scene was, truly, sad, yet magnificent in the extreme. The Eastern and Western Express trains, due about 12, were detained some time, until the fire had somewhat spent its fury-from want of materials-it being considered rash by the conductors, to pass such a barrier of flames. The iron on the main track was warped and bent very much out of shape, from the effect of the heat; the switch track, however, did not suffer materially. It is estimated that some 1,500 or 1,600 cords of wood were destroyed, about 100 cords of which had not been measured and accepted by the company, and consequently such loss must fall on individuals. The entire loss is estimated at about $6,000.
POST OFFICE CHANGED.
From the Cattaraugus Chronicle, June 12, 1851.
The site of the Dayton Post Office, has been changed to the Dayton Depot, and James Rice, appointed Post Master to take effect on the first day of July.
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We hope our friend James will see that the Chronicle has a place "in the affections" of the good people to whom he is to dispense "the news."
Wm. R. Smith, formerly of this village, has been appointed Depot Agent for Dayton.
PLANK ROAD MEETING.
There is to be a meeting at Kent's mills on Saturday, to devise some method of establishing a Plank Road from Cherry Creek to Dayton Summit. Mr. Welch informs us that if the weather is favorable, he will have the road from this place to the Summit in a condition to be used after the lapse of two or three weeks, and that he intends to "drive the road along" to its final completion as rapidly as practicable. Mr. W. has labored under many disadvantages since he began this work, and his indomitable perseverance is sufficient guaranty that the road has progressed as rapidly as could be expected.
DISTINGUISHING MARKS.
From records in the town clerk's office, dated 1837, we find: Avery Park's mark for cattle, sheep and hogs; a sloping crop on the underside of the left ear.
Isaac Crandall *- A square crop off the left ear and one slit in the right ear. Hosea Brown-A hole through the left ear.
Delorma Loomers-A half penny, the upper side of the right ear and a slit on the end of the left.
Silas Nash-A half crop the under side of the right ear.
Andrew Keysor-A sloping crop on the under side of the right ear.
Garret Parsell-A square notch on the upper side of the right ear.
Orange Remington-A square slit in the right ear.
Ralph Johnson-Square crop in the left ear and a half penny on the under side of the right.
Azariah Darby-A square crop on the right ear and a half penny on the under side of the left.
Charles Neers-A swallow's tail in both ears.
Isaac King-A swallow's tail in the right ear.
Delos C. Burdick-A swallow's tail in the left ear.
Jonathan Milks, Jr .- A slit in both ears.
Gile Johnson-A square crop on the left ear.
Benjamin Markham-A half penny under side of the left ear.
Loyd Nicholls-A hole through the right ear.
Hail Matteson-A slit in the end of the right ear and a slanting slit the under side of the same ear.
Daniel D. English-A swallow's tail in the right ear and a half penny under the same.
David Brand-Two holes in the left ear.
Henry C. Brand-Three holes in the right ear.
Martin Waite-A hole through the right ear.
Calvin F. Yaw-A swallow's tail in the left ear.
Norman L. Bacon-A square crop off the tip of each ear.
Heman Merrill-A square crop off the right ear and a half crop under side of left ear.
Thomas Stafford-A square on the left ear and a long slit on the same.
Richard Cole-A half crop on the underside of the right ear and a slit on the left.
* The mark in each instance is for cattle, sheep and hogs.
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Anson C. Merrill-One hole in the right ear and a slit in the end of the same.
Darius Markham-One hole through each ear.
Nathan D. Pratt-A square crop in the right ear and a swallow's tail on the left.
David M. Church-A square crop from the end of each ear.
ROAD MEETING.
From the Cattaraugus Chronicle, Thursday June 26, 1851.
At an adjourned meeting of inhabitants of the Towns of Dayton and Persia in the County of Cattaraugus, and the Towns of Cherry Creek and Villenova in the County of Chautauqua held at the inn of Joshua Markham in Dayton, on the 21st day of June 1851, Ralph Johnson, Supervisor of the town of Dayton, was called to the chair, and Caleb B. Crumb, Esq., of Villenova, was appointed Secretary. The proceedings of the previous meeting were read, and the chairman stated the objects of the meeting and of the adjournment. Messrs. Merrill, Wheelock and Crumb, members of a Committee, appointed to examine and report as to the feasibility and probable expense of constructing a road from the Nickerson farm to the main road through Cherry Creek, with a view to make the shortest route to Cherry Creek Village, stated that it was only necessary to make two and a fourth miles of road to bring the Village of Cherry Creek within eleven miles of the Dayton Depot, and that the cost of construction would be about $1,200. After discussing the merits of different projects, it was unanimously
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