History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 125

Author: Franklin Ellis and Eugene Arns Nash
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

USA > New York > Cattaraugus County > History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers > Part 125

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

1841. William Lyman.

1858. Edward Smith.

1842. Lewis P. Thorp.

1859. Elias Bushnell.

1843. Timothy Everett.

1860. Joseph Peaslee.

1844. Charles Sibley.

1861. Eben Sibley.

1845. Silas Earle.

1862. Joseph Peaslee.

William Lyman.

1863. Elias Bushnell. 1864. Eben Sibley.

1846. E. S. Bassett.

1847. Timothy Everett.

1865. John Damon.

1848. Wheeler Beardsley.

1866. David Earle.

1849. Silas Earle.

1867. Nelson Marrill.

A. G. Wilcox.

Joseph Peaslee.

1850. Joseph Peaslee.

1868. Zina Holdridge.

1851. Phineas Haywood.

J. E. Glazier.

1869. George Shannon. James Lyon.

1852. Emmons J. Glazier.

1870. Joseph Peaslee.

Henry H. Van Tassel.

1871. L. B. Wilcox.

1853. Joseph Hazard.

Elias Bushnell.

L. P. Thorp.

1872. William Stevens.

1873. Alburn H. Bushnell.

1854. James M. Brown. Silas Earle.

1874. Joseph Peaslee.

Joseph Peaslee.

1875. Westel Blake.

1855. Elias Bushnell.

1876. Osmer Wilcox.

1856. L. P. Thorp.

1877. Alburn Bushnell.

1857. Silas Earle.

1878. Joseph Peaslee.

At the first town-meeting resolutions were adopted reg- ulating the taking up of estray animals, and the same year we find the following :

" ESTRAY NOTICE.

"Taken up by Erastus John (Indian), a gray mare about two years old, long tail, with no other particular marks about her; had a poke on when taken up.

" Dated Cold Spring, July 12, 1823.

" Attest : DANIEL N. THORP,

" Town Clerk."

In 1823, it was voted " that ten dollars bounty be allowed to every white person who shall kill a full-grown wolf in the town of Cold Spring."

" That the next town-meeting be held at the West school- house, or, if there should be a house built for public worship, then the town-meeting to be held at said house."

" Spirituous liquors are not to be sold on election days." The third town-meeting was held in the church.

In 1825, a bounty of $5 was voted for every full-grown bear, and $2.50 for every cub.

In 1826, it was resolved " that every person be subject to a fine of 850 who shall suffer Canada thistles, white or yel- low daisies, or Tory weeds, to grow on his lands or on the public highways adjoining the same, after three days' notice of their presence."

A special meeting was held, Jan. 30, 1828, to elect a clerk in place of Harlow Butler, who removed. Horace Hall was elected to fill the vacancy.

Double the bounty on wolves allowed by the State was voted this year.

" Resolved, That there be a committee appointed to take into contemplation something to ameliorate the militia law. That Walter Thorp, Joseph Elkinton, Timothy Everett, Elijah Boardman, Harvey Parmelee, John L. Latham, and Horace Hall, as said committee, report at the next meeting or sooner, if in their opinion it shall seem necessary."

ROADS AND CEMETERIES.

The first road surveyed in town began at a stake on the line between lots 34 and 35, in township 3, range 8, and

in the centre of the north and south road, near Timothy Butler's; thence ran east 18 chains; thence north to the Jamestown road. It was surveyed April 22, 1823, by James McGlashen ; the commissioners were Walter Thorp, William Foy, and Joseph Elkinton.

The same year ten more roads were surveyed or altered by the above commissioners. There are, in 1878, about 65 miles of highway in town, divided into 49 road dis- tricts. Before Napoli was settled, there was an Indian trail entering the town on lot 41, and following the Cold Spring Creek, passing into the town of New Albion; thence, to the north, to Buffalo and Canada. Governor Blacksnake, the famed Seneca chief, claimed to have traveled over this trail on foot from the mouth of Cold Spring Creek to Buffalo and returned in twenty-four hours, making a dis- tance of 126 miles. His mission was deemed an important one at a critical period during the war of 1812. It will be remembered that the Seneca Indians were friendly to the English and fought under the British flag in that struggle.

The Napoli Cemetery has been used as a public burial- ground since 1820. Timothy Butler gave the land that year, but no society was organized till about 1858. The present trustees are Orris Marsh, Joseph Hazard, Nelson Morrill, Justus Harris, and Harrison Brink. The grounds are substantially fenced and well kept.

The Union Cemetery Society of Elm Creek was organ- ized July 15, 1844, to provide a cemetery, which is situ- ated on lot 60. The trustees were Samuel Farlee, Lewis P. Thorp, Edward Fairchild, D. O. Peaslee, Walter Thorp, John Fairchild, and Nathan Snow.

The North Napoli Cemetery was set apart and used for that purpose about thirty-five years since. The grounds were given by William Champlin. It is on lot 38, neatly fenced, with stone posts, and well kept. The present trus- tees are Amenza Sibley, George A. Gladden, Luther Arms, Charles Cary, Hiram Swift, and William Rhodes.

Maple Grove Cemetery, on lot 21, was opened in 1836. Silas Miller and Nathaniel Burbanks were the first trustees; the present trustees are William Stevens, George Thorp, Marshall and Judson Sibley.

MILLS AND OTHER INDUSTRIES.

The first saw-mill was built about 1826, on Cold Spring Creek, by James Wait. David Brown erected a saw-mill on the same stream in 1830 on lot 42. Mr. Davis built one on lot 5, and Otis Pratt one on lot 16, which is still running. Lyman Giles erected one on Cold Spring Creek, on lot 17, about 1840, but it has gone to decay.

A tannery was established on lot 59 in 1821 by Nathan Bennett. He afterwards moved it to Napoli Corners, when it was sold to Thomas Carter, who operated it a few years and then discontinued it.

The Napoli Creamery, on lot 38, was erected in 1870 by Eben Sibley, by whom it is now owned and run. It is 25 by 75 feet, three stories high, with an engine of five horse-power .. It receives the milk of about 800 cows, and in 1877 worked up 1,832,590 pounds of milk, making 147,959 pounds of cheese and 61,663 pounds of butter. The sales were $15,23417, for butter and $11,827,205, for

Digitized by Google

481

HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

cheese. The patrons realized 1275 mills per pound of milk furnished.

South Napoli Creamery was built by Anson Goodspeed in 1875. It is 32 by 60 feet, and three stories high, with an engine of eight horse-power. It is owned and operated by Eben Sibley, having about 500 cows, and making 16 cheeses and 300 pounds of butter per day.

There is considerable private dairying aside from the fac- tories. Probably there are about 2000 cows in town.

There are some fine orchards in town, and large quanti- ties of apples are shipped to New York, Buffalo, and other markets. In 1878 the product was nearly 60,000 bushels.

In 1875 nearly 20,000 pounds of maple-sugar were manu- factured in town.

NAPOLI CORNERS,

the only hamlet in the town, is situated on lot 35, about a mile south of the centre of the township. It contains a good store, a grocery, a hotel, several shops, school-house, public hall, and three church buildings, whose aggregate capacity is 800, and the cost about $10,000 ; there are also about fifteen dwellings. The hotel has been kept many years by Ashbel Bushnell, and for more than forty years Elias Bushnell has followed the blacksmith's trade in the place. A wagon-shop is carried on by George Shannon.

The post-office at this place was established in 1827, with Timothy Everett, postmaster. Ten years later, Ashbel Bush- nell was appointed, and held the office four years; in 1841, Orris Marsh ; 1845, Bushnell; 1849, Marsh ; since that period the officials have been Silas Miller, George Shannon, Silas Earle, A. T. Palmer, John Damon, O. S. Booth, and William McHerron.

In the northern part of the town a post-office was estab- lished about 1825, with the name of Owensburgh, and had Abel B. Hobart as postmaster. John A. Kinnicutt was the mail-carrier, the office being on the route which he supplied. In 1827 it was removed to the Seelysburgh neighborhood, and took that name. John Latham was here appointed postmaster. It was afterwards held by Amasa Bushnell, Cyrus Thatcher, Erastus L. Bassett, Lewis Thorp, and Samuel Farlee. The latter carried the office to Elm Creek, in Connewango, where it was discon- tinued.

The first physician was Elijah Hammond, who came from Erie County, and located on lot 35. Henry Noble, one of the first settlers, practiced medicine several years, and Dr. Blodgett began about 1827. For many years the present Dr. Samuel S. Wilcox has followed his profession in town, although not now in active practice. Dr. Wm. C. Peaslee is the present practitioner. No attorney has ever been able to engage in his profession in Napoli.

EDUCATIONAL.

The only schools in the town are those provided by the general system of the State, but an effort has been made to elevate the standard of scholarship and secure a better class of teachers.

On the 13th of September, 1823, the school commis- sioners of the old town of Cold Spring reported that the town had been divided into districts, the territory included being almost entirely in township No. 3. The following

year these districts were subdivided, and thereafter other changes took place. In 1838 there were six whole and four fractional districts. The terms of school were from three to eight months in a year, and 420 pupils were in attendance. The amount paid for the support of these schools was $385.45. In 1878 the commissioners reported six whole and one fractional districts, in which there were 328 chil- dren of school age. There were 204 weeks of school taught, in which the average attendance was 128. The teachers were paid $1183.41, of which amount $751.77 was apportioned by the county. The school buildings were valued at $1880, and the 260 volumes in the libraries at $145.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

The carly pioneers of this town, amidst their toils and privations in building up homes, did not forget their New England training,-they never once forgot the God of their fathers. Probably not a family failed to carefully bring the old family Bible, and take counsel from its sacred pages ; and almost the first act was to rear the family altar, from which ascended praises to the Most High, ringing through the grand old forests. As early as 1821, less than three years from the time of the first settlement,

THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF COLD SPRING was organized with the 11 following members : Timothy Butler and wife, William Fox and wife, Phineas Noble and wife, Nathan Bennett and wife, Peter Beardsley, Har- low Butler, and Betsey Moran. The meeting was held at the house of Timothy Boardman, by the Rev. John Spencer, the pioneer missionary. Sargeant Morrill and Artemus Houghton were elected the first deacons. Father Spencer continued his missionary labors among this people, and measures were instituted in a few years to erect a church building. To this end the " First Congregational Society in the town of Cold Spring" was formed April 21, 1823, with the following trustees : Elijah Boardman, Artemus Houghton, Isaac Morrill, John Hendrick, Harlow Butler, and Peter Beardsley. The ensuing year a log meeting-

house was erected on lot 42, on the farm now owned by Wm. A. Weeden, by the society, which was used as a place of worship many years. In 1825, the society was dissolved, and on the 9th of November, 1826, reorganized, with Philemon Hall, Amasa Bushnell, and Timothy Ever- ett as trustees. The church at this time had 21 members ; three years later it had 60; and in 1834 had 107, much of the latter membership having resulted from the labors of the evangelist, S. G. Orton, in 1833.

From June 2, 1824, till Oct. 13, 1825, the Rev. Ira Dunning was the pastor of the church ; 1826-31, the Rev. Wm. J. Wilcox ; 1834, Rev. Sylvester Cowles; 1835-37, Rev. Justin Marsh ; 1837-40, Rev. Wm. Waith ; 1841- 42, Rev. John Ingles; 1842-43, Rev. A. D. Olds ; 1844- 45, Rev. Wm. Goodell ; 1846-50, Rev. H. A. Taylor ; 1851-52, Rev. John Scott; 1852-54, Rev. C. H. Bald- win ; 1856-62, Rev. H. D. Lowing; 1862-65, Rev. Lu- ther Newcomb ; 1866-71, Rev. N. H. Barnes ; 1871-73, Rev. S. T. Anderson ; 1874-76, Rev. Dwight Dunham ; since that period the Rev. J. D. Stewart has been the

Digitized by Google

482

HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

pastor. The present deacons are S. A. Newell and Jairus Burt.

The present church edifice at Napoli Corners was erected in 1868, at a cost of $4000. It presents an inviting ap- pearance, and will seat 300 persons. The tower contains a good bell. The church has at present 66 members, and maintains an interesting Sunday-school, having an attend- ance of from 80 to 100 persons of all ages. George Glad- den is the superintendent, and Theodore Hazard secretary.

On the 5th of October, 1869, at the annual meeting, it was decided to change the name of the society from Cold Spring to Napoli; and it is now duly incorporated as such. Besides the church, the society owns other property to the amount of $2000.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF NAPOLI,

Calvinistic in belief, was formed in 1826, of 13 persons, namely, Stephen Curtis and wife; Jacob Lyon and wife; Stephen, James, and Peleg Wait, and their wives; George Wait, Mrs. Reuben Wait, and Lyman Lyon.

George Wait was elected the first deacon, and Philip Lyon clerk. The Rev. Jonathan Blake was the first min- ister, and soon after the church was formed baptized Mrs. Gurdon Chesbrough, who united in church fellowship, and was the first accession. Soon after, Mrs. Hiram Freeman and Mrs. Levi Stevens were baptized by the Rev. W. Win- sor, also an early minister, and united with the church. From 1828 to 1831 the Rev. Bartemas Brayman was the pastor of the church, and while he was connected in this capacity the meeting-house was erected. It is a frame structure, and is the oldest house of worship now standing in the county.

In addition to the foregoing pastors, the Rev. E. Going, J. J. Trumbull, Elisha Tucker, Jay Handy, and Jonas Glazier ministered to the members of the church, the lat- ter about 1840 and the years following.

Jan. 21, 1840, the Napoli Baptist Society was formed, and James Wait, Orrin Booth, Reuben Wait, B. H. Hill- man, Joseph McCollester, and Amasa Booth, elected trus- tees. This society was reorganized March 18, 1870, with a board of trustees composed of W. B. Wait, Thomas Vidall, Orrin Booth, John Montyne, and William McHer- ron.

The church has at present nearly 60 members under the pastoral direction of the Rev. George W. Porter. Worden Wait and Orrin Booth are the deacons, and Thomas Vidall the clerk.

THE NAPOLI METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

A class of Methodists was formed at the Milk's school- house about 1826, having, among other members, Silas Earle and wife, Almira Thorp, Ruth Foy, David Foy, and Jonathan Foy. The first class-leader was Silas Earle; later ones were Harvey Parmelee and Nathaniel Hall. The early preachers were the Revs. John Kent and Job Wilson.

The Curtis school-house class was formed in 1844, the members being from the Haywood, Lyon, Wade, Merchant, and Thatcher families. Among the leaders of this class were Cyrus Thatcher, Abel Merchant, Horace Cross, Jo-

seph Davis, and Truman Merchant. In 1873 the class was transferred to Napoli Corners. At that point a class of Methodists was formed about 1830, which had an exist- ence of alternate prosperity and adversity for nearly forty years. On the 2d of September, 1868, the Rev. J. S. Stocker formally organized these members, numbering nearly 40, into the present church, and for its use the house of worship was erected the same season, at a cost of nearly $3000. It was appropriately dedicated, Jan .. 14, 1869, by the Rev. W. F. Day. From this time on the church has been very prosperous, numbering at present in the neighborhood of 100 members. The pastoral connec- tion of these Methodist classes is shown in the history of the East Randolph Methodist Church, to which the reader is referred, the list being here omitted to avoid repetition.

" The first society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Napoli," was organized, Jan. 17, 1834, at a meeting over which Nelson Henry presided. Thomas Carter, Benjamin Foy, Nathan Snow, Lewis P. Thorp, Ariel Wellman, and Nathaniel S. Hale were elected trustees. Besides the above church, the society controls other property valued at $1000.

In addition to the foregoing, a body of Free-Will Baptists was formed at the Morrill school-house, June 14, 1831, by the Rev. Hiram Whitcher.

The members uniting in church covenant were Jotham Metcalf and wife, Abigail Joice, Sophia Hovey, Freeman and Miranda Dart, Alvah and Sylvia L. Prescott, and Philetus S. Doolittle. During the following summer and fall many others were baptized and united with the church. Among this number were two young ladies,- Anna Bab- cock and Sally Tukesberry,-who related their experience at an evening meeting, Aug. 4, 1831, and were baptized that night, at nearly twelve o'clock, in Cold Spring Creek, by the Rev. Hiram Whitcher. On the 15th of October ensuing, Jotham Metcalf was elected the first deacon and Freeman Dart clerk.

The meetings were held in private houses, and in dif- ferent school-houses in Napoli and Connewango, the preach- ers being the Revs. Whitcher, A. C. Andrews, F. B. Tanner, and others, and were attended with variable in- terest. But not having a fixed place of worship, the society did not enjoy as full a measure of prosperity as it would, had it been the owner of a permanent home. Hence, on the 10th of June, 1848, it was decided that the future name of the organization should be " The First Free-Will Baptist Church of East Randolph," and that a church edifice be erected in that village. The building was put up that season, and first occupied by the church for a covenant meeting, Feb. 10, 1849.

The subsequent history of this body may be found in an account of the churches in the town of Randolph. Other denominations have held meetings in the town of Napoli, but so far as we have been able to learn, no per- manent organization followed in consequence. It may be noted to the credit of the town that it has always enjoyed an exalted moral position, and that it has accommodations in the several houses of worship for nearly every man, woman, and child living within her bounds,-a provision not found in any other town in the county, and very seldom in any other section of our country.

Digitized by Google

483

HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

SECRET ORDERS.

A grange of Patrons of Husbandry was organized at Napoli, May 21, 1874, and had as its first officers, Judson Sibley, Worthy Master; W. D. Huntington, Overseer ; Clay Card, Sec .; Samuel Allen, Treas .; George Thorp, Lecturer ; H. H. Sackrider, Steward; Charles Sackrider, Assistant Steward; Mrs. David Sackrider, Lady Assistant Steward; Mrs. W. D. Huntington, Ceres; Mrs. H. H. Sackrider, Pomona; Carrie Sackrider, Flora.

The grange at once entered upon a career of prosperity, which yet continues, but its exact status cannot be here given.

MILITARY RECORD.

In the trying hours of the Rebellion, from 1861-65, the people of Napoli never faltered nor allowed their love for our country to grow cold, but with patriotic devotion rallied to the defense of the dear old flag.

At the annual meeting, in 1864, it was unanimously re- solved to levy a tax to provide a bounty for all men who had enlisted up to that date, and who might in future en- roll themselves to the credit of the town. About $19,000 was thus provided, in addition to many generous individual contributions for the support of the families of enlisted men.

A list of volunteers credited to Napoli appears in another part of this book.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

Photos. by J. M. White, East Randolph.

John Desslee

MRS. JOHN PEASLEE.

JOIIN PEASLEE

was born at Quaker Hill, Dutchess Co., N. Y., Oct. 7, 1779, and is of English descent, three brothers having come over about the middle of the eighteenth century. One of the brothers was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill, having enlisted in the American army. Isaac Peaslee, father of John, died in Albany, N. Y., about 1820. His wife, Eliza- beth Wing, of Welsh descent, also died in Albany County. John, the subject of this memoir, was married to Miss Hannah Sage, July 6, 1797. She was a daughter of Ben- jamin Sage, a Revolutionary soldier of English origin. She was born in Rensselaer County, Oct. 7, 1779, and ever proved an affectionate companion, always cheerful and kind to all who approached her. They came to Napoli from Schoharie, in 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Peaslee from early life were devoted, exemplary members of the Methodist Church, to which they were ardently attached, and ready

at all times to render service, as far as lay in their power. They bequeathed to their children an untarnished Christian character, having lived a life above reproach.

Mr. Peaslee died in Napoli, March 17, 1863; his wife having died at the same place, Dec. 20, 1857. Of the two sons and five daughters, Elizabeth was born in Albany Co., N. Y., Aug. 11, 1799, died at Napoli, April 7, 1868; Omery was born in Albany County, Oct. 25, 1802, died in Connewango, Sept. 21, 1862; Cynthia M. was born in Albany County, May 29, 1805, died in Napoli, May 23, 1869 ; Daniel O., born in Albany County, May 19, 1807, died in Napoli, Aug. 21, 1877 ; Jane A., born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., Nov. 9, 1810, is now living in Randolph, N. Y .; Adaline S., born in Schoharie County, March 23, 1821, died in Napoli, Jan. 7, 1865.

Joseph Peaslee was born in Schoharie, May 13, 1816. When sixteen years of age he came with his parents into

Digitized by Google

484

HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

the town of Napoli, then a new country. Receiving a good common-school education, he taught eight terms. He was four times elected supervisor of the town of Napoli. He has entered upon a four years' term of the office of justice, which, if he serves to the end, will make thirty-two years he has filled that office. The long term of years he has. held this office is a practical test of the equity of his judi- cial action. He is of unassuming manners, uncompromis-

ing integrity, unsullied character, and of a strong intellect- ual cast. In politics he is a firm Republican; in religion a consistent Methodist, without a particle of bigotry. He is decidedly friendly to the cause of temperance.

On Dec. 27, 1864, he married Miss Martha Miller, a lady of much worth, who was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Nov. 11, 1844. They now reside on the old home- stead in the town of Napoli.

JOSEPH HAZARD.

LEON.

LEON is the third from the north of the towns in the western tier of the county. It embraces all of township 4, in the ninth range of the Holland survey, and is bounded north by Dayton ; east, by New Albion; west, by Chautauqua County ; and on the south by Connewango. It was erected from the latter town, April 24, 1832, and derived its name from the ancient kingdom of Leon, in Spain. It is said that James Waterhouse suggested this as being a comple- mentary term to Castile, Monroe Co., from which he and other settlers came. The area is 23,023 acres.

The surface in many parts of the town is broken by moderate hills, but in the northwest and along the western border is level and of a marshy nature. Much of the land here is subject to overflow, and is not valuable for farming purposes. The soil is variable, being a clay, sandy, or a gravelly loam. It is generally productive, and susceptible

of a high degree of cultivation. The drainage of the town is afforded by the Connewango and its tributary streams, the principal one being the east branch of that creek. This flows from New Albion through the northeastern part of the town, into Dayton, and after uniting with another affluent, has a southwesterly course through the northwest part of Leon. Flowing from the east, south of the centre of the town, with a general southwesterly course, is Mud Creek. This was formerly known as Butternut Creek, from the timber growing on its banks, and is yet the better term ; for the stream is rapid, clear, and has a gravelly bed. It affords several mill-sites. The other streams do not gen- erally admit of improvement for manufacturing. Numerous springs abound, and the water-supply is ample for domestic uses. On the hilly portion of Leon the timber growth was not so heavy as in some parts of the county, but was gen-

Digitized by Google

RESIDENCE OF R.D. KELLOGG, LEON, CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK .

Google Digitized by

Digitized by Google

485

HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

erally a good quality for fuel and building purposes. In the southwestern part of the town a good building stone is procured from ledges along the creek, which have lately been developed.

The books of the Holland Land Company, in 1818, con- tained the names of Edmund Dudley, James Franklin, James Franklin, Jr., John Dye, Nathaniel Cooper, Nathan Skinner, Asher Glover, and Harlon Beach, as contractors for land in the present town of Leon. Some of these, also, were

THE PIONEER SETTLERS.

The first to permanently locate were James Franklin and his son, James. They came from Monroe County, in Sep- tember, 1818, and settled on lot 50, where they put up a log house that season, the first in town. Both died in town, the latter about 1843. Many descendants of the Franklins live in town.

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

History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 125

Author: Franklin Ellis and Eugene Arns Nash Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: Franklin Ellis and Eugene Arns Nash
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: