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 126
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The same season came Abner Wise and his son, Abner Wise, from Otsego County, and settled on 160 acres of lot 49. The former was generally called Capt. Wise. His wife was the first white woman in town. She died at the age of seventy-seven years. Capt. Wise died about 1838, and his son moved to Waupan, Wis.
Thomas W. Cheney, at that time but a lad fifteen years old, came with the Wises from Otsego County, and selected 200 acres on lot 49. He joined Abner W. in building a shanty, in which they lived part of the winter of 1818-19, and cleared their lands. When the weather became too severe they went to some relatives in Chautauqua County, but returned early the next spring and resumed work. Cheney became a minister of the Reformed Methodist Church about 1828, and was ordained a few years later. Subsequently, he became a Wesleyan, and held the position of presiding elder in that denomination. He is yet a resi- dent of lot 49, and is the only survivor of those who came in first. A son, 'T. Apoleon, became a very learned man, and wrote several books on geology, which were received with favor in this country and in Europe. The fellowship of several royal colleges was bestowed on him for his learn- ing and research. He died at Seneca Lake, in 1878.
In the spring of 1819, Edmund Dudley came from Monroe County, and selected the west part of lot 41, on which he built a shanty, and then went back to his old home for his family. Returning in the fall, he passed through Ellicottville, and called at the Holland Company's office to article his land. The agent, on learning that Dudley had a barrel of whisky among his effects, told him that he might have the land for half his whisky. To this proposition Dudley assented, and in this way was the first land in Leon articled. No other land was articled until 1822, when Nathaniel Cooper and Daniel Dye articled lot 45. The other settlers coming about that period had their lands " booked" to them on the simple promise that they would make certain improvements in a given time, prior to articling or making a purchase. Dudley sold his land in 1843, but remained in this part of the country, and died at Rutledge.
Robert Durfee, a native of Rhode Island, moved to May- ville about 1812. In 1819 he came to Leon and " booked" parts of lots 50 and 57,-100 acres on each lot. In the
spring of 1820 he brought on his family,-a wife and two children. The younger of these, Edwin C., at that time six weeks old, is yet a resident on the homestead, and is the second oldest resident in town. The elder Durfee died on this place in December, 1859.
Otis L. Durfee, a brother of Robert, came in 1820, and settled on lot 57. Seven years thereafter he moved to Crawford Co., Pa., where he became a Baptist clergyman.
The same year came Asa Franklin, and settled on lot 46, and there, a few years later, opened the first tavern in town. He moved to Erie County.
Wm. Bartlett also came in 1820, and settled on lot 42. He was a millwright by trade, and helped on some of the first mills in these parts. He left the town in 1840.
Alexander Oathout, from Riga, came in 1820, and lived for a time on the Cheney place, and John Bigler settled on lot 50. After many years he removed to Chautauqua County.
On lot 45, settled, this year, Harlow Beach, - Holt, Ireneus Baldwin, Wm. Morrison, and a few others, all of whom removed before 1830, some of them settling in ad- joining towns in Cattaraugus County.
Luman Coe settled on lot 37 the same time as the above, and lived there until his death, in 1875. Mrs. Coe was a sister of the noted politician, Charles D. Shepard. A son, Henry Coe, now occupies the place.
Nathaniel Cooper, a native of New Hampshire, came from Monroe County about 1821, and settled on lot 45, the whole of which he and Daniel Dye articled the following year. Cooper died June 26, 1855, but a son, E. W. Cooper, lives on the old Wise place, and is the third oldest resident in town.
Elisha Cooper, a brother of Nathaniel, settled on lot 53, living there until his death. Andrew W., a son, now occu- pies the homestead.
Daniel Brand, a youth, from the town of Perrysburg, was indentured to the Coopers, and grew to manhood in that family. Since 1831 he has lived on lot 44, on the farm which formerly belonged to John Cooper,-also an early settler,-and is one of the oldest citizens of Leon.
·In 1821, Hazeltine Streeter, from Riga, settled on lot 51, Eber Franklin on lot 52, and Richard Oathout on lot 43. He lived here many years, teaching the first school in town, and, in 1825, put up the first frame building, on the farm now occupied by Leroy Rideout. He moved to Pennsylvania. A number of settlers came to this locality this year. But few of them remained any great length of time. Among these may be named Levi Sikes, A. Mc- Donell, Stephen Parish, John Battles, and - Hill.
In 1822, Ichabod Franklin and his son Whitman settled on lot 43, Oliver Pool on the same lot, Philip Bigler on lot 28, Alpheus Stearns on lot 51.
The same year the Rev. Ezra Amadon, a Reformed Methodist, from Onondaga County, settled on lot 56. In the course of years he removed to Wisconsin, where he died ; but his son Ezra still resides in town, and is one of the oldest citizens.
John N. Keirstead, a soldier of 1812, came from Ulster County, in 1822, and settled on lot 28, where he yet lives, -the fourth oldest resident in town.
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486
HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.
In 1823, Caleb Fairbanks, Norman Coe, Artemas Fair- banks, Fuller Gould, and one or two others located at Leon Centre. All of these are dead except Coe, who is a resi- dent of Cherry Creek.
On lot 27, Samuel Daniels settled, in 1823. He had sons named Samuel and Cyrus, who figured in the affairs of the town.
David Ross settled on lot 25 this year (1823). Of his sons, Ahiman is still a resident of the town.
Zenas Barton located on lot 1; removed about 1830, but returned and died on this place.
Salem Town, father of Lyman, Samuel, Freeman, Wil- liam, Salem, and Sylvanus Town, settled on lot 33, and was a neighbor of Benedict Russell, who put up one of the first good houses in that section.
About this period Ebenezer Collar settled at what after- wards became Leon Mills.
About 1825, Gustavus Warner, an officer of the State militia, settled on lot 39, and Gaylord and Ashbel Kellogg, brothers, on lot 47. The latter came from Central New York. Their descendants yet live here, and have occupied prominent places in the town. Doras and Josephus Inger- soll came from Wyoming County, and settled on the south part of lot 16. A son, Richard Ingersoll, still resides on this place. Josephus removed to the southern part of Dayton.
A year or so later Justin Wells and his sons, Justin H. and James, and Richard Darling, settled on Wells Hill.
The Kendall families, on lots 6 and 14, came from Otsego County about 1828, and after living in town a number of years removed to the West. Charles Keyser settled on lot 4 about the same time. Charles D. Keyser yet lives in that locality.
Benjamin Mosher was a prominent early settler in this part of the town, and his family have remained identified with the interests of Leon to this day.
John Easton, from Wyoming, came about 1830, and lived for a while in an unoccupied school-house, but finally settled on lot 16. He died at this place in 1856. Eras- mus, the youngest son, lives in the town of New Albion ; and Ahimaaz occupies the homestead farm.
So many settlers came in about this period it will not be possible to note them here in detail. Most of them were poor but energetic, and determined to acquire homes. How well they succeeded is clearly attested by the subjoined list of citizens owning improved property in 1833:
Lot. Value.
Lot.
Value.
Amadon, Samuel. 51
$45
Daniels, Cyrus ..
19
$100
Amadon, Ezra ..
49
35
Dye, Elisha.
45
28
Barton, Fry
44
45
Day, Alvin.
22
100
Blasdell, Nathaniel .. 29
40
Day, Abira.
22
100
Baker, Augustus.
38
35
Dudley, Edmund 41
45
Baker, Freeman ..
31
4
Durfee, Robert.
57
32
Bishop, Elisha ..
58
20
Durfee, John.
57
30
Bishop, James E.
51
8
Easton, John ..
16
105
Barby, Joseph.
43
10
Edwards, David
12
Bigler, John S.
10
10
Edwards, Samuel 12
30
Cooper, Nathaniel Cooper, John.
45
20
Eastman, Josiah 19
35
30
Fitch, Daniel. 30
35
Cooper, Elisha
53
30
Fairbanks, Joshua .... 50
36 5
Coe, James.
37
35
36
15
Franklin, Ichabod .... 43
Carpenter, Stephen. 9
15
Franklin, Whitman ... 43
Chapin, Chester 58
50
Franklin, Eber .. 51
Dexter, Charles
46
10 Franklin, Daniel 50
25
Lot.
Value.
Lot.
Value.
Fenton, William.
43
$25
Potter, Wilber .. 16
$6
Fuller, Owen ...
6
38
Phillips, John C .. 7
6
Gould, Jesse ... 28
38
Perkins, W. 23
6
Green, Amasa. 42
'70 Pool, Oliver. 43
20
Green, Alanson .. 53
70
Rideout, N ..
53
20
Grover, Asher.
27
40 Ross, David.
25
25
Greeley, Clifton .. 43
40
Ross, Thomas.
26
10
Gibson, Calvin 9
25
Ross, Ahiman. 25
10
Harmon, Simeon 51
55
Russell, Benedict. 33
60
Hubbard, Gates .. 46
35
Shannon, Samuel.
36
20
Ingersoll, Doras. 16
20
Southwick, Benjamin. 37
55
Ingersoll, Josephus ... 8
25
Sanders, Ira ..
45
55
Johnson, John.
25
Solomon, George. 29
55
Johnson, Alvah ..
49
25
Sanders, Clark. 44
35
Kierstead, John N 28
30
Sanders, William 45
35
Kendall, William ..
6
40
Slocum, Eleazer. 43
30
Kendall, James. 14
40
Seeley, Cyrus ..
25
10
Kelley, Benjamin 17
35
Sweet, George W 13
10
Kellogg, Gaylord
47
100
Thompson, Jabez. 42
1500
Kellogg, Ashbel.
47
30
Thomas, James. 44
30
Keyser, Charles.
4
100
Town, Lyman. 49
40
Leach, Levi.
43
100
Town, Salem
33
40
Lang, John.
43
20
Thayer, Asa.
7
5
Low, Abraham
10
Mills, Moses.
40
50
Morse, M
38
30
Wise, Abner W.
180
Mills, Thomas.
40
35
Wilcox, James ...
35
Morgan, Newell. 36
50
Warner, Gustavus
39
Mcclellan, A ..
40
50
Wells, James.
32
40
Noyes, Fred.
35
50
Willson, Joseph W ..
36
40
Noyes, Thomas
35
45
Williams, David.
5
15
Noyes, Johnson ..
27
25
The population of the town is not as great at present as twenty years ago. The decrease is shown by a comparison of 1860 and 1875. At the former period, the town con- tained 1399 inhabitants, against 1201 at the latter.
PIONEER EVENTS.
Edward Dudley, a son of Edmund Dudley, was born July 3, 1820,-and this was the first birth in town. He grew to manhood in Leon, then removed to Buffalo, where he still resides. It may be noted, in this connection, that a severe frost occurred about this time, completely cutting down the grain and vegetables of the pioneers, in conse- quence of which some hardship ensued. Other early births were Philena, daughter of Asa Franklin ; Laura, daughter of John Fairbanks; and Latty, daughter of Abner W. Wise.
In 1820, Abner W. Wise married Laura Davison, of Connewango ; in 1824, Ira Fish, of Mansfield, was united in wedlock with Julia Collar; and the same year Alexander Ross married Maria Dudley. Mr. Ross died a few years ago, but his widow still resides in town.
In 1823, Ezra Amadon erected a frame barn, the first in town ; the second was built in 1824 by Samuel Daniels. The first frame house was put up in 1825, on Riga Street, lot 43, by Richard Oathout. It was intended for a store, but was never occupied for this purpose.
CIVIL HISTORY.
The first election was held March 5, 1833, at the house of Amasa Green, when the officers elected were: Super- visor, James Waterhouse; Town Clerk, Eleazer Slocum ; Assessors, John Easton, David B. Whiting, Thomas Noyes; Collector, John Carpenter; Justices, Joshua Fairbanks, Justin Wells, David Sweet, John Cooper; Commissioners of Highways, Wm. Kendall, Ahiman Ross, Theop. Fair- banks; Constables, John Carpenter, Justin W. Wells, Luther Kendall; Overseers of the Poor, John N. C. Kier- stead, Ezra Amadon ; Sealer of Weights, James Coe.
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Daniels, Samuel. 40
50 : Falen, Charles. 35
38 20 20 25 25
Coe, Luman.
37
125
Fairbanks, Thompson 49 Fairbanks, Caleb. 49
Noyes, James.
42
50
Wells, Justin.
24
34
32
. Van Tassel, Nicholas.
2
15
35
Whiting, David ..
35
49 50
35
35
44
Coe, Norman
42
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AMANDA CASTEN
JAMES CASTEN
RESIDENCE OF JAMES CASTEN, LEON, CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, N. Y.
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487
HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Since the first meeting, the principal officers have been as follows :
Supervisors.
1834
John Cooper.
1835
James Waterhouse.
1836
John Cooper.
1837.
.Gustavus Warner.
1838
"
=
1839
1840.
John Cooper.
1841
1842.
Harvey H. Holmes.
No. 1. Alexander Ross. No. 12. Amasa Green.
" 2. Luther Kendall.
" 13. John Noyes.
"
3. Charles D. Kiser.
" 14. Reuben Ross.
" 15. Fry Barton.
" 16. Marvin Morse.
" 6. Charles Butterfield.
" 17. Daniel Bennett.
7. James Ridout.
" 18. Samuel Town.
8. Thomas Mills.
" 19. Ezra Amadon.
9. Asa Thayer.
" 20. Leonard Clark.
10. Samuel Franklin.
" 21. David Sweet.
" 11. Elisha Cooper. " 22. George W. Sweet.
In 1878 there were 26 road districts, and most of the highways were in a passable condition. The town has no railway within her bounds, but by means of the Buffalo and Southwestern Railroad, in the town adjoining on the west, easy communication is afforded. The old Erie and New York City Railroad was projected through the western part of the town, along Connewango Creek.
LEON CEMETERIES.
Laura, a daughter of Capt. John Fairbanks, died in 1821, and was interred on lot 49, on the ground where is now a cemetery. This was the first death in town, and as there was no officiating minister, the services at the burial were conducted by Thomas Northrup, of Connewango, who came in his pioneer attire and barefooted to attend the funeral. The next death was that of Henry Stearns, a child of Alpheus Stearns, who was so severely scalded, in 1823, that it resulted fatally. In 1824, Mercy Gould, a widow, living at Abner Wise's, died, and was also interred on lot 49, which at that time was covered with forest-trees. Half an acre was finally set aside for a grave-yard by James Franklin, which has been inclosed with a stone fence, and is kept in good condition by the people living in that lo- cality.
The Leon Centre Cemetery was the next opened. It contains about an acre of ground, subject to the same con- ditions as the above.
The East Leon Cemetery embraces a finely-located tract of ground, three-eighths of an acre in extent, purchased from the farm of Ahimaaz Easton. It is well fenced, and is under the supervision of the " East Leon Cemetery As- sociation." This body was organized March 18, 1878, with the following board of officers : Richard Ingersoll, President; Cyrus Ingersoll, Secretary ; Richard Easton, Treasurer ; Ahimaaz Easton, Erasmus Easton, Walker In- gersoll, Denzil Ingersoll, Cyrus Ingersoll, George Mosher, and Frank Judd, Trustees.
Many dead from the old burial-ground in the town of Dayton were transferred to this cemetery, but a child of Richard Easton was the first interred.
There are other places for burial in the town, but the above constitute the principal ones.
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JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1834. David Sweet.
1835. Joshua Fairbanks.
1836. Fred. Noyes.
1859. Edwin C. Durfee.
1837. Ashbel L. Kellogg.
1860. Moses McMillan.
1838. Wm. Randall.
1861. Almon L. Day.
1839. Xury Blodgett.
1862. David Long.
Leonard Clark.
1841. Benj. Southwick.
1842. Michael Brenenstuhl.
1843. Doras Ingersoll.
1844. Fred. Noyes.
1845. John Long. Ashbel Kellogg.
1846. John Long.
1847. Doras Ingersoll.
1848. Fred. Noyes.
1849. Corydon Morgan.
John Carpenter.
1872. David Jones.
1873. Albert L. Palmer.
1874. Melville M. Evarts. Gilbert L. Mosher.
1853. Corydon Morgan.
1875. George W. Press.
1854. Edwin C. Durfee.
1876. Marcus W. Cooper.
1855. Harrison Judd.
1877. Almon L. Day.
1856. Leonard Clark.
1878. Wm. S. Easton.
THE HIGHWAYS.
One of the oldest roads in Leon is locally known as Riga Street, so called from the place where those living on it came from,-Riga, Monroe Co. It was located principally
to accommodate local travel, and after the Jamestown road was opened that became the principal thoroughfare, and is yet the chief highway of the town. Other roads were early located to the different settlements, and worked to the ex- tent of the means of the town, the appropriations for this purpose usually being very liberal. In 1833 there were 11 principal roads and 22 districts. The overseers were :
Eleazer Slocum. Nathaniel Cooper.
1843 ..
1844.
Gaylord Kellogg.
1846.
Wm. H. Andrews. "
1848
John Long. "
1849
William Hurd.
1850
Ezra W. Cooper.
1851
16
1853
John Cooper.
1854 Gaylord Kellogg.
1855
Ara Barton. "
1856
=
1857
James Casten.
1858
"
1859
Isaac N. Smith.
1860
1861 Wm. Fancher.
1862. Edwin C. Durfee.
1863
"
1864
"
1865
John F. Mosher.
1866
1867
Heman V. Ingersoll. Edgar Shannon.
1869
Edgar Shannon.
1870
Thomas Caneen. = "
Edward W. Clark. "
1873
.John A. Seekins.
Almon L. Day.
1874
Heman V. Ingersoll.
1875 . Edgar Shannon.
1876. James F. Town.
1877
John F. Mosher.
John E. Caneen.
1878
Henry J. Trumbull.
1858. David Long.
Moses McMillan.
1863. Wm. N. Herrick.
1864. Moses McMillan.
1865. Curtis Thompson.
1866. Miles Coe. David Long.
1867. Moses McMillan.
1868. E. C. Durfee. David Jones. 1869. Gabriel J. Wood. 1870. H. M. Hunt.
1871. H. V. Ingersoll.
1850. John B. Fairbanks. 1851. Doras Ingersoll. 1852. John Rhodes.
1857. Almon L. Day.
"
1847
"
George Shannon. Ahiman Ross. Ellery Stone.
Anthony Day. Ira R. Jones. Anthony Day. John Fancher. Anthony Day. William Hurd.
Rufus A. Kellogg. Wm. O. Tyler. Anthony Day.
1868.
H. J. Trumbull. H. J. V. Smith.
1871
1872
Town Clerks. Eleazer Slocum. Jabez Thompson. " John Cooper.
1845
=
4. James Wells.
5. Alvah Johnson.
1852
1840. Fred. Noyes. John Carpenter.
488
HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.
THE MANUFACTURING INTERESTS
of Leon were limited by the water-power to a few of the commoner industries until many years after its settlement, when steam was employed. The first improvement was made on lot 42, in the summer of 1826. Ebenezer Collar put up a saw-mill, which stood nearly on the site of the present grist-mill on Mud Creek. This became the prop- erty of Johnson Noyes in 1828, who put in a small run of stones for grinding corn and rye.
In 1829, he put up a distillery at this point, which was carried on six or seven years, and a small factory for wool- carding and cloth-dressing. The latter was operated about ten years by Noyes and the subsequent owner.
After 1830, Jabez Thompson purchased these interests and erected a grist-mill, a portion of the frame of which is yet used, and the place was the scene of considerable activity, being known as Leon Mills. In 1842, the dam was removed in consequence of the overflow of the con- tiguous land, and the stream led to the mill by means of a race more than half a mile long.' In this way good power is afforded, considering the volume of water. This has always been the only grist-mill in town, and has had among its owners James N. Allen, David Lang, Hunt & Shannon, Eri Aldrich, and H. N. Hubbell.
On the same stream, Abner W. Wise put up a saw-mill, near the great spring, in 1838, which was sold to Lyman Town; and while the property of Ezra Amadon, was burned. Here, also, the overflow was too great to longer utilize the power, and the site was abandoned. About 1845, Ezra Amadon got in operation a mill on the race . west of the above place, which, after many changes of ownership, was last operated by E. C. Durfee.
On lot 35, Daniel B. Whiting put up a saw-mill, in 1832, which was operated by C. W. Dexter, Benjamin Southwick, and others. This mill is at present idle. In 1845, Mathew Franklin got in operation a saw-mill at Peace Vale, which has been rebuilt, and since 1858 has been the property of J. C. Green. It can cut 3000 feet per day.
In 1861, Judd & Babcock started a steam saw-mill at East Leon, which had good machinery and a large cutting capacity. The mill was burned down, and the engine re- moved to Leon Centre, in 1875, by John A. Seekins, where he put up a lumber-manufacturing establishment, and also supplied a run of stones for grinding corn. This, too, was destroyed by fire in 1877.
In the northwestern part of the town a steam mill was operated about 1864, which was removed; and on lot 48, Butcher & Keyser put up a steam mill of good capacity, in 1875, which is at present operated by John G. Keyser.
CREAMERIES
were erected in different parts of the town as soon as dairy- ing began to engross the attention of the people so as to become the leading industry. The plan of manufacturing on the co-operative principle, or in common, has proved very satisfactory.
The East Leon Factory was built in 1866 by Jenks & Ross, and is operated by them as No. 1 in their list of fac- tories. The building is 40 by 100 feet, with a wing 40 by
50 feet. The factory was formerly more extensively ope- rated than at present, and converted the milk of 1000 cows. At present there are 14 patrons, owning 300 cows.
The Leon Centre Factory was established the same year, 1866, by Hunt & Caneen, in a two-story building, 30 by 120 feet. It was subsequently operated by Trumbull & Hubbard, Hubbard & Smith, S. B. Griffith, and at present by Jenks & Ross, as factory No. 2. There are 41 pa- trons, who furnish the milk of 500 cows, from which are manufactured daily 14 full cream-cheeses, and butter in season.
The North Leon Factory, near Wells Hill, was built in 1869 by Wells & Thompson, and was first operated by them, making 12 cheeses per day. The present product is not so large. The milk of 250 cows, owned by 20 patrons, is con- sumed. Wm. Thompson is the operator.
The Ackley Factory, east from Leon Centre, was put up by G. S. Mosher, and operated by him one year, when Albert Ackley became the proprietor. It is supplied with two vats, and manufactures the milk of 200 cows.
The Keyser Hill Factory was built, in 1875, by the farmers of that section, and is at present owned by Abednego Buteher. The yearly product is about 40,000 pounds of cheese, which finds a ready sale.
The Peace Vale Factory, at present Jenks & Ross' No. 7, was built, in 1870, by S. B. Griffith. Edward Van Dusen operates it for the proprietors, manufacturing seven full cream-cheeses per day. There are 10 patrons.
The South Leon Factory, built in 1872, by B. G. Hub- bard, on lot 49, contains one vat, in which is manufactured the milk of 125 cows. Since 1875 it has been included in the Jenks & Ross list, and is known as No. 5. Near by is The Leon Creamery, erected in the spring of 1878, by Mahlon L. Cowley, at a cost of nearly $4000. The factory- site contains three acres, including the fine spring in this locality. This has but few equals in the county, furnish- ing a large volume of pure, cool water, which is utilized in the creamery to reduce the milk to a uniform temperature. The main building is 28 by 58 feet, two stories high, and a basement which is neatly walled, and forms a splendid cellar. There is also a wing of the same height whose dimensions are 26 by 28 feet. The power is furnished by a 14 horse- power engine, and drives a churn, whose capacity is 390 gallons. Thirty-three tubs of butter are made per week, and cheese is manufactured from the skimmed milk. The creamery is one of the best appointed in the county, and has 40 patrons.
HAMLETS AND VILLAGES.
The first hamlet in town sprung up around the Leon Mills, and about 1830 promised to be a place of some im- portance. A few years later there were a tavern, store, shops, and all the attendants of a business place; but all . these interests have been diverted to the village of
LEON,
or as it is locally known, Leon Centre. It enjoys a fine location a little south of the centre of the town, and con- tains a few hundred inhabitants. There are at present a hotel, four stores, half a dozen shops, a very fine school
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W. H. FRANKLIN
ELIZABETH FRANKLIN.
RESIDENCE OF W. H. FRANKLIN, LEON, CATTARAUGUS COUNTY. N.Y.
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HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.
building, Baptist, Methodist, and Free Methodist Churches, which are noted with greater particularity in the following pages.
The country surrounding the village is very rich, and it is naturally a trading point, nothing but the absence of water-power preventing it from attaining a greater size. The nearest railway station is Cherry Creek, six miles dis- tant.
EAST LEON.
Near the northeastern corner of the town is a small ham- let, containing a Free-Will Baptist church (in the town of Dayton), a store, several shops, and half a dozen houses.
TAVERNS AND STORES.
The first public-house in the town was kept by Asa Franklin, on lot 46, on the old Kent road. Luman Coe opened a tavern on lot 37, about 1826, in a double log building, but soon afterwards moved into a frame house, where he continued his inn until after 1830.
The second regular tavern was opened by Amasa Green about 1830, in a frame house on lot 42, near the Leon Mills. In an enlarged condition this house is yet stand- ing, though used as a dwelling, the last tavern having been kept, in 1868, by Alonzo Franklin. Besides Amasa Green, John Carpenter, Alvah Johnson, Alexander Ross, George Purdy, Henry Conklin, and others were the keepers
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