History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 16

Author: Franklin Ellis and Eugene Arns Nash
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The road was sold at auction in Buffalo, September, 1877, by George S. Wardwell, the referee in the suit of " The Farmers' Loan and Trust Company against The Buffalo and Jamestown Railroad Company and others," in pursu- ance of a judgment of the Supreme Court, rendered on the 3d day of February. One bid of a million dollars was made by Messrs. Abraham Altman, J. M. Richmond, John F. Moulton, W. H. H. Newman, and Wilson S. Bissell, a committee of the bondholders, and no other bids being received, the road was struck off to them. The name was changed by the new management to the Buffalo and South- western Railroad, by which it is now known.

THE ROCHESTER AND STATE LINE RAILROAD.

This company was organized in 1867. The proposed route was from Rochester to Salamanca, through Le Roy, Warsaw, Machias, and Ellicottville.

The city of Rochester was bonded for six hundred thou- sand dollars, and the several towns along the line for five hundred thousand dollars, to aid in its construction. Active operations were commenced early in 1872, and twenty-five miles was constructed from Rochester to Le Roy, and put in immediate operation. Work continued till the fall of 1873, during which time a considerable amount of money was expended in grading. In consequence of the panic which then occurred, the company were compelled to suspend operations until the fall of 1876, when work was resumed, and the road so far completed as to commence running regular trains in 1878, under the efficient manage- ment of Oliver Allen, President; Donald McNaughton, Sec- retary and Treasurer ; James E. Childs, Chief Engineer and General Superintendent. This road opens up a new avenue of trade and travel for Cattaraugus County, the benefits of which can hardly be realized as yet, and is one of the system of railroads which gives the county railroad facilities hardly surpassed by any other in the State.

THE CATTARAUGUS RAILWAY COMPANY.

From about the time of the commencement of work on the Erie Railroad, efforts were made by parties in Erie and Cat- taraugus Counties to construct a road from Buffalo to the Pennsylvania coal-fields. Sept. 9, 1835, a railroad conven- tion was held at Ellicottville to promote the construction of a railroad through that town and Otto to a point more north, within the limits of the Eric charter to the lake. It was not until 1852 that an organization was effected at Buffalo,

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HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

called the Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad Company, Col. Chauncey J. Fox one of the vice-presidents.

That company commenced the construction of a road, and expended considerable sums of money in grading at various points along the line. The enterprise was abandoned for want of funds. Various efforts were made subsequently, but nothing of importance was accomplished until the or- ganization of the Cattaraugus Railway Company, at Buffalo, in November, 1867, when Alex. S. Diven, N. Y .; John S. Eldridge, N. Y .; D. B. Eaton, N. Y .; Gen. Thos. L. Kane, Pa .; A. G. Rice, Ellicottville; Eleazer Harmon, Ellicottville; A. D. Scott, Ellicottville; John C. Devereux, Utica; Geo. Brewer, Great Valley ; Rufus L. Whitcher, Machias; Bronson C. Rumsey, Buffalo; Myron P. Bush, Buffalo; Henry A. Richmond, Buffalo, were elected Directors, with John S. Eldridge as President. The articles of association were filed March 10, 1868.

The object of the road was to make a connection in the interest of the Eric Railway with its Bradford branch, and with the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia road at Ma- chias.

The project was abandoned by those in the interest of the Erie Company, by reason of a change in its manage- ment, and the Cattaraugus Railway Company became wholly a local enterprise.

In the year 1869, when the various enterprises for rail- way communication along the valley of Great Valley Creek had apparently failed, a project was started to construct a road, to be laid with wooden track, between Ellicottville and the Erie road, in the town of Great Valley, ten and a quar- ter miles ; the proposed capital to be fifty thousand dollars, in shares of ten dollars each. This enterprise, like those preceding it in the same locality, failed of accomplishment.

On the 18th day of August, 1870, Allen D. Scott was elected President of the Cattaraugus Railway Company ; Geo. Brewer, Vice-President; J. K. Skinner, Secretary and Treasurer. From that time negotiations were made with 'the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railroad Com- pany, and with the Atlantic and Great Western, which re- sulted in failures to construct the road. In the mean time certain towns were bonded to aid in the construction, and finally, in August, 1872, arrangements were made with the Rochester and State Line Railway Company, which re- sulted in the completion of the road from Machias to Sala- manca. The result was due largely to the energy and ability of the officers of the road, and particularly to its president, Judge Scott.

The first locomotive of the construction-train reached Ellicottville Aug. 23, 1877. The road was formally opened May 15, 1878, when an excursion-train, with the officers, directors, and prominent citizens of the several towns, passed over the entire length of the line, and was greeted with en- thusiasm at every station. The trains commenced running regularly May 16, 1878.

THE OLEAN, BRADFORD AND WARREN RAILROAD.

The project of constructing a narrow-gauge road from Olean to Bradford was first originated by Chas. S. Carey. The charter in the State of Pennsylvania was obtained July, 1877, and in New York in October of the same year. C. S.

Carey, President; Geo. B. Gates, Vice-President; S. S. Jewett, Wm. H. Glenny, H. C. Jewett, Wm. Hanlan, D. C. Rumsey, J. S. Schoolcraft, C. V. B. Barse, H. S. Morris, C. S. Whitney, R. W. Evans, are the directors in New York.

The track is three feet in width. An altitude of one thousand fect is gained in five miles. The road is about twenty-three miles in length, and cost four hundred thou- sand dollars. It was completed Feb. 1, 1878.

OTHER RAILROAD PROJECTS.

The Buffalo Extension of the Atlantic and Great West- ern Railway .- During the year 1864, the Atlantic and Great Western Railway Company, then under the manage- ment of Sir Morton Peto and James McHenry, organized this branch of the road for the purpose of getting an out- let independent of the Erie Railway ; it was to extend from Randolph to Buffalo through the towns of Napoli, New Albion, and Otto. During the winter and spring of 1864 -65 considerable work was done in grading and preparing for extension work. About this time satisfactory arrange- ments were made with the Erie Company, and the work was suspended.

Cold Spring Railroad Company .- This company was incorporated April 30, 1839, Horace D. Swan, Charles Crooks, Jr., Manly Healy, and others corporators. Author- ized to construct a wooden railway or railroad from a point near the saw-mills owned by Samuel Barrett and others in the town of Cold Spring to the Allegany River, at or near the mouth of Cold Spring Creek. It was incorporated for fifteen years by the name of " Cold Spring Railroad Com- pany," with authority to convey property or persons on such road by steam, animal, or mechanical power. The in- corporation to be void unless the road be finished in three years from passage of the act. Capital, twenty-five hun- dred dollars in twenty-five shares of one hundred dollars each.

PLANK-ROADS.

This unprofitable class of improvements has never found much favor among the people of Cattaraugus County, but the experiment of constructing them has been tried in a few instances.

The Ellicottville and Great Valley Plank-Road Company was organized April 4, 1850. Bethuel McCoy, President ; William P. Angel, Secretary and Treasurer ; and Directors, Bethuel McCoy, Francis Green, Jr., Eli Ellsworth, John C. Devereux, Jr., Eben S. Coleman, Elcazer Harman, and William P. Angel. Books were opened for subscription and stock March 4, 1850. Petitions were made to the towns for right-of-way through the roads, which was granted, pro- vided that the company release the towns from the expense of maintaining the bridges crossing the creek. The road was built and put in successful operation, and Jan. 1, April 8, June 15, and Dec. 10, 1853, dividends of five per cent. were declared payable. The road ran for several years with varied success, and in 1864 was formally abandoned.

In July, 1850, books were opened for subscription at the house of S. B. Kent, in Cherry Creek, and at the house of Mr. Stone, at Leon Centre, for a plank-road from the vil- lage of Cherry Creek to Leon Centre.

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HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

In 1852 the Olean and Portville Plank-Road was built, Frederick S. Martin, President ; C. V. B. Barse, Secretary and Treasurer. It was abandoned in 1855 or 1856.

CHAPTER X.

THE PROFESSIONS-THE PRESS-THE CIVIL LIST. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

THE first physician in the county of Cattaraugus was John McClure, who lived at McClure Settlement, where he followed his profession and taught school as early as 1809. He died in 1810.

As early as 1814-15 Norman Smith came from Pitts- burgh to Olean, and practiced at that place until 1830, when he removed to Elmira. While in Olean he was in- clined to dissipation, but in later years his life was most exemplary. He was a man of good address, and well read as a physician. He died a few years since at Elmira at the age of about ninety years.

James Trowbridge, who had been an assistant surgeon in the army, came to Ellicottville with his wife in the fall of 1816, and boarded with Baker Leonard about six months. In the spring of 1817 he removed to Great Valley, and shortly after to Hinsdale, where he practiced many years. He was quite poor and somewhat broken down by carly excesses, but was considered a good physi- cian and had an extensive practice. In the later part of his life he reformed, and about 1840 removed West.

Alanson C. Bennett came to Olcan in 1816 and practiced his profession, but little can be learned of him. He was one of four men who were drowned by being upset from a boat in the Allegany while on their way to attend court at Ellicottville in 1820. He was a man of fine appearance and a good physician.

Alson Leavenworth was a native of Connecticut. In 1812 he entered the University of Pennsylvania, then under the charge of the celebrated Dr. Benjamin Rush. In 1818 he came to this county, where his experience and sound judgment soon brought him into extensive practice. He lived in different parts of the county, and followed his profession through a long and well-spent life. He died in the town of New Albion.

Andrew Mead came to Olean in 1820, and moved hence to Allegany in 1845. In his carlier years he had an ex- tensive ride, but after 1833 he confined his practice to the village of Olean. His practice in Allegany was the same. He was a graduate of a medical college in Connecticut ; was quick and active in his judgment, decided and confident in his opinions. He studied law, and was admitted to practice as master in chancery. He was murdered in his store in Allegany, Dec. 16, 1869, when nearly eighty years of age.

Charles McLouth was a native of Massachusetts, and was born in 1798. He received a diploma from the Med- ical Society of Seneca Co., N. Y., Aug. 20, 1819, removed to Aurora, Erie Co., and to the village of Franklinville in 1821, where for about fifty years he practiced his profession. He was brusque in his manner and careless in his dress,

but a good physician, prompt in decision, and a man of un- questioned ability. He died at Franklinville, July 26, 1870, aged seventy-two years.

Edwin Putney, a young physician, came to the town of Otto from Livingston County in the fall of 1823. He boarded with Alexander Little through the winter, and moved to Erie County the next spring.

Thomas J. Wheeler, a native of Otsego County, studied medicine with the celebrated Dr. White. At the comple- tion of his studies he settled in Connewango about 1825, and continued there in practice to the day of his death. He ranked at the head of his profession in the county, and was always very popular, and filled many positions in the gift of the people with marked ability, having been first judge, State senator, and presidential elector, also president of the Bank of Randolph. His death occurred in Connewango, Feb. 8, 1875, at an advanced age.

Augustus Crary came to Yorkshire about 1825, and, as he was a man of marked character, excellent judgment, and great self-reliance, he soon enjoyed a wide practice. His opinion as a consulting physician was widely sought. He did not believe much in books, but said that "God Al- mighty made him a doctor." He was one of the original members of the Cattaraugus Medical Society in 1833. In person he was tall and of dignified presence. He died at the residence of his daughter, in Humphrey, Jan. 28, 1868, aged seventy-nine years.

Thomas J. Williams was a graduate of Geneva College. He commenced practice in Ellicottville in 1829. He was one of the first members of the county Medical Society of 1833. He was a careful and skillful physician, and his whole professional life was passed in the village in which he commenced practice. His excellent traits of character won for him many friends. He died in Ellicottville, Dec. 7, 1877, aged seventy-one years.

Edward Finn emigrated from Cortland County in 1829, and commenced practice in Olean. He also was a member of the first county Medical Society. His practice was ex- tensive, embracing Olean, Humphrey, Allegany, and Port- ville; also Eldred and Ceres, in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Levi Goldsborough came to the town of Otto in 1830, and is still living in that town, having retired from active practice.

Lambert Whitney came from Methuen, Mass., to Olean in 1833. He studied with Finn and Mcad, received his diploma in 1837; was deputy sheriff in 1835-37. He still practices in Olean.

Paul Clarke came from Friendship, Allegany Co., to Hinsdale in 1836. He practiced there several years, and returned to Friendship, where he soon after died of con- sumption. He was a careful and judicious physician.

James and Dyer Coudrey came about 1835 into the town of Freedom, where they practiced about five years. James removed to the West and joined the Mormons. Dyer re- moved to Farmersville about 1840, and died about three years afterwards.

Jonathan B. Staunton, son of John W. Staunton, was born in Ellicottville. He studied with Dr. T. J. Williams, and enjoyed a lucrative practice in his native town for many years. He died Feb. 11, 1875, aged sixty-one years.

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HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Dr. Horace Arnold came to the village of Ellicottville very young. He studied medicine with Dr. Jonathan B. Staunton, and practiced in Ellicottville till his death, in February, 1869.

He was a careful and judicious physician, and had an extensive practice.

In addition to the above, among the early physicians were Dr. Eastman, Olean, 1818; D. L. Barrows, of Free- dom ; - Lansing, of Randolph ; - Rue (Thomp- sonian), of Olean ; - Wilcox, of Napoli, still living, but not in practice; Daniel Bucklin, now of Little Valley ; John H. Miner, E. Johnson, Green Whipple, Sands Crum, Calvin Chickering, Virgil Reed, and David Ward.

. MEDICAL SOCIETIES.

The first act of the Legislature regulating the practice of medicine and surgery was that of June 10, 1760. It was amended in 1792 and again in 1797, and under the latter act judges of the State and courts of Common Pleas and Masters in Chancery were authorized to license persons to practice as physicians upon proof that the applicant had pursued for two years the study of medicine. By the act of April 4, 1806, five or more physicians in a county or in adjoining counties could form a Medical Society. Such societies were empowered to grant licenses to practice med- icine in the State, and the State Society could grant diplomas. The latter was organized in 1807, and has maintained its organization to the present time. Delegates from the County Societies compose its membership. The restrictions laid upon practice without a diploma were finally abolished in 1844, and the law now makes no distinction between the different classes of practitioners. Those assum- ing to act as physicians become responsible for their prac- tice, and, if not licensed by a county or State society, or are not regular graduates of a medical school, they can col- lect pay according to the time employed, but cannot collect the specific fees implying professional skill, which are recog- nized by the established usages of the profession. The statute of 1806, for the incorporation of medical societies for the purpose of regulating the practice of medicine and surgery, may be considered one of the first efforts made in this country to give to the medical profession an honorable station in the community. The advantages to the com- munity in placing the regulation of the medical profession under the direction of its own members has already been greatly manifested by the promotion of medical education, the encouragement given to medical inquiries and observa- tion, and the diminished influence of pretenders to the healing art throughout the State.

CATTARAUGUS COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY OF 1833.

The organization of this society was effected at a mect- ing of physicians and surgeons of the county of Cattarau- gus in 1833 .* The physicians present were T. P. Whipple, HI. Davison, T. J. Williams, A. Crary, E. Harmon, L.

Riggs, E. Finn, O. Guernsey, and C. Ellsworth. No rec- ord of officers for that year has been found. The officers since that time, as far as ascertained, until 1844, when the last meeting was held, were as follows : Presidents-1834, T. J. Wheeler ; 1836, Edwin Finn; 1837, Elijah Harmon; 1844, T. J. Williams. Vice Presidents-1834, Lewis Riggs; 1837, Charles McLouth ; 1844, David Binne. Secretaries and Treasurers-1834, H. Davison ; 1836-37, T. J. Wil- liams ; 1844, J. B. Staunton. Censors-1834, T. P. Whip- ple, E. Harmon, H. Davison, T. J. Williams, and Lewis Riggs ; 1844, T. J. Williams, J. B. Staunton, E. Stickney, L. Whitney, T. J. Wheeler.

The last meeting was held at Daniel Huntley's, in Elli- cottville, on the last Tuesday in January, 1844.

The names of the members of the society in 1842 were Thos. J. Wheeler, Thomas J. Williams, Isaac Shaw, Seth Field, Everett Stickney, J. P. Powers, Alson Leavenworth, J. B. Staunton, K. V. R. Lansingh, Paul Clarke, S. G. Ellis, Abel Wilder, Andrew Mead, Lambert Whitney, Chas. McLouth, Samuel Willcox, Lewis Riggs, S. D. Buzzell, Elijah Dresser, Elijah Harmon, Levi Goldsborough, J. S. Jones, Augustus Crary.

CATTARAUGUS COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY OF 1867.

This society was organized at Ellicottville, June 4, 1867, and the following officers were elected : F. D. Findley, Franklinville, President; H. M. Gale, Salamanca, Vice- President; E. S. Stewart, Ellicottville, Secretary and Treas- urer; T. J. Williams, Ellicottville, Librarian ; Allen D. Scott, Ellicottville, Attorney ; T. J. Williams, H. M. Gale, George St. John, Censors.

A code of by-laws was adopted, and the following mem- bers have been admitted :

June 4, 1867, T. S. Findley, Franklinville ; H. M. Gale, Salamanca; E. S. Stewart, T. J. Williams, Ellicottville ; George St. John, Yorkshire Centre; Horace Arnold, Elli- cottville; H. L. Ensworth, Salamanca.

Oct. 8, 1867, J. L. Eddy, Olean ; Zenas E. Bullock, Allegany ; Cornelius II. Bartlett, Portville; James Nichols, Limestone; Nelson C. Follett, C. O. Woodward, Olean ; Alexander E. Willard, Hinsdale ; C. W. Bond, Farmers- ville; Elijah Dresser, East Otto.

Dec. 4, 1867, Ira Bronson, Hinsdale; Thomas J. Wheeler, Connewango.

Oct. 7, 1868, Lyman Twomley, Little Valley; S. V. Pool, Otto.

Dec. 14, 1868, HI. S. Smith, Ellicottville.

Jan. 1, 1870, A. S. Bonesteel, Great Valley.

June 1, 1870, T. J. King, Machias ; A. B. Parsons, H.

S. Bowen, Randolph ; A. D. Lake, Perrysburg. June 4, 1873, Phipps Lake, Otto.

Sept. 10, 1873, H. D. Walker, Franklinville ; Henry Van Aernam, Franklinville ; Edward Torrey, Hinsdale ; Luther H. Kitchell, Olcan.

June 3, 1874, C. O. Day, E. A. Chapman, Salamanca. Sept. 2, 1874, Nelson Saunders, Randolph ; M. C. Bis- sell, Limestone; O. A. Tompkins, Randolph ; Ransom Terry, Ischua ; E. J. Burlingame, Sandusky.

June 2, 1875, Wallace Sibley, Portville; George Lattin, Ellicottville.

* The organization of a county medical society was attempted, and perhaps effected, in 1824. If a society was organized at that time or before 1833, we have been unable to find its records or to trace its existence.

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HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Sept. 2, 1875, H. J. Ashley, Machias ; Fred. C. Beales, Connewango; E. Burdick, Portville.

June 9, 1878, A. A. Hubbel, Leon ; S. S. Bedient, Little Valley.

The following are the present officers : A. D. Lake, Pres- ident; O. A. Tompkins, Vice-President; George Lattin, Secretary ; Ira Bronson, Treasurer ; H. D. Walker, Henry Van Aernam, C. H. Bartlett, O. A. Tompkins, H. J. Ash- ley, Censors ; C. Z. Lincoln, Attorney.

THE CHAUTAUQUA AND CATTARAUGUS HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY.

This society was reorganized in 1866 from a similar so- ciety that had ceased to exist. The present officers are Cornelius Owens, President; H. Larned, Vice-President ; A. A. Whipple, Secretary and Treasurer.

The Board of Censors are C. P. Alling, M. J. Lincoln, L. Langdon, - Curtis, and A. Ward. The present membership is thirty-five, including six honorary members.

The names of Homoeopathic physicians resident in this county are as follows : M. J. Lincoln, D. M. Hillihan, Olean ; H. Larned, Salamanca ; A. A. Whipple, - Gray, Randolph ; - Earle, Sandusky.

THE LEGAL PROFESSION.

The following account of attorneys, admitted from time to time since the organization of the county to practice in its courts, has been gathered from the court records, and revised by several of the oldest practitioners of the Catta- raugus bar.

At the opening of the first court in 1817, Daniel Cruger, Zephaniah Z. Caswell, David Higgins, Jr., and Alvin Burr were admitted to practice in the Court of Common Pleas, and Asa Hazen in the Supreme Court. At the February term of court in 1818, William Woods and Henry Wells were admitted ; and at the November term of that year, " On reading a license of James Mullett, Jr., and the cer- tificate of John A. Bryan and Levi S. Littlejohn, and on motion of Mr. Hazen, it was ordered that they be admitted to an examination relative to their qualifications as attorneys and counselors at law.

" A. Hazen, Z. Z. Caswell, and A. Burr be a committee.

" Examination was held and favorable report was made, and on motion of Mr. Caswell they were admitted as attor- neys. At the July term in 1819, a license was presented to the court showing that Timothy II. Porter had been admitted to practice as an attorney and counselor at law in the county of Tioga, and that Daniel Cruger had examined him previously for admission to practice in Allegany County. It was ordered that he be admitted."

Asa Hazen, a native of Vermont, was admitted at Olean, in 1817, to practice in the Supreme Court in Cattaraugus County. He associated himself in business with Timothy H. Porter, and on the removal of the courts to Ellicott- ville he established in that village, where he practiced his profession for many years. He became a dyspeptic and a misanthrope in his latter days, and died at Ellicottville, May 13, 1866, at the age of seventy-five years.

John A. Bryan was admitted to examination and to 9

practice at the November term of court, 1818, at Olean. He opened his office at Ellicottville on removal of the courts; practiced his profession there, and became one of the foremost lawyers of the county. In 1828 he removed to Columbus, Ohio. His ability brought him into public notice, and he was called upon to fill important offices in both State and nation.

Timothy H. Porter was a practicing lawyer in Tioga and Allegany Counties, and represented the counties of Steuben and Allegany in the Assembly. He was appointed first judge of the county of Cattaraugus in 1817; admitted to practice in the courts of this county at the July term in 1819; was district attorney in 1824; was in partnership with Asa Hazen until the removal of the latter to Ellicott- ville. He was a man of dignified presence and a good counselor. He gradually retired from the practice of law, . and died about 1840, near Olean.

Henry Bryan (a brother of Jno. A.) practiced at Olean many years. In 1844 he removed to Racine, Wis., and thence to California, where he died.

Chauncey J. Fox, a native of Connecticut, came to Elli- cottville in 1818. He studied law with John A. Bryan ; was admitted to practice in 1826, and went into partner- ship with Mr. Bryan. He represented his district in the State Senate from 1835 to 1839, and retired from practice about 1840. Hc still resides at Ellicottville, the oldest living representative of the early lawyers of Cattaraugus County.

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History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 16

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: