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 53
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About twenty-five years ago, Walter Crowley put up a saw-mill on lot 30, to cut the pine growing in that locality. The dam was carried away by a freshet September 17, 1865, and for the next four years the site was unoccupied. Then J. V. Harvey improved the water-power and had it operate a mill until 1870; when David T. Smith was asso- ciated with him to manufacture lumber on a larger scale. Steam-power was substituted, and the cutting capacity increased to about 1,000,000 feet of lumber per year. At present it is operated on the hard woods and hemlock. Ten men are employed.
The Mighells Mills, erected near the head-waters of Dry Brook, and operated by that stream, has been worked by F. F. Mighells and David Abbey ; capacity, 1500 feet per day.
At the village of Randolph, Abram G. Bush put up a saw-mill soon after 1830, which was largely operated by him and Zebedee Woodworth about thirty years. The lumber was floated down the tail-race to the Connewango, where it was formed into rafts for lower points. At that time the flats were covered with a splendid growth of tim- ber, some of the pines measuring 225 feet. In 1866, Ozro Thomas put up a new mill on this site, and three years later formed a partnership with J. W. Billings to enlarge the business. In 1870, Enfield Leach became an interested party, and the mill was still further enlarged, scroll-saws and a planer being added. Other machinery was supplied, and the establishment became known as the " Red Lion Mills." In 1872 the manufacture of handles was begun and carried on here in a pretty extensive manner ; and other work was done requiring the employment of steam in addition to the water-power. The building, at this time, was more than a hundred feet long and two stories high. In 1874 it was destroyed by fire, and the power has since been unemployed.
The present steam saw-mill, in the northern part of the village, was built about 1856, by four mutes from the State Asylum, and was operated by them several years; and, subsequently, by A. & A. Crowley, B. Helmes, and others. It is capacitated to cut 4000 feet per day.
Gibbs' handle-factory, on the corner of Washington and Jamestown Streets, was established in 1874, and was capa- citated to make a car-load of fork, hoe, and shovel handles per day, which were shipped to European marts. It has a 35 horse-power engine, and the factory, when in operation, employs ten men. At present it is idle.
W. A. Eddy's planing-mill and job-work shop is in the
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western part of the village, and is operated by steam-power, giving employment to several men. It was established in this neighborhood in 1870, and at the present location in 1874.
In early times, Thomas Harvey had a small tannery near Truman Hitchcock's; and after it was discontinued Miner & Latham here carried on a tannery of greater capacity a number of years. In the village of Randolph are, also, several large mechanic shops and a number of smaller indus- tries ; and at the depot a hay-press is operated extensively, the power being furnished by a good engine.
At East Randolph, Chauncey C. Helmes got in operation the first machinery. Near the present grist-mill he put up a saw-mill in 1825. The following season he commenced building a grist-mill near by, but did not get it running until the fall of 1826. At first it had but one run of stones, but another run was soon after added, the material having been procured at Ellicottville, where the rock was quarried. It is said that it was capable of doing excellent work. This power is now employed to operate the " Ran- dolph Grist-Mill," which was erected about 1853, by Benjamin Chamberlain. It is a three-story frame, and is supplied with 3 run of stones, giving it a grinding capacity of 20 bushels per hour on custom and merchant work. The stream has a fall of 18 feet, driving a large undershot wheel. The present proprietors are J. L. Sowl & Co. Other owners have been Norman G. Otis and Brown & Southwick.
About 1832, Chauncy C. Helmes built another dam farther down the stream, and put up a double saw-mill, which was burned down in 1841. Two years later a single saw-mill was built on the site, and operated until the timber supply was exhausted, when it was allowed to go down, the ruins still remaining.
Near this mill the Helmes brothers built a pot and pearl ashery, before 1830, which was afterwards operated by A. Helmes. Before 1842 it was burned, and a second ashery put up by A. Helmes. This also was burned in 1850, and five or six years thereafter the present ashery was erected by Helmes. It was supplied with 4 kettles for making pot- ash only, and has not been operated since 1869.
In 1828, Pease & Swan got in operation a small pocket furnace, in the village of East Randolph, nearly opposite the hotel. It was operated by water-power from Elm Creek, the tail-race running right through the lot on which the hotel now stands. In 1830 the firm became Dixon, Pease & Swan, and a general foundry business was carried on, making plows, mill castings, and Dutch ovens. About 1835 it was discontinued.
In 1827, Jonathan Wood put up a small building on the site of Hall's machine-shop, in which he fulled cloths. After Wood's death, about 1832, Amos Hall carried on the business with increased facilities, carding and cloth- dressing machines having been added, and which were operated under the direction of Archibald Merrill.
When the woolen-factory was discontinued,
HALL'S MACHINE WORKS
were here established by Amos Hall, and conducted by him until 1862, when Erastus Hall became the proprietor,
and has since continued the business. Power is furnished by a 12-foot fall on Mill Creek, which operates a planing-mill, match, sash, and door machinery, and other devices for doing all kinds of wood work. The shop is 34 by 66 feet, 3 stories high, with an addition 24 by 56 feet. In 1853, Erastus Hall patented a machine for manu- facturing shingles, which attained a good reputation, an d by the use of which 1000 shingles an hour might be cut. For a number of years this machine was largely manufactured at this shop, and formed an important bus- iness. Six men are here employed.
EAST RANDOLPH FOUNDRY AND MACHINE-SHOP.
On the site of this shop a foundry was carried on about 1848 by Nutting & McCollister, which became the prop- erty, in 1855, of Samuel Allen. In August, 1857, the " Randolph Steam-Engine Company," composed of four persons, was formed, to manufacture stationary engines and mill machinery at this foundry. Sept. 17, 1863, the works were burned down, involving a total loss. They were im- mediately rebuilt by Benedict & Lake, and operated by them until 1873. A part of this time they were engaged in manufacturing the Eagle Mower, making in all 125, which were sold to the surrounding farmers. Since Decem - ber, 1873, the industry here has been carried on by S. J. Benedict, chiefly in the manufacture of engines for oil boring, although much general work is done. The works embrace a main building, 30 by 85 feet, and several large wings. Steam is the motive-power, and 15 men are em- ployed.
THE EAST RANDOLPH TANNERY
occupies the site of a tannery which was erected after 1850 by Calvin Rumsey, and which was destroyed by fire. About 1865 another tannery was here operated by Dean & Son, and subsequently by Brown & Nutting. In January, 1872, E. F. Smith became the proprietor, and much enlarged and improved this tannery. It now embraces a main building, 60 by 110 feet, 3 stories high, and a two- story wing, 30 by 66 feet, containing 100 liquor vats. Steam- and water-power is employed. About 70,000 calf- skins and 7000 sides are tanned annually, consuming 2200 cords of hemlock bark, and giving employment to 25 men. ยท
WILLARD & HAMMOND'S MILK PAN FACTORY
occupies a large building on the south side of Main Street, in Randolph village. It was established in 1873, to manu- facture " Willard & Sawtell's Champion Milk Vats," which were patented March 20, 1872, by O. H. Willard and H. H. Sawtell. The principle consists of 4 pans arranged in the form of a square and resting in a wooden vat, into which water is introduced at the point of the meeting of the pans, so as to have their bottoms and sides exposed to the cooling body. The pans are from 6 to 8 inches deep, and hold from 18 to 65 gallons cach. Their use increases the production of butter, and lessens the labor of handling the milk. In 1875 these pans received the first premium at the New York State Fair, for superiority as milk coolers. From 200 to 300 sets are manufactured yearly and shipped to all parts of the Union.
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HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.
RANDOLPH CREAMERY
is on the Jamestown road, one and a half miles west of the village. It was built in 1874 by R. R. & M. A. Crowley, and was operated by them a year. Since 1875, O. C. Wood has been the proprietor. The building is 36 by 75 feet, 2 stories high, and is supplied with 3 vats and a churn, holding 200 gallons, which is worked by steam-power. Sixty patrons furnish 16,000 pounds of milk daily, which is manufactured into cheese and butter, at the rate of 8 pounds of the former to 3 pounds of the latter for every hundred- weight of milk used.
RANDOLPHI CREAMERY, NO. 2,
was built in the spring of 1878, by O. C. Wood, as a branch of the above. It is on "Sample Hill," in a build- ing 30 by 60 feet, and is supplied with 2 vats and a 200- gallon churn. The factory enjoys the patronage of 40 farmers, who supply 9000 pounds of milk daily. In the fall of 1878 this property was sold to G. R. Woodmanzy.
RANDOLPH DRIVING PARK COMPANY
was formed, Aug. 14, 1872, with a capital stock of $4000, in 80 equal shares. This amount was subscribed by 33 persous, who set forth in their articles of association, " that the object of the company is to train horses and to improve their speed." A board of directors was chosen composed of Melvin A. Crowley, George W. Watkins, H. J. Woodford, E. C. Topliff, Lyman R. Barnes, and Marcus J. Benson .:
Melvin A. Crowley was elected President ; Milo R. Hall, Vice-President ; W. S. Bezona, Secretary ; and Rodney R. Crowley, Treasurer.
A fine tract of land containing 25 acres, located be- tween the villages of Randolph and East Randolph, was inclosed with a high fence, an amphitheatre erected, and a half-mile course constructed for the use of the company. Several meetings were held, but in 1874 the company dis- organized, and the grounds, with some further improve- ments, have since been used for the fairs of the Cattaraugus County Agricultural Society.
EAST RANDOLPH
is in the northeastern corner of the town, and partly in the towns of Connewango, Napoli, and Cold Spring, which here have a common corner. The village is on lands which were taken up by the Helmes and Amos Hall, and owes its existence chiefly to the excellent water-power here abounding. Its early improvements for milling also directed attention to the place as a trading point, and the village has had a steady and healthy growth ever since. It has an orderly and inviting appearance, and contains many fine residences, 2 churches, a good school-house, a hotel, about 20 business places, and other interests elsewhere detailed. The population is about 800.
Albert Helmes claims to have sold the first goods in the place, in 1826, in a small building near the ashery. The following year Henry Saxton opened a better stock of goods, also on the west side of Elm Creek, on the road towards Randolph. Probably the next store was kept by Benjamin Blodget on the east side of the creek, at the old tavern
stand. After 1830, Chauncy C. Helmes opened a store, with a general assortment of goods, in a building which stood on the lot now occupied by Amos Dow's residence. In 1835, H. H. Holt became a partner of Helmes, and maintained that relation until 1840, when Helmes retired from trade, selling his interest to Freedom Jeffords. In 1848, Jeffords retired from the firm, selling to Merrick Nutting. Holt has continued in trade since 1835, and since 1860 has occupied his present stand. He claims to be the oldest merchant in the county.
Merrick Nutting was in trade until 1863, then sold his interests to Edwin M. Nutting, who traded four or five years. IIe had the stand now occupied by Ostrum & Searle, dry-goods merchants. S. D. & James Nutting were in trade about 1850, at the stand now occupied by A. C. Merrill's furniture-store; and about 1855, Dow & Wilder engaged in merchandizing. Amos Dow continued until 1876, when he sold to his son, Rollin, who is at present in trade, occu- pying a part of the Holt & Dow block. J. C. Hurd has for many years been in trade, and is one of the most active business men in southwestern Cattaraugus.
In addition to those already mentioned as being in trade, the village has at present the following business firms: Johnson & Rich, Brennigstool, Jeffords, Homer Dixon, Leonard Hall, A. B. Wells, B. Hughs, A. A. Hall, Beardsley Bros., and Welch & McAllister.
In the old Blodgett building Abram Cassler opened the first public-house, about 1835. At this place Zibee Hovey, John Converse, and Samuel Barrows were carly landlords ; the latter keeping one of the best known houses in the western part of the county. Among the successive keepers were French, Rogers, Shean, Wilcox, Wood, Crawford, and Lyman Barnes, the latter discontinuing the hotel in 1877.
The second hotel was originally erected for a store by Abram Cassler, and was changed for its present purpose by H. H. Wheeler, in about 1850. After his retirement the landlords were A. B. Parsons, Zalmon Smith, and others. H. J. Woodford, the present proprietor, enlarged the house in 1875, and has since presided as landlord.
In 1870, T. J. Chamberlain erected the first brick block in the place (a two-story building), in which he opened a private bank, which was continued by him until 1873, when Amos Dow & Son succeeded him as bankers; and since 1876 the firm has been Dow & Thompson.
The East Randolph post-office was established in 1850, and had as the first postmaster Merrick Nutting. In 1852, A. C. Merrill succeeded, holding the office until 1853, when he was followed by H. H. Holt, who held the office eight years. In 1861, Enoch Holdridge was appointed, serving until April, 1864, when A. A. Hall became postmaster, who made way, the following year, for Horace Hall; but surrendered the office in 1871 to his predecessor, A. A. Hall, who is the present incumbent. The mail supply is from Randolph village-distant one and a half miles- several times a day, and daily from Little Valley ; stage lines running to both points.
The first physician to locate at East Randolph was Dr. Benjamin Blodgett, who came in 1829 and practiced until his death, a few years later. Dr. Nelson Sanders followed
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HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.
his profession eight years in the east village, then removed to Randolph, where he still continues. Dr. Alson Leaven- worth was here a number of years prior to 1850, and in 1851 Dr. A. B. Parsons became a practitioner at this point, obtaining a wide reputation for his skill. In 1875 he removed to Jamestown. The present physicians are Drs. O. A. Tompkins, since 1872; E. M. Cheney, since 1874; J. McLoughlin, since 1876; and John Sackrider, since 1877.
Among the attorneys at East Randolph, M. T. Jenkins was one of the first. He came in 1854 and remained until 1873. B. F. and Joseph Congdon followed next, the latter removing to Fredonia in 1871, and the former to Randolph, where he yet follows his profession. The law has at present the following representatives : J. V. Goodwill, admitted in 1862; Frank W. Stevens, admitted in 1871, is at present district attorney for Cattaraugus County; and M. Van Benson, admitted in 1869.
In September, 1873, O. M Jeffords and A. H. Holt begun the publication of an amateur paper,-The Boys' Argus,-containing 4 pages of 4 columns each. devoted to literature and amateur news In March, 1874, the paper was enlarged to 8 pages, and the name changed to Empire Herald. In September, 1875, Holt sold his interest to Jeffords, who afterwards discontinued the paper, and has since devoted himself to job work, having at East Randolph one of the most complete offices in the county.
RANDOLPH.
This beautiful and flourishing village is situated mainly on the west bank of Little Connewango Creek, east of the centre of the town, and near the Connewango line, on land which was originally owned by Edmund Fuller, Jacob Van- dawaker, Thomas Harvey, and Abraham G. Bush. Along Dry Brook, in what is now the extreme western part of the village, the place had its beginning. The site was too low, and poorly adapted to afford security against the freshets which sometimes swell the brook to enormous pro- portions, causing great damage to property. The business centre was, therefore, changed to its present place about 1835. Soon after a scheme was formed to found a city on the ground which is now occupied by the village. Staley N. Clark, the Wheelers, and others entered into a compact the general terms of which were of such a nature that no persons composing the company could dispose of his inter- ests without the consent of all concerned; and, as the railroad was not built through the place when projected, there was such a depreciation of real estate that matters were at a stand-still until about 1849, when the county court decreed a partition of the property, which was sold in small parcels to such as wished to improve the land. The opening of Randolph Academy and the completion of the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad, which has a station at the village, assured the future of Randolph to such an extent that it has had a substantial growth ever since. It contains Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational, and Methodist Churches; a fine public hall, a commodious school building, several very handsome business blocks and residences, banks, stores, and other interests, fully noted in the following pages. The attractive village forms a picture
of striking contrast with the forest surroundings fifty years ago. Some of the old citizens remember the time when the village site was covered with pines and hemlock of gigantic proportions, the height of some being 300 feet, among which herds of deer roamed. The first buildings were log houses of small dimensions. Dr. Oliver Guernsey put up the first frame house, where the principal part of the village now is, chopping down trees to keep them from crushing his building. This building stood east of Elder Cowles' resi- dence, and has been demolished. The population of the village is about 1500.
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
Randolph was incorporated by a special act of the Legis- lature, May 21, 1867, with limits embracing all that part of the town of Randolph situate as follows : " Beginning at the northeast corner of the lands of the Chamberlain Institute, to the centre of the highway leading from West to East Randolph ; thence east to the east bounds of the lands of the institute; thence south 12 chains to the southeast corner of said incorporation; thence southwest 54 chains, south 11 chains, north 77 chains; and so on, with somewhat irregular bounds, to the place of beginning at the lands of the institute."
The charter provided the time for the election of officers, which should consist of a president, five trustees, three assessors, a collector, a treasurer, a clerk, and a fire-warden. The justices of the peace of the town of Randolph residing in the village were to be the justices of the village.
The trustees were to render gratuitous service, and were empowered to enact ordinances for the government of the village; to form fire companies, and be a board of health. Not more than $1000 was to be raised the first year, nor more than $800 in subsequent years, to defray the expenses of the corporation.
On the 7th of April, 1868, the electors of the village, to the number of 92, assembled at " Camp's Hotel," to hold their annual meeting. Warren Dow and James C. Knapp, trustees of the old board, presided, and S. O. Lock wood was appointed clerk of the meeting.
The officers elected were: President, Warren Dow ; Trustees, Charles P. Adams, James C. Knapp, Charles F. Hedman, Matthew R. Cheney, David S. Swan ; Assessors, Charles P. Ingersoll, Addison Crowley, Ladwick H. Carter; Clerk, Alexander Wentworth; Collector, Albert Marsh ; Treasurer, Erastus S. Ingersoll; Fire-Warden, Lafayette Carter.
John Carroll was appointed poundmaster of the village; and Harvey S. Jones police constable, to hold his office during the pleasure of the board.
Since this period, 1868, the principal officers of the vil- lage have been as follows :
1869 .- President, Wm. H. Henderson; Trustees, Eras- tus Ingersoll, John Trowbridge, Wm. A. Shewinan, Eze- kiel J. Scudder, Thaddeus C. Cornell; Clerk, Edgar O. Knight.
1870 .- President, Addison Crowley ; Trustees, Albert G. Dow, M. C. Caskey, Jesse T. Fosdick, Christopher C. Helmes, Timothy A. C. Everett; Clerk, Charles C. Sheldon. 1871 .- President, M. A. Crowley; Trustees, Nelson
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Saunders, James White, Jesse T. Fosdick, Theodore E. Adams, Christopher C. Helmes; Clerk, Charles C. Sheldon.
1872 .- President, E. S. Ingersoll; Trustees, C. P. Adams, S. W. Thompson, W. S. Bezona, B. G. Casler, John Carroll: Clerk, A. P. Knapp.
1873 .- President, Alexander Wentworth ; Trustees, Austin Woodruff, M. H. Johnson, M. R. Pingrey, M. A. Crowley, W. S. Bezona; Clerk, A. P. Knapp.
1874 .- President, W. H. Henderson ; Trustees, Samuel Scudder, Charles P. Adams, R. R. Crowley, C. C. Helmes, E. R. Babbitt; Clerk, John E. Leach.
At the annual meeting held this year the voters, by a majority of 51, decided to avail themselves of the pro- visions of the general act of the Legislature of 1870, relative to incorporated villages, and on the 4th of May, 1874, a new board of officers was elected under that act, as follows :
President, W. H. Henderson ; Trustees, Nelson Saunders, R. R. Crowley, Samuel Scudder; Clerk, John E. Leach.
1875 .- President, H. C. Rich ; Trustees, Asahel Crow- ley, H. H. Sawtell, John Carroll; Clerk, John E. Leach.
1876 .- President, J. C. Knapp; Trustees, Charles Shel- don, L. H. Carter, Asahel Crowley; Clerk, Eugene J. Boyle.
1877 .- President, Charles Merrill; Trustees, C. C. Sheldon, L. H. Carter, William S. Bezona; Clerk, E. J. Boyle.
1878 .- President, Charles Merrill; Trustees, William S. Bezona, John Hammond, John D. Pierce; Clerk, D. A. Sackrider; Treasurer, Hiram Fosdick ; Collector, Harvey D. Litchfield ; Street Commissioner, L. H. Carter.
THE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS
of the village demand particular attention. About 1830 the first goods in the place were sold in the Clark building, near Dry Brook, a tavern being kept in the other part of the house. A man by the name of Spaulding served as clerk for the proprietors of the tavern, who also kept the goods. In the summer of 1831, A. G. Bush put up the first regular store on the south side of Main Street, and sold goods there about three or four years. The building still remains, and is known as the " Shean" store. The second store was put up in 1833, by Arnold & Tousley, of Spring- ville, and occupied by them about a year. It was the small building near Dow's Bank. The same year Asahel Crowley commenced selling goods in a dwelling-house in the upper part of the village.
In the fall of 1835, A. G. Bush opened a store in a new house expressly built for this purpose, on the Ruttledge road. He continued in trade about three years, carrying a good stock of goods. The building was afterwards re- moved to the west side of the creek, where it is at present used as a dwelling. In the Shean building, Wheeler & Van Rensselaer began trade in 1835, remained several years, and were succeeded by Swan & Scudder.
In 1836, T. S. Sheldon engaged in merchandising in a small building which . stood on the site of the present " Buzzell House," a part of the building being incorporated in the present structure. After some changes, Sheldon erected a fine business block on the lot now occupied by
the " Randolph House," where he was for many years a leading merchant, and one of the most enterprising men of the county.
In 1836, Addison and Asahel Crowley erected a business house, 24 by 50 feet, on the site of Asahel Crowley's present residence, in which they were actively engaged in trade until the store was burned in 1846. In 1839 this firm established a branch store which became known as the " Exchange," and after their old store was destroyed the Messrs. Crowley here made their headquarters for a very extensive business, which was continued in one form or other until 1868. Both of these gentlemen now reside in the village as retired merchants.
In 1839, Bush, Woodworth & Co, began a business which was shortly after continued by Chamberlain & John- son, and in 1843 by Johnson & Leach ; after 1846, John- son, Leach & Boardman. Since 1860, Enfield Leach has carried on this business, occupying at present a very large building which was erected in 1849 by George Van Campen, who was a merchant here before this period. In 1848, Johnson & Leach transacted a business aggregating nearly $200,000.
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