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 55
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Nor would this sketch be complete if it failed to record the rare magnanimity and unselfishness which characterized the conduct of Mrs. Benjamin Chamberlain, who freely consented to her husband's liberal schemes, gladly surren- dering her own claim upon his property, that nothing might interfere with his noble designs. It has been denied to her to hear the voices of her own children making glad music and breathing sweet sympathy in her declining years. May she feel that the children of other mothers will gratefully remember the educational advantages they enjoy, and rise up to call her blessed !
Five years passed away. The school had adjusted itself to the new situation. Its patronage had widened so that now ten or a dozen States were represented in its catalogue, the grounds were somewhat beautified, the courses of study systematized, and the scholarship improved, when suddenly a dreadful calamity befell the institution. The boarding- hall was burned. With it was consumed much valuable material, furniture, the institute library, cabinet, and a large and excellent library belonging to the principal. The building destroyed was 40 by 140 feet, three and four stories high, with an L 40 by 60, three stories high,-a noble edifice, but with serious and irremediable defects of architecture, and without which it never would have been burned.
In less than twelve months the building, through the unprecedented liberality of the people, was replaced with one far superior to the old in all that constitutes a conveni- ent, comfortable, and admirably-arranged structure. The Christmas festivities were not once suspended, and, best of all, the building has been paid for without using any of the funds of the academy. We append the various sub- scriptions to this object. It is an honorable record, es- pecially when we remember that there are no rich men in the list. If any one thinks that our academies have " sur- vived their usefulness" and are no longer an educational necessity, what say you to this expression from a commu- nity well supplied with common and grammar schools, but who felt that they could not for a moment dispense with the services of their time-honored seminary ? The building committee were Messrs. E. S. Ingersoll, Wm. M. Brown, Stephen Burlingame, Frank Hovey, and J. H. Chaffee. The architect and builder was Mr. P. B. Canfield. Stephen Burlingame, on account of his long experience in connec- tion with schools and careful supervision of the building, greatly added to its elegance and convenience. Wm. M. Brown was elected chairman of the committee, and E. S. Ingersoll secretary and treasurer. The principal was greatly aided in obtaining the subscriptions by Hon. Wm. H. Henderson.
The following is the list of subscriptions: J. T. Ed- wards, $2030; R. E. Fenton, $750; A. G. Dow and Wm. H. Henderson, each, $600; Wm. M. Brown, T. J. Cham- berlain, C. P. Adams, M. A. Crowley, Amasa Sprague, A. F. Kent, Chaffe, Thompson & Co., Benedict & Lake, each,
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$500; E. S. Ingersoll and Enfield Leach, each, $400; Amos Dow, $242.50 ; L. H. Carter, $350; A. B. Parsons, John Kennicott, B. G. Casler, and A. B. Harvey, each, $250; N. Saunders, $230; F. C. Hovey, $217.50; J. V. Goodwill, $180; J. G. Johnson and Merrick Nutting, each, $150; Nutting & Metcalf, $106.30; Alex. Went- worth, H. C. & C. C. Rich, and Stephen Burlingame, each, $130; D. S. & H. K. Van Rensselaer, Mrs. A. E. Lee, Mrs. M. and Miss C. Pierce, W. S. Sessions, S. U. Main, and E. McManus, E. Holdridge, Wm. Shean & Co., G. E. Seager, Ivison, Blakeman, Taylor & Co., Frank Jones, A. L. Barnes & Co., D. Appleton & Co., N. Christie, Samuel Scudder, A. J. Vandergrift, J. S. McCalmot, P. H. Jones, A. G. Rice, John McClintock, A. F. Allen, E. W. Lee, Addison Crowley, Saml. Ewing, Jr., Amos P. Jones, A. L. Scudder, Julius Hill, J. B. Torrance, Sardius Stewart, Knapp, Cook & Knapp, C. F. Harding, W. S. Bezona, C. F. Hedman, T. A. C. Everett, John Archer, Byron Helmes, Geo. McCapes, W. W. Welch, Silas Harkness, John Manly, and Robert Carson, each $100; P. B. Canfield, $125; G. W. Maltby, $80; M. R. Pingrey, G. W. Ches- bro, 865; J. B. & W. W. Cornell, $56; N. Norton, $55; James Connelly, O. H. Willard, G. A. Forman, H. H. Sawtell, Robert Newland, T. C. Cornell, D. L. Colburn, C. T. Merchant, Mrs. L. D. Jefferds, J. Danforth, Buel Scudder, Henry Dye, Samuel Allen, W. W. Ramsey, each $50; F. A. Fitch, $43; Harvey & Smith, C. M. Faulkner, each $40; A. C. Merrill, $42.50; W. N. Reno, $35; B. Ex- cell and wife, $39.15; R. R. Crowley, L. Merrick, and S. L. Thatcher, each $30; John Pierce, Frank Smith, W. A. Eddy, J. W. Billings, D. Prosser, Mrs. A. Eaton, Chas. Colburn, Henry Buck, Osmer Nevins, James Moore, Hollis Marsh, D. W. Guernsey, and Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Burt, each $25; A. Wheeler, W. F. Day, E. J. L. Baker and wife, J. D. Norton, and Andrew Reynolds, each $20; S. C. Wigner, $19; John Peate, $17.75; A. H. Dorner, $17.25; M. V. Stone, $16; Cottrael & Knapp, $16; R. G. King and Silas Miller, $15; O. G. McIntire, $14.50; Wm. Rice, P. W. Scofield, each $10.75; E. F. Smith, $13; A. L. Kellogg, J. E. Chapin, R. N. Stubbs, R. M. Warren, D. Latshaw, J. Akres, J. S. Yeomans, F. M. Beck, J. C. Sullivan, H. H. Moore, G. W. Clark, Mr. Marstell, C. Prindle, M. Sackett, H. Henderson, B. F. Delo, J. H. Stoney, G. W. Blaisdell, R. Smith, F. A. Archibald, William Hunter, J. Eckels, Mrs. Mendenhall, B. Heard, Mrs. Sampson, M. Mills, J. Beetham, John Perry, P. W. Sherwood, Asahel Crowley, Lorin Board- man, A. T. Palmer, S. C. Pierce, Chas. Merrill, Louis Miller, A. Reeves, G. W. Staples, J. H. Snowden, R. F. Randolph, Wm. Martin, A. R. Rich, W. M. Taylor, E. A. Squier, J. S. Card, J. Shields, O. Babcock, L. F. Merritt, J. H. Vance, Frank Brown, C. W. Foulke, W. W. Wythe, J. M. Foster, A. J. Merchant, T. P. Warner, R. W. Scott, F. Thair, J. Flower, D. W. Scofield, M. Sims, S. Graham, T. D. Blinn, J. H. Dewitt, W. Branfield, Andrew Arın- strong, J. C. Scofield, W. F. Wilson, A. H. Bowers, A. H. Starrett, S. Fuller, A. Bashline, W. A. Clark, A. Falk- ner, R. B. Boyd, D. Wisner, Chas. Folk, S. M. Clark, Xavier Benoit, A. D. Morton, B. F. Congdon, B. K. Johnson, A. A. Hall, A. T. Copeland, J. W. Stoney, J. H.
Snyder, Sundry Subscriptions, Wm. M. Bear, J. K. Shaf- fer, D. Prosser, J. S. Lytle, Gilbert O. Haven, W. B. Bignall, W. H. Wilson, Salamanca S. S., E. D. McGrearry, J. Beatham, O. L. Mead, J. Graham, G. W. Snyder, M. McGrary, John Benson, H. H. Holt, A. D. Holt, J. H. Groves, J. D. Gage, A. Bashline, each $10 or under ; Robert Revels, M. W. Shean, Thomas Smith, W. C. Clark, J. H. Smith, A. E. Cook, J. F. Gastmann, S. S. Fish, James Casten, G. E. Thorp, David Hopkins, A. E. Saf- ford, Erie Hall, Erastus Hall, J. W. Sharp, C. Spangler, Wm. Hall, C. Jeffords, Porter Sheldon, O. Hammond, John A. Carroll, Mrs. B. Davis, Joseph Crosby, Miss E. Smith, M. C. Jay, H. C. Saxton, each $25; M. K. Willer, $30; Adams & Hapgood, Mrs. M. Nutting, Hiram Fos- dick, each $20.
It crowns a lovely hill which overlooks a landscape of unusual beauty. Around it stretch 35 acres of fertile fields belonging to the institute. The academy building and chapel have already been described. The new brick board- ing hall is a model of taste and convenience. It is 140 feet long and 4 and 5 stories high, with an L 40 by 60 feet, and 4 stories high.
It is valued at $50,000, and contains apartments for teachers and students, dining-hall, kitchen, store-rooms, cel- lars, laundry, fire-proof furnace-room, office, parlor, library, cabinet, music- and society-rooms, drying-room, and bath- room.
The building is hard-finished throughout, with an aver- age height of wall, in rooms, 10} feet.
The whole is heated with Gold's patent low-pressure steam apparatus, connected with direct radiators in each room. This apparatus has been put up with great care, at a cost of $6000.
Each room is supplied with a fixed metallic safety-lamp and lamp-shade.
The building is abundantly supplied with pure spring water.
The principal, his family, and other teachers reside in this building, board at the same table, and are constantly associated with the students. This part of their training is not less important than the instruction which scholars derive from their books. It admirably prepares them to perform their duties in society. Experience has sufficiently domonstrated the wisdom of educating both sexes in the same institution. The daily association of young ladies and gentlemen at table, at recitation, and other public exercises, in presence of their teachers, has a salutary influence upon the scholarship, manners, and morals of both. In an insti- tution like this, in which ladies and gentlemen occupy de- partments entirely separate, and meet only by permission, it is believed the greatest advantages of associated educa- tion are secured.
About $1000 have recently been expended in the pur- chase of apparatus, and in fitting up and furnishing the laboratory. These additions, with the extensive apparatus previously possessed, afford excellent facilities for illustra- ting the natural sciences.
The institute has also a complete supply of globes, maps, and charts for illustrating astronomy, mathematics, physical geography, physiology, and botany ; also a valuable cabinet
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of minerals. Henslow's Botanical Charts are also used. The library contains 1500 volumes. There are connected with the institute 8 pianos and 2 organs.
The commercial department is fitted with all the appli- · ances of the best modern business colleges. Three rooms are occupied. These are prepared with stores, telegraph- offices, shipping-office, and a bank. Bank bills are used in the actual business department, and printed forms of drafts, bills, orders, etc., are supplied.
In addition to the common English branches which are distributed among the different members of the faculty, there are the following regular courses of study, and each graduate of either department receives a diploma upon graduation : 1, the literary and scientific course ; 2, the classical course; 3, the college preparatory course ; 4, the teacher's normal course ; 5, the musical course; 6, the commercial course.
The trustees (1878) are as follows : Hon. Wm. H. Hen- derson, President; Hon. A. G. Dow, Treasurer ; Mr. H. K. Van Rensselaer, Secretary ; Hon. E. Holdridge, Vice- President ; Messrs. Seth W. Thompson, A. C. Merrill, E. S. Ingersoll, B. R. Johnson, Hon. R. E. Fenton, Rev. A. S. Dobbs, A. M., D.D., Rev. W. F. Day, D.D., Rev. J. Leslie, Rev. H. H. Moore.
The faculty consists of Rev. J. T. Edwards, A.M., D.D., Principal, Moral Science, Natural Science, and Normal Department; Emma A. Edwards, Preceptress, French, Painting, Drawing, and Wax-work ; Frank S. Thorpe, A.M., Latin, Greek, and German ; Clark J. Brown, Book- keeping, Penmanship, and Commercial Law; John H. Burrows, Mathematics ; Joel J. Crandall, Latin and Higher English ; Adelaide B. Thorpe, Directress of Music, Piano, Organ, and Voice Culture; Millie Burgess, Piano; Dora A. Brown, English Branches; Luella E. Hadley, English Branches ; C. J. Brown, Librarian ; Martin Parsons, Stew- ard; Lena Parsons, Stewardess.
The following is a list of the principals and the years of their connection with the institution :
1850-53, Prof. Samuel G. Love, A.M. ; 1853-54, Rev. T. Durland, A.M .; 1854-55, Prof. Henry S. Welton, A.M .; 1855-57, Rev. J. W. B. Clark, A.M .; 1857-58, Rev. William H. Marsh, A.M .; 1858-59, Rev. O. L. Gibson, A.M .; 1859-64, Prof. Samuel G. Love, A.M .; 1864-65, Rev. Charles H. Holloway, A.M .; 1865-67, Prof. Erastus Crosby, A.M .; 1867-68, Rev. A. S. Dobbs, A.M., D.D .; 1868-70, Prof. Ruggles E. Post, A.M .; 1870, Rev. James T. Edwards, A.M., D.D.
We believe that all of these gentlemen are living, and most of them are still engaged in the work of education. Prof. Samuel G. Love, the first principal, is a graduate of Hamilton College, and is now the very efficient and popular superintendent of schools in Jamestown, N. Y. C. H. Holloway graduated from Amherst College, Massachusetts, and was a Congregational minister. Prof. Crosby is a graduate of Tufts College, Massachusetts, and afterwards studied law. Rev. A. S. Dobbs graduated from Concord Biblical Institute, now consolidated with Boston University, and J. T. Edwards is a graduate of Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn. Rev. T. Durland became an able clergyman of the Episcopal Church. Revs. Welton and
Marsh were Baptists, and O. L. Gibson an eloquent preacher of the Methodist Church. Prof. Post has been for many years a successful conductor of teachers' institutes in various parts of the State.
We have thus very imperfectly traced the history of one of the " middle schools" in our system of instruction. Let us hope that not one of the links in that chain-the com- mon school, academy, college, and university-may ever be lost.
Of the trustees, who twenty-eight years ago received their charter, one only is still in the board,-Hon. A. G. Dow, for many years the faithful treasurer of the institution. Three others are still living,-Mr. Addison Crowley, the first treasurer, J. E. Weeden, Esq., and the venerable Samuel Ewing.
In the construction of the board of trustees, or the fac- ulty, or in the admission of students, no sectarian or de- nominational tests have ever been applied or thought of. Among them will be found all classes of faith and reli- gious practice ; yet it is fair to say that the school has remembered how high is the privilege " to read in nature," as Kepler said, " the thoughts of God ;" to see His power, wisdom, and benevolence in all His works; nor has it for- gotten Him, the Great Teacher, the entering in of whose word-whether into the heart of man or the life of a na- tion-" giveth light."
We close this brief chronicle by expressing the hope that its next historian may find the Institute still faithfully disseminating sound learning and pure morals; that a mul- titude of noble men and women may then delight to call her alma mater, and she, looking upon them, be able to exclaim, with all the pride of a Cornelia, " These are my jewels!"
THE WESTERN NEW YORK HOME FOR HOMELESS AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN.
This institution is located in the town of Randolph, on the highway, about half-way between the villages of Ran- dolph and East Randolph, and was founded mainly through the efforts of the Rev. Charles Strong, the present super- intendent. This gentleman was the chaplain of the Sing Sing prison in 1876, and while serving in that capacity, laboring to reform vicious men and women, he was led to see that it was easier to prevent crime than to cure it ; that the true field of reform was to educate the child to shun the ways of vice. He began to turn his attention towards the neglected and vagrant children of the criminal classes, who, by being neglected, are growing up in destitution and crime, keeping our almshouses and prisons constantly filled. Encouraged by prominent philanthropists, he resolved to establish at some point in the country, away from the de- moralizing influence of cities, a home for vagrant, neglected, and orphan children. With this purpose, he came home to Randolph and laid his plans before the citizens of that place and vicinity, and urged the importance of establishing such a home in their midst at once. The project met with a hearty approval, and the influence and co-operation of prominent citizens was promised in case such a work was undertaken. Accordingly, in the month of September, 1877, he determined to give the plan a practical demon-
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stration by opening his own home to receive these neglected waifs, and on the 29th of that month two little boys were placed in his charge as the keeper of a home for dependent children. These were the first inmates of the present Western New York Home, which soon began to attract the attention of those in sympathy with the movement, so that an effort was made to establish the institution on a permanent basis. The attempt was not in vain. A society was speedily formed, embracing among its members Wm. H. Henderson, Asahel Crowley, C. P. Adams, R. R. Crow- ley, T. E. Adams, Nelson Saunders, Addison Crowley, L. H. Carter, Norman M. Allen, and 40 other prominent citizens of Cattaraugus County. Its object and incorpora- tion are comprehensively set forth in the following articles of association, which were duly signed, on the 1st of Jan- uary, 1878, by the 50 members composing the society :
To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting :
We whose hands and seals are hereunto subscribed and set, being of full age and citizens of the United States, and citizens and resi- dents within the State of New York, having associated ourselves together for benevolent purposes and objects which are hereinafter stated, under and pursuant to the Act of the Legislature of the State of New York, passed April 12, 1848, entitled " An Act for the incor- poration of benevolent, charitable, scientific, and missionary societies," and the several acts additional to and amendatory thereof, do hereby certify :
I. The name or title assumed, and by which this society or associa- tion shall be known in law and to be used in its dealings, is " The Western New York Society for the Protection of Homeless and Dependent Children."
II. The particular business and objects of this society or associa- tion are to establish and maintain at Randolph, in the county of Cattaraugus, and State of New York, a home for friendless and desti- tute or unprotected children, and to receive and take charge of such children, under the age of sixteen years, as may be voluntarily in- trusted to them by their parents or guardians, or committed to their charge by competent authority, and to provide for their support, and to afford them the means of a moral, intellectual, and industrial edu- cation.
III. The number of trustees to manage the affairs and business of this society shall be thirteen.
IV. The names of the trustees of this society for the first year of its existence are Wm. H. Henderson, Rodney R. Crowley, Nelson Saunders, Asahel Crowley, L. H. Carter, Reuben E. Fenton, Benjamin F. Congdon, Loren B. Sessions, J. V. Goodwill, Wm. W. Hammond, M. V. Benson, J. C. Knapp, and A. S. Lamper.
The organization of the society was fully completed shortly afterwards, and as soon as the certificate was received from the secretary of the State, it entered upon its work as set forth in that document. Funds began to flow in from many sources, so that by the first of May, 1878, the board of trustees felt justified in purchasing the Strong property for the use of the Home. It embraces 8 acres of land, on which stand a spacious house and well- appointed out-buildings, and is well adapted for a reform- atory.
The permanence of the Home assured, many dependent little ones were sent here, and during the past year about 40 for a longer or a shorter time enjoyed its friendly shelter and protection ; and many have been placed in good homes in Cattaraugus and the adjoining counties. The purpose of the Home is not to make the children depend- ent by providing for them, but to gather them in and aid them to lead industrious lives, and thus become self- supporting members of society.
Although the enterprise is of recent origin, it has en- listed the support and sympathy of hundreds of people, who are watching its development and progress with interested concern. Many have become members and participate in its affairs under the by-laws and conditions following :
The members of the society shall consist 1st. Of the corporate members.
2d. Of the members of the Western New York Ladies' Society for the Protection of Homeless and Dependent Children.
3d. Of such persons as approve its object and contribute annually to its funds.
A contribution of fifteen dollars, or more, shall constitute the donor a life-member of the society.
A contribution of fifty dollars, or more, shall constitute the donor a life-director of the society.
II.
The general affairs of the society shall be under the management of a board of directors, which board shall be composed, Ist, of the members of the board of trustees; 2d, of such life-directors, and of such members of the board of managers of the Western New York Ladies' Society for the Protection of Homeless and Dependent Chil- dren, as may be present at any meeting.
The board of trustees shall appoint a superintendent of the Home and Reformatory, who shall have the immediate charge and oversight of all its inmates and all the property, real and personal, belonging to the society, who shall employ such assistants for the conduct of the Home and Reformatory as he may deem necessary, subject to the approval of the board of trustees.
The superintendent is authorized to present the claims of the so- ciety to the public, etc., solicit and receive contributions and donations for its maintenance and use, and for any special fund established by the board. It shall be the duty of the superintendent to keep a book in which shall be registered the name of each child admitted to the Home, the time of admittance, place of birth, residence, name and age, and birthplace of parents or guardians, as far as can be ascer- tained. And in case of children committed by public authority, then all the facts showing by what authority such commitment is made, and the terms of such commitment, the names and residence of fam- ilies into which any inmate of the Home may be adopted or placed ; and he shall also keep records of such facts as are required by law to be kept.
Said superintendent shall also keep, in a book provided for that purpose, a strict and detailed account of all moneys and property re- ceived by him for the use of the society, in which shall be entered the name of the donor and amount received from each contribution, the date when received; and in case any contributor to the funds of the society shall request that his or her contribution shall be applied to any specific purpose or use, a full record of such request shall be kept.
The superintendent shall keep a detailed account of all moneys ex- pended in defraying the current expenses of the Home and its man- agement, and shall present a full report to the board of trustees at each quarterly meeting of the board, showing in detail all receipts and expenditures and the state and condition of the financial affairs and property of the society ; and he shall also make such report when and as often as required by the board.
It shall be the duty of the superintendent to pay over to the treas- urer of the society all moneys received by him from time to time, except such as shall be needed for ordinary current expenses.
The superintendent may be removed at any time by a vote of a majority of the trustees.
The Rev. C. Strong was appointed superintendent of the Home and Reformatory, and has discharged the duties of that position with signal success.
The present organization of the Western New York Soci- ety for the Protection of Homeless and Dependent Children is as follows : President, W. H. Henderson ; Vice-Presi- dent, R. E. Fenton ; Secretary, B. F. Congdon; Treasurer,
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SYLVESTER COWLES, D.D.
Among the pioneer preachers of this section, who for nearly half a century have labored for the cause of Christ, and the results of whose labors stand forth in glorious array, none have been actuated by purer motives, or have labored more assiduously for the Presbyterian faith, than the subject of this sketch. Away back in the early history of Cattaraugus County, when to preach the gospel required real and earnest hard work, Dr. Cowles preached at various points. He also organized and helped to sustain various churches,-notably those at Randolph, March 26, 1836; at Olean, Jan. 6, 1836; at Portville, June 16, 1847; Allegany, about 1853.
During his early ministry he found an earnest assistant and zealous coadjutor in his estimable wife, and to her he owes much of the real success that attended his youthful efforts as a minister of the gospel. His first wife was an intelligent lady and a consistent Christian, a fine educator, and possessed many extraordinary intellectual and spiritual gifts. Perhaps we can no better do simple justice to her memory than to quote briefly from a historical sketch of her educational labors, prepared by one who knew her well and loved her sincerely.
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"Miss Mary Hayes excelled as a teacher in the higher branches of female education, in the central and eastern parts of New York. Having acquired notoriety as lady principal in one or two academies, when the Brooklyn Collegiate Institute for Young Ladies was incor- porated by the Legislature (the first ladies' college ever organized in this State), she was invited to become the head lady principal or professor in its corps of instructors. She accepted it, and for several years was the guiding spirit in the education of the daughters of lawyers, of judges, and of men of wealth, as well as those of clergy- men. The institution became exceedingly popular. Resigning this desirable position in the spring of 1831, the August following she was married to the Rev. Sylvester Cowles, who immediately started for Cattaraugus County, and arrived at Napoli on September 17. She had her plans of usefulness laid for education in this new part of the State. Being settled in the framed addition of a log house, she immediately developed her plan by proposing to take a class of young lady school-teachers, and those who wished to become such, whom she drilled for their duties and employments the next season. In this she was also very successful. In the fall of 1835 this esteemed lady re- moved with her reverend husband to Ellicottville, then the county- seat, where she secured the services of Miss Mary Lyman, a teacher from the Brooklyn Institute, and opened a school of high order, known for more than ten years as Ellicottville Institute for Young Ladies. There was comparatively little general interest felt in such a school by the community at large. Many there were who encouraged it, and at the close of the first term, when it was seen what remarkable prog- ress the young ladies made in the higher branches, the institute grew in favor, the community being more than pleased. Young ladies from the best families all over the county and from the city of Buffalo after- wards attended, and received a thorough and extensive education, including the sciences and fine arts. It is not saying too much to affirm that Mrs. Cowles's institution, by furnishing the best of teach- ers, did more for education than all other causes put together in the county, that it did more for civilization, elevation, and refinement of society in Ellicottville, and that its good effects are still felt in the
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