History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 59

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

USA > New York > Cattaraugus County > History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers > Part 59

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

Addison Crowley was born in Rutland Co., Vt., March 8, 1811, and was the third son of Walter and Mary (Todd) Crowley, who were natives of Connecticut, from whence they emigrated with their parents to Vermont long before it became a State. There they carved out a farm from the then almost unbroken wilderness on the summit of the " Green Mountains." They raised a family of four sons and three daughters; leaving the farm and coming to Randolph in 1839, settling among their children, where they passed the remaining years of their lives; the former dying in 1851, and the latter in 1855. They were eminently re- spectable, and the close of their venerable lives was glad- dened by the filial and affectionate attentions of their chil- dren.

The early years of Addison Crowley were spent on his father's farm in Vermont, where, with his brothers, he fol- lowed agricultural labor during the summer months, and in the winter attended school until he reached his twentieth year, when he entered the Chester (Vermont) Academy, and there completed his education. After leaving that in- stitution he engaged in teaching school and merchandizing until 1835, when he removed to Randolph, and there re- sumed the vocation of teacher, which he followed for about one year. In 1836 he embarked in the mercantile busi- ness at Randolph, in company with his brother Asahel, and also engaged in the purchase and manufacture of lum- ber, running the same down the Allegany and Ohio Rivers to the Southern market, establishing a lumber yard at Cin- cinnati, Ohio, the management of which devolved upon the junior member of the firm, Alvin Crowley, who had then recently been admitted to the partnership, having the lum- ber furnished from Cattaraugus County. The firm were also extensively engaged in farming and in the purchase of cattle from the farmers, and driving the same to the eastern market ; and also engaged in the erection of various build- ings for themselves and others, in all over thirty-among them the Congregational Church and the Randolph Acad- emy (now the Chamberlain Institute), thus giving employ- ment to a large number of workmen.

Mr. Crowley has been twice married, first on the 10th of January, 1839, to Mary E., daughter of William Shattuck,

of Warren, Pa. They had two children,-Ella M., born Jan. 18, 1840 ; married B. G. Casler, now under-sheriff of Cattaraugus County, Jan. 12, 1871, resides at Randolph. Melvin A., born May 5, 1843; married Emma Fenton, May 30, 1864; died Nov. 21, 1876.

In November, 1843, Mrs. Crowley died, regretted by her friends and sincerely mourned by her surviving family. After the lapse of eight years, and in May, 1851, Mr. Crowley was married to Arvilla, daughter of William M. Champlin, a pioneer and respected and wealthy farmer of the town of Napoli. This union was blessed with seven children, as follows : A son, born March 31, 1855, and died in infancy. Addie M., born June 12, 1856, married Erie W. Fenton, Oct. 9, 1878. Sarah M., born March 6, 1858 ; died March 27, 1861. Frank Champlin, born March 2, 1860; died April 3, 1861. Kate, born Feb. 12, 1863. Jerome A., born Nov. 19, 1865. Libbie E., born Feb. 11, 1872. These residing at home and attending school.

In politics Mr. Crowley is a Republican. He was an Old Line Whig, and took an active part in the organization of the Republican party. In 1840 he subscribed for Horace Greeley's "Log Cabin" paper, and when the New York Tribune was started he became a subscriber to that, and has since continued one of its steady patrons. He has held nearly every town office in the gift of the people, notably that of supervisor in 1846 and 1847, and again in 1854. In 1849 he was elected sheriff of the county, and re-elected in 1854, holding the office two terms of three years each. He was appointed postmaster of Randolph by Abraham Lincoln, and resigned the office immediately on the assump- tion of the Presidency by Andrew Johnson. He was trus- tee and treasurer of the Randolph Academy until it passed to the Methodist Conference. He was largely instrumental in the organization of the Chamberlain Institute, and took a commendable interest in the subsequent erection of the institute building.

After an extremely active life, owing to the impair- ment of his health occasioned by close application to busi- ness, he gave up everything except farming, to which he still adheres as his principal avocation. At the organiza- tion of the State Bank, in 1874, he was elected vice-presi- dent and one of its directors, both of which positions he holds at present.

Mr. Crowley is one of the oldest citizens of Randolph, as he is also one of its most prominent and influential. His public life has been such, that it naturally won the appro- val and respect of all parties. In the various positions of trust to which he has been called he performed the duties incumbent upon him in the same honest and able manner with which he transacted his private business operations. In his domestic life he is the kind husband and the affec- tionate father.

PROF. JAMES T. EDWARDS, A.M., D.D .*

James T. Edwards was born in Barnegat, Ocean Co., N. J., Jan. 6, 1838. His parents were influential, well-to-do people, and among his large connection are many names of men whose influence has been felt as a power in moulding

* By Rev. Theo. L. Flood, A.M.

Digitized by Google

212

HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

the character of society and the church. James Edwards, his great-grandfather, fought with Washington at the time of Braddock's defeat, and afterwards during the whole of the Revolutionary war, in which he was severely wounded. His parents were Job and Susannah Edwards. The former was well known as an eloquent local preacher, and also served several terms as a member of the State Legislature. To the unselfish efforts of the latter, who is a woman pos- sessed of unusual energy and love of learning, Prof. Ed- wards attributes his success in securing a liberal education. He is a graduate of Pennington Seminary, in New Jersey, also of Wesleyan University, at Middletown, Conn., of the class of 1860.

After his graduation he filled the chair of Natural Science in Amenia Seminary, Dutchess Co., N. Y. When he had served one year in this institution he took the same depart- ment in East Greenwich Seminary, better known as Provi- dence Conference Seminary of Rhode Island. The profes- sion of law had many attractions for him, and he decided to make the law a study. Arrangements were made for him to enter the office of Hon. William L. Dayton, of New Jersey, but when they were completed Mr. Dayton was sent as minister to the Court of France.

The professor's plans were thus frustrated, and before any new arrangement was made, he found the work of teaching so congenial that the idea of practicing law was permanently abandoned. His favorite departments of instruction were the sciences and belles-lettres, and to this work he soon found himself devoted with an unfailing enthusiasm which was contagious and inspiring. Besides training his classes in the lecture room, he was constantly delivering lectures before institutes and teachers' associations throughout the State. For a long time he was a member of the executive committee, and at the time he left Rhode Island was presi- dent of the State Association.

He was married in 1862 to Miss Emma A. Baker, daughter of Rev. Charles Baker, who, by her varied accom- plishments and unfailing interest in his studies and work, has been to him a " help-meet" indeed. They have three children,-Grace, Laura, and Florence,-born respectively, March 8, 1864, Oct. 31, 1867, and Feb. 5, 1876.

Prof. Edwards is a many-sided man, and the people in- tuitively look upon him as their man ; his history illustrates how they sometimes monopolize a man, and change the whole plan of life that he had marked out for himself. In 1862 he enlisted in the Eleventh Rhode Island Volunteer Regiment as a private, but immediately received a commis- sion from Gov. Sprague as a second lieutenant, and was shortly afterwards elected first lieutenant of a company of volunteers made up of members of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association. Afterwards he was made adjutant of the parole-camp near Alexandria, Va. It was in this position that he rendered valuable service by his humane treatment of the paroled prisoners, who, when he entered upon his duties, were being shamefully neglected.

When he left the army he was elected principal of the seminary at East Greenwich. For more than sixty years this school had done excellent work in educating the youth of Rhode Island and other States, but when Prof. Edwards was made its principal, a burdensome debt of

twenty thousand dollars hung over it, to the great annoyance of its friends. It was not long until Prof. Edwards made an earnest effort, and lifted the entire debt by subscription.

In addition to his duties as principal of the seminary, he was elected and served as State Senator when he was twenty-six years old, being the youngest member of that body. During this session he distinguished himself as a ready debater in an exciting discussion on the military rec- ord and expenditures of the State during the war for the suppression of the Rebellion.

He was elected to the Senate the second time, and was chosen as a Presidential Elector on the ticket which elected Gen. Grant President for his first term. Prof. Edwards took an active part in the discussion of the fifteenth amend- ment, which was carried in the Senate but defeated at that time in the House.

He was elected the third time to the Senate, and made chairman of the committee on education. During this ses- sion the temperance question was pressed to the front, and legislators were called upon to give it attention, whether they were in sympathy with the cause or not. The pro- fessor was an earnest advocate of a prohibitory bill, which was triumphantly carried in the Senate, but failed to become a law because it was defeated in the House. It was during this session that he made a speech upon " the just limita- tions of the pardoning power," which attracted general attention, and many believe that it exercised a marked in- fluence in effecting a wholesome reform in the use of that prerogative by the Governor of Rhode Island.

It cannot be said that Prof. Edwards is a politician. Positions have sought him. He has been called to places of trust by the people because they judged him to be a man fitted by intelligence, a broad statesmanship, purity of life, executive abilities, and eloquence as a public speaker, to represent them as a law-maker. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs, and served as a member of the State central committee, besides occupying various other places of responsibility.

In 1870, Prof. Edwards moved to this State and became principal of Chamberlain Institute and Female College, lo- cated at Randolph. This is one of our strong and suc- cessful seminaries, having been endowed by the late Hon. Benjamin Chamberlain. It ranks fifth in amount of prop- erty among the two hundred and fifty seminaries in the State, while it is among the first in its number of students and general usefulness.

Five years ago its fine brick boarding hall, erected at a cost of $50,000, was destroyed by fire, being insured at the time for only $10,000. Through the exertions of Prof. Edwards and the liberality of its friends, it was rebuilt by subscription in less than a year, and stands in its beautiful proportions free from debt. In 1876, Allegheny College, at Meadville, Pa., honored itself by conferring the degree of Doctor of Divinity upon Prof. Edwards.

The doctor is an incessant worker in his seminary, be- sides performing a vast amount of labor on the platform, delivering addresses frequently before the County and State teachers' associations, before temperance organizations, and on agricultural and political subjects.

He preaches frequently, and always receives a hearty wel-

Digitized by Google

Digitized by

Google

Digitized by

Google

Digitized by

Google

CHESTER HOWE.

"Only the actions of the just Smell sweet and blossom in the dust."

Chester Howe, one of a family of ten children, was born in Wells, Rutland Co., Vt., March 22, 1812. His father, Jaazaniah Howe, served his country in the Revolu- tionary army, entering as a common soldier in 1779, being then seventeen years old, and served through the remainder of the war ; suffering with his fellow-soldiers untold hard- ships from hunger, cold, and exposure of various kinds, having nothing to eat, at times, for days together but soup made of dry bones pounded up and boiled. He died in 1838, aged seventy-six years. His son Chester had a sickness in his twelfth year, which left him with an en- feebled constitution and curvature of the spine, from which he never recovered. But this delicate and feeble child, with very limited advantages for an education, was enabled, by his own exertion and inborn worth, to step forth in his early manhood and take a place in the front ranks. En- dowed with wisdom, a good degree of learning, and an indomitable love of right which governed all his actions, these recommended him to his fellows, and were his step- ping-stones to advancement and success.

The family moved to Lodi (now Gowanda) in the year 1828. In 1829 be entered, as a student, the law office of Albert G. Burke. He was admitted as an attorney and counselor Jan. 31, 1833, and in June of that year went into the office of Hon. Chauncey J. Fox, of Ellicottville. Sept. 23, 1835, he was married to Miss Harriet D. Fox, a sister of Chauncey J. Fox, and returned to open his law office in Lodi. In April, 1839, his wife died, and in November following, a little daughter, their only child, fol- lowed the mother to the other shore. The first of July, 1840, he was married to Miss Matilda E. Torrance, of the town of Persia. By this marriage there were three children, -Victor A. Howe, Victoria A. Howe, and Asher Tyler Howe, which last named died in infancy.

These incidents of life, worldly honor, successes, failures, and death seem of little consequence ; they are mere mat- ters of gossip, and may be told and written of any one. But that which I would call up and lay before my readers is the moral and intellectual development of the inner man ; to that success and wisdom which is not all earthly, but enters into that within the veil, and which remains crowned when mere worldly success and wisdom shall have sunk into insignificance. The memories awakened and cherished in the hearts of the young men employed in his office, those associated with him in business and social life, and the loved of his own household are not the worldly honor and successes he attained to; but to the more enduring and worthy example of his every-day life, his kindly manners, his instructive conversation, his quaint wit, his retiring modesty, his appreciation of right and wrong, and those high and ennobling qualities that go to make up the charac- ter of a good man.

He believed in that moral philosophy, taught by the early philosophers, repeated by the later, and verified by human experience, " Not to rely on heavenly favor, or on compassion too fully, or on prudence; on common sense, the old usage and main chance of men ; nothing can keep you,-not fate nor health, nor admirable intellect, none can

keep you,-but rectitude only, rectitude forever and ever." Thus he believed and practiced.

Feb. 1, 1840, Mr. Howe was appointed Supreme Court commissioner ; and again appointed to the same office, Feb. 9, 1842. In the fall of 1840 he was elected to the Legis- lature of the State. June 30, 1847, he was appointed attorney for the Seneca nation of Indians, on the Catta- raugus and Allegany Reservations ; a position which he held until his election as judge of Cattaraugus County. In this same year the Legislature passed an act providing for the education of the children of Indians on these reservations, naming Chester Howe as receiver of all appropriations, to be applied by him to the maintenance of Indian schools.

Under this act, Mr. Howe established schools upon both reservations. These schools were successful, and have ever since been continued, until there are but few Indians unable to read and write. The internal affairs of these Indians had been managed by a body of irresponsible chiefs, who appropriated to their own benefit, or as they saw fit, in a large measure, the annuities and goods provided for this people by the general government. Mr. Howe drew for them a new constitution, providing for a president and twelve councillors, to be annually elected, in place of the government by chiefs. His constitution was adopted Dec. 4, 1858, and is still the constitution of government for the nation, with but slight change. Mr. Howe was the attorney and agent for the New York and Erie Railroad Company for the purchase of the right of way for their railroad through Allegany County, and through all of Cattaraugus County east of the Allegany Reservation.

Mr. Howe was of great assistance to the road and to the Indians, in respect to the right of way for the road through the reservation, securing just compensation to the Indians for said right, which the company by law could take; also obtaining consent of the Indians to the location, without useless resistance by them in the courts. Mr. Howe con- tinued until his death the trusted counselor and adviser of this people in all important matters.

He was elected county judge of Cattaraugus County in the fall of 1851, and commenced upon the duties as such Jan. 1, 1852. His knowledge of law, together with his keen sense of justice and humanity, rendered him eminently suited for this office. His term of office expired January, 1856. Though in the meridian of man's allotted years, his earthly labors were fast drawing to a close. But we

"Live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths; In feelings, not in figures on a dial. We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives Who thinks most, feels the noblest acts the best."

During the two remaining years of his life he suffered much from the disease of which he died (consumption of the bowels). Still he continued to labor on cases which were constantly referred to him. But the end soon came. He died at the Elmira Water-Cure, March 16, 1858. The author of this sketch knew him well and intimately from his sixteenth year, and never heard a syllable uttered derog- atory to the boy or the man; and, as is recorded on his tombstone, " He entered upon the battle of life, and bravely fought his way to a desirable eminence, leaving no blot or stain upon his reputation."

Digitized by

Google

213

HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

come from the people when he appears in the pulpit or on the platform. He is an eloquent, scholarly speaker, with a pleasant voice, well balanced by a graceful style of delivery.

MARCUS HAMILTON JOHNSON

was born in the town of Olean, Oct. 21, 1809, and is ac- credited with the honor of having been the first white male child born within the present corporate limits of the village of Olean. He is the son of James G. and Sophia (Stone)

worth. From that time to the present, Mr. Johnson has been actively engaged in the mercantile business at Ran- dolph. His career has been marked by close application and sterling personal integrity.

In 1841, Mr. Johnson was appointed treasurer of Catta- raugus County, by the board of supervisors, and re-ap- pointed in 1842. In the fall of 1843 he was elected a member of Assembly, and re-elected for a second term in the fall of 1847, for the winter of 1848. While we do not claim for Mr. Johnson a successful political life, yet it is a self-evident fact that he filled the various positions to which he was elected with marked ability and a conscien-

Photo. by Armstrong, Randolph

Marcus& Johnson

Johnson, and brother of Col. James G. Johnson, the latter a prominent pioneer of Olean. The opportunities for edu- cational advancement in the days of Mr. Johnson's youth were quite limited, hence he received only such education as was afforded in the common schools of his native village.

Mr. Johnson's career has been principally a mercantile one, for, as early as 1835, we find him in partnership with Bethuel McCoy, at Ellicottville, this county. He continued thus until 1843, when he retired from the co-partnership and removed to Randolph, where he has since resided. On arriving at Randolph, he entered a business partnership with Judge Benjamin Chamberlain, which continued about one year. On the retirement of Judge Chamberlain, Zeb- edee Woodworth purchased a half-interest, and the business was continued under the firm-name of Johnson & Wood-

tious regard for the best interests of his constituents, scarcely, if ever, evinced by regular politicians. In 1855, Mr. John- son was appointed United States Indian agent for the New York Indians, which office he held four years.

On the 12th of February, 1833, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Sophronia Willoughby. This union was blessed with much happiness and one son,-James G. Johnson, now a successful. attorney of Randolph,-who was born June 28, 1836.

Perhaps it is only necessary to say that the general pop- ularity which Mr. Johnson enjoys is not attributable to political influence, for he has been a life-long Democrat, and having been frequently elected to office in this county, which is largely Republican, his success is purely personal, and well deserved.

Digitized by

Google

CONNEWANGO.

THIS is the third from the south of the western tier of towns in the county, and is township 3, in range 9, of the Holland Company survey. It derived its name from the prin- cipal stream, which is said to be an Indian term signifying " walking slowly." As originally erected from Little Val- ley, Jan. 20, 1823, the town embraced the four lower town- ships in range 9, but was reduced to its present limits- 22,846 acres-by the formation of Randolph on its south, Feb. 21, 1826, and Leon on its north, April 24, 1832. It now lies in the form of a square, containing 64 equal lots of land, whose surface is varied from a flat along the Connewango to hilly uplands in the north and the east.

The Connewango Creek has its source in Chautauqua County and in the towns of New Albion, Dayton, and Leon in Cattaraugus County. It enters this town from the former county near the northwest corner, then flows south- east to within a mile of the southern line of the town, west of the centre, where, after taking the waters of the Little Con- newango (which flows from the southeast), it takes a south- western course, passing out of the town at its southwest corner, and emptying into the Allegany near Warren, Pa. It is a deep, dark, sluggish stream, with scarcely a percep- tible motion, and has not been inappropriately named. It affords little water-power, but formerly abounded with all kinds of fish, and is yet stocked with the common varieties.

Elm Creek rises in town on lot 14, and has a general southerly course into the town of Randolph, where it emp- ties into the Little Connewango. Its name was suggested by the elm-trees growing on its banks. It was formerly a good mill-stream, and much employed to operate machinery, but lately has been but little used for this purpose.

Clear and Mill Creeks flow from the northern part of the town to lot 62, where they empty into the Connewango.

These and other brooks in town afford good natural drainage. On the uplands the soil varies from a rather stiff clay to a gravelly loam, and on the flats is chiefly the latter. Its productive power is equal to any in the county, and Connewango ranks well as an agricultural town.

In 1815 the books of the Holland Land Company con- tained the names of Wm. Sears, Edmund Mullet, Daniel Philips, Harry Davidson, Peter Blanchard, and Rufus Wyllys as land-holders in town. A few of these only became actual settlers.

PIONEER SETTLERS AND INCIDENTS.

It has been our intention to make this list full and com- plete, but the tide of time has washed away the early his- tory of many of these pioneers, so that the hand of the historian will never be able to gather them up.

. Most of the people of this town were from New England or of New England origin. They came poor in worldly

goods but rich in courage, enterprise, and industry, and were well adapted to redeem the soil, covered by primitive forests, and change the town to its present fruitful condition.

The honor of being the first settler in Connewango is accorded to Eliphalet Follet. He settled on lot 38 in 1816, on the old Chautauqua Road, east of Rutledge. Here he soon after opened a house of entertainment, to accommodate travelers over that route on their way farther west. A son of Mr. Follet was the first child born in town. A few years later Follet left the county, and we have been unable to learn more of his history.

The next settler was James Battles, a native of Vermont, from which State he came to this town in 1817. He was then a single man, about nineteen years of age, having been born in 1798. He was soon after married to Miss Rachel Hadley, which may have been the first marriage in town. But some of the old residents say the marriage of Calvin Treat and Miss Adaline Childs was the first; yet all agree that there was but little difference in the time of their mar- riages, and that both were compelled to go to Chautauqua County to find a justice to perform the ceremony. Mr. Battles built the first frame barn in town. For many years he dealt largely in stock, and was an active business man. He was also a prominent member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church at Rutledge, and for a long time leader of the class. Rev. Dr. Morgan, an old acquaintance, tells an anecdote that when this church was at its zenith, and fired with much zeal, Mr. Battles called upon the widow McGlasher to get the use of her barn, in which to hold their quarterly meeting. Mrs. McGlasher was a Scotch Presbyterian of the strictest sect, and therefore had but little religious sympathy with the "ranting Methodists," as she termed them. She wished to know " why her barn was wanted when Mr. Battles had a larger and better one standing but a few rods away, which had always been used for such meetings ?" Mr. Battles reasoned, but to no pur- pose, and finally asked her why she refused the use of her barn ; whereupon she told him her main reason was, "she had an old goose sitting upon a nest full of eggs under the barn, and she had often heard it remarked that thunder would kill goslings." Mr. Battles concluded to hold the meeting at his barn.

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

History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 59

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: