History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 70

Author: Franklin Ellis and Eugene Arns Nash
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In the fall of 1843, in succession to Hon. Asher Tyler, Mr. Colman took charge, for the proprietors, of extensive tracts of land in Cattaraugus, Allegany, and Wyoming Counties, owned by Russell H. Nevins, Rufus L. Lord, Thomas Lord, the Ten Eycks, Rufus H. King, and others. In the fall of 1844, Mr. Theodore Smith, of Ellicottville, became jointly interested in the management of this prop- erty, with Mr. Colman, and during the year 1847 the two bought of the parties for whom they had been acting about seventy-five thousand acres of the lands, part of which were then under contract of sale. Judge Cham- berlain also was interested in a portion of this purchase for a short time. These lands were managed and sold, or contracted to be sold, in parcels by Mr. Colman and Mr. Smith, who, at the same time, carried on a private bank- ing business at Ellicottville until the year 1852. In the latter year the property remaining was divided and the partnerships were dissolved.

A large portion of these lands, it is proper here to state,

were sold by contract in small parcels to a large number of persons for farming purposes. It is a well known fact, that in new countries under similar conditions the relations of buyers and sellers of lands are apt to be antagonistic in their nature. But among the great number of buyers under this condition of things with whom Mr. Colman came in contact, there was not one that can be recalled with whom he ever had any disagreement or trouble,-an evidence not only of his uprightness of character and gen- erous forbearance, but as well of the confidence and esteem in which he was held by all who had dealings with him.

Mr. Colman remained in Ellicottville until the autumn of 1854, engaged in settling up his business. In the latter year he removed to Dunkirk, N. Y., and established the Lake Shore Bank, of which he was president. In the year 1866, the bank was changed to the Lake Shore Banking Company, which is still in the full tide of suc- cessful operation, and of which Mr. Colman still remains president.

During all the years of Mr. Colman's absence from this county, he has retained the same strong interest in its people which he had while a resident here, and his friend- ship for them has remained unabated. He has continued to hold landed interests of greater or less extent in the county, and a large portion of his banking business has been transacted here; and his home of so many years is as dear to him to-day as it was when he lived and moved among its people in the happy and prosperous years of his young manhood.

Mr. Colman has never sought public office, and some- times has declined it when offered, not having any taste for the strife and turmoil of political life. He was appointed by the Board of Supervisors treasurer of Cattaraugus County for the year 1846, and reappointed for the year 1847; beyond this he has never held any office of import- ance in this county.

Mr. Colman was married in Ellicottville, on the 21st day of April, 1831, to Sophia M. Beecher, daughter of Moses Beecher, Esq., an old and respected resident of this county. Mrs. Colman died at Dunkirk, on the 30th day of September, 1867, at the age of fifty-four years.

Their children were Charles Henry, born July 5, 1832 ; died Aug. 19, 1832. Emily, born July 3, 1833; died Dec. 9, 1833. Albert Emilius, born Feb. 8, 1835; mar- ried, first, Emma Chapman, deceased; married, second, Eliza Russell. Lydia Beecher, born June 8, 1837 ; married Jas. H. Van Buren ; died October 8, 1872. Ellen Sophia, born Aug. 25, 1840 ; married, first, Capt. P. Barrett, killed in battle; married, second, Dr. Asa S. Couch. Mary Me- lissa, born Dec. 31, 1842; married Samuel J. Gifford. William Truman, born Feb. 18, 1845; married Grace Kennedy.

In conclusion it is fitting to say, in the words of one who knows him well, and of the regard in which he is held, that " Mr. Colman is a man of large heart and of liberal impulses. Charitable to the poor, helpful to the suffering, with always encouraging words and material assistance to those who are worthy and willing to help themselves, he is a true Christian in all his ways; prompt in judgment, and in action firm, self-reliant, just, generous, with forethought, prudence, and sagacity, with unsullied integrity and the trustfulest confidence of all who have met him and dealt with him, he ranks among the best and ablest business men the county has ever known. He is a public- spirited citizen, and in his home-life genial and pleasant ; & tender and loving husband and an indulgent father ; a mer- ciful man and a compassionate. Perhaps, after all, it is best said of him simply that he is ' one who loves his fellow- men.' "

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COLONEL DANIEL G. BINGHAM .*

At the firing upon Sumter, 12th April, 1861, Col. Bing- ham was quietly pursuing his profession of the law and civil engineering, residing in Ellicottville village. He had been for several years lieutenant-colonel of the old 64th Regiment, New York State Militia, and was possessed of military tastes. He was never married, and being in a condition to do so, went with Companies H and I to New York City, where they were absorbed in the 37th New York Volunteers,-" the Irish Rifles,"-and with them on to Washington as a captain of engineers. The promises of the unfortunate Col. McCunn were flush in anticipations but fell short in realization. Col. Bingham remained, and assisted the regiment for some weeks at his own cost. Upon the acceptance of his old command as the 64th Regiment New York Volunteers, he passed the requisite examination, and was commissioned lieutenant-colonel Nov. 13, 1861. He left Elmira, with his regiment, for Washington, Dec. 10, 1861. Soon after, the regiment moved on to the sacred soil of Virginia. In this sketch it is our purpose to use freely the letters of Col. Bingham. They more graphically describe occurrences than any pen could now ; are more in- teresting in their narratives than any cold review could possibly be.

The 64th Regiment left Washington Jan. 7, 1862,

* Written by John Manley, of Little Valley, an intimate friend during the war.

marched across " Long Bridge," down the right bank of the Potomac, through Alexandria, to " Camp California." It was the first fifteen-mile march of the regiment. Lieut .- Col. Bingham, on the 9th, wrote to a friend :

"We reached Alexandria a little after noon. The men stood it better than we expected. At Alexandria Col. Parker and myself rode ahead to Sumner's headquarters; learned he was sick in Washington, having been thrown from his horse. Were referred to Gen. Howard; found him in his tent, a common wall tent, living like a soldier. At his invitation took dinner with him ; liked his appearance very much. We were assigned the ground recently occupied by a regiment taken off to Burnside. The fact is, our regiment was at first assigned to Burnside, but somehow the regiment stationed here was substituted for the 64th. It was hard work to get up the tents, the ground was frozen so solidly. Col. Parker, Maj. Brooks, and myself took supper with the field-officers of the 5th New Hampshire. They are a few rods on our right, and they are fixed up ' tip-top.' Gen. Howard's brigade is the farthest advanced in this region. We are directly under the guns of Fort Worth, in a valley sheltered from the winds. It rained last night, and this morning my tent is full of water; my tent is a sample. It is difficult to get passes, and, not having been paid, we are in need of everything almost. We are to go out on picket duty, and are illy prepared. We wish you would see Maj. Ball, our pay- master, and hurry him up. [The regiment had never been paid, nor was it until February.] We are on the advanced post, destitute of everything to make camp life comfortable,-not money enough in camp for postage stamps,-bad off you see. For - sake, hurry up Maj. Ball! Perhaps, if he thinks we have friends in the city, he will work a little more lively ; our case calls for prompt aotion."

So began the 64th's experience in rebel land. We wit- nessed the grand pageant as the 64th, company front, passed the National Capitol, through Pennsylvania Avenue, down Maryland Avenue, over the " long bridge," into Old Vir-

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COLONEL DANIEL G. BINGHAM.

ginia ; marching to the inspiring strains of Boss' regimen- tal band, followed by the long train of seventy-five four- horse army wagons, the actual number ordered for this one regiment ! The number of wagons is mentioned, as later on in the war a corps would be fortunate to have that many, and two would suffice for a regiment. But at the begin- ning all officers and most men had camp-chests and trunks; but as the war progressed nonsense was dispensed with, and officers, like soldiers, were permitted to carry nothing except the clothing they wore, blankets, and arbor-tents in campaigns. Gen. Howard immediately commenced brigade drills. The lieutenant-colonel liked that. " I always thought that would be my best hold."

The first picket duty in the enemy's country Lieut .- Col. Bingham delineated in a letter from camp at Springfield Station, Va., March 9, 1862 :

" At 10 P.M., March 3, after the whole camp had got to sleep, Gen. Howard sent for me (Col. Parker was sick in Alexandria), and gave me orders to have the 64th on the color-line by 7.45 next morning, with three days' rations, ready to march. The cooks were roused up, and cooked rations all night. Next morning we were there, marched to the railroad, shipped, and were taken to Fitzhugh Station, where we encamped in the woods; no tents, but we built nice bough-houses. We did picket duty by companies till the morning of the 6th, when Gen. Howard ordered me to send out reliefs; half- hour later he sent for me in great haste; ordered all the men called in immediately, as he had been ordered to advance! We were ad- vanced six miles beyond our former picket lines, and were making the initial of the long-expected advance. During the day our cavalry vedettes were driven in twice, about a mile ahead of us. Once we sounded the signal to get ready, and every man was in his place in less than five minutes, ready and cool ; but the rebels made no advance on our infantry pickets. Our pickets encountered rebel scouts, and killed one, who had papers from Beauregard to scout beyond their lines,-and he had passes from Gens. Montgomery and Mansfield, but under another name, and had been in Alexandria whenever he pleased. He was heavily armed. We buried him, and sent his arms and papers to headquarters. The general is well pleased with the 64th, this trip. He says they will out-march any regiment; and halt them anywhere, turn them into the woods, and they would have good shanties built and supper cooked in half an hour. He says our men aro intelligent, and admirably calculated to take care of themselves. His aid told me to-day that he was glad he took out the 64th; it did less foraging than any before, and destroyed no private property ; all regretted to return. Kearney's Brigade relieved us. Health of the men good."

In a few days Mcclellan advanced on Manassas, but the rebels had fled, leaving unoccupied forts with wooden guns piercing the embrasures. The Union army was disappointed and disgusted, and sullenly marched back to Alexandria, took transports for Yorktown, and the Peninsular campaign followed.

At Fair Oaks, near the close of the action, June 1, Lieut .- Col. Bingham was severely wounded and carried from the field. In a letter written in St. Luke's Hospital, New York City, June 13, to a friend, he gave so graphic an account of that battle that we copy :

" MY DEAR M -. You may have heard by this time (but it was long time in coming out), that the 64th was engaged in the terrific infantry fight at Fair Oaks, June 1. The truth has but just com- menced oozing out. This or that regiment may catch and stuff a reporter, and make a little capital for a few days (as the - Brigade have), but when the official lists are published, the public will see who bore the brunt of the fight. When the truth is reached you will know that Richardson's Division withstood the same shock which, on the 31st of May, swept Casey's Division like chaff. We lost no

ground all day, but constantly gained. Captured prisoners told us that we had beaten more than 12,000 Alabama and Mississippi troops, brought up in the night from Richmond. But it was done at a terri- ble sacrifice. Howard's Brigade bore the brunt of it, supported by regiments of French's Brigade. The 64th took the place of the 52d N. Y. Dutch (in French's Brigade), who broke on the second volley and came out of the woods like frightened deer, without hats or guns ; their action was like those of sheep when chased by dogs! I had never before seen men panic-stricken, and never wish to again. Gen. Richardson rode up and ordered Gen. Howard to put in reinforce- ments; and said he, 'I don't want the 64th to come out as the 52d did, either!' We marched down to the railroad, and soon after charged through the swamp and thicket up to the rebels. We were met by a tremendous storm of bullets. The 64th remained in battle under a terrific, unabating fire for three hours. Three times I saw and heard the rebels in front of us bring on fresh regiments to replace those who had been in action. During the whole time not & man flinched ! I verily believe they would have remained, unless ordered out, till every man would have been killed or wounded. And this same spirit pervaded the 61st N. Y. and 5th N. H. and 81st Pa. (with the 64th, our brigade). Poor Lieut .- Col. Massett, of the 61st N. Y., was shot dead while standing at my side. I was not wounded till after we had orders to fall back, and I had just reached the edge of the swamp. I was struck by a minie-ball, which passed through my left thigh, just escaping the bone, fortunately. It is very sore, and at times painful. . . . It was not my intention to write an account of the battle, not being in a condition to do so; as I am confined to my bed and flat on my back,-minie-balls, you know, tear big holes. I am receiving the very best of attention, and have, since leaving Whitehouse Landing. None but wounded sol- diers can appreciate the benefits of the Sanitary Commission."

Of his conduct in this action, Lieut. Henry V. Fuller wrote as follows to the same gentleman :

" Lieut .- Col. Bingham is a perfect hero in a fight. He kept to his place, right up in the face of a thousand balls a minute, and was steady and cool; and, I might say, sociable as though there was noth- ing serious going on. He was severely wounded. I see Meagher is extolled in the Herald. His brigade was not sent forward until ours had won the fight,-and he lost only seven or eight men."

This was followed by the "Seven Days," the Pope cam- paign, and Antietam. Lieut .- Col. Bingham was promoted to the colonelcy, on the resignation of Col. Parker, July 12, 1862, but was not able, on account of wounds, to assume command until winter. He commanded his regiment at Chancellorsville, and at Gettysburg.

During the winter of 1863-64 there was, owing to the continued illness of Col. Bingham, much anxiety and sym- pathy for him in the regiment. Severely wounded at Gettysburg, he was rendered unfit for duty in the field for many months, and his constitution had become enfeebled by hard service and continued exposure. With his now probable retirement from the colonelcy, the whole regiment, men as well as officers, were much exercised and alarmed lest a certain officer, who was not only distasteful to all, but considered entirely incompetent to such a command, should be given the position. Many letters were written by offi- cers in regard to the subject, and fears were expressed that the retiring commander would recommend the unpopular oficer as his successor. Col. Bingham was written to by a private citizen, and the fears of the officers fully expressed to him. He promptly replied in a lengthy letter, showing that the idea that he desired the objectionable officer's pro- motion was erroneous, and at the same time the letter, which is given, reveals his entire fairness to all :

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COLONEL DANIEL G. BINGHAM.

" LE ROY, N. Y., January 25, 1864.

" In relation to what you say of B-y, no one, in or out of the regiment, can have any reason, from any thing I have said or done, to think that I should favor his promotion. I know very well the state of feeling in the regiment towards B-y, and knew all the time, without mentioning the causes for it, that the dislike among officers and men is real, permanent, and incurable, I think. When command- ing the regiment, of course it would not do for me to notice it; and certainly not to encourage it, for that would be an end of discipline. B-y occupied a certain rank, and so long as he kept within the line of his duty, was entitled to the rights and observances due to his rank, and it would have been destructive to discipline if I had per- mitted any disobedience of his proper commands. I always endeavored to allow no personal feeling to influence me in the performance of mili- tary duty or in assigning it to others. I have been out of all manner of patience with an officer or man, but if I saw that he had done as well as he could, and was in default through an error of judgment, I said nothing, and no one but myself knew anything of my feelings. I never considered B-y the man to command the regiment. He has not the judgment, coolness, tact, or talent for a military command, or to get and retain the respect of men. I think the selection of my successor should be left entirely to the officers of the regiment. I am not disposed to take part or use my predilections for or against their choice. I feel a great interest in seeing the regiment in good hands."

Col. Bingham was born in Riga, Monroe Co., N. Y., Jan. 29, 1827, the son of Thomas Bingham, Jr., who died the 25th of January, 1831, leaving a widow, the son whose sketch is here given, and a daughter, Calista. Mrs. Bing- ham married John Thwing, of Le Roy, N. Y., in 1837 ; they had two children ; one died, and the other married Mr. B. Bently. Col. Bingham was educated at the Middlebury Academy, N. Y., Grand River Institute, Ohio, and at Prof. Fowler's Law School, Cherry Valley, N. Y., and was ad- mitted to the Supreme Court, Albany, N. Y., in 1849. He settled in Ellicottville in 1850.

Col. Bingham left a large number of manuscript field- notes and maps of surveys, carefully made by him, of lands in Cattaraugus County, which are now of great value.

Col. Bingham so long as he lived continued to hold in remembrance the gallant deeds and honored name of his regiment. His large correspondence with numerous friends

contained mention of its important events, kind reference to his associate officers, and for the success of his old soldiers. With anxiety for closing his accounts with the government, he could not execute any formal affidavit required for the sake of such settlement, if it deviated in the slightest de- gree from his own knowledge of fact ; he would lose what was honestly his due rather than equivocate. "I regard an officer's certificate as sacred as an oath, and I can only sign such an one as is in strict conformity with fact. I am sure I do not owe Uncle Sam for ordnance lost on the march or destroyed in battle, but am the loser by his agents in transportation to a considerable amount." In one of his last letters, May 31, 1864, a short time before his death, his regiment is again referred to :

"Give my kindest regards to any and all of the men and officers whom you may meet, especially if wounded. Whenever I hear of the death of any of those men I feel as if I had lost a relative. Had it not been for Capt. Manley and Lieut. Alton, who assisted me after I was wounded at Gettysburg, I think I would have been taken pris- oner; and, as my health was, could have lived but a short time. I hope Manley will turn up yet."

"The last-named officer was taken prisoner at " The Wil- derness," May 4, was taken to Charleston, S. C., and was among those officers forced by the rebels to be placed under fire of the " swamp-angel;" and is now first lieutenant 20th Infantry United States Army. Col. Bingham continued to fail until July 21, 1864, when he died, having received the constant and tender care of an endeared sister and a venerated mother. He bore a blameless life; was finely educated ; a lawyer without love for its entangling bicker- ings. He was a philosopher ; conversant with history ; a civil engineer of much skill, and fond of its practice. Hence he took readily to a military occupation in its varied departments. He was always personally liked by officers and men, because he was upright and just to all, with favoritism to none. And he was esteemed as a gentleman and a good citizen in private life.

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HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

& Brothers and of the Courier and Enquirer in New York. During these and other engagements in the city he became intimate with many whose names afterwards became famous ; among whom were the four brothers Harper,-James, John, Wesley, and Fletcher,-Maj. M. M. Noah, James Gordon Bennett, James Watson Webb, and Horace Greeley. With the last named he was most intimate. They stood together as journeymen at the case; and when in the last year of his life the great editor had received the nomination for the first office in the people's gift, he wrote in this wise to his old friend at Ellicottville :

" N. Y. TRIBUNE, N. Y., July 23, 1872. " MY OLD FRIEND,-I thank you for yours of the 20th instant at hand.

" If you and I ever come together again, let us stick a few lines of type, side by side, in memory of Auld Lang Syne.

"I hope my letter of acceptance, which appears to-morrow, will please you. " Yours, " HORACE GREELEY.

"ROBT. H. SHANKLAND, Esq.,

" Ed. Union, Ellicottville."

Nathaniel Bryant emigrated from Hampshire Co., Mass., to this place and worked for Mr. Leonard, and in the spring of 1817 took up lots on what was afterwards known as Bryant Hill, now owned by Eldridge Drown. In 1820 he removed to the town line between Ellicottville and Frank- linville, and died in November, 1832. Mr. Bryant was active in the formation of the Baptist Church in 1824.

Freeman Bryant settled near his brother about the same time. His wife was a sister of John W. Staunton. She died in California in June, 1878, aged eighty-one years. In January, 1818, Nathaniel Bryant, Sr., with his wife and the remaining children, arrived at the residence of Nathaniel, his son, after a tedious journey of thirty-one days, having with them two yoke of oxen, one horse and wagon, and two cows. While on the road and near Cayuga they stopped at a house, intending to remain all night. The men were absent from home. After having been there some time it was discovered the house was on fire. Mr. Bryant clambered on the roof; no water was at hand, and he called for anything wet, and buttermilk was passed up to him, and the fire was extinguished after severe exertion. The house was in such disorder that Mr. Bryant concluded to go on farther, and they went on several miles and stayed all night. He settled between the farms of his sons, where Patrick Lynd now owns.

Between the years 1819 and 1821, Justin Rust, Samuel Bryant, Ebenezer Vining, John Fitch, and Peter Drown settled on Bryant Hill. Mr. Vining settled where Wm. Dooley now owns. He was the first settled minister in town and pastor of the Baptist Church. He died at Rochester in 1843, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. Samuel Bryant located where his son Hiram now resides.

Peter Drown emigrated from New Haven. His son, Alphonso R., now lives on the old homestead.

Orrin and Archelaus Brown, from Massachusetts, located land and took a contract in 1813, and in 1816 or 1817 settled on lot 27.

It is related of Mrs. Orrin Brown that in about 1820 or 1821 she went on horseback to visit Marsena Brooks, who

was a nephew and living in Ashford. The route she trav- eled was the old Shultis road. On her return, after a visit of a day or two, she started in the afternoon, having suffi- cient time to reach home before dark. On getting part way down she came to a point where two roads diverged ; she took one of them and traveled some time, finally coming back to the same place she started from. Night was then fast approaching, and rather than wander aimlessly in the woods, she tied her horse to a tree and lay down to pass the night. As soon as the first ray of light appeared in the east she mounted the old mare, gave her the reins, and she soon brought her safely home. The road she had followed was a log road leading out into the woods.

In 1830, Orrin Browu sold to Ensign Litchfield 78 acres of lot No. 62. He emigrated from Massachusetts with his wife and eight children. His son Beals lives on the home- stead. Levi lives in the village of Ellicottville. Polly married Miller Vaughan, who settled in Somerville Valley about that time, where their son, Frederick Vaughan, resides.

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History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 70

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: