History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 76

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 76

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).

and the same year Hiram Eldridge was sent as the first delegate to association meeting. For the first four or five years the church flourished, followed by a season of declin- ing interest. The Revs. Mead, Holmes, and Leonard served short pastorutes without materially increasing the prosperity of the society. Feb. 14, 1852, the Rev. Chalon Burgess was called to the spiritual leadership of the linger- ing body, and at once made vigorous efforts to revive the work, beginning, among other measures, the building of a church edifice, which was completed in 1853, at a cost of $2500. November 6 the following year the " First Con- gregational Society of Little Valley" was formed, electing as trustees Cyrus W. Fuller, Lyman Twomley, William R. Crawford, Horace Howe, and Washington D. Burgess ; and for a period the church was again highly prosperous. Mr. Burgess severed his pastoral connection April 1, 1861, and for the next eight years the pulpit was supplied by Revs. Newcomb and Lowing, and by Deacon Wheeler Beardsley. This lack of pastoral care, and other circum- stances, enfeebled the church so much that services were discontinued; and the house was occupied occasionally by the United Brethren and Protestant Methodists, who held services without organizing societies.

In 1870, the church was again reopened by the Congre- gationalists, who greatly improved the house, and again consecrated it to divine service, March 19, 1871. In April following, the Rev. Charles L. Mitchell was invited to be- come the pastor, and was installed June 28, 1871. He re- mained until August, 1873, and was followed by a short pastorate by the Rev. Henry Beard, and since July 28, 1874, by the Rev. J. D. Stewart. The interest has been successfully revived, and from a membership of 28, in 1874, there has been an increase to 100, as the present member- ship. Regular services are maintained in the church at Little Valley and at Dublin, an out-station of the church. The church was renovated and modernized in 1878. aud is now in every respect an attractive place of worship. Since its reorganization, James Chapman, B. B. Weber, and J. Wesley Sweetland have been elected deacons of the church. A Sunday-school was opened during Mr. Bur- gess' pastorate, but was discontinued while the services of the church were suspended. It was successfully re-estab- lished in 1871, and is now very prosperous. The church also maintains three Sunday-schools in the country sur- rounding the village, having an aggregate membership of 150.

THE ST. MARY'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF LITTLE VALLEY

was erected in 1874, under the direction of the Rev. John Byron, the priest of the parish of Salamanca, of which this church forms a part. The house is 24 by 40, and cost $1600. Services are held once a month, which are regularly attended by eight families. Father Byron is yet the spiritual leader of the church.

THE LITTLE VALLEY RURAL CEMETERY ASSOCIATION

was formed Sept. 29, 1862, of 15 corporators and the fol- lowing trustees : David L. Tate, Cyrus A. Fuller, James

Digitized by Google

Digitized by

Google

273

HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Chapman, James S. Beers, Asa Sweetland, George Hilsle, and Elisha J. Davis.

One and a half acres of ground at the village was se- cured for burial purposes, and appropriately improved. The present officers of the association are George Hilsle, Presi- dent; James Chapman, Treasurer ; and S. C. Green, Secre- tary.

Herman Fisher was the first person interred in the new cemetery, which now contains the graves of some of the pioneers of the town.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

BREVET-COL. HENRY V. FULLER .*

The war for the suppression of the Great Rebellion against the Government and Union of the United States developed the better and higher qualities of many men; others, lack- ing moral stamina, or physical force, or intellectual strength, fell below the just expectations of confiding communities, whose representatives they were. War at the best is de- structive to morals, material, and wealth. It is also true that war promotes ambition, arouses the loftiest impulses of patriotism, enlarges and quickens the capacity of well-bal- anced men who become participants in its varying struggles, reverses, and victories. The successive and rapid incidents of the War for the Union too often proved that those ear- lier clothed with authority were not equal to its demands ; and, as events passed and trials culminated, those proving unequal to command were, by the inexorable law of events, obliged to give way. Others, developing military tastes, cul- ture, and capacity, by the same law were advanced and promoted from subordinate to superior rank. Thus, many who became leaders in the later period of the great con- flict, and are now recognized as the most distinguished commanders, were comparatively unknown in its earlier days. As it was on the broader field, so undoubtedly it was with the famous regiment with which the subject of this notice cast his fortunes.

HENRY VAN AERNAM FULLER, oldest son of Benjamin and Ann Van Aernam Fuller, was born in the village of Little Valley, February 16, 1841. He had two brothers and a sister. Benjamin C. was a soldier in the 37th N. Y. V., now a clerk in the Interior Department; and Nathan A., paying teller in the United States House of Represen- tatives during the 42d, 43d, 44th, and 45th Congresses, serv- ing Republican and Democratic Houses with fidelity in this responsible position. His grandfather was the first settler in Randolph ; his father was among the earliest in Little Valley. His father was widely known as energetic and honest ; hard-working and benevolent ; kindly aiding oth- ers, he subdued forests and caused the wilds to produce grain and fruit; and his mother is a lady of intellectual strength, well read, and of dignified presence. She is a sis- ter of Hon. Henry Van Aernam, surgeon of the 154th N. Y. V., in the war, and Representative in Congress.

Henry V. Fuller, Dec. 24, 1860, married Adelaide C.,

daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Lyman Twomley, of Little Valley. She was a lady of culture and energy, and was postmaster several years. On May 19, 1862, a son was born, Henry Twomley Fuller, of striking resemblance to his father. He is now approaching manhood, and has the noble example of a father's manly virtues, gallant deeds, and the fame of one of the most heroic and brave defenders of his country's liberties for an inheritance. At the head of his profession, the doctor, a genius, unmanageable by adults, is easily sub- dued and always yields willingly to the young scion.

At the age of seventeen young Fuller was so capable and trustworthy that he was employed by Messrs. Bradley, Fay & Co., extensive lumber manufacturers, to "run the river," down the Allegany and Ohio, to Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Louisville, taking charge of the stock and making sales; and such was their confidence in his energy and fidelity, that he continued with them until the beginning of the war. Such was his bearing as a boy, his senior employer said of him that, " Henry standing, walking, or speaking, exhibited the qualities of superior manhood."

Young Fuller entered the army a private, Sept. 10, 1861, joining Company F, 64th Regiment, New York Volunteers. Reaching its rendezvous, " Barracks No. 3," at Elmira, he was warranted by the colonel " orderly-sergeant." At the election of line-officers he was chosen second lieutenant and commissioned Dec. 10. After the baptism of fire at Fair Oaks he was promoted to first lieutenant, for bravery in the field, July 23, 1862. Passing through the Seven Days of the Peninsula, the Pope campaign, Antietam, and Fredericksburg, for gallant and meritorious service he was promoted captain, Dec. 30. In the following year Chancel- lorsville was fought the 1st, 2d, and 3d of May. It was fol- lowed by the greatest and hardest-fought battle of the war, the 1st, 2d, and 3d of July, 1863, at Gettysburg. There, on the second day, Fuller, the hero, fell ! " Dulce et de- corum est pro patria mori."

In front of "Little Round-Top" (where the struggle was fierce and murderous at the close of the second day's conflict), Captain Fuller's body was recovered on the morn- ing of July 4. As soon as the exigency at the front ad- mitted, his remains were conveyed to his old home. On the afternoon of the 18th July, the military cortege, Cap- tain Bird, 154th N. Y. V., commanding, Captains Palen, Thorpe, Saxton, and Lieutenant Baillet, pall-bearers, halted in front of " the little church where, under Heaven's cool air," the venerated pastor, Rev. A. Barris, who had eighteen months before consecrated the bans of youthful hope, now, in the presence of a large congregation, invoking the Divine consolation in just, fervent, and impressive lan- guage, pronounced the funeral rites for the honored dead,- Matthew xxvi. 39. The remains having been deposited in mother earth in the rural cemetery, Prof. Samuel G. Love, who had been his tutor and a warm admirer of the man, delivered an eloquent oration in honor of the youthful soldier :

"He won our respect by his untiring zeal and energy in his studies; our love, by many acts of kindness and consideration freely bestowed upon his associates. . . . At the outset of the war he set about the task of determining his duty; a careful student of history, he saw, to some extent at least, the purport and meaning of events ; rebellion towering high above law and order, could he remain an indifferent

* Written by John Manley, the personal friend of young Fuller. 35

Digitized by Google

276

HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Subsequent to his death, General Caldwell stated to the writer that the general officers of his division had decided, at the first opportunity, to recommend Captain Fuller's appointment as colonel of the 64th, as they considered him unusually competent, and the honor bravely earned.

Soon after " Fair Oaks," on a sunny Virginia summer's day, to his wife, he writes of the Sabbath in camp in these beautiful lines :

"'Divine service this morning at eight o'clock,' said the adjutant's orderly, passing my tent-door while I was at breakfast. 'Good !' said I. And we have just ' broke ranks' from listening to the first sermon delivered to us in six weeks. The old hymns! I never appreciated them until now. The 'boys' sing them with more fervor than any melody they would call a favorite at home. Their music calls up a memory of Sabbath mornings bright as this; with meetings in the little church or in the old red school-house, with windows up, and Heaven's cool air coming in, and the choir singing Divine praises, and all peace and harmony ! The sweet 'Beautiful Zion,' and the grandeur of 'Old Hundred,' touch the heart-strings with peculiar power." . . . And of that battle-" I am unscathed, though many have fallen. Our regiment is decimated. I know my darling prays for me, and will thank Almighty God for keeping me thus far from harm. My heart silently acknowledges His goodness!"

In the last letter ever indited by Captain Fuller, written to his wife, on the 28th of June, four days before his heroic end,-when the opposing hosts were marching and manœu- vering for the advantage,-he is earnest and hopeful for the success of our arms, fervent and eloquent for the honor and renown of his country :

"The great day is coming-is looming, Olympically, in our front. The mighty crash of these two contending armies cannot long be de- layed ; and when they do meet -! From this point I cannot tell. I cannot guess which way we shall move. It is rumored that Lee has ' changed direction by the right flank,' and is now moving rap- idly on Baltimore. Then certainly Gen. Meade will turn his face in the same direction." [The enemy changed its course into Pennsyl- vania.] " I hope to-morrow morning will see this army marshaling toward the enemy in heavy columns. God speed us now! God give us & genius to preside over and direct our action ! God grant that this may be the final great struggle, and that liberty may mount from this terrible contest panoplied with a strength which tyranny nor corruption shall never again dare assault !"

Gettysburg was the "mighty crash" predicted. Few knew and appreciated the high and honorable qualities of Capt. Henry V. Fuller more than the writer of this grateful tribute to his memory. I knew him thoroughly for twelve years as an honest boy and an upright man. He was in- capable of dissimulation, and he scorned a base action. Few knew him but to respect him. Endowed with supe- rior mental force; possessed of a fine, manly person, a handsome, pale, intellectual face, clear, gray eyes, brown hair; six feet in height, erect and dignified in his move- ments. He was of pleasing address and an interesting and forcible writer, as he was an engaging conversationalist and speaker. Had he survived the war, it was his intention to have devoted himself to the study and profession of law. I believe that he would have proved a very able jurist and a most eloquent advocate. His education was obtained in those great American institutions, the common schools, with a few terms in the Fredonia and Randolph Academies. At home, or in the camp, he was a lover of books of the higher class, and a devotee of the great poets.

It is a singular fact that Capt. Fuller was never wounded

in any engagement but in that in which his life was sacri- ficed. He never had a " leave-of-absence" until January, 1863, when he asked for twenty days, and Maj .- Gen. Han- cock, commanding the 2d Corps, gave him twenty-five. He was never on the " sick-list" until, after the return from the "ill-fated Peninsular campaign," he was ordered to the hospital, by the surgeon at Arlington Heights. While there, learning that the army (and his regiment) were moving up the Potomac, he deserted the hospital, overtook his regiment six miles above Washington City, marched with it, participated in the great battle of Antietam, and asked no favors of the surgeon.

As a soldier, Capt. Fuller comprehended his duties, and performed them regardless of personal comfort. Conscien- tious, strict, and just to the brave men of his command, he never asked them to confront danger where he was not will- ing to lead. If men ever inspired respect, courage, and enthusiasm among their fellows, the subject of this notice did, and his comrades loved him with unstinted devotion. In the camp, their wants and their rights were scrupulously at- tended to ; on the battle-field, none were more bold, or brave, or gallant. In battle he led his command with the most un- daunted courage. As the carnage wore on and the leaden hail increased, and the rebel demons became more furious, so rose the spirit, and daring, and energy of the soldier ; raising his sword, he would cheer on his men to " boldly meet the foemen ; there is no more danger to yourselves with an unfaltering front, a sharp eye, and a quick hand upon the matchlock, than in cowardice! Beside, boys, we are fighting for the right, for liberty, and for our country !" At Gettysburg, on the fatal day, might he not have said to his daring followers :

" If you fight against your country's foes, Your country's fate shall pay your pains the hire; If you do fight in safeguard of your wives, Your wives shall welcome home the conquerors ; If you do free your children from the sword, Your children's children quit it in your age. Then, in the name of God, and all these rights, Advance your standards, draw your willing swords : For me, the ransom of my bold attempt Shall be this cold corpse on the earth's cold face !"

LIEUT .- COL. EUGENE ARUS NASH.

This gentleman is on his father's side of English and on mother's side of Scotch descent. He traces his lineage back to Daniel Nash, his great-great-grandfather, who resided in the State of Connecticut. His great-grand- father, Silas Nash, was born near Hartford, Conn., about the year 1765, and entered the army in the war of the Revolution from that State two years before its close, at the age of sixteen years. He subsequently removed to Chautauqua County, N. Y., the village of Nashville in that county being named after his son William, who was a prominent lawyer. Aaron Nash, one of Silas Nash's sons, was killed at the burning of Buffalo while serving as a soldier from Chautauqua County, N. Y., in the war of 1812. Oscar F. Winship, a grandson of Silas Nash, was a captain in the regular army, and was brevetted for meri- torious service in the Mexican war.

Digitized by Google

277

HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

The colonel's grandfather, also named Silas, was born at Hartford, Conn., Aug. 23, 1784, and with Simeon Bunce, his brother-in-law, located in what is now the town of Dayton, in the year 1810. He was a member of the first Board of Supervisors of Cattaraugus County, and was also a member during many years thereafter. He was an honest and industrious man, and held in high esteem by

Photo. by Blessing.

all who knew him. Although a pioneer farmer, he took an active part in all the varied interests of his town and county, and performed well his part in advancing its growth and prosperity. He had two sons and three daughters, who lived to maturity. Arus, the father of our subject, and the eldest, was born in 1811,-the first born in not only the town of Dayton, but the large town of Perry, which at that time embraced about one-fourth of the entire county. Dewitt Nash, brother of Arus, lives on the home farm which his father settled in 1810, has represented his town on the Board of Supervisors, is a good citizen, a kind neighbor, and a worthy man. The three daughters, Mi- randa, Almira, and Emeline, are (with exception of Mi-, randa, who is deceased) living near the family homestead. Arus Nash was a successful farmer, and a man of marked traits of character. Passing his early days in the woods of Cattaraugus, he acquired a love for hunting, and was known as an expert marksman. Being fond of adventure, the gold fever and the excitement of 1849 induced him to make the overland trip to California. He went as leader of quite a party from this portion of the State, but died within a few months after reaching the Eldorado of the West. His wife, Christiana McMillan, was of Scotch de- soent, but a native of Warren County, N. Y., being born

about the year 1814. Their family embraced eight chil- dren,-six sons and two daughters,-viz. : Corydon B., who died in Washington Territory ; Mary A., who married Horace Howlett, of Dayton, but now a teacher and resident of Little Valley; Eugene A., of whom we write; Jane V., who is married and living in La Cygne, Kan .; Clinton D., who died while in the service of his country, as a Union soldier ; Clayton S., murdered in Southwestern Nebraska in 1874; E. Hart, conductor on the Rochester and State Line Railroad; and Edwin B., who died quite young. Clinton, Clayton, and E. Hart, as well as Eugene, were all in the War of the Rebellion, each sustaining honorable records, and doing valiant service for their country. Clay- ton had the additional experience of a prison life in the hands of the rebels. Mrs. Christiana Nash died in Brook- lyn, Wis., in 1858, aged about forty-four years.

Col. Nash was born the 28th of March, 1837, near Nashville, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. He received a com- mon-school education, followed by an academic course at the Albion Academy, Albion, Wis., and after graduating at the head of his class, taught Latin and mathematics for a year in the same institution. He then entered as junior in the Madison ( Wis.) University, but completed his classi- cal course at the Alfred University, N. Y., graduating with the honors of A.B. in July, 1860, and standing first in his class. He then entered the Albany Law School, having previously determined to pursue the legal profession ; he received his degree, graduating in 1861, and was admitted to the bar. The war was then fully inaugurated, and being patriotic to the core, he cast aside his ambitious aspirations for legal honors, to take up the sword in defense of the im- periled nation. He enlisted in the famous " Forty-Fourth," known as the " People's Ellsworth Regiment," Aug. 8, 1861, as a representative of the town of Dayton, in which com- mand he saw valiant service, participating in the battles of Centreville, Siege of Yorktown, Hanover Court-House, Mechanicsville, Gaines' Hill, Turkey Bend, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run (where he was wounded), Antietam, Shepherdstown Ford, Fredericksburg, Ely's Ford, Chan- cellorsville, Aldie, Gettysburg, Jones' Cross-Roads, Wil- liamsport, Rappahannock Station, Mine Run, the Wil- derness, Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania, North Anna, and at Bethesda Church, where he was again and seriously wounded. Oct. 31, 1861, he was commissioned second lieutenant ; Oct. 29, 1862, he was promoted to captain, on account of bravery shown in the "Seven Days' Fight," receiving honorable mention in general orders for his manifest heroism. He went before Casey's Examining Board, which passed him for promotion, and soon after he was commissioned as lieutenant-colonel, and assigned to the command of the 23d United States Colored Troops. This was an honor he, fortunately, did not realize, for he was placed hors du combat by the wound he received at Bethesda Church, and was absent when the 23d was almost annihilated by the disastrous " mine explosion," near Peters- burg, Va., in July, 1864. Hence he never assumed com- mand of that organization, its small remnant being merged into other regiments. He was not sufficiently recovered from his wound to report for duty until September, 1864. During his service he was for some time acting adjutant of

Digitized by Google

278

HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

his regiment, and commanded the same, in the advance on Richmond, up to the date of the battle of Bethesda Church. For nearly a year he also served as assistant inspector- general of the 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Army Corps. Altogether, his military career was a notable one.

After the war the colonel went to Washington, under appointment of Gov. Fenton, where he served as State Agent for New York, but resigned the position and went to Kansas City, Mo. He there pursued the study of the law for a year and a half, when he returned to Perrysburg, this county, and commenced the practice of his profession, which he has continued ever since, with the exception of the years 1873 to 1876,-his incumbency of the office of clerk of the county of Cattaraugus. In 1868 he removed to Cattaraugus village, and in 1874 to Little Valley, where he at present resides and practices law, in connection with Mr. C. Z. Lincoln, as the firm of Nash & Lincoln. He has also served as supervisor seven years, representing New Albion for four, and Little Valley for three years, and of the latter town is the present incumbent of the position. It is hardly necessary to state that the colonel is a Repub- lican in politics.

Col. Nash was married, March 12, 1868, to Angie Clark, daughter of Orrin Clark, of Perrysburg, N. Y., and has one child, L. Eugene Nash.

It is not necessary to enlarge upon the character of Mr. Nash, for in this county he is well known as a man of de- cided abilities, of great courage, persevering industry, and of marked integrity.

ARTHUR H. HOWE.

Jaazaniah Howe, the grandfather of the present officiating county clerk of Cattaraugus County, was born in Goshen, Mass. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, en- listing at the age of seventeen, and served until the close of the war. Zimri Howe, son of the above, and father of our subject, was a native of the town of Granville, N. Y. He removed to Gowanda (then Lodi), in the year 1825, where he continued to reside until the fall of 1858, when he re- moved to Cattaraugus, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. He died March 11, 1867. Esther, his wife, mother of A. H. Howe, died at Little Valley, March 13, 1878.

Arthur H. Howe was born in that portion of Gowanda lying in the town of Collins, Erie Co., N. Y., the 7th day of October, 1843. He attended the union school of his native place, except two winters (1856-57) spent at the district school in Cattaraugus. In the fall of 1858 he came, with his father's family, to this county to reside, and in the following spring went into the county clerk's office, at Ellicottville, with E. H. Southwick, the then officiating clerk. He served with Mr. Southwick's successor, Thomas A. E. Lyman, until September, 1864, when he enlisted in the 98th Regiment New York State National Guard, which was stationed at Elmira, guarding rebel prisoners. In Jan- uary, 1865, he was appointed deputy county clerk, by S. C. Springer, and performed the duties of the office about three years. Jan. 1, 1868, he was again appointed deputy clerk, by Enos C. Brooks. At the expiration of his term, Dec. 31, 1870, he removed to Ellicottville and engaged in

the mercantile business with A. J. Adams. Jan. 1, 1874, he again resumed his pen in the clerk's office, and July 4, 1875, Col. E. A. Nash, county clerk, appointed him his deputy. Years of service in this clerical capacity render- ing him especially qualified for the position, he was nomi- nated, in September, 1875, by the Republican party, for county clerk, and elected to the office over C. E. Haviland,

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 76

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: