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 86
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After Mr. Spencer had finished his labors there was an interval when the church had no preaching. In 1828, Rev. William J. Wilcox, a Presbyterian minister, visited the place and held meetings in the Red School-House on North East Street. And on Sunday, the 2d day of No- vember, 1828, there was a reorganization of the former church. There were living here at that time three persons who were members of the Congregational Church, viz., John Warner, Mrs. Betsey McClure, and Mrs. Aurelia McClure ; these persons, together with the following.named persons, viz., Youngs E. Benton, Mary Ann Benton, Seth Ely, Laura Ely, Parma Dennison, and Mary Ely, presented themselves as candidates for membership in the church.
The Rev. William J. Wilcox was chosen moderator. Articles of faith and covenant were adopted, and they took the name of the First Presbyterian Church of Franklin- ville.
At a meeting of the church held Nov. 28, 1829, by formal vote the church decided to adopt the Presbyterian form of government, and at the same meeting three elders were elected, as follows : Seth Ely, Benjamin McClure, and Youngs E. Benton. Seth Ely was also chosen to act as deacon. It was also voted at this meeting to unite with the Presbytery of Angelica.
And at the next meeting of the Presbytery, which was held at Angelica, Feb. 24, 1830, and of which Rev. Robert Hubbard was moderator, the church was received into the convention.
At the next meeting of the Presbytery, which was held in Franklinville, Aug. 31, 1830, the church made the following report : At organization of church, 9 members ; since added, on examination, 12; by letter, 14; total, 35; dismissed, 4; baptisms-adults, 2; infants, 7.
About the 1st of January, 1831, the church had .the first resident minister, the Rev. John T. Baldwin. He was a graduate of Auburn Theological Seminary, class of 1826, and was ordained by the Presbytery of Buffalo, 1831. Mr. Baldwin was engaged by the church to preach one-half the time, on a salary of $100 per year ; he remained until spring of 1834. About the time that Mr. Baldwin began preach- ing the White School-House, as it was called, was built. It was a sort of high-school building, and chapel for the use of the different congregations. It used to stand on the site where the Baptist church now stands. It was moved when the Baptist church was built, and is now occupied by Mr. Salisbury as a store. In the year of 1832; at the annual meeting for the election of trustees, a committee was ap- pointed to take measures to build a house of worship. And at the annual meeting of the trustees, Feb. 2, 1833, a new committee was appointed for the same purpose ; and at the annual meeting of the trustees, Feb. 1, 1834, the committee reported " that a site had been given the church by Gen. Joseph McClure; and that there had been erected thereon a meeting-house, which is covered, at an expense of $850; and that there is still due on the subscription $300." This was the first building erected in town expressly for church purposes. It was dedicated Aug. 13, 1835, Rev. Sylvester Cowles preaching the dedication sermon, and is said to have been the third meeting-house built in the county.
On Wednesday, May 11, 1835, the following temperance resolution was presented to the session by a committee pre- viously appointed for that purpose, and adopted :
" Whereas, the drinking ol intoxicating liquors of every kind is the prolific source of crime, and that to such a de- gree as to call for the particular expression of the church on this subject, therefore we agree hereafter to receive no person into fellowship with this church unless they will engage not to deal in or use intoxicating liquors as a drink."
The church enjoyed many revival seasons, and additions were made almost every communion for years. There was no year, from 1828 to 1846, when there were not additions.
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The largest number of additions that were made in one year was in 1843; during that year a total of 104 was added, 75 on profession of faith.
The first church-bell in town was procured by the church in 1850, at a cost of $100.
The succession of pastors, as nearly as can be ascertained, is as follows : Revs. John T. Baldwin, 1831-34; Wm. J. Wilcox, 1834-35; John T. Baldwin, 1835-36; William Howden, 1836-37; C. W. Gillam, 1837-42; H. H. Sackett, 1842-47 ; Joshua Lane, 1847-49; C. H. Bald- win, 1850-52; Mr. Jerome, 1852-53; E. J. Stewart, 1854-55; J. T. Baldwin, 1860; J. E. Tinker, 1867-70; W. C. Gaylord, 1871-72; J. L. Landis, 1875-76; T. W. Fisher, 1876 to present time. During the history of the church from 1828 to 1878, there have been 492 different members of the church ; of these 294 have joined on pro- fession of faith, 198 by letter. Baptism has been admin- istered to 299 persons.
The church building now in use is the one built in 1834. It was repaired in 1868 at a cost of $1962, and in the year 1876 it was furnished throughout with cushions, at a cost of $185. And during the present year (1878) has been repaired and improved at an expense of $660. Pres- ent membership is 55. A flourishing Sabbath-school of 147 members, a ladies' missionary society, a ladies' aid society, and a young people's aid society are some of the various forms in which the church's activity is manifested. The church is in a healthy and growing condition. Some of the gifts to the church have been as follows:
Mr. Merlin Mead, who moved here from New York, brought with him a set of communion plate, a gift of three young men, of New York City, in 1830. This service is yet in use. One hundred acres of land, given by the Hol- land Land Co. to the first religious society in East town. As the Congregational Church of 1813-28 is one and the same with the Presbyterian, from 1828 to the present time, this grant was made to the church by deed, July 8, 1831. The deed was given to the trustees of the church at that time, who were Flavel Partridge, James S. Bishop, and Seth Ely, as per records in county clerk's office. Mrs. Sarah Claflin left by will $500. This is now in the hands of the trustees, and is to be used towards building a par- sonage.
THE FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The members of the Lyndon congregation living in and near the village of Franklinville, feeling the inconvenience of having preaching only occasionally, resolved on having a separate organization ; and accordingly a petition for the same was presented to the Caledonia Presbytery at its meet- ing in Geneva, May 7, 1867, and the Rev. John Rippy was appointed to effect the organization when requested. On the 25th of June, 1867, a meeting was held in the house then occupied by the N. S. Presbyterian congrega- tion, and, in the absence of Mr. Rippy, Rev. Mr. McVean acted as moderator ; and after a sermon by Rev. W. Gal- breath, the following persons were received from the United Presbyterian Church of Lindon : John Johnston, Charles Thompson, Jane Thompson, Daniel Mckinlay, Agnes Mc- Kinlay, Robert Meikleham, John Little and Mrs. John
Little, James Fraser, J. Fraser, Margaret McVey, Mary Jane McCaa, Lizzie McCaa, Mary McCaa, David Copeland, Christiana Dallas, Lizzie Laidlaw, William Swinton, Mrs. William Swinton, Mary Jane McVcan, Agnes Morton, Mary Morton, Mrs. Kissock, and Mrs. Duncan. The con- gregation was duly organized by the re-election of John Johnston, Charles Thomson, and Daniel Mckinley as elders.
The church was organized under the name of the First United Presbyterian Church of Franklinville. For some time after the congregation was organized, having no house of their own, they worshiped in the other church buildings, but mostly in the Good Templars' and Globe Hotel halls. The discouragements of wandering from place to place, and the uncertainty of getting these places when desired, led them to soon take the steps for securing a church edifice of their own. The lot which they now occupy was bought of Samuel P. Bard and Cynthia Bard, and deeded Nov. 14, 1867, to John Little, James Johnston, William Swin- ton, James Fraser, and William G. Laidlaw, trustees, for $200. For some reason the building of the church was delayed. It was not ready for occupancy before 1870. It was not until the fall of 1870 that it was formally dedi- cated to the worship of God. The dedicatory sermon was preached by the Rev. J. P. Sankey, of Rochester. The text of his discourse was from Habakkuk ii. 20: "The Lord is in his holy temple ; let all the earth keep silence." The building cost something near $5000, but was all pro- vided for by the congregation and its many friends of the village at the time of dedication. The congregation, having now a neat and comfortable house of worship, took steps to secure a pastor. At a meeting of Presbytery, May 6, 1868, by the request of the congregation, Rev. W. McLaren was appointed to moderate in a call ; and that call was made out for Rev. J. M. Waddle, then a member of Chillicothe Presbytery. This call was declined, and the congregation was supplied by various ministers, among whom was Rev. J. G. Madge. Mr. Madge labored for some time among this people, and was highly esteemed by them, and in token of their regard for him they gave him Miss Maggie Morton to wife, this being his urgent request.
The first pastor of the congregation was Rev. William Donaldson. Mr. Donaldson was born in Washington Co., Pa .; was graduated at Washington and Jefferson College in the class of 1866, and the Allegany Seminary in 1869; was licensed as a probationer for the ministry in the spring of 1869, by the Presbytery of Chartiers. At a meeting of the congregation on June 6, 1869, a unanimous call was made out for Mr. Donaldson ; Rev. W. J. Robinson having been appointed to moderate. The salary offered was $1000. The call was forwarded to Chartiers Presbytery and accepted. Mr. Donaldson began his labors in the congregation Nov. 1, 1870, and was ordained and installed as its pastor Dec. 7, 1870. The ordination sermon was preached by Rev. R. G. Campbell. The pastor was addressed by Rev. C. Kendall. The charge to the people was delivered by Rev. J. P. San- key. The first and the only death in the session was that of Charles Thompson, who died Sept. 8, 1872, while on a visit at the house of his son in Breedsville, Mich. He was a man loved by all who knew him. In his death the ses-
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sion lost an active and efficient member and a wise counselor, the congregation a faithful officer and liberal supporter, and the community a respected citizen. Having obtained a good report through faith, he has gone to receive his reward. To supply the deficiency caused by his removal, an election of elders was held May 3, 1873. At the meeting Mr. John Little and James Fraser were chosen. Mr. Little did not accept the nomination. Mr. Fraser having signified his willingness to accept the office, he was ordained as elder May 15, 1873. At a meeting of Presbytery Jan. 27, 1874, Mr. Donaldson presented a petition asking for the dissolution of the pastoral relation. Rev. H. W. Crabbe declared the pulpit vacant on the second Sabbath of Feb- ruary, 1874. The pastorate of Mr. Donaldson was short but successful. Under his short ministry the congregation enjoyed steady and substantial prosperity. Mr. Donaldson was esteemed by those who knew him. As a pastor he was diligent and laborious, as a preacher he was earnest and acceptable, as a Christian he was an example. His mem- ory is yet fondly cherished, and the good report he obtained through faith will not soon be forgotten by his friends on earth nor left unrewarded by his Father in Heaven.
The present pastor, Rev. D. G. Mckay, was born in Mercer Co., Pa .; graduated in Westminster College, Penn- sylvania, in the class of 1872, and at the Newburg (New York) Theological Seminary, in the class of 1875; was licensed to preach by the New York Presbytery April 8, 1874. Having supplied in this congregation during the months of November and December, 1875, a call was made out Feb. 1, 1876, Rev. H. W. Crabbe acting as moderator. This call was accepted April 4, and the ordination and in- stallation took place 15th of May. Rev. D. F. Bonner preached the ordination sermon and addressed the pastor, and Rev. R. G. Campbell gave the charge to the people. The relation between pastor and people is still sustained. The present membership of the church is 75. A Sabbath- school in connection with the church has an average mem- bership of 146 pupils. The superintendent is William Swinton.
BAPTIST CHURCHI.
In 1814, a Baptist minister by the name of Beckwith passed through Franklinville on a missionary tour, preaching at private houses, and in 1815 became pastor of the Bap- tist Church at Rushford. In 1816, Elder Eliab Going began to preach more frequently, having been through there occasionally. He was a licentiate of the Rushford Baptist Church. On the 20th day of October, 1825, Elder E. Vining and Nathaniel Bryant, from Ellicottville, Elder Eliab Going and Deacon Junio Freeman, from Rushford, met the Baptist brethren in the Franklinville conference (so called), by their request, and were duly organized into a regular Baptist Church ; the following persons becoming constituent members : Deodatus Sill, Simeon R. Lewis, Eli- jah Sill, Caleb Barber, Margaret Sill, Harriet Sill, and Polly Marfitt. Of these constituent members Caleb Barber is yet living.
Sept. 10, 1831, a few of the citizens of the community resolved to build a school-house, and which was also to be used for religious purposes. A committee composed of J. Burlingame, J. M. Bosworth, - Fuller, and - St.
John were appointed, and it was erected and known as the " White School-House." The Baptist Church had the privilege of using the edifice for their religious services, and held their first meeting June 19, 1832.
The Presbyterian Church held their service in the old red school-house; but this becoming too small for their use, they asked permission of the Baptists to use the " White School-House" one half the time, which was granted Dec. 29, 1832.
The Rev. Eliab Going was the first pastor one-half the time for ten years, or until 1835, and was succeeded by the Rev. Adrian Foot, J. G. L. Haskel, - Tillinghast, J. C. Bywater, D. Searl, V. Bemis, W. S. Phillips, C. B. Reed, D. H. Paul, J. H. Green, G. W. Varnum, A. S. Kneeland, and Geo. W. Varnum, who is the present pastor.
The whole number added to the church by baptism is 450, by letter 223, by experience 15. The church at present has a membership of 173.
In 1842-43, 100 were added to the church, followed by a sad experience of that delusion, Second Adventism, that swept over the country at that time.
The church to-day is in a prosperous and healthy con- dition. A union school was organized at an early date, and in May, 1868, a distinct and separate school became con- nected with the church, and has a membership at present of 167; Rev. Geo. W. Varnum acting as superintendent. A second church edifice was erected in 1852-53, repaired in 1858, and destroyed by fire March 12, 1869. The present edifice was erected in 1869-70, at a cost of $9000.
METHODIST CHURCH.
Methodist ministers were preaching in this section as early as 1828. In 1837 a meeting was held in Franklin- ville by the Rev. Loomis Benjamin and Rev. S. Comfort that was successful in its results, and a class was formed, but it was not until 1842 that a church was organized. In that year sixteen persons met together at Cadiz, presided over by the Rev. Thomas B. Hudson, and a church was organized. Mr. Hudson was the first pastor; those who have succeeded him are the Rev. Dr. Whaland, S. B. Rung, John Kent, John C. Noble, - Durr, Loomis Benjamin, J. Hagar, Dr. S. Hunt, J. A. Wells, Nathaniel Jones, F. W. Conable, Henry Hornby, Andrew McIntyre - Tut- tle, - Rogers, - Rooney, - Gold, J. A. Willson, Horatio Ripley, John Hill, Joseph Latham, J. C. White- side, F. E. Clayton, F. D. Goodrich, and the present pastor, J. H. Freeland. A church edifice was erected at Cadiz in 1844 at a cost of $2400. The society have purchased a lot in the village of Franklinville, and intend erecting a church edifice during the year 1879 at a cost of about $4000. Mrs. Dr. Reed, of Sugartown, has generously donated $1500 for that purpose.
FREE METHODIST CHURCHI.
This church was organized at the school-house on what is known as East Hill, in 1863, with fifteen members. The Rev. Otis Bacon was the first pastor, and was succeeded by the Revs. J. C. White, William Manning, M. C. Burritt, George Joscelyn, Levi Metcalf, C. Wilsey, William In- goldsby, and A. H. Bennett, who is the present pastor.
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HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Meetings were held alternately on East Hill and in the Methodist Episcopal church at Cadiz. In 1875 a church edifice was built in the village of Franklinville, and dedi- cated Jan. 6, 1876. The Rev. R. W. Hawkins, from Oil City, preached the dedication sermon. The church has a present membership of 34, and a Sunday-school connected with it of about 30 pupils.
ST. PHILOMENA'S CHURCH (CATHOLIC).
This church was erected in 1874-75 at an expense of $2300, and dedicated Aug. 1, 1875. Father J. Brady, of Ellicottville, was the first pastor, having this in charge with the church of that place. The pastors who succeeded him were P. Maloy, J. Long, and Bernard B. Clark, who is the present pastor.
The number of families connected with the church is 43.
SOCIETIES. MASONIC.
The first duly authenticated body of this order organ- ized within the limits of what is now the town of Franklin- ville was Cattaraugus Lodge, No. 393, and the first notice or record that can be found would seem to indicate the formation of the lodge, and is as follows : " Nov. 16, 1824, Cattaraugus Lodge, No. 393, convened at lodge-room at Franklinville. Present, Brother Jacob Wade, Past Master. Proceeded to install Brother Joseph MeClure as Junior Warden, agreeable to the order of the Right Worthy Grand Master, Joseph Enos, of the date of Oct. 23, 1824. Petitions received and put on file of Samuel McClure, of Franklinville; Samuel McClure, of Olean; Charles McLouth, of Franklinville ; Solomon Curtis, of Franklinville ; James L. Bishop, of Farmersville.
" Brothers Thomas Morris, Elwin Seward, and Levi Peet were appointed a committee of inquiry. Lodge adjourned until two weeks from this day, at two of the clock P.M.
" Nov. 30, 1824 .- Lodge opened at lodge-room. Present, Joseph McClure, Thomas Morris, Ezekiel Flanders, Samuel Putnam, Elam Seward, Levi Peet. They proceeded to elect officers for the ensuing year, with the following result : Joseph McClure, Master ; Thomas Morris, S. W .; Levi Pect, J. W .; Elam Seward, Treas. ; Samuel Putnam, Sec. ; Ezekiel Flanders, J. D .; Edward Swales, Tyler."
Its meetings were held in the lodge-room, in the McClure tavern, and the lodge increased in numbers, and continued to flourish until about 1831, when it ceased work, owing to the great tidal wave of anti-Masonry which swept over the country at that time. David McClure was Master at that time, and refused to surrender the charter.
The festival of St. John the Baptist was held here from June 24, 1825, publicly. Rev. Elias Going was Orator ; Augustin F. Hayden, Marshal of the day.
The Past Masters of the Cattaraugus Lodge were Joseph McClure, Thomas Morris, James L. Bishop, Pardon T. Jewell, Isaac Scarl, and David McClure, who was its last Worthy Master.
A charter for a Royal Arch Chapter was petitioned for and granted Dec. 30, 1825. Augustin F. Hayden was the first High-Priest.
In 1827, the first death occurred in the ranks of the Masonic fraternity, and all that was mortal of Edward Swales was borne to the tomb with Masonic honors. He was buried on a knoll that is now on the highway to Far- merville Centre, between the residence of William B. McGeorge and Evarts Russell.
On the 22d day of June, 1867, a charter was granted by the Grand Lodge, constituting Franklinville Lodge, No. 626, in the village of Franklinville, naming David Phette- place Master ; John Burlingame, S. W. ; William A. Day, J. W. Its charter members were D. M. Phettiplace, J. Burlingame, H. A. Harvey, P. T. Jewell, W. A. Day, H. Stillwell, H. Van Aernam, Allen Briggs, J. R. Salisbury, J. D. Napier, Joseph Deibler, H. E. Green, Wm. Napier, Perry Willard, S. B. Robbins, L. E. Stillwell.
The Past Masters of Lodge No. 262 have been D. M. Phetteplace, P. T. Jewell, J. Burlingame, W. S. Hovey, and William M. Benson.
The officers of 1878 are N. F. Weed, W. Master ; John Burlingame, Senior Warden ; H. Stillwell, Junior Warden; D. J. Graves, Treasurer; J. R. Salisbury, Secretary ; W. M. Benson, Chaplain ; Edgar Cudeling, S. D .; Cyrus Case, J. D .; O. N. Latham, Tyler; O. A. Spoor, S. Master of Ceremonies; S. B. Robbins, J. Master of Ceremonies.
They have at present 70 members. Their meetings are held in the Masonic Hall, on West Street.
A. O. U. W.
The lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen was instituted March 3, 1877, and organized by the election of W. S. Hovey Past Master Workman; James D. McVey, Master Workman; George C. Clark, Recorder; Dr. F. Findley, Receiver.
They number at present 34 members, and hold their meetings over Huyck's furniture-store, on West Street.
ISCHUA LODGE, NO. 409, I. O. OF O. F.,
was organized April 3, 1849, with Silas Adams, Noble Grand; Jasper Andrews, Vice-Grand. It flourished a few years; dissensions crept in, and its charter was surrendered the latter part of 1854.
SCHOOLS.
The first attempt to " teach the young idea how to shoot" was in 1808 or '9, and was by Dr. John McClure, in the house of one Hotchkiss, who had moved away, and was on the west side of Ischua Creek, near the old burial-place.
In 1813 a frame school-house, 16 by 20, the first in the town, was built on land now owned by - Grierson, two miles below the village, on the Henry Conrad farm. Henry L. Kingsley was the first teacher.
In 1820, William Older, William Stillwell, and Solomon Curtiss were appointed school trustees. A log school-house was built about half a mile north of the village. In 1820- 21, Louie Moore taught them ; in the winter of 1821-22, Benjamin McClure ; and in 1824-25, Pardon T. Jewell.
In 1828 the first school-house in the village of Franklin- ville was built on the road leading to Farmersville. The statistics of schools for this town in the year 1878 show the town to contain 12 school districts, with twelve school
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buildings, valued, with their sites, at $4775, and to have in connection 458 volumes in library, valued at $250. There were twelve teachers employed, who received as wages $2027.14. The number of weeks taught was 3434 ; the number of children of school age was 579; average daily attendance, 227; amount of public money received from the State, $1364.55; amount raised by tax, $611.09.
CEMETERIES.
The first burials were on lot 7, township 4, range 5, the land owned by Charles W. Phillips. Dr. John McClure was the first in the town to " pass to the other side." His death occurred in 1811, and he was buried on the north side of the road leading from Franklinville to Ellicottville. Mrs. Charles McLouth was also buried here, in 1824. A family burial-place was used by the McClures on the farm.
The first burial-place set apart by the inhabitants as such consisted of one acre, and was bought for $100 of Manley McClure and Philo Bradley, and was located on the east side of the Buffalo State Road, on lot 39, township 4, and 4th range. Twenty-one of the citizens of the place united, and chose as trustees James Fay, Jesse Smith, and Cyrus . Briggs. This was in 1838. It was laid out into lots, and the lots were sold. In May, 1839, William Kissock was buried in the grounds, being the first laid away in this " Silent City."
A burial-place containing about one acre was laid out on the west side of the creek, at Cadiz, in 1837. Solomon Curtiss and his wife were among the first buried there.
In these burial-places the " forefathers of the hamlet sleep."
MOUNT PROSPECT CEMETERY.
. The cemetery is located on the slope of the cast hill, over- looking the village of Franklinville and the valley beyond. IIere in solemn silence childhood, youth, manhood, and old age, buoyant hopes, brilliant prospects, high and noble aims, and the burdens of weary life are all buried.
For several years the question of a new cemetery had been agitated. Meetings were held, committees appointed, reports made, but nothing had been accomplished. In July, 1877, a few citizens, determined upon securing the object that had so frequently failed, obtained the signatures of about fifty of the citizens, whereby they agreed to form an association under the laws of the State, purchase ground, and lay out a cemetery. On the 28th day of July, 1877, a meeting was held in the Baptist church, and a corporation was organized under the name of " The Franklinville Ceme- tery" (now known as " Mount Prospect Cemetery"). Trus- tecs were elected as follows : William F. Weed, James H. Ferris, O. A. Holmes, S. Cummings, Warren Carpenter, J. H. Waring, II. Van Acrnam, J. E. Robeson, J. D. Case. From these an organization of the board was effected by electing as follows : for President, H. Van Aernam ; Vice- President, William F. Wecd ; Treasurer, J. D. Case; Sec- retary, J. H. Waring; Executive Committee, William F. Weed, Warren Carpenter, J. F. Robeson.
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