History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 91

Author: Franklin Ellis and Eugene Arns Nash
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In the month of November, 1838, he was married to Miss Parney B. Woolley, and some time during that month they moved into his residence at Yorkshire Centre, N. Y., where they continued until her death, Nov. 4, 1877. In the fall of 1878 he was again united in marriage to Martha J. Ten Broeck, relict of the late John Ten Broeck, of Franklinville, into which village he removed, bidding a farewell to his home at Yorkshire Centre.

It was not until after Mr. Lowden had lived over seven years in the town of Yorkshire, that he became a citizen, after which he took some part in politics, and was chosen as one of three delegates to represent that town in a con- vention that was held at Ellicottville, Cattaraugus Co., for the purpose of organizing the Republican party in said county; and he has ever since been a staunch adherer to its principles, ever ready and willing to make a consist- ent sacrifice for the promotion of the Republican cause, for which he has been measurably remunerated, both in elect- ive and appointive offices in county and town.

It was not long after Mr. Lowden became a citizen that the people of his town elected him to the office of town clerk, which he held consecutively for three terms. He was subsequently elected to the office of justice of the peace, which he also held during three terms, and in one of these he was elected justice of sessions by the electors of his county. He also represented the town of Yorkshire as supervisor. He was appointed postmaster at Yorkshire Centre, which position he held for twelve years. He was also appointed loan commissioner, which place he held five years. In November, 1872, he was elected superin- tendent of the poor for the county of Cattaraugus, and again re-elected November, 1875, which term expired Dec. 31, 1878. It can be truthfully said, that of all the positions that he has held there has not been an im- putation against him in anywise.

Mr. Lowden's family consisted of six children,-two sons and four daughters. Of the daughters, there is but one

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living; she being the wife of Daniel K. Bailey. His sons -George W. and James E .- are by trade blacksmiths, having received instructions in that line from their father, and are now in business for themselves; George in the State of Illinois, and James at his father's old shop, at Yorkshire Centre.

In conclusion, it may be said of Mr. Lowden that he is an affable and thoroughly enterprising gentleman, a kind husband, and indulgent parent. As a neighbor he is kind and accommodating, always willing to extend relief to the poor, and is ever found an advocate for down-trodden humanity.

SAMUEL STOWELL SPRING,

son of Samuel and Eunice (Stowell) Spring, and the youngest of a family of fourteen children, was born at Grafton, Vt., Dec. 25, 1823.

During his boyhood, to the age of fourteen years, he possessed the advantages of a common-school education, largely promoted by that intense energy and perseverance which was a prevailing characteristic through his whole life. The father of young Samuel, besides being one of the principal business men in the county where he resided, was an energetic and practical farmer, located on the uplands bordering upon the slope of the Green Mountains, requiring all the powers of will, of persistence, and unfaltering in- dustry to wring from the stubborn soil the required means of subsistence, much more an easy competence. Thoroughly imbued with these habits by the exemplary teachings of his father, and fortified against that easy transition from virtue to vice by the wise counsels 'and pious precepts of his mother, at the age of fourteen he entered upon a higher grade of studies under the tuition of his brother Levi, who was a ripe scholar and a full graduate of Amherst College. Here he remained a successful student until the fall of 1842, when he came to Arcade, Wyoming Co., N. Y., and attended the academy at that place for one year, and then entered the office of his brother, the Hon. Leverett Spring, as a student-at-law.

He remained in the office of his brother until 1845, when he entered the law-office of Wells Brooks, at Spring- ville, Erie Co., where he remained but a few months, and then returned to his brother's in Arcade, where he prose- cuted his legal studies for nearly two years. In the spring of 1848 he entered as a student into the office of the Hon. Linus W. Thayer, of Warsaw, Wyoming Co., and remained there until the fall of the same year, when he was admitted to practice his profession in the courts of the State.

In the autumn of 1848 he came to the village of Frank- linville, and upon the side of a very diminutive office he placed a very diminutive sign, with this inscription, " S. S. Spring, Attorney and Counselor-at-Law."

Poor, diffident, and retiring, with a manner both of ad- dress and deportment illy calculated to win the confidence and esteem of casual observers, he threw down the gaunt- let and boldly challenged fate to a contest for the prize of eminence and distinction. By his diligence, energy, and perseverance he furnished an exemplification of what may be accomplished through these agencies, by forcing com-

plete success from beneath superincumbent difficulties that so often thwart the purposes of those endowed with less of the spirit of determination. Ever clear and earnest in his convictions, he at once took a high rank in his profession, and was always distinguished for his complete mastery of his cases and thorough knowledge of legal principles.

On the 9th day of May, 1850, he married Ellen, daugh- ter of William Hogg, of Franklinville, she being the young- est of a family of twelve children. Mr. Spring continued in the practice of his profession with complete success and a growing popularity, and in the fall of 1859 was elected to the office of district attorney for the county of Catta- raugus, a position which he held for six consecutive years. In 1870, with a unanimity scarcely paralleled in the history of political contests, he was chosen to the office of county judge, the duties of which he continued to discharge until the time of his death. As a prosecuting attorney, without vindictiveness to the criminal, to the crime he was relent- less as destiny, allowing no considerations to interfere with the majesty of law or to swerve him from his inflexible purpose of punishing the guilty, and no defective indict- ment ever tarnished his legal reputation. As a judge he held the scale of justice with an even and steady hand, zealously guarding the rights of all and granting favors to none. Judge Spring's unbending integrity as a man, and his extensive and thorough knowledge of the principles of law, secured for him the entire confidence of every member of the legal profession who had business at the court over which he presided; and his decisions were regarded as a finality, and seldom or never carried to a higher tribunal for review, confirmation, or reversal. In his exposition of the principles involved in statutory or common law, he was ever clear, logical, and explicit, adapting his language to the humblest capacities, and so effectually clearing the way to equitable conclusions that "a wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein." Not only had he secured the entire confidence of the legal profession, but by his honor as a man, his urbanity as a gentleman, and his conceded ability as a jurist, he had acquired a growing popularity that pointed unmistakably to his elevation to a seat upon the bench of the superior court of the State.

In addition to his professional and official duties, Mr. Spring had purchased a farm of some two hundred acres adjoining the beautiful plat upon which his residence was situated, and erected suitable buildings for agricultural and dairy purposes. He not only superintended the affairs of his farm, but during the busy seasons of the year gave them his undivided attention and the full energies of his mind and might ; the plow, the hoe, the scythe, and the pitching-fork were as familiar to him as the tomes of his library ; and he clung to the last row on the potato-field or the last wisp of hay in the meadow with the same relentless pertinacity that he would to a doubtful or knotty case at law.

In the initial proceedings for the incorporation of the vil- lage of Franklinville, Judge Spring took an active and promi- nent part ; his influence as a citizen, and his knowledge of law, either bore down or neutralized the powerful opposition arrayed against it, and carried the enterprise to a successful termination. He was elected as its first president, and by

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HON. S. S. SPRING.

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his skill and astuteness in connection with his official com- peers placed it as an incorporation in successful operation, the beneficial results of which are palpable to the most care- less observer or indifferent spectator. Subsequent to 1870 his health was in a state of slow but constant decline from a malady which pertinaciously defied all medical skill, and for five years suffered intense pain without a murmur or complaint, never relaxing his habitual industry or ignoring his official duties. He either visited his office daily or coun- seled with his clients and transacted other business at his bedside.

In the summer of 1875, by the advice of friends, he was induced to travel, in the delusive hope that the invigorating atmosphere of the lake-region of Northern Minnesota might

improve his health, or at least mitigate his sufferings. He arrived at Duluth early in July, and after a few days was taken violently ill, and on the 18th day of July, 1875, he quietly breathed his last, a stranger in a strange land,- a perforating ulcer of the stomach having done its fatal work. His remains were brought home, and are now de- posited in Mount Prospect Cemetery, on the confines of the village of Franklinville, in easy view of that quiet home he loved so dearly and from which he parted so reluctantly.

Judge Spring left a wife and six children-four sons and two daughters-to mourn his loss and as inheritors of an casy competence,-the result of his industry and frugality; and what is richer still, the memory of wise precepts, good examples, and a useful, busy, and blameless life.

ASHFORD.

THIS town embraces all of township 5 in sixth range, except three tiers of lots on the south side, and that portion of township 6 in the sixth and seventh ranges, cast of Connoirtoirauley Creek, and south of Cattaraugus Creek.

The northern boundary is Cattaraugus Creek, which separates it from Erie County. On the east it is bounded by Yorkshire and Machias; south by Ellicottville and East Otto; and west by the last-named town, from which it is separated in part by Connoirtoirauley Creek.

It is nearly the centre border town of the county, and is drained by Cattaraugus Creek, and Buttermilk and Connoir- toirauley Creeks, which are its tributaries, and flow in a north westerly direction. In the southern portion of the town the hills extend in ridges in a northerly and southerly direction, and attain an altitude of about 300 feet. From many of these elevations the waters of Lake Eric are plainly visible.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

It was not until 1816 that any portion of the domain now included in the town of Ashford was contracted to actual settlers, but during that year, contracts were issued by the Holland Land Company to William and George Shultis, of Claverack, Columbia Co., N. Y., Andrew Frank and David Oyer, of Herkimer County, N. Y., and Benja- min Rhodes and Marsena Brooks. From this time the settlement of the town commenced and immigration was rapid. Henry Frank, a native of Philadelphia, of German descent, was one of the first settlers in the town of Frank- fort, Herkimer Co., and in this year came in with his wife and two sons, Andrew and Jacob H., with their wives. Andrew contracted for 100 acres on lot 56. In 1817, Jacob contracted for 100 acres on lot 71, afterwards known as the Newkirk farm.

Henry Frank, the father, was a scout in the Revolution- ary army. Andrew was a soldier in the war of 1812. In his family occurred the first death in the town, that of a daughter, Phebe, Aug. 30, 1818. In the family of Jacob H. Frank, the first child was born, a daughter, Eliza- beth, in 1817. The descendants of these Frank brothers are living in the town and are numerous.

William and George Shultis, from Columbia County, took possession of their lands, on lot 36, where Russel Coster now lives. On this farm was an old beaver-dam. About thirty acres were without timber. They here built a log house, and cut a wide slashing entirely around this open space, but soon removed to the north side of Catta- raugus Creek. The log house was used for many years as a stopping-place for travelers on the road. The Shultis brothers took the contract for opening the road for the Holland Company, that was in the carly years known as the " Shultis Road," which extended from Springville to Cattaraugus Creek, on lot 65 and through lots 65, 58, 51, corner of 50, 43, 42, 16, 15, 14, 21, 29, and 36, when it entered the town of Ellicottville, through which it passed to the village of Ellicottville. This road was opened about 1818, was but little used, and entirely abandoned in later years, following, however, nearly the route of the present road through the eastern part of the town.

Marsena Brooks, from Hampden County, did not settle in the town until about 1822. He remained till about 1829, when he removed to Ellicottville, and from thence to Ohio.

Benjamin Rhodes soon settled, lived in the town until a few years since, when he removed to Springville and lived with his daughter. David Oyer married Mary, a daughter of Andrew Frank, located land in 1816, but did not settle until 1819, when he came in, traveling the last eight miles

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through the wilderness from Springville, and took posses- sion, with his wife and two children, Peter and Elizabeth, of lot 56, where Andrew P. Frank now lives, and built the first saw-mill in town, on Connoirtoirauley Creek, in 1826, near where Peter Ellis lives. He was elected one of the first commissioners of highways and overseers of the poor, in 1824, and was supervisor in 1830-31.

Augustus Van Slyke, from Herkimer County, married a daughter of Andrew Frank, and came to this town in 1819, with his wife and two children, and settled on lot 47. He was instrumental in the organization of the first church in town, which was the Baptist. No descendants are now living in Ashford.

Nathan Saunders, a native of Massachusetts, emigrated to Springville in 1816, and located 100 acres in this town, on lot 70, where James Goodemote lives, and in 1818, with oxen and sleds, moved his wife, seven children, and household goods, built a large log house and barn, Lothrop Beebe and others coming out from Springville to assist him in rolling up the logs.

He was one of the first overseers of the poor in 1824. James, a son, soon after located 100 acres on lot 60.

John Goodemote, of Kinderhook, Columbia Co., emi- grated to this town and settled on lot 60, where Charles C. Bigelow lives. Baltus, his son, settled on lot 65. Philip also owned land on lot 65, but settled on 60.

It is related of John Goodemote that, in conversation with Nathan Saunders concerning the education and well- being of the children, he said, " Mr. Saunders, ve must puilt school-house for de childers ! You oppinate me for drustee. I oppinate you ! Den ve puilt de school-house and have de monies !"

Peter Quackenbush, from Montgomery County, emigrated with his wife and son, John (who is still living, and resides in Ashford Hollow), in the fall of 1819, and located 150 acres ou lot 55, where Isaac Bellows now owns. John H. Quackenbush, his father, came in 1821, and built the first tavern in town, on his son's farm. He was in the Revolu- tionary war, captured with his brother, David, by the In- dians, and was taken west as far as Niagara, where they were exchanged and released. While in captivity they were compelled to run the gauntlet.

Jacob Hufstater, of Herkimer County, located land, in 1818, on lot 1, township 6, range 7, where he lived in 1824. Afterwards located on lot 75, in 1820. In 1825, he sold out to Henry Frank, the oldest son of Henry Frank, Sr., and bought on lot 78, where his son, Jeremiah, now lives. Michael Hufstater, a brother of Jacob, settled on lot 75, but did not remain long. Michael C. Hufstater, in 1821, came in town and settled, lived here six years, returned to Herkimer County, and after a few years returned to the castern part of the town and settled.

John Holdridge, Elijah Parmenter, and Tristam Dodge were located on lot 53, and Asahel Nye, on lot 54, in 1819, and were there many years. Austin Pratt, who married the daughter of John Beverly, in 1823, of Otto, was on lot 45, with Elias Bower, in 1824.

Philip Bonesteel and his son, Henry, settled in this town before 1820, where Nelson Hufstater now lives. He was chairman of a special town-meeting, April 27, 1821, |

at the village of Ellicottville, and was justice of the peacc. In 1823 they removed to East Otto.

Isaac Woodruff settled on lot 53 in 1820, and was one of the first assessors of the town.

Anderson Rowland, in 1819, settled on lot 61 or 55, where - Johnson now lives.

Joseph T. and Norman B. Carter, from Darien, Genesee Co., N. Y., in the month of March, 1821, came to this town and located a quarter section of lot 45, cleared off land, and kept bachelors' hall many years. Norman B. built the first frame barn in the town, in 1823, where Geo. Quackenbush now resides. He was elected one of the first school commissioners, and was justice of the peace in 1834. The first schools were taught in the town in the winter of 1822-23. Norman B. Carter teaching in the southern part of the town in a log school-house on lot 56, where Andrew Neff lives; Daniel Thomas, at "Thomas' Settle- ment," in the northern part. In 1835, Joseph T. and Norman B. removed to Michigan. Russel M. Carter came in the summer of 1822 to visit his brothers. In 1825 he returned and worked all summer, and located .part of lot 45, and later, bought on lot 36, where he still resides, being the farm originally settled by Wm. and Geo. Shultis in 1818.

Jacob P. Bargy, from Herkimer County, was at Sackett's Harbor in the war of 1812, and was poisoned by water from the wells in that place, with other soldiers. In 1810 he married Dorothy Ann Frank, a daughter of Henry Frank, Sr., in the village of Herkimer, and came to this town in 1824, worked on shares the farm of David Oyer, and after- wards bought on lot 62. In 1830 he was elected justice of the peace.

Seth Allen came in the town in the winter of 1822-23, and built the first grocery store in the town at Ashford Hollow, near the creek, where James Hughey lives. He also built a log ashery by the bridge, and manufactured pearlash. Hc afterwards purchased land on lots 68, 69, 73, and lived on lot 74; married Polly, the daughter of John Goodemote. He was elected the first town clerk and justice of the peace in 1832-36.

Jacob Frank, son of Henry Frank, Jr., settled on lot 48 in 1821, the 1st of April, and in that year worked at his trade as a blacksmith, opening the first shop in town. His son lives in Ashford Hollow.

Frederick Frank, also a son of Henry Frank, Jr., owned land on lot 8, township 6, range 7, in 1824, and settled on lot 75, and is still living in the town. Henry, his father, came in the next year, and bought out Jacob Hufstater.

John D. Quackenbush, from Montgomery County in 1824, settled on lot 54, which James Neff now owns. He purchased 100 acres for $2.00 per acre, of the Holland Land Co. The journey to this place occupied eleven days. He built a log house with two openings, one on each side. He packed an old trunk with provisions and clothing on leaving home, which served him also for a table. His son, Petr Quackenbush, lives on the Gospel lot.

Peter Sampson was a native of Massachusetts, emigrated to the north side of Cattaraugus Creek, with his wife and a large family of grown-up sons and daughters. Sanford J. Sampson had located land on lot 29, township 5, range 6, in 1822. In that year, l'eter, his father, traded farms

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HIGH BANKS BELOW FARM .

JUNCTION OF CATTARAUGUS VIEW OF CATTARAUGUS VALLEY, SHOWING F

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W. G. RANSOM.

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BAUCUS MO BUTTERMILK CREEKS. HAVING FARM AND RESIDENCE OF W. G. RANSOM, ASHFORD, CATTARAUGUS CON. Y. BARNS

RESIDENCE AND BUTTERMILK CREEK.

CHEESE HOUSE.

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with John Goodemote, who lived across the creek on lot 60, and came over on this side, and Gamaliel settled near him. Peter was elected commissioner of highways in 1824, super- visor in 1825, again in 1832-33, and afterwards justice of the peace. He early carried the mail from Buffalo to Olean, first on foot then on horseback, and finally by stage, and continued this position as mail-carrier and expressman until his death, which occurred Dec. 8, 1836, aged sixty years, and was caused by an accident in descending a hill near the Cattaraugus breakers. His daughters married Wm. Shul- tis, Royal McLean, Charles C. Bigelow, and Truman Beasley.

Griffin and David Wildey, natives of Columbia County, settled near East Ashford in 1821; in 1822 he owned on lot 57, now in East Otto. Griffin was on lot 57. He as- sisted in clearing the spot where the jail in Ellicottville was built. David settled on lot 58. Amos and Daniel Thomas settled on lots 58 and 59 in 1822, on what is known as " Thomas' Corners." The first school-house in town was built here, and Daniel Thomas was the teacher, school being taught the same winter in the south part by N. B. Carter. Daniel was school commissioner in that year. Amos Thomas lived where Emory Bond lives ; the first town-meeting was held at his house. In 1822, Ebenezer C. Sherman, of Ver- mont, located first 150 acres on lot 57; he was one of the first assessors, afterwards town clerk. George Arnold set- tled early, and was a school commissioner in 1824, with N. B. Carter and D. Thomas. Jeremiah Wilcox settled on lot 70 before 1824. He was supervisor in 1834-36.

Timothy Stevens, a native of Massachusetts, emigrated to Pike, Allegany Co., in 1823; to this town with his wife and five children, locating 125 acres on lot 57, in 1825, where he remained a year or two, then settled on lot 51. His sons, Freeman, Andrew, and Thomas, settled in the town, the two latter living in East Ashford.

James Flagg and Amos B. Fuller settled on lot 54, on Cattaraugus Creek, before 1825.

Job Bigelow, from Vermont, and John Bond, from Massa- chusetts, settled in 1825. Bigelow on lot 47, where his son Oliver lives. Bond, in the fall of that year, settled on lot 70, where Paul Cook lives. He located on the bend of the creek, but lived up on the breakers. J. P. Bond, his son, settled on lot 59.

Alexander Scobey came from Herkimer County, and settled, about 1822, on lot 6, East Otto, about one mile west of Dutch Hollow ; was there seven years, and went to Ashford and bought the grist-mills of Peabody, which were two and a half miles southwest from Springville, and re- mained there thirty-five years, during which time he was supervisor of the town in 1848, and from .1850 to 1853. Rebuilt the grist-mill and saw-mill dam, and sold to Love- land & Daggets in 1864. He also built a bridge 185 feet in length, across the Cattaraugus Creek at that point, in 1862. He is now a resident of Sandusky, in the town of Freedom, and is seventy-two years of age.

David R. Upon located on lot 39; Daniel M. Cole, of Vermont, located 100 acres on lot 46, and settled upon it the 16th day of November, 1826; Freeborn Joslyn on lot 46, where Ezra Bigelow now lives ; Elder Proper on lot 44, where Emerson Wiltsie lives. These settled be- tween 1825 and 1828.

The two tiers of lots on the cast side of the town, except on Cattaraugus Creek, were entirely unoccupied before 1825.

Between 1828 and 1830, Solomon Day, from Vermont, settled 100 acres on lot 36, where Philip Wiltsie, his son- in-law, now resides. His daughter, Mrs. Wiltsie, and son, Hodson Day, are living in the town.

Albert Williams settled on lot 35, where his son, R. C. Williams, now resides.

In 1830, Nathaniel Holland settled on lot 49; his son Norman on the flat by the creek.

Wm. Rice also settled on lot 49, where the saw-mill at East Ashford now is. He built a saw-mill on the creek about the time he came in. The settlement has long been known as Riceville, in honor of him. Cyrus Belknap and John Wilson sold their lots on 48 and 50, about 1829, to Abel Rice, a brother of William.

On the hill southeast from East Ashford, Charles Bond, Freeman Stevens, and Sullivan Bond purchased 200 or 300 acres on lot 16 in about 1832.

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History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 91

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: