USA > New York > Cayuga County > History of Cayuga County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 53
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During the period from 1840 to 1847, the church was sorely rent by divisions caused by the discussions of questions connected with the political actions of their pastors and other mem- bers, and their number was reduced from one hundred and forty-three to twenty-two. But in January, 1847, these difficulties were healed by the assistance of a council convened for that purpose, and in the spring of that year the labors of Henry B. Kenyon were secured and retained till 1849.
In their letter to the association in 1849, they write :
" Since we last represented ourselves we have enjoyed the labors of H. B. Kenyon a part of the time, and for the last three months the labors of Elder E. Robbins. We are now destitute of a pastor, and most earnestly desire the prayers of brethren that we may be kept from dishonor- ing the cause of Christ. We are at peace among ourselves."
Elder Kenyon again became their pastor in 1850, and died June 28th, 1851. The pulpit was supplied till 1852, in which year Jud- son Davis was called and served them eight years. In 1854 repairs were made on the church and a bell was bought. Elder Fuller succeded to the pastorate in 1859, and served them one year, resigning the charge January Ist, 1860. He was followed by Elder Wig- gins, who served them two years, till 1862, when Elder H. B. Garfield was called and remained a like period, having baptized twelve and admitted two by letter. Elder Phillips was the pastor in 1864. He was succeeded in 1865 by Elder Greene, who continued his labors with them until 1 869.
During the year 1870 their house of worship was repaired, and a new organ bought. The' pul- pit was supplied by different pastors. In 1871 Elder Ira Dudley was called to the pastorate. He served them most of the time for four years. Elder Cross served them either as pastor or sup-
ply in 1874 ; and from that time till November 2d, 1877, when the present pastor, Rev. C. F. Whitcomb, of Syracuse, was called, the pulpit was supplied by Revs. M. Hewitt, Mallory, Robin- son, Smith, Tollman and others.
In the winter of 1878, under the charge of the present pastor, a revival was experienced by which a large number were converted and nine added to the membership by baptism. The pres- ent number of members is 43.
BETHEL CORNERS.
Bethel Corners (p. o.) is a hamlet of about sev- enty-five inhabitants, in the north-west corner of the town. It contains a church, (M. E.) but no business establishments, neither store, nor hotel. There was formerly a small tannery in opera- tion here, but it was discontinued some six years ago. It was built about fifty years ago by Sam- uel Andrews, who run it some ten years, when he sold it to his son, George B. Andrews, who still owns it. The capital invested in raw mate- rial never exceeded $1,000, but considerable tan- ning was done on shares.
The first settler at Bethel Corners was Daniel Thomas. The next was Samuel Andrews, whose son, Geo. B. Andrews, still lives there.
MERCHANTS .- The first store at Bethel Cor- ners was started by Harrison Pollay, about fif- teen years ago. He continued it about three years and rented it to Chauncey Stewart, who kept it about a year. It was next kept by John DeForest, who bought it and after about a year sold it to Thomas D. Wands, who kept it about six months and sold to Mason Andrews, who built a larger store, which was burned about four months after. Newton G. Phelps opened a store in 1871, and in 1872 he built a new store. He did business here in all five years. He rented the building and sold his stock to John W. Gui- der, who kept store about a year, when he sold his goods to a man in Auburn, who removed them to that place. There has been no store kept here since.
POSTMASTERS .- The first post-master at Beth- el Corners was Edwin C. Holcomb, who held the office some six or eight years. He was suc- ceeded about ten years ago by George B. An- drews, who still holds the office and distributes the mail in his house.
BETHEL M. E. CHURCH, at Bethel Corners, was
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
organized in 1828, by Rev. Geo. W. Densmore, with nine members, viz : Samuel Andrews, and Margaret his wife, Lois Andrews, his mother, Geo. B. Andrews, his son, Eliza Andrews, his daughter, Mrs. Maria Follett, Mrs. Abram Wil- liams, and - Kinney and wife, of whom only Geo. B. Andrews and Maria Follett are living. Revs. Geo. W. Densmore and W. Ninde were the first pastors on this circuit, for two years. The present pastor is Olin Webster, who com- menced his labors October Ist, 1877. Their church edifice was built about twenty-six years ago. The present membership is about seventy ; and the attendance at Sabbath school, about twenty.
IRA STATION.
Ira Station, on the S. C. R. R., is on the west line, two miles west of Ira Center. There is nothing here but the depot.
MANUFACTURES .- One-half mile west of Ira Center is a saw-mill, owned by W. H. Carr and James Follett, and built in 1848, by Samuel Phelps, Jr., and Samuel Sturge. In 1870, new machinery was put in and a stave machine add- ed. The motive power is furnished by a thir- ty-six horse-power engine. Its capacity is 5,000 feet of lumber per day.
In the south part of the town, about midway on the road between Cato and Meridian, is a cheese-factory owned by Abial Cook. It was started by a stock company about six years ago and run by them about two years, when it came into the hands of Abial Cook, who was the prin- cipal stock-holder. Three cheese only are made per day.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
GEORGE R. RICH.
GEORGE R. RICH is the sixth child of John and Sarah (Eastman) Rich, who were natives of Connecticut, both of whom were born about the year 1778. His father was a farmer, and brick- maker by trade. In 1802, his parents moved from Connecticut, and settled in Fort Ann, Wash- ington county, N. Y., where his father resided until his death, which occurred in 1821.
George R. was born in Fort Ann, in 1809, and in the year 1834, came with his mother to Ira, Cayuga County, where, in 1869, she passed from earthly life at the advanced age of ninety-one years.
The subject of this brief sketch had but a few advantages for an early education. He worked for neighboring farmers by the day and month during the summers, and attended the district schools winters, until he was cighteen years of age. He followed farming, and employed his leisure time in preparing himself for his profes- sion, that of the law, until the year 1843, but he was admitted to practice in the County courts in 1842. In 1843 he went into the office of Judge Humphries, at that time one of the ablest jurists in the State, where he studied until 1848. He was admitted to practice in all the courts that year, and has been concerned in the adjustment of many intricate suits which called into requisi- tion great powers of mind, and the exercise of superior judgment.
Few have passed through the vicissitudes at- tending a long practice of the profession with more honor, and given more general satisfaction to both plaintiff and defendant. Being of an iron constitution he still retains much of that buoyancy of spirit which characterized his youth- ful days.
In 1859 he was appointed by Gov. Morgan, Loan Commissioner for the County of Cayuga, which office he held for about eight years
He has by rigid economy and close application to his business accumulated a competency which will tend to smooth life's rugged pathway down through old age. His house has ever been an asylum for the needy who were thought worthy, and no one was ever turned away empty. In politics Mr. Rich was a Democrat in his earlier life, but after the formation of the Republican party he voted with and worked for the interests of the latter till the nomination of Horace Gree- ly in 1872, since which time he has voted for the " best man" in his judgment, at every election, regardless of party. For many years he was a member and a liberal supporter of the Baptist church, but now attends the Disciples' church.
On the 23d of April, 1834, he was joined in marriage to Margaret Ann (Wood) Wallace, daughter of Ruloff and Maria (Van Alstine) Wood, of Montgomery county. Her mother is yet living and is a member of Mr. Rich's family. Her age is 87 years.
They have raised a large family of children, of whom they have reason to feel proud, and have given them a good education, at the same time instilling in their minds the value of industry and economy. Their names are here given in the order of their births ; Frank, now a promi- nent and successful attorney at Cato, N. Y., who was born February 3d, 1835, and married Frances
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W. Petty, June 15th, 1859; Letitia, who was born September 28th, 1836, married Stephen Olmsted, October 28th, 1855, and died Septem- ber 6th, 1869 ; Margaret A., who was born Octo- ber 30th, 1838, and married Doctor James Ben- ton, November 10th, 1853 ; George A., who was born November 15th, 1841, and married Julia Tucker March 21st, 1865 ; Mary C., who was born February 26th, 1844, and married Arthur W. Tucker October 18th, 1864 ; John E., who was born July 18th, 1846, and married Mary Flagler, August 10th, 1867 ; Gratie, who was born Feb- ruary 11th, 1849, and died September 25th, 1850; Charles L., who was born July 26th, 1852, and died April 14th, 1855; Charles, who was born June 17th, 1857, and is now preparing himself for the law with his brother Frank.
ROBERT JOHNSON.
ROBERT JOHNSON is the third son of Edward Johnson, a native of Grimsby, England, who came to America and settled on lot 45, in the town of Ira, Cayuga County, in the year 1816. Edward Johnson was a cabinet maker by trade, but followed farming in this country. He mar- ried Ann Clayton, in England, about the year 1796. There were born to them twelve children. He died April 9th, 1843, aged 71 years, and his wife died July Ist, 1855, in her 84th year.
Robert came with his father to this country. He was left in Albany, when the family were on their way to Cayuga County, and there he worked at his trade of brass moulder for about six months. He then went to his father's in Ira, going the en- tire distance on foot. He worked with his father on the farm about three years, then went to Phil- adelphia, Pa., where he was employed about one year by his brother, the late Lawrence Johnson, Esq., who was an extensive type manufacturer. He returned to the home of his father and re- mained there, employed on the farm, until 1829. On the Ist of January, 1829, he was married to Mary M. Earl, daughter of Reuben and Susan (Cary) Earl. For eight years after their mar- riage they lived in a house on his father's farm. He then purchased ninety acres of land on lot 3I, and has added by purchase from time to time until his farm now contains 165 acres.
They had two children. The elder, Charlotte, was born October 14th, 1829. This daughter, from the age of ten years, was an invalid till her death, which occurred November 3d, 1877.
The second child, Lucy S., was born Decem- ber 8th, 1841. She was united in marriage with C. Walcott Burritt, January 20th, 1863.
Mr. Johnson has been Overseer of the Poor in his town, and held the office of Excise Commis- sioner for twelve years. He has settled many estates.
In politics he is a staunch Republican.
Robert Johnson Burritt, son of C. W. and Lucy Burritt, was born May 20th, 1874.
JOHN TURNER KNAPP.
JOHN TURNER KNAPP is the second child of Uz and Abigail (Sherman) Knapp. His fa- ther was born in Vermont and his mother in Con- necticut. They moved from Vermont and set- tled in the town of Moreau, Saratoga county, N. Y., about the year 1797. They remained there, his father following the trade of shoemaker, until 1810, when they removed further west, to the town of Cato, Cayuga County. His father here was engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes and leather until his death, which occurred in the year 1816, one year after the death of his wife, in 1815. There were born to them five children, viz .: Sallie, John T., Abigail, Betsey and Mary, all of whom are now dead, except John T., who was born May 19th, 1802, in the town of Moreau, Saratoga county, and came with his parents to Cato. As soon as his strength would permit he was put into service in his father's tan- nery grinding bark, and when not employed in that capacity he was engaged in fitting boots and shoes, and at the time of his father's death, being only fourteen years old, he was so skillful as to be able to make and finish a pair of boots or shoes in a manner nearly equal to that of some of the best workmen in his father's employ.
The facilities for obtaining an education were meager in those times and young Knapp was able to attend school only during the winter months, which he did with the exception of one year, up to 1816, about eighteen months all told. After his father's death he lived with his half brother for about two years, working summers at his trade and going to school winters. In the year 1818, being anxious to finish his trade of tanner and currier, he went to Oswego- and engaged with Shopley & Card, with whom he remained a little more than one year.
In 1820 he went to what was then Cato, now Victory, Cayuga County, and was engaged there from that time until 1854, in the manufacture of leather, boots and shoes and lumber, owning and operating a steam saw-mill, and carrying on a general country store.
In 1853 he was elected sheriff of the County. Owing to the sudden death of Sheriff Fancher, Mr. Knapp was appointed December 7th, 1853, by Governor Seymour to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Fancher, and moved to Auburn and took possession of the County building on the first of January, 1854.
In the spring of 1858 Mr. Knapp moved to the village of Cato, where he now resides, and
田
OLD HOMESTEAD
VIEW FROM THE NORTH
RESIDENCE OF C.B.SPRAGUE, IRA, GAYUCA Co. N.Y.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
engaged in farming, which business he has fol- lowed up to the present time.
In politics Mr. Knapp was a Free Soil Demo- crat until the adoption of the Buffalo Platform by the followers of Martin Van Buren, and upon the formation of the Republican party he joined its ranks and has ever been an earnest supporter of its principles and objects. During the late war he was a special detective for two years, having received his appointment from the Pro- vost-Marshal-General. About this time he was appointed by Governor Seymour to the position of recruiting agent for the station at Auburn.
Mr. Knapp has also held other offices of trust and responsibility, among which may be named that of postmaster at Victory for fifteen years, and Justice of the Peace for the same length of time and at the same place.
In 1823 he was joined in marriage to Theoda, daughter of John and Theoda (Hunt) Newcomb, of Cayuga County. She was born in Lebanon, now Columbia, Conn., in 1805. She died Feb- ruary 19th, 1874. She was a pure-minded, large- hearted, Christian woman, with malice towards none and charity for all, and loved and honored by all who enjoyed the favor of her acquaintance. There have been born to them ten children, named in the order of their birth : Submit Jeru- sha, born March 20th, 1824, died December 19th, 1840; John N., born November 3d, 1826; Lo- vinia Eliza, born May 26th, 1828, died February 26th, 1829 ; James G., born November 26th, 1830 ; Edward N., born September 6th, 1832, who was a Captain in 52d Illinois infantry, and killed at the battle of Shiloh April 7th, 1862, Harriette E., born March 25th, 1835, died Jan- uary 28th, 1861, wife of Dr. Henry Parker ; Charles H., born January 12th, 1837 ; Theoda Abigail, born August 10th, 1838 ; Dwight B., born April 12th, 1840, died December 16th, 1840; George P., born March 4th, 1842.
C. BURTON SPRAGUE.
C. BURTON SPRAGUE was born in Ira Novem- ber 5th, 1830. He is the youngest child of Parmenas and Christina Sprague. His father was born in Saratoga county October 16th, 1781. His father was married three times. His first wife, Rebecca Nobles, was born February 19th, 1787. They married February 14th, 1804. She died December 2d, 1807. By this wife he had three daughters.
His second wife, Mary A. Potter, was born July 4th, 1787 ; married April 30th, 1809. She died October 9th, 1828. By her. he had seven children-five girls and two boys. His third wife, Christina, was born November 12th, 1796. They were married December 17th, 1829. She
died November 13th, 1873. The subject of this sketch is the result of this union. His father came to this County about the year 1806, and settled on lot 20 in the town of Ira. Ile pur- chased 100 acres of land and resided upon it un- til his death, which occurred June 11th, 1871, at the advanced age of nearly ninety years.
C. B. Sprague lived at home with his father until he was seventeen years old ; then worked out two years by the month. He attended the district school till he was fourteen, and after that time had no schooling except three terms that he attended in the Academy at Red Creek, Wayne county, when he was twenty years of age. Hc then taught school two winters. After that he worked land on shares and burned lime. Then he purchased the old homestead of his brother, at that time containing forty-eight acres of land, and in addition to that fifty acres adjoining. He has added from time to time by purchase till now his farm contains 146 acres. He is still residing on that place.
October 16th, 1853, he married Miss Eliza- beth D. Campbell, daughter of William and Polly Campbell, of the village of Cato. There have been born to them four children, three of whom are living, as follows : Emma L., born January 9th, 1855 ; Clara E., born January 31st, 1859 ; and Willie Burt, born February 5th, 1869. In politics Mr. Sprague is a staunch Republican. He is a member of the Baptist church in Ira, was clerk of that church for many years, and for eleven years was the Superintendent of its Sun- day school. Mr. Sprague has been successful in life, notwithstanding that for many years he has been afflicted with a partial failure of his eye sight. He is a self-made man, and all that he is or has in this world he owes to his own energy and talents. A view of his beautiful home may be seen on another page of this work.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
TOWN OF CONQUEST.
C ONQUEST lies upon the west border of the County, north of the center, and is bound- ed on the north by Victory, on the east by Cato, on the south by Seneca River, and on the west by Wayne county. It is the south-west quarter of the township of Cato, or No. 3 of the Military Tract, from which it was erected March 16th, I 821. Its name commemorates the victory achieved by those who favored a division of the town of Cato over those who opposed it.
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TOWN OF CONQUEST.
The surface is gently rolling, being broken by low ridges extending from north to south. It has considerable waste land, in the swamps and marshes which extend along the river forming the southern boundary, and along the course of a small stream which runs through the town from north to south a little west of the center. Duck Lake, in the north-west part, is about a mile in diameter. It is fed by springs within and upon its border, having no inlet, and contains an abund- ance of fish, principally bass. Six thousand trout were introduced into it in the spring of 1878.
It is underlaid by red shale, which, from the depth of alluvium and soil, is exposed in but few places. A deposit of gypsum four feet in thick- ness exists on Howland's Island, nearly forty feet below the level of Seneca River. The soil con- sists of a sandy and gravelly loam, intermixed with clay, interspersed with tracts of rich and fertile arable and grass lands.
The population of the town in 1875 was 1,727; of whom 1,607 were native, 120 foreign, 1,723 white, and 4 colored.
The town covers an area of 22,369 acres ; of which 15,895 are improved, 3,831 woodlands, and 2,643 otherwise unimproved.
The first settlements in the town were made in 1800, by George Snyder, a Revolutionary sol- dier and a bachelor, from Schoharie county, and Israel Wolverton, from Tompkins county, the former of whom settled on lot 37, where he died some fifty years ago, and the latter, on lot 4, where he died some fifty-five years ago. Amos Wolverton, a son of the latter, who was born in 1803, was the first child born in the town.
Further settlements were made in 1802 by James Perkins and his sons Gilbert, Ira, Jere- miah, who was a surveyor, and John, from Onon- daga county, on lot 3. In 1840 James Perkins built the first frame house, which was torn down twenty-two years ago, and stood on the site of the house now owned by Chauncey McDan- iels. Caroline, a daughter of John Perkins, (now Mrs. Chauncey McDaniels,) is the only descend- ant of the Perkinses now living in the town. James Perkins died November 22d, 1813, aged seventy years, and Tryphena, his wife, January 26th, 1828, aged seventy-three years. Gilbert, who contracted the first marriage with Betsey Snyder, died July 3d, 1824, aged forty-seven ; and John, who taught the first school at Con-
quest Center in 1807, and who was a captain in the war of 1812, being stationed at Sacketts Harbor, was born August 21st, 1774, and died January 17th, 1828. Ephraim Wetherell, from Tompkins county, settled on lot 4 in 1802, and the following year he opened the first tavern. It was built of logs and stood on the farm now oc- cupied by David Anthony, two miles south of Conquest Center. He died February 23d, 1849, aged seventy-six. Theophilus and Clement B. Emerson also settled this year, the former on lot 27, and the latter on lot 15. The Emersons were brothers. They took up a tract of land and went to Galen, in Wayne county, and chopped wood for the salt works there to earn money to pay for it. Both died in the town, the former November 14th, 1863, aged eighty-six, and the latter, who was born March Ist, 1785, July 28th, 1849. Lewis and Richard Emerson, sons of Theophi- lus, are living in the town. The children of Cle- ment B. Emerson, moved to Michigan some thirty years ago.
In 1805 Dijar Wilcox, from Saratoga county, settled on lot 74; and Wm. McCollam and John Crowell, from Newburgh, on lot 77, about two and one-fourth miles north of the Center. Crow- ell located where his son Jacob now lives. He erected the first saw-mill, about sixty years ago, on Duck Lake outlet. It was a small affair, and never did much, the outlet affording but a slight fall. William Crowell, a brother of John, and brother-in-law of McCollam, settled on lot 77 in 1807. McCollam died January 22d, 1855, aged eighty-one, John Crowell died February 26th, 1831, aged forty-eight ; and William, February 24th, 1842, aged sixty-nine.
Wm. and Philander Phinney, and their father, all of whom were blacksmiths, came from Sara- toga county in 1812, and settled at Conquest Center. James Bennett, a German, from N. J., settled about half a mile north of Conquest Cen- ter the same year.
John and Philip Snyder, brothers of George Snyder, came in from Schoharie county about 1815, and settled about midway between Con- quest Center and Spring Lake, on the farm now owned by Henry Moore. Philip brought in his family, consisting of his wife and seven children, only two of the latter of whom, viz: William and Margaret, are now living in the town, diago- nally opposite where their father settled.
OLO HOME IN DELAWARE COUNTY
SQUYER AWRIGHT, AUBURN, PHOTO.
SQUIER AT WRIGHT AUBURN, PHOTO.
HARRY J. WILCOX
MRS. HARRY J. WILCOX
RESIDENCE OF H. J. WILCOX, CONQUEST, CAYUGA CO. N. Y.
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CONQUEST CENTER.
In 1817, Samuel Campbell settled on lot 78, where his son, Samuel B. Campbell, now lives ; Philo Collins, father of Myron Collins, on lot 4, and five years thereafter removed to the farm on which he lived and died; and Daniel Wolford, a native of Albany, came at the age of two years, and is now living on lot 79 in this town.
Hiram J. Lake, a surveyor, was born in Litch- field county, Conn., in 1818, and in 1822 moved to Conquest, where he is now living on lot 90. L. H. Ballard moved into the town of Mentz in 1822, and was assessor there six years. He re- moved to Conquest, where he was justice of the peace eleven years and supervisor three years. He was supervisor in Victory one year, and jus- tice of the peace three years.
TOWN OFFICERS .- The first town meeting of Conquest was held at the house of I. V. R. Per- kins, pursuant to an act of the Legislature, passed March 16th, 1821, and the following named officers were elected : William Crowell, Supervisor ; I. V. R. Perkins, Clerk ; Joseph I. Chase, Theophilus Emerson and Ephraim Weth- erell, Assessors ; Isaiah Cortright, Collector ; Wil- liam McCollam, Theophilus Emerson and I. V. R. Perkins, Commissioners of Highways ; The- ophilus Emerson, Overseer of the Poor ; Ephraim Wetherell and Enos Wetherell, Constables; Isaiah Cortright and Benjamin Osgood, Commissioners of Common Schools ; Samuel Campbell, I. V. R. Perkins, Joseph I. Chase and Josiah Houghton, Inspectors of Common Schools ; and Benoni Har- ris, William Crowell and Theophilus Emerson, Commissioners of Gospel and School Lands.
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