History of Chautauqua County, New York : from its first settlement to the present time : with numerous biographical and family sketches, Part 60

Author: Young, Andrew W. (Andrew White), 1802-1877; Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation. fmo; Huntington Free Library. fmo
Publication date: 1875
Publisher: Buffalo, N.Y. : Printing House of Matthews & Warren
Number of Pages: 948

USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York : from its first settlement to the present time : with numerous biographical and family sketches > Part 60

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GEORGE BARKER' was born in Venice, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Nov. 6, 1823. His father, John A. Barker, was of English descent, and born in Norwalk, Conn., in 1787 ; and his mother, Phebe Ogden, of Dutch ancestry, was born in Elizabethtown, N .: J., in the same year. They were married at Chenango Forks, Broome Co., N. Y., in 1810, and in the same year settled in Cayuga Co., where he commenced the business of a tanner, the art and mystery of which, he had. acquired in his New England home. He prosecuted that business, with farming, during the remainder of his life. He was a man of activity and energy, of great force of character, prosperous in his business pursuits, of good repute, and of considerable local influence in public affairs. He died in 1858; his wife, in 1860. Judge Barker was educated in the com- mon and select schools in the neighborhood of his father's residence; and at the Aurora academy. He commenced the study of the law, in the office of David Wright, Esqxin Auburn, in 1844, and was admitted to the bar, at the same place, in 1847. He came to Fredonia in July, 1848, where he has ever since resided, and entered upon the practice of his profession. He was clerk of the village, by successive elections, in 1850, '51, and '52, and president of the corporation, in 1853, '57, and '58. He was elected district-attorney in 1853, and again in 1862, and served two full terms. He was a member of the constitutional convention, in 1867, and of the committees on "the judiciary," and on "the legislature and its organization," in that body. He married Achsah Elizabeth Glisan, of Frederick Co., Maryland, in Oct., 1857. He continued in the legal profession, in which he acquired a good practice, until 1867, when he was elected justice of the supreme court, in the 8th judicial district, for the full term, in place of the late Hon. Martin Grover, whose term was about to expire.

JOHN S. BELLOWS, from Madison Co., in the spring of 1806, settled on the north part of what is known as the Wm. Moore farm, near Laona. Two years after, he removed to Fredonia, and tended Hezekiah Barker's grist-mill. He was the first town clerk of Pomfret, afterwards a justice of the peace and postmaster, which last office he held until his death, Dec. 8, 1813. He had

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George Ka.

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6 children, 5 sons and a daughter, all living except Samuel, the oldest son. John P. resides at Sinclairville ; the rest in the Western states.

HENRY BOSWORTH, son of Samuel Bosworth, was born in Westfield, Mas- sachusetts, April 12, 1794, and came, in 1817, to Fredonia, where he estab- lished the jewelry and watch-repairing business, which was probably the first establishment of the kind in the county. Major Bosworth carried on this business to the time of his death, May 3, 1853, a period of 36 years. He married Mary Love D. Snow, daughter of Samuel and Love D. Snow, Octo- ber 27, 1820. He was elected county superintendent of the poor, which office he held in 1838 and 1839.

ELIPHALET BURNHAM, son of Augustus, was born in Hartford, Conn., and was married in Pittstown, N. Y., in 1801, to Rhoda Ward, who was born in Buckland, Mass. They first removed to Paris, N. Y., and thence, in 1805, to Pomfret, and settled on lot 6, where now Livenus Ellis lives, and where his wife died in 1814. He sold his farm and bought the paper-mill at Laona. He was an early and a prominent member of the Baptist church, and a zeal- ous and steady promoter of its interests. He had by his first wife 5 children : Rhoda, wife of Wm. H. Tew, of Jamestown ; Horace; Louisa ; Levi, who died in infancy; and Milton. He married, second, Belvidera Carter, by whom he had 9 children : Sarah ; John ; Mary E., wife of Abraham Martin, of Kiantone; Levi ; William ; Lydia ; Emily; George ; and Tertius. Mr. Burnham removed to Union City, Pa., where he died Sept. 27, 1863, and was buried in Lake View Cemetery, Jamestown, by the side of his two sons, Levi and George.

CHARLES BURRITT was born in Connecticut, and while young, removed to Oneida county with an aunt, with whom he spent the earher part of his life. About the year 1808, he removed to Canadaway, now Fredonia, where he commenced the shoemaking business in a log shop on the present site of Putnam's dry goods store. After a few years, failing health induced him to change his business ; and he purchased a lot near the creek and established a grocery, which he continued during the remainder of his life. He died March 9, 1866, in his 80th year. He was an industrious man and an esti- mable citizen. He was, in the war of 1812, ensign in Capt. Jehiel Moore's company, and was in the battle of Queenston. He was married to Orpha Tucker, daughter of Samuel Tucker, of Silver Creek, afterwards of Portland. Their children were : 1. William Henry, who went to Mississippi, was mar- ried there, and died at Fredonia. 2. Mary Jane, who married Elbridge W. Meacham, and resides at Fredonia. 3. Harriet, wife of David McClure ; they reside at Marshall, Mich. 4. Franklin, who married Ann, daughter of Elisha Norton, of Pomfret, and resides in Fredonia. Mr. Burritt has re- cently been for many years supervisor of Pomfret.

ORRIS CROSBY was born in Litchfield, Conn., Jan. 2, 1791; went to Cana- da, in 1809, to study medicine with an uncle ; and in June, 1813, [during the war,] was put in prison and handcuffed for vindicating his country's cause. In July, he was put on board the fleet on Lake Erie, by order of Commodore

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Robert Herriot Barclay. On the roth of Sept. following, he was shot in the breast by Lieut. John Garland, of the British navy, because he would not fight his countrymen, and was left for dead. This same Garland was slain in the action ; but Crosby survived. He carried, during the rest of his life, the marks of the wound in his breast, and of the British handcuffs on his wrists. After Perry's victory, Dr. Crosby having gradually recovered, went to Gene- see county, and resumed his medical studies ; was licensed there by the Medical Society, in June, 1817, and came with his uncle, Eliakim Crosby, to Fredonia, and opened a drug store, and commenced practice there as a physician.

ZATTU CUSHING, a descendant of a Puritan family, was born at Plymouth, Mass., in 1770. At the proper age, he was apprenticed to a ship carpenter, and, after learning the trade, he worked some time as a ship-builder at Boston. He went to Ballston, Saratoga Co., N. Y., where he married Rachel Buck- ingham, and removed to Paris, Oneida Co. In 1798 or 1799, he was em- ployed to go to Presque Island, near Erie, Pa., to superintend the building of a vessel, afterwards named Good Intent, which was supposed to be the first vessel built at any American harbor on Lake Erie, and which was lost, in 1805, on the Canada shore, with all on board. He returned with two horses through the wilderness, along the shore of Lake Erie, which afforded him a favorable opportunity for selecting lands ; and he decided to purchase the land which is now the site of the village of Fredonia, when the townships should have been surveyed into lots. His removal thither in 1805 ; his dis- appointment at finding the spot he had chosen occupied by Thomas McClin- tock; and his subsequent purchase of this land of his choice, have been mentioned, [p. 468 ;] also his Christian labors in the cause of religion, espe- cially in the formation of the Baptist church in that place. On the complete organization of the county, in 18r1, he was appointed first judge, which office he held until 1824. - He also performed service in the war of 1812. His energy and enterprise contributed largely to the growth and prosperity of Fredonia. It is but just to say that, in those qualities which fit a man for his duties, social, civil, and religious, he was probably not excelled by any fellow- citizen. His wife died in 1816. He afterwards married Mary Elderkin. He had by his first marriage 8 children : 1. Lucinda, wife of William Barker. 2. Walter, who married Louisa Elderkin. 3. Lydia, who married, first, Dan- iel S. Houghton ; second, Dr. Squire White. 4. Milton B., who married Mary Smith. 5. Zattu. 6. Catharine, widow of Philo Stevens; she resides in Fredonia, and is said to have been the first child born in town. 7. Alonzo, who resides in Virginia. 8. Rachel, who married Edward Tupper. He had, by the second marriage : 1. Addison C., who married, first, Elizabeth King; second, Ellen Cummings. 2. Sarah, who died at 13. 3. Franklin, who married Minerva Risley. [The order in which the children were born has been differently stated.] Judge Cushing died January 13, 1839.

WILLIAM B. CUSHING, youngest son of Milton B. Cushing, was born Nov. 4, 1842, in Wisconsin, whither his father had emigrated while a young man,

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and where he died, leaving a widowed wife and four sons in childhood, who came to Fredonia for the enjoyment of educational advantages, and the society of their kindred. At the age of 15, he entered the naval academy at Annapolis, Md., in 1857, and after his resignation thereat, in the spring of 1861, he visited some relatives in Chelsea, Mass., where, by the influence of Rear-Admiral Smith, his mother's relative, he was assigned duty upon the frigate Minnesota, and soon thereafter proceeded to Hampton Roads, to engage actively in the combat with the confederate fleet. At the age of 19, he began a career which won for him undying fame and an imperishable record, characterized by unparalleled heroism and valor. It would require a volume to give in detail his brilliant exploits. Soon after reaching Hampton Roads with the Minnesota, he captured the Delaware Farmer, the first prize of the rebellion. A few months thereafter, he was transferred to the Cam- bridge ; and in July, 1862, he was promoted to the lieutenancy. Soon after the memorable conflict with the confederate ram Merrimac, we hear of his assault upon Hatteras forts ; his resistance to and destruction of the rebel infantry which attempted to board his vessel on the Blackwater ; his boldness ·in disembarking from boats under a volley of rebel musketry above Wil- mington, and with 20 men driving a garrison from their forts, and destroying their earthworks ; his destroying the blockade runner Hebe, while in com- mand of the Shoboken ; his night surprise on the enemy, with six sailors capturing ten prisoners and taking two guns aboard his boat ; rowing up Cape Fear river in the darkness of night to Smithville, rebel headquarters, hiding his men, and silently approaching the commanding general's quarters, passing, unobserved, within a few yards of 1,500 men, and noiselessly enter- ing the adjutant-general's sleeping apartment, lighting wax tapers, and, with presented pistol, demanding silence, and compelling the officer to deliver his papers and plans, which secured, he escapes to his boat, making a prisoner of the confederate chief engineer, before the enraged rebels could realize what had occurred.

While in command of the flag-ship Malvern, directly after his promotion to lieutenant-commander, he, with a few men in a small craft, were for six hours under a shower of shot and shell, while buoying out a channel. His hazard- ous and valiant exploits before Fort Fisher, which succumbed after such per- sistent efforts and terrible slaughter ; his intrepidity exhibited in slyly board- ing the richly laden blockade runner Charlotte, and suddenly surprising the captain by opening the door and placing a hand upon his shoulder, and. de- manding a surrender, to the utter amazement of some British officers, who, with the captain, were enjoying a wine carnival, and thus making a valuable prize of the Charlotte, and, soon after, of the Stag ; were remarkable ex- ploits. While the least of these achievements would win merited distinction, they are insignificant when compared with the intrepidity and fearlessness manifested in the hazardous attempt to destroy the supposed invincible con- federate ram Albemarle, the terror of the federal forces, as she held com- plete sway in that locality. Frustrated in his designs to board her by night

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surprise, and cut her loose and run her off, he determined to approach her by night, slide under her a torpedo, and destroy her. To accomplish this, he, after many difficulties, brought to the point of operation a steam launch, 30 feet in length, supplied with the instruments of death and destruction, taking with him only such men as declared themselves willing to sacrifice their lives, and contemplated their own destruction, with that of the invul- nerable foe. With a line attached to the engineer's ankle to communicate his will without speaking, they were enabled to acquire a velocity sufficient to slide them over a boom into the slip, where lay the Abermarle under vigi- lance of army and navy, both of which directed fire upon the hero, tearing away his clothing, while he continues to manipulate his ingenious and de- structive devices, dropping underneath the vessel a torpedo, its correct posi- tion being indicated by the attached line. He pulls the exploding line, which drops a grape-shot upon the percussion cap of the torpedo, which ex- ploding simultaneously with the discharge of a rifle gun bearing upon them from the foe ; and both destroyer and destroyed are blown into the air, as he exclaimed : " Men, save yourselves !" He, by persistency, succeeds in reaching the shore, where he fell exhausted, with his feet in the water, and continued semi-conscious for a long time, when he crept into the swamp, and concealed himself until he found a small boat, which he cut loose, and made his escape. In a sketch of Com. Cushing, in Johnson's Cyclopedia, the writer says: " Always complimented by his superior officers for his skill and courage ; five times thanked by the navy department, and once by Con- gress for 'distinguished services,' the country and the navy may well be proud of this most adventurous of their heroes."

Oscar W. Johnson, Esq., thus concludes his " Memoir of Judge Zattu Cushing :"

" It was a blessing to have lived at such a period in our national existence, to have died with bright visions of the future without even seeing a sign of the great convulsion that has since shaken the republic to its very center. Could he have lived until this time he would have seen his restless and un- conquerable will manifesting itself in his posterity in the most terrible ordeals to which man is ever subjected-he would have seen his grandsons making the name of Cushing immortal in his country's history. While Gettysburg is remembered, long as the human heart cherishes the memory of heroism and virtue, it will warm at the name of Alonzo H. Cushing, who, when brave men retired before the overwhelming assault of the enemy, although thrice wounded, still stood to his post almost alone, and died at the battery he commanded as he poured its last discharge into the very face of the foe. And Lieutenant-Commander William B. Cushing, by repeated daring and successful achievements, has rivaled the fame of Paul Jones and Perry, and associated his name with theirs in immortality." *

William B. Cushing was married, February 22, 1870, to Kate Louise, daughter of Col. D. S. Forbes, of Fredonia, where she resides with her two daughters, Mary Louise, born Dec. 1, 1871 ; and Katharine A., born Oct. II, 1873. He died at Washington navy-yard, December 17, 1874, aged 32 years.

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HENRY C. FRISBEE was born in Essex Co., N. Y., in March, 1801, and came to Fredonia in 1817, with his father, who having died only a few months after settling here, the whole family, excepting Henry, returned to the East. Having some knowledge of type-setting, Henry obtained employ- ment in the printing office of James Hull, publisher of the Chautauqua Ga- zette, his wages scarcely exceeding his necessary expenses. After about two years, aspiring to the ownership of an office and the position of an editor, he obtained a boy in his place for six months while he attended school, working evenings to pay for his board. At the end of that time, he returned to Mr. Hull, but was informed that his services were no longer needed. Having re- monstrated in vain against this unfairness, he told Mr. Hull that a paper should be started in opposition to his. He went a little out of the village, and worked at anything which would bring him any compensation. At length, having heard of a printing press and type in Buffalo which he could lease or buy, he hired a team and drove to Buffalo, leased the office furniture, and brought it to Fredonia, in March, 1821. The first number of his paper, the New York Censor-afterwards changed to Fredonia Censor-was issued Feb- ruary 8, 1822. For 17 years Mr. Frisbee worked on the paper both as com- positor and editor. He was also engaged, for many years, in the book-selling and book-binding business, which has since been conducted by his son at the same place. Though not an aspirant for political honors, he was chosen by the people of the county to represent them in the legislature of 1845. He became at an early day a member of the Presbyterian church, and, during the remainder of his life, honored his profession by an exemplary Christian deportment, and his support of the various institutions of the church de- signed to promote the cause of the Divine Master.

GEORGE W. GAGE was born in De Ruyter, Madison Co., N. Y., Sept. 3,' 1803. He came to Cassadaga in 1825, and left in 1832. After a short resi- dence in Erie, Orleans, and Niagara counties respectively, he returned to this county, and settled at Laona, where he now resides. He was in early life a school teacher. He taught in Fredonia in 1825. Teaching was, for ten years, his principal business. He was a merchant from 1832 to 1842 ; and was elected county clerk in Niagara county in 1849. He was married at Middleport, to Ruth Fassett, and has 3 children : Omar Fassett, now in Rochester ; Romeo W., residing at Laona ; and Alice R., in Rochester.

JOHN P. HALL, the eldest son of Ahira Hall, was born in Massena, N. Y., June 1, 1809. At the age of 7 years, he came with his parents to Portland, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. Chiefly by his own efforts he obtained a good educa- tion, and pursued for a time, alternately, the avocations of farming and teach- ing. He resided many years in Sherman, where he was married to Mrs. Jane Ann Miller, widow of Wm. O. Miller. While a resident of Sherman, he was supervisor of that town, in 1846 and 1847. In 1849, he was elected to the assembly. In 1850, he removed to Pomfret, where he was for many years an extensive dealer in cattle, with a younger brother, Ralph N. They were also large landholders, and devoted their farms to this business ; owning, at

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one time, nearly 2,000 acres. John P. Hall had an extensive acquaintance, and was generally respected. In 1869, he was supervisor of Pomfret. In 1870, he purchased his brother's interest, who removed to New Hampshire. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and died, after a lingering illness, Aug. 2, 1871. He was generous to the poor, and a liberal contributor to religious and benevolent institutions. He had 3 children, all born in Sherman : James A:, born Sept. 27, 1846 ; Otis M., July 7, 1849 ; and John Preston, Aug. 23; 1852.

RALPH N. HALL, brother of John A., was born in Portland, Chautauqua Co., Nov. 3, 1821, and was married, at Newport, N. H., to Caroline J. Hall, March 29, 1852. In April following, he removed to Pomfret, Chautauqua Co. He settled at Morian station, on the farm he had purchased of Richard Reynolds, on the north side of the railroad, where he resided six years. He then bought the Levi Selleck farm, on the south side of the railroad, to which he removed. While in Pomfret, he was, for several years, an extensive dealer in cattle, with his brother, John P., as above stated. He purchased, Aug., 1875, with his brother Albina, a drug store in Buffalo, which is conducted by their brother-in-law, J. D. Merritt. In 1870, he removed to Newport, N. H., where he now resides. His only child, Julian, born April 9, 1853, died in infancy.

JUSTIN HINMAN, born in Washington, Conn., Aug., 1781, removed from Oneida Co. to Chautauqua Co., in 1806. He was the first magistrate in Pomfret, 1810. He died in that town in 1813. His widow removed to Sheridan in 1814.

JACOB HOUGHTON was born in Bolton, Mass., Feb. 15, 1777. His family were from Lancaster, England. The farm, which was bought from the In- - dians, is still in possession of the family. The original deed is still extant, and a part of the payment was a blanket and a pair of white steers. His father and grandfather and himself were born in the same house. His father, Simon Houghton, was for many years a member of the Massachusetts legislature. The son attended the district school ; earned money to buy a Latin grammar, and studied while riding to mill with the grain in panniers, on horseback. After he left home, he studied Latin and Greek under a pri- vate tutor. At 21, he went to Vermont, taught school, was clerk in a store, and removed with his employer to Troy, N. Y. He there studied law for three years with David Jones, and was admitted to practice in all the courts of the state. At 25, he formed a partnership with Samuel Starr, and after- wards with John A. Collier, who studied with him. He had the honorary degree of A. M. conferred upon him. He was married, Jan. 28, 1806, at Wallingford, Vt., to Lydia Douglass, daughter of Capt. Daniel Douglass, of the army of the Revolution. She was born in Conn., Dec. 10, 1780. In June, 1811, he visited this county, engaged a man to build a house, and in September removed his family to Mayville. His house was not begun, nor could he find one short of Irving, on the north side of Cattaraugus creek, whither he removed ; the journey having been made with an ox-team in five

Jacob Houghton.

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days, guided by blazed trees. He there practiced his profession, traded with the Indians, Daniel Douglass, his brother-in-law, being a clerk in his store. In 1812, he removed to Fredonia, and built the house in which his family still reside. He was present at the first court, [common pleas,] held in the county, in June, 1811, with only three other attorneys, Anselm Potter, Casper Rouse, and Dennis Brackett. Mr. Rouse dying a year or two after, and Mr. Brackett being killed at Buffalo, at the burning of the city on December 13, 1813, Mr. Houghton was the only supreme court attorney in the county. In March, 1813, he was appointed, by Gov. Tompkins, a judge of the court of common pleas. He was also for some time postmaster at Fredonia. He was for two terms supreme court commissioner, by appointment of Gov. Marcy ; and held the office of justice of the peace for four years. He died suddenly of apoplexy, July 30, 1861, aged 85 years and 5 months. Mr. Houghton had 7 sons and 2 daughters : 1. Alured, born in Troy, N. Y., July 12, 1807 ; graduated at Geneva College at the age of twenty ; was principal of an academy at Baton Rouge, La., where he died Oct. 29, 1829, in his 23d year. 2. Douglass, born at Troy, N. Y .; educated under Prof. Eaton, Troy ; went to Detroit, Mich., as lecturer on different scientific sub- jects ; returned to Fredonia, and studied medicine with Dr. Walworth. He married Harriet Stevens, of Fredonia, and settled in Detroit at the age of twenty-four. He there practiced medicine and surgery ; but left the practice for the, to him, fascinating studies of geology and botany. He was phy- sician to the expedition under Schoolcraft that discovered the sources of the Mississippi river. He was also sent out as physician, by the general govern- ment, to vaccinate the Indians on Lake Superior. He was state geologist of Michigan, and passed through Lake Superior several summers in birch- bark canoes. He was drowned in Lake Superior, October 13, 1845, aged 36 years. He left 2 daughters : Harriet D., wife of Embury Morgan, a lawyer, of Coldwater, Mich. ; and Mary, wife of Dr, Harroun, of Chicago. 3. Richard Henry, born at Cattarangus, N. Y., June 29, 1812. Studied medicine with his brother Douglass ; and died in Detroit, Sept. 12, 1834, in his 23d year. 4. Lydia Douglass, born at Fredonia, July 20, 1815, wife of Alvah Bradish, artist. 5. Sarah Douglass, born at Mayville, N. Y., Dec .: 7, 1817 ; died at Fredonia, August 30, 1840, in her '23d year. 6. Alexan- der, born at Fredonia, July 15th, 1820 ; resides there, and is a farmer. 7, 8. William and Theodore, died in infancy. 9. Jacob, born at Fredonia, May 28, 1827. His residence is in Detroit ; but his business is at Michigamme, Marquette Co., Mich. He is a civil engineer, and owns a saw-mill and part of an iron mine. He married Theodosia P. Gillett, and has 4 daughters and 2 sons.

JAMES MARK came to Fredonia, from Delaware Co., N. Y., in 1808, at the age of 20 years. In the war of 1812, he was called out under Capt. Hale, with the militia of the county, for the defense of Buffalo, and was at the battle of Black Rock and the burning of Buffalo. In 1819, he married Miss Lucy Woodcock, and, in after years, was widely known in the northern part of the

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