History of Chautauqua County, New York, Part 101

Author: Edson, Obed, 1832-; Merrill, Georgia Drew, editor
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Boston, Mass. : W.A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1068

USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York > Part 101

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Mrs. Porter supported the family by teaching music in Mayville, Westfield, Fredonia and Jamestown. Her pupils were among the best families, Their daughter, Olive H., but thirteen, was the home-keeper and cared for hier father. Mr. Porter died in October, 1863. Mrs. Porter died in November, 1848, after a life of usefulness, patience and indomitable courage." Their daughter, Olive H., married Robert P. Hewes, who died, aged 80, in Sep- tember, 1894. They have eight living children : Mary J. P., Cassius.M. C., Jolmn W., Franklin S., Robert V. A., Thomas S., Edward B. and Minnie G. Jolin W. married Jessie B., daughter of Samuel and Mary J. Decker. She died in December, 1893. Edward B. married Fluvilla B. Tucker, grand- daughter of Lucius Lombard of Ripley ; they have three children, George R., Fluvilla and Edward B.

The principal events in the history of the town subsequent to the loca- tion of the county seat and the building of the first courthouse have already been related. Mayville, as the place for holding the courts, the meeting of the board of supervisors, the keeping of the public records and the transac- tion of the general business of the county, soon grew into a village of import- ance and naturally attracted leading and influential citizens to become resi- dents. Samuel S. Whallon when a boy came with his parents to Mayville, about 1812, and resided there until his death in 1858. He was a prominent merchant, a member of assembly, and in 1856 was elected canal commis- sioner, and held that office until he died. About 1815 Jedidiah Tracy* moved to Mayville from Erie county, Pa., and kept for many years one of the most popular and best known inns in the county. It was patronized by judges, lawyers, jurymen, witnesses, litigants, and all whom business called to court. Robertson Whiteside settled in Chautauqua about 1820. He was subsequently treasurer of the county and a member of assembly. In 1822 Thomas A. Osborne came to Mayville, at first was a law partner of Jacob Houghton. In 1834 he was a member of assembly, and in 1843 and 1844 first judge of the court of common pleas. In 1834 he with others established the Mayville Sentinel. Jesse Brooks came to Mayville and became a mer- chant. He was postmaster for twenty years succeeding Jedidiah Tracy. William Green, long a well-known citizen and lawyer, came to Mayville to reside in 1824. His brother, Richard O., once a county clerk, and George A., surrogate, came to Mayville later. In 1828 increased facilities for com- mimication with Jamestown was given to Mayville by the side-wheel steam- boat Chautauqua. She made her first trip July 4, 1828. This year Omar Farwell came to Mayville and engaged in the tanning business and estab- lished a store. John Birdsall about this time became a resident and one of its most distinguished citizens. Daniel Tennant emigrated from Scotland

*"Spell his first name with two 'i's' because he insisted that was the way it should be spelled."-Hon. Roman Brockway.

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and about 1748 settled in Connecticut where his son Daniel was born about 1761, and when 18 entered the Revolutionary army, was at West Point at the time of the treason of Arnold, saw the American cannons spiked prepar- atory to a surrender to the British and saw Major Andre after his capture. He married Miss Hale of Irish birth. She had two brothers in the Ameri- can army. After the war he settled at Waterville, Oneida county. Daniel Tennant, his son, born in 1802, came to this county in 1827 and bought a wild timber land about three miles northeast of Hartfield. Later he married Hephzibah M. Leech, who was born in Connecticut in 1807, moved to Buf- falo with her parents whose home was burned by the British in 1812. Mrs. Tennant died in 1874; Mr. Tennant died in 1890. He was a Whig and Republican.

Between 1830 and 1835 many public improvements were made in the town, and many citizens of worth came to Mayville. In 1830 it was incor- porated as a village. In 1831 Matthew P. Bemus, son of Charles Bemus, came to Mayville to reside. He was born in Ellery, January 4, 1831. He was one of the most public spirited citizens, took an active part in the build- ing of the Cross Cut railroad, and held many important public positions. In 1832 the county poorhouse was erected and the jail was built. An act was passed that year to incorporate the Mayville and Portland R. R. Com- pany, capital $150,000, to construct a railroad from Portland Harbor to Chautauqua lake. The design was 'not carried into execution. In 1833 Donald Mckenzie came to Mayville. He was one of the most distinguished citizens of the county. (See page 346). August 18, 1825, he married Adel- gonda Humbert Droz, daughter of Alphonzo Humbert Droz, of Berne, Switz- erland. He resided here until his death, January 20, 1851. His life had been one of much adventure. He was a man of ability, of enterprise and of honor. He left a large and much respected family. In April, 1834, May- ville Academy was incorporated, and a substantial building of brick erected upon the hill opposite the courthouse, which overlooks Chautauqua lake and commands a fine view. In the fall the Mayville Sentinel was established by William Kibbie. About a year afterwards Beman Brockway became propri- ctor and conducted it successfully for ten years, when he removed to Oswego. It was then conducted by John F. Phelps until his decease in 1878.

In 1835 the new courthouse was built, and the public execution of Damon occurred in Mayville, on the sidehill not far from the academy. (See page 336.) February 6, 1836, the land office was destroyed by a mob, and was thereafter opened and kept at Westfield. (See page 339).

William A. Mayborne came to Mayville to reside about 1836*, and Wil- liam Gifford, a well known citizen, about 1841. In 1854 Milton Smith was

*William A. Mayborne is a descendant of John Mayborne of Kent county, England. His father, William, came to America in 1922, worked as a brick mason in New York City. In 1925 he came with his family, " took up " a lot of 120 acres of wild land in Sherman, cleared the land and made a home. He had four girs and two

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elected sheriff and became a lifelong resident of Mayville. Amos K. Warren, afterwards sheriff, came to Mayville to reside in 1862. One of the most important events favorably affecting the interests of Mayville was the build- ing of the Buffalo & Oil Creek cross-cut railroad, now the Western New York & Pennsylvania railroad, chartered in 1865. It runs from Brocton through Mayville to Corry, Pa. Its length was 43.2 miles, 37.2 in this state. A county farm of 100 acres having been purchased near Dewittville, a substantial brick poorhouse was erected in 1832, which was used until the present one was erected in 1870. Buildings for the insane have been suc- cessively built there in 1839, 1851, 1858, and in 1868 a fine three-story building 36x100 was erected, which, with furniture, etc., cost $20,000. The main building of the present poorhouse is four stories high with frontage of 104 feet, and depth of 68 feet. From the rear there is a center wing 22 feet wide, 57.5 feet long, two stories high. The cost of building was $36,226 and its furnishings $1,500. When it was built it was the most beautiful building in the county, and was declared by official visitors to be the finest and best- managed county house in the state. The farm now has 338.5 acres, and the whole property is valued over $90,000. The citizens of the county have just cause to be proud of the care it has taken of its poor. Merwin E. Smith is the keeper and farm-manager. Mr. Smith's father, Eldridge Smith, was born in Vermont, came to this county with his parents when but 12 years old, in 1845 married Mary J. Hale. Merwin E. Smith was born in Ellery, October 13, 1853, married Lizzie Payne, March 6, 1879. After two years service as assistants upon the county farm, January 1, 1885, Mr. Smith was appointed keeper, and Mrs. Smith matron of the insane asylum, which posi- tions they held until the removal of the insane to Buffalo, July 3, 1891. January 1, 1892, Mr. Smith was appointed keeper, and Mrs. Smith matron of the almshouse. Mention should here be made of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Wood who had charge of the county house from April 1, 1863, to May I, 1882, when by the death of Mr. Wood the care until the next April devolved on Mrs. Wood. She was born in Dewittville, April 26, 1823, her maiden name being Sarah M. Dayton. Her administration as matron, and especially

boys. His son, William A., was born in England, December 7, 1812, came in 1826, worked on the home farm until 1534. In 1835 he married Mary, daughter of Samuel and Jane Willing of Chautauqua, and located on his farm in Mina. In 1836 he moved to the farm where he lived until 1881, when he made his residence in May- ville. In 1864 Mr. Mayborne was elected one of three superintendents of the county poor and held the position nine years. With Dr. F. B. Brewer of Westfield he served on a committee having charge of the erection of the county house, much of the work devolving upon Mr. Mayborne. He was also postal clerk on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern R. R. His only surviving child is William H., who lives in Wisconsin.

Hiram Spencer, son of William Spencer, was born in East-town, Washington county, January 31, 1509. In 1533 he married Eveline Brown, in 1837 he moved to Mayville, entered the employ of Charles Landers as a harness maker ; in 1843 he engaged in business for himself and continued until 1899 when he retired. In 1873 Mrs. Spencer died, and Mr. Spencer married in 1875, Cornelia, daughter of Stephen and Lucy (Taylor) Bnshee. Mr. Bushce came from Vermont in 1837 and settled west of Mayville. Mr. Spencer has five children living : he had two sons in the civil war ; William B., who enlisted in 1861 in Sixth Regt., Missouri Vols., was wounded and died in hospital in St. Louis, Mo., in 1863 ; John B. enlisted in 1862 in the 112 Regt. N. Y. . Vols. He came home in 1863 on a furlough, but this was extended on account of failing health, and he died in September, 1864, from disease contracted in service.

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her kindness to the insane, was highly approved and showed her to be peculiarly fitted for the discharge of her duties. She died August 6, 1894, at the home of her daughter Mrs. F. M. Hunt.

As a result of the Chautauqua movement commenced in 1873, Fair Point has been transformed into a unique and permanent village, and become a most valuable addition to the town. The lands that border the upper part of the lake within the town have greatly increased in value. September 30, 1875, Point Chautauqua Association was incorporated, the first step towards the improvement of Leet's Point, the most beautifuland sightly point on the lake, upon which many fine cottages and costly buildings have been erected. With the building of the poorhouse, the founding of Chautauqua and of Chautauqua Point, the permanent prosperity of the town was assured and also that of Mayville, which is now provided with water-works, electric lights, etc. By the census of 1890 its population was 1, 164. The town, including all its villages, by the same census has 3,259. Mayville is the residence of many of the county officers and leading citizens of the county.

Albion Winegar Tourgee was born at Williamsfield, Ashtabula county, Ohio, May 2, 1838. He was educated as a lawyer at Rochester University, and was admitted to the bar at Painesville, Ohio. He is nationally known from his able judicial administration in North Carolina during the reconstruction period, and his reputation as a literary man, arising from his authorship of several semi-historical novels, such as " A Fool's Errand," "Bricks Without Straw," and other works. He founded and conducted for some years one of the finest American magazines, "Our Continent." He practiced law for a time at Greensboro, N. C., and made his home at Mayville June 1, 1881.

Hon. Almon A. Van Dusen, judge of the county courts, was born in Jamestown, January 3, 1843, received his education at Jamestown Academy and Chamberlain Institute, commenced the study of law with Alexander Sheldon, was admitted to the bar November 19, 1866, and was afterwards licensed to practice in the United States district court for the Northern Dis- trict of New York. He commenced practice at Mayville. In 1890 he was appointed county judge by Gov. Hill, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the elec- tion of Hon. John S. Lambert as justice of the supreme court. At the expi- ration of his term Judge Van Dusen was nominated for county judge by the Democratic party, and elected over Jerome B. Fisher, Republican, by a majority of 899.

Victor A. Albro, county clerk, was born in Westfield, Oct. 10, 1846, was educated at the common schools, and was a cabinet maker until 1862, when he enlisted in the 112th regiment and served until the close of the war. He afterwards 'inoved to Mayville, and was clerk in the county clerk's office under Charles L. Norton, Richard Willing, John R. Robertson, Herman Six- "

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bey, John J. Aldrich, T. D. Baldwin, A. H. Stafford and E. P. Putnam. In 1891 he was nominated and elected county clerk .*

Charles J. Jenner of Jamestown, sheriff, and Pulaski M. Parker of Fredo- nia, deputy sheriff, have their office at Mayville. Hon. Daniel Sherman, surrogate, holds courts at the surrogate's office in the courthouse. He also holds surrogate's courts each month in Jamestown, Dunkirk and Forestville. During his absence from Mayville the surrogate's office is in charge of his clerk, Will D. Parker, son of Dr. Charles Parker. (See Harmony).

Marion W. Scofield has been twice elected treasurer of the county. His great-grandfather was born in Stamford, Con. His grandfather, Miles Sco- field, carly moved from the cast to Ohio. Elias Scofield, his father, came from Ohio and settled in Ellery, where Marion W. was born 48 years ago. Mr. Scofield has for 24 years been engaged in merchandising and mann- facturing.

James H. Flagler, the late postmaster at Mayville, was born in Royal- ton, Niagara county, March 8, 1835. John H. Flagler, his father, was born in Washington county, came to this town, located at Summerdale where lie was the owner of a large farin, and died in September, 1887. James H. Flag- ler was educated in the common schools and at Westfield Academy. He taught school 14 years and followed farming and dairying. He then moved to Mayville and engaged in the coal business. November 1, 1859, he mar- ried Nancy A. Keyes of Mayville. He is a Republican, and was appointed postmaster in 1890 by President Harrison. He was succeeded iu September, 1894, by Frank Burns. " Mr. Flagler retires to private life with the respect of Republicans and Democrats alike."

Herman Sixbey, a former clerk of the county, the only ex-clerk now residing at Mayville, was born in Montgomery county, September 8, 183S. Educated at the common schools, hie engaged in merchandising at Westfield until 1862, when, in August, he enlisted in the 112th regiment, and served · until February 3, 1865. . He was a lieutenant, and took part in many of the severest battles of the war. He received a severe wound in the face at the siege of Petersburg, was discharged, and for three years his life hung as by a thread. After his recovery he was appointed assistant revenue collector. Later he was elected county clerk and served three years. He is now engaged in mercantile business at Mayville.

William G. Martin, attorney, was born in England, September, 15, 1848, was educated in the common schools of New York and Carey Collegiate

* Rolli Rublee (of French descenti born in Lanesborongh, Mass., married Betsey Green of Pittsfield, and emigrated to Ellington in 1822. Of his children, Mrs. Betsey Bates of Ellington and Rolli of Austin, Minn., survive. Homer P., (son of Rolli, St.) born in Lanesborough, Sept 26, 1799, married Chloe White of Plainfield, a descendant of Samuel White of England. Homer I. Rublee was lieutenant and afterwards captain of a com- many of riflemen in the ad Regt, luf. ad Brigade of Massachusetts Militia ; he resigned in 15p. He died in Ellington April 6, 1958, Mrs. Rublee died March 8, 1585. Their two daughters, natives of Manachusetts, are Mrs. Mattie C. Boyd of Ellington and Miss Lou H. Rublee, who for the past eight years has been employed at the county clerk's office.

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Seminary, was admitted to the bar at the general term held in Rochester in March, 1884, commenced the practice of law in Mayville the same year, and, with Hon. A. A. Van Dusen, formed the law firm of Van Dusen & Martin, with offices at Mayville.

Willis Hale Tennant, son of Daniel Tennant, was born in the town of Chau- tauqua in 1854. He attended the Union School at Mayville, taught county schools and commenced reading law with Judge Van Dusen at Mayville in December, 1876, was admitted to the bar in January, 18So, to the U. S. district court in ISSI and the U. S. circuit court in 1883. He is at present practising law at Mayville. Among the causes that he has successfully conducted is the "Ellery appeal " against the board of supervisors from the equalization of . IS91, which resulted in reducing the equalized valuation of agricultural towns of the county nearly $2,500,000. He is a Republican in politics. In 1884 he married De Emma, daughter of Henry Van Valkenburgh, a relative of Martin Van Buren. Her great-grandmother was Mary (Adams) Kenyon, a near relative of John Quincy Adams.

CHURCHES .- The First Baptist Church of Mayville was organized with 38 members, by Elder Jonathan Wilson, a pioneer missionary from Vermont, February 7, 1820. Mr. Wilson was the first pastor of the church. The church edifice was built in 1834.

The Chautauqua Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Mayville, was formed about 1820. A house of worship was erected in 1851. Rev. Arthur C. Bowers commenced his pastorate September 12, 1892.

St. Paul's Church of Mayville, was organized with about twenty members in April, 1823, by Rev. David Brown the first pastor. The first church edi- fice was completed in January, 1828, and consecrated by Bishop Hobart Sept. 4, 1828. The present house was built in 1859, and consecrated by Bishop Coxe, May 18, 1865. Rev. G. W. Sinclair Ayres entered upon the rectorship of this church November 1, 1893. There are 98 communicants. Rev. Mr. Ayres is also rector of St. Georges Chapel at Hartfield, 22 comint- nicants ; and priest in charge of the Chapel of the Good Shepherd erected on the Chautauqua Assembly grounds this spring, at a cost of $1,650, and ded- icated and hallowed July 2, 1894, by Rt. Rev. A. Cleveland Coxe, D. D., Bishop of the Diocese of Western New York. Number of communicants 80.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Dewittville was formed with ten members in 1835 by William Gifford. Their house of worship was pur- chased of the Baptists the same year. The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Burgess. Rev. Arthur C. Bowers is the present pastor.

The First Free-will Baptist Church of Chautauqua Hill, four miles north from Hartfield, was organized with five members in 1840, by Rev. T. V. Main the first pastor, and a Mr. Neely. A house of worship was built about 1842.

Summit Church, Methodist Episcopal, near Summit Station, where a

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class had been formed, built a house of worship through the instrumentality, it is said, of John H. Flagler in 1849. The first pastor after the completion of the church building was Rev. John K. Hallock. The present pastor is Rev. Hiram W. Williams.

The Christian Church at Dewittville was organized December 25, 1852, by Rev. E. H. Mosher the first pastor, and E. H. Halladay. Their church edifice was erected in 1856. Rev. David C. Loucks commenced his pastorate July 16, 1893.

Mount Pleasant Church, United Brethren, three and a half miles southeast from Mayville, was organized with eight members in 1858 by Rev. Z. Sulli- van the first pastor. A church edifice was built in 1865.

The United Brethren in Christ, of Elm Flats, were organized with eight members, Feb. 1, 1863, by Rev. N. R. Luce the first pastor. A house of worship was erected in 1861 ; the present one in 1870. September 1, 1890, Rev. Eli S. May becaine pastor.

St. Peter's Church, German United Evangelical Protestant, at Mayville, was organized with twenty members in 1871 by Rev. O. Schroder. Their church edifice was erected in 1871. The first pastor was the Rev. Jacob Weber.

The Swedish Lutherans organized a church at Mayville in IS70; built in 1872. This congregation was in 1892 about 162 strong, and all in all, large and small, about 255. Church and parsonage are worth $4,000. They had a parlor organ, no choir, a library of 100 volumes. The church has had these pastors : J. W. Kindborg ; 1878, A. J. Ostlin ; 1882, G. Nelsenius ; 1889, A. P. Säter ; Stud. Charles Henderson ; 1891, O. Strand.

Summit Lodge, No. 312, F. & A. M., was instituted at Mayville in ISI8, and derived its name from its location on the summit of the watershed between the Mississippi and the St. Lawrence river systems. The first meet- ings were held in Asahel Lyon's rooms, and the first officers were John Dex- ter, W. M. ; James M. Cochrane, S. W. ; Asahel Lyon, J. W. ; David Eason, treasurer ; Calvin Macomber, secretary. The lodge was discontinued in IS24 and was revived November 4, 1850, as No. 219. Its last meeting at Mayville was held February 14, 1851, and it was moved to Westfield.

Peacock Lodge, No. 696, F. & A. M., held it first meeting U. D. February 28, 1869, and received its charter June 9, 1869. The lodge perpetuates the name of a distinguished and worthy brother, Hon. William Peacock, who was ever governed by true masonic principles. The first officers elected were N. G. Luke, W. M .; George Wood, S. W .; John F. Young, J. W .; Amos K. Warren, treasurer ; O. E. Tiffany, secretary ; Win. S. Gleason, S. D .; Peter M. Pickard, J. D.

The State Bank of Mayville, capital $25,000, was organized this year and succeeded the banking house of Skinner, Minton & Co., formed May 13,

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1878, by E. A., C. P., and J. A. Skinner of Westfield, and Henry J. Minton and Herman Sixbey of Mayville. The new bank has these officers : C. C. Minton, president ; C. R. Cipperly, vice-president ; J. T. Hunt, cashier. Among the directors are E. A. Skinner of Westfield, Marion W. Scofield of Mayville.

SUPERVISORS .- John McMahan, 1805-6-7 ; Arthur Bell, 1808; Thomas Prendergast, 1809; Matthew Prendergast, ISIO-II ; Samuel Ayers, 1812; John Scott, 1813 ; John E. Marshall, 1814; Martin Prendergast, 1815-16-18, and from 1819 to 1833 ; John Dexter, 1817; Jabez B. Burrows, 1834-35-36 ; William Prendergast, 1837-38-39 ; Alva Cottrell, 1840-41-46 ; Dexter Barnes, 1842 ; Cyrus Underwood, 1843-44 ; William Green, 1845 ; Willard W. Crafts, 1847-48-53 ; Martin Prendergast, 1849-61-62-63-64 ; Stephen W. Hunt, IS50-51 ; Hiram A. Pratt, 1852 ; David Woods, 1854-55 ; John Birdsall, 1856-57; William Gifford, 1858-59 ; Milton G. Freeman, 1860 ; Daniel H. Hewes, 1865 ; William P. Whiteside, 1866 ; Matthew P. Bemus, 1867-68-69-70-71-72 ; John Birdsall, 1873-74 ; Sidney R. Lawson, 1875-76 ; James M. Hunt, 1877 ; Lewis T. Harrington, 1878-79 ; Ezra J. Scofield, 1880-81-82-83 ; Eldred Lott, 1884 ; J. Franklin Hunt, 1885-86-87 ; Herman Sixbey, ISSS-89 ; George W. Hewes, 1890-91-92-93 ; Thomas Hutson, 1894.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

HON. WILLIAM PEACOCK.

One of the last survivors of the strong men and prominent characters of the early settlement of this county was Judge William Peacock. Nearly seventy years of his life were passed here, and during the greater part of his active years he was identified with every phase of the progress of the county and a participant in the development of this region. He was born February 22, 1780, in the neighborhood of New York City, and was son of Thomas and Margaret (Anderson) Peacock, who had two other sons, Absalom and John, and a daughter, Geneva. After his return from serving his country in the army of the Revolution, Thomas Peacock settled on a farm near Geneva in this state, where his children were brought up with the best opportunities for education attainable, William devoting himself to surveying, which was his principal pursuit for years, and the means of his accumulation of the large landed estates he required in various parts of Western New York. Going to Batavia in 1803 he was induced to enter the employment of the Holland Land Company, and as its surveyor located and plotted a large

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Millien Peacocks

சால்ட் ஸ்மீஅவர் சிரமப்பட்டமணங்கள்.

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part of the village of New Amsterdam (afterwards Buffalo). He selected several tracts in different localities in the village which he purchased at low prices. These he never sold, and with the growth of Buffalo they became of great value. (One of these tracts contained twenty-one acres and extended from the Terrace to Lake Erie between Erie and Genesee streets with a valuable water front on the Erie Basin. Another tract lies between Main, Niagara, Pearl and Eagle streets). He surveyed a large part of the Genesee Valley, laid ont and plotted the village of Ellicottville, and later the land in and about Mayville.

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History of Chautauqua County, New York, Part 101

Author: Edson, Obed, 1832-; Merrill, Georgia Drew, editor Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Boston, Mass. : W.A. Fergusson Number of Pages: 1068

Author: Edson, Obed, 1832-; Merrill, Georgia Drew, editor
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Boston, Mass. : W.A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1068