History of Chautauqua County, New York, Part 68

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 68

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The history of Westfield before its organization is that of its parent towns-Portland and Ripley. We however give the names of the first set- tlers as they appear on the west side of the monument at the " Cross roads."

" James McMahan, Basil Burgess, Ed. W. McHenry, Win. McBride, Jno. McMahan, Hugh Whitehill, Thomas MeChntock, Arthur Bell, George Whitehill, David Eason, Thomas Pren- dergast, David Eaton, Thomas B. Campbell. Robert Dixon, W' M. Alexander, James Dum, Alex. Cochran, Low Miniger, W"' M. Crosgrove, Peter Kane, Burban Brockway, David Kincaid, Jno. B. Dinsmore, Obadiah Joy, W" M. Murray, Asa Spear, Charles Forsythe, Huge Riddle, Jacob George, Calvin Barns, Perry G. Elsworth, David Royce, Alex Lowry, George Dull, Alex. C. Martin, Win. Bell, Dr. I .. Richmond, Moses Adams, Laughlin MeNiel, Jonathan Cass, James Montgomery, Asa Hall, Samuel Wilkinson, Nathaniel Bird, Samuel Harrison, William Riddle, Josiah (Joseph) Farnsworth, Necho. George, Stephen H. Prendergast, Jno. Acres, Jeremiah Clump, Nathan Fay, Jonathan Adams, Elisha Fay, Abram Frederick, Jno. Taylor, Gideon Goodrich, Jno. Henry, James Brannon, Win. Crosgrove, Oliver Stetson, Robert Dickson."

Other names are given as entitled to a place on this stone, among them are Bethuel Bond, Jona. Harmon, David L. Cochran, Elisha Foster, Joseph Eby, Abram Missmore, Elizur Talcott, David Higgins, John Pope, Peletiah Rice, B. Tourtelotte, Samuel Tucker, Peletiah Hutchins, David Knight, Isaac Sweet, John Brewer, Christopher Derbyshire, John House. The east side of the monument contains : " This monument is erected to commemorate the place where the first tavern was kept in Chantauqua county, the first militia training, and the first town meeting were held. First town officers elected in 1805 ; First supervisor, John McMahan ; town clerk, James Montgomery ; assessors, James McMahan, Benjamin Barrett, William Alexander ; com- missioners of highways, Thomas Mcclintock, James Dunn, Arthur Bell ; constable and collector, John Lyons ; overseers of poor, Zattu Cushing, Abram Frederick, fence viewer, James Perry ; poundmaster, David Kincaid ; overseers of highways, Peter Kam, Orsamus Hohes, Samuel Harrison. The first white child born in the county was John MeHenry, who now resides in Westfield .* Erected in 1866. The design by E. T. Foote. Finished by S. Nixon."

The monument is of Berea sandstone, its base is 4 feet, 6 inches long, 25 inches wide, 14 inches thick. The stone is 5 feet high, 2 feet, 912 inches wide, 10 inches thick, and has a 4 inch oval top. At the ends of the base are two buhr stones used in the first mill of the county.

The annual town meetings of Chautauqua were held in 1805, 1806, 1807 at Chautauqua or Portland " Cross-roads" at the "inn " of " Widow Sarah McHenry." (By 1807 she had become Mrs. Sarah Perry.) The annual town-meeting of Portland was held in 1814 at the "inn" of Jonathan Cass, and in 1815 at that of Mrs. Sarah Perry. The winter of 1806-7 was very severe, with intense coll and heavy fall of snow. The mill was frozen, (there was none other this side of Erie) and some of the settlers used mortars and pestles to make their " hominy." After the next few years grain was plenty and cheap. Rye sold from 15 to 17 cents a bushel, and corn at a rel- ative price. Whiskey was as essential in household supplies as flour or salt,

*He died October 25, 1979.

575

WESTFIELD.

and its price was from 20 to 25 cents a gallon. Little of the grain was used or distilled here. It was principally hanled to the market and exchanged for "goods." Education was early provided. William Murray is said to have taught in 1803. In 1806 a school was kept for some months and Ama Eaton, a capable instructor, taught in the summer of 1807. These were the first schools of the county and the " Cross-roads."

In the five years after Colonel McMahan and Edward McHemy had pitched their tents in this lovely region the settlement was enlarged by other pioneers. Among them were David Kincaid, Arthur Bell. Christopher Dull, James Montgomery, George and John Degeer, Jeremiah and Jacob George, Laughlin McNeil. George Whitehill, David Eason, Matthew McClintock, Low Miniger. Many of these were from Pennsylvania. During the next decade, according to Young, the population was largely increased, many set- tlers having families. Among the honored names of the earlier settlers after the MeMahans and MeHenrys were Arthur Bell ( Revolutionary soldier) and son William (1802 or 1803) prominent in formation of Presbyterian church of the " Cross-roads ; " James Montgomery (1803) also an original member and elder of this church ; Thomas MeClintock ( 1807) a popular "tavern keeper ;" David Eason (1807) first sheriff of the county, and state senator, 1823-4 ; James McClurg (1810) the town's first merchant and a successful financier ; Asa Hall father of Frank A., (1811) also prominent as an elder in Presbyterian church. He and sons George and Asa served in war of 1812; Jonathan Cass (1811) first " tavern keeper " of the village and early merchant ; Philip Stevens (1812) ; Elizur Talcott (1812) cloth dresser ; David Knight 1813) ; Jonathan Nichols ( 1813) Revolutionary soldier ; Amos Atwater (181 3) wool carder and cioth dresser ; Eber Stone (1813) miller ; Reuben Wright 1814) early cloth dresser. His sons Allen and Reuben G. have been leading business men ; Col. Nathaniel Bird (1815) in early life a soldier of the Revo- lution, a leader in every public matter of the county. He was the originator of the Buffalo and Erie line of stages, for years his house was a " free tavern " to the emigrant ; Deacon William Conch and sons Hiram and Warren ( 1815) prominent in Presbyterian church and good works ; Solomon Hinkley (1815) ; . Daniel C. Northrup (1816); David Cochran (1816); Stephen Foot (1816); Dr. Silas Spencer (1817) physician ; his son Jolm had a national reputation as a surgeon ; Thomas B. Campbell (1817) capitalist, county clerk, judge, and " man of affairs ; " Abram Dixon (1817) Westfield's first lawyer, and state senator 1840-1844; William Sexton (1817) sheriff. The character of the settlers was of the best. ' 'Those following the pioneer period were either . New Englanders or sons of New Englanders from the eastern and central parts of this state, with a few prudent and industrious people from Pennsyl- vania in some of whom Dutch blood predominated. (To some the first table spread for their frugal meals was the smooth top of a stump.) Later there

576

HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

was a small steady influx of Irish families, which was gradually augmented during the building of the Lake Shore railroad, and quite a proportion of the present population comes from that source. In 1819 Thomas Norton,. the father of Mrs. Mary A. Prendergast, came here. He is said to have been. the first cabinet-maker in Westfield. He was a scholarly man. In 1824 and. within a few years thereafter, Westfield, according to Young, received quite an accession of business men from Warsaw-Oliver Lee,* John MeWhorter, (Lee & McWhorter) merchants ; Augustine U. Baldwin, merchant ; Aaron Rumsey, tanner ; Daniel Rockwell, hatter ; Larned Gale, proprietor of West- field House ; later came James D. Carlisle, tailor ; Calvin Rumsey, tanner ; Lorenzo T. Phelps, harness-maker, and later a banker.

"Other traders were James Atkins who kept the first store in the village. in 1808; Joshua R. Babcock, Oliver Lee, Jolm McWhorter, Augustine U. Baldwin ; James Parker and William Brittan were tanners. Aaron Rumsey was a tanner and currier and dealt in leather, boots and shoes. Daniel Rockwell, a hatter. Later on in the thirties, James D. Carlisle carried on tailoring. Gervis Foot conducted merchandising. Jasper Harrington, who located in Westfield in 1827, carried on the carding of wool and cloth dress- ing for some years, then engaged in general hardware and tin and copper- ware manufacture. William, Hugh and James Johnston were in partnership as merchants. Samuel Johnston born in 1810 in County Down, Ireland, emigrated to America in 1847, settled in Westfield and was in the meat busi- ness for many years ; he owned and conducted a farm of over 100 acres. His sons are Robert, James and Frank. He is now a resident of the village. Stephen Rumsey was a merchant and a manufacturer of leather. Jonas Harrington conducted boot and shoe making until 1875."

Until the formation of the town, March 29, 1829, the settlers were busily occupied in clearing and cultivating their farms, building and conducting saw and gristmills, carrying on carding and cloth-dressing, etc. Marriages were consummated, (the first one that of James Montgomery and Sarah Tay- lor, June 30, 1805), children were born, and deaths occurred. Merchants had located, a tannery had been built, and not the least in importance "a. meeting-house erected " by the Presbyterians (in 1817), a Methodist class organized, and thus early the people had established that favorable character for industry, sobriety and intelligence which has appertained to the town all through its history. The first town meeting was held April 7, 1829, at the Westfield House, then and for long years after kept by Asa Farnsworth. The officers elected were : Amos Atwater, supervisor ; Daniel Rockwell, clerk ; Hiram Couch, Robert Cochran, 2d, Jonathan Cass, assessors ; Lyman . Redington, collector ; Low Miniger, William Bell, overseers of the poor ;

* He came to Westfield in 1824, three years later he removed to Silver Creek, where for years he resided . becoming one of the leading citizens of Western New York.

577

WESTFIELD.

James Montgomery, William Sexton, Seth G. Root, highway commissioners ; William Bell, Warren Couch, Robert Dickson, school commissioners ; Abram Dixon, Austin Stone, Russell Mallory, school inspectors ; Lyman Redington, Robert P. Stetson, constables ; Isaac Mallory, Low Miniger, Gervis Foot, fence viewers ; James McClurg, pound master. The next spring (1830) after Westfield took its place among the towns of the county there came to reside among its people a fine-looking young man, liberally educated, possessing high abilities, and the first principal of Fredonia Academy, where he had wooed and won one of his pupils, Sarah McMahan, the daughter of the coun- ty's first settler. This was Austin Smith who located here as a lawyer and who has been a resident here for sixty-three years. (See sketch.) He says : " When I came to Westfield to reside in the spring of 1830, there were 3 lawyers residing here. Abram Dixon was the oldest. He had resided here a good many years at that time. He lived in the brick house on the south side of Main street, and occupied the brick office now used for an express office. He had built the house and office several years before, and owned them and the lot they stood on. Mr. Dixon, I think, was the oklest lawyer in the county, and I may safely say that he had no superior as a pro- found lawyer. He would make the strongest brief and argument on paper of any lawyer in the county, and yet in attempting to sum up or argue a cause, extemporaneously, he seemed to lose confidence in himself and would be at a loss for words. I entered into partnership with him when I first came here, and we continued the practice of law in the old brick office as partners for over 11 years-till I became surrogate of Chautauqua county in 1841. The other two lawyers residing here were Hon. David Mann and Joseph White. They occupied a small brick office at the northeast corner of the public common, where the Episcopal church now stands. Mr. Mann was a prominent and successful advocate. He was a large, heavy man, weighing probably 230 lbs. Joseph White was a son of Dr. White of Cherry Valley. He was a gentleman of talent, paid very little attention to law practice, but gave his time principally to dealing in real estate."

John G. and Watson S. Hinkley of Massachusetts ancestry practised law here. John M. Keep was a teacher and a lawyer of high ability. Zadoc C. Young was at one time a law-partner of Henry C. Kingsbury.

Physicians .- Dr. Lawton Richmond, a Methodist preacher, and the sec- ond physician of the county, came to this county in 1809, settled at the "Cross-roads " in Westfield in 1812, and practiced medicine in a wide extent of country. He is said to have preached the first Methodist sermon in the county. From 1817 to 1829 he did not live in Westfield, but from 1829 to 1834 he practiced medicine here. He then removed to Meadville, Pa., where he died in 1843. Dr. Fenn Deming came to the " Cross-roads " about 1814, and opened the first drug store at the "Cross-roads " prior to 1818. He was

578

HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

a surgeon in the war of 1812. Dr. Marcius Simons, a native of Massachu- setts, settled here in 1816, removed in 1820; he went to Brocton in 1849, where he died in 1865. Dr. Silas Spencer came to the " Cross-roads " in 1817. He was a native of Connecticut ; a reputable practitioner. He had served in the war of 1812. His practice was arduous, extensive and success- ful. Dr. Carlton Jones became a resident about 1823. He was a skilful sur- geon. Daniel Lee, Frederick Bradley, Dr. Kimball were also in practice here. Dr. Daniel Henn commenced the duties of his profession in Westfield early in 1839. Dr. Win. S. Stockton was here in 1840. Later physicians were : Oscar F. Jones, Dr. Kenyon, George A. Hall, Charles P. Graves, and Dr. John Spencer, son of Silas, who was born in Westfield in 1821. After his graduation from Cleveland Medical College in 1842 he practiced medicine in his native town, paying however special attention to surgery. In 1843 he was elected professor of surgery in Franklin Medical college, then located at St. Charles, Illinois ; he resigned and returned to Westfield. In 1861 he was appointed by Governor Morgan examining surgeon for the 9th regiment of cavalry, and was commissioned regimental surgeon of the regiment. He was with Gen. MeClellan but resigned his commission in 1863, not being in good health. In 1865 he was appointed United States examining surgeon for invalid pensioners. He was a public-spirited man, and erected a stately res- idence, and also the Spencer block in which is an audience room bearing the name of his daughter Virginia. He served as president of the village and as a member of the board of education for several years.

From organization the town steadily grew in importance. Fine fields took the place of clearings, orchards were set out and pears, peaches, plums, cherries and apples flourished. A period of wheat raising and sheep raising inaugurated good times. In 1837 one of the most useful individuals in developing the town's future prosperity made his home here. This was Sextus H. Hungerford. (See sketch). In 1841 the town gained a most val- uable citizen. Hon. G. W. Patterson (see sketch) who came to be agent for the Chautauqua land office. The opening of the Lake Shore railroad in 1852 brought rapid transportation, which had been afforded before only by . wagons and the lake vessels. The town increased in wealth and the valua- tions of its farms became higher. Dr. Francis B. Brewer, a wealthy and public spirited person of generous aims, was attracted by the beauty and advantages of the town and became a citizen in 1861, and was identified with many of its interests until his death. (See sketch). The civil war was passed with- out any burden of debt to weigh down the town in future years. Over ninety soldiers were sent to battle for the Union from 1861 to 1865, of which not a few sealed their devotion with their blood, among them the gallant Col. Jer- emial C. Drake, who, while in command of his brigade, was mortally wounded at Cold Harbor. The war over attention once more was given to increasing

579

WESTFIELD.

the importance of the town. Westfield village had drawn away the business of Barcelona and was now the only center of the town. It had come to be one of the most beautiful villages of the lake shore. The grape industry commenced about the close of the war and now millions of dollars are invested in it and thousands of acres are covered with vines, of which Westfield has a large share, and acknowledges it as her leading source of wealth. Capital, culture and a most attractive circle of society with schools of high grade combine to make this a town of more than ordinary desirability as a place of residence.

BARCELONA .- (See page 165.) The Barcelona company laid ont a city here in 1831, a brick hotel was erected, and soon five stores were having a brisk trade. Gervis Foot was a merchant on the dock many years and the last to leave. Previous to 1845 there was but one forwarding house here, which by exorbitant prices had driven away most of the custom in flour, salt, fish, etc. Mr. Foot built a small wharf, commenced forwarding at fair prices, and soon drew the trade of merchants from Warren and beyond. The busi- ness largely increased, and in 1847 he built a wharf costing $20,000 on the north side of the point. After government appropriations ceased he built the long wharf and freighthouses on the east side, inside the bar, where only small steamers could land, and by small sail vessels kept up business, selling flour, salt, lumber, etc, and making lime from stone brought from Canada. He was a giant in strength, of wonderful energy, and did all that could be done to avert the downfall of Barcelona, which was accomplished by the opening of the Lake Shore road. His once very profitable property he sold to Stephen Rumsey for $12,000. Mr. Foot was a son of Stephen Foot, and was born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1804. When he came to Westfield in 1816 with his father there was but one building in the forest wilderness cast of the creek, the log tavern of Jonathan Cass on Main and North Portage streets. Stephen Foot located land embracing the east and west branches of Chautauqua creeks, building his log house on the old French road near Glen Mill. On coming of age Gervis settled on the Peacock land near the lake, lived there 30 years, clearing much land on contract for Mr. Peacock. From Barcelona Mr. Foot removed to Westfield and kept a grocery. He died in ISSo. His only child, Cynthia, married A. A. Comstock, a real estate dealer and builder. The Foot family, originally English, owned much land early in Connecticut, and intenmarried with leading families, one marrying Rev. Dr. Lyman Beecher, and two, colonial governors. Admiral Foote and Judge Foote belong to this family.

In 1846 Joshua LaDue, a native of Auburn, who had been a resident of the county many years, and then residing in Westfield, was appointed keeper of the lighthouse at Barcelona. He held the position several years.

Brigadier-General Joseph Farnsworth was born in Groton, Mass., in 1765,

580

HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

settled at Barcelona in 1816 and was a merchant. He later built the dwell- ing and shops on the "Abbott place " and manufactured plows, axes, and edged tools for many years. His son, Asa, was long the popular proprietor of the Westfield House. David L. Cochran, born in 1796 in Pennsylvania, settled between Barcelona and Westfield, where he operated a sawmill. He was well versed in navigation, surveying and astronomy. "He had talent for high station but lived a quiet life in his little stone house." He died in 1890 aged 94.

Mills, Tanneries, Manufactures, etc .- The first mills used in the county and in Westfield were the " hominy mills " of the pioneers, but the first gristmill was near the mouth of Chautauqua creek, built by John McMahan about 1804. A sawmill was soon after erected. In ISHI Nathan Cass built a small gristmill and a sawmill where the Westfield mill stands. This prop- perty now belongs to William Vorce. A freshiet carried away the dam in 1893 and Mr. Vorce rebuilt it. Amos Atwater and Eber Stone were the next owners. Elizur Talcott commenced dressing cloth as early as 1812 or 1814. In 1818 another gristmill was built on the paper mill site. Amos Atwater built a sawmill in 1820 and Simeon J. Porter soon after erected an oilmill ; Joseph Farnsworth also built an oilmill. A sawmill built early on Little Chautauqua creek, was owned by Timothy Pope, and there Hiram Couch and Lester Stone subsequently had a carding and cloth-dressing mill, which about 1850 was changed to a gristmill, now the " Glen Mill." James Parker established the first tannery south of York's foundry. Aaron Rumsey, who came in 1825, built a large tannery below the bridge east of the creek and conducted it for several years. In 1840 Hiram Tiffany established a tannery.

The Westfield Marble and Granite Works was established in 1846. In 1848 Samuel Nixon bought one-half interest and two years later purchased the other half and controlled the business until his death in 1876. His sons, E. C. and S. Frederick Nixon (Nixon Bros). now carry on the largely increased business. Hon. S. F. Nixon has been supervisor eight years and is now in nomination for his fifth term as member of assembly.

In 1848 Hiram Couch and Lester Stone erected a woolen factory about three quarters of a mile south of the bridge. This factory was in operation for many years. In 1852 Buck and Patchin commenced the manufacture of agricultural implements. In about 1853 Crossgrove, Kimball and Wells started a foundry and machine shop. In 1854 the Chautauqua company was formed to manufacture horse-rakes, plows, and cultivators, which was con- tinued until 1855, when mowers and reapers were manufactured until 1860. George P. York in 1861 began to make the Buckeye mower, and with Win. H. Wilson and Abel Patehin, as Patchin & Co., made the first oil tools used in the oil country, and manufactured engines. In 1863 Mr. York became sole owner and was in business until his death in 1888. In 1889 Mr. Wilson and

58I

WESTFIELD.

Win. H. Usborne succeeded to a portion of this business and built their repair and machine shops on North Portage street, and do steam and water fitting.

In 1864 the Townsend Manufacturing Company was organized to manu- facture locks, and their annual production was $100,000 worth for many years. In 1871 the Westfield Manufacturing Company commenced business, and tables and other articles of wood were made. In 1874 the Shackleton Steam Heating Company was organized. About this time a cheese factory was built by Jolin R. Fay who continued until 1883, when he engaged in the coal business.

In 1883 F. R. Mosher, who had previously made shingles, etc., on a small scale for several years, moved his business to new buildings, on Chest- nuit street and established a lumber yard in connection. Four years later he purchased a coal and feed store on the north side of the Lake Shore railroad tracks at the station. He built shops, moved his machinery, added to his business by dealing in coal, lime, cement, wood, tile, flour, etc. When the I. S. R. R. made their change of track, and moved their passenger depot and freight house, Mr. Mosher moved his buildings to the south side and built additional storehouses, and now has a model establishment, carries on a large business, his industry and enterprise bringing success. The firm in the sum- mer of 1893 was Moshier, Madigan &. Co. Dexter N. Morse has a large manufactory with steam sawmill, planing, and other machinery for making mouldings, sash, doors, window frames, grape crates, etc., on Spring street ; he has a lumber yard, furnishing shingles, lath. etc. Andrew Burns has been engaged in manufacturing grape and fruit baskets since 1886. Before he manufactured staves and headings and fruit barrels. This he continues and employs from thirty to forty hands.

The Westfield Papermill is the only one in the three western counties of New York. Its site was deeded to Judge T. B. Campbell May 3, 1823, by the Holland company. He sold it for $400 to the Walker Brothers, who borrowed $3,500 of the "judge," and built a log dam and sawmill. The judge sold the property at auction under foreclosure, Dec. 30, IS58, to Epli- raim Sanford for $2,800. J. G. Harris and G. W. Norton soon bought it and built a gristmill. In February, 1860, Mr. Norton was sole owner and gave the name Cottage Mills. In September, 1864, Jolin Boomer bought them for $2,900. Not long after Allen Wright organized the Westfield Paper Co., which expended several thousand dollars in building an elaborate papermill, where the first " news " paper in western New York was made of the best quality. In 1866 arose a demand for a cheap package for the large amount of Isabella grapes then grown, and the mill was changed into a factory to make the round three and five pound paper boxes. The factory was unable to supply the demand of the first season. This encouraged the owners to put in new machinery and make enough boxes to supply the

582

HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

anticipated demand for the next year, and thousands were made crowding all obtainable storage room. A prejudice arose against the keeping qualities of these boxes, and they remained unsold. The standard wood grape basket now used was first made in 1867. In 1869 Reuben G. Wright became owner, rebuilt and enlarged the mill, expending $35,000 to make it produce paper from straw, which was done successfully-a large amount of snow-white "print " paper being made of color superior to that from rags. It proved too stiff and brittle, lacked fiber, and the making of rag paper was resumed with success until the advent of wood pulp. Sept. 13, 1877, E. A. C. Pew became owner, giving a $13,000 mortgage to Mr. Wright. November 15, 1878, B. I. Taylor obtained the mortgage, foreclosed it and bought the mill. In 1883 H. L. & E. M. Kent bought the mill, rebuilt many of the buildings and practically made a new mill which they still operate. They are also wholesalers of paper.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Chautauqua County, New York, Part 68

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