History of Chautauqua County, New York, Part 76

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 76

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).

643

HANOVER.

inscription marks his grave : "This stone is consecrated to the memory of Rev. John Spencer, many years a missionary of the Connecticut missionary society. He was the first gospel minister who traversed the wilderness, then called the Holland Purchase, and was the instrument under God in forming most of the Congregational and Presbyterian churches which existed in this region when he rested from his labors-1826. He trod a useful but laborious path to immortality, in the ardent and unremitted exercise of doing good. The association of Western New York, grateful to his memory, have erected this monument, hoping that it may prompt the beholder to imitate his self- denying labors-1838."

It should also be noticed that the eccentric Lorenzo Dow, on his comet- like orbit, passed through Hanover on his preaching tours, in these early years. I remember well hearing my father speak of him as preaching from a stump in the clearings of what is now the village of Silver Creek, and at the close of his service leaving an appointment for another meeting, a year or more in the future, and fulfilling such appointment on the exact day and hour named. Neither should the Rev. Joy Handy go unmentioned among the early preachers who held occasional services in Hanover. His exemplary life was such that the people used to say that "it was a sermon to see him walk the streets." He was for many years pastor of the Baptist church in Fredonia.

Nashville is believed to have had the first church organization in our town, bearing the title " The First Hanover Baptist Church, Nashville." This church was established probably in 1811, the Rev. Joy Handy being its founder. The following eleven persons were the original members : Deacon Joseph Brownell and wife, Deacon Salmon Munger and wife, Uriah Nash and wife, Jolin Huntley and wife, James B. Knapp, Darius Sayles and Anna Morehouse. Their house of worship was built in 1851, and having been several times repaired is in good condition still. Rev. Joy Handy was one of several ministers who supplied the church until 1817, when Rev. Elna- than Finch was pastor until 1827. After that date, the following persons are named as having ministered to this church for longer or shorter periods : Revs. Elisha Hill, James Bennet, William Williams, John Carter, J. C. Alli- son, E. M. Nye, J. C. Allison, (2d time) H. H. Herrick, E. M. Nye, (2d time) J. C. Allison, (3d time) F. E. Miller, H. H. Herrick, (20 time) T. T. Horton, D. E. Burt, H. A. Wilcox, J. H. Miller, the present pastor. John S. Bettis who has for many years hield the office is the present church clerk. The Sabbath-school, which is a union school, numbers about forty. This pioneer church, having more than four score years of history behind it, with a good house of worship, with a church membership of forty, under the leadership of its present pastor, is still holding up in that corner of our town the banner of the cross.

644

HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

The Baptist Church at Forestville was next in the order of organization, being established in 1817 with thirty members. Their names are Christo- pher McManus, Prudence McManus, Clement Strong, Abigail Strong, Asher Cooley, Polly Cooley, Samuel R. Burdick, Dorothy Burdick, Martin B. Tubbs, Laura Tubbs, Betsey Waterhouse, Anna Holbrook, Abigail Snow, Daniel Farnham, William Heaton, Loana Russell, James Bennett, Hannah Ellis, Tabitha Alden, Joseph Devine, Lucinda Pierce, Samson Trask, Lorena Morrison, Hannah Danley, Loana Griswold, Barbara Lewis, Elijah Devine, Nathan Mixer, Rhoda Mixer and Elnathan Ellis. A council was held Dec. 13, 1817, recognizing and approving the new organization. Such were the straitened circumstances of the people, that at first the church was served at a merely nominal salary of $50 a year, and that not in cash, but largely in produce. Several years elapsed before the salary reached $300, but gradu- ally increasing, it culminated about a score of years ago with the generous sum of about $1,200. The Rev. James Bennett was the first ordained minister of this church. Their first church building, being the first church edifice in Forestville, was dedicated in 1825. In 1859 it was destroyed by fire, but replaced in 1861, on the same site, by the present fine edifice of brick at a cost of $4,000. Not one of the original members of the church is living, though there were connected with it for more than a half century, Nathan Mixer and his wife, and Laura Tubbs Willoughby -- Nathan Mixer, that pil- lar of the church, whose early motto is thus given : "Let the cause of Zion be first, establish and make it our chief joy." The present membership of the church is 226, with 235 enrolled members in the Sunday school. The church is in a prosperous condition and has for its pastor Rev. J. H. Miller.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Forestville was organized in 1829, the Rev. J. Gilmore being their minister. A class had been formed as far back as 1812 by Rev. Benjamin Paddock, and a first quarterly meeting held in Samuel Johnson's barn probably in 1816. The first Methodist church edifice in Forestville was built in 1826. This was a small, plain building, costing little more than $500, yet at that time even this sum was felt as a heavy burden. About one year after it was dedicated this building was des- troyed by fire,-a spark lighting among some shavings under the house, blown from a brand which the sexton was carrying to kindle the fire for morning worship. In 1834 a second church building was erected with gal- leries on three sides, and a pulpit about half way between floor and ceiling. As an indication of the prejudice then felt against the use of musical instru- ments in church worship, I quote this sentence from the dedicatory prayer : "All the instruments of music which we dedicate to Thee are these voices Thou hath given us." This church building served the society for 28 years, when it was superseded by the present substantial and commodious edifice of brick, at a cost of about $4,400. From a small class of only seven in the begin-

645

HANOVER.

ning, consisting of William MeClenathan and wife, Samuel Johnson and wife, Daniel Farnham and wife, and another not named, this church has grown and prospered until it now numbers 146 in its membership and 160 in its Sabbath school. Rev. A. B. Phillips is its present pastor. A revival is now in prog- ress in Forestville which will add considerably to the membership of the churches as given above.

The Presbyterian Church of Silver Creek was organized October 28, 1831, by Rev. Blackleach Gray and Rev. Timothy Stillman, a committee of Buf- falo Presbytery for this purpose. It had thirteen original members : Daniel Rumsey, M. D., Ephriam Hall, David Anderson, Jolin Reid, James Brace, Mrs. Unicy Rumsey, Mrs. Phebe Farnham, Margaret Nevins, Margaret Hall, Hannah Sproul, Lucy Holt, Mrs. Polly Prentiss, and Adelia Mixer, most of whom are put down in the record as, coming from the Congregational church of Hanover, now extinct. This Congregational church just named was probably the church of which Hotchkin's History of Western New York, under the head Hanover, speaks as follows: "This church was received under care of the Presbytery of Buffalo Feb. 12, 1822. It was reported by the Presbytery as vacant till 1830, when it was reported for the last time. Fif- teen was the only number of members ever reported as belonging to it." Within about three months the following members were added to the new church : Mrs. Nancy Gage, Tamar Campbell, Elizabeth Case, Clarissa Hall, and William Hall, by letter, and Miss Persis Gage on profession, and the church was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Buffalo. Dr. Daniel Rumsey, David Anderson and Ephriam Hall were the first elders, David Anderson being also chosen to the office of deacon, and Daniel Rumsey to the office of clerk. Rev. Abiel Parmalee ministered to this church a short time before its organization, but Rev. O. C. Beardsley was its first pastor, con- tinuing nearly fourteen years. For the first year, 1832, Mr. Beardsley divided his time between Silver Creek and Forestville. The services in Silver Creek were held in a schoolhouse. In the summer of 1833 a "protracted meeting " was held in a barn belonging to Oliver Lee. Dr. Orton, the well-known and judicious revivalist, who did so much to build up the churches through- out this region, did most of the preaching. Crowds attended; great solemnity prevailed, the grace of the Spirit was bestowed, and there were about thirty conversions. Before the meeting closed, the barn being needed for the storing of hay, services were held for a little season in the grove on Oak Hill. The next year a plain wooden building without spire was erected, and soon became the scene of revival in which the pastor was aided by Rev. William Waith. The church received a fresh accession of strengthi. A better house must be had, and the present sanctuary was built, Dr. Jere- mialı Ellsworth laying the corner stone, and Oliver Lee putting in a bell, the first ever heard in this region. The dedication service was held December 9,

646

HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

1841, Dr. John C. Lord, of Buffalo, preaching the sermon. There again in this new house a revival soon occurred in which the pastor was aided by Dr. Orton of blessed memory, and which resulted in the conversion of A. G. Dow, now of Randolph, Geo. W. Tew, Esq., and many others. This edifice has been twice remodeled, the last time in 1885, when about $10,000 was expended, providing rooms for Sabbath school, prayer meeting, church par- lors, etc., making the audience room a gem for beauty. The church was rededicated February 26, 1885, Dr. Chester, of Buffalo, who had once supplied the church for a time, preaching the sermon. Rev. Albert Bigelow, a former pastor, and Rev. William Waith, son of a former pastor, assisting in the ser- vices. The following is the succession of ministers since Mr. Beardsley : Revd's. William Waith, Stewart Sheldon, A. H. Lilly, F. W. Flint, Albert Bigelow, Chas. W. Wood, P. H. Burghardt, Chalon Burgess, and E. M. Sharp, one of whom, Mr. Burgess, served the church for more than fifteen years, and during his pastorate revivals occurred which resulted in the addition of 44 · members to the church at one time, and of 59 at another-the latter after meetings held by the evangelist Rev. E. E. Davidson-these being the larg- est accessions at any one time in the history of the church. Nearly as large an accession as that first named occurred under the pastorate of Mr. Lilly. There is a board of six elders and an equal number of trustees. The Sabbath school has on its roll 230 members, and in place of the original thirteen, the number of members on the roll of the church at the close of the last pastor- ate was 237. In the spring of 1891 Rev. E. M. Sharp succeeded to the care of the church and his acceptable labors continue.

Next in order of organization are the two churches at Irving, Baptist and Methodist, both organized in 1836, and both built church edifices the following year, 1837. The constituent members of the Baptist church were Cephas R. Leland, Luther Heaton, Asael Hall, Sylvester Andrus, David Woodbury, Joel W. Nye, (Rev). David Gardner and wife, William Negus and wife, Charles Stebbins and wife, Wesley Stebbins and wife, Henry Gardner and wife, Dea. Alanson Tower and wife, Henry Gardner, Jr., Obadiah Edmunds. This church was disbanded in 1858, and the edifice was sold, and is now used for secular purposes.

A Methodist Episcopal church was organized with the following mem- bers : John Mack and wife, Abner Coney and wife, Mr. West and wife, Mr. Allen and wife, Mrs. Marcia Barr, Solon Hall. M. E. services have been maintained with little interruption until recently. The number in church membership at the present time is fifteen.

At Irving, for several months, Episcopal services have been maintained by lay readers in the M. E. church edifice every Sabbath morning, under an organization called St. Andrew's Mission. The number of members in the organization was six at first, now about nine or ten. In the same house

647

HANOVER.

every Sabbath evening a Presbyterian service is held by Rev. George Run- ciman of the Cattaraugus Indian Mission.

The organization of the Methodist Episcopal church of Silver Creek is put down by the authorities as occuring in the year 1837, though a class had existed many years before. According to Gregg's History of Methodisın, Rev. Lemuel Lane, while laboring on the Chautauqua circuit; formed a class at Silver Creek in the year 1812, consisting of Artemus Clothier and wife, Norman Spink and wife, and a few others. Young's history of our county gives the date 1819, and mentions the same persons with the addition of Lyscom Mixer and wife, and says that soon after the following persons were added : Giles Eggleston and wife, James Wesley and wife, Emily Nevins, Leonard McDaniels and others. This latter statement may perhaps be har- monized with the former by supposing it refers to a reorganization of the former class. The name of the Rev. G. C. Baker is given as the minister at the time of the organization of the church. The first house of worship was erected in 1848, improved and repaired in 1874. An entirely new edifice was finished and dedicated in 1889, at a cost of about $8,000, the noted Rev. Dr. Ives preaching the sermon. This is a fine building, has a large audience room very neat and tasteful in decoration, with prayer meeting, sabbath school rooms, and all the other conveniences which these times demand. Among the early preachers of this church were Rev'ds. Hill, Hunter, Rogers, G. Fillmore, N. Norton, S. Sullivan, Thos. Cummings, John Robinson ; among the later, Reno, E. H. Yingling, Wmn. P. Bignall, Geo. W. Gray, Win. H. Wilson, Jas. M. Bray, M. Smith, H. H. Moore, Geo. J. Squier, E. K. Creed, Geo. Moore, J. H. Herron, D. D., R. N. Stubbs. From small begin- nings this church has grown until its present membership is 186, with a sab- bath-school of 178 on the roll. . The present pastor is Rev. J. H. Bates.

Probably the next in order of organization was the Episcopal church of Forestville. The first regular Episcopal services were held in Forest- ville by Rev. George Porter, who officiated there in connection with Trinity church, Fredonia, in 1830. He was succeeded by the Rev. Lucius Smith, rector of Trinity church Fredonia, under whom the church was organized. The church edifice was built in 1859-60, being consecrated May 30, 1860. The Sunday school membership is about twenty. The present number of church members is 28. Rev. Mr. Rafter of Dunkirk is the present rector.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Nashville was organized in 1850, with thirty original members. The minister at that time was the Rev. James E. Chapin. They have a church edifice, erected in 1851, which is in good repair. The Sabbath school is a union school, numbering about forty. The church membership is fifteen. Present pastor Rev. William Calhoun.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Smith's Mills dates its organization in 1853, with 16 members. Their church edifice was erected in 1886 under the

648

HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

leadership of Rev. Geo. J. Squier, and is called "the Emory Gage Chapel." The Sabbath school has an enrolled membership of forty, and the church membership is 18. The Rev. A. B. Phillips of Forestville is the minister.

Next in order of time is the Hanover Center Baptist Church, the date 1855. The number of original members was 33, viz : Alanson Tower, Diana Tower, Austin Watrons, Ashbel Watrons, Sally Watrons, Ann Watrons, Charles Stebbins, Seth Record, Ellida Record, William Mark, Martha Mark, Caroline Johnson, Louis Wood, Minerva Underwood, John M. Barclay, Rhoda Bar- clay, Julia P. Angell, Stephen Eaton, Drusilla Coman, Lucy Brown, Nancy Bliss, Alonzo Frink (Rev)., Charlotte Frink, David Gardner, Timothy Gid- ley, a Rathbone, Abigail Graves, Lucetta Howard, Avis Hudson, and a Huyck. The present church membership is 44. The Sabbath school is a union school and has on its roll about sixty, average attendance about 33. Their church edifice has been repaired by joint efforts of the Baptists and .Methodists and is now occupied by both societies. Rev. Alexander Watt of Silver Creek is the present pastor.

The Methodist Church of Hanover Center dates from 1860, with about 30 constituent members, among whom the names Cockburn, Birdsey, Horton are prominent. The minister at the time of organization was the Rev. Wil- liam P. Bignell, then having charge of the M. E. church at Silver Creek. Their services are held in the house of worship owned by the Baptists, and their Sabbath school is held in union with them. At the present time the church numbers about thirty, and is under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. H. Bates of the Silver Creek M. E. church.

Next in order of time is the organization at Forestville of the Catholic Church, date 1873, with 90 members, under the care at first of the Rev. Mr. Angell. The Sabbath school numbers 12, the present church membership 90. They have a church and are under the charge of Rev. Mr. Cassimer.

In 1877 a Free Methodist Church was organized at Forestville with 14 constituent members, and Rev. J. Chesbro was their minister. Their church building was erected in 1880. They have a Sabbath school numbering 25. The present church membership is 33. Rev. J. J. Thompson is their pastor.

At Silver Creek a German Methodist Church was formed in 1880, with nine members. A church edifice was built in 1883. Their first minister was the Rev. William Shluetter. They have a Sabbath school of 12, their church membership is now fourteen, and their present pastor is the Rev. John Hagen.

A Catholic Church was formed at Silver Creek in 1882, with 18 members. They have a church edifice which was dedicated in 1883. Their minister at the time was Rev. Geo. Burnes. Their Sabbath school numbers 25, and their church membership is 40. The Rev. James McCarthy is now in charge.

March 18, 1883, there was established at Silver Creek, by the Rev. Mr. Sieck, " The First German Evangelical Lutheran Church." There were 40

649

HANOVER.

original members. Their first minister was Rev. W. Broecher. They have a Sabbath school of 40, and a church membership of 132. Their church edifice was dedicated August 12, 1883. The pastor is Rev. F. B. Arnold.

A Second Lutheran Church, taking the name of " The Evangelical Zion's Church," came off from the above in the year 1890, and now worships in the building owned and used by the Baptists. The original members were 12 ; the present membership is 18. The minister at the time of organiza- tion was Rev. Ang. Goetz ; the church is in charge of Rev. Mr. Loer.

A Baptist Church was organized at Silver Creek in 1890, with 12 111e11- bers : Cornelia Brown, Dora Cook, Lucinda Dickinson, Lucy A. Erb, Tina Fox, J. H. Jones, Mrs. J. H. Jones, Kate Knight, Agnes McNamara, William Noble, A. B. Miller, Josephine Rogerson. The present church membership numbers 25, and the Sabbath school from 25 to 35. This church has fitted up the former schoolhouse and use it for their services. Their first minis- ter was the Rev. Arden B. Miller, who has been succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Alexander Watt.

An Episcopal Church was formed at Silver Creek, Oct. 19, 1891, by the Rev. Dr. Hitchcock of Buffalo, rector of the Church of the Ascension, with four members : H. A. Weston, Mrs. Lucy Mulkin, Mrs. Arthur Brown, and one other. " This Episcopal mission was inaugurated under the supervision of the Layman's Missionary League," and services have been maintained largely by lay readers from Buffalo, with occasional visits from clergymen. It takes the title of " St. Alban's Mission." Their church edifice was conse- crated March 26, 1893. The number in the Sabbath school is 25, and the number of communicants 26. This church is now ministered to by the Rev. E. C. Bennett, general missionary of the deanery of Buffalo.

Besides the schools and churches various other organizations promotive of intellectual and moral improvement, exist in our town, such as that of the C. L. S. C., which has many graduates, the Shakespeare Club, the Literary Union, the Town Anti-License Club, and six local unions of the W. C. T. U.

By the foregoing sketch we find that there are 16 schools and 20 churches in successful work'among our people. About one-third of the population of the town is enrolled in these churches, and about one-quarter in the Sabbath schools, The entire cost of supporting these schools and churches is indeed considerable, yet no money expended yields such valuable returns. On these two pillars rests the safety of society and the continued prosperity of our commonwealth.

650

HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

REV. CHALON BURGESS.

Rev. Chalon Burgess, for many years pastor of the Presbyterian church of Silver Creek, is a son of Dr. Jacob and Mary (Tyler) Burgess, and was. born at Silver Creek, in the town of Hanover, June 24, 1817. The Burgess family of America, trace their lineage through Thomas Burgess, who was one of the Pilgrim fathers, who came over in 1630 and settled at Sandwich on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. One of his descendants was Dr. Jacob Burgess, who was a native of Lanesboro, Berkshire county, Mass., where he read med- icine, and from there he came to Silver Creek in 1811. He was the first physician of Silver Creek and his field of practice was not confined within the limits of the county, while in many instances he had no road and trav- elled through the road by blazed trees. He also practiced among the Indians, and after forty years of continuons practice, died at Silver Creek, April 15, 1855, aged eighty years. He was a liberal democrat and a well informed man, who kept acquainted with all scientific matters and pursuits.

Chalon Burgess received his early education in the common schools of Silver Creek, after which he attended Fredonia academy and then entered Hamilton college, from which he was graduated in 1844. After graduation, he was employed for nine months in teaching one of the public schools of Buffalo, and at the end of that time became principal of the schools of Nunda, in Livingston county, which position he held for eighteen months. He then entered the theological seminary at Auburn, from which he was gradnated in 1849 and immediately commenced ministerial labors. On account of ill health he declined some important work offered him and assumed charge of the Congregational church at Little Valley, where his ministry extended over a period of eleven years. From Little Valley he was called to the Presbyterian church of Panama, over which his pastorate extended for fifteen years, lacking three months. While there he also had charge of the Congregational church of Ashville for five years. In Novem- ber, 1875, he became pastor of the Presbyterian church of Silver Creek, with which he faithfully labored until his resignation, May 1, 1891. During his efficient pastorate the church increased from a membership of one hundred and forty-four to two hundred and thirty-seven.

June 2, 1853, Rev. Mr. Burgess married Emma J., daughter of Rev. Charles Johnston, of Ovid, Seneca county, New York. They have had six

البناء

buy living jours Chalon Burgesa.

651

HANOVER.

children, two of whom died in infancy. Charles Jacob, died of pneumonia, just as he was about ready to enter college ; Edward S., professor of Botany and Natural Sciences in the Washington City high school ; Theodore C., professor of Greek and Latin in Fredonia Normal school ; and Sarah Julia, who upon completing the four year's course of study in Wellesley college, received June 19, 1894, the degree of B. A. from that institution.

Rev. Chalon Burgess is a fine scholar, a logical and pleasing speaker, a courteous gentleman and a decided prohibitionist. He is the author of sev- eral published sermons, one of which was delivered on the death of Abraham Lincoln and told with power and pathos the story of the martyr, whose achievements and tragic death have made a figure never equaled in history.

From the New York Evangelist we quote : "Buffalo Presbytery has fur- nished two striking exceptions to the proverb 'A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country and in his own house.' The exceptions are the late Rev. Dr. Grosvenor W. Heacock, who, born and reared in Buffalo, became one of the most honored and beloved ministers the city ever had, and the Rev. Chalon Burgess, who, born and reared in Silver Creek, had just closed in that village a most useful and honorable pastorate."

From the local paper : After forty years of service in the Lord's vine- yard, he seeks retirement in a community which honors and respects him as a profound scholar, a keen thinker, an upright Christian, a citizen of whom all are proud."

HON. DANIEL SHERMAN.

Hon. Daniel Sherman, the present surrogate, is one of Chautauqua's lion- ored sons, as he was born in Busti, November 29, 1821, son of Daniel and and Eunice (Clark) Sherman. His father was the first supervisor of Busti, sheriff from 1828 to 1832, and a corporator and director of the Chau- tauqua County Bank. Judge Sherman was educated at Jamestown and Fre- donia academies and Burr Seminary in Vermont, studied law with Hazeltine & Warren at Jamestown, and was admitted to practice July 4, 1848. He was in active practice until 1882 when he was elected surrogate, and, by reelection, yet holds the office. He is a Republican, and has held important and responsible positions with marked fidelity and ability. He was district attorney from 1851 to 1854, then for 12 years attorney for the Seneca Indians, and later U. S. agent for the Six Nations in this state. While attorney for the Senecas he secured a reversal of the decisions of the lower courts in the court of appeals, thereby affirming a boundary of the Cattaraugus reservation contested for many years. He also acquired in the same court title for the Seneca Indians to the Oil Spring reservation, which, although conceded, had been omitted from the articles of the Big Tree treaty of 1798, and passed to the Holland Land Company. (See page 139). He has been conspicuous

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 76

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