USA > New York > Livingston County > History of Livingston County, New York, from its earliest traditions to the present together with early town sketches > Part 120
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SCOTT W. CRANE, - A rising young attorney of Livonia, was born in the town of Springwater, January 29, 1873. His early education was acquired in the district schools and included a one-year course in the Geneseo State Nor- mal school. He then taught school for several terms and in 1895 entered the Livonia High School at Livonia from which he graduated in 1896. He immediately took up the study of law in the office of F. B. Beecher, of Atlanta, N. Y., with whom he remained some time, afterward continuing his studies with E. S. Brown, a prominent attorney of Cohocton. He was admitted to the bar January 1, 1901, when he formed a copartnership with E. W. Brown, of Livonia, which was dissolved in 1902, Mr. Crane accepting the position of managing clerk for the law firm of Herendeen and Mandeville, of Elmira, N. Y. He remained with them until December of that year, when he returned to Livonia and opened his present office. January 31, 1902, he was joined in marriage with Laura Anna Stark, a graduate of Elmira College, with the degree of A. B. Intelligent, energetic and forceful, Mr. Crane is rapidly making a name for himself in this community and his increasing clientage is evidence of his ability as a lawyer.
WILLIAM HI. DICK,-One of Dansville's prominent shoe manufacturers and well known citizens, was born at that place February 13, 1848. For a number of years after reaching his majority he assisted his father as clerk in his boot and shoe store. In 1877 he removed to Minneapolis, Minn., where for several years he was engaged as clerk for the North Star Boot and Shoe House. He then returned to Dansville and purchased of his father the retail boot and shoe business which he had established many years before. He conceived the idea of a hand-woven warm shoe for house wear and in 1882 in a small way began their manufacture. This enterprise developed rapidly and in 1885 he disposed of his retail store and devoted his entire attention to the factory which has since grown to such an extent that it now ranks as one of the im-
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portant manufacturing concerns in the village. Mr. Dick is also prominent in social circles; he is a member of Phoenix Lodge F. and A. M., Canaseraga Lodge I. O. O. F. and a charter member of the Protective Fire Company, organized in 1876. He was president of this company for several years and was the first exempt fireman to receive a certificate. Several years ago the Village Improve- ment Company was organized and Mr. Dick was elected its secretary. ʼThe object of this society was the beautifying of the village, improving the parks and inducing the property owners to care for their lawns and buildings. This society accomplished a grand work during the period of its existence, for which much credit is due its members. In 1880 Mr. Dick was joined in marriage with Grata Fritz, daughter of Elias Fritz, an old resident of South Dansville. Conrad Dick the father of William, was a native of Germany and with his wife came to Dansville about 1845. He immediately engaged in the retail shoe trade, which he carried on successfully until it was purchased by his son. Mr. Dick is now largely interested in Western real estate that engages much of his attention.
FRANK PARET MAGEE, -Assistant cashier of the Citizens Bank at Dansville, N. Y., was born in the town of Groveland August 21, 1862. Ilis education was obtained at the Geneseo State Normal school, Professor Blakes- lee's school at East Greenwich, R. 1., and included a two years' course at Lehigh University. He was for a time engaged as teacher in the district school at Groveland and also assisted his father in the care of the farm. In 1885 he accepted a position with the Pennsylvania and Santa Fe railroads in the civil engineering department, where he remained two years. He then came to Dansville and took the position of bookkeeper with the Citizens Bank and has since been promoted to assistant cashier. In 1895 he was joined in mar- riage with Lillie Brayton, daughter of Samuel Brayton, a retired business man of Dansville. They have two children, Margaret, born in March, 1898, and Henry Brayton, born in February, 1901. Mr. Magee is a member of, and holds the office of Master in. Phoenix Lodge F. & A. M., and is a member of Dans- ville Chapter R. A. M., the I. O. O. F., and Dansville Union Hose Company.
ALBERT C. OLP .- Attorney, of Mount Morris. In 1831 Daniel Olp came with his family to this county from Mansfield, Warren county, N. J., and set- tled on land which he had previously purchased in the town of Mount Morris. The journey to the new home was performed with teams. The log cabin into which he moved was a primitive structure, made of hewn timber and covered with "shakes" from the forest trees. In time, however. the log cabin was superseded by a commodious frame structure and other improvements rapidly followed. His only son, John, succeeded to the property, introduced new ideas in farming and became a successful modern farmer. In his business life he was scrupulously honest, full of energy and industry, and an indefatigable
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worker. A staunch Democrat thoroughly posted on the political questions of the day and a ready talker, he was always ready and willing to support the principles of his party. November 26, 1845, he married Eliza Rockfellow, of Mount Morris, who died August 28, 1859, leaving two sons and two daughters. Mr. Olp again married in 1865 to Elizabeth Mckelvey, by whom he had two children, Frank J., and Albert C. She died June 7, 1894. Frank J. met death by drowning in the Genesee River July 11, 1889.
Albert C., our subject, was born at Mount Morris, August 31, 1876. He attended the Mount Morris High school, graduating in 1895. He then entered the law office of J. M. Hastings, of that place, with whom he studied until February, 1899, when he was admitted to the bar. He continued with Mr. Hastings as managing clerk until April 1, 1900, when he opened an office for the practice of his profession at No. 34 Main street. He is a member and mas- ter of F. & A. M. Lodge No. 122, and Mt. Morris Chapter No. 137 R. A. M. and a member of the board of trustees of the Presbyterian church. He has served as Justice of the Peace and is now village attorney and clerk of the Board of Education. He has served as secretary of the Democratic county Central Committee, and is president of the Active Hose Company, and Vice- president of the Livingston Club.
WALTER E. GREGORY, M. D.,-One of the managing physicians of the Jackson Health Resort of Dansville, N. Y., is a native of Reedsville, Wis., where he was born September 18, 1857. He acquired his preliminary education in the graded schools of Wisconsin and Missouri and graduated from the Wiscon- sin IIigh School at the age of twenty-one. In 1882, failing in health, he came to the Jackson Sanatorium where twenty-five years before, his uncle Levi Cot- tington, had been restored to health. Placing himself under the care of Dr. James H. Jackson he faithfully followed the directions laid down for him and in six months was able to engage in light employment. He continued making himself useful in various ways until the fire of 1882, when he became superin- tendent in the business office. In 1886 he entered the medical department of the University of Buffalo, graduating in 1889 on the honor roll. He at once became a member of the staff of physicians at the Jackson Sanatorium. Dr. Gregory comes of a family of physicians, two of his father's brothers and one of his mother's, being well known and successful physicians in the West. In April, 1889, he married Miss Helen C. Davis, of St. Andrews, Quebec, and the same year they both became stockholders and directors in what was then known as Our Home Hygienic Institute and have since been active coadjutors of Dr. Jackson. Mrs. Gregory, as Miss Helen C. Davis, came to the Sanatorium in 1882 as cashier, a position she held until appointed treasurer, which office she now holds. She has for several years successfully conducted classes in the Delsarte system of physical culture. Cherry Knoll, situated a little to the south and east of the Sanatorium is the home of Dr. and Mrs. Gregory, and their family consists of a daughter, Beatrice H.
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GEORGE W. ATWELL, -Lawyer of Lima, N. Y., the third to bear the name, was born at that place February 22, 1852. He was educated at Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, Genesee College and Amherst College, from which last institution he was graduated in 1874. Choosing the legal profession he studied with Hon. Edwin A. Nash, then of Lima, N. Y., now Justice of the Supreme Court, and was admitted to the bar in October 1877. In April, 1878, he opened an office at Lima where he is still located. During the years of an active prac- tice he has found leisure for various contributions to family and local history. As a member of the Masonic fraternity he has long been prominent, and in 1897-99 was honored with the appointment of D. D. Grand Master. He married September 28, 1887 Jane, only daughter of Amasa H. and Julia A. (Garfield) Martin of Lima, N. Y.
ANCESTRY.
The surname is derived from the Saxon words Atte, at the, and Welle, well, and was assumed at an early date. In the 17th century a branch of the family settled in the State of Connecticut where Oliver Atwell was born March 1, 1755. At the age of twenty years he enlisted in the Connecticut Line and served throughout the Revolutionary war. On the 2d of June 1781 he mar- ried Jerusha, youngest daughter of David and Hannah (Willard) Smith, a de- scendant of Samuel Smith, one of the original settlers of Hadley, Mass., by whom he had three sons and three daughters. He was pensioned April 14, 1818 and died at Westhampton, Mass., March 19, 1846. His only suviving son George W. Atwell, the first of the name, was born at Hadley, Mass., No- vember 26, 1789. He was educated at Dartmouth College. In 1817 he removed to Lima, N. Y., where for ten years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. On the 22d of July 1818 he married Martha Howard who was born December 15, 1788 and died November 28, 1863, and was a descendant in the fifth genera - tion of John Howard of Duxbury, Mass. Of this marriage there were born two sons, Silas Cook and George W. In 1827 he retired from trade and purchased the farm south of the village of Lima, where he passed the remainder of his life and which for three quarters of a century was the home of the family. He was an energetic, successful man of affairs, widely known and highly esteemed for his sterling integrity and business ability. He died at Lima, May 13, 1852. His son George W. Atwell, the second of the name, was born at Lima, January 28, 1822. He was educated at Genesee Wesleyan Seminary and Canandaigua Academy. Possessing an unusual talent for music he was for many years a conspicuous figure in musical circles. He married December 30, 1847, Mary Aun, daughter of James and Harriet (Yorks) Gillin of Little Falls, New Jersey. who was born April 21, 1827 and died August 30, 1876. Of this marriage there were born two sons George W., the present bearer of the name, and Silas John, who was born October 10, 1856 and died August 18, 1904. He married secondly in January, 1878, Mary H. Doolittle. He died at Lima October 27, 1901.
For nearly ninety years the family has been connected with the history of the Town of Lima, and during that period the name, borne for three genera-
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tions, occurs frequently in the annals of the Town, associated with public affairs and the best interests of the community.
HENRY E. HUBBARD,-One of the foremost manufacturers of Dans- ville, N. Y., came with his parents to that village in 1861 from Unadilla. N. Y., where his father, Henry Hubbard, had been engaged in the manufacture of well curbs. Previous to that, from 1853 to 1857, the family resided in Nor- wich, N. Y., where Mr. Hubbard ran a furniture manufactory. Upon their arrival in Dansville Mr. Hubbard established a plant for the making of well curbs and horse pokes, which he successfully conducted until 1876, when he re- moved to Painesville, Ohio, where he now resides, and his son, Henry E. Hubbard, succeeded to the business.
Henry E. Hubbard was born in Newport, N. H., November 4, 1852. His education was obtained at the village schools and the Dansville Seminary. Upon leaving school he entered his father's factory, and during the years in which he worked as an assistant he thoroughly learned every detail of the busi- ness and in 1876 purchased the plant of his father. He now manufactures chain pumps and wood tubing, the sale of which keeps the factory in operation the entire year. His marriage with Ida D. Squires, daughter of Byron T. Squires, a former able lawyer of Dansville, occurred April 14, 1875, and their family consists of a son and daughter, William Arthur and Katherine Eggleston. Katherine is a graduate of the Geneseo State Normal school and is now an in- structor in the Teachers' training class at Haverling High School, Bath, N. Y. William is a practical jeweler, having followed that trade for several years. Mr. Hubbard traces his ancestry in a direct line back to the year 1000. At the beginning of the sixteenth century his ancestors came from England and bore a share of the privations and dangers incident to the troublous times of the early colonial days.
CHARLES F. MORRIS,-Practicing attorney of Livonia, was born in the Morris homestead at Webster's Crossing, near Wayland, N. Y., September 14, 1874. His early education was obtained in the Wayland Union schools, from which he graduated in 1895. From that time until 1897 he assisted his father in the care of the farm. He then took up the study of law, for which he had been preparing himself. The first two years he studied with E. W. Brown, of Livonia, and the year following with Judge Clark, of Steuben county. During the Pan-American fair in Buffalo in 1900 he was a member of the Pan-American police force. He then returned to Livonia and entered the office of E. W. Brown as partner, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1903. Mr. Morris is an enterprising young man and is starting in his professional career with every prospect of future success at the bar. In politics he is a strong Republican, is well posted on the fundamental principles of his party and keeps in touch with the leading issues both local and national. He has served the town of Spring-
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water as Justice of the Peace one term. His father, Arthur Morris, a promi- nent farmer of Springwater, also conducts a thriving business in the line of con- tracting and building.
ANDREW MCCURDY-Few families have been more closely identified with the town of Ossian and the village of Dansville than the family of James D. McCurdy. The father of the subject of this sketch David McCurdy, James' father, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in the month of September 1759. He married in Ireland Miss Nancy McCoy who bore him three children, James and Rebecca and a child that died in infancy.
James was born in Cavan, Parish county, Antrim, Ireland, October 1, 1783. The family emigrated to America September 23, 1786. Landing at New- castle on the Delaware river they proceeded to Georgetown, Lancaster county, Pa., where the daughter Rebecca was born March 16, 1787.
David McCurdy was a manufacturer of Irish linen and it is not known how long they remained at Georgetown. He affiliated with and became a member of the Octarara Presbyterian church and being a skillful player of the violin and a fine singer was then acknowledged leader in church music. His wife died and was buried in Georgetown. He took for bis second wife Jeanett Graham by whom he had six sons and four daughters. Some time after his marriage he removed to Washington county, Pa., where a part of the second family was born. From there he removed with his family to near Mansfield, Richland Co., Ohio, where he died in 1834.
Cornelius McCoy a brother of David McCurdy's first wife married in Ireland the widow of John McCurdy, whose maiden name was Margaret Farrier. They emigrated to America in the year 1788. After residing in Northumberland county, Pa., about seven years they removed to what is now Dansville and pur- chased, in 1795, three hundred acres of land, part of which has since been in- cluded in the village corporation. This was the first land surveyed and they were the first white settlers in that locality. Their marriage being productive of no surviving heirs Cornelius McCoy entered into an agreement with David McCurdy whereby his son James, then about twelve years of age was to live with and work for him until he reached his majority and so doing should be- come his heir. There were three stepchildren in the McCoy family; David, James, and Mary. From these sprung many descendants who filled important offices in both church and state. On becoming of age the adopted son James inserted the letter D in his name.
On July 5, 1810 James D. McCurdy married Jane McNair, a daughter of William McNair, of what is now the town of Groveland. She was born in Northampton county, Pa., December 15, 1785 and died February 11, 1875. They began housekeeping on a part of the McCoy farm where they resided about four years. Nine children were born to them, namely: William, born August 11, 1811, died September 29, 1884; Rebecca, born March 25, 1814, died December 23, 1898; David, born November 11, 1816: Sarah, born March 10, 1819, died No-
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vember 13, 1894; James born March 21, 1821; Nancy, born March 24, 1823, died August 7, 1824; Andrew born January 31, 1826; Margaret, born December 21, 1828; Jane, born May 22, 1831, died September 7, 1831.
Mr. McCurdy removed with his family to the town of Ossian, two miles west of Dansville, in 1814, where he had purchased a tract of land heavily timbered with pine and oak. This farm be proceeded to clear and subdue, and being possessed of a robust constitution he ultimately succeeded in bringing the land to a state of productiveness. Mrs. McCurdy became one of the first members of the Presbyterian church of Ossian organized by the Reverend Robert Hubbard of Dansville. £ He gradually added to his possessions until he had acquired up- wards of one thousand acres of land, all lying in the immediate vicinity of his original purchase in Ossian. Mr. McCurdy's educational advantages were lim- ited to brief periods of attendance at the district school and by adding thereto a strict course of home study, mostly by the light of pine knots at night, he acquired a good education for the times. He also took up the study of surveying in which he perfected himself to a degree. He was a decided and active anti-Mason and figured prominently during the Morgan excitement. Some- what of a leader in politics be served his town in various public offices from pathmaster to that of supervisor, which office he held during the years of 1834-5.
During the war of 1812 General Smyth issued a call for volunteers to cross over and invade Canada. James D. McCurdy with a company under Captain David Porter proceeded to Buffalo and white embarking to cross the river a musket was fired on the American side which seemed to apprise the Canadian forces of the movements of our troops, as the bugle immediately sounded on the Canada shore. There being several thousand troops the under officers called a halt, and upon consultation decided to apply to General Smyth for orders, upon which the general was not to be found. Whereupon the attempt was abandoned and all returned to their homes. Some time subsequently General Smyth passed through Dansville. Putting up at the tavern many called to see him, but all were refused. William Perrine, a revolutionary soldier who had accompanied the volunteers to Buffalo with the baggage train, appeared with a loaded musket and asked for an interview, being also refused he remained on the stoop to intercept him in the morning. General Smyth learning the situ- ation early got on his horse and by a back way was some distance up the street before discovered. The volunteer sentinel thus foiled discharged his firearm after him.
Contrary to the prevalent custom of the time in which he lived, James D. MeCurdy at an early period in life adopted the principle of total abstinence from all intoxicating liquors, strictly adhering to this position. His sons all followed his worthy example.
Being one with his neighbors in their loggin-bees and raisings, cutting out roads, building school houses and churches, contributing fifty dollars towards the erection of the first Presbtyerian church in Dansville, which was burned March 31, 1854. Literally supporting preachers of those early times, though not a member of any denomination, the strongest element of his character was
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his independent religious convictions. A diligent reader of the Bible he en- deavored to conform to what he believed to be its teachings, which finally led him to differ from the common view, believing man to be but a mortal dying creature obtaining future life only by a resurrection from the dead by faith and obedience to the gospel of Christ. To inherit the earth redeemed from the curse as their everlasting abode which condition is to commence at the second coming of Christ, in which faith he died February 16, 1861.
Of the children of James D. McCurdy William, Rebecca, David, James and Andrew married and their children reside mostly in and near Dansville. Will- iam married, first Hetty Lemen of Ossian, and to them were born four children, two of whom grew to maturity and married, William now of Dansville and Henrietta of Bradford, Pa., (recently died). He took for his second wife Mary Lemen of South Dansville, who bore him four children, two of whom now sur- vive. Lemen of Fentonville, Mich., and Rosa of South Dansville, Steuben county, N. Y., both married. His third wife was Martha Phelps of Steuben county who died leaving no issue.
Rebecca married Edward Rathbun of Ossian, and four children were born to them, two of them are now living and married, Jane of Ossian and Edward of the adjoining town of Nunda.
David married Lydia Lemen of Ossian and had eleven children seven of whom are now living. Jane of Dansville, Franc of Tuscarora, Livingston county, Charles of Philadelphia, Pa., Sarah of Buffalo, N. Y., lda and Mariette of Dans- ville, and Cora of Jersey City, N. J.
James married first Elizabeth Porter of Ossian, who died leaving no issue. His second marriage was with Lucinda Kinney of Ossian, and six children were born to them; Charles, Mable, Lucinda, Bertha and Margaret. Five now living.
Andrew married Jeanette Scott of Ossian. She was born December 3, 1827. To them were born three sons and two daughters.
Lawrence S. married Susie Murphy and they have six children.
Fred E., a civil engineer of Dansville, N. Y., (unmarried. )
Margaret J. married William H. Acomb who died March 29, 1903, leaving a widow and four children.
James E. married Rose Schlick of Dansville, and has one daughter.
Alice May married Dr. J. W. Cowan, a dentist of Geneseo, N. Y., to them were born three children two of whom, Margaret Jeanette, and Paul are now living.
In April, 1819, James D. McCurdy sold to James McCurdy, McCoy's stepson, one-half of the McCoy estate to which he had become heir by the will of Cor- nelius McCoy with a provision that he should pay to his sister Rebecca one hun- dred dollars. This property still remains in the possession of the descendants of James McCurdy. McCoy died May 8, 1809, aged forty-seven years. When it became necessary for the settlers to select a place to bury their dead the old graveyard now so beautifully laid out in walks was filled with oak grubs, which had to be cut off below the surface in order to ensure their death, which job James effectually accomplished by the direction of his uncle.
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Some time after the Revolutionary war there came to the vicinity of Dans- ville a man by the name of Benjamin Kenyon, a captain from the Hessian armny who had fought with the British. He settled on what is the Gregory farm in West Sparta and was designated as Captain Poag. This man, detested and shunned, was noticed one day driving some cattle past the McCoy home going south. Out of curiosity to see where they were taken the three boys of the McCoy family the following Sunday took the trail through the woods to the narrows at the mouth of the gorge near the present Porter grist mill which was then only wide enough for one creature to pass at a time, proceeding on they discovered the cattle contentedly grazing on the rushes which grew plentifully in the valley as it broadened out.
It did not take the boys long to put their own cattle through the narrows to participate in the luxurious find. So they called the place Poag's Hole and from them the name became universal. Captain Poag subsequently resided there. What became of him I am unable to state. (This place is known as Poag's Hole to this day), the gorge is about three miles long through which the Can- aseraga creek flows. At the southern extremity is a rise of at least 100 feet to the summit level where the water flows south to Arkport. In the upper end of the gorge is what is called a milk spring which at times ebbs and flows casting up very fine white sand. It frequently disappears and is seen to rise again at some little distance with renewed energy.
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