USA > New York > Livingston County > History of Livingston County, New York, from its earliest traditions to the present together with early town sketches > Part 86
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Holy Angels Church .- When the Genesee Valley canal was com- menced at Rochester in the year 1837, to be built to Dansville, many young Irish Catholics were employed in the work until the canal was finished to Dansville, in the year 1842. Immediately after the com- pletion of the canal to Dansville, a branch was begun at the Shakers, built to Olean and finished in the year 1852. The men who had been employed on the Dansville branch found employment on the Olean branch, many of whom located at Nunda and the immediate vicinity in the year 1842.
Thos. Kiley, Michael Welch, Thomas Brick, James Brick, and Michael Creed were the first Catholics who came to Nunda. Shortly after came James Kiley, Patrick Barry, Owen Carroll, John Sheahan, Maurice Wall, the Blake and Skelley brothers, Michael Barnes, Mau- rice Gurry and others, until in 1842 Nunda had quite a settlement of Catholics. The first marriage among them was that of Thomas Brick
896
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
and Ellen Fitzgerald in 1845. At the "Deep Cut" two miles from Nunda a colony of about three hundred Catholics located, where they were employed by the firm of Sharp and Quinn, who had the contract for "making the cut." Sharp and Quinn, came from Rochester.
Through their influence Father O'Reilly, who later became Bishop of Hartford, came on horseback from Rochester to the "Deep Cut" to hold services. The few Catholics who were living at Nunda attended mass at the "Deep Cut" for a time. Father O'Reilly while passing through Nunda on one of his visits to the "Deep Cut" stopped at Nunda and baptized the first child born of Catholic parents in the vil- lage. Subsequently Father O'Brien came to Nunda from Greenwood, Allegany County, and held services in a private house a number of times. 6 In the year 1846. Father Sheridan was stationed at Portage- ville where a large number of Catholic families had located. Father Sheridan's field of labor extended south to Belfast, west to Pike, Perry and Warsaw, and north to Nunda.
There were no churches at any of the above named places at that period, the priest being compelled to read mass in private houses. Father Sheridan remained at Portageville five or six years. Father McEvoy succeeded Father Sheridan and remained until the year 1854. After Father McEvoy came Father Dolan in the year 1854. Father Dolan purchased a building in Nunda in the year 1854, which had been intended for a dwelling house. The building was begun by Mr. Marsh, a tailor who was unable to finish it because of financial difficulties. Mr. B. P. Richmond purchased the building and sold it to Father Dolan, who converted it into a church. This church was plainly finished and furnished, the seats con- sisting of plain pine boards without any backs. Father Dolan felt very proud that the few Catholic families residing in Nunda had at last obtained a church of their own in which to worship. Father Dolan was succeeded by Father Ryan, who was followed by Father Moore who remained only three months, then came Father Dean who remained until 1860. Father Dean had the church repaired and painted on the inside and pews put in. Father Dean remained until 1862, when Father Purcell took charge of the church and remained until 1863. Father Purcell had a new altar and confessional built. Father Lawton took charge in 1863 and remained until 1864. Father Greig came in the early spring of 1864, and remained until late in the
897
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
fall. being followed by Father MeGinnis who remained until March, 1865. Father Cook then came and remained until 1872. Father Cook was a classmate of General Thomas Francis Meagher, and a fellow sympathizer in the Young Ireland movement of "48." Father Big- gins of Dansville succeeded Father Cook in 1872. During the period Father Biggins had charge of the church Nunda was transferred from the Buffalo to the Rochester Diocese. Father Biggins built the pres- ent church and remained until 1874. Father Seymour next took charge of the church and remained until 1875. Father Seymour was the only one of all these priests who took Nunda as his only charge. The congregation however was too small and too poor to support a priest, which fact Bishop McQuaid soon discovered, and Father Donnelly, who was stationed at Mt. Morris, with the assistance of Father O'Connell attended Nunda from 1875 to 1882. Father Don- nelly had new pews placed in the church, and made many other im- provements. Father Day was appointed pastor of the parishes of Mount Morris and Nunda May 1, 1893, and is still in charge. From July, 1898 until Nov. 1899 he was assisted by Rev. E. A. Rawlinson. The interior of the church has recently been papered and painted and the altar remodeled and decorated.
Thomas Kiley was the first lay trustee and held office up to his death in 1879. James Price was also a trustee for a few years with Mr. Kiley. John O'Connell became a trustee to succeed Thomas Kiley in 1879 and still holds office, jointly with R. H. Hughes, who was ap- pointed in 1893. The other trustees are the Bishop and Viear General of the Diocese and the pastor, ex officio. The church is without debt and has a membership of thirty families.
First Universalist Church .- The first meeting for the organization of the Universalist congregation was held in a district school house in the village of Nunda, September 12th, 1840. The officers at that meeting were Elijah Horton, Moderator, and L. S. Church, Clerk.
The deacons chosen were Granville Sherwood and Joseph Root. The names of the persons enrolling themselves as members were: Richard Church, Elijah Horton, Abram Merrick, Joseph H. Root, Charles Stillson, Granville Sherwood, Joshua Fuller, George Townsend, Law- rence S. Church, Lyman Smith, Amman Smith. Leonard Church, Nathan Sherwood, Jonathan Hay, Sarah Horton, Elvira Starkweath-
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898
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
er, Malvina J. Church, Esther Merrick, Abigail Gould, Harriet Horton, Mercy Fuller, Maria Sherwood.
On the 23rd of January, 1841, the Universalist society was formed, R. Church presiding as chairman, and Elijah Horton as secretary of the meeting. The following trustees were elected: David Grover, Richard Church, David Babcock, Granville Sherwood, Hiram Merrick, Elijah Horton, Joshua Fuller, William Huggins, Silas Grover. A committee on building was appointed at this meeting, and the church was built in that same year. In 1871 the Church of the Redeemer was erected, a large and beautiful structure standing on East Street.
The first pastor mentioned in the records is Rev. A. Kelsey, who officiated four years. After his ministration the following is the suc- cession of pastors as near as can be ascertained : Rev. O. F. Brayton, 1852; Rev. A. J. Aspinwall, 1856-1860; Rev. C. C. Gordon, 1861- 1862; Rev. E. Tomlinson, 1863; Rev. A. C. DeLong, 1864-1865; Rev. C. V. Craven, 1866; Rev. E. Reynolds, 1866; Rev. F. S. Bacon, 1867- 1869; Rev. G. F. Jenks, 1870; Rev. A. L. Rice, 1870; Rev. J. A. Dobson, 1871-1873; Rev. Mr. McLean, 1874; Rev. Mr. Kelsey, 1874; Rev H. Jewell, 1875; Rev Mr. Shepherd, 1876; Rev. Mr Snell, 1876; Rev. Mr. Aldrich, 1876; Rev. S. J. Aldrich, 1877-1879. Since the first of April, 1879, there has been no settled pastor.
The following is the town assessment and tax rate for the years be- ginning in 1860:
Assessed Valuation
Tax Rate on $1000
Assessed Valuation
Tax Rate on $1000
Assessed Valuation
Tax Rate OI1 $1000
IS60
555,767
6.91
I875
1,095,671
9.79
1890
1, 166,570
12.86
IS6I
613,94I
7.75
1876
1,024,709
8.48
IS91
1, 144,575
10.76
IS62
813,85I
9.39
1877
1,000,986
10.90
IS92
1, 112,939
9.40
IS63
573,878
9.24
IS78
1,059,077
10.12
IS93
1, 133,942
1864
598,587
16.30
IS79
1,133,746
11.40
1894
1,131,877
10. 14
1865
585,583
38. 90
ISSO
1, 187,32I
9.43
IS95
1, 106,470
9.25
IS66
566,505
14.90
TSSI
1, 179,765
9.12
IS96
1,087,228
8. 72
I867
580,429
18.00
ISS2
1,173,373
IS97
1,154,157
8.46
1868
577,738
14.67
ISS3
1,231,106
10.04
I898
1, 125,509
7.32
IS69 IS70
591,417
II.22
ISS5
1,215,829
10.54
1900
1, 115,116
1871
598, 115
IS. 12
ISS6
1,159,820
11.20
1901
1,120,113
T :. 13
IS72
576,559
19.12
ISS7
1,138,782
11.38
1902
1,133,640
C 5.00)
IS73
566,906
18.85
ISSS
1, 138,492
10.67
1903
1, 132,995
C 0 20
IS74
1,062,020
7.60
IS89
1, 186,304
14.02
1899
1,123,860
S.o8
583,541
10.55
ISS4
1, 170,059
9.31
7.87
₸ 8.38
1
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
The following is the list of the supervisors of Nunda since the town was passed over from Allegany to Livingston county in 1846:
Edward Swain. 1846-47
Samuel Skinner.
Elisha Whipple 1848-49-50-51-53-54-55-60-61
IS52
Lewis B. Warner. I856-57-58-59
E. O. Dickinson 1862-63-74-75
Alfred Bell.
1864
H. D. Page.
I865-66-67-68-69-70
Jared P. Dodge
1871-73
Elijalı Youngs
1872
Plin D. Lyon .1876-77
Wmn. W. Hunt. 878-82-83-84
Win. V. Robinson 1879-80-81
Chas. S. Lynde .1885-86
W'm. H. Payne. 1887-88-89
James McNair .1890
C. A. Norton ... 1891-92-93-94-95-96-97-98 E. C. Olney. 1899-00
Platt C. Halsted. 1901-02-03
YORK.
The town of York is larger than any other town in Livingston county except Springwater. Its area is 29,639 acres and its population in 1900 was 2730. It is bounded north by Caledonia, east by Avon and Gen- eseo, south by Leicester, and west by Pavilion and Covington (Wyo- ming county.) It was formed from Caledonia and Leicester in 1819. and later. in 1823, a small portion of Covington was added to straighten the boundaries. The east boundary line is the Genesee river. The surface from the river flats westward is gently undulating. The soil is a clay loam in the central and eastern parts and sandy and gravelly loam in the northern part.
The two principal streams besides the Genesee are Brown's creek and Calder creek, the former flowing through the central section and the latter through the northern section into the river.
Robert Grant has described the physical characteristics of the town as follows: "The town of York being one of the largest and most fer- tile in the county of Livingston, is also almost entirely exempt from any broken or waste lands, as well as being uniformly and generally well watered for stock and other purposes. Its entire eastern border is laved by the tortuous course of the meandering Genesee, whose sev- eral tributaries flowing from west to east. nearly equidistant through the entire town, betoken a most wise and essential provision of nature for both man and beast."
The villages of York are small and unincorporated. They are York Centre, Fowlerville. North and South Greigsville, Piffard and Lin- wood. York Centre is nearly at the geographical center of the town, and Fowlerville, with about the same population-less than half a thousand -- in the northern part. North and South Greigsville, in the southern section, are hamlets about a mile apart. Piffard is in the southeastern part.
In early days York Landing on the Genesee, located one mile east of York Centre, and practically the head of river navigation, became the great grain mart and interport. not only for the surplus of York, but large portions of Leicester, Perry, Castile, Covington, Pavilion,
GILMORE'S MILL AND OLDEST BRIDGE ON GENESEE RIVER, GENESEO, N. Y.
Bridge between Geneseo and York.
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
and considerable regions beyond these towns, and large warehouses were constructed there for storage and shipment. After water was let into the canal in 1840. this shipping trade was distributed some- what to other points of the region, such as Cuylerville, Spencerport, Piffard and Fowlerville, but two basins were constructed at York Landing, and new warehouses went up, the old ones being inconven- iently located, and the place remained for some years longer one of the busiest shipping places in the valley. The discontinuance of the · canal in 1878, and the completion of the railroad in 1879, ended its business. The northeastern part of the town was originally called In- verness by the Scotch settlers, in memory of their Scotland city. The town is underlaid with great mines of crystalized salt, which have been developed into an immense business since their first discov- ery in 1878.
The town of York was originally a part of Caledonia, and the first settlers were Scotch immigrants who spread out from the Caledonia settlement. They built log homes in what was then called the "South Woods" about the year 1800, and prominent among them were Donald, John and William Mckenzie, John and Alexander Frazer, Angus Mc Bean, John McCall, Archibald, Gillis, Alexander Stewart and Wil- liam Dorris. John Clunas and John and David Mart arrived a little later. Ralph Brown came in 1808, purchased the land which is the site of York Centre, built a small log house, and used it as a tavern for the accommodation of guests. Donald D. Mckenzie settled in York in 1804. John Russ and John Darling came from Vermont in 1809. immediately built a log house, and returned east for the winter. When they came to their cabin again in the spring each brought a sister with him, and also household goods and farming implements.
Donald D. Mckenzie, who lived in York fifty years and died there, has written an account of the coming in 1803 and settlement of the band of Scotch families who accompanied him. This account ap- pears at length in the sketch of Caledonia. The hardships of their long journey to and beginning in America were great, and they were slow in deciding just where to establish themselves, but finally decided upon lands which afterward were set off as a part of York. At first they built temporary wigwams, in the Indian style. Some of the men had to travel eight or nine miles and back in helping to build the first log houses. They bought yokes of oxen and cows so far as
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902
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
their means permitted, and when harvest time came men and women worked in the fields to get provisions and seed wheat.
Mr. MeKenzie wrote: "I often shudder when I recall the careless- ness of the pioneers in erecting their log houses and log barns. Some of those barns were forty to fifty feet by thirty to thirty-six feet, and often twenty feet high. Three or four of the top logs were whole the entire length. These were raised in place amid a great confusion of tongues caused by the diversity of languages together with the free use of whiskey. For some were talking English, some Gaelic, some Dutch, etc. Whiskey drinking was not then considered disreputable, and the men were full of vigor from their cups, and it is a mercy that more were not injured."
In 1809 James Calder, from whom Calder creek takes its name, located in the north part of the town, and the next year Oliver Stone located a mile from the Centre, bringing with him the first wagon owned in York. The first saw mill was erected by Ezekiel Morley and his son Joseph near the Centre in 1807. A grist mill was built at the Centre by Ralph Brown in 1808 according to one authority and eight or nine years later according to another. If the former date is correct it was the first grist mill in town. Another was put up by Moses Gibson and Col. Robert Mckay in 1814, and another, probably in the next year, by Wells Fowler and William Taylor. Wells Fowler and Plynn Warren erected a saw mill near Fowlerville in 1817, and about the same time Samuel Warren erected one further up stream. The first store was opened at the Centre by Chandler Pierson in 1816, and another by Peck and Goodman in 1817. Robert Stocking started a blacksmith shop there in that year or the next.
As an illustration of common experiences of the early comers, we quote the following from Doty's history: "Another early settler was Holloway Long, who came to York in 1818, from Shelhorn, Frank- lin county, his birthplace, his wife accompanied him. Their goods were brought by a team consisting of a yoke of oxen and a span of horses. The family started in a cutter in which they made a part of their journey. The snow then failed them and wheels were substi- tuted. The little group was protected from the inclement weather by a piece of towcloth that had been spun and woven by MIrs. Long. The cutter contained their provisions and cooking utensils, for which they found frequent use on the route. The family were nine days on
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903
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
the road, the teams with the goods being twenty-eight days making the journey. Temporary shelter was provided for the family on their arrival, and Mr. Long went to work at once to erect a log house. In a few days it was up and occupied, though not very comfortable until the opening of spring enabled him to chink it. Mr. Long settled on the Forty Thousand Acre Tract, and on his arrival found four or five families occupying temporary quarters on the tract. The locality was then called 'Caledonia South Woods.' The Indians were peac- ably disposed. Mr. Long took up the farm at fourteen dollars an acre, on which he continued to reside until his death." The "South Woods" were a part of "Big Woods." The region was a dense and magnificent forest.
John Russ and his cousin, John Darling, boarded at Ralph Brown's log tavern two months while building a house after they came here in 1809. Mr. Russ has said of the tavern accommodations at that time that Mr. Brown had but two knives and two forks in the inn, and when these happened to be in use, the guest or boarder would use his pocket knife if he had one, or would be supplied with a hickory stick. - Among the early physicians were Drs. Durelle, Long and Stickney. One of the first ministers was Rev. Josiah Goddard, a Baptist. The first white child born in town was a son of Donald Clunas, and the second was Angus Mckenzie, son of Donald Mckenzie, in March, 1805.
Alexander Gillis, a Scotchman who came in 1804 with his wife, three sons and two daughters, and settled on the western border of York, was prominent in organizing the first Presbyterian church of Caledonia. He lived to be eighty-nine years old.
Fowlerville was named from Wells Fowler, who settled there in 1816. In 1819 he was appointed the first postmaster of the town. He was active and influential in causing the construction in 1820 of the first bridge over the Genesee river on the road from Avon through Fowlerville to Buffalo. It was built by voluntary subscriptions and labor.
David Piffard was a useful and esteemed resident of York, where he lived from 1824 until his death in 1883. He was a native of England, and was born there in 1794. He went with his parents to France in 1802 lived there with them eleven years, and meanwhile was educated in Paris and Versailles. There he studied architecture, and continued
904
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
the study in London. When he came to York he bought a tract of 600 acres, and also became the owner of 5,000 acres in Flint, Mich. He was a man of varied attainments and extensive knowledge, in- cluding general literature, science, architecture, medicine and horti- culture. He had one of the finest gardens in Western New York. He died in 1883.
The most distinguished man whose life has been to some extent identified with the town of York was Chester A. Arthur, president of the United States from 1881 to 1885. Ilis father Rev. William Arthur, was pastor of the Baptist church at York Centre for a number of years, beginning with 1837, when the future president was seven years old.
John R. McPherson was born in York in 1832, and after his educa- tion in York and Geneseo schools, became a York farmer until he was twenty-six years old, when he moved to New Jersey, there engaged in agriculture on a large scale, and became an extensive and widely known dealer in cattle. But his chief distinction is in certain inven- tions of great practical value. Ile improved and applied the French abattoir for the slaughter of stock. He originated the railroad car for long-distance transportation of live stock, and invented effective methods for improving soils. He represented New Jersey in the United States Senate.
Col. Holloway Long came in 1816, and a little later was elected cap- tain of the "York Artillery, " a famous militia company. The records of this company are a little mixed, but it must be inferred that it had been organized several years when Col. Long was chosen its cap- tain, as it was ordered to the frontier on the breaking out of the war of 1812, remained two weeks, and afterward was ordered out several times. A detachment of the company took part in the siege of Fort Erie in 1814. Col. Long was familiar with military tactics, and be- came its very efficient leader and drill master.
The first town meeting of York, held in April, 1819. elected the fol- lowing officers: supervisor, William Janes; town clerk, Perez P. Peck; assessors, John Darling. John Dodge, Henry James: collector, Joseph R. Ramsdell; overseers of the poor, Moses Allen, Thomas Blake; commissioners of highways, John Russ, William Taylor, Newcomb Mead; constables, Jonathan Tainter, Joseph R. Ramsdell; commis- sioners of schools, Wells Fowler, Philander Sexton, N. Sacket.
905
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
The following is an extract from Donald D. Mckenzie's narrative, before quoted: "When (in 1804) we arrived here (York) there were perhaps a dozen families in Hartford (Avon), as many in Caledonia, and about equal numbers in Buffalo and Batavia each. All the rest of the large territory did not contain many inhabitants, except the Indians. There were several families in Ganson settlement, and also a few in Leicester; all the rest west of the Genesee river was an un- broken wilderness."
About a quarter of a century ago the people of York awoke to the knowledge that there was more wealth underneath their surface than upon it. We quote on this subject from a paper read before the Livingston County Historical society: "The first indica- tions of salt were found upon the premises of the late Samuel Warren some sixty-five or sixty-six years ago, but the first salt well actually drilled in the town of York was in 1878 near Greigsville. upon lands of Carroll Cocher, who for many years had encouraged the project. Among those who furnished the necessary aid were Messrs. M. Noonan, L. W. Crossett, C. H. Young, H. H. Guiteau, Josiah Warren and Har- lan P. Warren. At a depth of 1012 feet a vein of 137 feet of rock salt was struck. The investment of capital and the employment of men by the Retsof Salt Company upon the farms of Asa Bidwell, and others is among the stupendous business enterprises of modern times, with a future that no man dares to predict. * In 1883 Charles F. Wadsworth, T. N. Shattuck of Piffard, and Otto Kelsey, A. A. Cox and James B. Adams of Geneseo, formed a company under the name of the Livingston Salt Company, for evaporation of salt. Being suc- cessful, they continued to further their interests until 1895, when their property was disposed of; the Genesee Salt company, which was started in 1884 carried on for several years a prosperous salt evap- orating plant at Piffard."
From another historical paper (date not given) we make this ex- tract: "There are now five wells near the Lackawanna railroad at Geigsville ranging in depth from 1050 to 1150 feet, all passing through salt deposit. A well at Piffard on the line of the Canal rail- road, put down within the past year by the Livingston Salt company, proved to have about eighty feet in depth of crystallized salt, and also an abundance of brine of perfect quality. Evaporating works have been erected and a short experience has demonstrated that the works have
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
a capacity of about 200 barrels per day, and the quality unexcelled in the world."
The following very interesting contribution to the history of the town of York is by Robert Grant :
"It was always represented to me by early and intelligent members that my wife's grandfather, Rev. John Eastman, early in the twenties was instrumental in organizing a Congregational church both at Fow- lerville and at Greigsville in the town of York and for some years ministered to both. Subsequently the church at Greigsville removed to York Centre where a very neat and inviting house of worship was erected and Rev. John Whittlesy was called to the pastorate and in which public services were steadily maintained under different and able pastors until about 1864 or 5 when the church was disbanded, the members mainly uniting with the United Presbyterian church of York, Rev. John Van Eaton, D. D., pastor. This church early in the thirties erected a neat and commodious house of worship upon ground previously set apart as a public square, which, after standing a few years, was destroyed by fire supposed to be the work of an incendiary. Another was erected in the immediate rear of the former in 1838 upon which many improvements have been made. Those who have offici- ated as pastors and the order in which they served are as follows: Revs. John Eastman, Walker, John Hubbard. Powell, Pierpont. Bur- bank, Lyman, Slie, E. H. Stratton, J. P. Foster, Robert Laird, Bridg- man, Chapin, Henry Snyder, Timothy Darling, Thomas A. Wads- worth, Moses, Powell, Yeomans and Modesit.
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