USA > New York > Livingston County > History of Livingston County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 40
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At a meeting held at Byersville, Monday night, August 11th, and addressed by G. Bulkley, G. H. Read, O. W. West, I. C. Lusk, Charles S. Hall, D. Blanchard and others, several recruits were ob- tained for Capt. Leach's company, which departed on the packet May Fly, by canal, for the military depot at Portage, on Monday, August 18th, the departure being witnessed by a large concourse of people. Major Proctor, with the assistance of ef- ficient aids, gave them a parting salute with a six- pounder.
August 14th, Adjutant Job C. Hedges, of the 13th regiment, arrived in Dansville to recruit a
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
company for that regiment. The first expression of response was given on the 19th at Canaseraga Hall. An eloquent speech was made by Lester B. Faulkner, who was to lead the new company in person. E. II. Pratt, of the firm of O. B. Max- well & Co., united with Mr. Faulkner in the effort to raise this company. A recruiting office was opened in the Stevens Block in Dansville; and such were the efforts put forth by Messrs. Faulk- ner, P'ratt, Hedges and others in Dansville, that, under the stimulus of bounties offered and the fear of the impending draft, this company was filled in eight days, and was mustered August 30, 1862, as Co. B of the 136th regiment.
August 22, 1862, Judge VanDerlip, in behalf of the ladies of Dansville. presented Capt. Leach's company with a beautiful silk and satin flag, sur- mounted by a gilt eagle. llis speech was pointed and eloquent.
On Thursday, September 11th, Capt. Faulkner's company, 110 strong, left Dansville for camp at Portage.
Before leaving, the ladies, through Judge Van- Derlip, presented the company with a most beau- tiful flag.
In November, 1863, Mark J. Bunnell was ap- pointed recruiting agent in Dansville, but, being subsequently appointed Captain in the Invalid Corps, S. G. Dorr, Jr., received the appointment of recruiting agent in his place, and enlistments progressed vigorously. In the early part of Feb- ruary the quota of Dansville was filled, and $300 town bounty was paid to each of twenty-seven men, the number enlisted after the bounty resolution was passed by the Supervisors, December 11, 1863.
February 1, 1864, a call was made for 200,000 men. Immediately thereafter S. G. Dorr, Jr., and John Hyland, recruiting agents for this assembly district, opened offices, the former in Smith's Block, and the latter at G. Hyland's store, and en- ergetically commenced the business of recruiting.
March 30. 1864, Supervisor S. 1). Faulkner re- ported the following moneys received and dispersed for the relief of families of volunteers :-
Cash borrowed of James Faulkner,. . . $125 Cash received from Town Collector ... 125-$250 Paid sundry persons as per receipt ... 143
Balance on hand to credit of fund March 29, 1864. $107
At a special town meeting held at the Dansville House, Thursday, September 15, 1864, after an animated discussion it was resolved to raise by tax and pay $600 to each volunteer or substitute, or
to the family of each drafted man, to the number requisite to fill the quota of the town under the last call for 500,000 men. Daniel W. Noyes, Charles S. Hall and Frank Eschrich were ap- pointed a committee to attend to the filling of the quota of the town.
At a special town meeting held at the same place September 23, 1864, it was resolved to raise by tax and pay an additional sum, not to exceed $200, to every man who should volunteer or furnish a sub- stitute credited to the town till the quota was full.
Several public meetings were held and about a dozen recruits obtained; while a committee abroad was working hard to fill the quota. Up to the
close of the second succeeding week over fifty men were mustered to the credit of the town, through the exertions of Charles S. Hall, S. D. Faulkner, D. W. Noyes and others ; and by the close of the third week more than enough men had been raised to fill the quota of the town.
The Dansville Advertiser of March 2, 1865, says : J. T. Beach, Charles S. Hall, T. Carpenter, 1 .. B. Proctor, S. D. Faulkner and others are en- deavoring to fill our quota here without drafting. A number of meetings have been held and Lt. Wortman appointed recruiting officer. At a meet- ing held March 7, 1865, it was voted to raise $3,400 on Livingston bonds of $100 each, pay- able in one year with interest, and $2,000 were raised at that meeting. Notwithstanding these ex- ertions a draft took place almost at the same time that Lee surrendered, forty-eight being drafted in Dansville."
This, in the absence of fuller data, will suffice to indicate how nobly the town performed its duty in the great drama of the rebellion. Those who survived the vicissitudes and dangers of the bivouac, the march, the battle field, and returned crowned with the honors of their arduous service, are the living monuments of its glorious achievements, and merit the undying gratitude of those at whose bid- ding they went forth to dare and if need be to die.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
DR. JAMES C. JACKSON.
James Caleb Jackson was born in the village of Manlius, March 28, 1811. His father, Dr. James Jackson, was a native of Tyringham, Mass., and his grandfather, Col. Giles Jackson, was a distin- guished field officer under Gen. Gates at the battle
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James l. Jackson.
LITTLE
Photo, by Betts, Dansville
REUBEN WHITEMAN.
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DR. JAMES C. JACKSON, REUBEN WHITEMAN.
of Saratoga. When James was twelve years of age his father renounced the practice of medicine and adopted the calling of a farmer, hence the first years of young Jackson's life were mainly devoted, when out of school, to agricultural pursuits, and in all the vicissitudes of his life he has never lost his love for that noble occupation. When seventeen years of age he commenced preparing for college at Manlius Academy, but before completing his academic course his father died, leaving his mother and four children younger than himself, comparatively under his pro- tection. This threw a great responsibility upon him, but he discharged it with that ability and un- ceasing energy which have characterized him in all his relations in life. On attaining his twentieth year he was married to Lucretia E., daughter of Judge Elias Brewster of Mexico, Oswego Co., N.Y. This caused him to relinquish his plan of obtaining a collegiate education, but it did not deter him from following, with rigid determination, the noblest of all exertions, that of self-education. Under the instruction of a learned and accomplished clergy- man, Jackson became a fine latin scholar, and a finished, graceful master of the English language. Early desiring to adopt the profession of his father, he devoted much time to the study of medicine and surgery, and in time prepared himself for admission to the practice of his chosen profession. When merely a youth he entered ardently into the field of politics, giving his allegiance to the Democratic party. But not being able to understand why slavery was allowed to exist in this, a free nation, he soon became an admirer and associate of the great historic champions of Anti-Slavery. In the year 1838, at the suggestion of one of his early and clevoted friends, Gerrit Smith, he removed to Peter- boro, N. Y., and soon became so distinguished in the Anti-Slavery movement that he was appointed agent of that society of Mass., and continued in that employment till the spring of 1840 when he was made Secretary of the American Anti-Slavery society. In the autumn of 1842 he became a polit- ical abolitionist and soon gained high rank among those illustrious reformers whose noble acts gave the name of Lincoln to immortality and struck the shackles from the limbs of four millions of human beings. In the same year he assumed the editor- ship of the Madison County Abolitionist, which he edited one year and then it was sold out by the publishers and removed to Utica where it was re- published under the name of the Liberty Press. Two years subsequent to this Dr. Jackson resigned his position as editor of that paper and purchased the Albany Patriot, then the leading Anti-Slavery journal, and in editing this fully exhibited his re- markable talents as a writer and editor. From his earliest days the Dr. has been distinguished as a political orator as well as writer, having a peculiar manner of enforcing his views and crystallizing his ideas so as to put his hearers in full possession of them. With him, words are truly the " vehicle of thought." Dr. Jackson edited the Albany Patriot until 1847, when his health gave way and he sold the paper and its good-will to Wm. L. Chaplin-a
distinguished early abolition lecturer and writer. He became a confirmed invalid and a patient of Dr. S. O. Gleason, then of Cuba, now of Elmira. This was in 1847 and he remained under the care of the Dr. four months and then entered into a co-partnership with Dr. Gleason and Miss Theo- dosia Gilbert, with whom he left Cuba and estab- lished a Hygienic Institute at the head of Skane- ateles lake, which is widely known as the "Glen Haven Water Cure," and remained with them till the winter of 1849-50, when Dr. Gleason sold his interest to the two remaining parties, who contin- ued to conduct the cure till the fall of 1858, when Dr. Jackson left Glen Haven and removed to Dansville, where he opened the institution which has since become renowned as "Our Home Hy- gienic Institute." The elegant and commodious building-the cure proper, with its tasteful and classic chapel, its beautiful and artistic cottages, its cool and refreshing fountains and streams of water, looks down upon the beautiful village of Dansville and the rich and splendid valley of the Canaseraga, like a little city on a hill.
Dr. Jackson was the father of two sons and one daughter. His eldest, Giles E. Jackson, and the daughter died many years ago, leaving only Dr. James H. Jackson who is now house physician at the Institute at Dansville.
From boyhood, Dr. Jackson has exhibited a rev- erence for sacred things, and believes that religion is rational, tending to our best interests as a source of happiness, and widening our range of thought, feeling and sensibility. In the inner circle of his life are inexhaustible and exceptionally happy fam- ily relations, rendering him a steadfast friend, kind and indulgent parent, and an affectionate husband. He is more than a successful physician, and stands in the front rank of medical reformers, and has opened new fields in the great art of healing.
REUBEN WHITEMAN.
Like many of the earlier settlers of Dansville, Reuben Whiteman was born in Lehigh county, Penn., May 14, 1817. His parents, Jacob and Susannah Whiteman, were people possessed of those sterling qualities, which, instilled into the minds of their children, rendered them respectable and profitable members of society.
Reuben was the second of a family of thirteen children, of whom all, except one, are living. In October, 1823, Jacob Whiteman removed with his family to Dansville, and found a temporary home on the lands of the late Amariah Hammond, now owned by Hon. J. B. Morey. The next spring he removed to Sparta, where he resided the re- mainder of his life, and amassed considerable prop- erty. Reuben continued with his father, actively engaged on the farm, for several years. Owing to the disadvantages by which he was surrounded, he could devote but little time to learning, even in
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
the school which was kept a part of the time in their neighborhood. But by applying himself to his books with assiduity, he acquired an education sufficient to enable him to fill his place in life, well and successfully. When seventeen years of age, he left his father and became an apprentice to a painter in Dansville, where he soon acquired suffi- cient knowledge of the trade to commence business for himself, in which he continued until he reached his twenty-ninth year.
June 22, 1845, he was married to Rebecca E., daughter of Telemachus Clemons of Sparta, who was born at Sparta, April 17, 1824, and we do not hesitate to say that her prudence, industry, and ca- pacity and the confidence which her husband al- ways reposed in her judgment, advice and counsel, have contributed in no small degree to that success which has always crowned his exertions. By her humble but deep and true devotion to the service of her Saviour, by her efforts to bring the religion she professes, into the discharge of her duties to her family, her church, and to society, she has gained the respect and esteem of all who know her. Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Whiteman re- nounced his occupation as painter and commenced the life of a farmer, which occupation is pro- nounced the power, pride, and strong support of the nation. He took up a piece of wild, unculti- vated land containing one hundred and ten acres, situated in the town of Wayland, Steuben Co. After devoting, with considerable success, eight years to this life, increasing, by purchase from time to time, the extent of his acreage, in the year 1851 he removed to Dansville and commenced the oper- ation of a lumber dealer. This proved to be the business particularly adapted to be conducted by Mr. Whiteman and was soon extended beyond the village of Dansville into those magnificent pine for- ests that then covered a large portion of the state of Michigan. Some of his business relations were conducted in connection with the late Geo. Hy- land, whose keen sense of honor, never-failing integrity, love of justice, and acknowledged mental powers found in Mr. Whiteman a congeniality which soon resulted in a life-long and pleasing friendship, and in highly remunerative reciprocal business relations. In the mutability of business Mr. Whiteman met with heavy losses sufficient to make any other man poor, but which have not in the least depleted the contents of his coffers. For many years he has been a consistent, useful and devoted member of the Reformed Lutheran Church in Dansville, and sustained it conscientiously by his influence and means, while his wife has been a member of the M. E. Church of the same place, and the "love of God shed abroad in their hearts" has united them in bonds of His sacred commun- ion. Mr. Whiteman has always given his political allegiance to the democratic party, but has never sought office, and it is a noteworthy fact that near- ly all of his employees have been republicans, and many of them somewhat vehement in their politi- cal faith. Mr. Whiteman's paternal ancestors werc Prussians. Ilis grandfather, Jacob Whiteman,
came to America when he was four years old, and was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, serving during the whole of that great struggle for freedom. After the war he settled in Lehigh Co., Penn., where his son and grandson were both born. Mrs. R. Whiteman's maiden name was Susannah Dut- ton. The purity of Mr. Whiteman's private life has never been questioned. He is somewhat strong in his opinions, and if occasion requires, often en- ergetic in manifesting them, and is inclined to put faith in men as he finds them, but when a man de- ceives him, even in a small matter, he ceases all intercourse with him forever. lle ranks among the strongest advocates of temperance, and in the dispensation of charities is generous though his hab- its of personal economy are proverbial. He has had three children, as follows: Frederick C., born April 9, 1846, was a young man of much promise and in whom were concentrated many fond hopes of his parents-hopes that all who knew him were united in saying, were justly indulged. He died August 24, 1859. Alonzo J. was born June 19, 1860, and Clara J. born May 14, 1863. Alonzo is now a student in Hamilton College and is soon to be graduated. He occupies a high rank among the students, and his standing in his class and collegiate course betokens much success in the coming years.
WM. H. REYNALE, M. D.
Dr. Reynale was one of the earliest physicians and surgeons of Dansville. He was born at Qua- kertown, Hunterdon county, N. J., Feb. 27, 1794. Very early in life he lost his father. His mother died in 1835. Soon after his father's death he was adopted by Henry Bidleman, a maternal uncle, who was an accomplished scholar, an able and dis- tinguished agriculturist, and highly respected for his courtesy and all those qualities which constitute a Christian gentleman. Young Reynale found in his uncle all those tender affections, and all that parental solicitude, which he had lost in the death of his father. He was carefully and religiously reared and educated; and chose the medical pro- fession for his future occupation. After a severe and critical course of medical reading, he entered the University of Pennsylvania in January, 1811, as a medical student, and was graduated from there April 9, 1814. Soon after this he went to Dans- ville, at the invitation of Jacob Opp, a connection of Dr. Reynale, who was at that time building the well-known flouring and grist-mill south of Dans- ville, which is now, and has been for several years, owned by Benj. F. Readshaw. But the country being new and sparsely populated, it afforded but little business for the young physician, and after spending a year there he returned to Easton, Pa., where he practiced three years and then removed to Hartland, Niagara county. After practicing there for some time he returned to Dansville, where he remained until 1831, when he removed to Lock-
you H. Regnade,
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WM. H. REYNALE, M. D., JOSEPH W. SMITH.
port, where he devoted himself to his profession with unremitting energy, gaining a high reputation. In the winter of 1834 he again returned to Dans- ville, where he spent the remainder of his life and rose to the highest distinction, both as a physician and a surgeon. June 5, 1821, he married Miss Harriet Palmer, a lady of many attractive qualities, personal and mental. This marriage was the source of much happiness to Dr. Reynale ; indeed he often said : "The sound advice and counsel, the judicious management of our household affairs, by my sensible, affectionate and practical wife, are a prominent source of my prosperity." She died in December, 1849, and in 1852 he married Mrs. House, widow of the late Frederick House, of Dansville. By his first wife Dr. Reynale had four children as follows : George, Mary, Henry and Joseph, all of whom are dead except Mary, now the widow of the late Joseph W. Smith. Dr. R. was a man of rare intellectual endowments, and as a practitioner was ready, careful, calm and thought- ful. In the sick room his manner and looks possessed a kind of panacea. In discharging his duties as a surgeon, the dissecting knife and scalpel were familiar instruments, used with a con- fidence and self-possession that seldom failed of success. Always adhering to what is known as the "Old School," if ever he indulged in bitter, aggres- sive language, it was in denouncing quacks and ignorant pretenders ; these he never tolerated under any circumstances. He was of gentle, conciliatory, manners, and possessed a patient and persevering energy, which no amount of professional labor could fatigue or discourage. Though quick and hasty in his temperament and easily aroused to anger, compassion or sympathy, few men ever lived who had better control of their passions than Dr. Reynale, and possessing a native humor, and a light-hearted, sunny nature, he was ever a pleasing companion. In early life he united with the Pres- byterian church at Dansville, being one of its earliest members, and in his subsequent life, by a meek and reverential observance of the teachings of the gospel, became an exemplary member. He con- sulted conscience as reverently as an oracle of God, and in this way his failings were controlled and subjected to a singular extent. Greatly beloved by his family and friends, the fame he won in his profession was the honest reward of learning, ability, probity and honor. He died at Dansville, August 7, 1870. The universal sorrow that per- vaded the community on the announcement of his death revealed the high estimation in which he was held.
JOSEPH W. SMITH.
Joseph W. Smith was born near Bath, N. Y., in the year 1821, hence at the time of his death was fifty-five years of age. His father was a respect- able farmer, who died when Joseph was yet quite young. He was reared principally under the
guardianship of his brother-in-law, Jason Stone, Esq., now a highly respected citizen of Corn- ing. Too frail to endure the occupation of a farmer, he was early sent to the best schools in the country, attaining an excellent educa- tion. Often in his boyhood days he witnessed the stirring legal contests that took place at the court house in Bath. One of these was the first trial that the present Judge Rumsey, of the Su- preme Court, conducted as counsel. In this way his mind was directed to the legal profession, and his early aspirations were to become a lawyer. In this he was encouraged by his friends, particularly by his brother-in-law, Henry Goff, Esq., of Corn- ing, and another brother-in-law, Jason Stone, of Corning. In the year 1842, on completing his education, he came to Dansville and entered the office of the late Benj. F. Harwood, then in the plenitude of his brilliant practice. He applied himself to his studies with great industry and per- severance. With a delicate constitution he suc- cessfully mastered the great elementary law writers. He delighted in studying the old metaphysical rules of special pleading. Bacon's Abridgments, with its antique phraseology, was an admirable instructor for him. He lingered with delight over the gracefully written commentaries of our own learned and illustrious Kent, a work that is still the text book of judges and lawyers in our own country, and it has called forth the eulogy and guided the labors of the learned in other climes. Mr. Smith always thoroughly and severely investi- gated the law applicable to causes submitted to him, and he made strong, exhaustive briefs. His preparatory course ended, we believe, in 1847, and he was immediately called to the bar. He commenced practice as the partner of Moses Stevens, who for a time was his fellow student in the office of Mr. Harwood. After a brief period this partnership was dissolved; Mr. Stevens re- moved to Wellsville, and Mr. Smith continued to practice alone at Dansville for a short time, then removed to Almond, Allegany Co., pursuing there his profession. About the time of his removal to Almond, in the year 1849, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary E. Reynale, an accomplished young lady, the only daughter of the late Dr. Wmn. H. Reynale, and a favorite in society. She sur- vives her husband, and is the sole survivor of a large, happy and refined family circle. At Almond, Mr. Smith entered at once upon a lucrative and successful practice. But in the autumn of 1849, through the influence of his father-in-law, Dr. Rey- nale, and others, Mr. Smith was induced to return to Dansville and there resume his practice. Here professional success again awaited him. After practicing alone some time, the well remembered firm of Hubbard, Smith & Noyes was formed. With this combination of learning and talent, suc- cess was an inevitable result. But for some reason the firm was dissolved after the lapse of a year, and a new firm under the name of Smith & Noyes was immediately formed. This business relation con- tinued two or three years with considerable suc-
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
cess, when it was dissolved, each of the parties continuing to practice alone. In the fall of 1859 the eminent firm of Van Derlip & Smith was formed. This relation continued through the long period of seventeen years, and was dissolved by the death of its junior member. Its successful career is too well known to the public to require any comment here. In the trial of a cause he detected with keen, quick observation, the weak points of his adversary, while, with an instinctive ingenuity and skill, he defended, disguised, or strengthened his own assailable points as occasion required. In the thrust and in the parry he was equally at home. When opposed by a sharp, pet- tifogging trickster-one who resorted to knavish shrewdness for success, instead of the learning of his profession, or when a deep, shrewd, deceitful, lying witness came against him, then his sarcasm fell withering, heavy and effectual. With his brethren of the bar he was honorable, high-minded and courteous, and everywhere his word was his bond. At the bar and in the popular assembly Mr. Smith was a forcible, logical and persuasive speaker. As a politician he was bold, ardent and adroit, a Democrat, who never furled the banner of his party for the sake of policy, but always car- ried it aloft in triumph or defeat-like Bruce at Bannockburn, planting its standard on the hard rock. Mr. Smith represented his town in the Board of Supervisors several successive years. In the fall of 1859 he was a candidate for Member of Assembly. Although in his district there was an overwhelming Republican majority, he reduced the majority of his opponent, a very popular man, to barely thirty-five. He would have been elected but for some disaffection in one of the towns of the county. In 1872 he sustained an irreparable loss in the death of his only son-his only child. He was a young man of much intellectual promise. From this terrible blow Mr. Smith never recovered. Like a strong tree that has withstood the whirl- wind, though many of its green leaves have been swept away, among whose broken boughs the birds no longer warble, so he withstood this terrible stroke. To his friends it was plain that nothing could banish his lost boy from his thoughts, and in their confidential interviews with him, when his sad heart was laid open to them, as it often was, they felt that in his musings at his home or in his office,
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