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 45
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Hon. Hugh White was appointed Judge and also held that position in the new county of Oneida.
Hugh White, Jr., son of Hon. Hugh, was born at Hartford, Conn., January 16th, 1763. He ac- companied his father to Whitestown. Hon. Hugh White, son of Hugh, Jr., was born in Whitestown, December 25th, 1798. He located in Saratoga county, and was a successful business man, and took an active interest in public affairs. He served in Congress from 1845 to 1851. He died October 6th, 1870. He was the father of William M. White, the subject of our present writing. His mother was Maria Mills, daughter of William P. Mansfield, a merchant in Kent, Litchfield county, Connecticut.
Mr. White was born in Waterford, Saratoga county, N. Y., July 8th, 1833. He graduated at Hamilton College in 1854, and received the degree of Master of Arts in 1857. In April, 1852, he took up his residence on his present homestead, a delicacy of constitution making it impossible for
him to follow a professional life ; he turned his at- tention to agriculture, and by farming and an out- door life sought health and vigor in the mountain atmosphere of our "Southern tier."
When the rebellion broke out he made three at- tempts to enter the army, but was prevented by physical causes from taking the active part in the war that his patriotism prompted him to take.
He has large business interests aside from farm- ing, but he regards the farm as the American home ; the best surroundings for a family and the real foundation of America's greatness and pros- perity.
On the 22d of January, 1863, Mr. White married Anna M. Pierrepont, daughter of Hon. William C. Pierrepont, I.L. D., of Pierrepont Manor, Jeffer- son county, New York. They have a family of ten children, five boys and five girls.
Mr. White was the first Republican Supervisor of the town of Ossian, and in 1872 he was the candidate of the Liberals for Representative in Congress, but since then he has acted with the Re- publican party.
The title of Honorable has been conceded to him for over twenty years, his right to it resting on " common consent," the highest authority known in America.
Mr. White is a member of the Episcopal Church, has been and is a lay-reader and warden of Trinity Church, Canaseraga, a member of the Standing Committee of the Diocese, Trustee of the Episco- pate Fund, Trustee of the General Theological Seminary, Trustee of Hobart College, and twice elected delegate to the general convention of the church.
In his social matters he is social, cordial, con- siderate and hospitable.
In his mental characteristics he seems magnani- mous, free from spite or prejudice, seeking what is right, advisable or desirable, and so entirely ignoring self as to always seem ready to do a kindness, even when a detriment to himself. His neighbors re- gard him with love and affection, placing a confi- dence in his wisdom and judgment, and appeal to him in local matters and neighborhood disputes. He is an active, useful, honorable man.
CORYDON HYDE.
The subject of this sketch was born in Livonia, Aug. 26, 1814. He was the only son of a family of two children. His sister, Caroline H., married Wm. B. Lemen, now of Dansville. She died Feb. 4, 1880, aged about 59 years. Harry Hyde, the father of Corydon, was born in Connecticut in 1785. He left his native State at an early day for the then far west, Livingston county, settling in the town of Livonia, where he married Lucinda Bard. They came to the town of Ossian about 1835, purchasing a farm of 173 acres, Corydon being then in his twenty-first year, assisting his father in adding to
MRS. CORYDON HYDE
CORYDON HYDE
RESIDENCE OF CORYDON HYDE, OSSIAN, LIVINGSTON, CO. N.Y.
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215
CORYDON HYDE-ELIAS H. GEIGER.
his already large farm which now contains 581 acres. His father died in 1877, being 92 years old and a consistent member of the M. E. Church. His wife, Lucinda, only surviving him one year, died at the advanced age of 83 years, as she had lived, an honored member of the Presbyterian Church. Corydon was united in marriage Oct. 11, 1848, to Ann Lemen. The result of this union was four children as follows : Henry C., Wm. L., who married Cora B. Hampton of Ossian, Charles E., who married Jennie Shay of Ossian, and Lucinda Jennie who died in her youth. Mrs. Hyde was the fourth child of a family of twelve, eight of whom are now living. Her father was Tom Lemen who came from Pennsylvania at an early day and settled in Ossian, where he married Jane Boyles about the year 1814, and died in 1862 aged 72 years. His wife died in 1874 aged 79 years. They were among the first members of the first Presby- terian church which was built in the town of Ossian, he being the first deacon, and holding that office during his life. His wife was a worthy member and adorned her profession by a truly christian life. Mr. Corydon Hyde was for several years afflicted with dyspepsia, of which he finally died, Aug. 20, 1880, in his 66th year. He passed away peacefully to that land where peace and life ever-lasting is the reward of an honorable and upright christian life.
ELIAS H. GEIGER.
The life of Mr. Geiger is a fine illustration of what energy, honesty, industry and economy, moved by strong common sense, and unaided by wealth and influence, can attain. It proves that every young man holds in his own hands the issues of success, and that the business world is made up largely of young men, who have improved such op- portunities. Elias H. Geiger was born in North- ampton county, Pa., Nov. 25, 1819. His parents, John and Mary Geiger, were natives of Mt. Bethel, Pa. He was the fourth child of a family of seven children. When Elias was seven years old he sus- tained an irreparable loss by the death of his father, which, at that tender age, cast him out upon the world with no one to shield him from the storms of adversity. But as Providence tempers the wind to the shorn lamb, so in this case, the child found a home and protector through a farmer named Rida- nour. He continued to reside with them until he was twenty years old, enjoying such advantages for an education as a limited attendance upon a common school afforded. He devoted his time and energies in aiding Mr. Ridanour in working his farm, and as he soon developed into a well-formed, strong and muscular man his services proved of great value to his employer, and he learned the art of agriculture well and practi-
cally and this he never has forgotten. Through all his early years he evinced a strong love of mech- anisin, which gravitated to the calling of a car- penter, and in his twenty-first year he apprenticed himself to Mr. John Levis, a carpenter of Bethle- hem, Pa., remaining with him two years and be- coming a very competent carpenter and joiner. Leaving Mr. Levis, he settled at Lima, attended school there one winter and devoting himself to his studies finished a good common school educa- tion. In the following spring he removed to Dans- ville, where, with great energy, he entered upon the duties of his occupation. For a time he was employed by "boss" carpenters who paid him a fair salary, but at length he commenced the busi- ness of a master builder, and in his turn employed men by the day. He entered largely into the business of building dwelling houses and then sell- ing them; many of the pleasant and commodious dwellings of Dansville having been erected by him in this way.
In 1852 he erected a steam saw-mill near Ossian Center, and such was the capacity of the mill for furnishing lumber, that the great demand for it was fully supplied. At this time the town of Ossian was, to a large extent, covered with splendid ma- terial for building purposes. A few years later he formed a co-partnership with Hon. Alonzo Brad- ner, in the manufacture and sale of lumber, build- ing a large steam saw-mill near Bisbeetown in Os- sian, which, in 1863. they moved two miles west of Ossian Center on Sugar creek. This relation con- tinued with great pecuniary success to both parties about six years, when it terminated by mutual con- sent. Mr. Geiger's wealth continued to increase until he became one of the largest lumber dealers in the county. In 1865 he erected a large steam saw-mill not far from Canaseraga. This mill is now in successful operation, turning out a large amount of lumber. In 1871 he built another large steam saw-mill, near his present home in the town of Ossian. In politics Mr. Geiger is a Democrat, though always at his post of duty as a voter, he never sought office. Forty years ago he united with the Lutheran church at Dansville, and has since been an unassuming and exemplary member of that church. Tested by the standard of those the world calls learned, Mr. Geiger is no scholar, but tried by what people call safe, practical, and useful, he certainly is learned. February 22, 1844, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of William and Susan Gilger Haas. She was born in Northumberland county, Pa., July 11, 1820, and moved with her parents to Dansville in 1823, where she was subsequently married. This union has been in every sense a happy one, as Mrs. G. possesses all those amiable and attractive qualities which constitute the true, faithful and affectionate wife. Through all her married life she has been an intelligent, useful counsellor and advisor. Her father died in Dansville, December 8, 1873. Her mother is still living at the advanced age of 81 years. Mr. Geiger's mother died at Hazelton, Luzerne county. Pa., in 1871.
216
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
CHAPTER XVII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SPRINGWATER.
SPRINGWATER, the land of hills and valleys, lies in the southeastern part of Livingston county. It is the largest town in the county, being eight and one-quarter miles east and west, six and one-half miles north and south, and containing an area of farm lands of 32,579 acres. It was erected by legislative enactment in the spring of 1816, and was formed from Sparta and Naples, then belong- ing to Ontario county. It is bounded on the north by Conesus and Canadice, (Ontario county) ; south by Wayland and Cohocton, (Steuben county) ; on the east by Naples, (Ontario county) ; and on the west by Sparta.
The chief streams are the inlet of Hemlock Lake, which flows north through the western part of the town, and Cohocton river, rising in the north- eastern part of the town and flowing southerly into Steuben county.
The year 1807, memorable as the year in which the first steamboat sailed on American waters, was the year in which the settlement of Springwater began. To Seth Knowles is accorded the credit of being the first settler in the town. He was native of Massachu- setts, and in 1805 left his home among the New Eng- land hills and came to the then distant lands of Western New York, locating in Livonia, on what is now known as the " Gibbs Farm." The first and second season of his arrival there the crops in Livo- nia, and in the towns north, suffered from severe drought. Mr. Knowles observed that clouds often rested on the hills south of him, and that showers were of frequent occurrence there while no rain fell in his locality. He therefore resolved to make a prospecting trip in that direction after harvest. Accordingly in the fall of 1806, he and his son, Jared, and Peter Welch took their guns, axes, and necessary provisions on their shoulders, and fol- lowed the old Indian trail over Bald Hill, in the town of Canadice, to Springwater Valley. About a mile from the head of Hemlock Lake, they made a small clearing and built a log cabin on lot number 4, now part of the farm owned by John Jennings.
They then returned to Livonia and remained there during the winter. On the last day of March, 1807, Mr. Knowles and his family came up Hem- lock lake on the ice and took possession of the cabin. Other settlers soon followed, several fami- lies coming in the same year, but it was not until ten years after Mr. Knowles' occupancy that the town was organized.
Its organization took place on the first day of April, 1817. It was suggested that the new town be named Knowlesville in honor of the first settler, but the suggestion did not meet with general ap- proval.
John Roberts then proposed the name of Spring- water, remarking that he never before had seen a place where springs were so numerous. This name met with instant and general approval, and the vote was unanimous to call the town Springwater. The name was well chosen; for, in the language of Scripture, the town is a land of brooks of water, and of fountains that spring out of valleys and hills.
Among other early settlers were Eber Watkins, Joshua Herrick, Hosea Grover, Peter Welch and Adam Miller. In 1813 there were but thirty fam- ilies in the township. What is now the village of Springwater contained but one dwelling, built by Samuel Story, a frame barn built by Eber Wat- kins, a small store built by Hosea Grover, in that same year, two or three saw-mills and a frame grist-mill. In 1817 the principal inhabitants were located as follows: John Roberts lived in a log cabin where the hotel now stands. * Hugh Wilson, a native of Northumberland, l'a., where A. Wiley lived. He also built the first grist-mill in 1813. It stood at the foot of the hill where the road from Scottsburgh enters the valley, and was a two-story frame building containing two runs of stones. Sam- uel Story erected and occupied the first frame house in the town. It stood between Styler's barns and orchard on the flat. The first saw-mill was also built by Mr. Story on land occupied by the sash factory. Hosea Grover's store was located between Tyler's Grove and the Corners; and near it was the residence of Thomas Grover, Sr. Alva Southworth occupied the farm now owned by Na- than A. Kellogg. He also built the first distillery in the town, distilling about twenty gallons per day from rye and corn. The liquor was sold by him at the still, and was carried away by the purchasers in pails, bottles and jungs. On the corner where John McCrossin now resides, the late Hon. John Wiley then lived. He had a blacksmith-shop on his premises and worked some at the forge him- self, being the first man in the town who did such work. He soon left the shop for the farm, and finally became a minister of the gospel. He served as Member of Assembly in 1859 and 1860.
Jonathan Lawrence lived where Addison Marvin now lives. He was among the foremost of the
* Nearly all of these settlers located on, or near, what is now the site of Springwater village.
GLEN ON THE FARM.
RESIDENCE OF W! H. NORTON, SPRINGWATER, LIVINGSTON, CO. N.Y.
217
SPRINGWATER-EARLY SETTLERS.
early settlers who sought to establish public wor- ship. On the next farm north, now owned by Mr. Wheaton, Oliver Jennings made a small clearing and built a log cabin. He also built the first frame barn in the town. Mr. Jennings was the first Su- pervisor of the town, being elected to that office by a majority of one. Below the property of Oliver Jennings, on the farm now owned by Mr. Bailey, was the residence of John Johnson, and north of that was the clearing and cabin of Seth Knowles. Where Wm. Norton now lives Phineas and Reuben Gilbert were located. Up the valley from the cor- ners the first dwelling stood opposite the Presby- terian church, the residence of Salmon Grover.
On West Hill there were only two families lo- cated : Joseph Cady, living on the Rodman place, and Joseph Puss on the Totten farm. East of the corners, the first house was that of John Waddams. The next settler of the hill was Archibald Willis, on the place now occupied by N. Willis. Jacob Can- non then lived one mile east of the valley, near where Levi Breckway now lives.
The first hotel was kept by Oliver Jennings in 1815. The first physician in the town was Doctor David Henry, who lived on the farm now occupied by H. H. Marvin.
John Culver, the first Justice of the Peace, lived on the Colegrove place. At that time the justices were appointed by the State. John Culver and Joab Gillett were the first so appointed.
The first wool carding and cloth dressing mill was built in 1821 by Edward Walker.
The first piano was brought into the town by Parker H. Pierce, who came from Boston in 1838. The first sewing machine was used by Mrs. Trux- an Dyer, in 1851 or '52. It is claimed that the first mowing machine was used by Henry Tyler only as late as twenty years ago. The first citizen elected to the State Legislature was the Hon. Salmon P. Grover, in 1834.
The history of Springwater exhibits some in- stances of long continuance in official positions, professions, and occupations which are worthy of notice. Alvah Southworth was elected the second supervisor of the town and was reelected to that office ten years. He had been a member of the State Legislature before coming to Springwater, and in this town he was also Justice of Peace and Assessor for many years. It was through his ex- ertions and influence mainly that the post-office was established about 1818, and he held the office of postmaster which he retained thirty years, being appointed to that position by eight presidents.
For fifty-six years Dr. Arnold Gray rode over the hills and through the valleys of Springwater, ministering to the sick. N. R. Hopkins toiled at his anvil the same number of years. Rev. William Hunter * has presided over the Presbyterian church forty years, and Joel Hudson served the town as Justice of the Peace forty-two consecutive years. It is believed that in no town in the state can an instance be shown of longer continuance in office.
From reminiscences of Martin Hopkins, who located in the town two years after its organization, and who still lives in Springwater village, we abstract the following :--
"May 19, 1819. This day arrived in Springwater. Came from Burlington, Vermont, with father and Ste- phen Walbridge. Mr. Walbridge returned to Burling- ton for his family, and arrived with them early in July. Father in a few days left here for Burling- ton, by way of Canada, to visit a sister living there. I stayed through the summer in Springwater, liv- ing with Russell Day. Father returned with the family on the second day of October in that same year. We moved into a house near Doctor David Henry's and old Daniel Day's. We soon afterwards built a house near D. Goff's Mills, and very pleas- ant warm weather we had in which to work at it. We moved into it between Christmas and New Year's day 1820. When I first saw this town from the top of Bald Hillf I little thought that I should pass so many years of my life in this place. It was rather hard work for a while, though, for myself, no harder than I have always had it; that is, I think I enjoyed life as well as I ever did. In the spring of 1820, we started a blacksmith shop in a small way. I was rather the "proprietor" of it. In those days there was no money to be had for any kind of work, but we could get grain and something to live on. I remember that among our first jobs, we did work for Samuel Wood, of East Hill, to the amount of three dollars, for which he willingly brought us four bushels of as good wheat as ever grew. Dur- ing that summer my brother Norman and I got a bushel anda quarter of wheat each per day for reap- ing in harvest time. We worked for Elam Nor- throp at that rate on the west side of the valley, where the new burying ground now is. At that time Col. Oliver Jennings kept a tavern on the Withington farm. John Wiley also had a black- smith shop. David Luther was located here as a
shoemaker. Alvah Southworth was Supervisor in that year. Among other settlers at that time were Elder John Cole, a Baptist minister. Doctor Elisha C. Day, who moved from Canada in the spring of 1820, and little Luther Farwell, great for making fun and shingles."
* To this much respected clergyman we are indebted for the greater portion of the early history of the town. We have not used in their regu- lar succession the notes which he placed at our disposal, but have placed them as the sequence of events dictated, in some instances changing the phraseology. Mr. Hunter's long residence here, and the position which he has held, has enabled him to give quite accurately the events of the early history of the town.
t Bald Hill is on the north boundary of the town in Ontario county.
218
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
The early business was mostly lumbering and the manufacturing of shingles. " In the pioneer his- tory of the town there is but little that is note- worthy. It does not appear that the early settlers had any reason to fear the scalping knife of the Indian. None of them had any sanguine encount- ers with wild beasts, but they suffered what the present generation would call great privation. Many of them were happy if they could procure a little grain in exchange for a few bunches of shingles,-about the only exchangeable commodity of which they were possessed.
It is not known that they suffered actual want. but they were often pinched for the necessaries of life. It was a time of rejoicing in many a family when the father came home from Bloomfield, or Richmond, or Jones' Settlement, with but a scant supply of bread-stuff. When more grain was raised in town than was necessary for home consumption it was almost impossible to dispose of it at any price.
A farmer living on East Hill raised excellent wheat which he drew to Rochester and sold for thirty-one cents per bushel. These early settlers enjoyed but little intercourse with the outside world. There was general rejoicing when a mail route was established between Springwater and Geneseo. The first mail carrier was Daniel Pea- body, who traveled on foot, carrying the mail in a valise. His weekly arrival was a time of great interest. Nearly every man in the settlement might then have been found at the house of the post- master. They did not have to wait long for the mail to be distributed, as it consisted generally of about three or four letters and perhaps twice that number of newspapers. Nearly all of the early settlers have passed away. A few still remain who are feeling the infirmities of age. In a few more years the mournful inquiry will be made in regard to all of them-' The Fathers, where are they ?' Respected be the memories of those hardy sons of toil. Their labors converted the primitive forests into fruitful fields, and made possible the comforts which surround their children to-day .*
* From reminiscences of Rev. Williams Hunter. But few anecdotes of the early settlers have been preserved. One, however, is recorded by Mr. Hunter, which is worth mentioning. "The ladies of those times made use of two articles with which the ladies of our day have not much acquaint ance ; namely, the spinning-wheel and the side-saddle. Mrs. Zeddock Grover sent to her neighbor, Mrs. Gaston. to borrow a spinning-wheel. Mrs. Gaston answered, that she did not like to have the wheel go out of the house, but that Mrs. Grover was welcome to come and use it as much as she pleased. This did not suit Mrs. Grover's convenience, and she regarded the refusal as au unneighborly act. Not long after Mrs Gaston sent to borrow Mrs. Grover's side-saddle This furnished a good oppor- tunity to pay her back in her own coin. So Mrs Grover returned answer that she did not like to have the saddle go out of the house, but that Mrs. Gaston was quite welcome to come and ride on it as long as she pleased. "
In 1817 there stood in what is now Jacob Sny- der's door yard a log building which was the first school house, and in which the first school in the town was taught by James Blake, in 1813-14.
It was in this house that the meeting was held for the organization of the town, in 1817. At the time of the organization every dwelling in the town was a log cabin in the woods, except that of Samuel Story. The meeting was held on Tuesday, April 9, 1817. Solomon Doud presided as the moderator. The town officers elected were as follows :--
Supervisor-Oliver Jennings.
Town Clerk-Hugh Wilson.
Assessors-Jonathan Lawrence, Solomon Doud, Alexander McCoullouch.
Commissioners of Highways-Samuel Story, Solomon Doud, Josiah Fuller.
School Commissioners-Samuel Story, Solomon Doud, John Culver.
Overseers of the Poor-Henry Cole and Samuel Story.
School Inspectors-Jno. W. Barnes, Ephraim Calkins, Thomas Grover.
Constable and Collector-Jonathan Lawrence. Pound Masters-Joab Gillett and Lorin Cole- burn.
About the year 1824 an effort was made to form a new county from the towns of Cohocton, Naples, and a part of Springwater. A special town meet- ing was held at the house of Jacob Cannon, in the town of Springwater, on the first day of January, 1825, for the purpose of opposing this attempt. At that meeting the following resolution was passed :-
" Resolved, That we deem it improper, im- politic, unjust, and altogether against our inter- est that any part of this town should be made a part of the new contemplated county."
A resolution was offered at this same meeting re- questing that the members of the Legislature procure the passage of a law altering the name of the town from Springwater to that of Veri. This was the proposition of Alvah Southworth, but it was voted down, the people concluding it was better to retain the name of Springwater.
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