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 50
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The first town meeting after the division of the town in 1846, was held on April 7th of that same year in the school-house standing at that time near the property of John Muchler. At that meeting the following officers were elected :-
Supervisor, Roswell Wilcox; Town Clerk, Gid- eon D. Passage ; Superintendent of Schools, Sam'l G. Stoner ; Assessors, Jacob Chapman, James F. McCartney, Alexander Henry ; Commissioners of Highways, David MeNair, James Van Wagner, James Northrop; Inspectors of Election, Peter VanNuys, William D. McNair, Jr., Levi Robin- son, Jr., appointed; Justices of the Peace, Hiram Jencks, short term, Stephen Stephenson, one year, Samuel Scribner, two years, H. G. Chamberlin, four years ; Overseers of the Poor, William Spin- ning, Aaron Cook; Collector, B. F. Hyser ; Con- stables, Freeman Edwards, B. F. Hyser, A. J. Thomp- son, Nathaniel Hanna; Town Sealer, John Sto- ner, Jr.
Thereafter the succession of Supervisors and Town Clerks was as follows :-
Supervisors. Town Clerks.
18.47. Roswell Wilcox, 66
David McNair.
1848.
66
1849.
1850.
Hugh McCartney. Calvin B. Smith.
1851.
Jas. F. McCartney. Alvin W. Spears. 66 Calvin B. Smith.
1852.
1853. Alexander Kinney. Alexander Rogers. David McNair. 66
1854.
1855- Leonard B. Field. Peter C. Cuykendall. 66 Alexander Rogers.
1856-57.
1858-63. 66 Willis C. Rose.
1864-65. 66
Alexander Rogers.
1866.
Peter VanNuys.
1 867. Leonard B. Field. Stephen Stephenson.
* Some doubts exist as to the correctness of this, although it is not pre- cisely known where or by whom the first tavern was kept.
237
WEST SPARTA - TOWN OFFICERS.
r 868. Leonard B. Field. Isaac Van Hooser.
1 869. Ogden March.
1 870. Leonard B. Field.
John O. Kelley. Isaac Van Hooser. 66
1871. 66
66
66 66
1872-74. William J. Slaight. 1875. 66 66
Edward M. Gregory. 66 66
1876. Leonard B. Field.
IS77-78.
Henry B. McNair.
1879. James B. Frazer. C. Fredk. McNair.
1880. James B. Frazer. Russell C. Stoner.
The other officers for 1880 are :- Justices of the Peace, Merritt B. Dake, Henry B. MeNair, Stephen Kemp, John Perine; Highway Com- missioner, William Johnson ; Assessors, Fred Mil- ler, Andrew J. Kennedy, Augustus Hungerford ; Overseers of the Poor, John N. Kemp, Henry F. Muchler; Collector, Joseph MeCay ; Constables, Joseph MeCay, Nelson B. Willett, George Hunt, George Lester, Buell Gould; Inspectors of Elec- tion, Frederick Miller, James F. Muchler, A. C. Green ; Game Constable, Job Woodworth ; Excise Commissioners, Hugh T. MeNair, William Van Doren.
West Sparta furnished a large number of soldiers during the war of the Rebellion, but as no correct record of the enlistments was ever kept we cannot learn in what regiments they enlisted, nor what fate met the brave men who perilled their lives in the defense of their country. The following is as complete a list as could be obtained of the men who entered the service at different times during the progress of the war.
The following enlisted from West Sparta pre- vious to July 2, 1862 :--
Marshall Hungerford, Charles Burr, James Edwards, Alonzo Farnsworth, Horace Herrick, Edward Kenney, John Johnson, Jerome Harden- dorf, Robert Pierce, Stephen A. Kemp, Thomas Radigan, Michael Radigan, Edward Kiehle, Josiah Kiehle, Wm. Streffa, Archibald Van Ness, George Walters, Frank Swager, Jasper Wadsworth, John Wadsworth, Henry Vorhees, Melvin Walker.
After that date, and previous to July 18, 1864, the town paid a bounty of $50 to each of the fol- lowing who enlisted :-
Geo. W. Libby, Henry K. Price, Jas. Ullyett, Ogden Marsh, Solomon Wise, Roswell Masten, Thomas Owens, Wm. A. Edwards, John Gorigan, Wm. H. Whetstone, James MeKeown, Hamilton S. MeMaster, W'm. A. McMaster, Shubal W. Farnsworth, Gilbert M. Van Velzer, John Kelly, Thomas Bonner, John F. Gill, John Aon, Ira B. Sherwood, Wm. A. Selover, Henry W. Spear, Jehiel Johnson, James A. Rogers, A. T. Blan-
chard, Andrew J. MeNair, Squire L. Herrick, John W. Wampole, Geo. R. Torrey, Daniel B. Wads- worth, William Servis, John M. Dennison, Charles C. Vorhees, Edwin Smith.
In 1864, and previous to July 18th, the follow- ing number enlisted :-
Orlando Abby, Andrew J. Kennedy, John Kemp, Jr., Joseph Aeret, Henry V. Thompson, Joseph Doty, James Pendergast, John Johnson, Charles Gant, Wm. Brown, Sylvanus H. Cook, Calvin Shortliff, Wm. Patterson, Marshall Hungerford, John Aplin, Wm. C. Hague, Josephus H. Lawrey.
Under the call of July 18, 1864, for five hundred thousand men, the appended number was en- listed :-
George C. Brooks, James Simpson. David Simley, Henry Atwood, Wm. Butler, John Walker, Jesse Smith, Jr., Benjamin Wampole, David Blank, Roswell S. Clark, Alex. Duvall, James Colwell, Robert Kelly, John Cunningham, Geo. Froelig, Amasa W. Aber, John M. Harvey, Westley P. Gridley, Silas R. Rhodes, Thomas H. Rhodes, Duty S. Cram, Wm. M. Wolcott, Albert West, Charles Sawyer, Daniel Brace, Thomas Hennessey, George Judson, John Gallagher, Thomas Wilcox, Andrew Rush .*
STATISTICS OF POPULATION .- In 1870, West Sparta had a population of 1,244, of which 1, 144 were native, and 100 of foreign birth. In 1875 the population was 1,208, a decrease of 36. In this year the native population was but 1,097, a de- crease of 47 in those five years, while the foreign population had increased to Ir in the same length of time. Of these 1,208, only 6 belonged to the colored race, 610 were males, 598 females, and 32 aliens; and of this number but 12 who were twenty-one years of age, and upwards, were unable to read and write. Of the total population but 164 were owners of land; 238 were liable to military duty ; 349 were of voting age, of which number 297 were native, 34 naturalized, and 18 were aliens.
AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS .- The census of that same year gave the town in improved land 14,238 acres ; 3,261 acres of woodland, and of unim- proved land 1,708 acres. The value of farms was $911,718; of farm buildings, $95,061 ; of stock, $107,370; and of agricultural implements, $29, 164. The sales from these farms were to the amount of $81,041. Fertilizers were used to the amount of $275.
* The foregoing military record was kindly furnished by L. B. Field, the efficient Supervisor of this town during those trying years.
238
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
SCHOOL STATISTICS .- West Sparta has 12 school districts, containing 334 children of school age. During the past year school was taught 339 4-5 weeks, employing 12 teachers, and with an average attendance of 152. The number of children attend- ing some portion of the year was 284. The amount paid for teachers during the year was $1,520.88. The district libraries are very meager, being valued at $11.00 only.
There was expended during the year for school apparatus, $2. 10 ; for fences, repairs, furniture, &c., $55.28, while the total incidental expenses were $191.31. The value of school houses and sites is $4,460. The total valuation of the districts is $6.454.08.
West Sparta contains no villages of note.
KYSORVILLE.
Kysorville, a little hamlet in the northern part of the town, consists of a grocery store conducted by Frank Muchler, in business one year, a cider mill, (William Buell,) blacksmith shop, (James Jones, ) a school house, and a few dwellings.
WOODVILLE.
Woodville, in the south-eastern part, contains a large flouring mill, owned by Morey & Goho, who have been engaged in the business here five years, a church, a school house, and a few dwelling houses.
The place derived its name from John, Rufus, and Asa Wood, who located there at an early date.
The Union Church of Woodville was built by the Evangelical Association of that place about the year 1850. It was first preached in by Rev. Thomas Aitken.
No records exist to show the origin of the society or its progress. The church is also used by the Free Methodist society, the pastor of which, in 18So, was Rev. Charles Southworth.
BVERSVILLE.
Byersville, in the southern part of the town, some three miles west of Woodville, derived its name from Samuel Byers. The first settlement was made here about 1823. It contains about sixty inhab- itants. The only store is devoted to general mer- chandise and is kept by Russell C. Stoner, who has been in business here two years. The present post- master is Elijah Kinney, who was appointed in February, 1880. The present physician is Dr. A. V. Watkins, a graduate from the Eclectic College of Philadelphia in March, 1871, who has been located in Byersville since that time.
CHURCHES .- The Free Methodist Society of Byersville was organized in 1876. The class was formed September 9, 1877. The church was built soon afterward, and at the time of dedication the members were : D. 1 .. Pickard and wife, L. N. Tur- rey and wife, Mr. Merrick Jencks and wife, Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Stoner. Georgiana l'owell, Libbie Powell and Clarence Pickard. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. A. F. Curney, who presided two years. The second pastor was Rev. D. J. Santinier, who officiated one year. The Rev. Charles Southworth was in charge in 1880. The church edifice is quite a fine building for so small a place, and is clear of debt. The present mem- bership is thirty-five.
UNION CORNERS.
Union Corners lies in the western part of the town about a mile north of the center, and close to the line dividing the town from Mount Morris. It contains but a school house, blacksmith shop, two churches, and a few dwelling-houses.
The Union Corners Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1879 under the pastorate of Rev. B. A. Partridge. The church edifice was erected in 1880, and is a nicely situated and substantial building. The membership is thirty-six. The pastor in 1880 was Rev. F. M. Cole.
The Presbyterian Church of Union Corners was organized by Rev. Elihu Mason, Angust 21, 1825, with the following members :-
Garrett Van Wagnen, and Mary, his wife, Mrs. Catharine Bogart, Mrs. Catharine Thompson, Abraham Thompson, James O'Brien, and Nelly, his wife, James J. Amerman, and Jacob Van Mid- dlesworth. The following were the officers chosen and ordained :- Garrett Van Wagnen, First Elder ; James J. Amerman, Second Elder ; Jacob Van Mid- dlesworth, Third Elder.
There is no further record regarding the trans- actions of the society until August 6, 1828. At that date Rev. Norris Bull as moderator, received to membership in the church Catherine Thompson, Archibald Ten Eyck and Eliza, his wife. Phillip Thompson and Hannah, his wife, and Hannah G. Thompson. September 17, 1828, the Rev. N. W. Fisher as moderator, Phillip Thompson and Archibald Ten Eyck were elected elders.
April 19, 1832, the following elders were added: Obed Cravath, Calvin E. Crank, Jacob Bergen, and Samuel Comstock. On the 5th of March, 1834, the first trustees were chosen. These were
239
OSCAR L. CHAMBERLAIN.
Jabez Hungerford, Stephen Trowbridge, first class; Samuel T. Comstock, Jacob Bergen, second class ; Abraham S. Thompson and Gilbert Bogart, third class.
The following has been the succession of pas- tors :-
Rev. Amos P. Brown 1829-1830.
Rec. L. Robbins. 1831-1832.
Rev. Leonard Rogers 1835-1836.
Rev. L. Hull . 1837-1840.
Rev. Samuel H. Rawson 1841-1842.
Rev. Horatio Norton I843
Rev. William Bridgeman 1844-1845.
Rev. William Fithian 1846-1853.
Rev. M. Barton 1855-1856.
Rev. T. Darling 1857-1859.
Rev. R. W. McCormick
1865-1866.
Rev. P. S. Van Nest.
1867-
Rev. Willis C. Gaylord
1868-1869.
Rev. William Jones 1870-1872.
Rev. J. M. Horton 1874-1875.
Rev. S. Mckinney 876 -. Rev. B. A. Partridge (M. E. pastor). 1878-1879. Rev. J. Mitchell
The present house of worship was built in 1835. and was the first one built by the society.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
OSCAR L. CHAMBERLAIN.
Oscar Lafayette Chamberlain was born in the old town of Sparta, (now West Sparta,) Feb. 7, 1825. His father, H. G. Chamberlain, with his wife, Anna, moved into Livingston county while the greater part of the country was a wilderness and settled on a farm about one mile south of Union Corners where they raised a family of six sons and five daughters. He was a man of strict morals, and upright in all of his dealings with man- kind. Four daughters and four sons survive him. The eldest, O. H., lives in Wisconsin. The fourth, A. O., in Darlington, Wisconsin. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1880. The fifth, A. B. Chamberlain of Auburn, N. Y., is a minister of the gospel of the Disciple Order, and is an able speaker. The youngest, H. G., resides in Mt. Morris.
Oscar L. remained in the county till the spring of 1847, when he emigrated to the West, laboring in Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin, till the spring of 1850, when in company with two other young men he went the overland route to California, the jour-
ney being accomplished with oxen. After about three months' time he reached his destination and soon began his career as miner. He diligently sought for riches, and after eight years was rewarded by an interest in the famous Amadore mine at Sut- ter Creek, Amadore county, California, where he accumulated a large fortune. In 1860, he visited his native county, and Oct. 15, married Mary Z. Farrell and they together returned to California. where they remained a few years, when his health having failed they returned to this county, where he purchased a beautiful residence in Mt. Morris, now the residence of H. G. Chamberlain, where he
LITTLE
(OSCAR L. CHAMBERLAIN.)
remained a little over two years. His health con- tinued to decline but he regarded himself able to go to California on business in the spring of 1870, but his strength proved unequal to the task and he died July 24th, at the Grand Hotel in San Francisco.
Mr. C. was a man whose unchallenged integrity commanded the confidence and respect of all who knew him, and noted for those positive traits of character which made him outspoken and frank on all questions which claimed his attention. In pol- itics he was an ardent Republican and was once offered a nomination for State Senator in Califor- nia, when nomination would have been equivalent to an election. He declined the honor, preferring the place of a private worker for the principles of his party. He was beloved for his noble generosity, which prompted him to help all who needed assist- ance with princely benevolence. He left a wife and three children, who since his death have removed to California. His name is embalmed in the hearts of his brothers and sisters for his un- selfish and manly regard for their welfare, and in the hearts of many who were the objects of his solicitude.
2.40
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
LEONARD B. FIELD.
LITTLE
Photo. by Betts, Dansville.
(LEONARD P. FIELD.)
Leonard B. Field, a portrait of whom appears in connection with this sketch, is one of West Sparta's self-made men, and one who from his intimate as- sociation with the public affairs of the town is eminently deserving of the brief record of his life here given.
He like many others of the worthy residents of Livingston county is a native of the old Green Mountain State; the State from whence so much of the brain and brawn that developed the new set- tlements and made the "wilderness blossom as a rose" was derived.
Mr. Field was born in New Fane, Vermont, the 30th of March, 1821. In the spring of 1824, his parents, seized with the desire of change from the rugged hills of Vermont, to the famed valley of the Genesee, moved thenee with their family consist- ing of Leonard B. and his two sisters, and settled in the town of Groveland. Here they made their home for some little time, afterwards moving to Geneseo and Dansville, and finally to West Sparta, then Sparta, in the spring of 1843. It was here that Mr. Field's father and mother died ; Reuben, his father, on the 23d of November, 1865, and Mary G., his mother, on the 5th of October, 1869.
Mr. Field's elementary education was obtained from the district schools of the neighborhood and he improved the time allotted to him there to the best possible advantage as has been fully shown by his later life. After leaving the district-school, he attended private schools of prominence at Loek- port, Temple Hill and Bath, the High school at Geneseo, and the Academy at Canandaigua, which latter institution he left in the spring of 1840. He
then returned to his chosen vocation, that of a farmer, and has since devoted the best energies of his life to that most honorable calling, winning de- servedly the highest encomiums from his neigh- bors who have shown their appreciation of his merit by repeatedly electing him to various offices within their gift.
In the spring of 1845, Mr. Fields was elected to the office of the Justice of the Peace of the town of Sparta, by the Whigs, and in 1849 and 1853 was reëlected by the same party to that office in the town of West Sparta.
Upon the disruption of the old Whig party into two factions, the "silver grays" and the "wooly heads," Mr. Field cast his lot with the former, be- lieving them the better of the two. Upon the for- mation of the American party, Mr. Field, from the positiveness of his nature and through the Protes- tant ideas and prejudices imbibed in his youth, naturally sided with it and was elected to the office of Supervisor in 1855 upon the American ticket. The American party at the time of its in- ception was popular with the masses and developed strength sufficient in the year 1854 and 1855 to elect a sheriff of Livingston county, a senator of the district and nearly sufficient to elect a Gover- nor. The party being based upon National and religious antipathies, the native element against the foreign and the Protestant against the Catholic, was deservedly short-lived and soon sank to its political grave never to be resurrected.
The "barnburner" or "soft-shell" wing of the Democratic party having united with the Whigs to form the Republican party, Mr. Field joined the "hunker" or " hard shell" faction of the Demo- cratic party. Since this time Mr. Field has served his town faithfully, having been elected to the re- sponsible and trying position of Supervisor in the years 1856, 1857, 1858, 1859, 1860, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865, 1867, 1868, 1870, 1871, 1876, 1877 and 1878.
In the year 1846 Mr. Field was baptized by El- der Seneca Short, and became a member and con- municant of the Methodist Episcopal church, fully believing in the doctrines of the Atonement and of the Trinity as expounded in the teachings of that church. Mr. Field being a man of positive and foreible convictions, in the matter of religion as in all else, has in after years found good and sufficient reasons in his mind to doubt the truth of the doc- trines that are the foundation stones of the church and believing that these doctrines are pernicious, and tend to retard rather than assist the spiritual and moral development of the human race, takes every means within his power to advance his views, believing that he is thereby a help to erring hu- manity.
In the fall of 1877, Mr. Field while in Rochester witnessed some remarkable spiritualistie phenomena in the shape of direct or independent slate-writing which fully convinced him of the fact that disem- bodied human spirits can and do communicate freely with mortals, and he now holds firmly to the doctrine of Spiritualism.
A. KYSOR.
BENJAMIN FRYSOR!
RESIDENCE OF MRS. JULIA A. KYSOR, WEST SPARTA, LIVINGSTON CO. N.Y.
٠
JAMES P. PERINE,
Photo. by Betts, Dansville.
MR. & MRS. WILLIAM YAN POREN.
241
BENJAMIN F. KYSOR-JAMES P. PERINE-WILLIAM VAN DOREN.
BENJAMIN F. KYSOR.
John Kysor emigrated from Germany to America previous to the Revolution and took an active part in the fight for Independence. His son Syl- vanus married Lois Fisk, of Mayfield, N. Y., by whom he had three children, Benj. F. being the second child and only son. They were among the pioneers of Livingston county, commenced with small means, but by strict economy and industry obtained a handsome property as their reward. Oct. 28, 1846, Benj. F. Kysor married Julia A., daughter of Harlem G. and Anna (Bush) Cham- berlain. She was the third child in a family of eleven. Her father belonged to a patriotic family ; his grandfather fought in the Revolution; his brothers fought in the war of 1812, and one of his brothers, Joseph H., was a distinguished minister in the Baptist church. Harlem G. Chamberlain moved from Vermont to Cayuga county, and from there to West Sparta, where he died .* Benj. F. Kysor was the father of twelve children, as follows: Harrison F., (dead,) Oscar C., (an invalid,) Hattie A., Helen C., Horace G., (dead,) Effie A., Herbert S. and Albert H., (twins, deceased,) Octavius H., Julia E. and Franklin A., (twins,) and Dayton A.
Harrison F., who was a talented young lawyer, went to Walla Walla city, Washington Territory, in the fall of 1871, where with great vigor and hopeful prospects, he began his work of life. But being stricken with disease of the heart, he lingered but a few days and died Dec. 13, 1871. Benj. F., a man of untiring industry and sterling integrity had been suffering several years from a malady, which in 1874 carried him nearly to the grave. He rallied however, and in 1875 undertook the erec- tion of the magnificent residence now occupied by his family. Improving in health during that year, in 1878, he started with his wife on a trip to Wis- consin, but was taken sick on the cars and during his six weeks' stay in the West, was constantly un- der the care of a physician. Returning home, he lived only a month and died Aug. 8, 1878, and is buried in the cemetery at Union Corners where a magnificent black and white granite monument marks his resting place, and where his grand-father and father are also buried. Mrs. Kysor is a mem- ber of the Baptist church, and is a hopeful believer in the gospel of Christ. She carries on the busi- ness connected with the large farm surrounding her house. Six of the children are there with her.
JAMES P. PERINE.
The Perine family who emigrated from France to New Jersey at an early day are of French origin. James P. Perine, son of Peter Perine and grand- son of James Perine, of Brunswick, Middlesex county, N. J., was born July 4, 1784. No record of his early life is given until his marriage in 1805
to Mary Cheeseman, of N. J. They moved to Cayuga county in 1818, and after living there eight years removed to Mt. Morris and settled on the farm now occupied by their son, Wm. H. Ten children were born to them named as follows: Eliza, Joseph C., Huldah Ann, Phoebe Maria, Eleanor, Prudence, John, James Barzillai, and W. H. Phoebe Maria, the oldest child now living, is the widow of David Truman, and resides in West Sparta. Eleanor, unmarried, resides in Mt. Mor- ris. Prudence, the wife of Frederick P. Hardy, now lives in Lima. John married Harriett Stone, of Mt. Morris, and has four children-Frank, Elmer, Mary and Edson. James B. married Eliza- beth Chapman, of West Sparta. W. H. married Josephine Millholland, of Mt. Morris. Nine chil- dren were born to them, eight of whom are now living as follows :- Molly, Helen L., Ida R., James C., Wm. W., Latetia, Josephine and Burgess.
John occupies the farm adjoining that of W. H. His children are all married : Frank to Harmon Hall, and living in Kansas; Elmer to Virginia Chapman, of West Sparta ; Mary to Gerdell Linds- ley, of Dansville, and Edson to Jennie Knapp, of Ossian. The family of Win. H. are unmarried and live at home.
Jas. G. Perine first purchased eighty acres of heavily timbered land in Mt. Morris, having to clear a space for the erection of a log house into which he moved during the month of April, and by his untiring industry cleared four acres from which he raised a fine crop of corn and potatoes the same season. Two years later he purchased eighty acres more, and with the help of his family cleared and worked the land so successfully that in 1836 he built the house now occupied by Wm. H. Of the many who moved into the county at that time none tasted more of the privations and discomforts of a pioneer life. He moved from Cayuga county with an ox team. The first winter spent in the log house was very disagreeable, as an improvised blanket was used as a door, and not being imper- vious to cats and dogs, they were greatly annoyed by the midnight raids of these animals. The team of white oxen which he owned were called the finest in the country and did the double duty of farm work during the week and drawing the family to church on the Sabbath. Mr. Perine was a mem- ber of the Union Corners Baptist Church, and was deacon of the same for several years. Being a man possessed of great energy and perseverance he raised a family that to-day are numbered among the substantial and respected citizens of the county. He died Feb. 9, 1869, and was buried in the cem- etery at Union Corners.
WILLIAM VAN DOREN.
William Van Doren whose grandfather came from Holland at an early day and located in New Jersey, is one of the self-made men of this county. His father, John VanDoren, was born in New
* See biographical sketch of O. L. Chamberlain.
2.42
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Jersey September 3. 1780, and married Alchsy Voorhees, from which union eleven children were born, as follows :- Cornelius, Elizabeth V., Maria, Sarah Jane (deceased), C. V., Ellen Ann, William, Catharine, Sarah J., John V., and Henry W.
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