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 52
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The spring is situated about half a mile from the village on the land of Daniel Passage. The spring was discovered in 1867 by Mr. Passage, while dig- ging for water for his stock. Noticing that the water had an unusually acrid and bitter taste he was induced to have it analyzed, the analysis show- ing that it contained in large quantities the sul- phates of magnesia and lime, together with the carbonates of lime and iron.
A large and attractive building has been erected on a commanding portion of the land for the ac- commodation of visitors wishing to test the quali- ties of the water, and pass the summer days amidst the delightful scenery of this section of country.
The first permanent settlers in the village were Deacon Rawson, Asa Heath, Samuel Swain, David Bassett and James M. Heath. The first frame house in the village was built in 1824 by Asa Heath, who came from Washington county, and settled in Nunda in 1820. A portion of the house he built is still standing. In 1824 the village was laid out with some degree of system, and in fifteen years after was incorporated, April 26, 1839. The first meet- ing held for the election of village officers was on Tuesday, the 11th day of June, 1839, at the Eagle Hotel, at which meeting the following officers were elected :
Trustees, Benedict Bagley, Russell Barnes, Wal- ter Whitcomb, Calvin B. Lawrence, David Holmes. Assessors, Calvin B. Lawrence and Samuel Swain, Jr.
At a meeting of the trustees held at the office of Benedict Bagley on the following Thursday, June 13, 1839, Nathaniel Coe was appointed Clerk, William D. Hammond, Collector, and Albert H. Prescott, Pound Master.
The following were other appointments made by the trustees at that date :---
Fire Wardens, Clifford Chaffee, B. P. Richmond, W. M. Chipman, Henry C. Jones. Members of Hook and Ladder Company, Addison M. Crane, Hiram C. Grover, Thomas Raines, Francis F. Gibbs, Joseph White, James Swain, Jehiel Reed, Henry Ashley, Doctor D. Morse, Henry Chalker.
LAWVERS .- Benedict Bagley, at whose office this meeting is mentioned as being held, was one of the most prominent men in the town for nearly a quar- ter of a century. He came to Nunda in 1832 and
t
RESIDENGE OF G. K. SANDERS, NUNDA NEWS. NUNDA. LIVINGSTON Go. N. Y.
247
VILLAGE OF NUNDA-PHYSICIANS, BANKS.
remained till 1855, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and engaged in the banking business.
He was a lawyer of no mean ability, and held a high place at the bar, but his interest in other business led him to gradually give up active prac- tice. When he came to Nunda it was a small ham- let, and he resided in a house where Grace church now stands. He took a prominent part in the local affairs of the town; was one of the first trustees, and held the office of Justice for one term. He was a stockholder and one of the directors in the Cornell Telegraph line, laid through that region in 1850.
He was also Attorney for and Vice-President of the Buffalo and New York City Railroad during its construction from Hornellsville to Buffalo, now the Buffalo Branch of the Erie Railroad. He also en- gaged in building railroads in the West. Previous to his removal to Cincinnati he was interested in a contract on the Chicago and Mississippi Railroad near Springfield, Ill. He died in Dansville, Novem- ber 4, 1875, at the age of seventy-five.
Among other lawyers of the past were A. C. Chipman and Luther C. Peck, the latter holding a prominent position at the bar. He represented in Congress the Thirtieth Congressional district, con- sisting of Livingston and Allegany counties, his Congressional career extending from 1837 to 1841.
The present lawyers of Nunda are Peck & Wil- ley-the former a son of Luther C. Peck, and who has inherited much of his father's legal acumen- Osgoodby & Moot, Daggett & Norton, E. W. Pack- ard, D. S. Robinson, Frank Dake, E. C. Olney, W. S. Coffin, H. M. Dake.
PHYSICIANS .- Among the past physicians of the town were, Dr. Wright, W. G. Blanchard in 1829; John Gilmore, who moved to Nebraska, but at what date is unknown. The present doctors are William B. Alley, who has been in Nunda seven- teen years. He graduated at the Berkshire Medi- cal College, Pittsfield, Mass., and has been in prac- tice thirty-one years.
C. L. Harding, who located in Nunda in 1846, graduated at Cincinnati. Has been in practice thirty-four years.
S. C. Upson, a licentiate of New York State, has resided in Nunda thirty-five years, and has been in practice sixty years.
John B. Sabin graduated at Buffalo, N. Y., and has been in Nunda about ten years.
Mrs. Doctor Whitcomb, (Homeopathic,) gradu- ated at Boston ; has been in practice four years.
T. A. Hammond, graduated at Pulta Medical
School, Cincinnati, (Homeopathic,) has been in practice one year.
BANKS .- The Nunda Bank was organized in May, 1873, as a private bank. The officers are Robert J. Balty, President; W. B. Whitcomb, Vice-President ; John E. Mills, Cashier. The office is situated on the corner of State and East streets, in the Livingston House building.
The First National Bank of Nunda was organ- ized February 5, 1875, the articles of association being drawn and signed on that day.
The directors were elected the 12th of February as follows :- John F. Barber, Michael Dowling, John M. Griffeth, James S. McMaster, Gordon L. Gilbert. President, John F. Barber ; Vice-Presi- dent, John M. Griffeth ; Cashier, James S. McMas- ter. The bank commenced business April Ist, 1875, succeeding the Bank of Nunda, a private bank established in 1868. The capital was $50,000 in $100.00 shares. The present directors and offi- cers are John F. Barber, Peter DePuy, William Y. Robinson, Gordon L. Gilbert, John M. Griffeth. President, John F. Barber ; Vice-President, John M. Griffeth ; Cashier, Peter DePuy.
THE OAKWOOD CEMETERY ASSOCIATION .- This association was formed June 17, 1865, conformable to an Act passed April 27, 1847, authorizing the incorporation of Rural Cemetery associations. At that meeting the following trustees were elected :- Hon. Alfred Bell, Robert J. Balty, John Angier, Willard Wood, Cyrus Rose, E. O. Dickinson, L. B. Warner.
The members of the society are the same as the officers given, with the following additions-Walter Whitcomb, Henry Lambert and Henry Martin.
THE PIONEER ASSOCIATION OF NUNDA AND POR- TAGE .- The first meeting for the formation of this society was held August 11th, 1877, at which meet- ing it was
" Resolved to organize a Pioneer Association for the towns of Nunda and Portage, for the purpose of gleaning and preserving facts per- taining to the early and modern history of these localities."
On Saturday, August 18th, 1877, the permanent organization was effected with the appended list of officers and members :-
President, Utley Spencer ; Vice Presidents, Am- mon Smith, of Portage, and John Gilmore of Nunda ; Secretary and Treasurer, C. K. Sanders ; Historians, B. P. Richmond, Nunda, Charles D. Bennett, Portage ; Medical Statisticians, Dr. Wil- liam B. Alley, Nunda, B. F. Kneeland, Portage ; Executive and Financial Committee, Joel C. Ben-
2.48
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
nett, E. O. Dickinson. The object of this society is to procure and preserve whatever may be of his- torical interest to these towns, and to gather such statistics relating to education, population, the growth, general prosperity, and business of this lo- cality as may be of public utility. Such an asso- ciation must be of great benefit to any town if its object be to any great extent attained. A few years hence and its worth will be fully appreciated if not in the present decade. An important feature in the society is the keeping of a book of registry, in which all members are required to sign their own names, that their autographs may be pre- served. The meetings of the association are held annually.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS .-- Thirty years ago Nunda had an enviable reputation for the high character of its schools. In fact, there were few if any villages in the State whose facilities for educa- tional purposes were equal to hers. Various causes, not the most unimportant of which was the indif- ference of the people to educational matters, led to a decline in the high character of the schools; and though not now behind the times in educational facilities, it must be confessed that up to 1876 its former glory had, to a great extent, departed.
The Nunda Literary Institute was opened in 1843, and was for years a widely known and in- fluential school of learning. The first term began May Ist, 1843, with Rev. Amasa Buck, Principal ; Mary S. Buck, Preceptress ; and Eliza Brown, Musical Teacher. It had a thorough course in English, French, Latin, Greek and Music, and was well attended by pupils from various parts of the country. Occupying so high a position it had a prosperous career till the building was destroyed by fire May 2, 1859, when the school was adjourned and never fully resumed. A few years after the burning of the Institute building a united effort was made by the people, and a new and commodious brick building was erected. In this building began the existence of the Nunda Academy which con- tinued till 1876. On the whole this was a success- ful school, and left its impress in the community ; but it suffered, like most of the Academies of the State, by a frequent change of principals. Becom- ing apparent to the people that as an Academy it ceased to accomplish the work which it was felt the community needed, a movement was started to consolidate the adjacent districts and form a Union graded School, which object which was accom- plished on Tuesday evening, August 15, 1876, when five districts were consolidated into one.
On Saturday evening, August 12, 1876, pursuant to a resolution of a previous meeting, the election of a Board of Education took place. The trustees elected were as follows :-
One year-Cyrus Rose, James McNair, Daniel Passage.
Two years-John F. Olney, James Lemen, Samuel Swain.
Three years-L. B. Warner, J. V. D. Coon, E. O. Dickinson.
At this meeting W. S. Coffin, Esq., offered the following resolution, which was adopted :-
"WHEREAS, there exists within the limits of this Union Free School District an academy known as the Nunda Academy, and an academic institution is needed in said district, therefore
" Resolved, That the Board of Education of this Union Free School District be, and they are hereby authorized and directed (by and with the consent of the trustees of the Nunda Academy,) to adopt said Nunda Academy as the academic de- partment of this Union Free School District."
The trustees of the academy consented, and thus was formed the Nunda Academy and Union Free School.
A meeting of the Board of Education was held on the succeeding Monday, and the following officers were chosen :-
President, J. V. D. Coon ; Secretary, J. F. Olney; Treasurer, L. B. Warner; Committee on Teachers, Samuel Swain, James Lemen, Dr. Coon; Com- mittee on Repairs and Supplies, Cyrus Rose, Dan- iel Passage, E. O. Dickinson.
In 1877 the school opened with the subjoined faculty :-
M. T. Dana, Principal; Miss Frankie Hinds, Mrs. Nellie Ransom, Miss Mattie McNair.
The Board of Education and Faculty for 1880-SI are as follows :-
H. D. Page, President ; J. F. Olney, Secretary ; L. B. Warner, A. C. Dodge, E. W. Packard, James Lemen, Virgil Hungerford, Fidelia J. M. Whitcomb, S. Augusta Herrick.
M. T. Dana, Principal ; Carrie A. Van Ness, Academic Assistant; Frankie Hinds, Preparatory Department ; Mrs. Nellie Ransom, Intermediate Department ; Mattie McNair, Primary Depart- ment; Mary N. Coffin, Primary Department.
The school is free to all actual residents of the town, and although the attempt to consolidate the districts was earnestly opposed by many of the inhabitants as an unwise plan, their experience has demonstrated that it was both a wise and a bene- ficial movement.
249
VILLAGE OF NUNDA -CHURCHES.
The number of districts having school houses in the town are twelve, employing eighteen teachers.
There are in these districts 790 scholars over five and under twenty-one years of age; the num- ber of children attending school during the year being 639.
During the past year school has been taught 355 weeks, with an average attendance of 385, and an expenditure of $4,382.82 for teachers for the year. There was paid for school apparatus during the year but $3.69, while for libraries there was ex- pended $39.35. The total value of the district libraries is $398. The total incidental expenses for the year were $431.18. There has been paid out for school houses, sites, fences, furniture, repairs, &c., the sum of $974.78. The school houses and sites are valued at $16,480; and the total valuation of districts is $1,213,949.
The present officers of the village of Nunda are :-
Chris. Smith, Mayor and Deputy Sheriff ; F. P. Thomas, Trustee; R. J. Balty, Trustee ; B. F. Rol- lah, Village Clerk ; John E. Mills, Treasurer.
CHURCHES .- Coming as many of the early set- tlers did from the New England States, where religious observances had for years been as much a part of their nature as the breath they drew, it was natural that the pioneers in this new region should still lovingly cling to those observances and endeavor to form as early as possible societies for the wor- ship of God. Hence we find that in the very first years of the settlement a movement was begun to incorporate into a society the people of religious antecedents. The first society thus formed was by the Baptists in 1819, under the efforts of Elder Samuel Messenger. Elder Messenger came from the town of Phelps, Ontario county, and located near the hamlet of Oakland on a farm, which the greater part of his time he was obliged to cultivate to derive subsistence for himself and family. He found in the valley several people who were mem- bers of Baptist churches in the places from whence they had come; and who anxious to be associated in one common body, with his advice and assist- ance drew up a list of articles of faith and cove- nant, to which twelve members subscribed. To this body of pioneer worshipers Elder Messenger extended the hand of fellowship as a regular, inde- pendent Baptist Church, at a meeting heldl for such organization at the house of Mr. Button in Hunt's Hollow,* May 21, 1819.
The names of the twelve subscribing members were :-
Russell Messenger, Schuyler Thompson, Elijah Bennett, Aaron Thompson, Aaron Thompson, Jr., Jacob Devoe, Wm. Greening, Susanna Greening, Huldah Root, Rhoda Ann Bennett, Sally Thompson. Elijah Bennett was chosen clerk, which office he held until October 5, 1820, when he resigned and Jas. H. Rawson was elected to fill his place.
After the organization of the church, the first member who joined it was Willoughby Lowell, who presented his letter and was received to men- bership at the first covenant meeting June 5, 1820, James H. Rawson was the first member received into the church by baptism.
In October, 1820, Elijah Bennett, one of the first subscribing members, having by his ability and zeal shown himself adapted to ministerial work, was duly ordained as a minister by elders Bradley, Case and Messenger. In that year Schuyler Thompson, Elias Rawson and James H. Rawson were elected deacons.
In 1820 this church was annexed to the Ontario Baptist Association, which connection was severed in 1824, when it united with the Holland Purchase Association. The organization of this church and society in a legal form occurred on the Sth of Oc- tober, 1827, when Daniel Ashley, Silas Warren and John Waite were chosen trustees. In the twelve succeeding years the trustees were annually elected according to the laws of the State; but at the an- nual meeting in April, 1840, it having become ne- cessary to be more explicit, in order to possess and hold real estate this body was regularly incorpor- ated pursuant to the statutes of the Legislature, and under such corporation Samuel Swain, Jr., Albert Page and Edward H. Brackett, were elected trustees. At this date the membership for the first time since the organization, numbered one hundred, which, in July of the following year, was reduced to eighty-two by the withdrawing of Curtis Coe, Thaddeus Bennett, John Gearhart and fifteen other members to form the Grove and Portage Church at Hunt's Hollow.
In the infancy of the church its meetings were held in private houses, log school-houses and in barns. In 1827, at the annual church meeting in April, the following resolution was adopted :-
"Voted, that we hold our meetings from the first Sabbath in May until the Ist of October in one place, and that shall be at Mr. Jones' barn.
In June, 1827, this church was incorporated in the Genesee River Association formed at that
* In Portage now, but which at that date was part of Nunda.
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
date, in which body it still retains a membership. The Society at this union with the above asso- ciation began to feel the need of a settled and central place of meeting, and soon after were al- lowed the use of a school-house in a central local- ity, and which the society enlarged at its own ex- pense. In this house their meetings were held for a short time, when it was found too small to ac- commodate the increasing congregation and a more suitable place was sought.
Early in 1832, by a united effort, they com- menced the erection of a house of worship which was located on the corner of Mill and Church streets, and which in the following winter was com- pleted and dedicated. Long before its dedication it was needed for their use. Furnishing it with temporary seats their regular services were held on the Sabbath day, and the church at this time passed through one of its most important revivals, during which more than eighty united by baptism. At the succeeding meeting of the Association, the membership of this church was reported as two hundred and twenty-eight. The rapidly increas- ing congregation made it necessary in a few years to erect a larger place of worship, which, by an earnest and united effort, was partly accomplished in 1841, and completed and dedicated in 1842.
'This is the edifice now standing on the south- east corner of Church and East streets. The form- er building was sold and converted to the use of an academy for the Nunda Literary Institute, and was used by that society until May 2, 1859, when it was destroyed by the torch of an incendiary.
The lives of the early pastors of this church and the pioneer ministers of this section of the country are full of interest in the exhibition of unselfishness and zeal with which they labored to foster and ex- tend the worship of God.
Elder Messenger devoted a portion of his time for seven years to the upbuilding of this church, for which labor he received but little pecuniary compensation. His salary scarcely ever exceeded one hundred dollars per annum.
In 1826, he resigned his pastorate and was suc- ceeded by Elder Elijah Bennett, whose ministerial labors extended to 1830, the last year being as- sisted a part of the time by Elder Harvey. He also preached in 1831-32. Elder Bennett died in Nunda, in 1835. In the latter part of 1832, the church came under the pastoral care of Elder Ezra W. Clark, who remained until 1836, when he re- signed on account of ill-health. He was succeeded by Elder Abram Ennis, who retained the pastorate
till 1840 .* His salary was $400 for the first year, and $500 for each of the last three years. Elder J. W. Spoor, the next pastor, began his labors in October of 1840, and continued them until May, 1844. Under his pastorate about two hundred and thirty members were added to the church, while a reduction in the membership of two hun- dred and five left a total of a little over five hun- dred at the time of his resignation.
In May, 1844, Elder Ichabod Clark assumed the ministerial duties. Elder Clark's pastorate ended in May, 1848. In June of that year the membership reported was three hundred and sev- enty-nine, which exceeds the membership reported in any subsequent years. Elder Jira D. Cole suc- ceeded Elder Clark, and remained with this people about two years, during which time the church passed through a season of very deep trial, occa- sioned chiefly by connections with secret societies, in violation of resolutions which had been passed in 1827.1
For some months after the expiration of Elder Cole's term the desk was supplied by a licentiate, when Elder P. B. Houghout was engaged but re- mained only a short time, resigning in July, 1851, and Elder Spoor again assumed the pastorate in November, 1851, holding it till May, 1854. He was succeeded by Elder Whitman Metcalf, whose labors extended over a period of nine years. His advanced age and infirmities caused him to resign in May, 1863. He was succeeded by Elder J. J. Keyes, who labored here for nearly two years. He was succeeded by Elder J. B. Vroorman, who re- mained till April, 1870.
Elder William Mudge came in May, 1870, re- maining until July, 1873, when he was succeeded by Elder C. B. Parsons, who continued from Oct., 1873, to April ist, 1876. The present pastor is Rev. J. D. Tucker, who came in April, 1876.
Several members of this church have entered the ministry. Elijah Bennett, before mentioned as being ordained in 1820. Peter Robinson was or- dained to the work of the ministry in 1836. Newell Boughton was licensed in 1836, and subsequently ordained. James Work, a native of the Orkney Islands, was licensed in Hamilton, Canada, and united with this church in 1855. He completed a course of education at Rochester, and was or- dained here February 11, 1863, being about to re- turn to his native land to preach to his country- men. Lysander 1. Wellman was licensed in 1861
* Elder Ennis died in Mendon, Monroe county, in 1845.
These resolutions were repealed in April, 1866.
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VILLAGE OF NUNDA-CHURCHES.
and afterward ordained. Alvin W. Tousey was licensed in 1861, was subsequently ordained, and went to Illinois where he engaged in the ministerial work.
The First Presbyterian Church of Nunda .*- This, in point of time, was the next church to or- ganize for the worship of God; for among the in- coming tide of new settlers was an increasing num- ber of Presbyterian antecedents and associations, and it was but natural that they should wish to en- joy the same ministrations as to doctrines and or- dinances as those under which they had received their early training.
Accordingly, upon the sixth of October, 1831, they were organized into a Presbyterian church. The meeting for the organization was held in a school house near Deacon Wisner's, two miles northeast of the present site of the church. So far as can now be ascertained it seemed to have been a spontaneous movement among those of like mind and faith. No record and no personal recollec- tion of the oldest residents remains, pointing to any particular one as a leader of others. The ministers present and assisting in the organization, were Revs. Robert Hubbard, Abel Caldwell, and Ludovicus Robbins. The Elders were Joseph Waldo and Silas Olmstead. Of these ministers, Mr. Hubbard had organized the Presbyterian church at Angelica in 1811, and preached there a number of years. He assisted in organizing the Presbyterian church at Dansville in 1825, and was for a number of years its pastor. He was subse- quently pastor of the church at Fowlerville, at which place he died in 1840. Mr. Caldwell was the minister at Hunt's Hollow, to which place he had come, it is believed, from Bloomfield.
The entire number uniting at this organization was fourteen. Ten of these were by letter, and four upon profession of faith. Their names were: John Chapin, Clarissa Chapin, James Patterson, Sarah Patterson, Zaddock Herrick, Betsey Her- rick, Eliza Guy, Mille Pierce, Celestia J. Hills, Abraham Van Sickle. Those uniting upon pro- fession of faith were Sillah Lee, Lucinda Booth, William R. Duryee, and Mrs. Lany Duryee.
It has been said that the church was organized first as Congregational, and afterward changed to Presbyterian by a vote of the members ; but ac- cording to the records, and from the recollections of many of the older members, it would appear
that the organization was designed from its origin to be Presbyterian, although there was no election and ordination of Elders until May 21, 1835. The business seems to have been transacted by church ineetings, and practically the church was carried for- ward according to Congregational usage.
The first clerk of the society was James Patter- son, Nathaniel Chandler succeeding him in office. At a meeting of the church which is without date, but which must have been soon after August 25, 1833, David Shager and John Chapin were elected deacons. The former accepted, the latter declined. At a meeting held May 21, 1835, six ruling elders were elected as follows :- Samuel Swain and Rus- sell Barnes, for one year; Elihu Dickinson and Ephraim Smith, for two years; and John Chapin and Abraham Burgess for three years. At the same meeting it was voted to have four deacons-Guliel- mus Wing, one year; David Thayer, two years ; Erastus Buck, three years ; and Josiah Phelps, four years, all of whom accepted but Mr. Wing. This completed the organization as a church, which at this time was under the care of the Presbytery of Angelica, from which it was transferred to Ontario Presbytery, October 8, 1844.
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