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 66
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The first war meeting in the town was held pur- suant to the following notice :-
"We, the undersigned, citizens of Mt. Morris, for the purpose of responding to the call of our Gov- ernment, for the protection and defense of our Na- tional honor and prosperity, request that a public meeting be held on Monday evening, April 22d, at Empire Hall. Let there be a prompt attendance."
This was signed by the following prominent citizens of the place :-
Z. W. Joslyn, A. Conkey,
W. A. Mills, P. H. Hinman,
J. A. Mead, McNeil Seymour,
J. Conklin, J. Olp,
C. B. Nash, G. Van Houten,
H. Scoville, John H. Bodine,
H. Ruggles, S. L. Rockfellow,
N. Seymour, G. S. Whitney,
H. Swan, L. C. Bingham,
H. W. Miller,
S. McNeilly,
R. P. Wisner,
H. Woodford,
I. McNeilly,
C. P. Winegar,
G. W. Phelps,
W. G. Thompson,
J. Vernamı,
H. Bump,
D. D. Strain,
A. M. Bingham,
H. Skillin,
G. W. Branch,
M. Clark,
J. E. Robinson,
L. Coy,
R. T. W. French,
H. M. Smith,
H. G. Ames,
E. L. Ament, C. T. Wygant,
H. R. Miller, W. Humphrey,
O. H. Phillips,
J. S. Thompson,
S. F. Brace,
W. Hinman.
" Pursuant to the above notice," says the report
in the Union, "one of the most enthusiastic meet-
GENERAL MICAH BROOKS.
This brief record commemorates the life and services of one who lived in the most eventful period of human history, excepting only the years made memorable by the life and teachings of the Saviour of the world. Micah Brooks was born a subject of George III., at the time the American colonies were resolving upon open revolt-he died eighty-two vers later, having witnessed and taken part in the most remarkable changes that ever occurred in government, society, industry, science, and art. He was the son of David Brooks, who was the son of Enos, who was the son of Thomas, who was the son of Henry Brooks, who came from Cheshire, England, to Cheshire, Conn. He had fought under Oliver Cromwell, and the restoration of ('has. II , was offensive to him and caused him to remove to America. His son Thomas settled fourteen miles north from New Haven, and the town to which he removed was called Cheshire, af- ter the place of his father's nativity, at least so read the family records. His grandson, David, the father of Micah, was born in Cheshire, Conn., in June. 1744. and married Elizabeth. daughter of Daniel Doolittle of Wallingford, Conn., who was a son of David, the son of Abram Doolittle who came from England. He was graduated at Yale College in 1765, and received the degree of Master of Arts. He also studied theology and was duly ordained as a minister, but continued to conduct his farm at Cheshire, taking a prominent part ia the discussions and agitations that preceded the Declaration of Independence. He was appointed a member of the Vigilance Committee for the town of Cheshire, to prevent the con- sumption of tea and other articles unjustly taxed by the British govern- ment, the inhabitants having voted not to use them. On the breaking out of hostilities he joined, as a private soldier, the first company organized in his town, but afterwards became Quartermaster of his regiment. When occasion required he served as chaplain and in emergencies, shouldered his musket. He was also a member of the State Legislature and a dele- gate to the state conveation that adopted the U. S. Constitution at Hart- ford. Later in life he retired to his farm in Cheshire and died there in 1802.
Micah Brooks was born May 14, 1775. on his father's estate in Cheshire, Conn., where he spent the first years of his life, and acquired the studi- ous and diligent habits which distinguished him through life. Schools were few and poor during the Revolution, and the years that followed, but Micah belonged to a famlly that had the benefit of parental discipline and instruc- tion and where reading was enjoined and enjoyed. Thus he acquired habits of observation and research that made his mind a repository of useful knowl- edge He was the oldest of his father's family, which consisted of Micah, David, Elizabeth, Benedict, Laura. Charity, Polly, Patty and David. ali of whom lived to maturity except David, the second son, who died in his sixth year ; and all, excepting Patty, married. Micah Brooks gave from his own recollection, a very interesting account of the period imme- diately following the Revolutionary war, and it was published in Turner's, Phelps and Gorham's Purchase. In 1796 in common with many sons of New England, he explored the regions of the west, visited the Mohawk, Susquehannah, Seneca, and the Genesee, and saw many pioneers ia their lonely cabins, suffering privations, but full of hope. In the fall of 1797 he visited the land of promise the second time. remaining at East Bloom- field during the winter and keeping the district school there. Mr. James Sperry gives an account of this venture as follows: "In the fall of '97, a young man with a pack on his back, came into the neighborhood of Gunn, the Bronson's, &c., and introduced himself as a schonl teacher from the land of steady habits, proposing that they form a new district and he would keep their school. The proposition was accepted, all turned out and built a school house, the young man assisting, and he kept school there that winter and the one following, and the house was entirely filled. My father seat eight children to this school ; there we learned for the first time, that the earth is round-an old hat with a chalk line 'round it for the equator served as a globe to illustrate the revolution of the earth on its axis. Al- though the schoolmaster was a favorite with parents and pupils, they
thought he was telling something he knew nothing about, and still believed the earth was flat, and immovably fixed."
In those days to be a good surveyor was a great accomplishment and a vast amount of surveying was to be done. Micah Brooks studied the art with Prof. Meigs, and held a certificate from the court of New Haven County, appointing him " surveyor within and for said county." In the fall of 1798 he made a tour, on foot, to Niagara Falls, following the Indian trails and stopping over night with Poudry and his Indian wife at Tona- wanda In 1799 he purchased a farm in East Bloomfield, paying six dol- lars per acre for it. The price of land soon declined, speculators having run the price up too high. In 1803-4 good lands on the Holland Pur- chase was bought for three dollars per acre. Mr. Brooks immediately commenced clearing his land, boarding with Deacon Bronson and giving two days' work for one week's board. In soo he was associate com- missioner with Hugh McNair and Matthew Warner, to lay out a road from Canandaigua to Olean, and another from Hornellsville to the mouth of the Genesee river. Subsequently he found much use for his chain and com- pass in laying out roads and runaing lines on his wild lands in Livingston and Allegany counties. In 1801 he built a small frame house, thea re- turned to Conn., and brought out two sisters to keep house for him, but as they soon married, he went back again to Conn., and December 13, 1802, was there married to Mary, daughter of Deacon Abel Hall, of Lyme, Conn. Frugal, industrious, intelli- gent and public spirited, he became a prominent and useful citizen. la the militia he rose through successive gradations to the raak of Major General. In 1806 he was elected Justice of the Peace, in 1808 assistant Justice of the County, the same year was elected to the Legislature from Ontario Co., and in the war of 1812 served in three campaigns as Lieut. - Col. He was elected to Congress ia 1814, representing a very large terri- tory and serving on important committees. In 1821 he was elected to the New York state convention that revised the state constitution, and was a presidential elector in 1824 For twenty years he was a Judge of Ontario county courts While a member of Congress he presented to that body a petition drawn by DeWitt Clinton, asking the national government to aid in the construction of the Erie canal. Some twenty years later he ad- dressed a large convention at Rochester, presided over by Judge Nathan Dayton, of Lockport, urging the "'speedy enlargement " of the Erie canal-which was effected with manifest advantage to the state and nation.
February 1, 1839, delegates from several counties assembled at Cuba, Allegany County, to forward the completion of the New Yurk and Erie Railroad, which had been chartered seven years before, but which, owing to the great commercial revulsion of 1837, and the magnitude of the ua- dertaking, had not been completed. Gen. Brooks was chosen president of the convention, and addressed that body : his speech was pub- lished in the papers and widely circulated. In 1823 in connection with Joha B. Gibson and Jellis Clute, he purchased the lands of Mary Jemi- son, and soon after removed to them ; the place of his residence is known as " Brook's Grave." In $833 he bought 6, 382 acres in Caneadea, Alle- gany Co, consideration $8,000. His wife having died, he was again, Sep- tember 23, 1833, married to Eliza Chattin, who died in 1863, without issue. His sons were, Lorenzo H., of Caneadea, now deceased, and Micah Wooster, who is married and resides at the homestead. His daughters were, Marcia, wife of Henry O' Reilley, Clarissa, wife of Theodore F. Hall. of Kansas, Catharine, a mute, very intelligent and highly educated, now deceased, Laura, residing at Brook's Grove, and Cornelia, wife of Geo. Ellwanger, of the Mt. Hope Nurseries, at Rochester. In politics, Gen. Brooks was a firm supporter of the Whig party. He was master of him-
self, temperate in his habits, upright in his dealings, kind, compassionate and forbearing July 7, 1857, his life work being done, he leaned back in his chair and died, without a struggle. A public meeting of citizens testi- fied to the respect in which he was held, and the "press " of the country announced that a true patriot and useful citizen had departed.
317
MOUNT MORRIS-WAR RECORD.
ings that ever occurred in our village took place. At 7 P. M., our bells chimed most furiously, bring- ing crowds of our citizens into Main street. Our band was out playing spiritedly the Star Spangled Banner, Hail Columbia, Yankee Doodle, and other national airs. The stars and stripes were displayed from our hotels, churches and dwellings in great profusion. At an early hour Empire Hall was filled. Hon. John Vernam called the meeting to order, nominating R. P. Wisner to preside. Mr. Wisner, on taking the chair, made a stirring patriotic speech, eliciting rounds of ap- plause. * *
* The following gentlemen were selected as officers of the meeting : Vice-Presidents, John Vernam, H. Bump, Dr. Branch, H. Swan, H. P. Mills, Rev. T. S. Franklin, R. Sleeper, W. A. Mills, George S. Whitney ; Secretaries, Mc- Neil Seymour, L. C. Bingham, A. Conkey."
Stirring and patriotic speeches were made by Messrs. Wisner, Vernam, Franklin, Ames, A. M. Bingham, Janes and Hastings ; after which a com- mittee consisting of Geo. S. Whitney, C. E. Mar- tin, McNeil Seymour, Reuben Sleeper and C. B. Adams were appointed to raise and distribute funds for the support of the families of volunteers. C. E. Martin was duly authorized to raise a com- pany, and half the requisite number signed the roll for volunteers before the meeting adjourned. It was then left at the American Hotel for additional signatures. Lucius Southwick, of the Shaker Society in Groveland, was present on the rostrum, and declared that his fraternity were ready to pay their quota for the support of the war. In referring to the meeting, the Union says :-
"The love of country has obliterated party lines-but one spirit and sentiment prevails-that insurrection and treason must be put down."
On the 27th of April a liberty pole was raised at Tuscarora and the stars and stripes flung to the breeze. It was saluted by martial music and thirty-four guns. The people were addressed by Dr. Joslyn, Capt. Martin, A. Hall and R. P. Wis- ner. "A large share of patriotic spirit was ex- hibited. Several names were added to the list of volunteers, and liberal contributions were made to the Patriotic Fund." The Livingston Union, of May 1, 1861, says, "our volunteer company is nearly full, and will be prepared to leave for Elmira in a few days." The same paper says that up to April 27th, $1,678 had been contributed for the support of volunteers from this village and vicinity. Conspicuous among the subscribers is the name of John R. Murray, who subscribed $250-the largest individual subscription. Seven others subscribed $100 each, viz :- George S. Whitney, R. P. Wis- ner, George W. Branch, R. Sleeper, Bump & Pray, Frederic Davis and C. B. Adams.
Capt. Martin's company, with seventy-seven en- listed men and eleven commissioned and non- commissioned officers, left for Elmira, Thursday, May 16, 1861, and was there designated Co. G of the 27th Regiment. The following were its officers :- Captain, Charles E. Martin ; Lieutenant, Joseph H. Bodine; Ensign, Oscar H. Phillips ; Ist Sergeant, John J. Kellogg; 2d Sergeant, Ed- win C. Bennett ; 3d Sergeant, Edward Williams ; 4th Sergeant, Wm. M. Nimbs ; Ist Corporal, E. R. Parker; 2d Corporal, George W. Bingham ; 3d Corporal, William Biggs; 4th Corporal, George Bennett. The occasion of their leaving was made a grand ovation. The Livingston Union, of May 22, 1861, says :---
"Thursday last, the day appointed for the de- parture of our volunteers to Elmira, was one never to be forgotten by the citizens of our village. About 2 o'clock P. M. the crowd began to gather in Main street, until it was one mass of men, women and children. The occasion was one of thrilling interest-its equal never before witnessed in our town. Our worthy volunteers were drawn up in line to receive the parting blessing of their fellow- citizens. The ceremonies were impressive and affecting-stout hearts gave way and tears flowed freely. Speakers as well as listeners were sensibly affected, and the moistened eyes of hundreds grate- fully expressed the deep solemnities of that interest- ing occasion."
The ladies were indefatigable up to the last hour in providing garments, etc., for the comfort of themen. About 4 o'clock the procession started for the depot, followed by the entire crowd. " Here," says the Union, "the scene was really affecting, as the parting moment had come. Amid loud cheers, waving of handkerchiefs, falling tears, and aching hearts, the volunteers left for Elmira."
With this much accomplished Mt. Morris did not relax her efforts. The good work so nobly begun was continued. On Saturday, May 18, 1861, a pole 112 feet long, surmounted by a large gilt ball, was raised on thegrounds of the late Gen. Brooks, and stirring addresses were made by Rev. T. L. Franklin, R. P. Wisner, A. M. Bingham and Capt. Randall, of Portage, urging the people to rally to the defense of a suffering country. On Saturday, June 1, 1861, a liberty pole was raised in the village amid impressive ceremonies, and ad- dresses were made by C. B. Adams, Revs. Story and Keyes, R. P. Wisner, Col. Sleeper, A. M. Bingham, Hon. Wm. Scott, N. Seymour, Drs. Joslyn and Ames and Prof. Smith.
The second company of volunteers from Mt. Morris was raised by Capt. C. W. Burt, whose in-
318
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
defatigable efforts enabled him to leave with his company for Elmira, September 13, 1861. The company was escorted to the depot by the band and a large number of citizens. Among its mem- bers was A. M. Bingham, a lawyer of this village, who had done much in the way of addressing meet- ings to encourage enlistments. The number neces- sary to fill it were obtained while at Elmira, a re- cruiting office being kept open in Mt. Morris for that purpose. It was attached to the 89th Regi- ment, commanded by Col. Fairchild, and left Elmira for Washington, December 6, 1861.
During the war Mt. Morris furnished 285 men ; of whom i was a substitute, 8 reënlisted, I was crafted, 233 resided in the town, and 27 were na- tives of the town. They were distributed through various organizations as follows, as nearly as can be ascertained from the records :- 51 in the 136th, 40 in the 27th, 10 in the 130th, 6 in the 89th, 5 in the 104th, 2 each in the 24th, 58th and 133d, and 1 each in the 11th, 15th, 33d, 140th and 147th in - fantry regiments ; 2 in the 4th New York artillery, I each in the 2d and 24th batteries, and i in the 5th Rhode Island artillery; 29 in the 24th New York cavalry : 23 in the Ist dragoons, 3 in the 8th and I in the 3d cavalry regiments. This, like other details of the records is manifestly incom- plete ; while in regard to bounties, it only shows that a town bounty of $100 was paid to 60 indi- viduals, and of $300 to 31; a county bounty of $300 to 16, of $100 to i and of $75 to 1 ; and a State bounty of $75 to 1. We simply cite this to show how unreliable and unsatisfactory is the data from which to compile these local histories of the rebellion.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
MYRON H. MILLS.
Myron H. Mills was born in Mt. Morris, Dec. 8, 1820. He is a son of Maj .- Gen. Wm. A. Mills and a grandson of Rev. Samuel \. Mills, one of the earliest evangelical preachers of the county of Living- ston, south of Avon. This distinguished clergyman was a graduate of Vale College ; uniting many promi- nent mental qualities with a superior education, he was well qualified, in every respect, for the duties of his sacred profession. IJe was a native of Derby, Connecticut. Soon after completing his theological education, attracted by the glowing accounts of the beauties and promised wealth and greatness of the Genesee Valley, about the year 1792 he immigrated
with his family to that part of Livingston county now known as Groveland, and settled in Williams- burgh, then a mere hamlet. This was the first village in that county, and for a time was the successful rival of Geneseo. But more powerful influences favoring the latter, it became the county seat, and the growth of the former was at an end, and the population gradually decreased, until at last there was left no trace of the once busy little town.
The Rev. Samuel J. Mills preached the great truths of the gospel to the pioneers in an acceptable and profitable manner, and he became an object of af- fection and love to the early settlers about him. A few old apple trees standing to the left of the road after crossing the Canaseraga bridge going to Geneseo, planted by his hands, mark or nearly so, the site of his ancient home. In the midst of his prosperity his house was consumed by fire. This, together with the unlucky turn of a land specula- tion, so greatly disheartened him that it superin- duced a disease known as the Genesee fever, which soon terminated his life. At the request of James Wadsworth, Sr., his remains were interred in the cemetery at Geneseo. After his death his family, with the exception of Wm.,-afterwards General Mills,-returned to New England, and became resi- cents of New Bedford. William with that penetra- tion, comprehension and sagacity which were strong features in his character, had a clear conception of the destined wealth and greatness of the country about him, and he determined to remain in the country, and move on with it to success, prosperity and usefulness.
As a conseqence his name is enrolled in the history of Western New York, among its lead ing pioneers, and he is spoken of as a chief artificer in the erection of that noble and distinguished civil edifice-Livingston county. When only seventeen years of age, he settled at Allen's Hill-now Mt. Morris-and with his own hands prepared the ma- terial for the log house which was for a long time his home. Among his many Indian neighbors there was only one white man, Clark Cleve- land, a mason by trade. The myriads of dusky sons and daughters of the forest, became to young Mills his friends and he proved to be a great favorite with them, whose generous sentiment they recognized by giving him the name of "Sa-nun-ge- wa"-interpreted signifies a big kettle or generous man. To this day among the old Indians on the Allegany and Cattaraugus Creek reservations the village of Mt. Morris is called "Sa-nun-ge-wa-ge," in honor of his memory. He spoke the Indian language fluently, giving it the peculiar sound of the "red man's" vernacular. He witnessed the subduing of the wilderness, the increasing population and the changes of the country, until it developed into a region that lost little when compared with the Vale of Tempe and the gardens of the Hesperides. He erected the first framed house in the village of Mt. Morris. It stood on State street nearly opposite the present residence of Mr. Moss. In the year 1803 he was united by marriage to Susannah II. Harris of Tioga Point, Penn. Ten children were
Merciles
319
MYRON H. MILLS.
born of this happy union, of whom nine grew to maturity and four are still living, viz: Samuel J. Mills and Mrs. Elizabeth M. Hamlin of Iowa, Mrs. Susan H. Branch and Dr. Myron H. Mills of Mt. Morris. Gen. Mills was not only a friend to the In- dians, but it is stated he never permitted a settler to lose his property for want of means to meet the payments due on his land. So notable did he be- come in this respect, that he was known and called by the original settlers, the "father of Mt. Morris."
General Mills was the first Supervisor of the town of Mt. Morris, holding the office for nearly twenty years in succession. He saw his old and life-long friend, Moses Hayden, who had been ap- pointed March 28, 1821, First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, take his seat for the first time on the bench of the new county. He was also the first President and prominent organizer of the Liv- ingston County Agricultural Society, and was di- rector in the old Livingston County Bank-the first banking institution opened in the county. He or- ganized the first militia company in what is now Livingston county. When the war of 1812 broke out General Mills was among the first to respond to the call of his country, and served as a soldier on the frontiers. By rapid gradations, he rose to the rank of Major-General in the service of the State. His command embraced Livingston, Gen- esee, Ontario, Steuben, Monroe and Allegany counties. On occasions of public parade and drill of his command, which occurred in the fall of the year at the principal villages in the above counties, he, like the President of our times, says an old set- tler, " was the observed of all observers."
Among the distinguished gentlemen who have served on his military staff were Col. Reuben Sleeper of Mt. Morris, Gen. Frank Granger of Canandaigua, Hon. Daniel D. Barnard and Hon. Charles J. Hill of Rochester. Col. Hill is one of the Ex-Mayors of Rochester, N. Y., and is still living in the 86th year of his age, honored and re- spected for his many virtues, by the entire com- munity where he resides. Gen. Granger subse- quently became Postmaster-General and a member of the President's Cabinet, and Daniel D. Barnard a Member of Congress.
Gen. Mills become a large landed proprietor, was influential and public spirited, but his useful and active life was suddenly terminated, while yet in the vigor of his manhood. After partaking of his dinner, April 6th, 1844, he retired to his room for his customary after-dinner nap, from which he never awoke in this world. He died from disease of the heart, at sixty-seven years of age, leaving an extensive landed property to his nine surviving children.
Dr. Myron H. Mills, to whom we have already referred, is a citizen of Livingston county, whose interests are his interests, and whose prosperity and advancement are a source of unqualified gratifica- tion to him. After receiving an excellent English academic education, he entered upon the study of his chosen profession-medicine and surgery. Upon a thorough preparatory course in the office of
Dr. Hiram Hunt his father's old friend and family physician, he entered Geneva Medical College, from which he was graduated in March, 1844. In June, 1845 he became a resident of the city of St. Louis, where he commenced the practice of his profession, and hardly had six months passed away, before the young physician had gained a remunera- tive practice, and was surrounded by strong and influential friends and holding the position of phy- sician to the City Hospital.
In the spring of 1846, when the government had declared war with Mexico, Dr. Mills was ambitious to serve his country, resigned his office in the city hospital, volunteered as a private in Captain Hud- son's company, then being raised and organized in St. Louis for the war, but before being mustered into the United States service, he applied for the ap- pointinent of Assistant Surgeon in the U. S. Army. His application to the proper authorities for the position he desired, being made at the suggestion of, and indorsed by influential friends. He went to Fort Leavenworth, five hundred miles from St. Louis, to present his papers in person to Gen. Stephen W. Kearney, who was to command the "Army of the West," and if possible to obtain his endorsement to his papers, before making applica- tion to the Secretary of War's office at Washington. In this his efforts were successful, and he received his appointment, and served through the entire war. He was wounded at the battle of Cañada, New Mexico, but remained on the field until the close of the action-the ball striking the fleshy portion of the right leg below the knee. Lieut. Irwin, near the Doctor at the same moment, was severely wounded by a musket ball.
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