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 88
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Caldwell and Stewart (Edward E. Caldwell, Charles N. Stewart,) general merchandise. In business as a firm since July, 1876. Mr. Caldwell was born in New Market, Canada, in 1838. He came to York in June, 1876. Mr. Stewart was born in York in 1855.
James W. McArthur, general merchandise. In business ten years. He was born in York in 1838.
Mrs. E. M. Ried, millinery and ladies' furnish- ing goods. In business since 1847, coming from Fowlerville to York Centre in that year.
Fred. C. Rautz, hardware and tin shop. In business two years.
William J. Ryan & Co., (William C. Luce,) harnesses and horse-furnishing goods. In busi- ness as a firm one year. The business had been conducted previously by Mr. Ryan some twenty- five years. He was born in Dansville, N. Y., in 1824, and came to York as a resident in 1840.
About the year 1826 a young man named David Stewart came to this place and began with a small capital the manufacture of plows, on which he made some important improvements. About 1842 or 43; he built here a large furnace and suitable shops, where for a number of years he carried on exten-
415
YORK CENTRE-CHURCHES.
sively the manufacture of plows and other agricul- tural implements. In 1853 he sold to Hugh Spit- tal, who in 1869 was succeeded by Duncan Hag- gart, the present proprietor, who now conducts the business. Mr. Haggart was born in Canada, June 19, 1823, and came to York in 1844.
The physicians here are Dr. Ishmael G. Filkins and Dr. Isaac A. M. Dike.
Dr. Filkins, a graduate in 1861 of the Medical Department, University of New York city, was born in the town of Grawville, Washington coun- ty, N. Y., in 1833, and came to York in 1872.
Dr. Dike was born in Belmont, Allegany coun- ty, N. Y., in 1852. He graduated from the Buf- falo Medical University in 1876, and came to York Centre in April of that year.
CHURCHES. - In the spring of 1811, seven fam- ilies of Scottish descent came from Johnstown, Montgomery (now Fulton) county, N. Y., hoping to secure for themselves a more advantageous location in the valley of the Genesee.
These, together with four families recently from Scotland, and two from Ireland, settled in the south part of Caledonia, then in Genesee county, in the neighborhood called "Coille Mohr,"* or " Big Woods," known to-day as York.
As there was already established an Associate Reformed Church in the north part of the town, now the town of Caledonia, these people attended the meetings there whenever there was preaching. At this time that church was preparing to call Mr. John Campbell, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Saratoga, which then embraced within its limits all the territory now occupied by the Presbytery of Caledonia.
Those in the "Big Woods " being desirous of uniting with them in this important movement, met and chose John McKercher, Jr. and James P. Stewart their commissioners to treat with the Society in Caledonia for a portion of Mr. Camp- bell's services.
This movement was unanimous, and although but a minority of them had been previously con- nected with the Associate Reformed Church, all heartily concurred in the petition. The brethren of Caledonia generously granted the petitioners one-fourth of Mr. Campbell's time for two years, while it was required of them to furnish only $100 of the $500 promised as salary. Mr. Campbell assented to this division of his labors, and although of delicate constitution, was abundant in minister-
ial labors. During the year 1813, Donald Fraser, Daniel McNab, and Robert McGlashan, were chosen trustees. The only place of meeting yet was a small log-house, or in a barn, which was preferred when the weather permitted.
In 1814 the first meeting-house was erected. The ground on which it stood was granted by John McDonald, one of the members of the Society. The dimensions of this pioneer church were 28 by 32 feet, built of logs. The seats were slabs split from logs of basswood.
During this year Alexander Harvey was chosen ruling elder, to act for this part of Mr. Campbell's charge with the session of Caledonia.
In the early part of 1817, Rev. John Campbell died, greatly lamented; and in the same spring Elder Harvey removed to Caneadea. In the autumn of this year, Rev. George Mairs, of Argyle, Wash- ington county, N. Y., was sent to look after the church in this section. In the summer of 1818, the elders chosen the fall previous were ordained and installed.
The names of those who constituted the first session of this church were :- Donald G. Fraser, James McKerlie and Hugh Innis.
The Rev. Robert Proudfit, D. D., presided at their ordination.
Thus, although there was a society and a church before this, the regular organization was not effect- ed until 1818. During the month of February of this year, Rev. John White, of Seneca, as first supply, preached in York.
In the fall of 1821, Rev. Joseph Pinney preached here, and his person and preaching so pleased the congregation and community that a call was ex- tended to him for his continued services, but which he declined. In the fall of 1822 the church was supplied by Henry S. Wilkin, a licentiate of the Associate Reformed Presbytery of New York, who, some three months later, was ordained, and in March, 1823, was installed as pastor of the Society. In 1822 the church was incorporated as the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of York.
In 1825 a more commodious house of worship was erected and enclosed at a cost of about $1,000. Up to this time the most perfect harmony had prevailed in the Society, but in November of this year the Session passed a resolution making the observance of the Fast Day previous to the Communion, a term of communion or church fellowship. This action caused dissension in the Society and resulted in the resignation of all the
*Or "Coille Mor," from the Gaelic, meaning "Big Woods ;" or " Coille an airde deas, " meaning " South Woods."
416
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
elders, except Donald G. Fraser, and the with- drawal of ten families who placed themselves un- der the care of the Associate Presbytery of Albany, and were organized as the Associate Presbyterian Church of York and Covington.
This defection crippled the Society for a time, but a subsequent increase in membership again placed the church on a stable basis.
In 1831 the church edifice was completed at an additional expense of $1,000.
On the 18th of January, 1834, Rev. S. Wilkin resigned his pastorate, and the church was without a settled pastor until the installation of Rev. Alexander Blakie, February 1st, 1836.
During the next year, 1837, it was resolved to add twelve feet to the length of the meeting- house, together with a steeple, which was done at a cost of about $1,240.
In 1844 Rev. Mr. Blakie resigned his charge, and the Society was again without a settled pastor until the coming of Rev. J. M. Heron in the early part of 1848. He was installed as pastor May 17, 1848.
In 1844 eight families withdrew from the Society and, with others, formed the Associate Reformed Congregation of Cuylerville.
In December of 1852, Rev. Mr. Heron resigned, and in September, 1853, his successor, Rev. J. Van Eaton, began his labors with the Society, which he continued to September, 1879. He died in York Centre, March 5, 1880.
Some time in 1852, the property occupied as a parsonage was purchased at a cost of $600.
In the summer of 1854, the main part of the parsonage was rebuilt at an expense of about $1,500.
In 1866 the church edifice was repaired at an expense of some $1,600. This, together with the parsonage and previous alterations and repairs, sums up a total of some $12,000 expended on the church property in a little more than fifty years. The Society is strong in membership and faith, but is at present-March, 1881-without a pastor, owing to the recent death of Rev. Mr. Van Eaton.
First Reformed Presbyterian Church .- This Church was organized in 1832. The first Elders were James Milroy, James Cullings, James Guthrie, Jr. Trustecs-Robert J. Guthrie, David McMillan, James Kennedy.
Members-John Donnan, David Morrow, John Morrow, Andrew Morrow, Daniel Christie, Andrew Donnan, Angus McLeod, Mrs. Milroy, Mrs. Cul- lings, Mrs. James Guthrie, Mrs. Robert J. Guth-
rie, Mrs. David Morrow, Mrs. Christie, Mrs. An- gus McLeod, Mrs. John Donnan, Mrs. Andrew Donnan, Mrs. Daniel McMillan, Mrs. Castly, Miss Jane Guthrie.
The only surviving ones of the first members are Mrs. James Cullings, Mrs. D. McMillan, An- drew Donnan,* Daniel McMillan and Mrs. James Guthrie.
The first pastor was Rev. John Fisher, whose pastorate lasted some fifteen years.
The next pastor was Rev. Samuel Bowden, who was installed in 1847, and who continued with the Society until his resignation in October, 1876.
The first church was built in 1833 or 1835, and was abandoned in 1871 for a more com- modious edifice erected in that year. The old church building is now occupied as a dwelling by John Patterson.
The church has a membership of about 160, and is at present (March, 1881,) without a pastor. The church property is valued at $10,000.
Baptist Church of York.t-The present Baptist Church of York was formed in 1832 by the union of two churches called the First and Second Bap- tist Churches of York.
There exists no definite information of the First Church previous to 1819, only that it was known as the Church of Caledonia and Leicester; its members being scattered over a large area of ter- ritory, and holding their meetings in different localities.
At this time the town of York was formed from the towns of Caledonia and Leicester. The church was then called the First Baptist Church of York, numbering fifty members. The two follow- ing years were of marked interest in the history of this church, and are known as the great revival period. Many additions to the Society were made through the labors of Rev. John Blain and others. The church belonged to the Genesee Baptist As- sociation, which met for the first time with the church in York in 1827, holding its meetings in the barn of Allen Smith, now owned by his son, A. W. Smith.
The names of the ministers who, in the following order, preached from 1819 to 1832, were Revs. Josiah Butler, John Blain, Jesse Bramin, - Miner, Solomon Dimock, and O. H. Reed.
Among the carliest members were Jotham Forbes and wife, James Rice, Olive Rice, Amos Baker, Gershom Waite, Allen Smith, Patience * Now in Campbell, Michigan.
t l'or this brief yet comprehensive history we are indebted to the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Ira G. Lyon, of York.
Photo. by Merrell, Geneseo.
Um Fraser
417
FOWLERVILLE.
Smith, Timothy Tryon, Harrison Church, Marens Carter and wife, Enoch Weller, Rhoda Weller, W. D. Powers, Elizabeth Powers, Abigail Powers, Cyrus Lyon, Polly Lyon, Nathan and Eunice Clapp.
The Second Baptist Church of York was organ- ized in 1822 at York Centre, numbering twenty members, and holding their first meetings in the hall of a public building, and afterwards in the school-house.
This Church also belonged to the Genesee Bap- tist Association, and was presided over by Rev. Josiah Goddard until the two churches were united.
Among the earliest members of this church were : Spencer and Cynthia Pomeroy, Nathaniel and Amos Goddard, Elisha Goddard, Sarah Goddard, Jesse Skinner, Joseph Gould, G. T. Roberts, Anna Roberts, Augustus Weller, Rhoda Weller, Ira Grant, Maria Grant, B. W. Willard and Clarissa Ferrin.
These two churches united in 1832, forming the present Baptist Church of York. The number of members at that time was fifty-nine. The first pastor was Rev. Eliada Blakeslee. The early records show this to have been a period of con- tinued prosperity, both temporal and spiritual.
The present church building was erected and dedicated in 1833. The present number of mem- bers is 126.
The following have been the pastors from 1832 to ISSI, with the date of their coming :- Revs. Eliada Blakeslee, 1832; Ira Bennett, Dec., 1834; William Arthur, * Dec. 2, 1837 ; Eleazer Savage, June 6, 1840 ; David Taylor, Dec. 3, 1842 ; S. A. Estee, Jan. 4, 1845 ; S. M. Bainbridge, June 25, 1848; B. R. Swick, Nov. 30, 1851 ; John Nisbet, Nov. 30, 1856 ; A. L. Farr, Oet. 15, 1859; E. Packwood, Oct, 24, 1861; C. Monjeau, Nov. 7, 1867 ; Walter Holt, June 1, 1869; A. V. Eddy, the present pastor, May 1, 1876.
FOWLERVILLE.
The village of Fowlerville lies in the north-eastern part of the town. It contains two churches, two stores, post-office, one hotel, a harness, blacksmith and wagon shop, agricultural works, and a popula- tion of 375 or 400, including transient boarders. f
Fowlerville was first permanently settled by Wells Fowler and William Taylor, in 1816, and William and Henry Janes, Ira Torrey, and Eliakim Weller at or about the same time, all of whom came from and near Pittsfield, Mass.
The village derived its name from Wells Fowler, and was chosen by the unanimous resolution of the inhabitants who resided there.
Wells Fowler was one of the most prominent inen of the town, and contributed very essentially toward the upbuilding of this active little village. He was also influential in making roads, bridges, and other beneficial improvements, in establishing schools, and in sustaining the educational and re- ligious interests of the village and town.
When the post-office was established here, about 1827, at which time the place was named for him,* he was appointed postmaster, the duties of which office he continued to discharge through all the political changes that occurred for fourteen years, or until the defection of President Tyler in 1841.
In the early part of 1817 Mr. Fowler and Pliny Weller built a saw-mill on the stream near the vil- lage, which was of much benefit, not only to the people there but to all the inhabitants for miles around.
The first merchant here was Clark $. Capron, who began business in 1823. He was afterward in company with Nathaniel Goodman, and still later, with Joseph Ramsdell. Alonzo Fowler, eld- est son of Wells Fowler, was also for a long time a successful merchant here.
Walter Whiteombt was another early merchant, and for two years was in company with Alonzo Fowler.
Torrey & Weller for a number of years carried on successfully together the business of tanning and shoe making, Mr. Weller being a shoe-maker there over forty years.
The present postmaster is Benjamin F. Dow, who was appointed in the spring of 1869.
The Howell House, the only hotel here, is kept by William Howell who has been the proprietor three years. The hotel had formerly been kept by Alexander McHardy, some thirteen years, and previously by Caleb White, who assumed the pro- prietorship in 1843.
The merchants are :- Benjamin F. Dow & Co., (L. F. Dow, John W. Howe,) who have been en- gaged in business as a firm twelve years. The firm was previously Dow & Fowler.
William Fraser,¿ dry goods and groceries, in business here since 1839. Mr. Fraser was born in Johnstown, N. Y., June 11, 1808, and came here with his father, William Fraser, in ISTO.
* Father of the present Vice-President of the United States.
+ The employees in the agricultural works.
* The village for a number of years was known as Inverness post-office. t Now a merchant in Nunda.
# See Biography and Portrait, on another page. ,
418
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Aaron Mount, harnesses, and horse-furnishing goods. In business here seventeen years. He was born in Stark, Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1828, and came to York in 1863.
The only physician here is Dr. George H. Jones. Mr. Jones was born in Manchester, N. Y., in 1853. He graduated from Michigan University in 1877, and came to Fowlerville in that year.
Robert Wallace, blacksmith and machinist, lo- cated at Vork Centre in 1851.
Isaac McPherson, wagon maker, began business in August, 1878, in Scottsville, N. Y., and came to Fowlerville in 1880.
The Livingston Agricultural Works was estab- lished here by Hamilton E. Smith, who came to Fowlerville about 1835 and with a small capital, began the manufacture of agricultural implements. He did an extensive business here until November 16, 1854, when Dow & Fowler succeeded him in the enterprise. The firm of B. F. Dow & Co., succeeded Dow & Fowler in 1868. On the 12th of May, 1879, the manufactory was burned down, with a total loss of tools and machinery, and was rebuilt in the same year. From that time until 1881 the firm did a large business in the manufac- ture of portable steam engines, threshers, separa- tors, and other farming machinery, and employed, on the average, seventy-five men in the different departments of the works.
In April, 1881, the firm abandoned this manu- factory here, and removed to Peru, Indiana, the people of Peru giving them, as an inducement to locate there, a cash endowment of $10,000.
CHURCHES .- Methodist Episcopal .- Of the two Churches here, the Methodist Episcopal began its organization by the formation of the first class in the spring of 1844, of which Dudley Newton was leader.
For some ten years the meetings of the Society were held in private families and school houses. The church edifice was erected in 1854 at a cost of $2,200.
The following have been pastors since the or- ganization of the church :-
Revs. C. D. Burlingame, G. Benedict, Hiram May, J. J. Gridley, Father Kent, W. P. Buck, S. G. Miller, G. Nickle, Alonzo Newton, A. W. Abell, R. E. Thomas, C. E. Van Sickle, P. King, S. H. Rogers, John C. Whiteside, W. Vaughn, W. W. Manderville, P. E. Hermans, R. F. Kay, William B. Cliff, B. F. Hitchcock.
The present pastor is Rev. Isaac Harris. Under
the pastorate of Mr. Hermans a fine parsonage was built at an expense of some $1,600.
Mr. Harris has succeeded in paying off the debt of $400 on this parsonage, and the Church is now in a prosperous condition, clear of debt, and with good prospects for the future.
Presbyterian Church of Fowlerville .- In the autumn of 1826, at their own request, the follow- ing persons were set off from the Presbyterian Church of York :-
Amos Skinner, Olive Skinner,
Ezekiel Morely, Sally Fowler,
Joseph Tosier, Nancy Weller,
Alfred Collins, Elizabeth McKnight,
Clarissa Janes, Mary Eastman,
Lavinia Roberts, Mary S. Eastman.
The organization of a Society was effected by these people November 16, 1826. Rev. John Eastman acted as moderator, and became the first pastor. The church was under the charge of the Presbytery according to the "accommodation plan." Mr. Alfred Collins, one of the original members, is still living in Fowlerville.
The following were ministers while the church was in the Congregational form :--
Revs. John Eastman, Walker, John Hub- bard, Powell, Burbank, Lyman, Slie, Chapin, Bridgeman, Laird, Snyder, Darling, Wadsworth, Moses, Powell, Yeomans and Modesit.
During Mr. Wadsworth's ministry the church withdrew from the care of the Presbytery, becom- ing purely a Congregational Church.
About this time large numbers began to move away, and the membership greatly diminished until the present organization.
In the spring of 1878. steps were taken to change the organization of the Church from Con- gregational to Presbyterian. This was accom- plished in due form April 22, 1878. Rev. S. M. Campbell, D. D., of Rochester, N. Y., acted as Advisor before the consummation, and as Modera- tor of the Commission of Rochester Presbytery which constituted the new Church.
Rev. E. G. Cheeseman became at once the pastor of the new church, and continued in that relation about a year when he resigned on ac- count of ill health, and was speedily succeeded by Rev. Frederick D. Seward,* the present pastor.
The membership of this church has increased from fifty-two at its organization April 22, 1878, to one hundred and fourteen at the date of this writing, March, 1881.
* To this gentlemanly pastor we are indebted for this history, whichi appears in nearly its original form as written by him.
D
419
GREIGSVILLE-PIFFARD.
The Elders in the Church are William Fraser, 7. L. F. Dow, and G. S. Casey.
The church property is valued at $1,000.
GREIGSVILLE.
The two places of this name, North and South Greigsville, about a mile apart, are situated in the southern part of the town. These are small han- lets and together contain two churches, the Methodist Episcopal and Free Methodist, post- office, one store, two blacksmith shops, (William Mann, Jr., Ranold Grant,) and a saw-mill owned by Doremus & Hodgson.
Elisha Williams, the only merchant here, began business in October, 1880.
The present postmaster is Francis Rice, who has held the office over twenty years.
A hotel was kept here by Samuel Dorris about 1857.
Of the two churches, the class of the Methodist Episcopal was formed in 1817. Among the carly members were Urania Tuttle, Elmira Orvis, Dian- tha Orvis, Saloma Orvis, and E. Slocum and wife. The church edifice was built in 1833. The mem- bership is small, and is presided over by Rev. Isaac Harris, pastor of the M. E. Church of Fow- lerville ; the pastors of the latter church having for years supplied the pulpit at Greigsville.
The Free Methodist Church was organized about nineteen years ago. Among the earliest members were George Slack and wife, James Jones, Sylvia Tuttle, Sally Lynn, Mrs. Delana Slocum, William McBurney and wife. The church edifice was erected in 1873, under the pastorate of Rev. An- thony More. The first pastors were Revs. Asa Abell, Arnold Green and Thomas Cotton, who preached alternately.
The present membership is twenty, presided over by Rev. George Coleman, who has preached here two years.
The following have been pastors of this church: Revs. John A. Wilson, George Coleman, John Reddy, (dead,) Melvin Burritt, Wm. Cusick, O. O. Bacon, John Robinson, Anthony More, Nathaniel Brown, A. A. Burgess, I. C. White, John Robin- son, George Coleman, (1879-81).
PIFFARD.
The hamlet of Piffard * lies in the southeastern part of the town of York. It contains one church,
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one store, postoffice, one hotel, blacksmith and wagon shop, (Reuben Mann,) a saw-mill, stave and barrel factory combined, and a population of about one hundred and fifty.
The hamlet derives its name from David Pif- fard, who located here in 1824.
The first house here was built about 1820 by Campbell Harris, who was then agent for John Brinton of Philadelphia, an extensive land owner in this vicinity.
David Piffard,* who was born August 9, 1794, in the village of Pentonville, parish of Clerkenwell without, Middlesex county, England, came to America in December, 1822; remained a short time in New York city, and in 1824 came to this part of the Genesee Valley and purchased of John Brinton a tract of land of about six hundred acres, a portion of which is now the site of the hamlet bearing his name.
The remaining portion of the Brinton estate was purchased by William H. Spencer, and was by him converted into one of the largest and best farms in the town of York. He died in 1850.
The growth of this hamlet was due to the open- ing of the Genesee Valley canal, and to the public spirit of Mr. Piffard, who, in his eighty-seventh year, still resides here.
The postoffice was established here some thirty- one or two years ago. The first postmaster was -- McPherson. The present postmaster is John R. Bangs, who was appointed in August, 1880.
William H. Van Valkenburg, the only merchant in this place, began business here in 1880. He was born in Geneseo, in February, 1836.
The saw-mill, stave and barrel factory, is con- ducted by Kendall & Shattuck.
The saw-mill was established here in 1860, and the additional business of stave and barrel making was begun some six years ago.
The erection of the hotel was commenced in 1835, and was completed in 1840 by D. Thomp- son, by whom it was kept as a tavern for a num- ber of years. It was afterwards kept by his sons, Ellis and Edward, then by Ray Russ in 1865, by Raymond and Rich in 1866, and then by Butler Brothers five years. The present proprietor is Harvey Butler, who eight years ago succeeded But- ler Brothers, and whose name the hotel bears.
The church edifice here was built in the year 1845.
The Church was then under the care of the Al- bany Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church. The
* See Biography and Portrait on another page,
* This place is often called Piffardinia, an unwarranted corruption of its proper name.
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
first pastor was the Rev. John VanLiew, and he was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Compton.
About the year 1853, the church was removed from the care of the Albany Synod, and placed un- der the care of the Board of Missions of the Gen- eral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Wes- tern New York, and the Rev. Charles Ray was ap- pointed missionary in charge, remaining three years. From the time of Mr. Ray's resignation until May, 1881, the Rev. Mr. Ward, of Geneseo, has had the care of the parish, holding service every alternate week (with the exception of the time that he served as chaplain to the 104th Regi- ment during the Rebellion,) and he is held in great esteem by the people here for his faithful, constant, and carnest devotion to his missionary work in this place.
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