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 96
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as a counsellor and jurist, qualified him, above many of his contemporaries, for the duties of this important and arduous office. Willard H. Smith was the first, and for a long time the only, lawyer in a large section of country west of the Genesee river.
It was in rather an unpropitious period that the then young lawyer chose as his residence and the theatre of his professional career, a village west of that river. It was in the darkest days of the war of 1812,-a time of alarm, dismay, and flight. Judge Smith arrived at his new home in the evening of the day on which Buffalo was burned, and here for over fifty years he lived an honorable and useful life, highly esteemed by the legal fraternity, and respected by all with whom he came in contact. He died December 25, 1865. His only living de- scendants are Mrs. Frances C., widow of Hon. Harlow W. Wells, who now resides in the village of Caledonia, and Mrs. Thomas Frothingham, Mrs. Hon. William N. Emerson, and Loyd K. Smith, who reside in Rochester, N. Y.
Among the citizens of this town who have graced the legislative halls of this State and nation, we may mention the names of Hon. Angus Cameron, now Senator from Wisconsin, Hon. Norman Mel- drum, who was born here, and who is now Secre- tary of the State of Colorado, of which State he has also been a Senator, and Hon. Harlow W. Wells, M. D., above mentioned in connection with the family of Judge Willard H. Smith, and whose biog- raphy and portrait appear in another part of this work. Mr. Wells was born in Leyden, Franklin county, Mass., in 1809. He graduated from Fair- field Medical College in January, 1834, and in April of that year came to Caledonia to begin the prac- tice of his profession. He had for forty years an extensive practice, and for nearly twenty-five years was, with the exception of brief periods, the sole physician of this town. In 1837 he was married to Frances C., eldest daughter of Judge Willard H. Smith. He was Supervisor of the town from 185 1 to 1853. In 1845 he was elected Member of As- sembly, and in 1865 and '66 was again honored with a seat in the Legislature. Mr. Wells died October 13, 1877, aged 68 years.
TOWN OFFICERS .- The first town meeting, when the town was in Genesee county, and was known as Southampton, was held in the house of Jotham Curtis, on Tuesday, March 1, 1803. “Present, Ezra Platt, Richard M. Stoddard, and Phineas Bates, Justices of Peace." The officers elected were :- Christopher Laybourn, Supervisor; Job
* See Biography and Portrait upon another page.
t The notes of Donald Mckenzie give his place of birth as Cheshire county, New Hampshire, September 30, 1785, and also state that in 1792 he removed with his father to Hampshire county, Mass., where he re- mained till he completed his education.
$ In 1847.
454
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Pierce, Town Clerk ; Peter Shaffer, Ebenezer Green, Peter Anderson, Assessors ; James Ganson, Collector ; Hinds Chamberlain, Peter Shaffer, Over- seers of Poor; Thomas Irvine, Andrew Wortman, Asher Bates, Commissioners of Highways ; James Ganson, Cyrus Douglass, Daniel Buell, Constables ; John Ganson, Jr., Isaac Smith, John Christie, Peter Shaffer, James Wood, Andrew Wortman, Henry Mulkin, Fence Viewers and Overseers of Highways; James MeLaren, John Ganson, Jr., Charles Duggan, Pound Keepers.
In 1804 the town meeting was held at the house of Austin Brooks, on the 7th day of March, and Christopher Laybourn and Hugh McDermid were chosen respectively Supervisor and Town Clerk, which offices they held until the name of the town was changed April 4, 1806.
The first town meeting when the town assumed the name of Caledonia was held at "the late house of Shepperd Pierce, (now John Cameron,)" April 1, 1 807, at which meeting Christopher Laybourn was elected Supervisor, and Asher Bates, Town Clerk. In 1808, James Ganson was elected Supervisor and Alexander McDonald, Town Clerk, and they held those offices until the close of the year 1811.
From 1812 to 1881 the Supervisors and Town Clerks of Caledonia, have been as follows :-
Supervisors. Town Clerks.
1812.
John Finch.
Thomas Tufts.
1813. Robert Mckay.
1814. Powel Carpenter.
1815.
Robert W. McKay. Donald McDonald.
1816. do
‹lo
1817-19. do do
1820.
John Garbutt.
1821 .*
Robert MeKay.
Federal Blakeslee.
1822-23. do clo Duncan Campbell.
1824. do do John Butterfield.
1825-26. do do Federal Blakeslee.
1 827-28. Federal Blakeslee. Gad Blakeslee.
1829. Robert McKay.
Angus Cameron.
1830-31. Federal Blakeslee. James Hill.
1832. Robert Mckay. Angus Cameron.
1833-37. Donald McDonald. James Hill.
1838-41. Alex. Simpson.t do do
1842-43. William Barron. do do
1844-50. do do Gad Blakeslee.
1851-52. Harlow W. Wells. do do
1853-55. Archibald Renwick. do clo
1856-59. Henry G.# Rochester.do co
1 860. Hugh D. McColl. John M. Dean.
1861-62 do do Stephen Loucks.
1863-64. David Walker.
do
do
. In this year Inverness-Wheatland-was set off into the new county of Monroe.
1 Mr. Simpson came to Caledonia in 1816, and followed the business of brewing beer and farming. He died in 1852.
# Or llenry E. ?
1865. William S. Curtis do do
and
Wm. Hamilton. do do
1866-67. Alex. Ferguson. do do
1868-70. do do John McNaughton.
1871. do do Charles U. Ferrin.
1872. Hugh D. McColl.
William H. Walker.
1873. Alex. Furguson.
Robert Wilson.
1874. do do
James Beattie.
1875-So. William Hamilton. William H. Walker.
The following officers were elected April 5, 1881 :- Supervisor, James Fraser; Town Clerk, William H. Walker; Justices of Peace, William S. Mckenzie, (long term,) James J. Guthrie, (short term ;) Highway Commissioners, Donald MeKenzie, James A. Maxwell ; Assessor, Peter W. MeNaugh- ton ; Overseer of Poor, Peter P. Campbell ; Col- lector, James Beattie ; Constables, Thomas H. Bundy, Peter P. Campbell, Jr., William H. Ryan, Nathaniel Mosier ; Game Constable, George Mc- Kay; Excise Commissioners, Charles W. Black- man, James R. Espie ; Inspectors of Election, Duncan D. McColl, Arch. K. Fowler.
POPULATION .- In 1870 the population of Cale- donia was 1,813, of which number 1,294 were na- tive, and 519 foreign, 1,811 white, and 2 colored. In 1875 the total population of the town was 1,975 ; native, 1,483, foreign, 492; white, 1,959, colored, 16; an increase of 189 in the native, and a decrease of 27 in the foreign population.
At the last census returns of 18So the total pop- ulation was 2,068, an increase in the ten years of 255 in the total population.
SCHOOL STATISTICS .- The town contains ten school districts, in which, during the past year, (1880) school was taught 241 3-5 weeks, employ- ing nine teachers at a total amount in wages of $2,781.77, and with an average attendance of 205 pupils.
The number of children in these districts over five and under twenty-one years of age is 617. The number attending school some portion of the past year was 425. The district libraries are valued at $95, on which was expended during the year the sum of $10.37. The amount paid out for school houses, sites, fences, furniture and repairs was $492.51. Total incidental expenses for the year, $304.51. Total valuation of school houses and sites, $142.25. Total valuation of districts, $1,749,919.
CALEDONIA.
The village of Caledonia is beautifully situated in the north-western part of the town, on the lines
* This was a tie vote, and the Justices appointed Alexander Ferguson Supervisor for that year.
*
John Garbutt. do do
Willard H. Smith.
Donald McDonald. do do
455
CALEDONIA -EARLY SETTLERS.
of the Erie and Canandaigua & Niagara railroads. This is the village known in early days as " Big Springs," on the old State road from Albany to Buffalo.
The Springs from which this place derived its primitive name are now devoted to the breeding of fish, the waters of these ponds being the finest in America for the propagation of trout. Here are located the "State Hatching Grounds," under the supervision of the eminent pisciculturist, Seth Green, who established the hatchery here as a private enterprise in June, 1864. Mr. Green con- ducted the business four years, and then sold to Alfred S. Collins for the sum of $14,000, under whose management it remained seven years, when he, for a similar consideration, sold it to the State of New York in 1875. Seth Green was chosen as Superintendent of the Hatchery ; and an appro- priation of $1,000 was made in the interest of the enterprise, which in 1880 was increased to $15,000.
The trout propagated here are sent to stock the public waters of the State, over a million of eggs being annually shipped from these grounds.
An extensive business in fish culture is also being carried on here by James Annin, Jr., pro- prietor of the Caledonia Trout Ponds, whose waters adjoin those of the State Hatchery. Mr. Annin engaged in this business in 1872, succeed- ing Annin & Campbell, and J. Annin & Co. A specialty is made of Brook Trout, although other species are propagated, and from these ponds yearly are sent to different parts of this country and to Europe extensive shipments of eggs, frys, and yearlings.
Mr. Annin also engages to some considerable extent in the manufacture and sale of fishing tackle, supplying to the disciples of Izaak Walton rods, leaders, flys, spoons, and other accoutrements of the piscatory science. The scenery about these ponds is remarkably fine and picturesque. Con- nected with the grounds is a beautiful grove, a quite celebrated resort in summer for pleasure parties from various parts of the State.
The present postmaster in Caledonia is James Beattie, who was appointed in 1873. Previously for some years, the officials had been Robert Wil- son, and then Miss E. A. Blakeslee, whom Mr. Beattie succeeded.
The village has but one newspaper, the Cale- donia Advertiser, a weekly, which was established in May, 1878, by James Beattie and Alfred H. Collins. The present editor and proprietor is
Alfred H. Collins, who purchased Mr. Beattie's in- terest in 1880.
Among the early inn-keepers here was Major Isaac Smith, a widely known landlord west of the river, who began here in that capacity as early as 1800. Others who kept tavern here at different times were John Cameron in 1808, Alexander Mc- Donald in and before 1809, Orange Dean, who came here in 1811, and occupied for some years the McDonald stand, and Peter Bowen, who was the first proprietor of the hotel now known as the Moss House. This hotel was built in 1816 by Robert Mckay. Other proprietors after Peter Bowen were Augustus Hotchkiss, who kept it a number of years, P. P. Foote, the present pro- prietor of the Caledonia House, who was landlord of the Moss House some eight years, and J. W. Moss, of whom the present proprietor, P. Coffee, purchased five years ago.
The erection of the Caledonia House was begun in 1831, by James Shaw, and was by him com- pleted in 1833. The first proprietor was Mar- cenus Haxton, who kept it a year or two, and afterward went to Ohio, where he died. James Shaw was the next proprietor, and was succeeded by his son, John Shaw. Wells Hosmer was the landlord in 1844. Other landlords were J. W. Moss, from 1866 to 1867; Algeroy Smith, one year ; and Theodore F. Wilkinson one year. The present proprietor, P. P. Foote, purchased the property in 1873.
The village contains an excellent public library, which is under the management of the Caledonia Library Association. This Association was or- ganized March 11, 1873, through the influence and exertions of the following ladies :- Mrs. G. P. Grant, Mrs. John McNab, Mrs. D. F. Bonner, Mrs. John H. McNaughton, Mrs. Daniel Mc- Naughton, Mrs. Donald McPherson, Mrs. Thomas Brodie, Mrs. Dugald E. Cameron, Mrs. William Hamilton, Mrs. W. Walker, Mrs. David Menzie, Mrs. R. J. Menzie, Misses Helen Hosmer, Libbie Mckenzie, Kittie Walker, Ella McVean, Christine Cameron, and Mrs. E. Burgess.
Each of these ladies contributed the sum of five dollars, and pledged her interest and labor for the establishment and maintenance of a public library.
The officers appointed at this meeting were :-- Mrs. Thomas Brodie, President ; Miss Helen Hos- mer, Vice-President ; Mrs. Elwood Burgess, Treasurer ; Mrs. R. J. Menzie, Secretary ; and Miss Christine Cameron, Librarian.
The Library was opened to the public May 17,
456
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
1873. The first year closed with 163 volumes purchased by the Association. December 31, 1877, the library contained 471 volumes. In that year the Society procured a charter, which placed it on a legal and business foundation. In 1880 the library contained 655 volumes. The books, for the most part, are the productions of standard authors, comprising the works of Herbert Spencer, Taine, James Anthony Froude, and others as noted philosophical and historical writers.
In February, 1881, the Association had in the bank $180.00, and about $100.00 in the hands of the treasurer. The present officers are :- Mrs. Daniel McPherson, President; W. H. Walker, Vice-President ; Mrs. Dr. Borden, Secretary ; Miss Mary McCall Simpson, Treasurer ; James Beattie, Librarian ; Mrs. Dr. Wells, Mrs. John McNab and Mrs. Sarah Clark, Trustees.
The A. O. U. IV., the early secret society here, was organized May 27, 1880. The officers then elected, and who are now the presiding officers in the Order, were David Menzie, P. W .; A. K. Fowler, M. W .; D. W. Chamberlain, G. F .; F. P. Brownell, O .; Daniel F. Burgess, Recorder ; R. J. Menzie, F. S .; George Outterson, R. S .; George Mckay, Guide; George Barron, J. W .; Jno. Monroe, O.W.
MERCHANTS .- The first merchant here was John Cameron, who came to Caledonia in the fall of 1805. The next was Robert Mckay, who came to the Genesee country in 1797, locating at Wil- liamsburgh, where, and in the surrounding section, he taught school for a number of years. In 1803 he entered the employment of Miner & Hall, early merchants in (Geneseo,) and on the death of both members of the firm he closed up their busi- ness affairs and in 1808 moved to Caledonia where he began the mercantile business. Other early merchants were Alexander McDonald, Sylvester Brown,+ 1813, John McKenley, about 1817, and Thomas and Robert Brown, who came here in 1827, purchased Mckenley's store and carried on business together until about 1851, when they sold to Elwood Burgess, who still continues in the busi- ness here. Mr. Burgess was born near Philadel- phia, Pa., in 1824, and came to Caledonia in 1847.
The other merchants here are :- William H. Walker, who came to Caledonia in 1848 .- After receiving his education he taught school a number of years, and engaged in his present business as general merchant ten years ago. He was born in Naperville, DuPage county, Ill., in 1839 ;- Robert
M. Place, dealer in drugs and fancy goods, who came to Caledonia in 1837, and began his present business nine years ago; Alexander Watson, mer- chant tailor, who began business here eight years ago; Cameron & Fraser (Dugald E. Cameron, Andrew Fraser,) hardware merchants, who have been in business as a firm nearly two years, suc- ceeding Cameron & Menzie-Mr. Cameron was born in Caledonia, March 19, 1831 ;- Mr. Fraser, in the town of York, in 1850 ;- Archibald K. Fow- ler, druggist, who has been in that business here four years, and who was born in York in 1852 ; Robert Wilson, general merchant, who came from Scotland in 1835, where he was born May 30, 1817, and who began his present business in May, 1879 : Peter Gallagher, grocer, who has been in business one year ; James Callan, a native of Mumford, gen- eral merchant, who has been in business four years ; James Smith, grocer, in business four years; Wil- liam Hamilton, produce merchant, who was born in LeRoy, in 1852, and who came to Caledonia in January, 1859. Mr. Hamilton is one of the most prominent citizens of the town. Besides dealing in grain and produce he is also a large owner of farming lands, and is extensively engaged in malt- ing, which business he began here in 1867. He has held the office of Supervisor six years, from 1875 to 1880 .*
PHYSICIANS .- The first physicians to locate in Caledonia, were Drs. Peter McPherson and Wil- liam H. Terry, who were here as early as 1812. They were succeeded by Dr. Stockton in about 1812, and Dr. William A. Townsend, from Con- necticut, in about 1815, who built a house where the residence of Mrs. Dr. Wells now stands. Dr. Campbell was a physician here about 1853. Dr. Harlow Wells, of whom previous mention has been made, was a successful physician here for forty years. t
The present physicians are :- Dr. Robert J. Menzie, who was born in Riga, May 21, 1833, graduated at Buffalo Medical University in 1866, and practiced a short time in Bergen, Genesee Co., then came to Caledonia in the fall of 1866, where he has since resided.
Dr. George T. Borden, was bornin Mattapoiset, Mass., October ist, 1833. He graduated from Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1876, and at once came to Caledonia, to begin his prac- ticc.
LAWYERS .- The sole lawyer of the town is Wil-
* County Clerk of Livingston county in 1823, and the second to fill that office.
* See Biography on another page.
t See close of chapter.
J.tyth Del
-
RESIDENCE, WAREHOUSE AND ELEVATOR OF WM. HAMILTON, CALEDONIA, LIVINGSTON COUNTY, N. Y.
457
CALEDONIA VILLAGE-MANUFACTURERS, CHURCHES.
liam Jesse Byam, son of Rev. George T. Byam, of Melville, Ont., Canada, in which place he was born Jan. 21, 1847. At the age of fifteen he was em- ployed as assistant Master of Mathematics in the Pictou High School, of which institution he became the Principal at the age of nineteen, having in the meantime taken a two years' course of instruction at Upper Canada College. At the age of twenty- one he graduated from the University of Toronto, receiving first class honors in Mathematics, and at the age of twenty-three graduated from the Cana- dian Military Academy at Toronto, taking a first place in the Artillery and Cavalry Departments, and a second place in the Department of Infantry. In 1872 he began the study of law with Charles Francis of Trenton, Ont., with whom he remained some four months, and then entered the office of Hon. John Hilliard Cameron, of Toronto, where he studied a little more than a year. In June, 1874, he entered the office of William F. Cogs- well, in Rochester, N. Y., and was admitted to practice in October, 1877. He came to Caledonia in 1878, where he has since practiced law with much success.
MANUFACTURERS .-- The parties engaged in manu- facturing in Caledonia are :- Miller & Son, (Alex- ander and Fred,) manufacturers of agricultural im- plements, who have been in business a year, suc- ceeding A. D. & D. H. McColl, who had con- ducted the business some twelve years.
Charles W. Blackman, manufacturer of grain cradles, has been engaged in that business here since 1867, in which year he became the partner of Henry G. Hatch, who for thirty years had con- ducted the business. In 1876 Mr. Blackman suc- ceeded Mr. Hatch, and has since been the sole proprietor of the manufactory.
The Caledonia Manufacturing Company (W. S., Nelson C. and C. H. Redfield,) manufacturers of hand rakes, broom and hoe-handles, barrel-head- ing, etc. In business here two years.
Charles F. Curtiss, manufacturer of the "Wild- er" plow, began that business here in 1881.
Archibald Mclaughlin, a native of Caledonia, manufacturer of grass seed sowers, began here in 1855 the manufacture of agricultural implements.
George W. Mckay, proprietor of a saw and grist mill, was born in Caledonia in 1859. He is grand- son to John McKay, who purchased near the site of these mills in 1803 the old grist mill built by Colonel Williamson for the Pultney Land Com- pany.
CHURCHES .- The early settlers of Caledonia
were Christian people, and among the first objects of their care was the provision for religious services. In consequence of their poverty they were unable at first to secure the labors of an ordained minister, but religious observances were not neglected. So- cial religious worship was held every Sabbath, but accustomed as they had been to regular adminis- tration of the Word and ordinances, they were not satisfied with this. Accordingly a meeting was held at the house of Peter Campbell, November 10, 1802, for the purpose of organizing a religious so- ciety, to be incorporated under the laws of the State. At this meeting they selected for their name "The Presbyterian Religious Society of Caledonia." They chose as trustees Thomas Irv- ine, Duncan McPherson, Peter Campbell, John Christie, and Peter Anderson. The next year a log school house was erected on the creek road, about a quarter of a mile west of what is now known as Mission Corners, in Wheatland. Here, every Sabbath, the pioneers met for religious wor- ship, and in the absence of ministers the services were conducted by themselves. This state of things continued until 1805. Having had up to this time but a civil religious organization, and being now strengthened by accessions of settlers from Invernesshire, Scotland, who had come in 1804, they determined to form an ecclesiastical organization. Accordingly at a meeting held in the school house, March 3, 1805, an organization was effected by Rev. Jedediah Chapman, of the Presbytery of Geneva. Donald Mckenzie, Dun- can McPherson, and Donald Anderson were elect- ed Elders. Soon after a log church, 30 by 40 feet in size, was erected in the western part of the pres- ent village of Caledonia, on the two acres granted by Col. Williamson. This church stood on the site now occupied by the residence of Peter McNaughton.
In February, 1806, there came into the colony from Scotland a young man of the name of Alex- ander Denoon, who had been in the old country a tutor to gentlemen's sons. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Geneva, June 26, 1806, and was appointed as the supply of this congrega- tion, in which capacity he continued to act until August 17, 1808, when he was ordained and form- ally installed pastor of the church. To this step there was very considerable opposition, on the part chiefly of the first settlers, which led soon to the disruption of the congregation, and to a final sep- aration. Both congregations reorganized, that of Mr. Denoon's in September, 1808, and the Asso-
458
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
ciate Reformed Church in November, 1810. The church edifice was the joint property of both par- ties and was used by both, but in a few years after the church property was equally divided between them. On the organization of the Presbytery of Ontario Mr. Denoon's church, known as the First Presbyterian Church of Caledonia, was assigned to that body, and from that transferred to the Presbytery of Genesee when that was instituted.
After the exscinding act of 1837, and the divis- ion of the Presbyterian Church, this society and its pastor connected themselves with the Presbytery of Susquehanna, of which they gave notice to the Presbytery of Genesee, and the connection was severed February 15, 1838. The church was af- terward received under the care of the Presbytery of Wyoming. The first edifice erected by this church was built in the year 1814, on land owned by Deacon Archibald Gillis. It was abandoned in a few years and was pulled down in 1850. In 1827 a stone church was erected at a cost of over $2,000, and was built on an acre of land which Alexander McDonald donated to the society for that purpose. This gave way in 1855 to the present fine edifice. Among the early members were :- Duncan McPher- son, Donald Mckenzie, Simon Fraser, Archibald Gillis, Catherine Gillis, Peter and Catherine Camp- bell, John McPherson, Kitty (McBean) Mckenzie, John Campbell, Margaret Campbell, Mary (Mc- Laughlin) Orr, Donald Anderson, John Mckenzie, and Mary (McArthur) Mckenzie. Rev. Alex- ander Denoon continued as pastor of this church until his death June 16, 1850- a pastorate of over forty-four years. He was a man of eminent piety, exerted a marked influence for good in the town, and is spoken of reverently by the descendants of his parishoners. The succeeding pastors have been :-
Rev. John W. Major, 1854, dismissed 1856
Rev. Wm. Evan Jones, 1857, 1859
Rev. Malcolm N. McLaren, 1859, 1871
Rev. John Kennedy Fowler, 1874, 1877
Rev. Thomas Stephenson, 1878, who is the pres- ent pastor.
The membership is 200. The church property is valued at $6,000, and the parsonage at $3,000.
Those who withdrew from this church were chiefly people from Perthshire, Scotland, re- solved to look to the Associate Reformed Presbyterians for preaching. They according- ly applied to the Presbytery of Saratoga, and, after various delays, were by it organized into a congregation, Nov. 3, 1810, John McVean, Wm. Armstrong, and Peter Farquherson being elected
eklers. The number of members was about 25. They were variously supplied until the fall of 1812, when they extended a call to Rev. John Campbell. In this call they were joined by a number of per- sons living on the Forty Thousand Acre Tract, now York, who had there a log church in what is now York Centre.
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