History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 69

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts
Number of Pages: 976

USA > New York > Monroe County > History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences > Part 69

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Parma was erected a town in 1808, and included Ogden till 1817. Of this extensive and sparsely-settled region. Samuel Castle was chosen town clerk, and school inspector at times from 1811 to 1821, and then supervisor till 1826. Ap- pointed justice of the peace in 1820, he held the office sixteen years. On April :1. 829, he was commissioned side judge for one term of the county court. No decision of his as magistrate or judge was ever reversed. Ilis minutes are a model of care and system. His influence on society was strong and extensive. and his ruling motive was known to be " to do right." In 1833 he joined the Methodist church, was elected recording steward, and held the position till 1846. when he was elected class-leader. Seven years elapsed in this capacity, and then ogaio chosen steward, he held the office for life. Employed in many duties, he neglected none. Faithful in places of trust. he was a pillar of strength to the church and a respected member of society. On the 6th of March, 1874. he died at his residence, where he had lived for upwards of sixty years. having attained the venerable age of ninety-two years. His wife, whom he survived but three years, was a woman of remarkable energy. Cheerful aul trusting. she bore with- nut repining the discomforts of her lot, and inspired her husband to manly and cour- aceous effort for sixty long years. To relieve want or suffering at home or abroad she spared no exertion. l'erforming the manifold duties of the household, she also pare to her husband assistance in the fields, and often trod the forest for miles to bring home the cows, and so economize his time for labor. Occupying a section noted then for unhealthine->, living amidst discomforts disheartening and irrepar- shle, she brought a welenme to the neighbors' fireside, and, ignoring self, became famed for her motherly kindhess and hearty ound will. Declining in years, one went and the other followed. anel the two are eternally united. happy in the frui- tion of a long life of anticipation, having left behind them endearing memories.

Jebiel Castle, of Orleans county, agrd eighty, and I-ane Castle, recently deveawd at the age of eighty-seven, alsu settled in l'arma in I>11. A daughter. the widow of Ilon. A. I. Wood, is the sole survivor of the family of Samuel Castle.

HON. ABNER I. WOOD.

One of the most influential and respected citizens of Monroe County was the Hon. Abner L. Wood. Ile was born on February 4. 1913, at Clifton Park. Sara- toga county ; received an ordinary education, and was apprenticed to the trade of shoemaking, which he learned. In May, 1835. he settled at the village of Brock- port, whence he removed in Jannary, 1836, to a firm in Clarkson. Ilere he. in 1838. married a daughter of Samuel Castle, of Parma, and two years later re- turned to Bruckport and engaged in shoe-lenling. At the expiration of four years he moved to the farm in Parma upon which he passed his life. Mr. Wuod was known as a man of sound judgment, and. thorough in investigation, was firm in the advocacy of what met his approval. Possessing the esteem of his fellow. citizens for worth and ability, he was frequently desired to necent offire at their hands. Their wishes were respected, and several minor town othees having heen held, he was elected to represent the town of Parma on the board of supervisors for the years 1838. 1859, 1860, and 1865. In this position his course was marked by ability. clearness of comprehension, and a conscientious devotion to constituent interests.

Politically a Whig, he joined the Republican party upon its formation, and steadfastly devoted himself to its principles. He was often a member of the Republican county committee, and for one year was its presiding officer. He was an ardent friend of the Union during the war, and gave of his time and means to insure the triumph of the army and the assertion of human rights.

In the fall of 1865 he was nominated and elected to the assembly. Twice re- elected, he was the first representative of the western district to be honored by three consecutive elections. He was not fluent in speech, but influential frotu busi- ness qualifications. During his last term he served upon the important committee of Ways and Means. Constant and unremitting in the discharge of public duty. his integrity was notable as his judgment was sound, and few had more influence in shaping legislation. Mr. Wood war unassuming and unobtrusive, vet con-ist- ently maintained his opinions on all proper occasions. All who knew him reent- nized a publie-spirited citizen. a sincere friend. a devoted husband, and a true Christian gentleman. Hle early united with the Methodist church of which for years he was one of the most prominent members, and by his life Etly exempli- fied its teachings. His death, occurring April 27, 1874, was a loss to the cult- munity,-a varanry to be long felt was created in his family. the church. and community. While hi- memory remains fresh, his virtues are remembered ; and whether artive in public life, at home upon his farm, or in the family circle, his example and influence were potent for general and individual cond.

OGDEN.

OODEN is the central town of that portion of Monroe County which lies west of the Gencsee river. It is located in the -- Mill-Seat Tract." with the Triangle line for ita western boundary. It is adquirably located with reference to railroad and canal accommodations, and in close proximity to the city of Roche-ter. The main line uf the New York Central Railroad passes very near the southeast corner of the town, with two station", approached by good roads at enzy distances. The Niagara Falls branch of the same road passea directly through the northern part of the town, with two stations, Spencerport and Adam's Basin. located within its Limits. The Eric canal passes parallel to and chine beside the latter, which. except in the winter months, affords the citizens abundant competition in the carrying trade, an advantage possessed by but few localities, and of which they have not been slow to avad themselves, much to their profit, as shown by the inercand prosperity of the agriculturists. The people are almost wholly the descendants of the Puritan clement of New England .- that restless, industrious element that has peopled the entire west and northwest, drawn out their hidden resources, and with marvelous enterprise riveted the shores of the two oceana with bar .Is of steel. A people prosperous aod intelligent, they are justly noted for hospitdny and the social virtues, while their broad charity and public spirit find them foremust in .every enterprise conducive to the general welfare. The first pioneers who pene- trated the wilds of Ogden in the dawn of this century found an interminable forest, a heavy waste of timber, and dense undergrowth, the home of the hear, the wolf, and the deadly rattlesnake, and where even the treacherous panther crept sod watched. With their axe and gun, and with sturdy anus and will. they began their work to carve out that grand civilization which to-day throha and pulsates " in its bosom. When the scattered eleurings began to admit the sunlight, the stagnant pools, dammed by obstructed courses, in the beat of summer scot forth malarial diseases, and the howl of the wolf at night was mingled with the faint ery of the ebild and the disheartenel lullaby of the overtaxed mother. But the soil, enriched by the vegetable growth and decay of unnumbered years, was rich and deep. Productions of every variety indigenous to this latitude were certain of rapid growth and large returus. as attested by the vast wealth that has been drawn from the bosom of the soil during the three-quarters of a century that have passed,-a wealth that has covered it with beautiful bomes. drifted to every part of the world, and fed and clothed millions. The soil is generally a fine quality of calcareous loam, mixed with considerable clay. With good cultivation it will respond to all varieties of seasons. and the drought, that sometimes blasts the stiff clay or sandy localities of western New York, becomes entuparatively harmless here. Ita surface is level, slightly undulating, however, in many places, climate equable, and general altitude very well adapted to agriculture. It is suf- ficiently well watered for all furining purposes, springs abundant in every part, and numerous streams, with their small tributaries. fuming both north and south. Salmon creek, flowing through a portion of the town at the nor hwest, the Button- wood and Long pond farther cast, both rising in Ogden, and dowing north with the fonuer into Parma, and a considerable stream ri-ing near the centre and flow- iag south into Riga, formu the principal streams in the town.

The original owners of this town were l'help; and Gorham, to whom it was frants- ferred directly from the Indians. It belonged to that portion of the domain that was surveyed into town-hips and farm lots hy Judge Fuller, who established the agency for the sale of these lands at Canandaigua, Ontario county. The present boundaries of the town include precisely one township. divided into two hundred and thirty farm lots of about one hundred acres each. It is zeven miles through the centre from east tn west. amd about five and one-third mike's from north to south, giving an area of over thirty-seven square miles. To encourage immigra- tion and the rapial development of this country. there lots were offered to settlers at two dollars per acre, and on indefinite time. by paying the cost of executing the contract, and so long as improvements were continued and the annual interest kopt paid up. Lots were aley given for church buildings to religious societies that wished to buibl, and in somne instanere null sites for. private calls, though there is un record that as liberal a mill-seat was given as they had obtained from the Indians.

On December 8, 1307, when the great town of Northampton was divided, this township and the present geographicad limits of Parma were set apart under one

organization as the town of Parma. After nearly ten years of a rapid inena- of settlements and improvements, during which a fierce local contest had "1.ruth: up between the northein and southern sections for the town officers, by the vit. . of the frecholder a division was effected, the northern division to retain the vad name, and the southern to be organized as the town of Ogden, in honor of Wil. liam Ogden, son-in-law of Juha Murray.

The dividing live was first established in the centre of the Ridge road, but >+ -. f. after changed to the line between this township and the Gore, its present position. since which time it has remained unchanged. The division was efferteil at a special meeting on January 27, 1817, and the organization of the new town .. t Ogden perfected at a regular town meeting held on the first day of April follet ing, at the house of George Huntley, where the votes were taken by Jolm P Patterson, Esq., which resulted in the election of the following-named officers, sie .

Supervisor, John P. Patterson ; Town Clerk, Abraham Colby ; Collector anel Constable, Benjamin Simons; Pound-master. George W. Willey ;~ George W. Willey, John D. Webster, William B. Brown; Overseers of the Poor David Wandle, Ira Nichola; Road Commissioners, Austin Spencer, Eastman Colby, Sammel Kilbourn ; School Commissioners, Justin Worthington, Charles Freeman, Oliver Gates; School Inspectors, tieorge W. Willey, Austin Spencer. James Baldwin, Timothy C'. Kneeland, Harry Patterson, James Pettingill ; Fence- viewers, John Walton, Benjamin Simons. James Pettingill ; Inspectors of E.l. tion, John P. Patterson, Abraham Cully, George W. Willey. John D. Webster. William B. Brown; Overseers of Highways and Road Districts. seventeen.

On the 20th and 30th days of April, and the Ist day of May, of the sann year, the first annual election was hekl for governor and other State officers at which the following votes were given :

For De Witt Clinton for poveruor, thirty votes; for John Taylor for ticuten- ant-governor, tweoty-nine votes; for .Fediah Prendergast for State aunafer, twenty-nine votes; for Isaac Wilson for State senator, twenty-uine von -; fr Abraham Mattisno. Jr., for assemblyman, thirty-nine votes ; for ffilbert Howell for member of assembly, forty-four cute ; for David MeCrockin for memins of asserubly, fifty-five votes; for Abraham Mattison. Sr., for member of a --- nilly. seven votes.

At a special town meeting held at the house of George Huntley. on June fri, the same year, for electing constables and reconsidering the vote of April 1 ou town collector, Amasa Dutton and Benjamin Freeman were chosen cutistables and Benjamin Freeman collector, in place of Benjamin Simons. The town wa- divided into eight school districts, and one additional road district formed

At the annual election, April 7, 1813, John P. Patterson was re-elected >upm t- visor, and Oliver Gates town clerk ; and for member of Congress for this di-tiist Nathaniel Allen received one hundred and twelve votes. and Albert II. Trawy om hundred and ten.

On September 28, ISIS, the first settlement was made with the supervi -.. r. John P. Patterson, a true copy of which is hereby given-the first bill of the toWD.

Received from Amass Dutton, l'altertue, and tu Certificate from Richart Sinith, Klerk of the Hand of Supervisor4.

Cash paid to Mr. C'ommi-suHier. Judin Worthington.

2.00

Eleman l'ail

10.on

George W. Will .. Willown B. Brown

17.371

Austin Spr Herr

17.75

8. Kilhourn

1.00

Oliver (int ..

2.50

John D. Wrhdre

13,50

Ahrah.im l'olley

2A.TT

Johntillman

John l' l'attorom

9.40 -- - 115.14}

Parma to fleorce W. Wilkes

3.50

.. Anbact Finch ...

Amasa Dutton ..

Anstin Spencer

W. B. Brown and k L'offer. rach 21

.. The tham father

6814

- John 1. Fair. r-++n

10.25 -- $:4.31]-213 44

Amount In bande of Supervisor.

. Signed, Oliven datos. L'lert

180

$11.75

13.30

1.00

181

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

EARLY BETTLERS.

The settlement of this town and surrounding country was under the direc- tion of James Wadsworth, who afterwards settled at " Big Tree," or Geneseu, as it is now called. It was partly on his owu account, and partly as agent of eastern end European capitalists, that he undertook its management and sale. He com- menced operations about 1800. For that purpose he visited New England, and . called a public meeting to bo held in Hladdam, Connecticut, at which he gave a description of what was then called " The settlement of Fairfield, in the town of Northampton, in the county of Genesee." It was ever after known as " the Gen- esec meeting." Soon after, Daniel Arnold, the father of Elder Enoch Arnold, of Ogden, visited this town on a prospecting tour, and, being pleased with its appear- ance, returned to New England, and gave a favorable report. Immigration soon followed. The first settlement made in this town way by George W. Willey. In August, 1802, he left his homo in East Haddam, Connecticut, and visited Ogden, selected and purchased his farm, which was located one-half mile north of Ogden Ceatre, oo the west side of the Spencerport road. While here he felled the first tree cut by a white man, near the house since owned by Henry Gott. While the tree was falling, though entirely alone, with no white person within several miles of him, he took off his hat, and, awinging it around his head, made the forest ring with his cheers. In December of the same year, after Colonel Willey had returned to the east for his family, four brothers, Ephraim, Isaac, Abraham, and Timothy Colby, also from Connecticut, settled in town one mile northwest of the Centre. Their first encampment was a little west of the stream at the foot of the hill, near the residence of the late William Webster, on what was called, from them, Colby street. They were benumbed with cold, and one of them, w . had fallen into the stream, had frozen his feet; and, to add to their discomfort, their punk, which had become wet, would not for a long time ignite. After pursuing their journey along the road that now bears their name, to their final settlement, one of them, in cutting a tree which had fallen across the road, by the glance of his axe severed the bones of his leg just below the knee. Each one of the brothers lived and died on the farm he first settled. In April, 1803, Josiah Mather, from Connecticut, and Mason Brockway, with their families, settled about one mile south of the Centre; Henry Hahn, near the north line of the town ; end Jonathan Brown, also from Connecticut, with his family, took up the Iut a few rods north of the Centre, where the Presbyterian church now stands. On the 9th day of June, 1803, William Banning arrived in town. and settled, and the day following, June 10, and about six weeks after the return of Colonel Willey with his family, Justin Worthington, from Middlesex, Connecticut, arrived with his family, and settled at the Centre, opposite the present town house, and on the farm now uwned by Eliphalet Hodges. He became one of the most prominent and active publie men of the carly settlements. lle was the last town clerk of Northampton before its division, the first town clerk of Parma the year following, and the first school commissioner of the town of Ogden. His daughter Sallie is still living at Spencerport,-a relie of a bygone generation, -to whom we are indebted for many of the facts contained in this history. In the sune year, William II. Spencer, Judge William B. Brown, whose father, Rev. Daniel Brown, preached the first sermon ever delivered in this town at the house of George W. Willey, in 1805, and Daniel Arnold. In 1804, Benajah Willey, John Webster, west of Spencerport, Benjamin Freeman, Daniel Spencer, Daniel Wandle, John Che uld, a Mr. Snow, all of whom had purchased in 1802, and Colonel Eastman Cuiby, who was made colonel on the frontier in the war of 1812. Benjamin Frec- man was the first collector of Ogden. These were all from Connecticut. In 1:05, Dr. John D. Webster, father of Stephen and Alanson Webster, and Samuel Flagg, also from Connecticut, settled in town. About this time and following, settle- tenta were made quite rapidly. In 1804, David Spencer purchased and settled where Spencerport is located, for whom the village is named. In 1300, William Webster located west of' Spencerport. Jarvis King, Norman Davison, and Charles Freeman, with their families, and many others from New England, made settle- rienta. In 1808, Austin Spencer, a young man, and quite prominent, settled near Spencerport. Ezekiel Goodwin and Oliver Gates. In 1510, John P'. Patter-on, the first aupervisor of Ogden, settled in town. Previous to this, though the Fear is unknown, Gustavus Huntley and Charles Church located at the Centre. In 1811, Stephen Gridley, a prominent settler, emigrated from Oneida county, and made one of the first settlements in the south part of this town, where he lived until his death in 1861. He married Sarah Kirkland, of the same county, De- cember 10, 1810, and made his first home in the willernes4. About this time Adolphus Simone, Boujanin Simons, Ira Nichols, John Walton, and James J'vt- tingill, with their families, made settlements in different parts of the town : but the tide of immigration began to ebb soon after, as the outbreak of hostilities with Englund breame known, with only occasional arrivals from the east, and tran fers from neighboring towns. In fact, ns the war progressed, and fears became rife of

an advance of the enemy from Niagara, some of the more timid of the settlers returned to the east, either selling out their improvements, or forsaking them alte- gether, while a few only took temporary leave, and retained their title and owner. ship. A greater part, however, remained steadfast in their new homes, atd co- operated in measures to resist any invasion that might ocenr. while a number took active and honorable part as soldiers on the frontier. In 1813, Samuel Kilborne emigrated from Broome county, purchased a home in the north part of the town. and settled with a family of nine children, all ut whom died here with the con- aumption. Ansel Chapman and family settled here in 1814. At this time the southwest portion of the town was almost an unbroken wilderness. A settlement had been made a few years previous, a short distance cast of the school-house, in district No. S, a piece of land cleared, and a block-house erected, by some one now unknown, who had also given it up and gone away. On November 1, 1815, Ed- ward Covell, from Vermont, settled on the farm on which he now resides, a little west of the abandoned settlement. He is one of the very few first settlers still living on the farm they first took up. About the same time, Major Gilman, also from Vermont, with his three sons, William, Hiran, and Amos, settled on the next farm east, Charles Eber and Nicholas Kelly about three-fourths of a mile west, and James Cute, with his three sons, Enoch, Thomas, and Reuben, on the north and south road, one mile east. Also, John HTill settled a short distance west. and James and John, his sons, adjoining, about the same time, or soon after. Lu 1817, among many others, William Hiscock, from Schencetady county. settled in the northeast part of the town, and Aaron Robinson, from Connecticut, near the Centre. Up to this date, 1817, the year of the organization of the town, settle- ments extended over all parts of the town. Much of the land was cleared, good comfortable homes erected, school districts established, and adequate houses built. churches organized, roads surveyed and improved, and everywhere the tokens of general prosperity.

Among the other immigrants who had arrived from time to time, some of the more prominent were James Baldwin, Timothy C. Kneeland. Harry Patterson Darius Clark, Simeon Wheeler, Zachariah Olmstead, John Woodward, Bezaleel Whitney, Aaron Arnold, Windsor Trowbridge, Joseph Stanley, Rufus Ium- phrey, Theodore Goodwin, Joseph Webster, Enos Pembrook. the Whitriers, in what was called the Whittier settlement, in the southeast part of the town, Mr. Richards. Benjamin Cole, and Philander Kane, the three latter at Spencerport ; others, who came still later, in the southeast corner, were Juhn Collister, Thomas Lindsley, John Evans, with four sons, Stephen and Jesse Mason, Jolin Brigham. Stephen Angel. and Israel O:man, the two latter still living. The first house erected in the town was a rude log houve, located near the house since occupied by William Brown, on the hill overlooking Spencerport. On the same duy another log house was erected, by a man by the name of Dillingham, un Jona- than Brown's farm, near the present Presbyterian church. When the logs were ready, they went to Bruldock's Bay, King's Landing, Scottsville, and the Hano- ver settlement for help to raise, procuring in all about twenty mien. Mr. Willey getting lost in the woods, while inviting help, came near not being present at the raising uf his own house. Ile was in the woods all night, but the work was de- layed until his return. Mr. Wadsworth, the land agent, had offered a premium of six bushels of wheat, a barrel of whisky, and a barrel of pork for the first dwelling raised in the township. He was present himself, sharing the camp of Willey and Dillingham over night, but getting little sleep, as the back woodsten were intent on a frolic, and insisted that he should partake in their rude sports. This he knew well how to do, when or casion required. The premium barrel of whisky had been placed on a log and tapped at both ends, and when the two houses stood complete was considerably lightened. The first land cleared and the first wheat raised were by the same meu in that year, Mr. Dillingham work- ing on the farm with Jonathan Brown, with whom he came to the town. Col. onel Willey, a short time after, made the house of the latter his home, which is memurable as being the scene of the first religions meeting ever held in town, in 1305, and the first Methodist sermon delivered, in 1807. by Peter Vanest. In April. 1801, Mrs. George W. Willey ilied. at the residence of her husband, and was buried in the burying-ground at the Centre. This was the first death and intermuent in town. About five months previous to this, however, in November. 1503. Jonathan Brown, who had gone to an adjoining town in the morning, fell dead at the supper-table by a stroke of apoplexy, and was buried near where he died. In 1805. George W. Willey and Mrs. Brown sought consolation for their mutual bereavement in marriage, and made their residence at her home. This was the first marriage in town. The first birth was Jolin M. Colby, a son of Abraham Colby, who was born in February. 1803. The first female child # 1 Betsey Colby, daughter of Ephraim Colby, born in October of the same year Sue sulrequently became Mrs Fincher. Jotmn M. Colby died in 1230. The first orchard was planted by William Banning, on lo, own farm, and another, by B na- jah Willey, the same season. The first tavern was created and kept by theverge

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 69

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub Publication date: 1877 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts Number of Pages: 976

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts
Number of Pages: 976