History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 57

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The following . enlisted in Company H, Thirty-eighth Regiment, and were mustered into the United States service May 24, 1861 : William H. Baird, resigned, and promoted to major of One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Regiment; Carlos M. Russel, Nathan Porter, Norton Schermerhorn, James M. Butter- field, Benjamin W. Keyes, Jr., James Long, Charles Woodruff, Andrus French, Hugh Morgan, Joseph T. Lorker, Alexander Burwell, Henry Armstrong, John M. Baker, W. M. Baker, Henry Bogart, Patrick Carrol, Jr., John Cunning- ham, Samuel A. Clark, Tim. Clear, Jr., Charles H. Cooper, Charles Dil- lenbeck, Charles Dorchester, Hugh F. Dunnigan, Henry C. Delamater, Isaao H. Davis, Henry E. Eaton, De Witt C. Farington, Patrick Flannery, Thomas Gisborn, Frederick Gibson, Sylvanus Green, Menzo W. Hoard, Henry H. Holl- man, David F. Lillis, William T. Lane, John Lamphrie; Lewis Legro, Joseph H. Monson, Luther S. Miller, Jeremiah C. Mead, Dayton Marley, Clark McMillen, Silas Mclaughlin, James Mead, Archibald Morrison, George Norrman, Henry J. Nare, John Orman, David Ostrander, Amasa Probasco, Edward A. Page, Ralph W. Patterson, William M. Perkins, Robert F. Robertson, John M. Robson, Peter D. Roe, William Ross, Isaac L. Richie, James Regnell, Henry Salran, Stephen Stewart, Samuel Suckett, Henry Stephenson, George B. Stevens, Theron Stevens, Adam Shotts, Henry T. Stanton, William E. Straight, Byron Sweeny, James Underhill, John Vuil, Thomas Wilkins, Tilo T. Wilcox, John Welsh, John Wesley, John Wilson, John Williamson, Henry H. Warden, Henry S. Ware, Charles H. Ramsey.

The dates in the above list are the dates of muster, and not of enlistment, as therein stated.

JEROME LOOMIS.

Among the many pioneers of Geneva, none have left a more honored memory than he whose name appears at the head of this sketch.

Jerome Loomis was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, in the year 1757. He was educated at Dartmouth college, and the fine classical instruction received by him at that celebrated institution was of infinite importance to him in his subsequent active career. In the war of the Revolution, when the colonists called for brave men to strike at the hideous head of British aggression, he responded with alacrity, and entered the service as a volunteer, and afterwards he received a commission from Governor George Clinton, bearing date 1792. He served under Major Whit- comb, the dashing commander of the "Northern Rangers," which performed effective service, and was the terror of the British. Major Whitcomb and his gallant band were peculiarly dreaded by the enemy, and at last a price of five thousand dollars was offered for his head by the British government, and from that hour he was the particular victim against whom they practiced every strategy. In one conflict he was wounded, and only by the severest fighting did he succeed in cutting his way through their ranks. Mr. Loomis was in this engagement, as well as many others, where the only watchword was " fight or die." His brother William was also in the Revolution, and one of the first that fell at Bunker's Hill. He was among the pioneers who came to Canadesaga, now Geneva, May

30, 1788, and was the guest for some time of Jennings, Jones, and Seth Reed, the reputed first white settlers of the village. From 1788 to 1798 most of his time was employed in transacting business concerning lands. In the latter year he married Elizabeth Tippetts, daughter of Stephen Tippetts, of New York city, and the ceremony was performed in the house now occupied by his children. He located in what is now the town of Geneva, and ended his days here April 19, 1840. Mrs. Loomis had twelve children, six of whom are now living: Stephen T., in the village of Geneva, and the remainder still reside on the old homestead, viz. : Irene, Homer, Henry H., Mary J., and Cordelia C. Henry H. Loomis is an elder in the Reformed church of Geneva, and is one of the most prominent members of that organization.

Mr. Loomis was a man of fine physique, gentlemanly address, dignified, though kind and benevolent, and was in every way well qualified to shape the affairs of a newly-settled country. On the 19th day of April, 1840, deuth laid its pallid hand upon the strong man, and he passed away respected and beloved by all.

"The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave, Await alike the inevitable hour. The path of glory leads but to the grave."

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PLATE XLV

RES. OF H. V. BARDEN , SENECA , ONTARIO CO., N. Y.

RES. OF CHAS. P. GREGORY , SENECA, ONTARIO CO, N.Y.

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TOWN OF SENECA.

"It was a gloomy wild, where Indian warriors trod ; Where savage minde, in solitude, looked up to Nature's God."

No territory in western New York is more closely allied with the history of the far-famed tribe of the Senecas, than the town bearing the name of these illustrious warriors.

This town comprised a portion of their celebrated " hunting-grounds," sloping down to the waters of the silvery lake they so much loved, and from which they were driven by the relentless soldiery of Sullivan. The smoke had scarcely lifted from the Indian village of Kanadesaga, burned by Sullivan in his desolating march, ere the tide of immigration set in; the pioneer van of the white settler followed hard upon the retreating form of the red brother. The wigwam was replaced by the rude log cabin; clearings were made; fields of wheat were sown; and the ringing axe of the pioneer announced the ushering in of a new era. Gladly would we follow the Indian lore of this vicinity, but that remains for the history of the village and town of Geneva.

ORGANIZATION.

Seneca was formed in the year 1793, under the act of the Legislature for the organization of towns, passed January 27, 1789. It was a large and important town, and was described by " Spafford's Gazetteer," in 1812, as follows:

" Seneca, a township in the east part of Ontario County, in which is the village of Geneva, with a post-office of the same name, one hundred and ninety-two miles west of Albany; bounded north by Phelps, east by Seneca lake and county, south by Benton, west by Gorham and a part of Middlesex. It is twelve miles long north and south, and about seven and a half miles wide exclu- sive of the waters of Seneca lake, and is twelve miles easterly of Canandaigua, having the great road from Albany to Niagara across the north end. It is an ex- cellent township of land; the southern part moderately uneven or hilly, but arable throughout, with fine grazing lands. Its waters are small and inconsider- able, except that it embraces a part of Seneca lake. But the farm lands are rich and productive, and have given to their occupants a high degree of wealth. The whole population, in 1810, amounted to three thousand four hundred and thirty-one persons, when there were five hundred and eighty-eight families, three hundred and seventeen electors, and about eleven hundred taxable inhabitants. There were, also, one hundred and eight looms in families, which produced thirty- seven thousand nine hundred and forty-nine yards of cloth."

Seneos retained its original dimensions until October 11, 1872, when the town of Geneva was set off, embracing all that part of the old town lying east of the west line of the first tier of township lots next west of the old pre-emption line.

SETTLEMENT.

The name of the Whitney family is closely identified with the pioneer history of this town and of Geneva. Jonathan Whitney came into the new country as an explorer in the year 1789. He remained four months in the forest, and re- turned to Massachusetts, and, in the following year, again turned his steps west- ward, arriving here in March, 1790, and located at the old castle, where he died in 1792. Captain Whitney and family were seventeen days en route from Conway, Massachusetts, and endured many hardships and privations during the perilous trip. The little band of pioneers arrived at Geneva in the morning, when their stock of provisions was exhausted, and but one louf of bread remained in the village. Colonel Reed, however, supplied them with a scanty breakfast, though the best possible. Captain Whitney was one of twenty persons who purchased township No. 10, first range, his share being six lots, or one thousand one hun- dred and fifty-two acres, and he subsequently became the proprietor of six ad- ditional lots.

He served in the French and Indian war, and was at the siege of Ticonderoga, .where he fought with almost unprecedented bravery. The French had felled the timber about the fort, that their guns might be used more effectively upon the besiegers; but it happened that one large tree still remained, against which another

had fallen, and lodged in the branches; and, by means of the latter, he succeeded in climbing into the stately old forester, where he fired into the fort until his gun became foul, when his companions handed other fire arms to him, which he used with effective service, the old flint-locks dealing death to those within the intrench- ments until he was discovered by the garrison and forced to leave his position. He was ever ready to lay aside the implements of peace in times of danger, and when his country called to head off British oppression he was found at the front, a commissioned officer, his commission dating May 3, 1776. Three grandsons, Luther, Cheeney, and Otis, reside in the town, and one, Nathan, near Franklin Grove, Lee county, Illinois.

The longevity of the Whitney family is remarkable. The following is a regis- ter of the five sons of Nathan and Olive Whitney, and grandsons of Captain Jonathan Whitney. The three eldest were born in Conway, Mass .: Luther, August 21, 1782; Otis, October 19, 1795; Nathan, July 22, 1791; Jonathan and Cheeney were born in Seneca,-Jonathan, September 3, 1793, and Cheeney, April 21, 1795. These brothers are now living, except Jonathan, and their united ages are four hundred and twenty-three years.

Anson Dodge and Abraham Burkholder, from Pennsylvania, were early settlers on lot No. 10. The former is now living in the town, at the advanced age of over eighty years. Two sons of the latter, John and Leonard I., are also residents of Seneca. Peter Vangelder came from Catskill in an early day, and located on lot 30; two children reside in the town. One Clemens located on lot 31, and Zora Densmore on lot 51. Lot 52 was settled by Mr. Colwell, from New England, who has a son, William, residing on Flint creek. The father of Charles Hughes came from New England, and early settled on lot 49, and the old homestead is now occupied by the latter. John Berry, and a son of the same name, were pio- neers on lot 32, and lot 29 was settled by Messrs. Parker, Harris, and Fiero. George Eckley was an early settler on lot 12, though the larger portion of the lot was owned by Ami Whitney.

Again we come to the Whitney family, and find that Ami Whitney, son of Captain Jonathan, and himself a soldier in the war of the Revolution, was an early settler on lot 9, on premises now owned by a son, Ami Whitney. Ami Whitney, Sr., was born January 18, 1781, and died here December 14, 1867,. at the advanced age of eighty-six years. The present occupant of the premises, Ami Whitney, was born June 22, 1814.

Robert Carson emigrated from Pennsylvania in an early day, and located on lot 91, on premises now occupied by a son, James M. Carson ; on this lot also located Mr. Charlton, father of William Charlton. Where Leonard I. Rilands now re- sides, his father was a pioneer. Leonard Isenhour was a prominent pioneer on lot 92, and was also the owner of lot 90. A daughter, Mrs. Cruthers, resides on lot 94. Mr. I. was an enterprising citizen, and erected a grist- and saw-mill on lot 90, some time prior to 1812, on the site now occupied by the flouring-mills of Chester A Collar.

Many of the sturdy pioneers of this town came from the eastern part of the State, and prominent among these was Peter Wyncoop, who settled on lot 8, and has numerous descendants residing in the county. William Esty was the pioneer on lot 13, on lands now owned by a son, A. B. Esty. Lot 28 was originally owned by Thomas Tallman, a pioneer from New England; his grandson, E. B. Tallman, now resides on the lot. Thomas Ottley was an early settler on lot 33. on lands now owned by a son, Charles Ottley. Lot 53 was owned by Nathan Whitney, who came from Massachusetts. Luther, Otis, and Cheeney Whitney, mentioned, are sons. Eben Burt settled lot 47, where a grandson named Vangel- der now resides. Dustin Reed, now residing on lot 14, settled thereon in an early day.

Many of the soldiers of the war of the Revolution, at the close of that strug- gle for independence, settled in this county, and prominent among them was Isaac Amsden. He was a brave and efficient soldier, and was celebrated in the army as a marksman and scout. Never stepping from the path of duty to avoid danger, he was ever found at his post, and participated in the campaign which closed with the surrender of Burgoyne, on the 17th of October, 1777.

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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Peter Gray was a pioneer on lot 90, and also resided some time on lot 65. One Sinclair was an early settler on lot 67. Lot 72 was originally settled by Mathew Rippey, from Pennsylvania. A son, Thomas G. Rippey, now occupies . portion of lot 74. Mr. Rippey was one of thirteen children who lived to the advanced age of seventy-four years. David McMaster and Abram A. Post were pioneers on lot 68. Mr. Post was a prominent citizen, and held the offices of supervisor, justice of the peace, etc. A grandson, Charles Post, now resides in the town. Lot 6 was settled by Israel Webster, from New England, who located on premises now occupied by his sons, Lester and Willard Webster. The father of Joseph Childs located on lot 26 in an early day. Otis Whitney is the present proprietor of lands on lot 55, originally settled by Simeon Amsden. Messrs. Porter and Peck settled lot 56, on prem- ises now occupied by Joshua Porter and H. H. Peck. Joel Whitney came from Massachusetts in 1790, and located on lot 45, and was also the proprietor of lot 36. A son, Joel Whitney, resides on lot 45. An old pioneer, named Hugh Fulton, resided on lot 25, and has several descendants residing in the county. Israel Webster, Gamaliel Brockaway, and Messrs. Torrance and Rogers were pioneers on lot 6. Joseph Fulton and William Rippey were pioneers on lot 53. Two daughters of the latter now reside in the town,-Mrs. M. P. Hamon and Mrs. R. C. Whitney, wife of Ami Whitney, Esq. The premises now occu- pied by Alex. MoPherson was early settled by his father and a man named Cul- ver. Edward O. Rice was an early settler on lot 54, on lands now owned by a grandson, H. J. Rice. Lot 52 was settled by Philip Gregory, on lands now owned by a grandson, C. P. Gregory. Lot 50 was settled by John Dixon, father of J. G. Dizon, the present occupant of a portion of the lot. Seba Squier early bade farewell to the hills of New England, and came to Seneca, and located on lot 31, where a son, R. Squier, now resides. Mr. Latta was a pioneer on lot 29, and Henry Brother on lot 27. Mr. Brother was an early surveyor, and rendered great assistance to the settlers. His son, Charles S., was also a prominent citizen, and represented the county in the Legislature. Both he and his wife died a few years since, at their home in this town, passing away within twenty-four hours of each other.

"The black camel, death, halts once at each door, A mortal must mount to return never more."

The name of Jacob Reed is closely identified with the recollections of lot 33. He located thereon in an early day, and married Martha Rippey, youngest of the thirteen mentioned above, whose united ages average seventy-four years, and this estimable couple celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage in 1875. The " golden wedding" was a happy episode in their lives, and will ever be remem- bered by those who participated in the festivities. Mrs. Reed has been a member of the No. 9 Presbyterian church more than fifty years. Thomas Densmore was an early settler on lot 4, where a son, Thomas, now resides. Mr. Darrow, from New England, was the pioneer on lot 24. Two sons, Hiram and Washington, reside on the lot. James M. Gates occupies the old homestead where his father, Solomon Gates, located in a very early day. The premises now owned by J. H. Wilder was settled by his father, Colonel Wilder, who was one of the prominent and influential men of the town. Lot 3 was early settled by the Reeds, Mo- Cauleys, and one Holliday ; the latter was a celebrated " fiddler," and was known miles around. Mr. Dutton was a pioneer on lot 16, and he also had an enviable reputation for his proficiency in the use of the bow, to whose bewitching strains the light fantastic of "auld lang syne" has often beat the time. The Reeds were identified with lot 32, and a portion is now occupied by Newton A. and Wilson Reed. Mr. Onderdunk, father of A. and R. Onderdunk, carly settled on lot 33. David Barron was an early settler in the eastern part of the town, coming here with his father in 1801, then but one year of age. He was born in Northumberland, England, August 15, 1800, and still resides in the town. of Seneca.

The Ringer family were prominent among the pioneers of Seneca, and did much toward the improvement of the county. The following very interesting sketch of this family is given from the pen of " T. T. R.," of Wayne county :

" About the year 1800 two brothers, John and Jacob Ringer, emigrated from Maryland, and settled in the town of Seneca, about four miles northwest of Ge- neva, and each became the owner of one of the beautiful farms in that vicinity. Jacob had three sons, David, John, and Jacob; and for David and John he pur- chased each a hundred acres of land on a lot numbered 68, in Galen, lying about three miles southeast of Lyons. David settled on his land as early as 1807, and resided there until 1827, when he emigrated to Steubenville, Ohio. Politically, he ranked with the Federal party, and was one of the first justices of the peace in the town. John settled on his land in 1811, cleared it up, put on buildings, and re- sided there until 1852-when, assisting at the raising of a bridge across the river, he met with an accident that cost him his life. He was struck on the head with a stick of timber, and fell into the river, a distance of twenty feet or more. He

was taken out and carried to the nearest house on the north side of the river, and doctors sent for,-Dr. Elijah Jarvies and Dr. Beaumont, of Lyons,-and a man was sent post-haste to Geneva for Dr. Van Derburg, the most eminent surgeon in the country at the time. The accident happened in the after part of the day, and I saw the patient in the evening. He lay in an unconscious state, but was rest- less, keeping his limbs continually in motion. About 10 o'clock Dr. Van Derburg arrived. He came in, took out his instruments, threw off his coat, rolled up his sleeves, called for some warm water, and commenced operations. He laid the skull bare, found the fracture, bored a hole through it, and put in a probe to raise it up to its natural shape, when the whole temple-bone above the ear came out. The doctor shook his head, saying, 'It's all day with him !' Then the doctor removed . quantity of blood from the brain, and Ringer lay quiet until five o'clock next morning, when he breathed his last, leaving a widow and six children, one son, -the late Esra Ringer,-and five daughters, the youngest an infant."

The old road called the Geneva and Rushville Plank Road was formed in about 1849, and passed through this town, entering it at the east part on lot 3, and ex- tending in a southwesterly direction, passing into the town of Gorham between lots 95 and 97. Commencing with the settlers in the western part of the town, on this road, first comes Peter Diedrich, who emigrated from Catskill and settled in 1803 on lot 95, on premises now owned by A. Mott. Where John M. C. Thompson now resides, on lot 97, was settled by George Simpson, who has two sons living, viz., William, in Seneca county, and Thomas, in this town. Many of the pioneers of Ontario came from the " Keystone State," and conspicuous among the number was George O. Rippey, who located on lot 96, in about 1805, where a son, George O., now resides. Three other children are living, viz. : Hamilton and Mary Ann, in this town, and Jeremiah, in the county of Livingston. Wm. Fiero, in 1802, came from Catskill and erected the standard of civilization on lot 98, and died in this town at the advanced age of about eighty years. A daughter, Magdalen, the wife of Philip Edington, resides in the town, and a grandson, W. F. Eding- ton, D.D.S., is a prominent citizen of the village of Geneva, and one of the lead- ing dentists in the State.

The pioneer at Stanley's Corners was Seth Stanley, grandfather of the late Hon. Seth Stanley. He was born in New Britain, Connecticut, March 18, 1751, and, in 1796, settled on the farm now occupied by Elbert Lawrence on lot 71. Salma Stanley, uncle of the late member of Assembly, was the pioneer on lot 73, on lands now owned by John R. McCauley.

Mr. Stanley, when the tocsin of war sounded in 1812, laid aside the imple- ments of the husbandman and started for the battle-field. He held the rank of captain, and was a good soldier and brave commander. During a severe engage- ment his sword was struck by a ball and bent, and the Icaden missile lodged in the scabbard, thus preventing what otherwise would have proved a terrible wound. The souvenir of that conflict is still in the possession of the Stanley family. An old ses captain, who had for years rode the billows of the briny deep, strayed to this town and became the pioneer on lot 74, on lands now owned by Thomas A. McCauley, Esq. The first settler on lot 72 was Thomas, MoCauley, who emi- grated from Pennsylvania in 1803, and located on lands now occupied by . grandson, Rice McCauley. The father of Thomas McCauley promptly re- sponded to the call of duty when the colonists were struggling for their independ- ence, and joined the army, where he did effective service in repelling British aggression Three children of Thomas are now living, viz. : John R., a prominent and influential citizen, residing at Stanley's Corners ; Margaret, the wife of J. S. Fulton, also residing at Stanley's, and Amy, the wife of A. W. Prentiss, living in the village of Penn Yan. John R. McCauley, Esq., mentioned above, now seventy years of age, was born on the farm where he now resides. He has three children living,-Emily C. Adair, Thomas A., and Rice McCauley.

Mathew Rippey was the original proprietor of the farm now owned by A. J. Dillenbeck, and Peter Blackmore early settled lot 55, on premises now owned by J. V. Snyder, a son-in-law. A New Englander, named Harford, early located on lot 56, where William Froster now resides. John MoCullough, from Penn- sylvania, settled in 1802 where Charles Probasco now resides.

Captain William McPherson emigrated from the " Keystone State," and located on lot 56, in about the year 1800. He was an active citizen, a captain of the militia, and served gallantly in the war of 1812. He was proficient in the militia tactics, and it was his delight to see the boys

"Beat the sheepskin, blow the fife, And march in trainin' order."

A son of Captain McPherson, Alexander, now resides in the town. Whitney Squier and Squier Parks were pioneers on lot 33. William Parks, son of Squier Parks, is reputed to have been the first white child born in Ontario County. Alexander Parks, a grandson, resides on the lot. At this place, on Burrall creek, Mr. Parks erected one of the pioneer saw-mills. Jenks Philips and his

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PLATE XLVI.

DAVID BARRON.

MRS. SARAH BARRON .

RES. OF DAVID BARRON, SENECA, ONTARIO COUNTY, N. Y.

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PLATE XLVII.

SENECA, ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

NES. OF JOHN WILSON ,

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MRE. SARAH C. WILSON.

MRS. JANE WILSON, DECEASED

NOSTIM NHOP

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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

father were pioneers on lot 34, on lands now owned by L. Vosburg. Jonathan Reed, familiarly known as " Uncle Jonathan,". was an early settler on lot 32; N. A. Reed and Mrs. Reed, widow of Melancthon Reed, now reside on this lot. James Means early located on lot 7, where the widow of Joseph Means now re- sides, and lot 32 was settled by Arthur Lewis, from Pennsylvania. Jacob Reed, the eldest son of Jonathan Reed, now residing on lot 34, was born in the town, and celebrated his " golden wedding" in January, 1875. Two persons were present at this happy event who were present at the marriage of this now vener- able couple, when they stepped out into the broad arena of active life, fifty years ago :

" We shunned not labor; when 'twas due We wrought with right good will; And for the home we won for them, Our children bless us still. We lived not hermit lives, but oft In social converse met ; And fires of love were kindled then, That burn on warmly yet. Oh, pleasantly the stream of life Pursued its constant flow, In the days when we were pioneers, Fifty years ago !"

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History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 57

Author: Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages: 391

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 391