History of Seneca Co., New York, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public building and important manufactories, Part 47

Author:
Publication date: 1876
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign & Everts
Number of Pages: 294


USA > New York > Seneca County > History of Seneca Co., New York, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public building and important manufactories > Part 47


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RES. o ROBERT L. STEVENSON, TYRE TP., SENECA CO., N. Y.


PLATE


DAVID ODELL.


DAVID ODELL was born in Washington County, December 25, 1793. Early in life he was possessed of a desire to seek a home in western New York, and, in the year 1815, he bade adieu to bis native county, emigrated to Seneca County, and located upon the farm where be now resides. On the 6th of February, 1816, he married Charlotte Wood- worth. He and his estimahle companion passed over half a century in each other's compecion- ship, and on the 2d of July, 1869, more than fifty-three years after their marriage, she died, leaving ten children, nine of whom are now liv- ing, all married and well settled in life.


He united in marriage with Phœbe Fatt, in November, 1871.


In politics, Mr. Odell early united his fortunes with the old Whig party, and was one of the earnest supporters of this grand organization. He is now a Republican. Upon his advent into this County, he met those hardships and priva- tions incident to the settlement of a new country, but ł eing possessed of an indomitable will, per- severance, and a strong physical frame, he was well qualified to lead the pioneer van. He was unfortunate in the beginning in purchasing his land upon a poor title, and it reverted to the State. He had no money with which to redeem his home, and he was, indeed, not pleasantly sit- usted. He could play the violin,-or, more fa- miliarly called, the " fiddle,"-hence he debated whether or not he might secure some money by


DAVID ODELL.


putting his skill into practice. It has been said that necessity is the mother of invention, and never was this axiom more clearly exemplified than in the case of Mr. Odell. He thereupon constructed a " fiddle," and played for the na- tives until he had secured the song little sum of seventy-seven dollars, which he made use of in redeeming his home. Mr. O. was an adept in the playing of the violin, and seemed to enjoy the " music" as well as those about him. He was, however, struck with conviction while playing, and has never handled the instrument since.


He is a consistent Christian, and a member of the Baptist Church, and was formerly a member of that church at Mages's Corners, and subse- quently joined the Baptist Church at Clyde.


Physically, Mr. Odell had no superior, and perhaps few equals in this country. As an in- stance corrohorating this statement, it is related of him that he has cut and piled five cords of wood in half a day, and has cut three cords of wood in three successive hours. In the wheat harvest he was master of the situation, having ent three hundred and thirty-seven bushels of wheat in one day with a cradle.


Mr. Odell has passed an active life, and is well rewarded with an abundance of this world's goods. He is surrounded by loving relatives and kind friends ; and we hope that the down-hill of life may he pleasant and calm, and that when the grim archer Death calls him home, he may go,-


"Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him, And lies down to pleasant dreams "


RES. OF DAVID ODELL , TYRE. TP, SENECA CO., N. Y.


125


HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY, NEW YORK.


placed, and derived some advantage in connection, but finally sold to Jonas Ward, a cousin, who, in turn, sold to David H. Evans, the present owner and Town Supervisor. The other half was occupied in 1810 by a man named Hiram Scutt, who for sixty-three years inhabited that spot, and died there in 1873. Upon Lot No. 12, in its northwest part, was a cabin at an early day wherein dwelt a fiddler whose skill with the bow made the presence of Jacob Eoff at the parties held by the young people always welcome. In time he sold and disappeared. The present owner is P. K. Carver, who is quite a business man. Upon the fringa of the swamp in the western part of Lot No. 13 a man named Royal Torry, in 1813, built himself a house. The structure is still standing and occupied, but the builder is lost to knowledge. Returning to Lot No. 20, on the west border adjoining Junius, we find its first settler, David Odell, from Washington County, still living, at the advanced age of eighty-three, upon the farm which he began to clear fifty-nine years ago. Mr. Odell was a licensed preacher in the Baptist Church, and stands connected with the early history of that religious denomination. Bena- jah Tripp was an carly neighbor of Odell's, and, at the age of eighty-one, looks back over a half-century upon its wonderful changes. The first improvement upon Lot No. 21 was made by Daniel Lum, upon an hundred of its acres. The necessities of tliat time compelled a varied employment, and Lum occasion- ally found opportunity to work at his trade of cooper in making repairs upon. cider-barrels in a small shop which stood on the west road. The locality is now owned by John Burns.


In 1809, Silas Brown, of New Jersey, acquired title to one hundred and fifty acres. A year previous, Royal W. Dunham had purchased land on this lot. He esteemed the right of ownership in soil very highly, and dying in 1874, left be- hind him, as the result of a long life's labor, the disposal of six hundred acres. Lot 22 was tenanted by Joseph Young, from New Jersey, in 1805 ; he had been preceded a year by Stephen Rodgers. Beyond the swamp lot we arrive at No. 24, the southern point of Crusoe, on the bend of the Erie Canal. As early as 1804, Bartholomew Brockway was found living at the Point, and following a trapper's and hunter's life. Ile was one of that class of men who were constantly found in the advance of civilization, dealing with native tribes, imbibing their habits, and preferring the indolent life maintained by the fishery and the chase to the enduring work of the permanent settler. As in the building of the old turn- pike, taverns opened all along the line, and hamlets sprung up, so, in some sort, was it with the canal. At the Point a number of families squatted, and found employment ou the work. A leading resident in 1825 was Dr. O. W. May, and after him the locality was named May's Point. The centre lot on the west tier. No. 33, was settled in 1810 by three families, of which James Goodell, Caleb Brewster, and Enos Reynolds were the heads. Upon the western part of the lot now resides E. J. Shoonmaker, the only resident physician in the town. Upon No. 34, James Russel had located and cleared a piece of ground as carly as 1804 ; he sold to Benjamin Marsh, who dying in 1840, his son, B. F. Marsh, succeeded to the estate. In 1812, James Stevenson, accompanied by a family of six chil- dren, moved upon the lot. Mr. Stevenson was from Ireland, and his sons, realiz- ing the opportunities offered here for reward of merit, so comported themselves that James Stevenson was twice clected Sheriff, and Robert L. Stevenson was chosen member of Assembly for 1845, and Town Supervisor for 1851, 1858, 1859, 1864, and 1865. Upon Lot No. 45 thrce men moved as carly as 1808; their names were David Weaver, Luther Bishop, and Joseph Southwell, all from Montgomery County. On the west side of this lot is a fine grove of pine timber, the only growth of that character in the town. Henry I. Brink, in 1804, moved upon No. 46. He was followed in 1810 by Robert R. Livingston. Four Irish families, in 1808, located upon Lot 58; their names were Charles Goodwin, Richard Bennett, Philip McGowan, and Patrick McGuire. Henry Parker, of. Waterloo, settled on the south portion of the lot. The heirs of Goodwin and Bennett cultivate the lands cleared by their fathers at this date. Dr. Thomas C. Magee settled first on No. 35, then, in 1818, moved to the northern part of this lot (58) and crected a fine large brick house,-the first of its material in the town. Dr. Magee had an extensive practice, was an active politician, and gave his name to the corners on the north lot linc. The early settlement of No. 59 was made by a man named Henry White, in the year 1809. He was displaced, after a residence of five years, by Charles White, through a defect in the title held by the former party. The first improvements were made upon Lot 60, in 1805, by four men,-James Johnson, Jedediah Sayre, James Gerald, and Thomas Armstrong. One after another they disposed of their land and went elsewhere. Samuel Lay was an early settler upon Lot 61. William . Winans purchased fifty acres from the farm of George P. Seckell, and paid for it by hard labor; his widow, Esther Winans, still survives, although upwards of ninety- eight years of age. She is the oldest resident of Tyre, and, with Jason Smith, constitute the only pensioners of the war of 1812 within its limits.


Until 1811, there were no doctors in the town, and when medical help became


imperative, the nearest point was East Canoga. The use of roots and herbs was common, and there was much reliance upon their efficacy. Among the medical practitioners of Tyre were Dr. Magee, who died in 1860; John G. Tubbs, who came in 1821 and left for Michigan in 1874; R. M. Smith arrived in 1828, and remained but a few years; O. W. May, who dated from 1825 ; A. W. Turner, from 1830; Jacob Harbroeck, from 1848, and who died in 1866; and Dr. and Shoonmaker, now resident.


In 1805, Caleb Woodworth came into Tyre, and to him is ascribed the build- ing of a frame baro which is regarded as the first framed building erected within the limits of the town. During the year in question Woodworth's daughter Betsey was married to James Clark by Squire Bowman, of Fayette, the same being the first marriage celebrated in the town. A second early marriage was solemnized in 1807, between Calch Woodworth and Betsey Crawn, by Elder Messenger, who had been recently ordained. The first white child native of Tyre was Daniel Crane. Polly Winans was the second, and Calvin Halsey the third. The first death was of Ezekiel Crane, whose remains rest in a small, neglected cemetery near the residence of Jacob Best. His grave is unknown, but his death is historical. The first person buried in the old, dilapidated cemetery by the road, one mile south of Tyre, was Sarah Traver, mother of Nicholas Traver. Her interment took place in 1807. During the year last named, N. Traver erected on Black Brook the first saw-mill in Tyre; the sawyer was compensated by payment of money or one-half the lumber made. The pioneer mill stood till 1829; it was then replaced by another, which was in use till 1860, when the lack of logs suffered it to go to ruin. Giles Howland erected his saw-mill on White Brook in 1822. Lumber at his mill sold at seven dollars and fifty cents per thousand feet. The mill was run until 1834, when it, too, from scarcity of timber, was left to decay. A cider-mill was put up in 1873, by Stephen E. Babcock, on the same aite. In 1808-9, the inhabitants of Tyre were accustomed to go to mill, on horseback, to the Devereaux Mill at the " Kingdom." The water to this mill was conducted thither along a race, which extended up the river, with a wing- dam reaching into the main channel. The mill itself was a rickety affair, to which motion was given by a large under-shot breast-wheel. In the year 1817, Noah Davis built on Black Brook the first grist-mill in Tyre. A new frame mill was erected in 1832, and this local convenience is still in use. A saw-mill was rua from the same race in 1826, by Stephen Munsen, into whose hands the " Pepper Mill" passed soon after its construction. Munsen, and his son, Colonel E. Munsen, did quite an extensive Inmber and milling business, grinding the grain raised in a large arca of the country about, drawing the product of their mills to the Erie Canal, at the bridge east of Armitage's, for shipment. W. G. Woodworth, Esq., in 1824, ran a carding-machine and fulling-mill on the brook. Another of the early industries of that locality, up the stream from the clothiery, was an exten- sive ashery establishment, started in 1820 by Isaac Bigelow. Farther up the stream, beyond Munsen's' Mills, a large nursery was started to raise ailk-worms, for the production of cocoons, but a brief time was sufficient to demonstrate the unprofitable character of the attempt, and it was abandoned.


The first storehouse was built and occupied in 1828, by Harvey Carscadden, He had a small stock of strictly staple articles, and had the honor of receiving the appointment of Postmaster, being the first incumbent of such a position in the town as now constituted. He was succeeded by P. L. Woodruff, who added to storekeeping blacksmithing. While he attended to plows and other utensils, his wife conducted the sale of merchandise. The post-office was resigned in 1830, and Jason Smith being appointed, served for sixteen years. A frame store building was erected by Josiah C. Woodworth in 1840, and the business of selling goods conducted by him for some time; he finally removed to Seneca Falls.


Tyre City has not kept pace in growth with its surroundings. On the corner where Benjamin Nearpass now lives Daniel Ward kept a tavern. At this house the town courts were held, and on holidays the pioneers met here to recount their earlier deeds. Nor were they loth to attempt a later prowess. It is related that a party, made up of Hiram Woodworth, Silas Barton, Thorne and Nat Golden, and two others, equipped with rifles, set out in a sleigh for a deer-hunt on " Crusoe Island." Young La Fontin Russel begged to go along with them, and finally waa allowed to become a member of the expedition. On returning at evening, Russel had shot the only deer killed in the hunt. The evening was spent in rifle practice at the deer's head by candle-light, and narratives of adven- ture, as many such evenings rightly were. Ward rented his tavern-stand to a man named Huff. Afterwards it was kept by Theodore Chapin, father of Mrs. J. L. Beebe. The tavern was then sold to Jacob Nearpass, and with it the excel- lent farm owned by him till his death, and since by his sona, who are among the prominent families of the place.


We have elsewhere spoken of Tyre's oldest inhabitants,-those who have passed most years upon her territory,-but the oldest citizen resident in the town is Aaron Easton, who celebrated his one hundred and first birthday on February 6, 1876.


126


HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY, NEW YORK.


He is living with his son on a farm near Magee's Corners. In the spring of 1804 the inhabitants in the locality south of Tyre City assembled, and erected a log school-house on the southeast corner of Lot 35. The neighborhood was sparsely settled, and the following parties were active in the work : Asa Smith, Caleb Woodworth, Moses Marsh, and Lewis Winans. This was the first school- house erected within Tyrean limits. It is to the credit of these pioneers that they thus early adopted such measures for educational and religious advantages. The first instructor in this primal academy was named Nancy Osman, who had just come in with Marsh, and who taught a summer term. Richard Thomas, an Englishman and an old man, taught the winter school. Thomas had been a soldier on our side in the Revolution, and endured imprisonment on the " Old Jersey," whose record is as disagreeable to the British as Andersonville is to the South. The old soldier and pedagogue had received a good education, and under- stood his business in the school-room. Dying in the year 1815, he was buried in Tyre Cemetery. Other schoolmasters who presided here were John Roberts, and, in the winter of 1810-11, John Burton, afterwards an attorney at Waterloo. The old log house became designated as the " Cranetown Academy," and with some show of reason, when it is known that Burton taught surveying therein to one David Dunond, who came up from Fayette for that purpose. Of those who went to Miss Osman to school, Jason Smith, then a lad of nine years, is the only survivor. Truly, in that case but few are left to know who played upon the forest green full seventy years ago. In 1807, a Baptist Church was organized at this old school-house by Elder Samuel Messenger. It was composed of twelve members, of whom Esther Winans is sole survivor. In 1812 the academy burned down, and the Baptist Church and society erected a commodious frame building for a church and school-house combined. Samuel H. Wilcox, of Massachusetts, and Celus E. Crosby, from Phelps, were the first teachers in the new house. Elder Messenger was succeeded in 1815 by Jeremiah F. Tallman, of Massachusetts, who continned his services with this flock till 1823, when he was followed by Elder W. Brown, from Sodus. His pastorate extended from 1823 to 1835. Then Ray G. Lewis served from 1835 to 1839, Luther Goodrich to 1841, and Eliada Blakesly to 1843. Others were Elders Roe, Gilbert, and Jones. The present pastor in charge is Pulaski E. Smith, who has been in this pastorate since 1863. The church site was removed in 1837 to Magce's Corners, where a good-sized frame was erected, and dedicated in the following year by Elder Nathan Baker, father of Arthur S. Baker, of the Courier.


The first Methodist preacher resident in Tyre was Palmer Roberts, who moved in from Romulus in 1817, and held meetings in the houses of Chalker and Marsh. During the same year a society was formed of twenty members, whose first class- leader was Moses I. Gardner, long since passed to his rest. Their first building was put up in 1822, on Black Brook, at the crossing of the State road. The site was moved to Tyre City in 1826, and the old building sold to Peter Kettle, who utilized it as a tavern stand for a number of years. The old church tavern is still in existence, but no tavern stand, nor place to sell liquor, now exists within the town limits. A church was built in 1834, of size forty by fifty feet. This structure was torn down in 1874, and a brick building commenced on the site. The work, still in progress, will cost when completed ten thousand dollars. The present pastor in charge is Norman Sutton ; membership about one hundred. A Sunday-school connected with this church has ten officers, sixty scholars, and nearly two hundred volumes in its library. A Disciple church was built upon Lot 22 in 1831, a society having been organized by Luther Goodrich, but it has since been discontinued. The Presbyterians organized a society in 1823, under the Rev. Joseph Merrill, of Junius. In 1837, the church had thirty-one mem- bers, and was under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva. Rev. Merritt S. Platt was commissioned by the American Home Missionary Society to work with this church one year from November 25, 1835. Church changed to Reformed, new society organized, and a frame edifice was erected upon Lot 46 in 1840. . A second and handsome house for worship was built on Lot 20 in 1872. The present pastor is Rev. Mr. Buckalew, and the communicants number about sixty persons. Upon a review of the town, we find an old cemetery on the Nearpass lot, whose first occupants were the wife of George Nearpass and Henry L. Brink. Upon Lot 58 a log school-house was put up in 1815; a frame succeeded it in 1846, and is in present use. Its first schoolmasters were William Child, later the editor of the Seneca Farmer in Waterloo and Seneca Falls, William A. Good- win, and Edward F. Strong. Down upon Black Brook the Twist brothers, John, Peter, Moses, aud Elias, from Washington County, erected a saw-mill in 1811. They ran it till 1823, when it was bought by G. V. Sackett, who continued its use till it was burnt down. Charles White, in 1826, built anew upon the same site. This mill went down in 1849, from lack of material. While these changes have occurred of settlement and industrial effort, the increase of population has required and received new civil changes. The town of Junius, comprising all of Seneca north of the Seneca River, having been divided, the orgsoization of Tyre was


effected in March, 1829, with its present bounds. The first town election was held on April 7, 1829, at the house of Nelson Roosevelt. The inspector of election was W. G. Woodworth. The meeting being held, the following result was reached, and is reproduced as showing to whom at that time it was thought advisable to intrust. the - affairs of the new town. Thos. C. Magee was elected Supervisor ; John Roberts, Clerk; Joseph Consallus, Peter Wells, and Robert Harper, As- sessors ; Deming Boardman, Luther Bishop, and James Magee, Highway Com- missioners ; Avery Marsh and William A. Goodwin, Commissioners of Common Schools ; for Inspectors of Schools, John G. Tubbs and Wm. G. Woodworth ; for Overseers of the Poor, Stephen Muusen snd Enos Reynolds ; for Collector, Halsey Winans; Constables, H. Winans, John T. Rogers, and John Lamb ; for Justices of the Pesce, T. C. Magee, Robert Harper, and Oliver W. May. Twenty- three Pathmasters, who were to be Fence Viewers, were voted in, and one hundred dollars voted to be raised for support of the poor. In March, 1831, the surveys of the town roads were effected, the Commissioners employing for the work John Roberts. The Tyre Cemetery was incorporated on February 19, 1859, and six trustees chosen. Tyre does a business in raising apples, which are shipped each fall to New York City. Wheat and clover-seed arc relied upon to bring money. Corn raised is home-fed. The town has a Republican majority. For school purposes it is divided into nine districts, six full and three joint. " One house is of stone; six of brick. There are four hundred and fifty-one children hetwcen five and twenty-one years of age (September 30, 1875). Of thirteen teachers, licensed by local officer, three were males and ten females.


TYRE IN THE REBELLION.


ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SIXTH NEW YORK VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.


Company F .- Ira Munson, a school-teacher, was commissioned and mustered as First Lieutenant of Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth New York Volun- tecrs, which company he had assisted in recruiting, on August 15, 1862, being the date of organization of the company. He was commissioned as Captain of his company July 3, 1863. On May 10, 1864, he was mortally wounded at the battle of Po River, and died on the 14th in the Armory Square Hospital, Washing- ton, District of Columbia. Captain Munson was a gallant officer, and, as a tribute of respect to his memory and on account of his gallant conduct in the battles of Harper's Ferry, Auburn Ford, Bristoe Station, Mine Ruu, Morton's Ford, the Wilderness, and Po River, a commission was issued by the Governor of the State, dated the 16th of June, 1864, with rank from April 18, as Major.


Asa J. Rose, by occupation a carpenter, enlisted August 12, 1862, and was appointed Sergeant. He was in battle at Harper's Ferry, and was discharged for disability December 12, 1862.


Charles Kline entered service July 30, 1862, and was appointed Corporal. He was severely wounded st Auburn Ford, Virginia, October 14, 1863; was pro- moted Sergeant November 1, 1863; was transferred to Company E, December 25, 1864, and promoted to First Sergeant Fehrnary 8, 1865.


Henry B. Munson, a farmer, enlisted August 14, 1862, and was appointed Corporal; was in action at Harper's Ferry, and was discharged for disability, at Chicago, December 16, 1862.


George E. Beadle, a farmer, enlisted August 2, 1862, and participated in the battle of Harper's Ferry ; was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps Septem- ber 1, 1863.


Stephen G. Babcock entered the army July 30, 1862, at eighteen years of age, and was in the battles of Harper's Ferry, Gettysburg, Auburn Ford, Bristoe Station, Mine Run, and Morton's Ford; was appointed Corporal November 1, 1863.


Edmond Craft, a farmer by occupation, enlisted the 30th of July, 1862, and wss in the battles of Harper's Ferry and Gettysburg; he was wounded and lost his arm in the latter battle; was discharged on this account May 19, 1865.


John H. Crane, a farmer, entered the service August 12, 1862; was in the battle of Harper's Ferry, and died in hospital camp near Union Mills, Virginis, March 23, 1863.


Samuel J. Clark, enlisted August 12, 1862; participated in the battles of Har- per's Ferry and Gettysburg, and died in field-hospital at latter place July 8, 1863.


Michael Cunningham, a farmer, enlisted August 6, 1862; in battle at Harper's Ferry, and was killed at Gettysburg July 2, 1863.


Aaron Decker, enlisted August 6, 1862; participated in the battle of Harper's Ferry, and was discharged with regiment.


· Ephraim C. Dubois, enlisted August 6, 1862; was in heaviest engagements ; wounded in battle of Wilderness May 6, 1864, and at Boydton Road March 31, 1865.


PLATE L


THOMAS H. ARNOLD,


THE subject of this sketch is a sturdy son of New England, having been born in the State of Rhode Island, on the 4th day of January, 1809. He emigrated from his native State in an early day, determined to seek a home far from the busy haunts and scenes of men, in what was then styled the "Lake County," or the western wilderness. He traveled through the various counties of this State, but no point seemed to please him until he touched the soil of what is now old Seneca, where he raised the stand- ard of civilization, and eventually purchased


the land upon which he now resides, and which is considered one of the finest farms for which Seneca County is so celebrated. Thomas united in marriage with Mahalia C. Douglass, in the year 1838. His wife died April 20, 1866, greatly mourned by friends and acquaintances. They had three children, two of whom, David B. aud William H., are now living. Mr. A. married Lavinia, daughter of Royal Dunham, in 1872.




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