History of Steuben county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 106

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Lewis, Peck & co.
Number of Pages: 826

USA > New York > Steuben County > History of Steuben county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 106

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This church with its pastor thus engaged in missionary work, but never itself received any foreign aid, giving liberally always to spread the gospel. Mr. Hotchkin was active in the ecelesiastieal affairs of the church, and in 1820, with Judge Porter, represented his Presbytery upon the original Board of Commissioners of Auburn Theologi- eal Seminary, and was the second president of the board. This church gave for the establishment of that seminary over $1400, besides subsequent gifts.

During Mr. Hotchkin's ministry 318 were received into the church,-100 by letter and 218 on profession of their faith,-and at its close the church numbered 240 members. As the result of the revival in 1825, a new and elegant church was ereeted, 60 feet in length and 45 in breadth, and furnished with a bell, and was dedicated Feb. 13, 1828. The ground was given by Judge Porter, described as seven rods east from the academy line and of the same depth. He also headed the subscription for pews with the sum of $400. The building cost $4000.

Rev. George R. Rudd immediately succeeded Mr. Hoteh- kin, beginning his labors with the year 1830, and was formally installed pastor on the 24th of March upon a salary of $450, and continued as such until dismissed, May 3, 1836. Three revivals occurred during his ministry ; 219 were added to the church, 151 at least by profession, leaving the church with 365 members. Mr. Rudd was held in very high esteem, as the records show, but was obliged to give up this charge on aeeount of failing health, and has been obliged to turn aside to secular pursuits, and is now living in Lyons, N. Y. During the pastorate of Mr. Rudd in 1831, the glebe on West Hill, given by Colonel Robert Troup, agent of the Pulteney estate, was exchanged for a lot in this village, being a lot which in- cluded the present parsonage lot and extending south to Chapel Street. The present parsonage was built in 1832- 33, at an expense of $835. The old cemetery south of the village was deeded by Captain Pratt to the Prattsburgh Religious Society for the use of a burial-ground. The four acres constituting the public square were also deeded to this society " for the use of a public square." The open square was deeded to the society by Judge Porter, to be

E. A. Hubbard

Laura 6 Hubbard

E. A. HUBBARD.

E. A. IIubbard was born in the town of Reading, Schuyler Co., N. Y., Oct. 18, 1816. His father, Ezekiel Hubbard, was a native of Massachusetts. He was a resident of Bridgewater, Oneida Co .; of Reading, Schuyler Co .; of the town of Jeru- salem, Yates Co., and about the year 1821 settled in the town of Prattsburgh, about six miles west of the village. While a resident of the town of Bridgewater he was a soldier of the war of 1812-14, and went to Saeket's Harbor to defend the frontier against the invasion of the British. He married Mary M., daughter of Nicholas Rouse, Esq. She was a native also of Massachusetts. Their children were Mrs. Truman Strong, of Prattsburgh (deceased) ; Nicholas R., of Livingston County ; Ezekiel T. (deecased ), of Prattsburgh ; Ephraim A. Hubbard, of Prattsburgh ; Albert H., of Galesbury, Mich. ; and Henry M., of North Cohocton.

The father spent the remainder of his life, after settling in Prattsburgh, as a farmer, and was connected with many of the pioneer interests of the town. He died at about the age of seventy. The wife survived her husband only some three years, and died also at about the age of seventy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard were early members of the Baptist Church here, and were connected as such before there was any church edifice.

Mr. Hubbard had limited opportunities for an education from books. At the age of twenty he purchased the time before reaching his majority of his father, and with his brothers, Nicholas R. and Ezekiel T., purchased two hundred and twenty- eight acres of land. In the year 1838 he married Laura C., daughter of Judge Ezra Chapin, a pioneer in the settlement of the town. She was born in Prattshurgh, April 15, 1819.

Soon after his marriage he disposed of his interest in the farm to his brothers, and for three years remained somewhat

unsettled in business, during which time, for two terms, he was a teacher in the common school.

In 1840 he purchased a farm of eighty-eight acres, made improvements of fine buildings and orchards on it, and ocenpied it as a farm for sixteen years. In 1856 he disposed of this farm and purchased one contiguous to the one he now owns, a mile and a half west of the village of Prattsburgb. During his career as a farmer he has been known as an intelligent and representative agriculturist.

His life has been one of activity, industry, and prudence, preferring the quiet of a business life to official notoriety. In December, 1873, he removed from his farm and settled in the village where he now resides.

Mr. Hubbard has ever been a staunch member of the Demo- eratic party ; was for one term commissioner of schools ; served also as commissioner of highways, and has been interested in all loeal matters connected with the growth of the town. He and his wife have been members of the Baptist Church,-the former since two years prior to his marriage, the latter from five years after her marriage until her death, which occurred Dee. 12, 1878. Mr. Hubbard is a liberal supporter of church and edu- eational interests, and a lover of law and order in society.

In the capacity of a wife and mother Mrs. Hubbard has well illustrated the noblest sphere of a woman's work. She was careful of her home, and made it the dearest spot on earth for those who were there to be protected, and through its conse- erated influences guided to a better home above. In her private life she was truly a wife and mother-beloved, quiet, patient, and gentle.

Their children are Frances G., Maria M., and Albert A., all deceased.

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TOWN OF PRATTSBURGII.

kept open by the society for that purpose, or to revert to his heirs. This gives to the society a certain chartered right in these, and the records show that such oversight has been taken of them by the society in former years. Rev. S. Griswold then supplied the church for one year from July 1. 1836, as nearly as the date can be ascertained.

Rev. B. Foster Pratt began regularly to preach with the year 1838, and was installed over the church January 31, and continued until Aug. 31, 1841. During the first year of his ministry there were added to the church 124 mem- bers, the largest number ever received in any one year. During his whole ministry there were added not far from 175. His pastorate was terminated by an event somewhat amusing to read at the present time, but probably serious enough at that time. Mr. Pratt was charged with preach- ing a sermon of Rev. Mr. Gaylord's, then principal of the academy, but Mr. Gaylord testified to having never written or preached a sermon on that text. Mr. Pratt died in Kalamazoo, Mich., Nov. 4, 1870.

Rev. Aaron Judson then followed as stated supply for two years, and a season of special interest occurred during his ministry.

Rev. B. C. Smith began his ministry Jan. 1, 1844, and was installed pastor of the church April 9, 1844, upon a salary of $500, which was afterwards increased to $600 ;. which pastorate continued until April 30, 1859, when he resigned from failing health,-a ministry of fifteen years and four months. Mr. Smith graduated at Auburn Seminary, in 1827, and was for twelve years thereafter chaplain of Auburn State Prison. His ministry was also characterized by revivals of religion, one in 1849 adding 48 to the church on profession at one time; 310 were added to the church by letter and on profession. He died Oct. 16, 1861, and his widow still abides among us, beloved by all. In 1845 16 feet were added to the church building, the galleries re- moved, and the floor raised, forming a basement story as at the present time.

Nov. 5, 1859, the church, numbering at that time 340 members, called Rev. David D. Gregory upon a salary of $600. He was installed, and his ministry began Jan. 1, 1860, continuing until Aug. 1, 1866. During his minis- try 100 were added to the church. Mr. Gregory was a minister of more than usual ability, and filled several very important pastorates. He is remembered with great affec- tion by many in this place.

Rev. D. H. Palmer, now of Penn Yan, became the stated supply of the church Jan. 1, 1867, with a salary of $1000. He was born at Victor, N. Y., graduated at Rochester University in 1860, and at Anburn Seminary in 1863, and from his graduation until he became the pastor of this church, labored as a home missionary beyond the Rocky Mountains. During his pastorate there were two interest- ing revivals, and 72 were added to the church on profession and 18 by letter. His ministry closed in October, 1871.

Rev. S. W. Pratt was called as stated supply Jan. 1, 1872. He was born in Livonia, N. Y., graduated at Wil- liams College in 1860, and at Auburn Seminary in 1863. He was ordained and installed at Brasher Falls, N. Y., in July, 1873, where he preached four years, after which he was stated supply at Hammonton, N. J., for four years.

Two general revivals have occurred thus far during his ministry, in 1873 and 1875, the latter continuing through eight weeks in the village, and eight weeks in surrounding school-houses. A debt of $1000 was paid in 1873. The pastor has assisted as superintendent of the Sunday-school, and taught a Bible class and the teachers' meeting.

STATISTICS

The whole number of members received into the church is 1367, 287 have died, as far as known; the number re- ceived by letter is over 300; the number excommunicated over 40; 609 have been dismissed to other churches ; 146 have removed without taking letters, and may be noted as unknown. The average annual loss to the church for the last ten years, by death and removal, has been not far from 18.

Previous to March 6, 1839, this church was governed by action taken in open church meeting, when it was re- solved that it was expedient to elect a standing committee to be chosen by ballot in classes annually, of which the pastor should be chairman ex officio. This arrangement re- mained till Nov. 18, 1868. when ruling elders were elected in place of the standing committee, and the church became fully Presbyterian in its organization.

After the division of the Presbyterian Church, in 1837, this church became connected with the New School body. Rev. J. H. Hotchkin was vice-president and acting mod- erator of the meeting at Auburn, which made the famous declaration of principles.

The following have served as standing committee of the church : Theron Linsley, John Hopkins, Gamaliel Loomis, David Judson, Edward R. Porter, Chauncey Hayes, Jesse Waldo, Gilbert E. Burton, Addison Judson, P. B. Sheldon, Aaron Waldo, Charles T. Hopkins, Charles G. Higby, J. H. Hotelkin, P. C. Howe, U. T. Carpenter, Martin Miner, Aaron Cook, Elam Bridges, O. P. Fay, Bacchus E. Stevens, William P. Curtis, John C. Denniston, Auren Daboll, Elias Wygant, Erastus Skinner, Julius Bartlett, Joseph Lewis, D. W. Hotchkin, H. B. Eddy, Charles Waldo, Luther Sturdevant, Albigence Waldo.

The following have been, or now are, ruling elders in the church : U. T. Carpenter, Luther Sturdevant, J. H. Hotch- kin, W. S. Foster, Ashman Daboll, Elias Wygant, John S. Parker, Henry J. Pinneo, Charles G. Iligby, Martin Miner, P. C. Howe, John Hotchkin, Stephen A. Jackson, Dwight S. Cook, Z. J. Terry.

This church has sent out the following ministers of the gospel : Rev. Silas C. Brown, Rev. David Judson, Rev. Beriah B. Hotelkin, D.D., Rev. John W. Hopkins, Rev. Edmund F. Waldo, Rev. Theron Loomis, Rev. Henry Spalding, Rev. William Beardslee, Rev. David Malin, D.D., Rev. Robert L. Porter, Rev. Charles W. Gurney, Rev. Edward Prentiss, Rev. Levi Waldo, Rev. Cyrus E. Rosen- krants, Rev. James M. MeLean, Rev. Joel Wakeman, D.D., Rev. Silas F. Judson, Rev. George Southworth, Rev. Platt H. Skinner, Rev. Edwin S. Skinner, Rev. David F. Judson, Rev. J. Merril Manning, D.D., Rev. Norman Prentiss, Rev. James HI. Phelps, Rev. T. L. Waldo, Rev. T. B. Williams.

Rev. S. M. Campbell, D.D., Rev. John E. Benton, and probably others, were members of the Sunday-school.

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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK.

None of these, distinguished as many of them have be- come, have done such a work as Rev. Henry Spalding, a more than orphan boy, whose self-denial in obtaining an education at the academy was very great. He and Dr. Marcus Whitman, with their wives, went out as mission- aries to the Indians in 1836, and were the first white set- tlers in Oregon. Mrs. Whitman (Miss Narcissa Prentiss) was a member of this church, and with her husband was massacred by the Indians. This heroie band, by their courage and devotion, saved Oregon, and all our present possessions beyond the Rocky Mountains, to the United States. Mr. Spalding received during his ministry over 1000 Indians into the church, converted through his labors.

Not far from a score of ministers' wives have gone out from this church. The women of the church have sus- tained a Home Missionary Society vigorously for forty years.

SUNDAY-SCHOOL.

The first Sunday-school in the town was probably organ- ized by Judge Porter in 1816. He was its superintendent, for the most if not all of the time, until the organization of the Prattsburgh Sunday-School Association, May 5, 1826, of which Rev. J. H. Hotehkin was President; Wil- liam Beardsley, Secretary ; Elam Bridges, Treasurer ; with a superintending committee of 14. Ten Sunday-schools were then organized in different parts of the town, reaching in 1828 a membership of 408. The church school in 1829 numbered 163. The exercises then consisted in repeating texts from the Scriptures, the eateehism, and verses of hymns. The association had a vigorous life till 1844, when it was dissolved. Space will not allow us to give the list of superintendents of the church Sunday-school; but they have been throughout among the leading men of the village.

TEMPERANCE.

In the early days of Prattsburgh the drinking of whisky was a common thing, and members of the church earried on distilleries ; but drunkenness was a subject of discipline. Ten gallons of whisky were once given to Rev. Mr. Hotch- kin at a donation. The reading publicly on successive Sunday evenings, by Principal Beardsley, about 1825, of the celebrated temperance sermons of Dr. Lyman Beeeher, produced a temperance reform, into which Mr. Hotchkin entered with all his might. This gained for him the enmity of the distillers, whose craft was in danger, and thus began a division whose fruits have troubled the church ever since. The descendants of the distillers of those days are now among the strongest friends of temperance.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.

The first Methodist Society in Prattsburgh was organized as early as 1829. At that time a chapel was built, which is still standing on Chapel Street, and is owned by John Ardell, and used as a tenant-house. The society was or- ganized chiefly through the instrumentality of Dr. Noah Niles, Aaron Bull, and Bishop Tuttle, who were formerly connected with the Congregational or Religious Society of Prattsburgh. Dr. Niles was a man of talents and influ-

ence, and sometimes occupied the pulpit in the absence of the circuit or visiting preachers.

Among the elergymen who officiated during this period were Rev. Chandler Wheeler, Rev. George Wilkinson, Rev. Joseph Pearsoll, and Rev. Curtis Gould.

The society continued a regular charge till about 1840, when their house of worship was sold for debt, and the or- ganization disbanded. A elass, however, remained here all the time, and circuit preachers held serviee in such places as they could get to preach in, prayer- and class-meetings being held in private houses and in the school-house. These were discouraging days to the band, but they struggled on hopefully and prayerfully. In 1847, Rev. James Hall was sent here by the Conference, at the solicitation of the few brethren. He came and settled in the place and remained here about three years. Through his earnest work and excellent Christian example, the cause was somewhat re- vived and strengthened. A new organization was formed under the name of the " First Methodist Episcopal Society of the town of Prattsburgh." Elder Knapp, Wm. W. Fos- ter, Charles J. Higby, Charles L. Cole, A. C. Montgomery, Stephen A. Jackson, Noble Sweet, and others, were among the members. They held their meetings for nearly a year in the district school-house. During the year 1847-48 the society erected a neat church edifice on the south side of the Park, at a cost of about $1500. This building was burned in the year 1853, and the society again went down, so that there was no regular charge from this time on till a new organization was effected in 1869, although preaching was had here more or less during all these years by minis- ters who traveled upon the circuit. The ministers who offi- eiated during this period were Rev. Martin Wheeler, 1851 ; Rev. J. Brown, 1852-54; Rev. A. G. Layman, 1856-57 ; Rev. H. Wisner, 1858; Rev. U. S. Hall, 1862-64; Rev. T. Jolly, 1864-65 ; Rev. Ezra Tinker, 1865-66 ; Rev. J. W. Putnam, 1866-67; Rev. A. G. Layman, 1868.

The present church edifice was erected in 1869, at a cost of about $3500. The society was reorganized and the church built under the ministry of Rev. N. N. Beers, who remained in charge during the years 1869 and 1870. His successors have been the following: Rev. C. Dillenbeek, 1870-72; Rev. William Wordell, 1872-74; Rev. F. M. Smith, 1874-76 ; Rev. J. B. Peck, 1876-78; Rev. N. B. Randall, 1878, present pastor.

The present Trustees are Spencer Franeis, R. W. Hop- kins, John Coward, P. F. Paris, John Frost, Lewis Haight. Stewards : P. F. Paris, Recording Steward; John Babcock, Charles Graves, Joseph Seeley, George Shults. Class- Leaders : Joseph Seeley, A. L. Parker, John Coward, William Merrit, Charles D. Graves, George Shults.

The present church membership is 175; Sunday-sehool (teachers and pupils), 140 ; Mrs. N. B. Randall, Superin- tendent.

BAPTIST CHURCH OF PRATTSBURGH.

This church, at its formation, was composed of several families mostly residing at West Hill, and who had been members of a Baptist Church in Wheeler. The church in Prattsburgh was probably organized in 1821. Elder Nehe- miah Lamb was its first pastor,-a man of humble preten- sions, but of most unsullied goodness. Among the earliest

MRS. HARRY GOOFREY.

HARRY GODFREY

was born in the town of South East, Dutchess Co., N. Y., July 8, 1802. He was the eldest son in a family of twelve children of Joseph and Polly Godfrey. The former was a cooper by trade, and spent most of his life as a lumberman and farmer. He died at Ithaca, N. Y., at the age of seventy-five. The latter died at the age of seventy, at the residence of her son Joseph, in Detroit, Mich.

The children are Harry, Philo, of Dryden, Tompkins Co .; John (deceased), David (deceased), Ira (deceased), George (deceased), Jeremialı, of Detroit, Mich .; Joseph (deceased), Mary Ann (deceased), Hannah, Almira (deceased), and Ursula (deceased).

At the age of sixteen Mr. Godfrey went into the busy world for himself, worked by the month for four years tending saw-mill and lumbering, receiving a part of the time nine dollars per month.

At the age of twenty he came to Steuben County, and purchased some forty-four acres of timber land in the town of Pulteney, of Dugald Cameron, agent of the land- office. To this purchase he made additions until he had seven hundred acres at one time. He met the obstacles of the pioneer, and endured the privations of the early settler. in making his beginning in the new country ; but his subsequent successful career has shown that he then laid the foundation for the remarkable business interest which he has lived many years to carry on.

In 1822 he married Thersa, daughter of Seth and Catherine Weed, of Pulteney. She was born in the

county of West Chester, June 16, 1806, the ever memor- able day of the great eclipse of the sun.

Mr. Godfrey remained a farmer and private broker in the town of Pulteney until 1874, when he removed to Prattsburglı, where he now resides. He has lived to watch the growth of the county for nearly fourscore years, to see schools and churches established, business interests built up, railroads and telegraphs span the globe, and machinery of all kinds lessen manual labor.

He has led a strictly business life, preferring its quiet to the bickerings of political strife.

He cast his first vote for Daniel D. Tompkins for gov- ernor, and has been unswervingly a member of the Democratic party.

While a resident of the town of Pulteney he held the office of supervisor for one year, and that of justice of the peace for twelve years ; and it is said that, while act- ing in the latter capacity, in no instance was his decision reversed in a higher court when an appeal was made.

Unassisted financially, while young, Mr. Godfrey by his own self-exertion, industry, and prudence has, after many years of labor, reached rank among the strongest financial men of Steuben County, and is known among business men as a man whose word is as good as his bond. His surviving children are Mrs. George Dean and Mrs. Beach, of the town of Pulteney.

Very few are spared to live so long together as have Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey,-the time being at the writing of this sketch fifty-six years.

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TOWN OF PRATTSBURGH.

members of the church appear the names of Robert and Ebenezer C. Olds, John De Golia, Jacob Koon, Josiah Babcock, and John Smith.

In the fall of 1822 the congregation built a log meeting- house on West Hill, having obtained permission from the Pulteney estate to use one half-aere of land for church pur- poses. For eleven years this log church, with its huge stone fireplace, sheltered a sincere and devoted congrega- tion of worshipers till it was destroyed by fire.

After the burning of the log church, in 1833, a frame church was built one mile east of the old site, in the year 1835, at a cost of $1500. In this building the church worshiped until 1842, when the membership divided into four parts. One part remained in the same place of worship, and was known as the "First Baptist Church of Prattsburgh." Another part went to Lyon's Hollow, and was known as the "Second Baptist Church of Prattsburgh." Another part went to West Creek, and were known as " The West Creek Baptists." The fourth part went to the village of Prattsburgh, and was known as " The Prattsburgh Village Baptist Church." Before the division, in 1842, the church was quite prosperous, and reached a membership, in 1838, of' 209. This was a result of the revival effort in 1837, under the leadership of Rev. T. S. Sheardown. Over 100 were added to the church in one year, and ninety-eight of them by baptism. After the division, in 1842, each part became feeble, and only one survives at the present time. The old first church survived but five or six years, and had only one pastor,-Rev. C. S. Smith, who served them two or three years. They sold their meeting-house, and it was removed to the village and became a Methodist Church. The few members that went to West Creek were never recognized as a church, built no house of worship, sustained no regular pastor, and kept up meetings only a few years. Most of them afterwards helped to build up the church at the village of' Avoca. The second church, at Lyon's Ilol- low, built a house of worship, at a cost of about $600, which still stands, but is not used, the church being disor- ganized. Its highest membership at any time was about 60, only 5 or 6 of whom still remain in that vicinity. Its pastors were N. B. James, C. S. Smith, T. R. Clark, A. B. De Groate, Thomas Dunham. Its deacons were R. Rouse, J. Fenton, S. Foster. Its clerk was E. T. Hubbard. The church at the village was recognized July 5, 1842, having then 43 members. In 1845 it built its present house of worship, at a cost of $2000. Its membership has varied considerably at different times. The highest number was 140, in 1853; the lowest was 64, in 1876. The present membership is 77. The pastors in their order of time and length of service from the organization in 1823 at the old log chureli down to the present time are as follows: Nehe- miah Lamb, from 1823 to 1830; Amos Chase, 1831 to 1836; James H. Stebbins, 1836 to 1838; T. Ilendrix, 1838 to 1840 ; Samnel Adsit, 1841 to 1843; A. S. Knee- land, 1844 to 1847; W. F. Purington, 1848 to 1855 ; Merrill Forbes, 1856 to 1862; D. W. Litchfield, 1862 to 1863; W. Dunbar, 1863 to 1867; D. Van Kreolin, 1867 to 1868; V. L. Garrett, 1869 to 1870; D. Burroughs, 1870 to 1872; A. B. Greene, 1872 to 1873; R. J. Rey- holds, 1874 to 1876; E. F. Owen, 1877 to 1879, the

present time. The first trustees in 1823 were Robert Olds, John De Golia, Jacob Koon, John Smith, Ebenezer Olds. The first trustees at the village in 1813 were Aaron Pinney, Joseph S. Babcock, Selah Gillett, Chauncey J. Clark, John Smith. The deacons from first to last have been as follows : John De Golia, R. Olds, -- Richards, H. Clark, J. S. Babcock, Selah Gillett, A. B. Miner, C. B. Gillett, Truman Strong, W. II. Babcock, Isaac Van Vleet, J. S. Horton. The society clerks have been Josiah Bab- cock, John Smith, John Hoase, J. Niles, Isaae Vermilya, C. B. Gillett, Peter M. Dingee, J. S. Babcock, Jr., 11. G. Koon, John Vermilya, A. C. Smith, J. S. Hlorton. The church has licensed the following-named persons to preach the gospel : Caleb Lamb, Renben P. Lamb, David Olney, Andrew Wilkins, Riley Clark, Josiah Brace. It has or- dained the following ministers : James II. Stebbins and A. S. Kneeland. The church from its organization in 1823 until 1843 was connected with the Steuben Association. Since 1843 it has belonged to the Yates Association.

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History of Steuben county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 106

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia, Lewis, Peck & co. Number of Pages: 826

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Lewis, Peck & co.
Number of Pages: 826