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 23
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133
11. 11. Hess, Cohoctoo, admitted 1843. Rufus Talmadge, Pulteney, admitted 1843. Anson Andrews,# Reading, admitted 1843. J. C. Morse, Bath, admitted 1843; removed. Newman Abbey, Reading, admitted 1843. William Gulick, Tyrone, admitted 1843. Thomas Shannon, Savona, admitted 1844. Marsena Terry, Savona, admitted 1844; removed. S. Brownell, Bath, admitted 1844; died at Paducah, Ky. N. M. Harrington, Corning, admitted 1845. L. K. House, admitted 1845.
# Deceased.
N. M. Perry, Troupsburgh, admitted 1845. Stephen Hagadorn, Bath, admitted 1845. John II. Read," Bath, admitted 1845. Christopher Patterson, Avoca, admitted 1845. E. Van Kuren, Ilammondsport, admitted 1845.
J. B. Graves, Corning, admitted 1846.
George W. Pratt, Coruing, admitted 1846 ; editor Corning Journal. - Peck, admitted 1847.
Robert Bell, Monterey, admitted 1847.
T. Skinner, # admitted 1847; removed.
A. Robinson, Hornellsville, admitted 1847.
James Read,# Tyrone, admitted 1847.
Andrew Blanck, admitted 1847; removed.
John B. Flemming,# admitted 1847.
Samuel Mitchell, Hornellsville, admitted 1849.
P. K. Stodard, Prattsburgh, admitted 1849.
Joseph S. Dolson, Bath, admitted 1849.
Cameron Patchin, Wayland, admitted 1850.
E. Hall, admitted 1850; removed.
A. T. Lyon, Savona, admitted 1851 ; died at Savona.
Henry C. May, Corning, admitted 1856.
William Gilbert, North Cuhocton, admitted 1856; removed.
Ira P. Smith, Bath, admitted 1865.
Samuel Ensign, Bath, admitted 1865 ; removed.
Augustus F. Mills, Corning, admitted 1865. Eli Allison, Wayne, admitted 1865.
Dighton L. Case, Howard, admitted 1865.
J. Straton Harlow, Bath, admitted 1865.
Reuben F. Parkhill, Howard, admitted 1865. E. S. Carpenter, Cohocton, admitted 1865.
James W. Black," Bath, admitted 1866. Andrew Purdy, admitted 1866 ; now a Methodist minister.
W. 11. Sheffield, admitted 1866; removed.
H. A. Talmadge, Bradford, admitted 1866.
F. M. Lockwood, Bradford, admitted 1866. John Mitchell, Addison, admitted 1866.
D. J. Chittenden, Addison, admitted 1867; removed.
Charles M. Graves, Corning, admitted 1867.
John Cooper, Cooper's Plains, admitted 1867 ; removed.
C. S. Parkhill, llornellsville, admitted 1867.
F. Wylie, Bath, admitted 1867.
J. A. Bennett, Prattsburgh, admitted 1868.
J. S. Jameson, Hornellsville, admitted 1868.
C. II. Ward,# Hornellsville, admitted 1868. Joseph Robinson, Hornellsville, admitted 1868.
R. P. Brown, Addison, admitted 1869.
J. Van Dusen, Painted Post, admitted 1869; removed.
S. F. Cridler, Hornellsville, admitted 1869. Benjamin Pickett, Canisteo, admitted 1869. C. W. Bennett, Bath, admitted 1869.
Lester B. Healey, Cohocton, admitted 1870.
W. T. Green, Hornellsville, admitted 1870.
I. L. Goff, admitted 1870; removed. W. W. Smith, Avoca, admitted 1871. Moses T. Babcock, Hammondsport, admitted 1871.
J. IT. Trumbull, Hornellsville, admitted 1871.
A. H. Cruttenden, Bath, admitted 1872.
A. D. Robbins, Corning, admitted 1872.
D. E. Graves, admitted 1872; removed. H. R. Ainsworth, Addison, admitted 1872. E. Mullheron, Corning, admitted 1872; removed.
Ambrose Kasson, Bath, admitted 1873.
S. H. Hall, Hammondsport, admitted 1873; removed.
J. B. Smith, Hornby, admitted 1874. Warren Stewart, Savona, admitted 1874. G. S. Gallagher, Cohocton, admitted 1874. M. D. Ellison, Canisteo, admitted 1874. John R. Selover, Bath, admitted 1874. L. N. Pinney, Painted Pust, admitted 1875 ; removed. George F. Casc," Pulteney, admitted 1875. Frank Oulton, Savona, admitted 1876; removed. Mrs. Agnes Seeley, Bath, admitted 1876. E. A. Overhiser, Campbell, admitted 1877.
* Deceased.
88
HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Milton J. Baker, IIernellsville, admitted 1877. J. B. Dudley, Painted Post, admitted 1877. F. E. Crittenden, Bath, admitted 1878. Ephraim Winnie, Fremont, admitted 1878. Total membership, one handred and fifty-eight.
The following is a list of presidents, together with the year for which they were elected :
1818. Warren Patchin.
1847. R. II. Hoyt.
1819. Enos Barnes. 1848. A. Niles.
1820. John Warren.
1849. John D. Higgins.
1821. Noah Niles. 1850. Ira L. Babeoek,
1822. James Warden. 185T. Stephen Hagadorn.
IS23. Enos Barnes. 1856. A. B. Case.
1824. Warren Patehin. 1865. Joseph S. Dolson.
1825. Robert H. Hoyt.
1866. Samnel Mitchell.
1826. Gustavns A. Rogers.
1867. John Mitebell.
1827. Issae L. Kidder.
IS68. Christopher Patterson.
1828. John D. Iliggins.
1869. Eli Allison.
1830-31. Ebenezer B. Pulling.
1872. J. B. Graves.
1833. Gustavus A. Rogers.
1873. Thomas Shannon.
IS34. T. E. Gansevoort.
1874. H. R. Ainsworth.
1835. Levi Goodrich.
1875. H. C. May.
IS37. Gustavus A. Rogers. 1876. W. W. Smith.
1842-43. Warren Patchin. 1877. M. F. Babcock.
1844-46. A. B. Case. 1878. Ira P. Smith.
The following-named members of this society were army surgeons during the late war, viz. : Drs. Joseph S. Dolson, Ira P. Smith, F. Wylie, Bath; Dr. M. T. Babcock, Ham- mondsport; Dr. Ilenry C. May, Corning; Dr. P. K. Stodard, Prattsburgh ; Dr. Seely Brownell, Bath ; Dr. John S. Jameson, Hornellsville.
This society is now in a prosperous condition, with hopes of continued and increasing usefulness.
THE STEUBEN COUNTY HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY was organized May 25, 1867. President, A. De Wolfe, Bath ; Vice-President, W. S. Purdy, Addison ; Secretary, James M. Cadmus, Sonora; Censors, B. F. Grant, Bath ; II. S. Benedict, Corning; P. S. HFollett, Sonora.
Charter Members .-- A. De Wolfe, Bath ; W. S Purdy, Addison ; James M. Cadmus, Sonora ; B. F. Grant, Bath ; HI. S. Benedict, Corning; P. S. Hollett, Sonora; W. J. Bryan, Corning.
Regular Members .- F. HI. Purdy, Bath ; W. E. Hath- away, Hornellsville ; W. D. Saxton, Liberty ; E. W. Bryan, Corning ; H. A. Whitfield, Wayland ; Charles Brown, Ham- mondsport ; A. M. Gamman, Corning ; B. F. Williamson, Prattsburgh ; J. L. Gage, Hornellsville ; C. E. Campbell, Hammondsport ; W. E. A. Gorton, Corning; W. S. Purdy, Corning ; F. D. Purdy, Corning.
Officers of the Society for 1879 .- President, E. W. Bryan, Corning ; Vice-President, B. F. Williamson, Pratts- burgh ; Secretary, A. M Gamman, Corning ; Censors, B. F. Grant, Bath ; A. M. Gamman, Corning; W. E. A. Gorton, Corning
SOUTHERN TIER HOMEOPATIIIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
A meeting was called and held at the office of Dr. E. D. Leonard, in the city of Elmira, N. Y., on Jan. 20, 1874, for the purpose of organizing a medical society for Southern
Tier, New York. Dr. O. Groom, of Horseheads, was chair- man, and Dr. E. M. White secretary of the meeting.
Constitution and by-laws were adopted, and the follow- ing officers elected for the ensuing year: President, Henry Sayles, M.D., Elmira, N. Y .; Vice-President, Dr. W. L. Purdy, Corning, N. Y .; Secretary and Treasurer, Dr. W. J. Bryan, Corning, N. Y. ; Censors, Drs. N. R. Seeley, M. D., Elmira, N. Y .; B. F. Grant, M.D., Bath, N. Y .; E. W. Bryan, M.D., Ovid, N. Y .; James M. Cadmus, M.D., Waverly, N. Y .; William Gulick, M.D., Watkins, N. Y.
The following were the first members of the association :
Henry Sayles, M.D., Elmira, N. Y.
W. L. Pardy, Corning, «
William Gulick, “ Watkins, “
Orlando Groom, =
Horseheads, N. Y.
N. R. Seeley, Elmira,
B. F. Grant, Batb,
1 .. L. Brown, Binghamton,
W. D. Saxton, Cohoeton,
A. P. Hollett,
IFavana,
E. D. Leonard, Elmira,
W. J. Bryan, Corning,
I. L. Corbin, Athens, Pa,
W. T. Read, 64 Big Flats, N. Y.
John Burting, Corning,
Officers for 1875, elected January 19 : President, Wil- liam Gulick, M.D., Watkins ; Vice-President, N. R. Seeley, Elmira ; Secretary and Treasurer, W. J. Bryan, M.D., Corning.
Officers for 1876, elected January 18: President, W. L. Purdy, M.D., Corning ; Vice-President, B. F. Grant, M.D., Bath ; Secretary and Treasurer, W. J. Bryan, M.D., Corning ; Censors, N. R. Seeley, M.D., Elmira; B. F. Grant, M.D., Bath ; E. W. Bryan, M.D., Ovid, N. Y .; James M. Cadmus, M.D., Waverly, N. Y. ; William Guliek, M.D., Watkins, N. Y.
Officers of 1876 were re-elected on January 16, 1877. Officers for 1878, elected January 15: President, W. S. Purdy, M.D., Corning ; Vice- President, J. L. Corbin, M.D., Athens, Pa. ; Secretary and Treasurer, A. P. Hollett, M.D., Havana, N. Y .; Censors, E. W. Bryan, M.D., Corning, N. Y .; William Gulick, M.D., Watkins, N. Y .; N. R. Seeley, M.D., Elmira, N. Y .; O. Groom, M.D., Horse- heads, N. Y .; A. M. Gamman, M.D., Corning, N. Y.
At the meeting on Jan. 15, 1878, Drs. E. W. Bryan and A. M. Gamman were appointed a committee to revise the constitution and by-laws. At the meeting held in Corn- ing, N. Y., on April 16, 1878, they reported, and the fol- lowing act of incorporation was executed and adopted in the place of the constitution ;
" AN ACT TO INCORPORATE
" The Southern Tier Homeopathic Medical Association of the State of New York.
" This is to certify, that we, the undersigned, citizens of the United States, and of the State of New York, residing in the counties of Steuben, Chemung, Sehuyler, Seneca, Tioga, Broome, Yates, and Alle- gany, in accordance with the requirements of an act of the Legislature of the State of New York, entitled ' An act for the incorporation of benevolent, charitable, scientifie, and missionary societies,' passed, April 12, 1848, have associated ourselves together for the purpose of organizing a medical society to he known by the name of the ' South- ern Tier Homeopathie Medical Association of the State of New
1829. J. S. Livermore.
1870. A. B. Caso.
1871. G. II. Van Dusen.
1832. David Ward.
89
HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK.
York,' for the purpose of scientific investigation, the advancement of our knowledge in the practice of medicine and surgery, to facilitate the instruction of medical students in the treatment of disease, and also for the purpose of granting, after due examination, certificates of qualification to practice medicine and surgery. The association shall holl its annual meeting on the third Tuesday of January of each year, in the village of Corning, Steuben Co., N. Y., when they shall elect a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer, who, together with five members of the association, who shall be elected at the same time, shall constitute a Board of Directors, and they shall continue in office one year or until their successors are elected ; and the follow- ing-named persons shall constitute the board of directors for the first year, or until the annual meeting in January, 1879: William S. Purdy, President ; 1. L. Corbin, Vice-President; A. P. Ifollett, Sec- retary and Treasurer, N. R. Seeley, B. F. Grant, William Gulick, E. W. Bryan, O. P. Barden.
" And the said association shall at its next meeting, on the third Tuesday of July, 1878, adopt such by-laws as a majority shall think best to regulate the holding of meetings, admission of members, and the transaction of such other business as may be necessary to carry out the objects of the association in accordance with the requirements of the statutes of the State of New York hereinafter referred to, and all amendments thereto.
" Dated Corning, N. Y., April 16, 1878.
" W. S. PURDY, [L.S.]
" N. R. SEELEY, [L.S.]
" EDWARD W. BRYAN, [L.S.] "W.M. E. A. GORTON, [L.S.] " A. P. IlOLLETT, [L.S.]
" B. F. WILLIAMSON, [L.S.]
" A. M. GAMMAN." [L.S.]
" STATE OF NEW YORK, } COUNTY OF STEUBEN. 88. :
"On the 16th day of April, A.D. 1878, before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally came W. S. Purdy, N. R. Seeley, Edward W. Bryan, Wm. E. A. Gorton, A. P. Hollett, B. F. Williamson, and A. M. Gamman, known to me to be the same persons described in and who executed the within instrument, and acknowl- edged that they executed the same.
" GEORGE IHITCHCOCK, " Justice of the Peace.
" I do hereby consent to and approve of the within certificate. " Dated April 16, 1878.
" JAMES L. ANGLE, " Justice Supreme Court, " Seventh District.
" Filed April 22, 1878."
"STATE OF NEW YORK,
STEUBEN COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE. 88. :
Seul uf - " I, Lucius A. Waklo, Clerk of said County, Steuben County. J and also Clerk of the County and Supreme Courts therein, Courts of Record, having a common seal, do hereby certify that I have compared the foregoing copy of an article of in- corporation with the original of the same, now remaining on file in my office, and that it is a correct transcript therefrom, and of the whole of said original. In testimony whereof, I have herennto sub- scribed my name and affixed my official seal, the seal of said courts, at Bath, this 22d day of April, 1878.
" THOS. R. RUTHERFORD, Dp. Clerk."
By-laws were adopted in accordance with the aet of in- corporation.
The following members of the association have died, and suitable resolutions of regret have been adopted.
Ilenry Sayles, M.D., of Elmira, N. Y. P. S. Hollett, M.D., of Sonora, Steuben Co., N. Y.
W. J. Bryan, M.D., of Corning, N. Y.
11. Hughes, M.D., of Savona, Steuben Co., N. Y.
The following have been elected members of the associa- tion from time to time. The meetings of the association have also been largely attended by physicians not members.
Henry Sayles, M.D., Elmira, N. Y.
W. S. Purdy, M.D., Corning, N. Y. William Gulick, M.D., Watkins, N. Y.
Orlando Groom, M.D., Horseheads, N. Y.
N. R. Seeley, M.D., Elmira, N. Y. I. L. Corbin, M.D., Athens, l'a. B. F. Grant, M.D., Bath, N. Y.
T. L. Brown, M.D., Binghamton, N. Y.
W. D. Saxton, M.D., Cohocton, N. Y.
A. P. Ifollett, M.D .. Havana, N. Y.
E. D. Leonard, M.D., Elmira, N. Y.
W. J. Bryan, M.D. (lead), Corning, N. Y.
T. W. Read, M.D., Big Flats, N. Y.
John Burling, M.D. (removed), Curning. N. Y.
H. Hughes, M.D. (dead), Savona, N. Y.
P. S. Hollett, M.D. (dead), Sonora, N. Y.
I. B. Wescott, M.D. (West), Ilorseheads, N. Y.
Mrs. Il. E. Brown, M.D. (Brooklyn), Corning, N. Y.
Charles Brown, M.D. (removed), Ilaumondsport, N. Y.
E. W. Bryan, M.D., Corning, N. Y.
Frank Tompkins, M.D., Penn Yan, N. Y.
James M. Cadmus, M.D., Waverly, N. Y.
L. W. Parkhurst, M.D., Elmira, N. Y. Alex. V. Stobbs, M.D., Mecklenburgh, N. Y.
C. E. Sayler, M.D., Elmira, N. Y.
11. C. Coon, M.D., Alfred, N. Y.
B. F. Williamson, M.D., Prattsburgh, N. Y.
A. M. Gamman, M.D., Corning, N. Y.
O. S. Barden, M.D., Tioga, P'a.
E. W. Rogers, M.D., Crystal Springs, N. Y.
Wm. E. A. Gorton, M.D., Corning, N. Y.
F. W. Adriance, M.D., Watkins, N. Y.
HORNELLSVILLE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE.
This association was organized Dec. 17, 1873, and holds its meetings on the first Wednesday evening in each month. The first officers were as follows: Dr. J. W. Robinson, President ; Dr. Samuel Mitchell, Vice-President ; Dr. C. G. Hubbard, Secretary ; Dr. J. II. Trumbull, Treasurer.
MEMBERSHIP.
D. F. Cridler, S. E. Shattuck, C. G. Ilubbard, C. S. Parkhill, S. F. Curry, J. H. Trumbull. J. W. Robinson, M. J. Baker, E. Beck- with, Hornellsville; D. L. Case, R. F. Parkhill, Howard ; R. P. Brown, John Mitchell, Addison ; C. E. Annabel, Cameron ; J. W. Burchard, Fremont ; E. Winnie, IIaskinville; Z. Deldine, Wm. H. Ilagadorn, Almond; M. D. Ellison, Canisteo; J. B. Graves, Corning; II. P. Sanders, Mark Sheppard, Alfred; J. E. Walker, Arkport; J. K. Richardson, Greenwood ; L. V. Rathbun, Rex- ville ; W. W. Crandall, Andover.
Officers for 1878 .- D. F. Cridler, President ; Samuel Mitchell, Vice-President ; C. G. Hubbard, Secretary ; J. H. Trumbull, Treasurer.
THE STEUBEN COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
It is proper in giving a history of this society to refer incidentally to the agricultural organizations which had existed in this county prior to the year 1853, when this society was established.
The first one of which there are any authentic records left is the society organized in 1841, although many of the older inhabitants can well remember the many county fairs, so called, which were held at Bath in the earlier times, under the auspices of Dugald Cameron, of Bath, Capt. Joel Pratt and Judge Robert Porter, of Prattsburgh, and many other leading men of the county.
In the early spring of 1841, a meeting of the citizens of the county was ealled at the court-house, in Bath, to con-
90
HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK.
sider the practicability of organizing a county agricultural society, of which meeting Ziba A. Leland was chairman, and Ilenry Brother and Robert B. Van Valkenburgh were secretaries, and Z. A. Leland, O. F. Marshal, Jacob Van Valkenburgh, Israel R. Wood, Theron Loomis and Henry Brother a committee to draft a constitution and by-laws, and to report at an adjourned meeting to be held on the 1st day of June following.
At the subsequent meeting a constitution and by-laws were adopted, and the following officers duly elected : Presi- dent, Otto F. Marshal ; Vice-Presidents, John Cooper, Jr., Israel R. Wood, and Erastus Skinner; Secretaries, Wm. S. Ilubbell and Ziba A. Leland ; Treasurer, Henry Brother.
A fair was held this year, in the month of October, at Bath, and immediately after its close the members met at the court-house and elected the following officers for the ensuing year :
President, Lazarus Hammond ; Vice-Presidents, O. F. Marshal, Israel R. Wood, and Lyman Baleom; Secretaries, Theron Loomis and Ziba A. Leland; and Treasurer, Henry Brother. In comparison with the amount of premiums now awarded by the society, it may interest some to know that the society then gave only one hundred and seventy dollars in premiums.
For the year 1843, Lazarus Hammond was re-elected President ; Wm. Baker, Israel R. Wood, and Otto F. Mar- shal Vice-Presidents; James Shannon and Robert Campbell, Jr., Secretaries ; and Henry Brother, Treasurer.
For the year 1844, Israel R. Wood was chosen Presi- dent ; David Smith, John J. Poppino, and Daniel N. Ben- nett, Vice-Presidents ; Wm. Cook and Lay Noble, Secreta- ries ; John Richardson, Treasurer. The fair of this year seems to have been the last one held by this society, and immediately after the elose of the fair, which was upon the river flats in the village of Bath, southwest of the Pulteney Land-Office, the society disbanded; and from that time Steuben County was without a county agricultural association until the year 1853, when the organization of the present society was effeeted, under the provisions of chapter 169 of laws of 1841.
On the 18th day of May, 1853, upon application made to Philo P. Ilubbell, then clerk of the county, said clerk gave publie notice, as the statute required, that on Wednes- day, June 22, 1853, a meeting would be held at the court- house in Bath for the purpose of organizing a county agri- cultural society. This meeting was largely attended by the leading farmers of the county,-Hon. Goldsmith Den- piston presiding and Robert B. Van Valkenburgh acting as secretary,-and an organization then completed, and the following officers elected : President, Goldsmith Denniston ; Vice-Presidents, A. F. Marshall, J. B. Mitchell, A. B. Diekinson, Lyman Balcom, Redmond S. Davis, and John Van Wie; Treasurer, George Edwards; Corresponding Secretary, R. B. Van Valkenburgh ; and Recording Sec- retary, George S. Ellas.
The first annual fair of the society was held at Bath, on the 12th and 13th of October, 1853, in the open field, on the farm of Robert Campbell, at the junction of Morris and Steuben Streets, temporary structures having been erected for the purposes of the exhibition.
Early in 1854, the new board of officers elected entered into an agreement with the heirs of the late Dr. Ten Eyck Gansevoort, who then owned the portion of the society's present fair-grounds in Bath, - fronting on Washington Street,-to lease said lands of said heirs for a term of years ; and the same year said grounds were properly in- elosed and the only exhibition building erected thereon that the society had until 1867, and on these grounds the society has since held all its annual festivals and fairs.
The society seems to have had a prosperous career from the time these grounds were taken, for while the total re- ceipts for the year 1833 were only two hundred and fifty- eight dollars and six cents, they reached the then large suin of nine hundred and sixty six dollars and ninety-five cents in 1854 ; so that, by skillful and honest management, the society's officers were, in the course of two or three years, enabled to make a contract for the purchase of said prem- ises, and in 1862 they received a deed for the same, pay- ing therefor the sum of twelve hundred dollars.
Almost immediately upon securing title to these lands, the members of the society began to feel that the buildings were insufficient and too inferior, and during the years 1863 and 1864 several efforts were made to secure voluntary do- nations sufficient to warrant the society in attempting the improvements, but without success ; and yet the hard and gratuitous work done by Hon. David McMaster, in this regard, in 1863 and 1864, made the task all the easier for those who followed him in the effort, in 1867.
In 1866 the matter of new buildings and larger grounds and accommodations was brought up at the annual meeting, and after some discussion laid upon the table.
At the annual meeting of 1867 the matter was more generally discussed, and Warren W. Willson, Jonathan Robie, Chas. N. Ackerson, Azariah C. Brundage, and Chas. Il. Robie were appointed a committee to solicit funds for these improvements ; and they entered upon the work with a will, and in a short time secured donations to the amount of three thousand dollars, from the citizens of Bath and some of the other towns in the county.
This movement, which resulted in the enlargement and improvement of the grounds, was directed by Robert B. Wilkes, who had just been elected the society's president ; and to his energy, sagacity, and untiring labors the society is indebted more than to the efforts of any other man for what was then done.
A special law was proeured to be passed by the Legis- lature, enabling the society to mortgage its real estate, for the purpose of raising funds to buy additional lands in the the rear of the old grounds; and with the money thus obtained, together with the voluntary donations received, new buildings and fences were erected at a cost of $4877.14, lands purchased costing the society $3125.47, and a new driving-park laid out and finished at a cost of $1593.07.
The supervision and general direction of all these im- provements was given to Robert B. Wilkes, Charles N. Ackerson, and Warren W. Willson by the executive com- mittee, and the work well done.
At the end of the year 1867 the society owed about $4000, 82639 of which was secured by mortgage on the society's lands, and running for twenty years.
.
91
HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK.
In 1872 new grand and judges' stands were erected upon the driving-park at a cost of $1085.18; and at the annual meeting of this year the constitution of the society was amended, so that an honorary life-membership could be conferred upon such old members of the society, of the age of not less than sixty years, who have been most active in their support of the society, the amendment providing for the election of three such honorary life-members at that meeting, and one at each succeeding annual meeting ; and this honor was then conferred upon Otto F. Marshal, Day Noble, and Reuben Robie.
In 1873, $1165.04 were expended in grading the grounds, planting trees, erecting new and commodious cattle-, sheep-, and swine-pens aud stalls, and in other permanent improvements; and in 1874 a new dining-hall was constructed, and other improvements made, at a cost of $1362.74.
A manufacturers' hall, built in 1876 and costing $428.22, and additional cattle- and sheep-pens, horse-stalls, and poul- try-hall, constructed in 1877 at an expense of $552.97, com- plete the permanent improvements that are worthy of notice.
The fairs of the society rank among the best given by any of the county societies in the State, and the society itself occupies a prominent position among similar organ- izations. It has a large membership, not confined alone to the people of Steuben County, and its influence upon the industrial classes of the county particularly is very bene- ficial. Among its members can be selected many who were prominent in the society organized in 1841, and have since the organization of this society been its staunchest friends and most faithful workers. Its property in the vil- lage of Bath, upon which there is only an indebtedness of $200, is very valuable. The buildings are convenient, tasteful, and well constructed, and the grounds and conve- niences in the best condition and exactly suited to the uses of the society.
The following are the officers serving the society for the year 1878 : President, Martin W. Noble; Vice-Presidents, Frank Aulls, J. M. Hopkins, Clarence Myotte, Thomas Hallett, Thomas Conover, Willard C. Morse, B. V. Lewis, and John L. Smith ; Secretary, Reuben E. Robie; Treas- urer, Edwin C. Cook ; General Superintendent, Charles N. Ackerson.
The following are the persons who have occupied the positions of president, secretary, treasurer, and general superintendent of the society, and the years for which they were elected :
Presidents .- Goldsmith Denniston, 1853, '64 ; Uri Bal- com, 1856; Lyman Baleom, 1857, '66 ; Daniel Gray, 1859 ; John W. Taggart, 1860; Grattan H. Wheeler, 1861; Samuel Baleom, 1865; Robert B. Wilkes, 1867-68; Frank J. Marshal, 1869; Charles H. Robie, 1870-71; Samuel E. Haskin, 1872-73 ; Azariah C. Brundage, 1874-75; Nathaniel B. Stanton, 1876; Martin W. Noble, 1877-78; J. M. Hopkins, 1879.
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.