History of Steuben county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 57

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 57

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1875. Orr Smith. 1876. Harmon Stevens. " All over these hills, and up and down this valley, God 1877. Charles Cass. had planted great forests of pine, and directly past our doors He had made a stream to flow, swift enough to turn

1835. Alson Pierce.

1856. Daniel Curtis.

Sidney Thornton. Edward S. Millard.

A. J. Pratt.

Z. W. Woodward. .4 Robert B. Dawson. Philo Campbell.

1870. Charles II. Bemis.

1871. 66

1873. E. J. Armstrong.

Jacob Clawson.

1838. William Stewart.

1870. John Tomer.

1873. Charles Cass.

1847. J. P. Knox.

1851. Willis McNeil.

1852.

(PHOTOS BY EVANS )

W W Bartlett

Esther & Barttell

William W. Bartlett, son of Luther and Maria Bartlett, was born in Dudley, Worcester Co., Mass., July 8, 1825. His father was born in Massachusetts about 1800; married Maria Windsor, a native of Dudley, Mass., Oct. 5, 1824. Mrs. Maria Windsor Bartlett was born May 10, 1803. Of this union three children were born, viz., William W., Eliza N., and Lucian. William W. is the only one of the children now living.

Luther Bartlett was a manufacturer of scythes and axes ; later in life kept publie house in Thompson, Conn., and died Feb. 9, 1830. Mrs. Bartlett married David Van Alstine, and now resides in California. Nathaniel Bartlett, grandfather of William W., was of Scottish origin, and was born in one of the New England States. William W. Bartlett's maternal grandfather, William Windsor (spelled by some Winsor), was born in Smithfield, R. I., October 12, 1779 ; married Ennice Nichols, a native of Thompson, Conn., May 8, 1800. Eunice Nichols was born June 6, 1775. Of this union five daughters were born, viz., Ann Frances, deceased ; Maria, Lucy E., Sally, and Elizabeth. William Windsor was a farmer by occupation. He settled in Campbell, Steuben Co., May 29, 1835, on the farm now owned by his grandson, William W. Bartlett. He died Jan. 12, 1866, and his wife died Jan. 2, 1852.

William Windsor was a sou of Abraham and Nancy Water- man Windsor, aud was one of five children.

The Windsor family is of English origin, having descended from Joshua Windsor, who emigrated to America and settled in Providence, R. I., in 1638, and was one of the twenty who paid thirty pounds (the amount of the first purchase of Provi- dence of the natives) on their being admitted equal sharers thereiu with Roger Williams, the first purchaser, and twelve others who had gone there before. By his writings, which still

remain, he appears to have been a man of a religious turn of mind and a man of ability. From him have descended a very numerous family, of whom William Windsor was one. Abra- ham Windsor was born March 10, 1756, and died June 27, 1787.

Nancy Waterman was born May 1, 1756, and died Feb. 7, 1846.

William W. Bartlett came to Campbell, Steuben Co., in com- pany with his grandparents (Mr. and Mrs. William Windsor), May 28, 1835, when but ten years of age. He was reared a farmer, which honorable business he still continues to follow on the same farm which was purchased by his grandfather, William Windsor. He married Esther E. Pixley, daughter of Alanson and Mary Pixley, July 4, 1852. Mrs. Esther E. Bartlett was born at Albion, N. Y., March 22, 1832. Of this alliance eight children have been born, viz., Frances E., deceased ; Ella P., and William W. (twins), Mary E., George Mcclellan, Cora B., Luther E., and Essie.

Mr. Bartlett is one of the largest farmers in the town; he has some four hundred acres of land. He has made valuable im- provements upon his farm since he has owned it; his farm buildings are substantial, and will compare favorably with the best farm buildings in the county. In politics a life-long Demo- crat, casting his first vote for Martin Van Buren and Charles F. Adams. He has served three terms as assessor of Campbell.

Miss Frances E. Bartlett graduated at the academy at Corning, married J. W. Burdick, of Newburgh, N. Y., Sept. 12, 1873, left one daughter, Sarah F., and died Aug. 15, 1876.

Mr. Burdick married for his second wife, Miss Ella P. Bartlett. Jan. 20, 1878, and has one son, Julian W. Mr. Burdick is a telegraph operator at Newburgh.

ABRAM HOLLENBECK.

MRS. ABRAM HOLLENBECK.

ABRAM HOLLENBECK,

son of Joshua B. and Clarissa Hollenbeck, was born in Greene, Chenango Co., N. Y., Jan. 8, 1830. He is the second son in a family of five children. His father was a native of Massachusetts, and removed to New York when a young man. He married Clarissa Marsh, a native of Broome Co., N. Y., about 1826. By this marriage five children were born, viz .: David C., who was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, and lost his life at City Point, Va .; Abram; Ann E., married D. F. Woodward, of Jasper ; Margaret; and Emily, who mar- ried Franklin Velie, now a resident of Campbell.

Joshua removed into Steuben County with his family 'in the winter of 1843, and settled in Thurston, and in the following spring located in Campbell. His business was farming. He purchased his farm, now owned by the estate, situated one and a half miles west of Curtis, in 1847, and the following spring settled upon it, his son Abram owning a half interest in the original purchase of one hundred acres. In politics he was a Whig and Republican. He died April 10, 1872, and his wife died Nov. 16, 1878. Both are buried in the cemetery below Curtis.

Abram received a common-school education, and by application to his books has acquired practical business qualifications. He came to Campbell when a boy about

thirteen years old with his parents, and has resided there ever since. He is one of the substantial farmers of the town, and well deserves to be ranked among the representative agriculturists of the county. Upon him has developed the care of his parents, though his father died at the age of seventy, and his mother at the age of seventy-six. He owns some two hundred and thirty acres of land west of Curtis, and has made creditable improvements upon his farm. In politics he is a Re- publican. He has held some of the town offices, but is not an aspirant after official honors.

He married Miss Mary L., daughter of Jacob and Mary Velie, March 5, 1857. She was born in Orange, Schuyler Co., N. Y., Oct. 20, 1836. Her mother, Mary Miller, was born in Ulysses, N. Y., in 1804, and had eleven children, all of whom lived to ma- . turity but George W. Velie, the youngest son, who died at Washington, April 29, 1865, while serving his country.

Mr. and Mrs. Hollenbeck have four living children -George A., Ruby A., Lydia M., Esther E.,-and two deceased. John died while an infant, and Clarissa while quite young. Mr. and Mrs. Hollenbeck are now in the prime of life, surrounded by an intelligent group of chil- dren and all the necessary comforts of a happy home.

211

TOWN OF CAMPBELL.

all our mills, and yet so perfectly navigable during the spring freshets as to afford us a highway to the markets of the outside world.

" The result was the development of a branch of industry here which marked all our early history. In winter the choppers were at their work in the woods by early day- light, and the teams were moving to bring in the logs and the spars. Many a ship has plowed the blue sea, and perhaps gone round the world, bearing masts that were eut from these mountains; and the elaek of the mills, the serecch- ing of the saw-file, the shouts of the teamsters, and the crash of falling trees blended into a musie which we all learned to enjoy.

" One evil of this branch of industry was that it brought into our families as working men, and into our town as citizens, a class of rough people ; a still greater evil was that it took men every year into the temptation one meets away from home; but the greatest evil of all was that in rafting-time it led to such entire disregard of the Sabbath day. The minister who was so audacious as to preach against ' rafting on Sunday' soon heard from his people in a way more forcible than agreeable; and after our revivals it used to be said, ' Now, if your converts can go down the river and back again without losing their religion they will probably go through.' It was a very severe fest, and some failed under it.

" One of the good things of the business was the hardi- hood it gave us. This was conspienous even among the children. I have some illustrations to give on this point, especially in the matter of barefoot ehildren, for which one might challenge the country to find a parallel. It was not that in summer time we went to school, and to Sunday- school, and to meeting barefoot : all the children did that sometimes ; but we had one family of children who went to school all winter without shoes, who would sometimes go with us on the ice to slide, and who, when cold, instead of crying or running to the fire, would throw themselves down on their faces, lift their feet in the air, and strike them together till they were warm. This was, indeed, an extreme ease among us, but young and old alike were edu- cated to endure hardships and not complain. Men who were in the woods at daylight swinging the axe and handling the frosty log-chains,-men who slept on the rafts, ran the chutes, and held their oars through Kanawagha,-learned to laugh at danger, and taught their children that a little finger-ache was not just the thing to ery for. And when an emergency eame, requiring men to do and dare for the country, here were people of just the hardihood to meet the call.

" Another thing which this special branch of industry did for us was to stir the public mind, and send men abroad to see the world. There we were, a remote popu- lation, hid away among the hills, far from the great een- tre of social life, and in just the condition to live and die in contented ignorance of everything beyond the visible horizon. But, when rafting time came, the whole country was shaken. As soon as the snow began to melt and the rivers to rise, an energy was begotten among us which swept everything before it. The old men felt it at eighty, and walked out to the river-banks to see the rafts go by. The

little boys felt it at ten, and counted the years till they should be old enough to go down the river, too. And al- most the entire adult male population left home, each year, for the long voyage, and came back to tell us of Northum- berland and Harrisburg, of Port Deposit and Havre de Grace, of Philadelphia and Baltimore, as places they had visited while they were gone."

CHURCHES.

" FIRST PRESBYTERIAN COHOCTON CONGREGATION"-SO- CIETY OF CAMPBELL AND MUD CREEK.

We find the following in an old book of records :

" The inhabitants of Campbell town and Mud Creek assembled at Capt. Archa Camphell's on the evening of the 24th of December, A.D. 18II, for the purpose of promoting public worship, and appointed Rev. Robert Campbell moderator, and Ralph Malhone secretary.

" The inhabitants of Mnd Creek, including Mr. Fulton, have this evening agreed to be at one-half the expense for the support of the gospel, and the inhabitants of Campbell town the remainder.

" Moved and carried by unanimous vote, that the spot for creating a house of public worship shall be near the school-honse, in the upper district of said Campbell town.

" Moved and carried, that a committee be appointed to attend a meeting at the Great Flats, and make trial to get the Rev. Clement Heckman to preach one-fourth of his time. Solomon Campbell, Sr., and David Holmes were appointed as this committee.

" Moved and carried, that the above committee be authorized to offer the Rev. Clement Heckman $125 per annum for five years as a compensation for the one-fourth part of his ministerial services.

" Voted, that the inhabitants of the aforesaid places assemble at the house of F. Stewart, on the third Monday of January next, at one o'clock p.M., for the purpose of forming themselves into a religions society, and transacting all business connected thereto.

" Resolved, That the Rev. Robert Campbell give legal notice of the above meeting.

" ROBERT CAMPBELL, Moderator. " R. MALBONE, Secretary."

" At a meeting of the inhabitants of Mud Creek and Campbell town, assembled at Capt. Archa Campbell's, on the evening of the 7th of January, A.D. 1812, and appointed Capt. Sulomon Campbell moderator and Ralph Malbone secretary. Voted, that the above inhabitants send four delegates to attend a meeting at Pust town,# on Friday next, on business respecting getting the Rev. Clement Heckman.

" Resolved, That these delegates shall be James Faulkner, James Fulton, Col. David Holmes, and Capt. Archa Campbell.

" Voted, that these delegates be authorized to offer the Rev. Clement Ileckman for one-fourth of his ministerial labors, at the rate of five bundred dollars per anunm, and design the other societies to join them in the offer.

" At a meeting of the inhabitants of Campbell town and the settle- ment of Mnd Creek, beld at the house of Frederick Stewart, inn- holder in said town, by a legal warning, according to law, in order to form into a religions society to support religious worship, held on the third Monday (or 20th) of January, 1812. Voted, that Solomon Campbell be moderator and David Holmes clerk.

" Voted, that the name of said society be ' The First Presbyterian Cohocton Congregation or Society in the connty of Steuben.'

" Voted, unanimously, to choose seven trustees far said society. Voted, that David Holmes, Solomon Campbell, Joseph Stevens, James Fanlkner, John White, James Fulton, and Frederick Stewart be trustees for said society, and Archa Camphell clerk. Voted, that Frederick Stewart's be the place for holding public worship. Voted, that the trustees of this society do agree with Rev. Clement Heck- man to preach for said society agrecable to former votes of the in- habitants."

(Copied from the minutes of S. Campbell, Jr.)

" At a society-meeting held at the house of Frederick Stewart,

* Painted Post.

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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK.

agreeable to adjonrnment. Voted, that a meeting-honse be built at the place before mentioned, in size thirty by forty on the ground, the height not to exceed one story. Voted, that a general invitation be given to the inhabitants to meet for the purpose of hewing the timber for said meeting-house, on Monday, the 3d inst. Meeting closed in due form, March 4, 1812.

" ARCHA CAMPBELL, Clerk."

" At a meeting of the First Presbyterian Cobocton Sveiety, in the county of Steuben, at the house of Frederick Stewart, on the 26th day of June, 1812, Col. David Holmes was chosen moderator and Solomon Campbell clerk. Voted, we do proceed to build a meeting- bouse at the place heretofore named. Col. David Holmes voluntarily proposed that he would give the society a title to the said place, and he would, after the expiration of five years, pay the society for the said house, if they then had no further use for it. Voted, unani- mously, to accept said proposals. Voted, that the size of said house be 22 feet by 32 feet and 13-feet posts. Voted, that Joho White be authorized to employ a carpenter to do the necessary work on and about the house. Voted, that Obed Nute be a collector for the pur- pose of collecting the several sums subscribed for the support of the Rev. Clement Heekman, in Campbell Settlement. Voted, that James Faulkner be a like collector for that part of the society which ineludes Mud Creek. Voted, that the house of Archa Campbell be the place to hold publie worship until otherwise directed by the society, or until the contemplated house be built."

At a meeting of the society, Jan. 19, 1813, Asa Milli- ken, Archa Campbell, and James Fulton were elceted trustees for the ensuing year. In 1814 a new board of trustees was also elceted, and with this the record closes.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CAMPBELL.

The first regular Presbyterian preaching began in 1830, in which year Rev. Benjamin B. Smith moved into the town, and was engaged as stated supply. His family oecu- pied part of the great red house just below the Narrows, which at that time formed the residence of Joseph Stevens ; and his little salary was supplemented by about ten dollars a month, which he received in winter for teaching district school.

Mr. Smith held a noted revival in a school-house on the west bank of the river, opposite Culp's Hill; and, the attendance going beyond the capacity of the building, a shed was erected against the outside, and the windows taken out between it and the school-room, to accommodate those who could not get in. Many came from a distance to attend this meeting, and there was an unusual religious interest awakened.

Soon after this revival, Rev. David Higgins, then of Bath, said to Deacon Jared Stevens, " What will you do with that little handful ?" and Mr. Stevens answered, " We will make a church of them, and God will take care of it."

On the 25th January, 1831, the Presbytery of Bath, then holding its session at Havana, was applied to for the organization of a Presbyterian Church in Campbell. The request was granted, and Rev. David Iliggins, and Rev. Mr. Harmon, and an elder from the church in Painted Post, of the name of Fry, came by appointment to consti- tute the church.

They met on the 14th day of February, 1831, for that purpose, in the same school-house where the Four Days' Meeting had been held.

It was constituted of seven members, and those mostly received by letter. Six of the seven members were from the Stevens family, viz., Joseph Stevens and Abigail, his

wife ; Jared and Jonas, his two sons ; Eliza, his son's wife ; and Mrs. Rhoda Nute, his sister. The seventh was Mrs. Ilannah Campbell. Thus began the church,-three men and four women. More came soon, however; and the sced-corn planted on that cold February day soon gave token of genuine vitality.

On the 6th day of March, 1831, less than one month from its organization, three persons came forward to unite by profession. Their names were Rachel Mulliken, Sarah Campbell, and George Teeple. In about two months more there was a still further accession. Mrs. Lucinda Gaylord, Mrs. Pamelia Pratt, Mrs. Luey Teeple, and Mrs. Rhoda Ann Nute united by profession ; and Mrs. Hadassah Hor- ton, by letter, from the church in Pulteney, N. Y. In July following eleven more came forward, among whom were Mrs. Sally Ann Knox, wife of W. Douglas Knox, and Aden J. Pratt. Deacon Pratt held the office of deacon of this church for thirty-five years, ending only with his death. In October following there was another accession, Ralph Stevens, Joseph Stevens, Jr., and James Wheat. In November, one more, Plyna Cobb.

This completed the year. During that time the church increased greatly : beginning the year with seven members, it closed with twenty-eight. Of the members ten were males. No deaths occurred that year to weaken the little flock, no one asked for a letter of dismission, and no one had to be exeommunicated. All that had been gained was saved. Before the year elosed the organization was per- fected by the appointment of three elders, Jared Stevens, George Teeple, and Aden J. Pratt. Mr. Stevens had pre- viously been ordained. The other two received ordination on the 6th day of November, 1831, at the hands of Rev. B. B. Smith. Mr. Pratt died in this town, June 29, 1865. Mr. Stevens died at Canton, Mich., in February, 1866. Mr. Teeple died quite recently.

The church building was erected in 1833, at a cost of $850. They had a fashion in those days of getting on with a great enterprise without much money; and, in building a church, every one who had lumber, every one who had a team, and every one who could chop or quarry stone, could pay his subscription easily. Even the builder would be glad to take his pay in produce ; and for glass and nails and paint, a load of boards, or a stiek of timber, would pay as well as gold. In the winter of 1832-33, the timber was got out for the frame; and by the time haying was over in the following summer they were ready for the raising. They raised the building without whisky.

The architect and builder was Philip Gettur, son-in-law of John Tanner ; and when the raising day came, he found himself at the head of a force of men and boys from all the country round.

The church was dedicated on Thursday, the 5th of No- vember, 1833.

Rev. B. F. Pratt, of Southport, preached the sermon. Ile was afterwards for ten years pastor of the church.

Rev. B. B. Smith was the first stated supply. The church changed often, was often without preaching for months together, and often was supplied for only a few Sabbaths in succession.

Next after Mr. Smith came Rev. Calvin Bushnell, as

PHOTOS BY EVANS, CORNING. NY

MRS. JOHN P. KNOX.

CAPT. JOHN P. KNOX.

Among the old pioneer families of Steuben County none is more deserving of an honorable mention upon the pages of the county history than the Knox family. Judge John Knox, father of Capt. John P., was a native of Vermont; married a Miss Hannah Douglas, of the same State, and removed to Steuben County and settled at Knoxville, in 1796, where he carried on farming, and at the same time was the proprietor of a public house. He was prominently identified with the early history of the county, and held many of its official positions, being justice of the peace and associate judge. His political convictions led him to espouse the cause of the Whigs. He reared a family of eight children, viz., Almira, Wm. D., John P., an infant daughter, Almaria, Hannah, Diadamia W., and Augustus F., seven of whom grew to manhood, and all married, save Augustus F., and had families. Judge Knox was born May 1, 1770, and died at Knoxville in 1854. His wife, Miss Hannah Douglas, was born Feb. 11, 1774.

Their son, Capt. John P., was born in Knoxville, July 5, 1800, and died at his home in Campbell, Sep- tember, 1870. His boyhood was spent at home on his father's farm, receiving a common-school education. During the winters he was engaged in lumbering.

He married Miss Mary G. Patterson, a daughter of Andrew F. Patterson, of Milton, Northumberland Co., Pa., Feb. 11, 1836. She was born Marchi 4, 1806. Of this union five children were born, viz., John F., who served in the war of the Rebellion, and was captain of Company F, of the 107th Regiment New York Volunteers. He was in many of the hardest battles,

and fell a victim by being shot at Dallas, Ga., May 25, 1864, and died May 30, 1864; Chas. A., who mar- ried Miss Anna M. Garrison, of Rockford, Ill., is now a resident of Campbell, and is engaged as a farmer and dealer in live stock, and has been engaged in the lumber trade, saw-mill, and grist-mill business ; Frances F., married J. G. Terbell, and now resides at Walden, Orange Co., N. Y., and is engaged in farming ; Hannah D., married J. H. Bemis, now resides. at Jefferson, Texas, and 'is extensively engaged in lumberiug; and Robert P., who married Miss Mary Ardell, of Pratts- burgh, and now resides in Woodhull, Steuben Co., and is engaged in the millinery business; besides runs a saw-mill.

Capt. John P. settled in Campbell about 1840, and was engaged in the lumber business, and was the owner of a large tract of land. By economy and hard work he made a good property, and was highly esteemed by his neighbors. In politics, a Whig and Republican. He was supervisor of Campbell, besides holding several other town offices. Mr. and Mrs. Knox were members of the Presbyterian Church at Campbell, and Captain Knox always contributed liberally to its support.

He was captain of a company in the State militia, and was known as Captain Knox. He was a man who was guided by the principles of right, and reared his family to industry and sobriety. Mrs. Knox died June 1, 1878, and was buried by the side of her husband at Campbell.

This short sketch, and portraits above, are inserted by their children in memory of their parents.

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TOWN OF CAMPBELL.

soon as the church was built. Some special services were held immediately after the dedication, in which he was as- sisted by Rev. John Barton, then of Painted Post. On the evening of Nov. 12, 1833, Mr. Barton had for his subject, " The Fiery Flying Serpents." That was the night of the great meteoric shower, and one of his hearers who retired to rest full of the seriuon, awoke in the night and saw the wonderful display. The long trails of light left behind by the meteors instantly suggested the " Fiery Flying Ser- pents," and for a moment he supposed the old plague had come again. Then recollecting what the Scriptures say in regard to the falling of the stars from heaven, he changed his mind, and, hastily running to a neighbor's house, aroused him with the awful alarm that we had come to the judgment-day. Few were so much alarmed at the sight, but nearly the whole town was up and gazing with a certain feeling of awe at an exhibition so unheard of, so impressive, and so grand.

At the first communion in the new church, Dec. 15, 1833, there was an accession of four persons, on confession of faith. One of the four was Philip Gettur, who built the church ; another was Jane, his wife ; the third was Elijah Dawley, since removed to Wisconsin ; and the fourth was Ruth Stewart, deceased.

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History of Steuben county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 57

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