History of Steuben county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 65

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 65

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Rhodes, Silas Riley, private 141st Regt., Co. F; enl. Sept. 14, 1864. one year ; disch. June 26, 1865.

Rhodes, Thomas Ilenry, private, HIst Regt., Co. F; enl. Sept. 14, 1864, one year.

Cram, Dutey Shipper, private, 12th Cav., Co. D; ent. Sept. 14, 1864, one year ; (lisch. June 19, 1865.

Starner, Daniel, private, 12th Cav., Co. F; enl. Sept. 14, 1864, one year ; died July 14, 1865.

Mcintosh, Schuyler Henry, corporal, 179th Inf., Co. D ; enl. Sept. 12, 1864, one year; disch. June IG, 1865.

Cook, Benjamin, private, 13th H. Art., Co. D; enl. Sept. 13, 1864, one year; disch. June 23, 1865.

Thurber, Joseph Nelson, private, 15th Eng., Co. Il ; enl. Sept. 1, 1861, one year ; disch. June 15, 1865.

Gillett, George, private, 188th Inf., Co. F; enl. Sept. 20, 18GI, one year ; disch. July 1, 1865.

Wolcott, Lewis Alexander, corporal, 179th Inf., Co A ; enl. Sept. 5, 1861, one year; disch. June 8, 1863.

Bates, Amasiah Augustus, private, 14th H. Art., Co. E; enl. Sept. 13, 1864, one year.

Niver, Everett Deyo, private, 141st Regt., Co. F ; enl. Sept. 17, 1864, one year ; disch. June 26, 1865.

Piney, Henry Augustus, private, 141st Regt., Co. F; enl. Sept. 16, 1864, one year; disch. June 25, 1865.

Wilkins, Robison, private, 17stb Inf., Co. A; enl. Mar. 21, 1863, three years; taken prisoner, July 30, 1864, at l'etersburg; paroled Feb. 19, 1865 ; disch. June 2, 1865.

Holmes, James Smith, private, 188th Regt., Co. F; enl. Sept. 20, 1864, one year; disch. July 12, 1865.

Niver, Weller, private, 12th N. Y. Cav., Co. HI ; enl. Sept. 15, 1864, one year ; taken prisoner Mar. 8, 1865, at Kingston, N. C .; paroled Mar. 25; disch. June 25, 1865.

Miller, William Brown, private, 141st Inf., Co. F ; enl. Sept. 14, 1864, one year ; disch. June 26, 1865.

Gridley, Wesley Prince, musician, 12th Cav. ; enl. Sept. 14, 1864, one year.

Hill, Joseph Gillett, private, 141st Inf., Co. F ; enl. Sept. 14, 1864, one year ; disch. June 26, 1865.

Wolcott, William Maynerd, private, 141st Regt., Co. F; en] Sept. 14, 1864, one year.

Wescott, Bailey Saveril, private, 188th Inf., Co. F; enl. Sept. 20, 1863, one year. West, Albert, private, 12th Cav., Co. L; enl. Sept. 14, 1864, one year. Hill, Joseph G., drafted July 17, 1863; commuted.

Whitney, Oliver W, drafted July 17, 1863 ; commuted, Wolcott, Timothy S., drafted July 17, 1863 ; commuted.

Shephard, A. Cleveland, drafted July 17, 1863 ; put in a substitute. Smith, Charles, private; enl. Aug. 17, 1862, three years.

Ferreo, Romanzo, private, 50th Eng., Co. 11 ; enl. Aug., 1861, three years.

NAVAL SERVICE RECORD.

Wescott, Bailey Saveril, private; enl. Sept. 20, 1864, one year.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

PIIILIP HUBBARD,

son of Wm. and Martha Hubbard, was born in Norfolk, England, May 12, 1827. He is one of a family of twelve children, ten of whom lived to be men and women. Of this large family, the five eldest were natives of England, and came to America about 1828 or 1829, settled at Utica, Oneida Co., remained there some two years, and then came to Caton, Steuben Co., N. Y., in June, 1831, and settled on the farm now owned by their son Philip, and which con- tinues to be the home of Mrs. Hubbard. Mr. Wm. Ilub- bard was a farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard were among the first Methodists in the town, and Mr. Hub- bard established the first Sunday-school in Caton, of which he was superintendent. He was instantly killed by the fall- ing of a tree, while in the woods, March 10, 1840, thus leaving a family of ten children to the care of Mrs. Hub-

bard and the older members of the family. By careful management, and strict attention to business, this family was kept together, and received a good education, some of whom have been to the higher institutions of learning.

It was among these early scenes that Philip grew to man- hood, and at the early age of sixteen he was called to take charge of the family, having spent one year previous at Utica, working on a farm. At the age of eighteen he com- meneed to buy out the heirs of his father's estate. In 185I he purchased fifty acres on the north of the "Old Home," and some twenty-five acres since, thus making a fine farm of one hundred and fifteen acres of good improved land, on which is one of the best farm-houses in the town, a view of which may be seeu elsewhere in this work, with portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard above.

He was married to Miss Susan M. Mulks, a native of Tompkins Co., N. Y., Feb. 22, 1854. Of this union, two sons, Wm. and John J. Saxe, were born. In politics, Mr. Hubbard affiliates with the Republican party. Mrs. Hub- bard is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Hubbard is one of the liberal supporters of the same. Mr. Hubbard has greatly assisted his brothers and sisters in getting their education, besides making for himself his pres- ent comfortable home.

BENONI AND LUCIUS JOHNSON.

Benoni Johnson was born in Harwinton, Litchfield Co., Conn., and married Miss Rhoda Gilbert, daughter of Jabez Gilbert, of the same place. They had the following-named children, viz. : Lucius, Lester L., and Rhoda C. The two first were born in Connecticut, and Miss Rhoda C. in Cayuga Co., N. Y. Benoni Johnson was a farmer by occupation. Lucius was born April 11, 1812, and re- moved to Cayuga County with his parents about 1815 and there remained some five years, then went to Chenango County, town of Guilford, and remained till Angust, 1823, when he settled in Caton with his parents. Benoni John- son, however, came the spring before and worked for Elias Babcock, of Caton, and made the purchase of his small farm. After residing some five years at Caton Centre he settled on his farm, and continued to reside.there till a short time before his death, when he removed to the Centre and remained with his son the rest of his life. Ile died Nov. 3, 1870, and his wife died March 29, 1850. Mr. Johnson was a magistrate for several years, and was assessor for one or two years. Ile and his wife were members of the Pres- byterian Church, but Mrs. Johnson united with the Metho- dist Episcopal Church a few years before her death.

LUCIUS JOHNSON was reared among the hardships of a pioneer life, and early imbibed those principles of industry and economy which are the cardinal elements of every suc- cessful man's life. He worked on the farm in his younger days, but for more than thirty years he has worked at the wagon-making and earpenter's trades. He left his farm some twenty-five years ago and located in the village. He married Miss Margaret Butcher, of Pennsylvania, in De- cember, 1830. Of this union five children were born, two of whom are dead.

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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK.

In politics Mr. Johnson is identified with the Republican party. He has held the office of town clerk one year, but never was an aspirant for official honors. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are worthy members of the Baptist Church of Caton. As a citizen Mr. Johnson is highly respected by those who know him. He is one of the pioneers of Caton. The portraits of himself and father may be seen elsewhere in this work.

DEACON TITUS SMITII,

son of Simeon Smith, of Vermont, was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., Nov. 16, 1801. He was reared upon a farm and followed that occupation through life. Mr. Smith was one of the early settlers of Caton, having settled here about 1822 or 1823. He married Miss Lucy P., daughter of Elias Babcock, of Caton, Nov. 2, 1824. The fruit of this union has been seven children, viz., Emory O., Lewis B., Simcon S., Lucinda R., Jas. P., Enos S., and Thomp- son L. Emory O., Simeon S., and Thompson L. served in the late war, in the 50th Regiment New York Volun- teers, and were honorably discharged.

When Mr. Smith settled in Caton he located on the farm now owned by his son, Enos S. Smith, and was one of the leading farmers of the town of Caton. He united with the Presbyterian Church wben young, and was ever active in religious matters. He was deacon for a great many years, and often officiated in the minister's place. He was a great anti-slavery man, and three of his sons served in the war. He was one of the first in the county to sign the temperance pledge. He was peculiarly zealous in the Sunday-school work, and was at his post of duty when he was seized with a mortal disease which soon re- sulted in his death, Oct. 22, 1865. The general manifes- tation of sympathy exhibited by the neighbors on the day of the funeral was a striking illustration of the esteem and confidence held for him by the community, generally, as one of the noble pioneers of Caton. His memory is cher- ished by his many children and widow. He never was an aspirant for political honors.

Mrs. Smith (formerly Lucy P. Babcock) was born in Stonington, Conn., July 20, 1804, and settled at Caton with her parents about 1823. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is now living with her daughter, Mrs. Lucinda S. Richards, in Caton.

COL. FREDERICK BARNARD,

son of William Barnard, was born in Milford, Otsego Co., N. Y., Aug. 10, 1802, his parents being among the pioneers of Otsego County. Col. F. Barnard was reared on the farm. He married Miss Lucy, daughter of Col. Gershom Wilcox, Jan. 1, 1824. Miss Lucy Wilcox was born in Canaan, Litchfield Co., Conn., April 12, 1803, and in 1806 removed to Otsego County with her parents, who were also pioneers of New Lisbon, in that county. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Barnard, seven children have been born, viz., Mary, Edwin W., Charles D., Melissa A., Gershom W., George A., and E. P. All are now living and settled near their "old home" save Mary, who died April 28, 1844, at the age of nineteen.

Mr. and Mrs. Barnard settled in Steuben County, on the farm now owned by their son, Gershom W., Oct. 22, 1832. Col. Barnard was engaged in the mercantile busi- ness for some years while residing in Otsego County, but followed farming and lumbering after his settlement in Steuben County. While residing in Otsego County he was colonel in the State militia. He died Oct. 15, 1862, leaving his widow and six children. His widow is now in her seventy-sixth year, hale and hearty, and has the satisfaction of knowing that her children are all good, respectable citi- zens of the county, and are all living within two miles of the " old home." Mr. and Mrs. Barnard have been mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. Col. Barnard was a man well thought of by his neighbors, and left a name of which his children need not be ashamed. In politics, first a Whig, then a Republican. He was school inspector for many years. Mrs. Barnard is now on the old home in Corning. Her parents, Col. Gershom and Betsey Wilcox, settled in Caton, then Painted Post, Oct. 22, 1832. Col. Wilcox was a wagon-maker by trade, and as soon as he came to Caton he erected a saw-mill, which was one of the first in the town. For many years he followed his trade and the lumber business. Col. and Mrs. Wilcox were members of the Baptist Church in Connecticut, but never united in Caton. In politics, first a Democrat, then a Re- publican. He was colonel of the State militia. He died Oct. 14, 1863, in his eighty-first year, and Mrs. Wilcox, May 7, 1875, in the ninety-third year of her age. Col. and Mrs. Wilcox had seven children, six of whom are now living, of whom Mrs. Barnard is the eldest child.

COHOCTON.

GEOGRAPHICAL SITUATION.

THIS town is situated in the northern border of the county west of the centre, and is bounded north by Ontario County, east by Prattsburgh, south by Avoca and part of Howard, and west by Wayland and part of Fremont.

PHYSICAL FEATURES.

The surface of the town is mostly a hilly upland, sepa- rated into ridges by deep and narrow valleys. The princi- pal stream is the Conhoeton River, which flows in a south- erly direction through the centre of the town, and is bordered by a rich valley varying from a quarter of a mile to a mile in width. The soil of the valley of the Conhoeton is allu- vium mixed with elay and loam, and is very productive, while a slaty and gravelly loam prevails chiefly on the up- lands. These uplands, however, or hills, as they are called, such as Lent Hill and Potter Hill, are among the best farm- ing lands in the town, the only waste lands being along the steep deelivities of the hills and ravines. The town is watered with many clear brooks and springs, and is well adapted to grain, fruit, grazing, and dairy purposes.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

Shortly after the settlement of Bath, about 1794, Joseph Biven was sent by Col. Charles Williamson to erect a tavern, for the accommodation of settlers, on the Pulteney estate, in the north part of what is now the town of Cohocton. Little is known of Mr. Biven except that he located his tavern at a point then known as the "Twenty-two Mile Tree." After roads were laid out through that section, the place was known as " Biven's Corners." It is now North Cohocton, a name which it has borne since the post-office was established here in 1828. The site of the original tavern was that on which William Van Riper now keeps a hotel. Frederick Blood, one of the early settlers of the town, kept a hotel on this corner for many years. He was the father of John, Asa, Avery, Ziba, and Frederick Blood, Jr. The latter resided till his death on the farm, sinee divided between Harvey Johnson and Alonzo Parks; he was the father of the present Mrs. Oliver Rice, proprietor of the Mountain View Hotel, at Blood's Station. Asa, John, and Ziba removed to the West many years ago ; Avery died in North Cohocton, at the house of his sister Harriet, widow of the late Isaac Leggett.

Frederick Blood was a native of Germany, and came to this town from Ballston, Saratoga Co., N. Y. He had been enticed into the naval service in his native country when quite a small lad, and had come to America as a drummer-boy on board a man-of-war.

In 1802, James Woodard, from Vermont, settled in the town, with a large family of sons, among whom were Aruna

and Obadiah Woodard. James Woodard settled on the place where George Waldron now resides, and built a log cabin. His son, Aruna, settled on the place now occupied by David S. Wait. For several years their eabins were the only landmarks in that neighborhood, Naples, in Ontario County, being the nearest settlement where anything but the rudest frontier comforts could be obtained.

Jonas Cleland and his son, James Cleland, now the oldest settler in Cohocton, came into the town from Pompey, Onondaga Co., in 1805. At that time there was not a house from Naples to Avoca, except the cabins of the Wood- ards, above mentioned, and the house of Joseph Shattuck, unele of Hon. Stephen D. Shattuck, at the corners where the village of Liberty now stands. This house was a prom- inent one in the town, was one of the earliest hotels, and, on account of its convenience and central location, was the place for holding the town-meetings for many years after the town was organized

The first house between Liberty and Avoea was built by Jonas Cleland, in 1805, or early in 1806. It stood near the Davis Creek, not far from the barn afterwards built and owned by Albertus Larrowe, grandfather of the present owner. Mr. Cleland bought of the Pulteney estate a tract of land a mile square, south of Liberty, for twelve shillings an aere. On a portion of it he built a house, which he sold, together with part of the land, to Albertus Larrowe, and then built another house, where he settled with his family, just south of the Davis Mill, now owned by Thomas War- ner. Ile also built the first saw- and grist-mill in the town of Cohocton. The saw-mill stood on the site of the present Warner Mill ; the grist-mill was built on the opposite side of the road from Mr. Cleland's house, the road then running down on the flat instead of where it now does. The saw- mill was built about 1808; the irons used in it were manu- faetured in Europe, and had been left on the spot by Col. Williamson, who had undertaken to build a mill here prior to his retirement from the agency of the Pulteney estate, and had proceeded so far as to get out the timber for the dam, and make other preparations for building. Being called from the agency unexpectedly, the work was left un- finished, and the materials and irons, a few years after, were used by Mr. Cleland in carrying out the original porpose for the benefit of the settlers.

The grist-mill built by Mr. Cleland at a somewhat later date, was a great boon to the early settlers. Before its erection they had to go on horseback with their grists to Naples or to Dansville, the roads being such at that early day as not to admit of traveling with any wheeled vehicle.

Alvin Talbot came into the town soon after, and settled on the Dusenberry farm. Ezra Parker settled on the old Dewey place, now owned by James Cleland. Job Briggs

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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK.

settled on lands afterwards owned by Dennis Connor. He

was a cooper by trade, and followed that occupation. Ste- phen Burrows was the first settler on lands now owned by Henry Paul. Ebenezer Keeler was one of the early set- tlers on Twelve-Mile Creek, and was a prominent and in- fluential man in the affairs of the town. Joseph Jackson, Eleazer Tucker, John, George, and Paul Wilson, and Sal- mon Brownson and his sons were the first settlers on Loon Lake, then in the town of Cohocton. (See history of Way- land. )

Early in the year 1805, Joseph Chamberlin, from Her- kimer County, settled on the Davis farm, near Liberty. Ilis effects consisted of a cow and a dog, and a few articles tied up in a pack which he carried upon his back. His mode of living, in its primitive simplicity, is said to have rivaled that of even Diogenes himself, who lived in a tub, for he had not even a tub nor a milk-pail. As a substitute for the latter he chopped a notch in a log, and trained his cow to step astride of it; then milking her into the notch, he crumbed in his bread and ate with a wooden spoon.

The following year Levi Chamberlin, Joseph Shattuck, and Deacon Iloraee Fowler became settlers in the town. Among the early settlers were also Timothy Sherman, James Barnard, Samuel Rhodes, Jesse Atwood, Isaac Morehouse, Charles Burlingham, and Richard Hooper. The latter died Feb. 10, 1801, and his death is believed to have been the first in town.

The first marriage was that of Joseph Biven and Sarah Hooker, who were united in marriage in 1798, and their first child, Bethiah Hooker Biven, born in 1800, was the first white child born in town.

The first school was taught by Sophia Trumbull, in the house originally built by Jonas Cleland on the Larrowe place. The first school-house was a log building, and was erected near the river, on the Dusenberry farm, about 1810.

The first tannery was built by William Walker, about 1816. It was located a mile and a quarter below Liberty, on premises now owned by James Moulton. This tannery was operated about twenty-five years, and was an import- ant establishment in the early settlement of the country. Riehard Treneman, of Rochester, established the present tannery on the site of the old woolen-mill, formerly owned by Fredmore & Dance.

Soon after the Cleland grist-mill was got in operation, Rudolphus Howe, father of the editor of the Prattsburgh News, and Jonathan Danforth, of Saratoga, bought an acre of land of Jonas Cleland and ereeted the first distillery in town. It stood between the present road and the barn con- nected with the Davis mill-house, owned by Mr. Thomas Warner. Mr. Cleland owned an interest in this distillery during the later years of its existence, and it continued to be used as a distillery till about 1833. In a series of reminis- cences recently published we find the following allusiou to the establishment :

" At a time when the still was in operation, Abram Lent and his brother John were lumbering in the woods near the place where Hiram Dewey now lives. The weather being rather cold, it was proposed that one of them should take a jug and go down to the still and get it filled with Unele

Jonas' best whisky. This was done by Abram; but on his return with the jug the whisky refused to come out, and on examination it was found to be frozen. John ac- cused Abram of playing a joke on him by filling the jug with water and pretending it to be whisky. Abram insisted that it was Cleland's best. He inserted a stick in the jug, and by stirring vigorously succeeded in getting a little out, which John admitted had a slight whisky flavor, yet he ex- pressed an opinion that it onght to be boiled down in order to make it what it should be. He accordingly proceeded to boil a quantity of it until it was about two-thirds boiled away ; when in tasting he declared it was water, pure and simple, even the flavor of whisky having entirely disap- peared."

Judging from the above the distillery was not a very strong anti-temperance institution.

In the reminiscences just quoted we find the following reference to the old settlers: "Lucius Shattuck in 1810 built a log tavern on the site now occupied by the law- office of the late C. J. McDowell. . . . lle was the father of Ilon. Stephen D. Shattuck, who is now one of the leading merchants of Cohocton ; Jonas Cleland, who came here about the year 1805; Joseph Chamberlin, who kept the log hotel above referred to ; Joseph Shattuck, who was a Revolutionary soldier, and is buried in the cemetery at Liberty, he was the father of Lucius Shattuck ; David Parmenter, well known to most of the voters of Cohoeton, who died but a few years ago at the age of eighty-seven years, he was the ancestor of the Parmenters of to-day ; Philip Cook (father of Constant Cook), who was a slave- holder and owned slaves in Cohocton, it being lawful at that time to hold slaves in the State of New York ; David Loomis, Samuel Leggett, father of the late Allen Leggett ; Abram Lent, father-in-law of ITiram Rynders ; Isaac More- house ; Cornelius Crouch, ancestor of the present Crouches; Liberty Chamberlin, Dan Davis, father of A. M. Davis, Esq., and Melvin H. Davis, Mrs. N. J. Wheeler and Mrs. S. S. Rosenkrans, who reside in the village of Liberty ; Paul and Constant Cook, sous of Philip Cook ; John Lar- rowe, who bought the flats below the village, which are now known as the Larrowe farm. He died about ten years ago,* leaving a large fortune to be divided between his sons Albertus and Franklin, or rather the heirs of Franklin, he having died just previous to the decease of his father ; Law- rence Van Wormer, father of Valentine, John, and Ilenry Van Wormer, who now reside in or near the village."

The family of Horace Fowler, father of O. S. and L. N. Fowler, the distinguished phrenologists, were among the early settlers of Cohocton. They resided in the village, in a house which stood on the site of the present residence of Mr. A. Larrowe.

Abram Lent was the first settler on Lent IFill, in 1810. He married Betsey, the oldest daughter of Samuel Hart- well, who was a nephew of Roger Sherman. Mr. Ilart- well's wife was Elizabeth Wilkinson, a sister of the celebrated Jemima Wilkinson, the "prophetess." Samuel Hartwell passed through many adventures during the war of 1812. Ile was taken by the British and carried to Kingston, where

# Written in 1876.

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TOWN OF COHOCTON.

he was confined in jail. He succeeded in breaking out, and made his escape to the United States. He made his way to Jerusalem, in Yates County, the home of his sister- in-law, Jemima Wilkinson, and afterwards moved to North Cohocton. From 1815 to about 1830 he kept a hotel on the corner of Liberty and Naples Streets in North Cohoc- ton. This was the second hotel in the place, and was after- wards kept for many years by his son, Elijah Hartwell. Mr. Hartwell and his wife both died many years ago.

Matthew Hateh, with his two sons, Philip aud Sylvanus, settled at Lent Hill about the year 1812. They came from near Whitehall, Washington Co., N. Y. Matthew Hatch died at Lent Hill, and was the first person buried in the Hatch burying-ground. His son, Barnabas C. Hatch, removed to Jackson Co., Mich., where he became a judge of the county court and a member of the State Legis- lature for that district. He died in 1874. Nelson Hatch, another son, accidentally shot himself when a young man. Philip Hateh lived at Lent Hill till 1876, and then re- moved to Wayland, where he has since resided. Sylvanus died, at the house of his only son, Hiram W. Hatch, of Blood's Station, in 187-1.

John C. and Thomas Bowles were early settlers of Co- hocton.

Trippknock, the four corners west of Liberty, was first settled by Jared Barr, about the year 1807. Afterwards the Tripps-Charles and family-settled there, and kept a hotel. They were noted wrestlers and boxers, and probably from this came the peculiar name of the place. It is said that the cognomen was first applied to it by Ben Haight, commonly known as " Crazy Ben," who, on one occasion, got rather roughly handled at Tripp's tavern. There was once a brewery at Trippknock on what is now the A. II. Weld lot. Paul C. Cook and Daniel H. Davis owned an interest in the concern.

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History of Steuben county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 65

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