History of Steuben county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 83

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 83

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" We still have many of the old receipted bills for the materials, also the shipping bills. When these buildings were raised, the 'neighbors' from Tioga Point, Newtown, Big. Flats, Lawrenceville, Lindley, Penn Yan, Bath, and intermediate places, were here to assist. The occasion was the last gula day for the old and first hotel of the town, and where all received their victuals and drink.

" In 1824, Mr. John Wygant cut the sheet-iron Indian which has ever since graced the village, perched upon a painted post. This effort, taking into consideration the times and their facilities, was quite a snecess; and when looked at as in commemoration and perpetuation of the original monumental post, we can the more readily overlook all the imperfections, and better appreciate, guard, and pro- tect it as a memento.

" In 1847 the bank of Cayuga Lake, at Ithaca, owned by H. J. Grant, was purchased by Asa S. Foster, of the city of New York, and Cephas F. Platt, of Painted Post. In the spring of 1851 they removed it to this village, with a capital of $50,000. It was for several years kept in the second story of the Empire Block. In 1860, Mr. Platt became sole proprietor, at which time its issue was over $70,000, and he occupied for some years the brick building he had erected for a bank.

" In 1848, the late A. II. Erwin, Gen. F. E. Erwin, I. P. Bennett, and the late Henry S. Brooks, erected an ex- tensive foundry and machine-shop, with a block of three large stores, and the largest public hall in the county, over the stores, known as Mechanics' Hall. It was completed in 1849. Some two years later the company purchased Mr. Bennett's interest, and was known as Erwin & Brooks. In 1853, Mr. David Curtis purchased Gen. Erwin's interest, and the title of the firm was Curtis, Erwin & Brooks. Iu 1855, Mr. Curtis gave one-half of his interest to his daughter, Mrs. Charles H. Erwin. The next year Mr.

1870. James S. Tobias.

P. W. N. Sanderson. D. W. C. Erwin.

J. Monroe Smith. E. D. Bonham.

292

HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Brooks sold half of his interest to the late Judge Wash- ington Barnes. Under the superintendence of the late James H. Simmons, of Fairport, N. Y., and until the finan- cial pressure of 1857, it was unsurpassed by any establish- ment of the kind in Western New York, giving employment to nearly 100 men.

" In the autumn of 1850 the New York and Erie Rail- road was completed between Corning and Hornellsville, passing through this village. I 1852 the Buffalo. Con- hocton Valley and New York Railroad, made 'a junction at this village with the Erie. The Western Union Telegraph Company completed its line along the Erie road in 1855, and along the Buffalo, Conhoeton Valley and New York Railroad in 1857, putting this village in momentary com- munication with all places along the lines and throughout the country.

" Empire Block was built by A. B. McCuller and Messrs. A. H. and F. E. Erwin. in 1841. It stood upon the south- east corner of Water and Hamilton Streets, the third story being occupied by Empire Hall.

" On the evening of Sept. 2. 1850, a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was instituted in the village. Maj. M. H. MeGrath was the first W. M. The order is now in a flourishing condition.

PLANK-ROAD.

" In 1852, a company was formed under the name of the Corning, Painted Post, Cooper's Plains, and Monterey Plank- Road Company. A single track was laid from the village of Monterey (now in Schuyler County) through the valley of Mead's Creek, to Cooper's Plains, and thence to the bridge over the Chemung River at Corning,-about fifteen miles, with four toll-gates. Some six years after. the com- pany abandoned the plank-road between Cooper's Plains and Monterey, and. subsequently, by special act of the Legisla- ture, resolved itself into the Conhocton Stone-Road Company, obtaining a charter therefor for a period of thirty years. This road from the Corning bridge, through Painted Post, to Cooper's Plains, has been facetiously ealled a 'Jordan road,' i.e., a ' hard road to travel,' during certain portions of the year. The road is not well kept up by the company, and is a free highway only in its poorest condition."

THE GANG-MILLS.

About the year 1832, the estate of William Erwin, in this town, was purchased by Isaac Gray, and two lawyers from Owego. Messrs. Platt and Dana. It embraced an area of some 4000 acres of land, bountifully supplied with groves of superior and valuable pine timber. They built the first mill upon the site of the establishment now known as the Gang- Mills, and after a few years sold the property to Sylvester Smith, Abram Ogden, and Col. Hiram W. Bostwick. A few years later, Judge Smith became sole proprietor, and for some ten or twelve years manufactured lumber, and improved the lands. He then sold to Messrs. John C. Cameron and James D. Weston, two gentlemen who were eredited with a long experience, and a practical knowledge of the lumber business; however, these gentle- men did not long retain possession. In 1846, Rev. Norman Fox, father of A. J. Fox, one of the present proprietors,

Abijah Weston, and William C. Bronson purchased of Messrs. Cameron and Weston this property. This enter- prising firm immediately rebuilt and enlarged the mill, add- ing gangs, slabbers, edgers, lath, and other improved ma- chinery, and, as the increasing demand required, added steam to their hydraulic power, new buildings, with planing and picket machines, until it has become the most extensive lumber establishment and firm in the town, county, or State, and the nucleus of perhaps the most extensive lumbering business in the United States, when aggregating the various results of the different manufactories over the widely-spread localities in which one or the other of these gentlemen are the principal owners. All of the members of this firm have their residence at Painted Post, and their mills are situated about one mile southwest of the village.

They have in their possession the title in fee-simple to many hundreds of thousands acres of the best timber-lands in the States of New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, and timber-rights. licenses, or Government leases, for more than a million and a quarter aeres of the very best timber tracts of Canada. They own and run seven extensive gang-mills, that average each from ten to thirty millions feet of lumber annually, and four large planing-mills, with each a capacity of from 50,000 to 250,000 feet of dressed lumber per day, together with the immense and unknown quantities of shingles, lath, and pickets manufactured by them, and the number of their employees is counted by the thousands.

The firm is now known as Fox, Weston & Co., Mr. William C. Bronson having sold his interest to A. J. Fox and his brother, Maj. Charles J. Fox.

EXTRACT-WORKS.

The Extract-Works of this village have applied a new method for the manufacture of the extraet of hemloek- bark, an article of great importance to tanners and dyers, and also used in various manufactures.

In 1856 the Van Orman tannery, on Chemung Street, was purchased by Harvey Bissel and William D. Farwell. These gentlemen established a successful business, which was conducted under the immediate superintendence of Benjamin Farwell, of this village. In 1859, William D. Farwell sold his interest to Mr. Bissel, and about 1864 Mr. Bissel sold to Cyrus Pyle & Co., of which firm N. Spencer Thomas was a member. The latter, while con- neeted with this firm, successfully completed the new method for the manufacture of the extract of hemloek- bark, and is the patentee and owner of the process, as well as of numerous machines used in making it. Mr. Thomas is now a resident of Elmira. William D. Farwell is a member of the gigautic mercantile firm of John V. Far- well & Co., Chicago. Mr. Harvey Bissel, who spent his last years in Toledo, Ohio, was an important aid to the business interest of this village, where he resided many years, and was indefatigable in his efforts to build up and improve the place.

The Extract-Works employ some twenty men ; their capacity is from 3000 to 3500 cords of bemlock-bark, and about 400 cords of barrel material per annum, there being an extensive barrel-factory attached. The establishment is

Have AGoodsel PHOTOS BY EVANS

Christiana Govaseli

ISAAC P. GOODSELL.

The Goodsell family is of Scotch extraction. The paternal grandfather of Isaac P. Goodsell was JACOB GOODSELL. He was a native of New England, and married Betsey Warner, whose father fell in the Revolution. He was a fine mechanic in all branches of iron work, and a farmer, also. He was father of twelve children. His wife died in Westmoreland, and he removed to Hornby about 1820, where he died.

SHERMAN PATTERSON, maternal grandfather of Isaac P. Goodsell, was born in Cornwall, Conn., and married a Miss Beach. To them were born seven children, three sons and four daughters. He was captain in the Revolution, and was in sight of General Montgomery when he fell at Quebec. Hle was a farmer, and a perfect specimen of physical manhood, dying at the advanced age of ninety-two years.

ISAAC GOODSELL, father of Isaac P., was born in Cambridge, Washington Co., N. Y., Oct. 30, 1789. He was married to Anna Patterson, in Westmoreland, Oneida Co., N. Y., Aug. 23, 1810. She was born in Stillwater, Saratoga Co., N. Y., March 15, 1794. From this marriage came nine children, four sons and five daughiers, eight of whom lived to maturity, and six are now living. About 1813 or 1814 they left Westmoreland, and moved to Susquehanna Co., Pa., where they remained till their removal to Painted Post, now Hornby, in 1824. Two of their children were born in Westmoreland, four in Pennsylvania, and the rest in Hornby. Isaao Goodsell was a farmer and blacksmith by occupation. Both himself and wife were members of the Baptist Church. Two of the children were Methodists, and six, like their parents, Baptists-one a Baptist minister.

Isaac Goodsell was a staunch, unswerving Democrat, held sev-

eral official positions, and was a captain in State militia. He died Aug. 25, 1841. His widow still survives, living with her children, hale and hearty, at the age of eighty-five.

ISAAC P. GOODSELL was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1818. He was reared a farmer, and is a blacksmith. He settled in Hornby in 1824, and married Christiana, daughter of Deacon Jacob and Betsey Woodward, of Campbell, Aug. 25, 1841. Miss Woodward was born Nov. 14, 1819. Of this union were born five children, namcly : Byron W., Jacob L., Ella E., Dimis H., and Normah C. Jacob L. died in infancy.

Mr. Goodsell learned his trade at Hornby Forks, and worked seven years in that place, which was founded by his father, who purchased a farm there and started that village. He bought his farm about 1848, moving to it the same day President Taylor was inaugurated. He owned at one time two hundred and seventy-eight acres of land. He left his farm and moved to the village of Painted Post, April 1, 1871, in consequence of his ill health, and a desire to educate his children, leaving his farm in charge of Ella E. and her husband, Orin Roloson. He has since resided at Painted Post, engaged in selling agricultural implements, and looking after his various business affairs.

Both Mr. Goodsell and wife were formerly Baptists, but for the last six years have been Methodists. Mr. Goodsell has been superintendent of Sabbath-schools, and a leading temper- ance man. He was formerly a Democrat, but at the organization of the Republican party became a member of that party, and has ever been faithful to its principles. He was postmaster at Hornby, and, by suffrage of his fellow-townsmen, held the office of justice of the peace and other town offices.

PHOTOS BY EVANS, CORNING

Thilo Complete

Calista Campbell

PHILO CAMPBELL,

son of Robert Campbell and Rachel Dolson, was born in Campbell, Steuben Co., N. Y., Feb. 14, 1808.

His grandfather was the son of Rev. Robert Camp- bell, who was born in Scotland, in 1709, and settled in Canaan, Conn., as a Presbyterian minister, in 1761, and removed to Stillwater, Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1762, where he was the first minister north of Albany, and where he was buried.

Robert (3d) was born in 1777, at Stillwater; was educated for the ministry ; graduated at Dartmouth College. He never preached, but followed farming for a business; settled in Campbell with his father, who was named Robert (2d) also, in the winter of 1801 and 1802. He died in 1861, while residing in Michigan, where he had gone some twelve years before. His wife died some five years before, or about 1856.

Philo Campbell was reared on his father's farm until he was about eighteen; he then went to Chenango County, and learned the carding and cloth-dressing busi- ness, which he followed more or less for fifteen years.

He married Calista, daughter of Solomon and Martha Cushing, of Vermont, Nov. 23, 1832. Miss Calista Cushing was born near Brattleboro', Vt., April 23, 1814. Her parents are distant relatives of Hon. Caleb Cushing (deceased).

As the result of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Philo Campbell three children were born, viz .: William Wal-

lace, born Feb. 13, 1834; died June 23, 1836. Solomon C., born Jan. 9, 1836; married Aurelia, daughter of Benjamin and Hannah Farwell, of Painted Post, and is now one of the largest merchants in Corning; he has one son, Wallace B. Sybil H., born Nov. 11, 1838; died Feb. 3, 1842.

In June, 1836, Mr. Campbell removed to Bellevue, Eaton Co., Mich .; purchased a farm of some two hun- dred acres ; remained until October, 1845, when he re- turned to Steuben County, and settled in Hornby, where he followed his trade some five years; then followed lumbering some three years on Mead's Creek, Campbell, where he settled about 1850.

About 1854 he purchased his present farm in Camp- bell. He built all the buildings on his farm, which are as fine as any in the town. He left his farm in December, 1877, and located on his present place of residence in Painted Post, where he is surrounded by all the com- forts of a pleasant home.

He has always been identified with the Republican party since its organization, having been a Whig pre- viously. Mr. Campbell has been commissioner, assessor three years, town clerk two years, and collector one year ; also was trustee of schools.

Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are members of the Baptist Church at Painted Post. He is one of the temperance men of Painted Post.

293

TOWN OF ERWIN.

run night and day, and is under the efficient management of Mr. Charles Iredell. The products are shipped directly from the works to all parts of this continent, and to Europe.

Since 1855, tobacco has been successfully raised in the valleys. and nearly an hundred acres are annually planted in the town. Calvin Lovell, Esq., residing on a farm near the Gang-Mills, is the pioneer in the culture of this lucra- tive production.

About three o'clock A.M. on the morning of the 7th of May, 1860, a fire was discovered in the foundry then owned by Messrs. Curtis, Erwin, Brooks & Co. It spread rapidly and consumed the foundry block and buildings, the barn of the company, the barns, livery-stable, and market of the hotel, five dwellings and five barns on the north side of Water Street, and four stores, wagon-, and blacksmith- shop on the south side. It was estimated that more than $50,000 worth of property above insurance was destroyed.

The same year Messrs. A. Weston, Wm. C. Bronson, Charles II. Erwin, and Wm. II. Calkins rebuilt the foun- dry and machine-shops, to which they have added at various times since. In 1865, with the addition of Maj. McGrath to the company, they creeted the extensive door-, sash-, and blind-factory, which flourished a few years and was then abandoned.

The large three-story brick block on the corner of Ham- ilton and Water Streets was erected by Wm. C. Bronson, in 1860. In 1869, Dr. Orcott's drug-store and II. D. Edwards' jeweler-store were added.

In 1870, Wm. C. Bronson and Harris C. Higman opened a bank in the Bronson Block. In 1872 these gentlemen purchased the Bank of Cayuga Lake, and Mr. Bronson the building of C. F. Platt. Mr. Bronson immediately commenced the enlargement and rebuilding of the old bank, adding an iron and plate-glass front and another story. In January, 1873, Mr. Bronson purchased Mr. Higman's interest and became sole proprietor.

In 1872, Mr. Bronson built on his lot, in front of the Erie depot, an iron-roofed, fire-proof planing-mill, and in 1873 opened, with George Dorn and Alva Bronson, an extensive lumber-yard. This mill has a capacity of 50,000 feet of dressed lumber per day.

On the 28th of February, 1873, the village was scourged with another desolating fire. All the buildings between Hamilton Street and the Erie railway-crossing, on the south side of Water Street, including the Empire Block, were consumed. Nearly all of these buildings have sinec been replaced by better structures.

NEWSPAPERS.

The first newspaper started in the village was the Painted Post Gazette, in the year 1846, by Mr. Fairchild. It con- tinucd to be issued only a few months. In May, 1848, Messrs. Ransom Bennett and B. M. Hawley commeneed the publication of the Painted Post Herald, which was continued about one year.

In October, 1870, Wm. C. Bronson, II. C. Higman, and S. H. Ferenhaugh began the publication of the Painted Post Times. Mr. Hligman retired in 1872. The paper has lately been discontinued.

PUBLIC SCHOOL.

John E. Evans taught the first school in the village, or rather in the pioneer settlement ; for it was a quarter of a century at least before the village was laid out. " The first school-house," says Mr. Erwin, " that we recollect, was situated on the site of the dwelling now occupied by E. S. Borland, which is also Messrs. Ilodgman's farm-house. This school-house was built of plank, and the rent of ground given by Capt. Samuel Erwin. The next one was built on the south side of the river, and is now used as a dwelling by Mrs. Hallack. In 1848 or 1849, the late Arthur Erwin built a large two-story frame building on the south side of the river, nearly opposite the residence of the late C. J. Chatfield. This building was rented to the district, together with two acres of ground, for $100 per annum, to be used for a district school. The main building was some 50 by 75 feet, with a projecting gable, supported by four large pillars in front, and a wing on the north and south sides, making a front upon the street of about one hundred feet. It was used by the district school till 1868, when the pres- ent model brick school-house on Charles Street was built, at an expense of $14,000, including the lot and furniture. William C. Bronson was the contractor, and Maj. M. H. McGrath the architect. The old building, after being abandoned for school purposes, was converted into a tobacco warehouse, and was destroyed by fire in the fall of 1871.

The public school is a union free school, with an academic department. It is provided with a valuable library of mis- cellaneous books and works of reference, has a fine lot of new apparatus for performing philosophical and other experi- ments, and is received under visitation of the Regents.

The school has been designated by them to instruct a teachers' class during the winter term, beginning Jan. 6, 1879, in methods of teaching, school management, and in general normal training.

Board of Education .- S. B. Ilowell, President ; E. II. Smith, Secretary ; W. H. Calkins, J. Z. Wilder, A. F. Timerman ; J. Monroe Smith, Treasurer.

Faculty .- E. W. Griffith, Principal ; Bell S. Arnold, Academic Assistant ; Florenee E. Willson, Intermediate Department ; Minerva D. MeCarty, Primary Department.

Calendar .- Winter Term commences Jan. 6, 1879; closes April 4; Spring Term commences April 14, 1879; closes June 27.

Rutes of Tuition .- All actual residents, free; non-resi- dents as follows : Academic Department, per term, $5 ; Primary and Intermediate Departments, $3.

Attendance during the past school year, 160; Academic Department, 75.

COOPER'S PLAINS.

We learn from Mr. Alson Pierce, an early resident of Cooper's Plains, that one John Williams, a " Hessian," who had been taken prisoner at Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga, settled on lands adjoining the town line between Erwin and Campbell about 1795. In 1814 part of this land was bought by Judge MeBurney, and in 1815, Alson Pierce and the two Cobbs purchased most of the remainder. Mr. Pierce came from the State of Vermont, and at the time of his settlement there was a road leading from

294

HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Painted Post to Bath, along the Conhocton, by which the mail was carried on horseback once a week. John F. Evans was then postmaster at Centreville. The Bath paper was then carried open, and thrown into the yards as the carrier passed by. The first post-office at Cooper's Plains consisted of a " shingle nailed to a tree, under which the mail was stuck by the accommodating mail rider."

Judge Cooper settled in this part of the town in 1828. He was an only son, and his father resided in Easton, Pa. His mother was a daughter of Col. Arthur Erwin. His son, John Cooper, Jr., was a physician of considerable note, and the founder of the village of Cooper's Plains.

About 1841, Dr. Cooper built a large residence on his farm near the junction of Mead's Creek Valley with Con- hoeton, and laid out a portion of his farm into village lots. The place soon began to attract settlers. Albert Mulligan opened the first store, and subsequently Col. Uri Balcom, now a resident of Chicago, carried on lumbering and mer- cantile business, operating a saw-mill, which had been built by John Williams. Anson Buck, father of Edward Buck, Esq., of Addison, built and kept the first hotel. This house for many years after Mr. Buek left it was occupied by the late Daniel Ogden, whose reputation as a " prince of landlords" nearly absorbed the name of the village, for it used to be more frequently said " going to Ogden's" than going to Cooper's Plains. The building was burned in 1871, and has not yet been replaced.

The Rochester branch of the Erie Railway passes through and has a station at Cooper's Plains. There are a Baptist and a Methodist church, a large and commodious district school-house, a flouring-mill, steam saw-mill, chair-factory, wagon- and blacksmith-shops, one or two stores, a post-office, and some twenty-five or thirty dwellings, and the Good Templars maintain a flourishing lodge in the village.

ERWIN.

In the spring of 1873 a depot was built near the west line of E. E. Townsend's property, and the station was called Erwin. A post-office was established here, and Mr. Townsend was appointed postmaster.

There are now three post-offices in the town of Erwin, viz., Painted Post, in the village of Painted Post ; Cooper's Plains, at Cooper's Plains; and Erwin, at Erwin.

MILITARY RECORD OF ERWIN.

Ahhey, Jelin, private, 74th Inf., Co. K ; enl. Sept. 13, 1861, three years ; re-enl .; lost an arm at the battle of Gettysburg ; disch. in consequence.

Abel, Emerson W., sergt., 141st Inf., Co. E; enl. Ang., IS62, three years. Adams, William Bradford, private, 107th Inf., Co. C; enl. July, 1862, three years. Alexander, Geo., private, 8th U. S. Col Inf. ; drafted July 17, 1863, three years. Ameigh, Richmond .I., private, 74th Inf., Co. K ; enl. May 22, 1861, three years ; re-enlisted; disch. June, 1865.

Ames, Eli, 161st Inf. ; enl. Dec. 22, 1863, three years.

Andrews, Klausom Riley, private, 20th N. Y. Ind. Bat. ; enl. June 6, 1863, three years; disch. Aug. 7, 1865.

Bailey, Charles Amasa, private, 86th Inf., Co. 1; enl. Sept., 1861, three years ; disch .: re-eul. sanie co. and regt. in 1863; wounded in battle of the Wil- derness, May 6, 1864; died the next day.

Bailey, Sylvester.

Baker, Morgan Henry, musician, 50th Eng., Co. F ; en1. Aug., 1862, three years ; dischi. June 8, 1865.

Ball, Joseph Allen, corporal, 23d Inf., Co. D; enl. April 12, 1861 ; wounded in the battle of Antietam in the right arm, arm amputated; disch. Dec. 5, 1862.

Barber, llenry C., 10th Cav .; enl. Dec. 31, 1863, three years.

Barnett, Henry E., 16th Vet. Res. Corps ; enl. July 27, 1864, three years. Baumes, Peter, private, 50th Eng., Co. F ; enl. Ang. 18, 1862, three years.

Beers, Schuyler, artificer, 50th Eng., Co. C; enl. Aug. 31, 1864, one year; pro. to artificer ; disch. June 13, 1865.

Benjamin, James R., 16th II. Art .; enl. Dec. 29, 1863, three years.

Bennett, Wilson Le Roy, musician, 6th Cav., Co. L; enl. Oct. 16, 1861, three years; disch. Oct. 28, 1864.

Berry, Francis, private, 50th Eng., Co. F; enl. Ang. 22, 1862, three years ; disch. June 13, 1865.

Blanchard, William Alexander, private, 50th Eng., Co. F; enl. Sept. I, 1864, one year ; disch. June 13, 1865.

Blowers, John, 50th Eng .; enl. April 3, 1865, one year.

Boardman, James, enl. Ang. 29, 1863, three years ; sub. for James McGuire. Bognie, James, 179th Inf .; enl. March 29, 1864, three years.

Borst, Ira A., private, 107th Inf., Co. C; enl. July 9, 1862, three years ; captured Dec. 15, 1864; in Florence prison three months ; exchanged; disch. June 2, 1865; died in Nov.

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History of Steuben county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 83

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