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 87
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The name of Greenwood was given it by IIon. Alexan- der II. Stephens, through whose exertions a half-mile was added to the east end of the town, from Jasper.
LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS.
Supervisors.
Town Clerks.
Collectors.
1827. Levi Davis.
Anson Cook.
John HI. Stephens. Ira S. Mills.
1829. «
=
1830. Thomas Johnson.
Francis Strang.
IS31. Levi Davis.
=
=
Supervisors.
1833. Randall Pease.
Town Clerks. Moses Clauson.
Collectors. Ira S. Mills.
1834. Anson Cook.
1835. «
Wm. M. Blair.
1836. “
1837. Joseph Davenport. Joseph Deremer.
1838. "
1839. John J. Ilolt.
44
=
1841. Alex. Il. Stephens.
1842.
1843.
4 4
1844.
44
1845.
1846.
=
=
I847.
1848. Elijah Guyon.
1849.
=
=
4 4
..
1850.
1851.
Josh'a L. Chapman. Isaac Riebey (v.).
1852. Jobn Davis.
1853.
=
1854.
..
1855. Augustus Mallory.
J. B. Chapman.
1856. John Davis.
A. K. Stephens.
44
1857.
=
:
Samuel Saxton. .4
I858.
1859.
J. L. Chapman.
Wm. Z. Skank.
1860. Israel M. Brundage.
1861. Daniel Manning.
1862. Israel M. Brundage. Benjamin Rickett. 1863.
llomer S. Brundage. 6.
1864. John Davis.
M. V. B. Fisher.
Alexander Todd.
1865. Homer II. Mallory. J. L. Chapman.
J. M. Brundage.
1866. .4
De Witt C. Amey.
Nelson Blair.
1867. R. IT. Sheffield.
J. L. Chapman.
1868, S
J. W. Whiting, Jr. John MeMinds.
1869. John Davis.
De Witt C. Amey. Valentine Reimann.
1870. Israel M. Brundage. Valentine Reimann. Wm. Burton.
1871. John S. Hartrum.
De Witt C. Amey.
Francis Updyke.
1872. John Davis.
Valentine Reimaon. John S. Young.
1873.
Mathias Pease.
1874. Merritt F. Smith.
=
46
1875. llomer 11. Mallory.
Levi Pease.
1876.
= Cornelius O. Ilaryan
1877.
Freeman Rogers.
1878. =
44
=
Wm. O. Swar:s.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1830. Thomas Johnsoo.
1845. Jesse B. Smith.
1831. Sherman Brown.
William Johnson. Joseph Bachelder.
1816. Sheppard Amidon. Leonard Smith.# Andrew Vansickle.#
1832. F. Strang.
1847. William Bess.
1833. Anson Cook. Talmai Ferrell.
1848. Philetus Farrar.
1849. George W. Easterbrook.
1834. Benjamin Smead.
1850. Sheppard Amidon.
1835, Sherman Brown. William Ilorton.
1851. Thomas Streeter. Luther Campbell.# Daniel L. Starr.»
1836. Talınai Ferrell. John 11. Stephens.
1852. Jobn Brundage. B. S. Brundage.
1837. Benjamin S. Brundage. William M. Blair.
1853. Juhn Starr. 1854. Luther Campbell.
1838. Luther Camphell. Philetus Farrar.
1855. B. S. Brundage.
1839. Benjamin S. Brundage.
1856. A. H. Bruster.
1840. Alvin Mead.
1857. Joseph B. Chadwick.
1858. A. 11. Burrell.
1841. Philetus Farrar.
1842. ITanford Smith.
1843. Luther Campbell.
1859. J. H. Stephens. Edward E. Stuart.
1844. Alvin Mead.
Sheppard Amidon.#
1860. Ebenezer Northrup. Warreo Houghton.
Leonard Smith .*
=
Daniel Richey. Joshua L. Chapman.
A. R. Stephens. Daniel B. Closson.
Wm. Bess (v.). Nelson Rogers.
=
16
=
44
64 44
1828. 44
1832. “
៛ Vacancy.
Alexander Todd.
B. D. Conkling.
S. J. Conklin.
Oliver B. Richey.
4 6
=
1840.
Abram Crout .*
-
JESSE T. ATKINS was born in the town of Eu- field, Tompkins Co., N. Y., Jan. 29, 1820. He was one in a family of six children of William and Rozina Atkins. His father by a previous marriage had fifteen children, and hence was the father of twenty-one children. He was a native of Cherry Valley. His parents removed from Enfield and settled in the town of Greenwood among the earlier settlers ; was a farmer during his residence here, where both he and his wife died.
Jesse T. Atkins had very limited opportunities for in education, as ir the early history of the town a pecuniary value was placed upon the time of chil- dren ; he was reared on the farm and inured to the hardships common to a farmer's life, in clearing off the forest and preparing the land for cultivation. After reaching his majority he purchased one hun- dred and ninety-five acres of land in the west part of the town of Greenwood,-on which his widow and family now reside,-a considerable part of which he cleared and made improvements upon of good farm buildings. July 19, 1854, he married Harriet, daughter of John and Roby Scott, of Greenwood.
1
Her parents formerly resided in Genoa, Cayuga Co., N. Y., and settled in Greenwood about 1841 ; her father died two years prior to the settlement of the family here ; her mother died February, 1876. Mrs. Atkins was born Dec. 21, 1836.
Mr. Atkins spent his life as a farmer. He was a man of indomitable perseverance, resolution, and industry. He carried forward to successful com- pletion whatever he undertook. For many years prior to his decease he dealt quite largely in stock, shipping to New York. He was known as an enter- prising, thrifty business man, and possessed striet in- tegrity in all his business operations. Mr. Atkins never gave much attention to polities, but was a member of the Republican party, and valued the right of suffrage. Of him it may be truthfully said no more stirring, active, and enterprising man lived in the town of Greenwood, and his farm and build- ings show that he was a thoroughgoing agricul- turist. He died April 13, 1868. His wife, a lady of good executive ability, is successfully carrying on the farm and making improvements thereon. Their children are William, Jesse, and Rhoda.
٠
305
TOWN OF GREENWOOD.
1861. Edward E. Stuart.
1869. William L. Hartrum.
1862. A. H. Burrell.
1870. Silas Kellogg.#
Augustus Mallory. « E. V. Davis.#
1871. John M. Brundage.
1872. Itenry W. Young.#
1873. William S. Hartrum.
1863. E. V. Davis.
1864. Ebenezer Northrup.
1865. William L. Hartrum.
:866. M. E. Nearing.
Silas Kellugg.$
1876. P. Thomas O'ffargan.
1867. John M. Brundage.#
1877. Thomas D. Rogers.
1868. George MeLean.
1878. Silas Kellogg.
CHURCHES.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI OF GREENWOOD.
Soon after the arrival of Alvin Mead, in 1827, Rev. James Hemingway came to Greenwood, accompanied by another preacher, and remained a week, preaching in Mr. Mead's house. Rev. Asa Orcutt preached at Krusen's "corners" as early as 1825-26. A class was formed, iu 1827, under the leadership of Enos Mead, whose wife, his sons, Samuel and Alvin, and their wives, Fanny Everest and Arron Burris, were members of the church at its organi- zation. Alvah Richards was one of the first stewards. Revs. Joseph Ashworth, Nathan Fellows, David Fellows, S. Northway, Ambrose Abbott, Samuel Nichols, J. Jerola- mon, L. Northway, Theodore MeElheney, Wm. Jones, Alvin F. Walker, Jacob Striker, L. L. Rogers, C. Graham, Alvah Davison, and Wm. C. Mathison have preached to them at different periods. The old log school-house has rotted down, and as the landmarks disappeared one by one, the old cemetery, with its sacred but unmarked graves con- taining the early dead of the church, has become lost in the cultivated field which now occupies its former site. Ziba Cook was class-leader, in 1851, when the reorganization was effected, under the pastorate of Rev. L. L. Rogers. Alvin Mead, present class-leader, has filled that position since 1852; Steward, Wilber T. Mead ; Pastors, 1852, Revs. W. C. Mathison; 1856, John S. Bush ; 1857, S. B. Dickinson ; 1858, David Nutten; 1859-60, R. E. Thompson, Mr. Jolly ; 1861-62, Henry Harpst.
The building of a church iu the village of Greenwood was begun and carried to its completion through the exer- tion of persons not members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, nor even professors of religion. To the efforts of Dr. R. H. Sheffield, Merrit T. Smith, Geo. D. Woodward, and others, is due the honor of the action which secured the organization of a legally-constituted society and build- ing a fine church, costing over $5000, under the corporate protection of the Methodist society. The church was dedi- cated, Sept. 14, 1876, by Rev. B. I. Ives, and upon inquiry it was found that there were but three Methodists connected with them or living in that part of the town. Rev. Charles T. Gifford was assigned to the work of organization, and was succeeded by Rev. Francis M. Smith, in 1877, who was relieved by Rev. Charles R. Buck, in November, 1878. There are now five classes in various parts of the town, under the leadership of Merritt M. Smith, Geo. D. Wood- ward, V. Reimann, Alouzo D. Stephens, and Charles H. Norton. The present membership is 116. Charles H. Norton is present Clerk ; Wm. Baker, G. D. Woodward, C. H. Norton, Albert Ingalls, Charles H. York, Reuben
Stephens are Stewards. M. F. Smith, V. Reimann, and Geo. D. Woodward, Trustees.
THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF GREENWOOD.
The first Universalist meetings were held by Rev. O. B. Clark, Rev. R. M. Cheney, and Asa Upson, in the old stone school-house. In 1851 an organization was formed, con- sisting of 12 members, among whom were Levi Davis and wife, John H. Stephens and wife, and R. S. Davis and wife. Alexander II. Stephens was elected clerk, and Levi Davis and John H. Stephens trustees. A church was immediately built in the village of Greenwood, and dedicated in 1852, by Rev. E. Francis. Revs. J. C. Sawyer, Walter Bullard, and the present pastor, Dr. I. K. Richardson, have since been pastors of this society. The church has been recently repaired, making the actual cost of the edifice about $2500.
The membership numbers 31. Dr. I. K. Richardson is Clerk, and John Davis, Frank Brundage, and J. B. Wood- bury, Trustees.
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GREENWOOD.
In 1871, Rev. John H. Cheeseman moved into the vil- lage of Greenwood, which was then the central point between the localities in which he labored, and began meetings in the school-house, continuing to preach as occasion permitted until the winter of 1875-76, when his efforts were rewarded by a revival and the organization of a society on the 19th of February, 1876, with 17 members. Among these were Henry Hoyt and wife, Charles L. Cheeseman and wife, and John Freeland and wife. Charles L. Cheeseman was made Deacon and Clerk. Henry Hoyt, Washington Morton, and William Potter, Trustees; and William Morton, James M. Cheeseman, Wilson Wyckoff, and William Blair, Build- ing Committee, and a church commenced, which it is ex- pected to complete during the coming year. The society now numbers 33 members.
THE WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH.
In 1860, a Wesleyan Methodist class was formed in Greenwood, on " Danby Hill," through the efforts of Alvah Richards, a leading member, and for years a licensed preacher. This class was formed under the preaching of Rev. Daniel Fanton, who was formerly a Methodist Episco- pal clergyman. The members were Daniel Fanton and wife, Charles Comash and wife, David Fanton and wife, and Alvah Richards, who was the first steward, and is the only original member yet living. This class has since been consolidated with the charge at Jasper, although an organ- ized class is still vigorously supported.
MILITARY RECORD OF GREENWOOD.
Amey, Dewitt C., 1st sergt., 161st N. Y. Vols., Co. II ; enl. Aug. 22, 1862, three years; pro. to sergt., Oct. 27, 1862; to Ist sergt., Aug. 1, 1864.
Trobridge, George W., private, 86th N. Y. Vols .; enl. Aug. 1861, three years; re-en1. Dec. 30, 1863, for three years; killed in battle of the Wilderness. Humiston, Ernde L., private, 5th II. Art. ; enl. Jan. 4, 1864, three years. Reimaun, Valentine, sergt., 141st N. Y. Vols., Co. H; en]. Aug. 22, 1862, three years.
Knight, Warren S., corp., 161st N. Y. Vols., Co. II ; en] Aug. 20, 1862, three years; pro. to corp. in 1863.
Crone, Franklin B., corp., 141st N. Y. Vols .; en1. Aug. 22, 1862, three years ; pro. to corp., June 1, 1864.
Richey, Alpheus H., private, 86th N. Y. Vols .; enl. Ang. 1861, three years; re- enl. Dec. 30, 1863, for three years.
# Vacancy.
39
Peter Thomas O'ftargan.
IS71. Silas Kellogg.
1875. Jobu M. Brundage.
306
HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK.
West, Chauncey A., recruit ;* eol. Sept. 19, 1864, one year ; disch. Nov. 30, 1864. Barnes, Levi, corp., 161st N. Y. Vols., Co. 11 ; eul. Ang. 20, 1862, three years ; pro. to corp., Aug. 1, 1863.
Stephens, Lee, private, 189th N. Y. Yols. ; enl. Oct. 18, 1864, one year. Clark, John, private, 161st N. Y. Vols., Co. HI ; enl. Aug. 20, 1862, three years. Donaldson, Wm., priv., 161st N. Y. Vols., Co. E; enl. Feb. 19, 1864, three years. Merrit, Rinaldo S., private, 161st N. Y. Vols., Co. II ; enl. Aug. 22, 1862, three years.
Hoyt, Justice G., priv., 141st N. Y. Vols., Co. HI ; en1. Aug. 10, 1862, three years. King, Leonard C., private, 16Ist N. Y. Vols., Co. II ; enl. Jan. 4, '64, three years. Storm, Wm. H., private ;* en1. Jan. 1, 1864, three years ; disch. April, 1864.
Tyler, John B., priv., 161st N. Y. Vola., Co. H; enl. Aug. 20, 1862, three years. Conrad, Ezra, private, 141st N. Y. Vols. ; enl. Aug. 20, 1862, three years.
Stephens, Brace W., musician, 161st N. Y. Vols., Co. II ; enl. Aug. 20, 1862, three years ; was a prisoner of war in Tyler, Texas.
Norton, Charles 11., private, 107th N. Y. Vols., Co. K; enl. July 31, 1862, three years.
Norton, Wm. T., corp., 161st N. Y. Vols., Co. II ; en1. Aug. 20, 1862, three years; pro. to corp., Aug. 1, 1864 ; wounded at the battle of Sabine Cross-Roads, La., April 8, 1864.
Norton, George R., private, 107th Regt. ; enl. July, 1862, three years.
Norton, Edgar W., private, 5th Il. Art. ; enl. Jan. 1864, three years.
Huah, William, private, 107th Regt .; enl. July, 1862, three years.
Todd, John, private, 23d N. Y. Vols .; en1. 1861, two years.
Aldin, Daniel T., private, 86th N. Y. Vole .; enl. Aug. 1861, three years ; served terti and re-enlisted for three years.
Ketchum, Robert, private, 86th N. Y. Vols .; enl. Ang. 1861, three years.
Knight, Alonzo, private, 86th N. Y. Vols .; enl. Aug. 1861, three years ; wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, and since died.
Tapping, George, private, 86th N. Y. Vols .; enl. Aug. 1861, three years ; died in service.
Rasco, Wellington, private, 86th N. Y. Vols. ; enl. Aug. 1861, three years ; disch. before term of service expired.
Kellogg, Silas, private, 86th N. Y. Vole., Co. B; enl. Sept. 7, 1861, three years ; disch. before exp. of term of service on account of disability.
Michels, James, private, 5th HI. Art .; enl. Dec. 1863, three years.
Dexter, Wheeler O., private, 16th 11. Art .; en1. Jan. 4, 1864, three years. Burger, Timothy, private ;* enl. Dec. 1863, three years ; died in the service. Smith, Johili 11., private ;* enl. Dec. 1863, three years ; died in the service.
King, Charles L., private, 16th 11. Art .; enl. Dec. 1863, three years.
Bell, Joseph S., Jr., private, 16th HI. Art .; enl. Dec. 1863, three years ; died in the service.
Hush, Wmn., Jr., private ;* enl. Dec. 1863, three years.
McGraw, Aaron, private ;* enl. Dec. 1863, three years ; disch. before going to the front.
Wand, Samuel, private, 16let Regt., Co. B; enl. Dec. 1863, three years.
Clark, Thaddeus B., private, 5th II. Art .; enl. Dec. 1863, three years.
Sheldon, Gilbert W , priv., Ist Mtd. Rifles, Co. I ; enl. Dec. 28, 1863, three years. Baker, Meldin, private ;* enl. Dec. 1863, three years.
Freeland, Thomas, private, 141st N. Y. Vols., Co. H1; enl. Aug. 22, 1862, three years; disch. on account of wounds.
Reynolds, Normon, private, 86th N. Y. Vols., Co. B; enl. Ang. 1861, three years ; served full term and re-eolieted.
Younglove, Wm. A., recruit ;* enl. March, 1864, three years.
Faling, Jacob W., recruit ;* enl. July, 1864, one year.
Ternyburry, Miner, recruit ;* enl. July, 1864, one year.
Strait, James, recruit ;* enl. July, 1864, one year.
Olmsted, Mortimer A., recruit ;* enl. July, 1864, one year.
Norton, Washington, recruit, 189th N. Y. Vols., Co. I ; enl. Sept. 10, 1864, one year.
Ingley, Henry, recruit ;* enl. July, 1864, one year.
Faling, Lencions J., recruit ;* enl. July, 1864, one year.
Erskin, John, recruit ;* enl. July, 1864, one year.
Saxton, John, recruit ;* enl. July, 1864, one year.
Savery, Edwin T., recruit ;* enl. July, 1864, one year.
Ililbora, Andrew R., recruit ;* enl. July, 1864, one year.
Bell, Sylvester, recruit ;* enl. July, 1864, one year. Baker, James, recruit ;* enl. July, 1864, one year.
Austen, Derance, recruit ;* enl. July, 1864, one year. Stephens, Cassius M. Clay, recruit ;* enl. July, 1864, one year.
Ingraham, David A., recruit ;* enl. July, 1864, one year.
Bunker, Oecar, recruit, 189th N. Y. Vols., Co. F; en1. Sept. 15, 1864, one year. Bunker, G. W., recruit, 189th N. Y. Vols., Co. F; enl. Sept. 15, 1864, one year. Sherwood, llenry, recruit ;* enl. July, 1864, one year. Brush, Johu, recruit ;* enl. July, 1864, one year. Cassidy, William, recruit ;* enl. July, 1864, one year.
Thormon, John R. D., recruit ;* enl. July, 1864, one year.
Savage, William, recruit ;* eal. July, 1864, one year,
Mattison, Samuel, private, 161st N. Y. Vols., Co. E; enl. Aug. 22, 1862, three years ; disch. on account of disability, Jan. 25, 1864.
Krusen, James P., private, 189th Regt., Co. F; enl. Sept. 22, 1864, one year.
White, Philo A., priv., 141st N. Y. Vols., Co. HI; enl. Sept. 10, 1862, three years.
Mattison, Geo. Gilbert, private, 141st N. Y. Inf., Co. Il ; enl. Ang. 22, 1862, three years; disch. on account of disability, July 20, 1865.
Jeffers, George W., private, 14let N. Y. Vols., Co. II ; en]. Ang. 22, 1862, three yeare; wounded at the battle of Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864, and died of wound, May 18, 1864.
Nearing, Addison Oscar, private, 86th N. Y. Vols .; enl. Sept. 1861, three years; died at Falmouth, Va., of disease, Dec. 8, 1862, and buried at that place.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
HON. ALEXANDER II. STEPHENS
was born in Canisteo, Sept. 8, 1801. He is a son of Col. Jolin Stephens, and a grandson of Uriah Stephens, the first settler of the Canisteo Valley, 1789. His mother was Olive Franklin, a native of Middlebury, Conn. She was taken prisoner at Wyoming, by the Indians, and kept eight days. ller mother, taken at the same time, was killed, and left in the wilderness.
a. A. Suphines
Col. John Stephens and his family settled in Canisteo in 1790, he having visited the valley the year previous. Their children are Mrs. Ezra Stephens, Franklin, Uriah, Phineas, Elias, John H., Alexander II., Frederick, Daniel, and Mrs. Dr. Olin. Colonel Stephens, with his family, came to Greenwood in April, 1825, built the first grist- and saw- mill in Greenwood; the grist-mill being subsequently re- built by his son, Alexander II., the subject of this notice, and finally disposed of by him about 1863. The family of Col. Stephens were among the earliest pioneers of the town. He died March 19, 1837. His wife died Nov. 6, 1848.
Mr. Alexander H. Stephens received a good common- school education for the days of log sehool-houses. He was married Jan. 20, 1829, to Mary May, daughter of Levi and Mary Davis. Her parents settled in Greenwood at the same time as did Col. Stephens. She was born in 1810. After his marriage Mr. Stephens began life for him- self, clearing the forest, and preparing the land for cultiva tion, and carrying on the grist-mill. He cleared the most
* No record of company or regiment.
307
TOWN OF GREENWOOD.
of the one hundred and fifty acres of land received from his father, and made the first chopping in the town of Greenwood, and continned in the milling business until the sale of the mill, in 1863. He also erected the first framed house built in the town.
Mr. Stephens, in middle life, was a quite active exponent of the principles of the Democratic party, and for seven years represented his town on the Board of Supervisors, and held various other town offices, and in 1848 repre- sented his Assembly district in the Legislature of the State.
During that year, while at Albany, being handed a copy of "Noah's Weekly Messenger," he subscribed for it, and has read it for thirty years past. He and his wife were
among the organizers of the Universalist Church at Green- wood, and were members of the same until her death, Sept. 9, 1866. The former is still an attendant upon its service.
Mr. Stephens has lived to see fine edifices supplant the log cabin, villages grace the valleys of the county, and the original forest give place to fine agricultural fields. He is a man of sterling qualities, and endowed with the charac- teristics of perseverance, independence of thought and ac- tion, promptness in all business matters, prudence, and good judgment. Their children are Redmond D., of Iowa, Mrs. Joseph B. Woodbury, Mrs. William G. Porter, of Green- wood (living), and Mrs. Amos W. Crandall, and Merritt A. (deceased).
Fra I Stephens
ASA H. STEPHENS
was born in the town of Canisteo, March 14, 1820. Ile was the son of Ezra Stephens and grandson of Col. John Stephens, who was the sou of Uriah Stephens, the first settler of the Canisteo Valley,-1789. He spent his mi- nority on the farm at home, in the town of Greenwood, where his father settled when it was a wilderness tract of land, the same farm now being in possession of the family.
In 1844, July 31, he married Charlotte, daughter of
Randall and Nancy Pease, of Greenwood. Her parents removed from Dryden, Tompkins Co., in June, 1826, and settled in the town of Greenwood, where she was born, in August following ; and hence the Pease family were among the earliest settlers of the town. His father, Ezra Ste- phens, died in Canisteo, about 1851, and his mother died about 1845, in Greenwood.
After his marriage, Mr. Stephens settled on the home- stead, a part of which he had purchased from his brother,
308
HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Andrew R. Stephens, and remained on the same farm during the remainder of his life. He made many improvements on the farm, erected elaborate farm-buildings, and was, in fact, a representative agrieulturist of the town. He was a thrifty, active, and enterprising farmer, a man of good ex- eeutive ability, and of excellent judgment in business mat- ters. Characteristic of Mr. Stephens, as well as of his aneestors, was his fondness for hunting, and very much of his pastime was spent in pursuit of the wild game so nu- merous among the hills and valleys of this part of the county,-in his day being mostly deer and foxes. He, however, killed one bear.
He was always interested in loeal matters, and was iden- tified with the Democratic party, as a member of which he held various town offices.
He and his wife were members of the Universalist Church at Greenwood, and supporters of that and kindred interests.
Their children are Randall P., who married Flavilla Porter, of Greenwood, Rozeltha (Mrs. David Parshall, de- eeased), Viola V. (Mrs. Marens Todd), Charlotte (Mrs. George Woodward), Olive, and Mary.
For many years prior to his death he was quite an exten- sive dealer in cattle and sheep, buying in Steuben and ad- joining counties and marketing in the East and New York ; and in this business, as in everything he undertook, he was successful.
He died, Nov. 4, 1866, at Unionville, Dutehess Co.,- where he had gone to dispose of a large drove of eattle which he had purchased at home,-and his remains were brought back to Greenwood Cemetery, at Greenwood, Steu- ben Co., for interment.
LEVI DAVIS
was born in Oxford, Mass., Jan. 8, 1782. Was a lineal deseendant of the sixth generation from an ancestor who emigrated from Wales. He married Mary Spurr, a native of Canton, Mass., born Aug. 11, 1782. While a resident of Massachusetts he carried on farming in Charlestown. The children born them were Redmond S., now a res- ident of Greenwood, George, who died at the age of four years, and Mrs. Alexander H. Stephens, for many years a resident of Greenwood, who died in September, 1866.
In 1815, the family removed to Columbus, Chenango Co., N. Y., and remained one year, thenee to Dryden, Tompkins Co., where they resided till 1825, and then came to Greenwood (then Troupsburgh ), this county, and settled, building a log house on the present site of the Ward Hotel. The incidents of a pioneer life-settling in the wilderness, the necessary economy to support a family, the struggles with poverty and privation in a new country- were all met by this family. His first purchase was 144 aeres of land, to which he made additions subsequently of several hundred acres, and during his life had in his pos- session considerable real estate. He was an industrious,
thorough-going business man, and possessed characteristic integrity in all his business relations. He was interested in the improvements of the town, and in all Joeal matters. He was the first to establish trade at Greenwood, and com- meneed in a small way to supply the settlers with the
necessaries of life, and from the time of his first settlement here until the present time a mercantile business has been carried on by the Davis family, it now being in the name of John Davis & Co.
The other children are Levi, born in Columbus, Che- nango Co., N. Y., and John Davis, born in the town of Dryden, Tompkins Co. Ile also, from the time of his settlement, for many years kept a public-house in the log house first built when he settled here, and some forty years ago built the Ward House as it now is, except the third story. He was also engaged for some thirty years, more or less, in the lumber business. In polities he was a Whig, and was the first supervisor of the town of Greenwood after its erection, and held the office some two years sub- sequently. He was the first postmaster at Greenwood, and officiated in that capacity some twenty-five years following the establishment of the office.
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