History of Steuben county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 94

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 94

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327

TOWN OF HORNELLSVILLE.

Co., where he had for several years previous been clerk in a store in which his father had an interest. His first store, which he built with his own hands, was a frame building, about 18 by 20, and stood just opposite the present foundry of Messrs. Rawson & Thacher. It was afterwards removed and converted into a kitchen of the " Black Horse" tavern, opposite. He built his next store just east of Main Street, being part of his residence, now standing, as a tenement- house, opposite Mr. Charles Hartshorn's. This house was long after known as the " Eagle Tavern," kept for many years by Ilugh Magee.

Mr. Davenport's next store was the first briek honse erceted in Hornellsville,-residence and store combined,- and is now occupied by Martin Adsit, Esq. He used to haul his goods by team from Catskill, ou the Hudson. Col. Davenport had stores in many other parts of the coun- try, and made a large fortune in mercantile business. In 1847 he removed to Bath, and there resided till Ins death, May 2, 1868.

Ilis nephew, Martin Adsit, Esq., succeeded him in busi- ness, and had also a bank in the same store for many years. Present locality, No. 127 Main Street.

Andy L. Smith, father of Andy L. Smith, the present merchant, was the pioneer in the tanning and shoemaking business, on the site of the present tannery of Mr. William O'Connor. He commenced about 1816, and after carrying on tanning for many years, closed that business and en- gaged in mercantile pursuits.

Dugald Cameron, son of the agent of the Pulteney estate at Bath, settled in Hornellsville about 1814. He occupied lands owned by his father, and carried on lumbering as his chief occupation. He was also a farmer, and at one time held the office of justice of the peace.

POSTMASTERS.

The first postmaster in the town was Judge. IFornell. There is an impression that he was succeeded by one of his sons, but it is uncertain. Col. Ira Davenport was the next incumbent of the office, and held it many years. He was succeeded by Dr. Manning Kelly, who resigned in 1832. John R. Morris was then appointed, and held the office nine years, when he was superseded, under Tyler's adminis- tration, by John K. Hale, who held the office during the balance of the presidential term. Under Mr. Polk, in 1845, Maj. Thomas J. Reynolds received the appointment. The election of Gen. Taylor, in 1848, changed the order of things, and upon his incoming administration Martin Adsit became the incumbent, and held the office till the adminis- tration of President Pierce, when Andy L. Smith received the appointment, and held the office for a short time, when he was succeeded by Dr. Luman A. Ward, who held the office under Buchanan's administration. He was succeeded, under Mr. Lincoln, by E. G. Durfey, who was followed by J. W. Shelly. S. M. Thacher was his successor, and re- mained in office till the appointment of the present ineum- bent, F. M. Cronkrite.

SCHOOLS.

The first school in Hornellsville of which we have any account, was established under the patronage of Judge Hor-

nell about the year 1810. It was taught by Miss Sarah Thacher, in a block-house which was then standing near the residence of Deacon Mowry Thacher, a brother of the lady. The first school-house built in the village was of hewed logs, and stood on the site of the present cabinet- factory of Messrs. Deutsch, Tschachtli & Co. It was built about 1813. Mr. Thacher remembers being at school in it when peace was declared with Great Britain, and one of the large scholars, to celebrate that event, wrote the word " Peace" in large letters, and attached the slip to his hat- band. This was the first district school, now District No. 7. The first teacher was a man by the name of Dudley Miller, who is described as a " tall and lean specimen of humanity, with military boots and little tassels hanging from the tops." It is said that he was a great gallant, but met with about as much success among the fair Katrinas of the Canisteo as his ancient counterpart, the hero of Sleepy Hollow. This building was burned down, and a small frame school-house was built on the site of what is now the Can- isteo Block, corner of Main and Church Streets. It was moved off at the time the Presbyterian church was built. Among the teachers in this building were George Hornell, Jr, Uriah Stephens, and James Osborne. Solomon Head, irreverently called " Old Head," by the boys, was also a teacher about this time, and was followed by John Hunt- ington, a brother of ex-senator Huntington, of Bath. Ile was succeeded by Rev. Samuel White, Mary Morris, Par- melia Stephens, and others. Deacon Mowry Thacher taught three winters, and was followed by John S. Livermore, Dr. Thomas, and Orange McCay.

In 1833' the district purchased the land for a school lot on the point between Canisteo and Church Streets for $40, and the "Old Red School-House" was built at a cost of about $200. The dimensions of the building were 22 by 28 feet. Ira Davenport was the architect. The first teachers who taught in it were Washington Cruger, Samuel Porter, H. V. R. Lord, and Samuel Street. The latter taught for a considerable length of time, and is better remembered than any of the early teachers by many now living, who during that period attended the district school. Many farmers' sons came in and boarded in the village, and at- tended school during the winter months. Mr. Street was somewhat severe in his government, but he possessed a kindly, Christian heart, and always commanded the respect of his pupils. Ile was followed by Hiram Bennett, Esq., and afterwards, Hiram Hood, John McAlmant, Orson B. Clark and others taught the school.

In the summer of 1844 the new school-house, west of the park, was built. Mr. Clark finished his term in this build- ing, and was succeeded by Mr. Street, who was again cru- ployed as teacher. After him came the following: E. B. Coon, A. E. Crane, Prof. D. Ford, of Alfred, Myron Ilurl- but, of Arkport, N. S. Scott, Ilorace Bemis, Mr. Merriman, Redmond D. Stephens, R. R. Rork, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Baker, Erastus Williams, J. H. Strong, Benton C. Rude, Elizabeth Bartholomew, Rev. S. D. Booram, HI. J. Danforth, A. G. Harrington, Mr. Murphy, W. T. Dunmore, and D. L. Free- born.

James Taggart, Asa Upson, and Stephen Coon were the first school commissioners of the town of llornellsville,

328

HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK.

elected in 1821. From that time till 1844 there were 44 different persons clected to the office, and during the same period there were elected 27 inspectors ; the first of whom were A. Kennedy, Christopher Hnrlbut, and George Hor- nell, Jr., and the last were J. K. Hale, Hiram Bennett, and William M. Hawley. In 1843 the Legislature abol- ished the offices of commissioners and inspectors, and created that of town superintendents. At the town-meeting of 1844, Mowry Thacher was elected to the office, being the first superintendent of common schools in the town of Hornells- ville. He had previously served ten years as inspector. The following year Samuel Olin was elected ; then Comfort E. Baldwin (1846), Samuel Olin (1847), Dr. Baldwin (1848-51), Daniel MeCay (1851-54), H. A. Patterson (1854), Elon G. Durfey (1855), the last.

In 1856 the Legislature abolished the office of town superintendent and county superintendent, and provided for the election of school commissioners in each Assembly district. The first for this district under the aet was Wil- liam S. Hall. He was succeeded by Rev. Horatio Patten- gill, whose successors, in the order named, have been R. Dennis, A. T. Parkhill, Edwin Whiting, W. P. Todd, H. R. Williams.

PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

The publie schools of the village of Hornellsville, by a special act of the Legislature, are organized as a graded school and placed under the control of three trustees as a board of education, who hold office for three years, one trustee being elected each year. To the graded school an academic department, subject to the visitation of the re- gents, was added, and the first regents' examination was held in November, 1872.

The buildings now occupied by the schools are as follows: No. (1) one (Park School), which contains the academic department, is on Union Street, opposite the park.

The building is a substantial brick structure, two stories high, with no basement, and will comfortably accommodate 750 pupils.

No. 1 (Fifth Ward School) is on South Canisteo Street, on the south bank of Crosby Creek. It is also a substan- tial brick structure, two stories high. The building stands upon a rise of ground, with its main entrance to the east. It is decidedly the finest school building in the village. It will comfortably accommodate 300 pupils.

No. 3 (Sixth Ward School) is situated on East Main Street. It is also a two-story building, and is the only one of the ward schools built of wood.

The aggregate value of school property is as follows :

Buildings and lots. $25,000 Reference library. 500

Apparatus 700

Total .$26,200

TEACHERS .- D. L. Freeborn, Superintendent.

PARK OR ACADEMIC SCHOOL .- D. L. Freeborn, Princi- pal; Miss W. E. Brayton, Preceptress ; Miss Maggie T. Welch, First Assistant ; Miss Laura La Croix, Second Assistant ; No. 6, Miss Mary Reilly ; No. 5, Miss Fannie Norton ; No. 4, Miss Belle Bronk ; No. 3, Miss Belle Sim- mons; No. 2, Miss Belle Shelley ; No. I, Miss Nellie Spicer, Miss Susie Dunavon.

FIFTH WARD SCHOOL .- D. H. Hendershott, Principal ; Miss Lizzie Graves, Assistant in No. 4; No. 3, Miss Alfa Gays; No. 2, Miss Mary Welch ; No. 1, Miss Vandalia Varnum, Miss Ada Rockwell.

SIXTH WARD SCHOOL .- Miss Elizabeth Bartholomew, Principal ; No. 3, Miss Eva Santee; No. 2, Miss Alice Aldrich ; No. 1, Miss Eva C. Stillman.

BROAD STREET SCHOOL .- Miss Engenia Morris.

BOARD OF EDUCATION .- Alanson Stephens, Esq., Presi- dent ; Ifiram Bennett, Esq., Secretary ; Dr. J. W. Robin- son, P. P. Houck.

PHYSICIANS .*

John S. Jameson, J. W. Robinson, S. E. Shattuck, M. J. Baker, C. S. Parkhill, S. F. Cridler, C. G. Hubbard, Samuel Mitchell, H. C. Orcutt, W. E. Hathaway.

LAWYERS.+

The present lawyers of Hornellsville are Harlo Hakes, Horace Bemis, James II. Stephens, Jr., William E. Bon- ham, I. W. Near, C. W. Stephens, H. Holliday, Wm. C. Bingham, D. L. Benton, Wesley Brown, R. L. Brundage, John M. Finch, Rodney Dennis, J. E. B. Santee, D. M. Page, C. F. Beard. Fay P. Rathbun, J. F. Wetmore, W. W. Oxx, Henry N. Platt.

THE HORNELL LIBRARY.

This institution, as well as the building which it ocenpies, is a credit to the growing and prosperous village of Hor- nellsville. It occupies a capacious room in the Shattuck Opera House, a building which would be an ornament to a city of 20,000 population. Part of this fine building is owned by the association, and affords ample and first-class accommodations for the completion of the plan, as to cabi- nets and collections of art, which the enterprising managers have in view. The history of this library furnishes an example of what may be accomplished in the interest of literature and home culture by the united, energetic action of a few earnest spirits. In the spring of 1868 seven young men incorporated the Hornell Library Association. They had neither money nor books, but they proposed to get both, and to this end they procured and sustained a course of lectures, a masquerade or two was indulged in, festivals were held, and some money thus procured ; more was secured by the issuing of life certificates. The first books were bought June 1, 1868. Now Hornell Library has on its shelves 6000 volumes.

This library was the first village library established in Western New York, and its remarkable success induced other villages to follow the example thus set. It has main- tained since its organization a successful lecture course, and we find upon its records the names of many of the ablest lecturers in the country, who have from time to time in- structed and delighted large and appreciative audiences under its auspiees. During the first four years the average increase of books was 1000 volumes a year.

The association is composed of 34 persons who own life certificates. They annually elect nine managers, a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer. The first board of

* See Medieal Societies, in general history.

t See Bench and Bar of this eounty, in general history.

Prestamium

DR. JOHN S. JAMISON was born in the town of Canisteo, Stenben Co., N. Y., July 25, 1822. Ilis grandfather, John Jamison, born Dec. 3, 1753, in Durham, Bueks Co., Pa., was of Irish and Scotch descent. Served through the war for independence as a captain, and while in command of the garrison at Fort Washington was taken prisoner, and kept in an old hulk in New York harbor eighteen months. Ile settled in Canisteo in the spring of 1790. Ile was a farmer by ocen- pation, and died March 23, 1826.

llis father, John D. Jamison, born in Canisteo, Aug. 10, 1797, was second in a family of nine children ; was married to Elizabeth Stearns, July, 1821, of which union were born four sons and one daughter, of whom Dr. Jamison is eldest. His father enlisted in the war of 1812; served only a few days when peace was declared. He was a farmer : was a member of the Democratic party, and for many years served the people of his town as magistrate. He died in Canistco, Dee. 14, 1856.

Dr. Jamison received his early education at the common school, at the Clyde Academy, and the academy at Nunda. Ilis health failing while at the latter school, he was compelled to give up his mueh- coveted idea of a graduating course at Union College, and for one year was a teacher in the common school, and some three years an instructor in penmanship. By the latter means he paid his way not only at school, but in his subsequent medical studies.

In the year 1847 he began the study of medicine with Dr. D. D. Davis, of Canisteo ; attended lectures at Buffalo Medical College and Michigan University, and was graduated M.D. from the latter insti- tution in April, 1852, and has since been a member of its Alumni Society. Ile at once began the practice of medicine in Canisteo, but after one year came to llornellsville, where he has remained until the present time, and during the twenty-five years he has followed his profession in Hornellsville he has retained the confidence of a large circle of the citizens of this and adjoining counties.

May 4, 1861, Dr. Jamison entered the service of the army as as- sistant surgeon at the rendezvous at Elmira, and was subsequently placed in charge as examining surgeon of the volunteer forec organ-

izing and quartered at that place. In the fall of the same year he accompanied the 86th New York Volunteers to Washington, as sur- geon of the regiment, with commission dated Oct. 12, 1861, remaining there until his regiment was called into active service at the battle of second Bull Run, where he was a prisoner in the Rebel lines for eleven days, and under a flag of truce released. Dr. Jamison re- mained with his regiment during his term of service of three years, being often detached as division surgeon, spending nearly two years of his term of service as such. For his skill and medical ability, by special orders of S. Williams, Assistant Adjutant-General, by eom- mand of Major-General Meade, he was appointed on the Board of Examiners for the purpose of examining medical officers of the army. For these services he was complimented very highly by the medical director, and especially for tho detailed report given of everything oeeurring in the division which in a remote degree affected the medi- cal department. Dr. Jamison, by virtue of the order of Major-Gen- eral Hancock, of April 2, 1864, as Surgeon-in-Chief of Division, was made a member of the Medical Board for the purpose of examining all applicants for leave of absence, discharge, or transfer to the Vet- eran Reserve Corps, by reason of physical disability.

On account of his large operative experience and skillful treatment of cases as surgeon-in-chief of a division of the 3d Army Corps, Dr. Jamison, in June, 1866, was requested by George A. Otis, Surgeon and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel United States Volunteers, to contribute to his office reports of his operations and interesting eases during the war.

Upon the expiration of his term of service he returned home and resumed tbe practice of his profession, which he still continues. In 1873 he was appointed United States Pension Examiner at Hornells- ville, which position he still retains.

Dr. Jamison has never taken an active part in polities, but has always been interested in the questions affecting any change in our nation's history. In the year 1845, May 26, he married Lavinia, danghter of Abijah Newman, of Schuyler Co., N. Y. They have an only son, Luman Catlin Jamison.

LIFT ..

J. d. Shattuck

DR. S. E. SHATTUCK was born in the village of Branchport, Yates Co., N. Y., May 27, 1829. He was second in a family of four children, the others' names being Darwin and Sarah (Mrs. John Town- send), of Sewell, and Rebecca (Up Degraff ) Shattuck, the former a native of Massachusetts, the latter a native of Philadelphia, Pa.

His father was a farmer the greater part of his life, and died at the age of seventy-eight. His mother died at the age of seventy-six.

Dr. Shattuck received his preliminary education at the common schools at home, and at the Franklin Academy at Prattsburgh, followed by a few terms in teaching. At the age of twenty he began the study of medicine with Dr. D. N. Newton, of Towanda, Pa., with whom he continued one year, followed by a course of study of some three years with Dr. E. Doubleday, of Yates Co., N. Y. He was for three terms a student at the Geneva Medical College and Buffalo University, and was graduated M.D. from the former institution in June, 1851.

The same year (October), he came to Hornellsville, and began the practice of medicine, at which place he has since remained continuously in the practice of his

profession." He is now a physician of some twenty- seven years' standing, a greater number than any other now a resident of the village of Hornellsville.

Unassisted pecuniarily in early life, Dr. Shattuck has, by self-exertion, and that integrity of purpose characteristic of his professional and business career, received not only the confidence of the citizens as a practitioner, but has, by sagacity in business relations, accumulated a fine property. As a result of his in- dustry, may be seen on Broad Street, Hornellsville, one of the finest blocks in Steuben County.

He has not been actively connected in political circles, but ever interested in the questions affecting local and national good. He was first identified with the Whig party, and upon the formation of the Re- publican party became a supporter of its principles. He has never sought political emolument or the pub- licity that office brings, yet in local matters has been once chosen as president of the village of Hornells- ville, and in the spring of 1878 was elected super- visor of the town on the Greenback ticket.

In July, 1851, he married Harriet, daughter of John B. Hinman, of Bradford Co., Pa. They have living an only daughter, Hattie.

La. Ward

DR. LUMAN A. WARD was born in the town of Scipio, Cayuga Co., N. Y., July 18, 1809. He was eldest son of James Ward, who was a farmer by occupation ; resided most of his life in Cayuga and Allegany Counties, and died in the latter county, town of Almond, at about the age of fifty.

Dr. Ward had limited opportunities for an education from books, and spent his minority with his father on the Farm. At the age of twenty-four, in the year 1833, he married Hannah Maria, daughter of Peter Earll, of Lysan- der, Onondaga Co., N. Y., a lady of culture and rare excel- lenee, and descended from one of the old families of this State.

At the age of twenty-five, Mr. Ward began the study of medicine with Dr. Davis, of Dansville, Livingston Co., N. Y., and after the regular course of study entered the Eelectie Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was graduated M.D., Feb. 27, 1839.

Previous to settling in Fornellsville in 1840, Dr. Ward had practiced medicine at Dansville with his tutor, Dr. Davis, and for some nine years previous to entering college had begun practice in Hornellsville, where he met strong opposition by the profession of the old school. His new theory of medicine soon won its way into favor with the citizens of the village and vicinity, and by his undaunted perseverance and resolution he demonstrated, many years prior to his death, its efficiency and merited place in the

records of medical history. For twenty-eight years he was a practicing physician in the village and this section of the country, and was really the pioneer of that theory of med- ieine, which has come to be regarded of great value by the community at large, and by many of the learned of the present day.

Dr. Ward was very much interested in questions of local and national importance, and was associated with the leaders of the Democratic party of the State. He identified him- self with the Democratic party during the days of Andrew Jackson, for whom he cast his first vote for President of the United States, and ever remained an unswerving supporter of that party's principles. Ile was for seven years post- master at Hornellsville by appointment of President Pierce, and although always assisting others, and a strong advocate of what he conceived to be right, he never seemed solicitous of any political emolument for himself.

Characteristic of Dr. Ward were his attachment to friends and support of coneeded principles, his unqualified disap- proval of dishonesty, his strong opposition to those who differed with him in action or theory, his integrity in all his business relations, and especially for his social and genial qualities at home. He died Aug. 3, 1872, having spent a life of most active labor and untiring effort.

His children were three sons and two daughters, of whom only one daughter, Sarah A. (Mrs. Ebenezer Ellis), of Hornellsville, survives.

Rufus Tuttle

RUFUS TUTTLE was born at Woodbury, Conn., April 2, 1806. He was a lineal descendant of Nathaniel Tuttle, who (according to Cothran's History of Woodbury, Conn.) settled in that town in 1680, and died August, 1721. The emigrant was William Tuttle, who came from England, landed at Boston, 1635, and moved to New Haven, Conn., 1639. Ile was the eldest of two sons and three daughters of Thaddeus and Susannah (Booth) Tuttle, both natives of the same place as himself.

His father was a farmer by occupation, and died in the year 1815. The mother and children, left without much means of support, met their lot with a will that succeeds, " the boys" doing all they could for the support of the family. The children, by necessity, had no opportunity for education from books, yet through the kindness of their minister, an Episco- palian clergyman, learned the rudiments of an English edu- cation.

At the age of twenty he started into business for himself without capital, except willing hands to do whatever would turn an honest penny.

On borrowed capital he started as a peddler, which he continued for a few years, when upon going into the State of Pennsylvania the Jumbering business opened to his view, and he began rafting Inmber down the Delaware to Philadelphia and other markets. After about eight years in this business, by a very heavy freshet he unfortunately lost his entire stock of lumber, valued at several thousand dollars, and was again financially where he began years before, except he had gained mueh experience.

With undaunted perseverance, and fixed resolve to succeed (not uncommon with young men of his day), he then started as a dry-goods peddler along the southern tier counties of New York, where, by strict attention to business, he accumulated sufficient means, so that at the end of two years he was enabled to start business for himself, which he did in 1837 as a dry- goods merchant at Almond, Allegany Co., N. Y. There he remained for three years, when, on account of the death of

his brother in Harford, Pa., he disposed of his business in Almond, and took charge of and settled the quite extensive mercantile business of his deceased brother. In October, 1842, he came to Hornellsville, where he purchased some real estate, and for several years gave his attention to its improvement, and erected several substantial residences thereon. In this business, and as a private broker, he was engaged until his deatlı, Oct. 28, 1874.

Mr. Tuttle was a man of correct habits, plain and un- assuming, temperate, industrious, and possessed of strict in- tegrity in all his business relations. In his earlier life be was a member of the Democratic party, but soon after the forma- tion of the Republican party became a supporter of its princi- ples, and was strongly attached to the Union cause during the war of the Rebellion.

He was married Dec. 1, 1831, to Ann Lester, of Mount Pleasant, Wayne Co., Pa. ITis wife only survived her mar- riage one year, leaving a son, Rufus W., who died at the age of twenty-eight, at Shoals, Martin Co., Ind., where he had been engaged in civil engineering on the line of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad.

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History of Steuben county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 94

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