History of Steuben county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 98

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 98

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He was married at Shrewsbury, Vt., Sept. 14, 1828, to Miss Sophronia Pierce, who was born Nov. 6, 1805, and died Feb. 10, 1873. Miss Pierce was the daughter of Caleb Picrec, and cousin to cx-President Pierce.

HIe has reared three children : George F., born July 24, 1830, who became a physician, and practiced in Howard and Pulteney till his death, which occurred Sept. 8, 1875, leaving a wife and one son. At one time George F. was regimental surgeon in the war of the Rebellion. Julia, born March 14, 1833, who is the wife of Charles Forrester, a wholesale grocer at Scranton, Pa. Dighton L. was born May 17, 1838, studicd medieine with his father, graduated at the Buffalo Medical College, and is practicing in Howard. Dr. Case is evidently a man of mark. Without the aid of inherited wealth or social prestige he has made his way from obscurity to a high position, socially and professionally.

He is not the possessor of great riches, though he has carned more money than most of his contemporaries. IIc is of that confiding turn, honest to a fault himself, that in outside business he has been overreached, and, too, he has always considered it " more blessed to give than to receive." So the poor have always found in him a friend indeed. HIc has been a member of the State Medieal Society for nearly thirty years, and is perhaps the oldest practitioner in the county.

Seth 76. Rice

SETH H. RICE was born in Steuben County, Sept. 9, 1819. He was the son of Jonas Rice, who came from Massachusetts in the year 1811, and settled one and a half miles north of Howard village, on the farm now known as the Ferris farm. In 1825 he removed to the farm near Towlesville, where he lived until his death, and where the subject of this sketch lived fifty-two years until his death, which occurred Feb. 20, 1877.

Mr. Rice was married Feb. 12, 1840, to Miss Gracia Wheeler, who was born July 18, 1818. Her parents, Jeremiah and Sarah, were among the early settlers of Bath, her father being from Vermont, and mother from Washington Co., N. Y.

Their children are Lydia, wife of Wm. Willis, who resides in the town of Howard ; S. L. Rice, a farmer in Howard; Martin S., who dicd Nov. 5, 1869, aged eighteen years ; and Floyd H., who re- sides with his mother on the homestead.

Mr. Rice was a man of much prominence, and a citizen of integrity in all matters with which he was connected. He was town assessor for six years, justice of the peace some eight years, and associate judge one year. He was a man of high moral prin- ciples, a strong advocate of temperance, and a devout Christian.

During the past forty years, besides acquiring an honest living for himself and family, he has accumu- lated a fair property.

His whole life has been an example of indus- try, and all who were personally acquainted with him recognized in him all that was manly, truc, and noble.

He was a liberal contributor to church interests, and to as great an extent as any man who ever lived in the town of Howard, and for many years was an officer of and prominent in the councils of the church of his choice.

339

TOWN OF HOWARD.

plat of ground now owned by Aaron McConnell. It shows the ravages of time, and before many years it will pass away as have done its founders. There was great pleasure manifested by the settlers by reason of this enterprise, for until that time all the products of the soil that could be spared found a market only in Bath, or some other distant point ; but when this store was opened they found a ready exchange, and eould procure the necessaries of life almost at their own door, giving in exchange anything they had to spare. This was the only store in Howard until 1831, when Calvin Whitwood, a man of enterprise, settled there. IIe at once constructed the store now owned by Abel R. Hig- gius. This store for many years was called the Whitwood Store. Whitwood continued in the business some years, when he took in a partner, James Alley. They continued in business some time, when Whitwood transferred his interest to James and George Alley ; they enlarging their trade accumulated property fast, so that after a few years, by good, discreet management, they were enabled to erect a grist-mill. They erected the mill about one and a half miles east of Howard village. The erection of the mill was a much-needed enterprise, and opened up a new source of benefit to its projectors. The Alleys did not remain in Howard but a few years to enjoy the fruits of their well- earned respect and prosperity, but sold their interest in the store to Aaron McConnell, the youngest son of Charles McConnell, who continued business at the old store for many years, accumulating a competence for life. The mill property was sold to Alonzo Graves, since which time the store has been owned by several different parties, Martin V. Strait being the present owner. William Lilly became a resident in 1837, and erected the store now owned by the Henry Baldwin estate, this making the third store in the little village of Iloward.

The first school that was taught in town was in a little log school-house, which stood near the present residence of Aaron McConnell. This house was used for a number of years, when it was supplanted by a frame building.

About the time the school was commenced in the village there was also a school opened in Towlesville, these two schools being the only schools taught in the town for a number of years, although after 1820 there were schools organized, and the inhabitants of Howard have always manifested a commendable zeal in promoting the cause of education. In carrying out that desire an academy was built in 1835. The academy building stood on the oppo- site side of the highway leading past the Baptist church, and a short distance above the church. One Dupark was the principal, with a corps of good, competent teachers. The school was well attended, and supported by the inhab- itants for a number of years, but it has been abandoned as a school and the building converted into part of a hotel.

There are sixteen or seventeen school districts in the town, having good schools, well attended. Of the Howard village school it may be said that few towns have a more commodious school building, and their corps of teachers will rank among the first.

In the early days of Howard the religious sentiment was largely composed of the Christian denomination, and their ministers were missionaries, holding their meetings in pri-

vate dwellings, barns, and the little log school-houses. Elder Buzzel was one of the first ministers who preached in this town. After a few years communicants of other denominations began to supplant the Christian persuasion, and to-day there are left only a very few believers of that order. The leading denominations of Howard are the Baptists, Presbyterians, and Methodists,-there being two Baptist churches, one in Towlesville and the other in How- ard village. There is also a Presbyterian church in the village, and a Methodist church in Towlesville, all being good, active churches. The Baptist Church in the village of Howard was organized Feb. 6, 1826. The number of members at the time of its organization was nine,-five male and four female communicants. The number of members added to the church since their organization has been 457. Rev. B. B. Brigham was their first pastor, who commenced his services soon after the organization, and closed his labors Nov. 28, 1829. The church held its stated meetings in the different school-houses and private dwellings until 1835, when they erected their present house of worship. which they repaired during the year of 1877, making it a convenient, permanent, and beautiful edifice in which to worship.

The following are the names of the pastors who served that people from the first organization to the present time : Rev. B. B. Brigham, G. Gowdy, Rufus Peet, Chas. Ran- dall, Daniel M. Root, M. Rowley, D. Carr, E. G. Spencer, C. G. Smith. Rev. E. Mosher settled March 1, 1851, and closed his labors Aug. 29, 1858. Ile truly was a man of God. Elder Easterbrook, Rev. Win. Entwistle, Rev. Jas. Andrews, Rev. J. B. Randall, Rev. Wm. P. Omans, Rev. A. Tilden, Rev. M. HI. Dewitt, Rev. J. French, Rev. L. J. Lusk, who commenced his pastoral services April 1, 1875, and is their present pastor. The church has been blessed under his care, and he is much honored and loved by his people. No records were kept of the first officers of the church, but Reuben F. Ferris was one of the first dea- cons of the church, and he was truly a man in every way qualified for the high and saered trust ; living and prac- ticing that which he professed. They sustain a fine Sab- bath-school of about 75 teachers and scholars. The church is not wanting in benevolence and a missionary spirit. They have a good parsonage. The church property is worth $6000.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI.

The Presbyterian Church of Howard was organized a short time before the Baptist Church, and built their church edifice in 1834. The church recently repaired their edifice, making it a commodious and beautiful struc- ture. This church since its organization has made good advancement, and now numbers about 100 communicants. They have been fortunate in procuring the services of able pastors, and those who have been endued with the Spirit of Him whom they sought to honor. They have for many years sustained a good Sabbath-school, the fruits of which have been visibly manifest by the addition to their church. They have a good and comfortable parsonage. The value of the church property is about $6000. The churches of Towlesville built their edifices many years after the build- ing of the church edifice in Howard village. Both

340

HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK.

churches maintain their identity, and are looking forward to a more successful future. Sabbath-schools are well sup- ported, and the call for charity is met with a zeal and spirit that is commendable. The Methodist and Baptist church property is worth about $3000 each. The Baptist and Methodist Churches predominate quite largely over all other denominations of the town. In quite an early day there was a colony of people of Irish and Scotch descent, but mostly Irish, who settled in the southern part of the town. Upon their arrival they took up lands near together, and constituted a community by themselves ; the vicinity in which they settled was called Dublin, and that name is continued to this day. Most of those settlers took up wild lands, but they possessed the spirit of enterprise, and but a few years had elapsed before the whole aspect of that section of the town was changed from a very wild and rough state to green fields and fine dwellings. The enterprise of that community was not excelled by any other community or settlement of the town ; they brought with them the customs and religion of their fatherland. Soon after their settlement they erected a small Episcopal church and a Presbyterian church, but the communicants of the Episcopal church were but few, and stated services in their little church did not continue long.

The Presbyterian Church was of the Scotch or old-school tenets, and is continued to this day. That little colony, like all others, has felt the ravages of time, and most of the old settlers have passed away, but their descendants have `taken up the work where their fathers laid it down, except that they have most, if not all, adopted the customs, usages, and language of the adopted country ; and to-day the line of demarkation of the different nationalities is swept away, and they are one people, each vying with the other in pro- moting the best interest of the whole.

Howard, until the projected railways from New York City to Dunkirk and Buffalo were completed, was con- sidered to be a place of some note, and no place for many miles around had brighter prospects; for men of enter- prise and good business abilities sought it as the coming place, and for quite a number of years it was regarded as one of the best business centres of the county, and maintained its position as such until the shrill whistle of the locomotive echoed and re-echoed through the valley and over the hills. Then came a change ; the foresight of keen business men saw that Hornellsville, then a little village of but a few dwellings, not one-fourth as large as Howard, was the coming mart for trade and traffic. The business men of Howard saw it; then came an exodus. Among the first were Col. Benton, James Alley, George Alley, Samuel Al- ley, and others ; a few years later, Henry Goff, Asa Mc- Connell & Sons; and many others since then have sought different points to engage in business. Yet a few remained, and others have settled in Howard and accumulated a com- petency for themselves and families. Among the most suc- cessful in mercantile business since the Alleys left Howard are Aaron McConnell, Henry Baldwin, Ira Lane, Abel N. Brown, and Abel Higgins. Those in business at present are Abel N. Brown, Abel R. Higgins. Ira Lane and Aaron McConnell have retired from business, and H. Baldwin is now deceased.

PHYSICIANS.

Of the medical profession, the pioneer physician of the place was Dr. Baker, who settled in Howard some time in 1817. Ile was soon after followed by Dr. Levi S. Good- rich, who brought Dr. Wixom with him. Dr. Abijah B. Case settled in Howard some time in 1832. Dr. Robinson and Dr. Runner came in soon after Dr. Case. Dr. Isaac Rathburn commenced the practice of medicine in 1843. Austin Baker practiced a few years and died in Howard. Of the present practicing physicians there are four,-Drs. Abijah B. Case, Isaac Rathbun, Reuben F. Parkhill, and Dighton Case. The town of Howard has always had an able corps of physicians, and ever after Dr. Case settled there many students came from far and near to study med- ieine under his instructions; and of late years the offices of A. B. Case and Dr. R. F. Parkhill have been well repre- sented by medical students, and those who have studied with them have usually made their mark in the world.

ORGANIZATION.

The town of Howard was erected from Bath and Dans- ville, June 18, 1812, and the first town-meeting held in April, 1813, at the residence or hotel of Simeon Bacon, who then lived on the Daniel Hamilton farm. Local tra- dition asserts that Thomas Bennett was elected the first supervisor. It has been impossible to obtain a list of the other town officers elected at that time, and indeed of the town officers prior to 1823, as the town records before that date have been lost or destroyed. We find, however, at the county clerk's office, in Bath, a book of records con- taining the oaths of office of certain town officers, from which we take the following list of supervisors and collectors for the years named :

Supervisors.

Collectors.

Rufus Ilalsey. 66

1824

Daniel N. Bennett.

1825

1826 William Goff. "

1827

1828 Green IIern.

Jobn L. Robards.

1829

1830 Daniel N. Bennelt.

1831

1832 II. N. Rathbun.

1833 John W. Whiting.

IS34 ..

1835 William Goff.

Ebenezer Bullock.

1836

Issaebar Goodrieb.

John R. Parkhill. 16

1839

1840 James Alley.

I841

Hiram B. Burleson.

1844

John Hamilton.

A. R. Stephens. Ira Lane. B. S. MeConnell.

1846

D. N. Bennett.

1848

Joseph 1. Burnbam. Ira Lane.

Alexander Jones. 66

1850.

Ansel House.

1852 Alkali Bennett.

1853

Ansel House.

1856

1857 Alonzo Graves.

1858

1859 Ansel House.

1860

Alkali Bennett.

186t "

1862 A. T. Parkhill.

1863

1864 John F. Shaver.

Ezekiel Rice, Jr. Anson E. Green. John Preston. Warren W. Goff.

1854

1855 Moses S. Bennett.

John Martin.

Lewis Hamilton. יו

Alanson Horton. David A. Franklin. Webster Sharp.

66 46

Philip Bennett. Jason Ranger. "

1837 ..

1838 C. E. Beldin.

IS12

1843

Asa McConnell.

1845

1847

1849

1851

Alfred Rathbun. Artemas M. Leigh.

1823 Israel Baldwin.

Joel Russel Sally ann all Russel

JOEL RUSSEL.

Joel Russel was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., Jan. 29, 1811, being the son of Ebenezer and Sarah (Mead) Russel. When about a year old his parents moved to Seneca County ; lived there about five years, and then moved to Tyrone, Schuyler Co. Joel being the oldest of the family, and in very moderate circumstances, it became his lot to be deprived of many of the advantages of acquiring an education which many even in those days of poor schools enjoyed. At the age of nineteen he commenced life for himself by purchasing his time of his father for seventy-five dollars, and working on a farm by the month, and when he was twenty-four years old had not only paid his father, but had saved enough to purchase ninety acres of land in Howard, which is a part of his present farm. He has constantly been adding to his farm, and now is the owner of two hundred and eighty-eight acres of excellent land. Thus by hon- esty, integrity of purpose, and untiring perseverance he has placed himself in the possession of a competency

where he is enjoying life as much or more than others reared under more favorable circumstances. Mr. Russel has been a staunch Republican since the organization of the party, and during the Rebellion ever by word and action maintained our nation's cause. He cheerfully gave his sons to his country.

He has been twice married. Nov. 2, 1834, to Miss Eleanor Dow, who was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., Jan. 23, 1806, and died April 17, 1856. Dec. 6, 1856, he married his present wife, Miss Sally Ann Mather, who is the daughter of Colton and Anna Mather, of Yates Co., N. Y., and was born Oct. 17, 1824.

By his first marriage he had six children, viz., Lewis P .; Harrison ; Horace, who was a soldier in the 109th Regi- ment New York Volunteers, and died at Beltsville, Oct. 27,1862; Abram B., who served in the 41st Regiment New York Volunteers, and died at Indianapolis, Ind., June 18, 1865 ; Sarah Jane ; and one child who died in infancy. By his second marriage one son has been born, J. W.

Agnes Buthad Joel Bullard

JOEL BULLARD.

Joel Bullard was born in the town of Barry, Mass., July 2, 1809. He is the son of Joel, and grandson of Samuel Bullard, natives of Massachusetts, and of English origin. His father was married to Hannah Brown, Jan. 31, 1800. Soon after he removed to Vermont and stayed a year or two, returning to the town of Barry, where he remained till he moved to Howard, Steuben Co., N. Y., in 1810, and purchased and settled on the place now owned and occupied by the subject of this sketch.

When Mr. Bullard arrived in Howard it was nearly an unbroken wilderness, but he contended successfully against all the hardships of a pioneer life, wild beasts included. Of his two sons, Abel and Joel, Abel died Dec. 21, 1819.

Mr. Bullard died in the midst of his usefulness, April 6, 1820, aged forty-eight years. He is remembered as being forward in the development of the country, an efficient and trustworthy man. His widow resided upon the homestead till her death, June 1, 1845, aged seventy- six. Thus we find the subject of this narrative father- less at the age of eleven, in a sparsely settled wilderness country, with very little educational facilities, commenc- ing the battle of life. If the youth of to-day would but stop and consider how much has been endured and

accomplished by these old pioneers, a lesson of frugality and temperance might be learned which should avail them much.

He was married May 4, 1831, to Agnes Winnie, daughter of Jacob G. and Nellie Winnie, who came here, in 1816, from Rensselaer County. She taught district school several years previous to her marriage.

By this union were born five children, viz. : Hannah Ann, widow of Jacob R. Decker; Eleanor F., wife of Andrew Sharp; Joel Henry (deceased); Hester, who mar- ried John Henry Gray, both of whom have since died, leaving one son, Willie S. Gray, who lives with his grand- father ; and Judith Maria, wife of John G. White.

Mr. Bullard is the oldest living male settler in the town of Howard. In politics he has always been a staunch Democrat, and is a good representative of the indomitable perseverance of the pioneers of Steuben County. Still hale and hearty, he is one of the few old living landmarks, surrounded with kind, children to smooth his pathway as his time of release from earth draws near, having led a life of sterling integrity and uprightness of character, honored by all who know him, and at the writing of this sketch bids fair for more years of usefulness.

341

TOWN OF HOWARD.

Supervisors.

1865 ..

Alkali Bennett.

Collectors. Marvin Goff.

1866

1867

A. M. Cole.

B. O. C. Sharp.

Lewis Spaulding.

Hiram Goff.

1870

1871

1872

John G. Sharp.

1873

1874 Josiah House.

1875

1876

J. C. Hoagland.

Wm. H. MeKibbin.

1878

George Bennett.

P. P. Bennett.

1879

William H. Willis. ..

MILITARY RECORD.

During the great crisis that was pending before the breaking out of the Rebellion of 1861, the citizens of Howard watehed with bated breath the then pending issues. They could not believe that these sister States seriously meditated on the dissolution and destruction of the nation and cradle of liberty, but thought that when the political canvass had passed, reason and justice would prevail, and peace sit enthroned, as it had for nearly a century past. They, like all others, have seen their mistake; and when the news, wafted, as it were, by the wings of the wind, came to their ears, the hardy sons of toil came from the farm, the workshop, and in fact from every branch of in- dustry, with alacrity, in response to the nation's call; and Howard, unlike most of other towns, filled up her ranks with her own hardy and willing sons. Howard was called upon under the different calls to furnish men, and the fol- lowing are the names, as far as the writer has been able to procure them :

First Lieut. Benjamin N. Bennett, Alonzo Van Wie, Martin Higgins, James Van Wie, Valencourt Allen, Horaco Bennett, David Sharp (died), H. G. Preston, Saul A. Alden, Gilbert Alden, Ira Bennett, Byron Bennett, Henry Cummings, Daniel Gray, Nelson Higgins, Joseph Hand, David Hecox, Frank Keyser, Robert McBeth, llorace M. Meeks, Edgar J. Phil- lips, Denzel Phillips, John Quigley (died), Lewis P. Russell, Nathaniel Searls, John Vancampen, Adolphins Welch, Ilenry Willis, Webster W. Wagner, Chapin C. Morgao, Edward Morgan, Ilenry Manhart, George Elliott, Samuel Taylor, James A. Derby, Edward Graves, Wm. Patterson, Charles Hammus, Samuel Hall, Russell Taylor, Lafayette Taylor, Benja- min Willeon, Asa Wilson, Ilendrick Rathbun, Isaac Rathbun, David Hamilton, Charles Alden, John Mills, Lyman Westcott, William Edson, Durand Dunton, Engeno Dunton, Gilbert Dunton, Asa Keyser, William Graves, Warren Keyser, Deloss Goff, Sidney Mesick, Abel N. Brown, Henry Palmer, Stephen Peterson, Edwin Preston, Nathan B. Graham, Hiram Goff, David Wells, David Cole, John Swain, G. Searls, Austin Con- dell, Capt. Richard Towle, Dennis Morris, Henry Sprague, Andrew Sprague, William Hammond, Enos Allen, Ansel Oxx, James Cooper, Jos. Dunn, Nelson Danes, Eugeno Danes, George Shearer, Robert Shearer, - Stewart, William R. White, John C. Hoagland, William H. Marge- son, Reuben W. Van Pelt, Cranson Hangadorn, George Norton, R. W. Welch, Patrick Dillen, Timothy Dillen, Michael Hammers, James Baker, Alvin N. Baxter, Willianı A. Wales, Honry Johnson, Ansel T. Wilson, Patrick Watson, David Nipher, George R. Deloss, Herman L. Allen, David Bennett, Luther Waters, Daniel W. Sabin, Ira Stephens, Scott Mc- Kianey, Herbert M. Horton, Alanson Horton, John Swain, Alexander Magill, Sylvester Shearer, James Dempsey, Henry Brasted, James M. Willis, Henry W. Stephens, Josiah Ililer, John Cochrane, llenry Groose- phend, John Hallett, S. S. Mulliken, William Coats, William Chose, Andrew De Graff, James Cochrane, N. B. Grames, D. W. Dart, Webster Sharp, James E. Borden, James McChesney, Erastus Hawley, George Searls, Leroy D. Goff, Jolin W. White, Joseph Fox, Abraham Russell, Albert Plerce, B. Rice, William Dyke, Joseph Ilyler, Dennis Morrie, Luther Stewarl.

The number of killed and mortally wounded, and those who died in the service, the writer has been unable to ascertain, but they were quite a large number. During the Rebellion, quite a number of public meetings were called to take measures for the adoption of the best measures to fill the different quotas, and make provisions for poor fami- lies whose fathers and sons weut into the service. A reso- lution was passed that a committee be appointed to look after the families of the soldiers, and see that they did not suffer for necessaries of life. The committee consisted of John R. Parkhill, Alonzo Graves, Alkali Bennett, and Andrew Stewart. The ladies of Howard, soon after the breaking out of the Rebellion, formed a Ladies' Aid Society, for the purpose of co-operating with the the Sanitary Com- mission of the nation. Not only did they aid the great commission, but they sent box after box of necessaries to the front to their fathers, sons, and husbands, to cheer and comfort them in their work. There was a War Committee appointed by the people, consisting of Aaron McConnell, Alonzo Graves, and Albert T. Parkhill, with full powers to take such measures as they deemed proper and most ex- pedient to raise money and men in the interest of the town, and how well they discharged their trust is manifest by the result.

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History of Steuben county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 98

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