USA > New York > Chemung County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 184
USA > New York > Schuyler County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 184
USA > New York > Tioga County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 184
USA > New York > Tompkins County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 184
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SOCIETIES.
Reading Grange, No. 50, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized Jan. 15, 1874, by Jesse Lyon, of Catharine's, Deputy, with 30 charter members. Its first officers were J. W. Warner, Master; Thomas Ellis, Overseer; A. W. Sutton, Lecturer; M. W. Sutton, Steward; H. D. Skiff, Assistant Steward; James O. Daniels, Chaplain ; G. S. Hillerman, Treas. ; Isaac Conklin, Sec. ; Eugene K. Smith, Gate-keeper; Mrs. Frank Diven, Ceres; Mrs. Mary N. Hil- lerman, Pomona ; Mrs. Jane Ellis, Flora; Mrs. Adaline Skiff, Lady Assistant Steward.
Officers for 1878 : R. O. Koons, Master ; J. W. Osman, Overseer ; Mrs. Adaline Skiff, Lecturer ; G. S. Hillerman, Steward ; E. K. Smith, Assistant Steward; S. D. Smith, Chaplain ; J. W. Warner, Treas .; H. D. Skiff, Sec .; T. C. Holley, Gate-keeper ; Mrs. J. W. Osman, Cercs ; Mrs. Janc Ellis, Pomona ; Mrs. R. O. Koons, Flora; Mrs. E. K. Smith, Lady Assistant Steward.
The society is in a flourishing state, and mects at Grange Hall, Reading Centre, the first and third Saturday even- ings of each month.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
The Northern Central Railway enters the town at the southeast corner, and following the west shore of Seneca Lake, leaves the town at the northeast corner. It was completed in 1852, and has no stations on its line in the town of Reading.
The Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railroad enters the town east of the centre, on the north border, and
.
Alonzo Simmons
Mr. Anna Stemmons
RESIDENCE OF MRS. ALONZO SIMMONS, READING CENTER, SCHUYLER CO., N Y.
LITH BYL W. EVERTS PHILADA
Samuel Rofs
Mas Samuel Ross
PHOTOS BY R. D. CRUM.
RESIDENCE OF SAMUEL ROSS, READING, SCHUYLER COUNTY, N. Y.
LITH. BY L. H. EVERTS, PHILADA
675
AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.
running in a southerly course, leaves the town cast of the centre, on the south border. It was completed in the fall of 1877. Reading Station, one mile from Reading Centre, is the only station in the town.
We return our sincere thanks to Messrs. Nathaniel Sut- tout, Alpheus Calvert, John Roberts, Samuel Sellon, Samuel Ross, Roswell Shepherd, J. M. Cole, Rev. C. P. Mott, and Mrs. Mary A. Diven, Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Earle, Mrs. A. Skiff, and Mr. D. C. Smith, for their courtesy, and the valuable information imparted to us.
MILITARY RECORD.
Reading was not behind her sister-towns in aiding the general government to suppress the Rebellion of 1861-65.
Paid in bounties to her soldiers $51,700.00 Paid out for relief of soldiers' families. 1,113.25
Total paid to soldiers and their families $52,813.25
Men sent to the field. 154
A roster of the men enlisted from the town is herewith appended :
Warren N. Ifurley, 141st Inf., Co. A; enl. Ang. 1862; disch. 1862, for disability. Steplien W. Hurley, 14Ist Inf., Co. A; enl. Ang. 1862 ; disch. 1865.
Francis M. Norton, 76th Inf., Co. C; enl. July, 1863; lost right arm at battle of Wilderness ; disch.
Georgo Youngs, 23d Inf., Co. I; en1. April, 1862; re-enl .; disch. Aug. 1862. Charles Youngs, 23d Inf., Co. I; enl. April, 1862.
William W. Koons, 141st Inf., Co. A; enl. Aug. 1862; pro. ; wounded ; died Aug. 1864.
Chillion Peck, 18th Inf., Co. C; enl. Nov. 1861; disch. Nov. 1864.
Daniel B. Hurley, 141st Inf., Co. A ; enl. Aug. 1862; pro .; in all engagements of regt .; disch. June, 1865.
Daniel C. Norris, 141st Inf., Co. A ; enl. Ang. 1862; died Jan. 9, 1863. John M. Cole, 141st Inf., Co. A; enl. Aug. 1862 ; disch. Inne, 1865.
Thomas C. Holly, 50th Eng., Co. B; enl. Aug. 1861 ; disch. July, 1862, for dis- ability.
Charles R. Johnson, 141st Inf., Co. A ; enl. Sept. 1862; disch. June, 1865. Frank Matthews, 1st sergt., 23d Inf., Co. B; enl. Jan. 1861 ; re-enl. in 1st Cav .; wounded; imprisoned ; disch. Aug. 1865.
William L. Norton, sergt., 23d Inf., Co. A ; onl. Feb. 1864; re-enl. in 179th Inf .; wounded; imprisoned ; disch.
William C. Baskin, 3d Inf., Co. K; enl. May, 1861 ; wounded; disch.
Alph Miller, 161st Inf., Co. B; enl. Aug. 1862; detailed as sharpshooter ou gunboat; disch.
Charles U. Pope, 161st Inf., Co. B; enl. Aug. 1862; disch, at close of war. Ebenezer Boynton, 161st Inf., Co. B; enl. Aug. 1862; wounded ; disch. at close of war.
Androw Townsend, 140th Inf., Co. G ; enl. July, 1863; wounded in 1864; trans .; dischi. 1865.
Imther S. Townsend, 23d Inf., Co. I; enl. April, 1861 ; imprisoned; trans. ; disch. May, 1863.
Thomas H. Hurley, 64th Iuf., Co. K ; enl. Dec. 1861 ; died March 2, 1862. William R. Ross, captain, 141st Inf., Co. A ; enl. Ang. 1862; wounded at battle of Resaca ; disch. June, 1865. Richard Foote, 107th Inf., Co. E; enl. July, 1862; disch. Dec. 1863. John Hurd, 161st Inf., Co. B; enl. Ang. 1862; disch. 1865.
Lewis Hanmer, 16Ist Inf., Co. B; eul. Ang. 1862; disch, at close of war. George W. Chapman, 126th Inf., Co. B; enl. Ang. 1862; twice wounded ; im- prisoned ; killed in battle of Wilderness. Jason Beckwith, 14th II. Art .; onl. Dec. 1863. Charles A. Beck with, 14th II. Art. ; re-enl. in 14th HI. Art. ; disch, 1865. James Wilkes, 50thi Eng., Co. C; eul. Feb. 1863; disch. June, 1865.
Georgo A. Brown, 16Ist Inf., Co, B; enl. Ang. 1862; fatally wounded at Don- aldsonville ; died July 16, 1864.
Peter Barton, 14th H. Art .; enl. Jan. 1863.
George R. White, 161st Inf., Co. B; enl. Ang. 1862; diseh. July, 1863, for dis- ability.
Lewis H. Wilson, 16Ist Inf., Co. B; enl. Ang. 1862 ; dischi. Sept. 1865. James Milliman, 103d Inf., Co. I; enl March, 1862; disch. March, 1863. Elezar Collins, 10th Cav., Co. F; enl. Oct. 1861; disch. Oct. 1864. Edwin MeClintoc, 161st Inf., Co. B; enl. Aug. 1862 ; disch. at close of war. James J. Roberts, 6th II. Art .; enl. Dec 1863 ; disch. Ang. 1865.
Alvin Brotherton, 14th II. Art., Co. D; enl. Dec. 1863; imprisoned; paroled ; diseh. July, 1865.
Samuel M. Seaman, 23d Inf., Co. I; enl. April, 1861 ; disch .; re-enl .; disch. June, 1865.
ITiram A. Embree, 3d Inf., Co. C; en1. April, 1861; disch. ; re-enl. in 5th H. Art .; wounded ; lost left leg; disch. 1865.
Daniel II. Embree, 5th 11. Art., Co. C; enl. Jan. 1864; disch. July, 1865.
Deunis Tanner, 5th H. Art., Co. C; en1. Feb. 1864; died at Harper's Ferry, Dec. 1864.
Hurland E. Haviland, 107th Inf., Co. E; enl. July, 1862; disch. March, 1865. Elijah Collins, 107th Inf., Co. E; enl. July, 1862; disch. June, 1865. Jolin E. Hlays, 14Ist Inf., Co. A; enl. Aug. 1862; disch. June, 1865.
Charles O'Neil, 179th Inf., Co. B; enl. Sept. 1864; disch. June, 1865.
William Kress, 103d luf., Co. I; enl. March, 1862; disch. May, 1862, for dis- ability.
Albert S. Hovey, 2d V. Cav .; enl. Dec. 1863; disch. at close of war. William W. Sutton, 141st Inf., Co. A; enl. Aug. 1862; died July 2, 1863. Thomas R. White, 23d Inf .; disch .; re-enl. in 161st Inf., Sept. 1864; disch. Charles B. Kress, 161st Inf., Co. B; eul. Ang. 1862; wounded ; disch. Jan. 1864. Manley Matthews, 34th Inf., Co. I; enl. April, 1861 ; dich. ; re-enl. in 36th Inf .; imprisoned ; disclı.
Charles W. Hurd, 161st Inf., Co. B; enl. Aug. 1862; disch. at close of war. Jolin O'Neil, 161st Int., Co. G; enl. Aug. 1862.
William Taylor, 26th Inf., Co. B; enl. Dec. 1863; disch. Sept. 1865. Joseph M. Holly, 141st Inf., Co. B; enl. Aug. 1862; disch. June, 1865. Samuel S. Hulett, 107th Inf., Co. E; enl. July, 1862; disch. June, 1865. Marvin Shay, 14th HI. Art., Co. E; enl. Jan. 1864 ; disch.
Lewis Hicks, Gth II. Art., Co. K; enl. Dec. 1863; wounded before Petersburg, and died.
Sylvester Playford, 161st Inf., Co. B; enl. Aug. 1862; died May 10, 1864. Warren Gustin, 14Ist Inf., Co. A ; enl. Ang. 1862 ; disch. June, 1865. Robert H. Dennis, 23d Inf., Co. I; enl. March, 1862.
Truman B. Dennis, 23d Inf., Co. I; enl. May, 1861 ; disch .; re-enl. George C. Hughes, 89th Inf., Co. A; enl. Aug. 1861; disch. Oct. 1865. Henry R. Skiff, 6th Cav., Co. A ; disch. at close of war.
Thomas Van Horn, 23d Inf., Co. I; enl. May, 1861; died Dec. 1861.
James Goodrich, Jolin Estelle, eul. 1861.
James Bennett, William Beckwith, eul. 1862.
Edgar Ballard, enl. Ang. 1862; died Sept. 6, 1863.
C. P. De Graw, Newel Hamlin, William Hartman, Chas. W. Latten, Lewis Nichols, Michael Pander, Myron Phinney, Benjamin Smith, enl. Ang. 1862.
Myron E. Triphagen, 141st Inf., Co. B; enl. Ang. 1862; died at Hunter's Chapel. Robert Ganong, Wm. F. Harvey (disch.), James HI. Gardner.
L. A. Banker, 50th Eng .; enl. Jan. 1864.
Iliram O. Thorn, 5th 11. Art. ; enl. Jan. 1864.
Jolın H. Bigger, 5th H. Art .; en1. Jan. 1864; dischi. July, 1865.
William Davis, 141st Inf., Co. D; enl. Feb. 1864; wounded and died.
Jolin Carson, 179th Iuf .: enl. March, 1864.
Charles A. Welding, 50th Eng .; enl. Jan. 1864; disch. June, 1865.
Albert Wescott, 50th Eng., Co. A ; enl. Jan. 1864; disch. June, 1865.
David P. Gowrie, 14th II. Art .; disch. Ang. 1865.
P. C. Snow, bugler, 161st Inf., Co. B; enl. Ang. 1862; disch. July, 1864, disa- bility.
Newton B. Ashley.
John T. Andrews, 179th Inf .; enl. Sept. 1864.
Henry Chapman, 161st Iuf., Co. B; enl. Aug. 1862.
Willard Barton, enl. July, 1863.
Edward Warren, 14th 11. Art .; enl. Jan, 1861.
U. D. Froslı, 14th II. Art .; enl. Jan. 1864. John Flynn, 179th Inf .; enl. April, 1864. James Holmes, 179th Inf. ; enl. April, 1864. Henry King, 179th Inf .; enl. March, 1864. David Murray, 179th Int .; enl. April, 1864.
Burton B. Franklin, 4th II. Art .; eul. Sept. 1864. Jolin W. Tuttle, 10th HI. Art. ; enl. Sept. 1864. William Burke, 179th Inf .; enl. Sept. 1864. Jolin Bryan, 179th Inf ; enl. Sept. 1864 . Edward McKenney, 179th Inf .; ent. Sept. 1864.
Eugene K. Smith, 179th Inf .; enl. Sept. 1864; disch. June, 1863 . Edwin J. Williamson, 179th Inf .; enl. Sept. 1861; died Dec. ISGI.
George Bossard, 1st V. C .; enl. Sept. 1864. Malcom Dodge, Ist V. C. ; gul. Sept. 1864. George Essenwine, Ist V. C .; enl. Sept. 1864. L. A. Goodenoughi, Ist V. C .; enl. Sept. 1864. Jacob S. Hankrisson, 1st V. C .; en1. Sept. 1864. Mortimer Ilarkness, Ist V. C .; enl. Sept. 1864. Joseph II. Imman, Ist V. C .; enl. Sept. 1864. Artimus D. Inman, Ist V. C. ; enl. Sept. 186-1. Daniel Kennedy, Ist V. C .; enl. Sept. 1864. Morris Lundy, Ist V. C .; enl. Sept. 1864. Oscar Schoonover, Ist V. C .; enl. Sept. 1864. Saminel L. Thompson, Ist V. C .; enl. Sept. 1864. Walter West, Ist V. C .; enl. Sept. 1864. Daniel Collins, 1st V. C .; enl. Sept. 1864. Richard McGregor, Ist V. C. ; enl. Sept. 1861. Jasper W. Pepper, Ist V. C .; enl. Aug. 1864. Lewis Clark, 194th Inf .; enl. March, 1865. Win. Fitzgerald, 191th Inf .; enl. March, 1865. Frederick E. Narsh, 194th Inf .: enl. March, 1865. Silas M. Rood, 194th Inf .; enl. March, 1865.
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HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,
Seneca D. Thompson, 194th Inf. ; enl. March, 1865. Eleazer Walker, 194th Inf .; enl. March, 1864. Tracy Whitmarsh, 194th Inf .; enl. March, 1865. Frank Boillotata, 109th Inf .; enl. March, 1865. Ilalleck Ilill, 109th Inf .; enl. March, 1865. Marion Isborn, 109th Inf .; enl. March, 1865. Thomas C. Miller, 109th Inf., Co. G; enl. March, 1865; trans. to 51st N. Y .; disch. July, 1865.
John E. Werner, 109th Inf .; enl. March, 1865. David Lincoln, 8th Cav .; enl. March, 1865. Silas W. Lacey, 89th Inf .; enl. March, 1865. John Anderson, enl. March, 1865. Henry Ernest, enl. March, 1865. Edward Gaynor, enl .. Feb. 1865. Adam lfassman, enÌ. March, 1865. Ebrose MeLanglilin, enl. Feb. 1865. Jacob Schaffner, enl. Feb. 1865. Thomas Wood, enl. Jan. 1865. Charles Smith, enl. March, 1865. William Little, enl. Sept. 1864. Theodore Millspaugh, navy. Daniel L. Ross, navy ; Mississippi Flotilla. Charles Coil, Clinton Hoyt, army.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
SAMUEL ROSS.
This gentleman was born in Landisburg, Perry Co., Pa., Sept. 15, 1805 ; the fourth child of Samuel and Margaret Ross. His grandfather's name was also Samuel, and both father and grandfather were residents of Landisburg. His grandmother's maiden name was Buchanan, and she was a relative of ex-President James Buchanan. George Ross, signer of the Dcelaration of Independence, was a brother of Samuel Ross, his grandfather. The latter was a colonel in the Revolutionary war. His great-grandfather was a native of Scotland, and moved from there to Ireland, where he remained a few years ; then emigrated to America, first settling in Maryland, and afterwards in what is now Perry Co., Pa. His grandfather, Samuel, became a large land- holder in that State. His father received a college educa- tion, and was a tanner and curricr by trade. He moved with his family from Pennsylvania, and settled in what is now the town of Starkey, Yates Co., N. Y., in 1807 ; died there Dec. 1, 1860. His wife died Dec. 12, 1830. Both are buried in the burial-ground at Starkey. Their children were James, Alexander, Margaret, Samuel, William, John, Thomas, Anna, Joseph, Mary, and Jane. The first five were born in Pennsylvania, the rest in Starkcy. Alex- ander, Margaret, Anna, and Joseph are deceased.
From the age of thirteen to eighteen Samuel Ross worked for Captain John Diven, father of General A. S. Diven, in the town of Dix, attending district school winters and working on the farm summers. In 1827, came to Reading, and worked three years on the farm of widow Thankful Davis, a portion of which constitutes his present farm-home. He was married April 16, 1829, to Thankful Myers, daughter of Jacob and Ruth Myers. Mrs. Ross was born Nov. 15, 1808. They have children as follows :
Eli T., born July 30, 1832 ; married to Louisa A. Shep- ard June 20, 1855. One child, Maud, living with her grandparents. He died Jan. 11, 1868.
Almeda A. and Alzada L., twins, born Oct. 26, 1834. Almeda A. married, April 27, 1857, to Rev. J. R. Sage.
One child, Edith,-the latter married to Henry Moore, living in Mitchelville, Iowa. Their child, John, is the only great-grandchild. Alzada L. died Jan. 27, 1874.
William Penn, born March 5, 1840. At the first call for volunteers, enlisted as private in the Thirty-fourth New York Volunteer Regiment. Was discharged on account of ill health at the end of the first year. He again entered the army in 1862, as first lieutenant, Co. A, One Hundred and Forty-first New York Volunteers; promoted to captain, May 31, 1863; wounded in the foot at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864; discharged at the close of the war, and died March 4, 1875. He left a widow and one child, Mabel.
D. Laning, born Dec. 17, 1846. Volunteered in 1864 in the navy, serving until the close of the war. Married to Emma Losee, Oct. 11, 1870. One child, Maud.
Mr. Ross has been a life-long farmer, and one of the most thorough and reliable in the town of Reading. In politics, first a Whig, then a Republican. For the last four years a Prohibitionist, regarding the manufacture, im- portation, sale, and use of intoxicating drink as by far the worst evil in the land, and one which will never be effectu- ally remedied except by application of the law. Has been identified with the temperance cause for nearly forty years. By his activity and efficiency in that cause, has been called the " Neal Dow" of Sehuyler County. A Universalist in religious sentiment. Has served as assessor various terms ; commissioner of highways one year, and overseer of the poor twelve years.
ALONZO SIMMONS
was born Dec. 5, 1798, in Whitehall, Washington Co., N. Y., the second child of Shubael and Anna Simmons. Their children, in the order of their birth, were Laura, Alonzo, Susan, John, Charlotte, George W., and Jane Ann. The latter, wife of Anson H. Brewster, living in Greenwood, Steuben Co., N. Y., is the only child living. Shubael Sim- mons was born May 17, 1765, in Rhode Island. His wife, Nov. 27, 1774, in Arlington, Vt. The former died May 10, 1830; the latter, June 26, 1830.
Alonzo Simmons lived at home until nineteen years of age. His father was a blacksmith by trade, and a man in moder- ate circumstances, consequently Alonzo was early thrown on his own resources. In 1817 he went to Troy, N. Y., and engaged as clerk in the dry-goods store of Philip Hart, who also had a large forwarding and commission business in that place. He was in his employ seven years ; during a portion of the time was captain of a sloop, owned by them, on the North River. He served in the war of 1812, as driver of tcam between Whitehall and Plattsburg, for which service he received a land warrant. In 1824 he went to Dundee, Yates Co., N. Y., where he was the first, and be- came one of the most successful merchants in that part of the county. He was married at Dundee, Feb. 25, 1827, to Anna Huson, daughter of Nathaniel and Betsey Huson. Mrs. Simmons was born in Hillsdale, Columbia Co., N. Y., Feb. 24, 1808.
Their children are as follows : Charlotte Ann, born July 30, 1828; died Aug. 15, 1828. Mary Susan, born July 27, 1829 ; married, April 18, 1853, to Charles W. Barnes, a
677
AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.
merchant ; living at Rock Stream, town of Starkey, Yates Co., N. Y .; their children are Delia, Maria, and Alonzo S. Charles, farmer in Reading, born Sept. 9, 1831. Twice married ; first, Dec. 24, 1852, to Amelia Graham, by whom he had one child, Mary Ann, deceased. His first wife died Dec. 24, 1852. He was married, second, to Nancy Ross, Aug. 14, 1856. Laura Elizabeth, born Jan. 17, 1834; married Dr. D. A. Johnson, Oet. 26, 1876. Dr. and Mrs. Johnson living with her mother, at Reading Centre. George, hardware merchant in Watkins, N. Y., born June 25, 1836; married to Louisa Crandall, Oct. 9, 1860. One child, Alonzo C.
Remaining in Dundee five years, Mr. Simmons removed to Avoca, Steuben Co., where he continued in trade two years. In 1831 he moved to Rock Stream, Yates Co., where he carried on the mercantile trade up to 1843. Re- taining an interest in the store with his son-in-law, Charles W. Barnes, for two years, he retired from active. partici- pation in the business, purchased and moved on to a farm in Reading Centre, where he resided until his death,
About one year after his removal to Reading Centre he formed a partnership with William Haring in a store at Irelandville, in the town of Reading, which partnership continued several years. Mr. Simmons, in politics, was a Democrat, and a leading man in his party. Was postmaster at Rock Stream and Reading Centre, and served one term as supervisor of the town. Few men in his locality were better or more favorably known. A thorough business man, honest and upright in all his dealings, ready to lend a help- ing hand to those who were worthy, and contributing liber- ally to all benevolent enterprises. Affable and courteous, his private character beyond reproach, with a reputation for justice and moral worth that commanded, wherever he appeared and in whatever he engaged, universal and unhesi- tating deferenec.
OTIS R. CORBETT.
This family is one of the most ancient in England, being descended from Roger Corbett, who accompanied William the Conqueror from Normandy. The family has been one of wealth and importance down to the present time, and is represented now in England by two or three wealthy scions, viz .: Andrew William Corbett, of Sanders Castle, county of Gloucester ; Thomas George Corbett, Els- home, county of Chester; Peter Corbett, M.P., of Lighton ; HI. C. Corbett, of Addington Hall, county of Gloucester.
Robert Corbett (great-grandfather of O. R. Corbett) and his wife, Prudy Franklin, emigrated from near Boston, Mass., to Susquehanna Co., Pa .; their family consisted of Asaph (grandfather of O. R. Corbett), Sewell, Cooper, Ruby, Prudy, Ruth, Edith, and Eve. Robert located at Great Bend, where he made a purchase, on which he re- sided till his death, about 1826.
Asaph Corbett was born in Massachusetts, Sept. 24, 1769; married Matilda Reed, Dec. 22, 1790. In 1800 he moved to the Johnson Settlement, and commenced clearing a farm. In 1810 he resided in what is now Watkins village. He afterwards traded farms with James Pumpelly, of Owego, for one on the west side of Seneca Lake, opposite Hector Falls. Of his four children, Chester (the ouly sou) was
born July 10, 1795, and married Sally Lafever. Ile lived upon his father's farm, and after his death inherited the same. He died Nov. 6, 1869, leaving the homestead to his two youngest sons, Charles and Wallace, the latter of whom is still in possession. He lived long enough, how- ever, to see the old hill-side converted into a productive, fruit-bearing farm. He was a Whig and an anti-Mason. He was an ardent advocate of the temperance reform, as early as 1828 refusing to furnish whisky iu the haying and harvest-field. He was also an exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and held official position both in that organization and in the town where he resided. His children were Otis, Matilda, Nancy, Charles, and Wallace.
Otis R. Corbett, eldest child of the above, was born Sept. 27, 1818. He received a good common-school education. At the age of eighteen he entered an artillery company, commanded by Captain Reuben Lafever, of Reading, and in 1838 was orderly of the same, under Captain John Royce, of Eddytown. In 1842 he was promoted to first lieutenant, and in 1844 to captain. In 1845 he was ap- pointed president of the board of court-martial. Having satisfied not only the requirements of the law by ten years of military service, but his youthful aspirations in that school, he turned his attention to the more important duties of life. His first ventures in land-purchasing were not successful ; he thus lost his first hard-earned five hundred dollars ; but, nothing daunted, resolved to try again. In the fall of 1846 he married Miss Adelia B. Chase, a school- teacher, who came from Oneida County and settled in his neighborhood. Then followed several years of severe toil and struggle to make himself a home. In the fall of 1874 his dwelling, etc., were consumed by fire, and he again found himself in reduced circumstances. Friends came to his aid, and by their timely assistance he again had a home, but in its construction met with a sad bereavement : his son Walter, employed in taking dowu the old and unused Methodist Episcopal church building, fell from its steeple to the ground, and instantly expired. During the four years that have since intervened, Mr. Corbett has succeeded in achieving a comfortable home, a view of which is shown elsewhere on these pages. He has a family of ten children, of whom seven survive, viz. : Chester L., John W., Mary T., Sophia C., Asaph G., Robert W., and Joseph Jay. In 1860, and for six years, Mr. Corbett was assessor of the town of Reading, and during the late war, under the dirce- tion of the adjutant-general, rendered efficient service in the enrolling of soldiers under the drafts. In 1878 he was the Republican candidate for supervisor of his town, but was defeated by a coalition of the opposing parties.
CHAPTER XCIL.
TYRONE.
THE town of Tyrone is the northwest corner town of Schuyler County. Its surface is an elevated upland, divided into several ridges by the valleys of small streams. The principal water-courses are Big Tobehanna and Little To-
678
HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,
behanna Creeks, both of which flow southwest through the central part, and empty into Lake Lamoka. Lake Wanetta (or Little Lake), upon the west border, is about three miles long and one-half mile wide, and Lake Lamoka (Mud Lake), in the southwest eorner, is about two miles long and three- quarters of a mile wide. These little lakes lie in deep val- leys, and are bordered by steep hills, in some places pre- eipitous, which rise from three to four hundred feet above the surface of their plaeid waters. A view of this valley, the lakes, and their surroundings, from the top of the high ridge south of Tyrone village, presents a picture of rare beauty.
The soil is a elay loam, very fertile, and large erops of hay and all kinds of grain common to this climate are pro- dueed ; also fruits. The people are chiefly employed in the pursuits of agriculture. The eensus of 1875 reports a total area of 22,684 aeres, of which 17,915 aeres are improved. A total population of 1959 inhabitants, of which 1896 were natives and 63 foreign born,-1956 white, 3 eolored,-969 males, 990 females, aliens, 5. Number of voters, 602, of whom 557 were natives, 33 foreign born, aliens, 2. Per- sons of military age, 376. Persons of school age, 231 wales, 214 females. Number of land-owners, 369. Nuui- ber of persons twenty-one years of age and upwards unable to read and write, 27. .
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The pioneers of Tyrone were eneompassed by all the trials, dangers, and privations common to all early settlers in new settlements in this part of the State at the beginning of the present eentury. Mills, mail facilities, friends, and all the comforts of civilization which surrounded them in New England, Eastern New York, and New Jersey, were left seores of miles behind theni. Many weary miles, through trackless forests, were to be traversed before reaeh- ing their future homes in the howling wilderness. The journey occupied many days, and the few household goods were usually brought by ox-teams, dragging heavy, rudely- made sleds. Once here, the heavily-timbered hill-sides and valleys must be cleared of their primeval growth ere a erop could be raised,-a task, we think, which would appal the heart of the stoutest farmer of Tyrone of to-day. This land had been the hunting-ground of the Seneca tribe. General Sullivan's memorable mareh had effectually eleared out the hostiles twenty years previous, but seatteriug fami- lies of friendly Senecas were here when the first settlers eame in, and they eneamped upon the shores of Lake La- moka each winter for a number of years afterwards. Mr. Simon Fleet relates that one of these Indians, " Sam Har- ris," gave him a tomahawk, which he still preserves. Har- ris also told him that when General Sullivan made his mareh into the Seneca country, in 1779, the Indians had quite an extensive eorn-field along the inlet between Little Lake and Lake Lamoka; but the sound of Sullivan's guns frightened them away, or, as Harris expressed himself, " In- dian eut stiek."
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