History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 33

Author: Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.) cn; Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Ensign
Number of Pages: 1112


USA > New York > Chemung County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 33
USA > New York > Schuyler County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 33
USA > New York > Tioga County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 33
USA > New York > Tompkins County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 33


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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CATATONK.


This settlement is situated on Catatonk Creek, near the south line of the town, and is a station on the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, and contains depot, post-offiee, church, blacksmith-shop, two saw-mills, and tan- nery. The latter was built by Sackett & Forman in 1852, purchased by G. Truman & Co., in 1864, and bought by E. S. Esty & Co., May 24, 1875, and is now known as Catatonk Humboldt Tannery. It employs 30 men, and has 130 vats and 10 leaches, and a capacity to turn out 25,000 hides per annum.


RELIGIOUS.


The first church organization was Congregational, and was called the Second Congregational Church of Spencer before Candor was ereeted, June 29, 1808. There gath- ered together in the barn of Sylvester Woodford nine per- sons, with Rev. Seth Williston, of Lisle, and Rev. Jeremiah Osborne, of Berkshire, for the purpose of consolidating the religious influenees and organizing a church. The exer- cises were conducted by the ministers from abroad, and the following is a list of the names of the constituent members of the church : Ebenezer Sanford, Rhoda Sanford, Asa North, Laura North, Eli Bacon, Sarah Bacon. Job Judd, Ozias Woodford, and Theda Woodford. The Ecclesiastieal Society of Farmington was organized in support of the Con- gregational ministers and church July 23, 1810, and Orange F. Booth, Ebenezer Sanford, Ozias Woodford, Syl- vester Woodford, Truman Woodford, Thomas Gridley, Eli Bacon, Joel Smith, Abel Hart, Asa and Timothy North, composed the members.


The fourth artiele of their constitution was, "That the place of holding publick worship shall be at the house of Sylvester Woodford, untill a more convenient place may be obtained, or circumstance shall render it inconvenient, in which case it shall be holden as near the before-men- tioned place as may be." The first meeting-house was built in 1818, where MeCarty & Co.'s store stands, and was 25 by 30 feet, frame, and without ceiling from floor to rafter.


The pulpit was brought from the Presbyterian church in Owego. Slabs were used for seats, outside uppermost, and placed on blocks; and two seats were made of boards and fitted with backs, about twelve feet long. This building was used for seven years without being finished ; no stoves being used, even in the coldest days of winter. In 1824


Photo. by Shute.


ABEL H. BOOTH.


Abel H. Booth was born Sept. 29, 1812, in Candor, Tioga Co., N. Y., being the fourth son of Orange F. and Lucy Booth. He remained on his father's farm until he attained the age of twenty-two, when he started for himself upon a farm of twenty acres, which he has since inereased to three hundred aeres.


He was married Nov. 29, 1843, to Catharine, daughter of Daniel and Naney Decker, she being born in the town of Cayuta, Schuyler Co., N. Y., April 15, 1819. They have had two sons, viz. :


George D., born Oct. 16, 1844, and Norman D., born Dec. 4, 1848. The latter died Sept. 21, 1875.


Mr. Booth has been supervisor of the town of Candor; and, although no politician, takes quite an interest in the polities and local affairs of his town and county. Formerly an Old-Line Whig, he now affiliates and acts with the Republican party. He is not a member of any church, but interested in all matters pertaining to morality and good order.


Photo. by Beardsley.


ORANGE BOOTH


was born in the town of Candor, Oct. 16, 1816, being the sixth child and fifth son of Orange F. and Lucy (Hart) Booth. He lived with his father until he was twenty-eight years of age, when he married Mary, daughter of Ira and Parthenia Wood- ford, Nov. 10, 1844. She was born in Candor, May 2, 1819. The issue of this marriage was two children : John, born April 15, 1848, and is at present cashier of the Second National Bank of Rochester, Minn. ; Nathan L., born Jan. 13, 1856, and died at the age of one year.


Mr. Booth is a member of the Democratic party. For twenty-five years and until recently he held the office of commissioner of highways. He is a member of the Farmington Congregational Society. He has always followed the avocation of a farmer. When he left his father's home he started in life upon an eighty-acre tract given him by his father, and upon which he now resides. This original farm he has increased until he is now the owner of two hundred and eighty acres in the town of Candor. He is universally respected.


ANSON H. BOOTH.


We place upon record a brief sketch of this worthy young man, who was a victim in a rail- road disaster, the frequency of which of late years has brought grief to many happy firesides in this country. He was born in Candor, Sept. 5, 1838, being the eldest son of Loren and Esther M. Booth. He was married, Nov. 5, 1863, to Lucia M., dauglı- ter of Daniel and Mary Hart, she being born in


Candor, Nov. 20, 1841. His family consists of two children, viz .: Cora H., born Ang. 15, 1864; Henry Anson, April 20, 1868. He voted and acted with the Democratic party in politics. While on a business trip he met his death, being a pas- senger on a train on the eastern division of the Del- aware and Lackawanna Railroad which collided with another train, Sept. 6, 1871.


EPHRAIM COMSTOCK


was born in Smithfield, Providence Co., R. I., Nov. 2, 1802, being the cldest son in a family of seven children of Isaac and Mary Comstock. His father cmigrated to Candor in 1820, and located on a farm of four hundred acres in that town, and a portion of which is still in possession of his de- scendants. He was married Feb. 25, 1835, to Sarah S., daughter of Captain William and Sarah Scott, of Candor, where she was born Feb. 24, 1809. They had four children, one of whom died in childhood, viz .: Mary S., born July 24, 1837, and is married to Paul A. Park, of Birmingham, Oakland Co., Mich., where she now resides ;


William I., born Sept. 27, 1841, and is married and lives on the old homestead, and has four children; Sarah L., born June 18, 1848, and is married to David H. Young, of Berkshire.


He was a Democrat in politics, and held the offices of supervisor, assessor, and other minor positions. He was connected with the State militia, and held the rank of captain.


In religious views he was a Universalist, and believed in the restoration of all things. He died July 6, 1875, leaving a vacancy in his family and neighborhood which will be impossible to replace.


135


AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.


the society " resolved to build a new meeting-house on the north side of the turnpike, west of Caleb H. Sackett's."


The house was finished at a cost of $3473.56, and the slips were sold. The old house was sold for $53.63, and is now the home of Isaac V. Loccy. The church was under the watch-care of the Cayuga Presbytery, on the ac- commodation plan, until 1833, when it was changed into a Presbyterian Church, and remained as such twenty-three years, when it returned to the Congregational mode of government, in 1856. In 1867 the present site was bought, and July 17, 1867, the corner-stone of a new church was laid with appropriate services. Aug. 25, 1868, at two o'clock P.M., the house was dedicated, Rev. Edward Taylor, of Binghamton, preaching the sermon. The site, church, and parsonage adjoining, cost $18,000. The office of deacon has been filled by the following brethren : Eli Bacon, Asa North, Adin Ross, Selah Hart, Jonathan B. Hart, Nathan T. Hull, and William F. Youngs.


The pastors during the seventy years of its existence have been the Revs. Daniel Loring, 1810 to 1819; J. Osborne, 1819 to 1831 ; Zenas Riggs, 1838 to 1841 ; Edwin Bene- diet, 1842 to 1852; M. C. Gaylord, 1852 to 1856; W. H. IIaywood, 1856 to 1862; G. N. Todd, 1863 to 1866; C. A. Pelton, 1866 to 1870; A. Barnum, 1873 to 1878. Present membership, 190.


Sunday-School .- The first gathering of children for in- struction on the Sabbath was at Gridleyville, in the spring of 1821. Mrs. Betsey Thomas, a teacher of the district school, invited the pupils to meet her on the Sabbath, and about twenty children met together. Harvey Potter taught the boys, and Mrs. Thomas the girls, Deacon Asa North assisting. This school continued two seasons, and removed to the central school-house. In 1826 it was organized with a constitution and board of directors. In 1827 the church was dedicated, but the school was still held at the school-house, and at the close of morning service the chil- dren formed in procession and marched over to Sunday- school, after which they marched back again. There was much opposition against using the church from church members, but in 1833 they were finally permitted to use it, and soon harmony prevailed, and all were much inter- ested. During the fifty-seven years of its existence there have been seventeen Superintendents. Deacon J. B. Hart has filled the position for twenty-five years and six months. N. T. Hall is the present Superintendent. They number at present 75 members.


ST. MARK'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF CANDOR.


At a meeting of worshipers according to the rites of the Protestant Episcopal Church, held pursuant to public notice on the 23d day of April, 1832, at the Masonic Hall in Candor, Rev. Lucius Carter was elected chairman. The meeting then in due form organized itself into a re- ligious body, to be known by the naine or title of " The Rector, Church-Wardens, and Vestrymen of St. Marks." Seth and William Bacon were elected Church-Wardens ; Daniel Bacon, Harvey Abbott, William Hand, Richard H. Sackett, Samuel Barager, Stephen F. Smith, Thomas Buel, and Hiram Smith were elected Vestrymen. Rev. Lucius Carter was first rector.


Jan. 21, 1835, they resolved to purchase the lot the church now occupies, and built a church, which they were using for church purposes December, 1837. The cost was $5000; in 1868 it was generally repaired. The rectors since the Rev. L. Carter have been Revs. Humphrey Hol- lis, John Bailey, William B. Musgrave, John T. Cushing, Jacob Miller, J. E. Batten, Adolphus F. Rumphff, Alex. H. Rogers, at present rector. Number of communicants, forty.


A Sunday-school is in connection of about twenty mem- bers ; Superintendent, Edwin Jennings.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF CANDOR.


Revs. John Griffin, George Densmore, and others of the circuit preachers held services several years before the little gathering met in the house of Jared Smith, in 1827, to worship according to their doctrinal views, and to organize a Methodist Episcopal Church. They were fifteen in num- ber,-Judge Samuel Barager and wife, Mr. and Mrs. James Smith, Mrs. Hannah Gilbert, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hewett, Mr. and Mrs. George Hubbard, Mr. and Mrs. A. Hubbard, Mrs. Asaph Colburn, and Mr. and Mrs. Jared Smith forming a class, with Thomas Hewett as leader. The first public services were held at a school-house, where the resi- dence of Chester Johnson now stands. The first meeting- house was erected on the site of the present church, at a cost of about $2000. In 1865 the present church was built, costing about $10,000. The membership at present is about 250. The different pastors that have been stationed on this charge since the church was organized are (as cor- rectly as can be obtained) as follows : Revs. John Griffin, Hall, - Gardner, Sylvester Monier, Gaylord Judd, L. Mumford, John Benham, Isaac Parks, Darius Simmons, H. F. Row, Vincent M. Coryell, William Round, J. K. Peck, F. S. Chubbuck, C. V. Arnold, Eli F. Roberts, Jacob Miller, William P. Abbott, L. C. Floyd, J. L. Wells, G. H. Blakeslee, N. S. Reynolds, Luther Peck, and J. C. Brainerd, who is their present pastor. The Sunday-school is the largest in town, with about 200 scholars; William Hubbard, Superintendent.


BAPTIST CHURCH OF CANDOR.


A meeting of members of different Baptist Churches met at the house of Hiram Allen, March 11, 1852, to take into consideration the propriety of forming a Baptist Church to be known as the Candor Village Baptist Church. A coun- cil was invited from the sister churches of Owego, Mont- rose, Tioga Centre, Owego Creek, Willseyville, Spencer, West Danby, Caroline, and Barton.


Delegates responded to the invitation, and services were held in the school-house. Elder E. Kimball was called to the chair, and II. D. Pinney chosen clerk.


The council, after hearing a statement from the commit- tee of the Candor Baptist brethren, unanimously " Re- solved, that the council fellowship these brethren, and that public services be held at the Methodist chapel in the after-


Iliram Allen was elected Deacon, and B. II. Mills Clerk. This church is in the Broome and Tioga Associa- tion. The membership is at present about 120. The


136


HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,


Sunday-school numbers about fifty members; E. O. Gates is the Superintendent. J. W. Emery was called to be the first pastor, and he was succeeded by Revs. D. C. Marshall, E. L. Benedict, - Burroughs, J. S. Webber, A. F. Chaplin, W. E. Bogert, J. A. Taylor, Jonathan Nicholas, and J. O. Runey, who is at present their pastor. The house of worship was built in 1855, at a cost of $5000, and was generally repaired a few years ago.


BAPTIST CHURCH OF WEST OWEGO CREEK.


This church was the second church organized in the county of Tioga, and was also the Second Baptist Church, as the Tioga and Barton Baptist Church was the first onc. Fifteen persons mnet together on the first day of May, 1802, and entered into a covenant called


"The Covenant of the first Baptist Church of Jesus Christ, on Owego Creek, entered into this 1st day of May, 1802. We, whose names are hercunto subscribed, do covenant and agree as follows : 1. That we agree to take the Scripture of the Old and New Testa- ment as our only rule of faith and order. 2. We will, to our utmost indenvor, maintain Christian love in our own hearts and also our Brethren. 3. We will indeavor to be careful of the persons and character of our Brethren, and especially of our Elders. 4. We will indeavor to fill up our places at all meetings and Church meetings, and of business, especially at communion season. 5. We will, agree- able to our abilities, contribute to the wants and necessities of our poor. 6. We will that brother shall not go to law with brother. 7. We will in all cases of failure of the above articles, if called to an account, take such admonition as the Gospel of Christ directs.


" Now, feeling ourselves bound by the Love of God, we cheerfully take upon us these, and God help us to perform all things that is our duty."


This was signed by Louis Mead, Lovina Mead, Jasper Taylor, Catharine Taylor, John Bunnell, Hannah Bunnell, George Lane, Sarah Lanc, Peter Gorbet, Sarah Gorbet, Abram Everett, Deborah Everett, Samuel Steward, Alfen Steward, and Elizabeth Jacobs. Services were held in dwelling-houses and school-houses for some years. Rev. Levi Baldwin was the first pastor, succeeded by Revs. Samuel W. Ford, - Wise, Caleb Nelson, R. T. Gates, Enos Perry, Isaac Emory, George Crawson, R. S. Wash- burn, H. C. Jacobs, - - Corbett, H. C. Jacobs, who is at present pastor. Abram Taylor is deacon. The church numbers about fifty-two members. A church edifice was built in 1844.


This church has been depleted by the formation of the churches in Owego, Newark Valley, and Fairfield.


FAIRFIELD BAPTIST CHURCHI


was built in 1871, its members withdrawing from the mother-church on Owego Creek. The membership is about sixty ; Rev. H. C. Jacobs, of the West Owego Church, sup- plying the pulpit.


WILLSEYVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH.


This church was organized in 1839, with fifteen meni- bers, among whom were Jacob Willsey and wife, William and Martin Willscy, Warren Willsey and wife. The first pastor was Elder E. Kimball, and followed by Abram Will- coxen, - Gibbs, Enos Perry.


The meeting-house was built in 1840. They have no pastor at present.


THE BAPTIST CHURCHI OF PIPE CREEK


was organized in 1842, with thirty-eight members. Their first pastor was Rev. Mark Dearborn. It is now under the charge of the church at Tioga Centre.


THE METHODIST CHURCH AT ANDERSON HILL


was organized in 1860, with twenty members. Rev. Thomas Burgess was first pastor, and it is now under charge of the Flemingville Church. N. S. De Witt, pastor.


UNION CHURCHI, AT EAST CANDOR,


was organized in 1858, with eighty members, composed mostly of Methodists, under the charge of Caroline Church, Rev. - Van Valkenburg, first pastor. Rev. S. B. Kceny is the present pastor.


UNION CHURCH, AT CATATONK,


organized 1861. Services are now held by Rev. Mr. Rogers, of St. Mark's Protestant Episcopal Church of Candor.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF PIPE CREEK


was organized in 1830. Rev. Gaylord Judd was the first pastor. It is at present under charge of the German Set- tlement.


A FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH


was organized about 1816. Their meetings were held in the school-house near Jared Smith's, and the one near Daniel Bacon's. Rev. John Gould was the first pastor, and about 1830 went West and joined the Mormons. This church was disorganized about 1831. A Free-Will Baptist Church was organized on West Owego Creek about 1820, but soon disbanded.


SCHOOLS.


The town first organized under the State law for the establishment of schools at a special town-meeting, called for that purpose at the house of Abel Hart, on Monday, Oct. 4, 1813.


Joel Smith, Nathaniel Sackett, and Joseph Delind were appointed commissioners of schools; and Asa North, Ebe- nezer Woodbridge, Daniel H. Bacon, Walter Hermit, and Russell Gridley were appointed inspectors of schools.


It was further voted that the supervisor be directed to raise a tax " equal to our proportion of the amount of the school fund, to be distributed February next," which was, for that year, $32.62.


At a mecting held Jan. 14, 1814, Joel Smith and Jos. Delind reported the town divided into nine school districts.


The school commissioners' report for the year ending Sept. 1, 1877, gives the following statistics of the schools in the town: There were 1415 children of school age, 1109 attended school, 690 weeks were taught, 14 male and 35 female teachers were employed, 1482 volumes in the library, valued at $1115. There were 21 framed and one brick school-house, valued at $17,165, including sites. The as- sessed valuation of property in the town was $618.564.


Balance of cash on hand Sept. 1, 1876 $460.14


Received from the State. 3277.46


Raised by tax 3185.25


Received from other sources 855.09


Total resources. $7777.94


LITTLE


Jerome Thompson


was born in Kent, Litchfield Co., Conn., Aug. 26, 1822, being the fourth son and fifth child of Austin and Abigail (Hallock) Thompson. His father re- moved to the town of Catharine, Tioga (now Schny- ler) Co., in 1825. His father was a farmer, and also carried on the carpenter and joiner trade. His early life was passed on his father's farm, and he received only a common-school education. At the age of fourteen he entered the store of William P. Luce, at Catharine, as a clerk, where he remained nine years. Finally, in connection with Levi Hazen, he purchased the stock of Mr. Luce, and commenced business for himself under the firm-name of Thomp- son & Hazen, which business he closed out to his partner in 1851, and removed to Candor, Tioga Co,, where he entered the mercantile business with his brother-in-law, John W. McCarthy, and continued the same until March, 1865, when they dissolved. In 1864 they organized the First National Bank of Candor. Mr. Thompson was one of the original stockholders. In the following year he accepted the position of cashier of that bank, which position he retains at present.


Mr. Thompson has been a member of the Repub- lican party ever since its organization ; has held the office of supervisor for four years, and in the fall of 1863 was elected member of the Assembly, in which body (in 1864) he served on the Con- mittee of Canals and Grievances. He was married, Sept. 3, 1846, to Minerva, daughter of John and Laura (Frost) McCarthy, she being a native of Catharine, Schuyler Co., where she was born March 7, 1829. They have had three children,-Caroline P., born May 9, 1852, and married, Nov. 7, 1878, to Dr. Le Roy Farnum, resident physician of Can- dor, and a graduate of the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York City; Nor- man J., born May 15, 1855, and a member of the firm of McCarthy & Thompson, dealers in general merchandise, at Candor ; and J. Fremont, born Aug. 22, 1858, at present a member of the law-firm of Dolson & Thompson, of Elmira, having graduated at Cornell after a three-years' course, and at Colum- bia Law-School after a two-years' course. All of the family are members of the Farmington Con- gregational Society.


LITTLE.


WILLIAM CADWELL GRIDLEY.


CAPTAIN RUSSEL GRIDLEY.


WILLIAM CADWELL GRIDLEY.


In 1802, Captain Russel Gridley, the progenitor of the Gridley family in Candor, and father of our subjeet, came from Berlin, Hartford Co., Conn., to explore this part of New York, and report its natural wealth and resources to friends who contemplated removing hither from New England. He built a cabin in an open space which he eleared in the woods, and remained in it for several months, when he returned to Connecticut. The next year, 1803, he came back in company with his father's family, which consisted of four sons and three daughters, and purchased a traet of seventeen hundred aeres in Candor. He selected this large traet in Candor instead of Owego because the timber seemed better, and he thought the soil more fertile. Captain Grid- ley was a splendid type of the pioneer,-hardy, reso- lute, and possessed of that indomitable will and energy necessary to cope sueeessfully with the hard- ships of frontier life. He was possessed of a great deal of military aeumen, and in the war of 1812 was appointed eaptain of militia. His father, Selah Gridley, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and many anecdotes of his soldier life are still treasured in the family.


Captain Gridley was married to Miss Sarahı Kel- sey, of Candor. He passed his life after coming to Candor on the place which became the home of his son. He lived to be eighty-two years of age, his


death oceurring in 1862. Two children were born to them,-William C. and a daughter, who married W. R. Talmadge, of Fon du Lae, Wis., a brother of Governor Talmadge.


William Cadwell Gridley was born Feb. 25, 1808, on almost the very spot where he died. He pur- ehased the elaims of many of the heirs of the orig- inal seventeen hundred aeres, so that he owned a farm of about twelve hundred acres. He turned his atten- tion largely to wool-growing, to which a large share of his peeuniary success is attributable. His yearly production of wool was often as high as eight hun- dred fleeces.


In June, 1836, he was married to Miss Eliza Woodbridge, who survives him, and whose untiring and almost sleepless devotion to her husband in intervals of suffering oceurring during the elosing years of his life attraeted the attention and deepened the admiration of a large circle of friends. Five sons were born to them, all of whom are now living.


Mr. Gridley was a man of great strength of char- acter and purity of mind; unostentatious in manner, courteous and obliging, he won and retained the respect and esteem of all with whom he came in contact. He was universally respected as a wise and useful citizen. He died at his residence in Candor, June 9, 1875.


137


AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.


Disbursements.


Paid teachers' wages. $5972.53


Repairs, furniture, ete 311.73


Other incidentals 592.54


Total $6876.80


Balance on hand Sept. 8, 1877. $901.14


Money received from State for 1878.


3291.40


CANDOR FREE ACADEMY.


This institute was established in 1864, under the union- school law, principally through the efforts of the Hon. J. W. Thompson, Dr. J. C. Dixon, and several others of the leading citizens of Candor, and is one of the largest and most flourishing academies in the county. It has a library of over 600 volumes, and a fine set of philosophieal and chemical apparatus, among which are many fine pieces, such as a compound mieroseope of 650 diameters, air-pump, eleetrie and galvanie batteries, ete. There are four depart- ments and a corps of seven teachers, including the teachers of musie and modern languages. There is an average at- tendanee of 200 pupils. The buildings are new, eonve- nient, and ornamental. The grounds, which are commodious and pleasant, are situated in the centre of the town.


The first principal was Prof. Denson. In 1867 the academie department was added, and Prof. L. D. Vose was chosen principal. The school has steadily gained in ehar- aeter and literary attainments, until it ranks with the best academies in the State. The present principal is L. D. Farnham, M.D., who has held the position for the last six years, and who has done much to give it its present high' standing and character. The school is under the supervi- sion of the Regents of the University of the State. The Board of Education consists of E. S. Williams, President ; J. H. Jennings, Secretary ; J. Thompson, Treasurer ; Chas. G. Peters, Geo. Hart, Andrew Tueker, and Thos. Eighmey.


SOCIETIES.


As early as 1823 the first Masonie lodge, Mount Olive, No. 353, was formed, with Jacob Willsey, Worshipful Master; Dr. Joel Tallmadge, Senior Warden; Abner Beers, Junior Warden; Dr. William Bacon, Secretary ; - Holly, Tyler. Daniel Bacon and Stephen Seymour were the first Masons made in the new lodge. It grew and flourished for a few years, and from a variety of eauses dis- continued.




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