History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 69

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 69
USA > New York > Schuyler County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 69
USA > New York > Tioga County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 69
USA > New York > Tompkins County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 69

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).

# Dr. Elias Satterlee : On tho 11th of November, 1815, the lodge was hurriedly summoned to meet, and the following appears on tho record : " It is with the most poignant feelings of sorrow and regret that wo here announce and record the death of our worthy Brother, Elias Satterlee, late Worshipful Master of this Lodge, who died this day at half-past two o'clock P.M., in consequence of a gunshot wound accidentally received about ten o'clock this morning in the shop of Mr. Charles Ornan, in this village."

+ Wyatt Carr removed to Aurora, Ill., and became a prominent cit- izen, and was high in the Masonic ranks of the Prairie State.

į B. B. Payno was ono of the stanehest Masons of Illinois for more than twenty-five years. He was known as " Father Paine;" was a member and officer of the Grand Lodge of that State, also of the Grand Chapter. Masonry and the world were better for his living.

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HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

present having been members of Union Lodge, No. 30, and four only are now living : James S. French, Samuel Riker, Vincent Conkling, and John C. Roe.

The officers for 1878 are George C. Moore, M .; R. B. Van Garder, S. W .; Charles Van Wagoner, J. W .; Gran- ville D. Parsons, Treas .; Griff D. Palmer, Sec. Total membership of Union Lodge, No. 95, June, 1878, was 302.

Ivy Lodge, No. 397, F. and A. M., was organized by dispensation issued by Joseph D. Evans, Grand Master, to Thomas C. Edwards, M., Lewis E. Bonney, S. W., Theo- dore North, J. W., and eleven others.

The first meeting was held Nov. 22, 1855, and at the annual communication of the Grand Lodge, on the 6th of June, 1856, a warrant was granted, and the officers installed June 24, 1856, by Brother James S. French.

This lodge has been remarkable for the youth of its officers and members, its rapid growth, and its high stand- ing among the craft. The present membership is 351. The officers for 1878 are Samuel D. Wadham, M .; C. N. Shipman, S. W .; E. O. Beers, J. W .; N. D. Doxey, Sec. ; John Arnot, Jr., Treas.

Elmira Chapter, No. 42, Royal Arch Masons .- On the 4th of April, 1815, Ezra Ames, Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of New York, issued a dispensation to Elias Satterlee, High Priest, John Cherry, King, Thos. Maxwell, Scribe, and Companions Samuel Tuthill, John Hughes, Solomon L. Smith, Platt Bennitt, Amos Park, and John Knox, to form a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons at Elmira, Tioga Co., N. Y. The first meeting was held July 3, 1815. Present, Elias Satterlee, Solomon L. Smith, Thos. Maxwell, Nathan Teal, and James Cameron.

A Mark Masters' lodge was opened in due form. The following applications were presented : Caleb Baker and Joshua Tunis, for the 6th and 7th degrees ; Grant B. Baldwin and Orange Chapman, for the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th degrees ; Samuel Hendy, a Past Master, for the 4th, 6th, and 7th degrees ; John Hughes, a Royal Arch Mason, for the 4th degrec. At the expiration of the dispensation a warrant was granted by the Grand Royal Arch Chapter, at its annual convocation, Feb. 8, 1816, to Caleb Baker, High Priest, Thomas Maxwell, King, Grant B. Baldwin, Scribe, and their associates. The chapter met regularly until the annual clection, Nov. 27, 1827, when the record ceases.

On the 7th of February, 1844, the Grand Chapter au- thorized " Elmira Chapter, No. 42," to resume its labors, and instructed Hezekiah W. Atkins, Past High Priest, to summon the members of the chapter, preside at an election of officers, and install the same.

Pursuant to a summons issued by Companion Atkins, there were present at a meeting held Sept. 16, 1844, H. W. Atkins, High Priest; Elijah Jones King; Francis Collingwood, Scribe ; Thomas Maxwell, Treas., -- all of whom had been elected in November, 1827 ; Dr. Jotham Purdy, Archibald Smith, Platt Bennitt, John Fitzsim- mons, John Hughes, James S. French, Geo. Pierce, Caleb Baker, Dr. Lemuel Hudson, Adna S. Atkins, Squire New- ton, Nathaniel Johnson, Dr. Wm. Purinton, Josiah Dun- ham. Of these, only James S. French survives.

At this meeting Hon. Thomas Maxwell was elected

High Priest; James S. French, King; Elijah Jones, Scribe. No other meeting was held until Dec. 9, 1845, when James S. French was elected High Priest ; H. W. Atkins, King; Elijah Jones, Scribe.

The chapter then entered upon a career of prosperity which has continued uninterrupted until now, and it ranks as seventh on the roll of the Grand Chapter in point of numbers and financial standing.

The following companions served as High Priest since the organization of the chapter in 1815 to 1827 : Elias Satterlee, 1815 ; Caleb Baker, 1816; Thomas Maxwell, 1817-19, 1823-27, 1845, '53, '56; Orange Chapman, 1821 ; Solo- mon L. Smith, 1822; Hezekiah W. Atkins, 1828-44, 1861-65, 1876. The total number of members, Feb- ruary, 1878, was 236. The officers for 1878 are as follows : Jolin E. Larkin, High Priest; N. D. Doxey, King; D. R. Davenport, Scribe; John Arnot, Jr., Treas. ; S. D. Wadham, Sec. ; B. B. Van Gorder, C. of H.

Royal and Select Masters .- In 1855 a dispensation to form a Council of Royal and Select Masters was issued by M. J. Drummond, Grand Master of the Grand Council of New York, to Thos. C. Edwards, James S. French, Squire Newton, and others. On the 4th of June of this year a warrant was granted by the Grand Council to these parties, authorizing them to establish a council at Elmira, N. Y., to be known as " Excelsior Council, No. 6." This council remained in existence until Jan. 25, 1860, when its war- rant was officially declared forfeited.

On the 20th of February, 1860, Nathan O. Benjamin, Grand Master, issued a new dispensation to Chas. E. Gillett, Master, Wm. Lee, Dep. Master, Geo. S. McCairn, P. C. of W., and six other companions, to form a council in the town of Elmira. On the 5th of June, 1860, a warrant was granted to them by the name and style of "Southern Tier Council, No. 16." The council now numbers 92 members.

The officers for 1878 are as follows: Samuel D. Wad- ham, Master ; Chas. H. Richards, Dep. Master; F. E. Cleveland, P. C. of W .; G. D. Parsons, Treas .; W. H. Browne, Recorder.

Knights Templar .- An encampment of Knights Tem- plar existed at Elmira, N. Y., at an carly day, but in the absence of official records no definite data can be given, ex- cept a certificate of membership given to H. W. Atkins from " Elmira Encampment of Knights Templar, Knights of Malta, and Knights of the Mediterranean Pass, and Council of Knights of the Red Cross, (dated) July 20, 1826," signed " Thos. Maxwell, Gr. Com .; John Hughes, Geno .; Isaiah Dunham, Capt. Gen'l;" attested by the seal of the encampment, and the well-known signature of " Isaac Roe, Recorder." The encampment was probably established by the Ancient Scottish Rite.

St. Omer's Commandery, No. 19, was instituted by dis- pensation issued by Wm. E. Lathrop, Grand Commander, May 28, 1852, to Thos. C. Edwards, Commander, Edward L. Uentz, General, Henry D. Rice, Capt. Gen., and their associates ; a warrant was granted by the Grand Comman- dery of New York, June 4, 1852. This commandery has been one of the most successful in the jurisdiction as re- gards numbers and standing in the order ; and now num- bers 237 members.

261

. AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

The officers for 1878 are Hiram B. Berry, Commander ; Emmon T. Walker, Gen .; Lewis A. Hazard, Capt. Gen .; F. E. Cleveland, Prelate ; John Arnot, Jr., Treas .; F. D. Ramsdell, Recorder.

The Masonic Hall .- The trustees of Union and Ivy Lodges, Elmira Chapter, and St. Omer's Commandery, be- ing incorporated under the laws of the State of New York, have, under the direction and authority of these bodies, commenced the erection of a " Masonic Hall," on the northwest corner of Lake and Market Streets, in the eity of Elmira, the corner-stone of which edifice was laid, with impressive ceremonies, Sept. 5, 1878. The proposed edi- fice will be ample in its dimensions, being 76 feet front on Lake Street and 100 feet deep, four stories high, and it is expected will be completed and occupied by the fraternity during the year 1879. The building and lodge-furniture complete, it is estimated, will eost not less than $60,000.

Cœur de Lion Conclave, No. 7, Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine, was established at Elmira, N. Y., Oet. 7, 1872, by virtue of a warrant granted by the Earl of Bective, Grand Sovereign of the Grand Imperial Coun- cil of England, to John S. Bartlett, Sov .; James M. Shoe- maker, Viceroy ; Frank E. Cleveland, Prelate; John D. Williams, Sen. Gen .; Geo. Whitmore, Jun. Gen .; Emmon T. Walker, Standard-Bearer; Benjamin P. Fenner, Pre- fect ; David S. Dorr, Sentinel ; Joseph E. MeWilliams, Reeorder; Sutherland De Witt, Treas. ; Chas. H. Richards, Herald ; Stephen B. Sergeant, and Martin V. B. Baehman.

The council subsequently joined with others in forming the Grand Council of the State of New York, and their original warrant received the indorsement of that Grand Council. The officers for 1878 are as follows: Louis A. Hazard, Sov .; Chas. S. Davison, Vice Sov .; Portus L. Hinman, Sen. Gen. ; Sam. D. Wadham, Jun. Gen .; F. E. Cleveland, Prelate; Granville D. Parsons, Treas .; Hiram B. Berry, Recorder.

The data and incidents of the Masonie history of El- mira, N. Y., are taken from the official records of the grand and subordinate bodies, by John D. Williams, Past Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of New York, who also served as High Priest in the Elmira Chapter, No. 42, during 1861-65 and 1876, and to whom acknowledgment is made for this service, although we have been compelled to abbreviate his work.

JOHN D. WILLIAMS

was born in Elmira, N. Y., Oct. 6, 1820. His father, William Williams,-a native of Wales,-came to Ameriea in the year 1801, settling first in Canterbury, Orange Co., N. Y., then removing to Elmira (1818), where he soon after married Stella H., daughter of John Durham, one of the early settlers, and for many years under-sheriff at the old log court-house.

Mr. Williams received a fair common-school education, and at the age of sixteen commenced learning the trade of a tanner and eurrier with his father, with whom he con- tinued until reaching his majority. In 1844, owing to lameness produced by exposure to water, he was compelled to abandon his trade and pursue other vocations. In 1852 he married Mary J., daughter of E. L. Hoffman, of Fort

Plain, N. Y., who, together with an infant son, died in 1854.

In 1856 he was appointed clerk in the eanal collector's office at Horseheads, and in 1857, appointed collector in place of W. B. Calhoun, removed from the State.

Photo. by Larkin.

JohnWilliams

In June, 1858, he received the appointment of collector of tolls on the Junction Canal, holding that position for six years.

In 1860 he married Adaline, youngest daughter of Henry Saylor, of Heetor, Tompkins Co., N. Y.

He was tendered the position of paymaster at the El- mira Iron and Steel Rolling-Mills in 1864, and has eon- tinuously since held that place.

In the Masonie fraternity Mr. Williams has been zealous and active, receiving the first degree in 1856, and the thirty-third and last degree in 1871, holding in the mean time the position of presiding officer in every body of the York rite.

It is only duc to Mr. Williams to say that in his official acts, in all places of trust and responsibility, characteristic of him are his sterling integrity, business ability, and a will to carry forward to successful completion any enterprise he undertakes-justice to all, and unsullied motives.

In polities he was originally an old-line silver-gray Henry Clay Whig; was somewhat connected with the Know- Nothing party ; was an ardent supporter of the Union during the late Rebellion, and a member of the Repub- lican party.

In 1875 he was elected supervisor of the Third Ward of the city, and re-elected each year since that time.

ODD-FELLOWSHIP.

The first lodge was Chemung Lodge, No. 127, and was instituted Oet. 11, 1844, by D. D. Grand Master M. R.

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HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

Wright, of Tompkins District, assisted by William P. Pew and Horace King, of Ithaca Lodge, No. 71, at Ithaca, N. Y.

The charter members of Chemung Lodge were R. B. Sharpstein, E. J. Horn, D. C. Mallory, Geo. P. Tyler, and Fred. Leach. The first officers, R. B. Sharpstein, N. G. ; E. J. Horn, V. G .; D. C. Mallory, Sec .; Geo. P. Tyler, Treas. First members initiated, J. D. Baldwin, W. H. Thorne, Washington Thurman, N. B. Lowney, Geo. W. Hornson, Edward Covell, and Samuel Brock. George P. Tyler resigned the office of Treasurer, and Edward Covell was elected in his place.

Newtown Lodge, No. 254, changed to No. 89 in 1867, was instituted at Elmira, Oct. 30, 1846, by D. D. Grand Master D. C. Mallory. Charter members, Edward Covell, W. L. Gibson, Wm. Woodward, James P. Taylor, Elias Colburn, S. C. Gibson, Jacob Daniels, J. W. Chapman, Geo. W. Brown, Rev. Philo E. Brown, John J. Brees, R. P. Thurber, Peter C. Beckweth, and Amos Fenton. The first officers were Edward Covell, N. G .; W. L. Gibson, V. G .; William Woodward, Sec .; James P. Taylor, Treas. First members initiated, A. F. Corey, Josiah Bartholomew, John R. Jones, Joseph Golden, and Charles G. Fairman ; and, to the honor of Newtown Lodge, P. G. Charles G. Fairman has been advanced until he is now honored with the position of Grand Master of the State of New York.

The lodge fitted up rooms in the north part of the Me- chanics' building, on the west side of Lake Street, which was afterwards known as Odd-Fellows' Hall. The present officers are D. T. Winterstein, N. G .; Fred. Fuller, V. G .; W. H. Rees, Recording Secretary ; W. L. Gibson, Finan- cial Sec .; James McCann, Treas.

In the spring of 1852, Chemung and Newtown Lodges fitted up rooms in Arnot's building, on the corner of Water and Lake Streets. Chemung Lodge continued to occupy their rooms until Dec. 28, 1861, when it merged into New- town Lodge, having admitted to membership 382 previous to the union. They now occupy the third story of C. W. Wyckoff Block, 126 and 128 West Water Street. This lodge-room is one of the best finished and furnished in Southern New York. The present officers are G. M. Davidson, N. G. ; D. T. Wintersteen, V. G .; Wm. H. Rees, Recording Sec. ; James McCann, Treas.

Southern Tier Lodge, No. 344, was instituted in Elmira, Jan. 21, 1873, by members of Newtown Lodge, No. 89. Charter members, Edward Covell, John T. Davidson, A. Voorhecs, A. E. Macknier, T. M. Losie, Geo. C. Peters, W. H. Plowman, Johnson Beers, A. B. Dewitt, R. X. Parmenter, R. H. White, C. B. Bovier, C. B. Hanyen, Charles Elmendorf, John C. Cooper, and W. H. Corman. First officers, John T. Davidson, N. G .; M. Losie, V. G .; C. B. Bovier, Sec. ; Edward Covell, Treas. This lodge has fine rooms at 120 and 122 Lake Street. Present officers, J. L. Cornell, N. G .; W. R. Ten Broek, V. G .; W. D. Ayres, Recording Sec. ; D. R. Davenport, Treas.

Donau Lodge, No. 363, working in German. Insti- tuted in Elmira, June 30, 1873 ; also an offshoot of New- town Lodge, No. 89. Charter members, Jacob Snyder, Adam Mander, Louis Snyder, Fred. Vackeroth, Joseph

Riedinger, Benjamin Litch, Joseph Meyers, John M. Kick- bush, John Stumpfle, Joseph Diefenbach, Christian Miller, Michael Deister, Sylvester Schaaffe, G. M. Klapp, Joseph Christian, Henry Anders, Jacob Kolb, Constantine Bantly, Jacob Schlosser, and Wm. F. Diedrich. First officers, Jacob Snyder, N. G. ; Henry Anders, V. G .; Fred. Vack- eroth, Sec. ; Louis Snyder, Treas. Present officers (July, 1878), W. F. Bower, N. G .; Chas. Hoppe, V. G .; H. J. Volbrecht, Sec .; Jacob Schlosser, Treas .; Henry Reidinger, Financial Sec. Meet in Southern Tier Lodge rooms; are out of debt, and have $600 in their treasury.

Breesport Lodge, No. 419, was instituted at Breesport, Feb. 11, 1875, by D. D. Grand Master Charles G. Fair- man, assisted by W. L. Gibson and A. F. Corey, of Elmira, and D. D. Grand Master Samuel J. Brown, of Schuyler district. The charter members were George S. Sadler, Reubin Liff, Jr., Charles Brown, Howard S. Horner, John Nichols, Myron H. Bruce, John P. Brees, Orlando S. La- dow, and Horace E. Purdy. First officers, Geo. S. Sadler, N. G .; Howard S. Horner, V. G .; O. S. Ladow, Sec. ; John P. Brees, Treas. Present officers, Joel M. Janson, N. G .; D. M. Hiller, V. G .; Geo. S. Sadler, Sec. ; M. H. Brecs, Treasurer ; Geo. S. Sadler, Representatative to the Grand Lodge; E. D. Brown, Proxy. The lodge is out of debt, and have $220 in their treasury.

Fort Hill Encampment, No. 86, I. O. O. F., was insti- tuted in Elmira, Feb. 13, 1846, by P. C. P., P. H. Thomp- son, who was then a member of Iroquois Encampment, No. 22, at Ithaca, N. Y. The charter members : C. C. Mallory, Philo E. Brown, Washington Thurman, Sylvester H. Rey- nolds, Isaac H. Reynolds, James P. Taylor, and James Matheus. The rooms are on the same floor with Newtown Lodge, and are handsomely decorated with emblems of the order.

The first officers were D. C. Mallory, C. P .; Philo E. Brown, H. P .; Isaac H. Reynolds, S. W .; W. Thurman, Scribe ; James P. Taylor, Treas. ; S. H. Reynolds, J. W. Initiated and exalted to the R. P. degree : Edward Max- well, E. J. Horn, William L. Gibson, Baldwin Little, and Joseph Hoffman. March 3, 1846, W. Thurman, Philo E. Brown, and W. L. Gibson appointed Committee on. By- Laws. The officers of the encampment have been, July, 1846, W. Thurman, C. P .; Ira Smith, H. P .; W. L. Gibson, S. W .; E. Maxwell, Scribe; E. Colborn, Treas. ; Baldwin Little, J. W. 1847, W. L. Gibson, C. P .; W. Thurman, H. P .; Walter Bullard, S. W. ; E. Maxwell, Scribe; W. W. Bennett, Treas .; James Matheus, J. W. Officers who have served as D. D. G. Patriarch for the last twenty years : from 1859 to 1873, W. L. Gibson; 1874 and 1875, C. G. Fairman ; 1876, - -; 1877, C. B. Bovier; 1878, A. Voorhees. The present officers are William E. Dearth, C. P .; L. Redner, H. P .; Joseph Goulden, S. W .; Theo. G. Smith, Scribe; James McCann, Treas.

The lodge is out of debt, and July 1, 1878, had $3108.41 in her treasury. The whole number admitted up to July 1, 1878, is 831.

Elmira Encampment, No. 86, I. O. O. F., was instituted Sept. 24, 1875. Charter members : C. B. Bovier, T. M.

Photo, by Van Aken.

Ashindyles

HON. ASHER TYLER was born at Bridgewater, Oneida Co., N. Y., May 10, 1798. He was descended from a prominent family, his parents being natives of Connecticut. His uncle, Colonel Tyler, was largely interested in the early settlement of this country, and an extensive trader with the Indians.

Mr. Tyler spent his early life in the county of his birth, and was educated at Hamilton College, being a graduate of the class of 1817. He studied the profession of law and was admitted to the bar, but did not engage in general practice only so far as it concerned the legal business of the Devereaux Land Company, of which he became agent. During the years he acted as agent for this company he was located at Ellicottville, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., and represented that county as representative from the Catta- raugus Distriet in the Twenty-eighth Congress for two years. While occupying this position with fidelity to his constitu- ents and honor to himself, he formed the acquaintance and won the respect of many of the leading public men of that day, between whom and him an intimacy grew up, which was only strengthened by the lapse of years.

His large experience in land matters afterwards intro- duced him to the responsible position of land agent of the Erie Railway Company, in which office that portion of the road between Middletown and Dunkirk was assigned to his charge. For many years he was connected with this rail- way, and besides securing titles to all the lands in his division of the road, he made accurate drawings of every piece of land, with the name of the owner placed thereon, and the belting road crossing them at all angles. He served the interests of the company with ability and distinction. In the year 1848 he came to Elmira and occupied contin- uously to the time of his decease, Aug. 1, 1875, the resi- dence now occupied by his family on Main Street.

Mr. Tyler was one of the charter members of the Elmira

Rolling Mill Company, and to his sagacity and foresight the subsequent prosperity of that enterprise was measur- ably due. The latter years of his life were passed aloof from business cares and among his books, and in these companions his gifted mind found that store of information on general topics which gave his conversation so great a charm, and which gave him so wide a knowledge of matters in general that he had but few peers. Among his acquaint- ances he was at home on almost any subject that could be proposed, and his power of conversation was extraordinary. In the death of Mr. Tyler there passed away, perhaps, the best knowledge, wisely and accurately held, of the border-time Indian history that was extant among the people of Elmira. He held it in the intelligence of one who knew its value and could discriminate between what was but fancicd tradition or invention and the real annals of the first owners of the soil. He knew the Indian when as yet the white man's mastery over the lands west of Schenectady was only in process. of recognition,-when the legend and forest law and tribal government had their dis- tinet effect. " Probably there was no man living on this continent at the time of his death who was more learned in Indian character, habits, and origin."-LEWIS HI. RED- FIELD.

As a business man he possessed sagacity, foresight, and honesty, a quick judgment as to shams, an intuition almost as to results, and a hater of mean things. Possessed of generosity and charity for any in need beyond his means to give, he practiced almost unexampled liberality with the deserving unfortunate.

In the year 1828 he married Matilda, daughter of John Youle, of New York. She was born May 27, 1802, and survives him, together with four daughters. An only son, John Alexis, died in Minneapolis, Minn., June 31, 1865.

Photo. by Larkin

J. Benyamina

SIMEON BENJAMIN was born in the town of Riverhead, in what was called Upper Aquebogue, Long Island, May 29, 1792. His father was a plain, substantial farmer, highly respected, and an earnest, active Christian. Simeon Benjamin was the third son in a family of six sons and two daughters. He was accounted rather of feeble physical constitution, and was allowed some special advantages for an educa- tion, which, in those days, consisted chiefly of extra time from farm- work for attending district school, and an carly initiation into clerkship in a plain country store in his native town, which remains, and is kept as a store at the present time. At the age of sixteen he came to New York City, and was a clerk in the store of Mr. Kipps, in Broadway.

After about two years of city experience he returned to his native town, and went into husiness for himself. This was in 1812, just at the beginning of the war. This was the beginning of his success as a business man. His favorable location centered at his store the trade of an extensive section. It was also greatly in his favor that other portions of Long Island found trade greatly disturbed by the British cruisers, who intercepted the goods on their way to New York. In a few years the young merchant found himself with a handsome capi- tal, and few men have ever been more intelligently and successfully cautious in preventing losses. After a few years he gathered up his capital and went to the city of New York. With long-practiced economy and caution, willing to avoid ostentation, having no taste for hasty, perilous speculation, he steadily and surely added to his wealth, and enlarged his business only as fast as actual gains and the soundest credit would allow. Passing over the subsequent period of his business history in New York City, in which he trained several clerks who have since become very distinguished business men, he is next found investing a considerable portion of his amassed capital in Elmira, with a sagacious forecast of the future growth of that place.

He came to Elmira in the spring of 1835, and purchased consider- able real estate. The hulk of his large fortune was derived from the rising value of his village property, the erection of buildings, and the constant growth of improvements. Both a sound and honorable policy and the dictates of a generous public spirit led him to take a deep and liheral interest in publie improvements, in building churches, school-houses, hotels, and especially in connecting Elmira with Seneca Lake by railroad.

He was the first president of the Chemung Railroad, and perhaps it is not too much to say that he was its chief manager and its success was chiefly owing to him. He was also somewhat largely engaged in banking, for which his peculiar style of business in some respects eminently fitted him.

He was the son of pious parents and had the covenant blessing of a godly ancestry. He was first a communicant in the church at Aquehogue. In the city of New York he united with the Presby- terian Church in Vandewater Street, then under the ministry of the celebrated Hooper Cummings. He resided for a time in Newtown, Long Island, where he was an elder in the church of Rev. John Goldsmith, who was an uncle to Mrs. Benjamin. His next church relation was with the First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, under Mr. Joseph Sanford and afterward Dr. Carroll.

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History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 69

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

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