History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 97

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 97
USA > New York > Schuyler County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 97
USA > New York > Tioga County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 97
USA > New York > Tompkins County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 97

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).

BULK IIEAD.

This hamlet is so called from the peculiar architectural design of the old Captain Dalrymple Hotel, crected there at an carly day. Solomon L. Smith, Esq., subsequently became proprietor of it, commencing about 1818-19. Mr. Smith came into the town from Orange Co., N. Y., in 1790. He was the first supervisor of the town, and several times subsequently held that office, in all fourteen years. His deed for his place is by Adam and Israel Seely, and bears dates in 1805 and 1806. Solomon L. Smith is the father of Jud Smith, now of Wellsburg.

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS,

The principal manufacturing establishments of this town, and among the most extensive in the county, are

The Northern Central Railway shops, which were estab- lished here in the fall of 1866, and work commenced therein during the following winter, and put into full operation in the spring of 1867, under the management of Mr. James Strode as master mechanic. The dimensions of the various shops are as follows :

Round-house, 800 feet in circumference ; machine-shop, 90 by 185 feet ; blacksmith-shop, 50 by 100; office and store-room, 30 by 50 ; engine-room, 15 by 48. These build- ings are all of brick, which, with temporary wooden sheds and a large water-tank, occupy an inclosure containing 20 acres, and give employment on an average to 170 men.

James Strode, upon whom the management of this great industrial establishment devolves, was born on a farm in West Calm township, Chester Co., Pa., May 8, 1832. He received his education at the common schools of his native town. When a youth he was apprenticed to the machinist trade in the shops of the Camden and Amboy Railroad, and early evinced an aptitude and mechanical genins which have secured for him important positions, notably those of general foreman of the shops of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad at Fort Wayne, the same position in the shops of the company at Alleghany, and also at Chicago, from whence he came to assume his present position in 1866, which he has since retained to the entire satisfaction of his cuployers.

The La France Manufacturing Company was incorpo- rated April 12, 1873, with George M. Diven as president, and Eugene Diven as secretary and treasurer. The company was established for the purpose of manufacturing the " La France Rotary Steam Fire-engine" and the "La France Rotary Steam-pump," both of which now enjoy a reputation second to no similar commodities in the country. The La France Fire-engine is built from patents invented by Mr. T. S. La France, who now occupies the position of master mechanic of

* Sce under head of "Manufacturing Interests."

PHOTOS. BY J E.LARKIN, ELMIRA

Martha. 6. Brown

John Brown

FARM VIEW OPPOSITE THE RESIDENCE.

FARM RESIDENCE OF JOHN BROWN, SOUTHPORT, CHEMUNG CO N. Y.

Família Miller

Como Milles

PHOTOS. BY J. E.LARKIN ELMIRA.

RESIDENCE OF THE LATE HON. EDMUND MILLER, SOUTHPORT, N. Y.

LITH. BY L. H. EVERTS, PHILADA

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AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

the establishment. This fire-engine is very highly indorsed by cities and corporations which have used them, and was also awarded a medal from the Centennial Commission at the National Exhibition at Philadelphia in 1876, and also one by the American Institute in 1874. The company have a capital of $100,000, and give employment to 40 hands. Their main building is of brick, 300 by 40 feet, with a wing 50 by 50; wooden building is 100 by 80, and three stories high ; boiler shop is 50 by 50; pattern and store building, 50 by 30, and two stories high. The present officers are George M. Diven, President ; Hon. John T. Rathbone, Vice-President ; Eugene Diven, Treasurer ; H. R. Micks, Secretary ; and T. S. La France, Superintendent of the Shops and Master Mechanic.

The Seely Creek Mills, located at Webb's Mills, and for several years called after the present name of the post-office, were erected by Hezekiah Dunham about 1835. At first there were but two runs of stone, but on the property pass- ing into the possession of Festus A. Webb it was improved and enlarged. From Festus A. Webb it was disposed of to M. T. and William Webb, and by them in 1866, to the present proprietor, John Brown, Esq. During the time the Webbs owned the property, they called it " Webb's Mills," from which circumstance the post-office was named. Mr. Brown has greatly improved the mills, and has added a new engine and boilers. There are now four runs of stone for flour and feed, and one for buckwheat. The product for the year ending Dec. 31, 1877, was about 2000 bar- rels merchant, 40,000 bushels general custom, and 10,000 bushels buckwheat; average number of hands employed, 10; capacity of saw-mill adjoining, 1,000,000 feet per annum. A saw-mill was erected on the present site of that now owned and operated by Mr. John Brown, by Dr. A. G. White, about 1818.

The Southport Mills, erected by Jacob Weyer, in Sep- tember, 1876, operated by him until June 21, 1877, when destroyed by fire, rebuilt the latter year. Has three runs of stone, manufactures 2000 barrels of merchant and 25,000 bushels of custom per annum. A mill was built about 1820, by John H. Knapp, and used by him as a grist-mill. In 1862, Jacob Weyer purchased the property, and con- verted it into a saw- and plaster-mill. In 1876 he removed the machinery to his new mill at Bulk Head, where it was when the mill burned.

Scely Creek Saw- Mill was erected by Philo Jones in 1841, and by him sold to his son, Simeon R. Jones, the present proprietor, in 1843. He converted it into a steam mill in 1867, as at present. Its annual capacity is 500,000 feet.

On the same site Philo Jones erected a woolen-mill in 1829, and commenced operations in 1830, which he con- tinued until 1843, when he disposed of the property to Simeon R., who conducted the business until 1848, when he sold the machinery to William Benedict, who removed the same to Wysox, Bradford Co., Pa., where it is still in use.

The Southport Tannery Was erected by H. F. Wells and R. Hammond in 1852. The former has retained an interest in the concern until the present time. The firm is now Wells, Burt & Co. The annual product is 40,000 hides

per annum, in the tanning of which 4000 eords of bark are used, and 25 men employed.

The Woolen-Factory erected by Solomon L. Smith about 1823, and operated by him and Charles Evans for several years, is mentioned in the history of Southport Corners Post-Office. It was the oldest manufacturing establishment in the town at the time of its destruction by fire in 1877.

There are other manufacturing interests in the town, al- though the above is a capital showing in this connection ; but of their history we have received no data from which to prepare the customary notices.

RELIGIOUS.

The religious interests of the town received the attention of the pioneers at an early day. While we find no actual records of the existence of a regular organization prior to 1819, yet, from various authentie sources, we gather the fact that missionaries of the Presbyterian faith and the Methodist itineraney were in the town probably twenty years earlier than the date above given. Records exist of a Baptist society at Wellsburg in 1789 ; and doubtless many of the old settlers of Southport of that faith attended worship there.

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SOUTHPORT .*

The fording of the Chemung River being a formidable barrier to church-goers of Southport, a church was built on the river-road on land donated by Elijah Griswold, now oc- cupied as a cemetery. The building was ereeted in 1819, and was held by a variety of sects, whose dissensions cul- minated in the destruction of the building by fire in 1832, and immediately the Presbyterian society built the house now standing on the plank-road, on land of heirs of John L. Smith.

The church was organized Oct. 31, 1821, and John Fitz- simmons, David Griswold and Jane his wife, Milly Smith, Sarah Baker, and Philo Jones were from the First Church in Elmira ; Partial Mapes, Bethiah Kinner, Amy Holmes, Betsey Brown, Phitty Wing, and Hannah Comfort were from other churches. William Wells, Richard Comfort, and Sabia Jones made profession of their faith, and Rev. Henry Ford preached to this newly-constituted church, fol- lowed in June, 1822, by Rev. Simeon R. Jones for two years or more.

In April, 1826, Rev. Richard Williams began preach- ing, followed in 1828 by Rev. David Harrower, for two years, these last two only preaching half the time.

As early as June, 1831, Rev. B. Foster Pratt began preaching, and during the year was installed as the first pastor ; and during his three years' ministrations " the church was blessed by renewed visitations of the Holy Spirit, and its numbers were largely increased."

Rev. John Gray succeeded till 1836, followed by Rev. George Spalding till September, 1842, when B. M. Gold- smith, a licentiate, followed, who was ordained and installed February, 1815, and continned till October, 1849.

Rev. F. S. Howe has heen preaching since May, 1871, and the elders are Jonas Griswold, II. R. Osborne, Jesse Lev-

* Contributel by A. D. Gris wold.

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HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

erick, and A. D. Griswold. Walter Dense, Emory S. Smith, and Irving Hopkins are the deacons ; and Thomas Hopkins, Clayton Griswold, L. B. Smith, Walter Densc, H. R. Os- borne, and A. D. Griswold are the trustces.

Irving Hopkins superintends the Sunday-school of 75 scholars, assisted by seven teachers. The church property is worth two thousand dollars.

THIE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF SOUTHPORT

was originally formed in a school-house on the site where the old chapel was built in 1831. It was recently removed to what is now the Fifth ward of the city of Elmira, in the history of which city can be found a fuller account of the old society, from data furnished by Charles Evans, Esq., a.) old resident of Southport.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCHI OF SOUTHIPORT

is located at Pine City, and was organized in May, 1855, by Elder T. S. Sheardown, who was installed the first pas- tor of the church. He was followed in the pastorate by Elder T. S. Mitchell, and he by the present incumbent, Elder D. R. Ford, who has been with the church nearly fourteen years. The church edifice was crected prior to the regular organization of the society, having been built in 1853, and dedicated in February, 1854, the Rev. T. S. Sheardown conducting the dedieatory exercises. It originally cost $2200, but is at present valued, with furni- ture, organ, and lot, at $5000, and the society has $2000 at interest, and is free of debt. The present trustees are John Brown, John A. Roy, Albert Seely, Nathaniel Elli- son, William H. Gosper, and Ransom Tanner ; Deacons, John Brown and Nathaniel Ellison; Clerk, E. O. Haven. The present membership of the church is 115; number of teachers and scholars in the Sabbath-school, 100; Superin- tendent, Dix Smith; number of volumes in library, 300.

THE SECOND METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF SOUTH- PORT

is located at Webb's Mills, and was formed in 1855, though a elass had existed for at least a quarter of a century before. The lot upon which the church building stands was pur- chased by the trustees of the church of the Josiah S. Ped- rick estate, the deed bearing date Feb. S, 1855. The house of worship was erected during the summer of the same year, and dedicated the following fall. The first pas- tor was Rev. D. Leisenring; the present incumbent, Rev. J. Jolley. The present value of church property is $4000. Trustees, T. J. Bradbury, William Brown, Lyman Miller, Nathan Pedrick, William Sherman, Henry B. Knapp, and W. W. Goodwin. Membership, 55 ; number of teachers and scholars in the Sunday-school, 40; Superintendent, Homer C. Wade.

EDUCATIONAL AND GENERAL.

Contemporary with the preparations for the necessary comforts of shelter and security, the pioneers began to con- sider the necessity of furnishing educational advantages for their children ; and hence we find at an early period in the history of the town, here and there, a humble log house, in which the primitive pedagogue was employed to impart

to the youth at least the rudiments of learning. Invariably was this interest evineed by the early settlers, who them- selves principally without extensive knowledge, yet pos- sessing that common sense without which the most elabo- rate education is of little worth, felt the importance of practical scholastic attainments. Therefore, as early as the year 1800, we hear of a school having been taught, and of others within a lustrum from that year. The progress in educational matters has been equally rapid with that of the material development of the town. From the last annual report of Robert P. Bush, Esq., County Superintendent of Schools, we glean the subjoined statistics, which afford a good showing for the time as regards its schools: There are 16 distriets, and as many school-houses, the value of which, with sites, is $12,965; 1277 children of school age, of whom 961 attended school; 535 weeks were taught by 11 male and 20 female teachers, whosc compensation for the year was $5386 ; there are 288 volumes in the library, which are valued at $150. The town received for educa- tional purposes-from the State, $2383; from taxation, $4191 ; from all other sources, $73 ; the payments (besides that for teachers' wages) were, for school-houses, building, and repairing, $2008; all other expenditures, $839.

The subjoined shows the population of the town for the lustrums from 1845 to 1875, inclusive : In 1845, 2539 ; in 1850, 3184; in 1855, 4479 ; in 1860, 4733 ; in 1865, 3412 ; in 1870, 2727 ; in 1875, 3285.

The information from which the above history of the town of Southport is prepared was kindly furnished by the following persons and authorities, to whom and which we hereby acknowledge our indebtedness :

Charles Evans, Finla M. Jones, Abraham Stryker, Charles Dense, Jonas and - Griswold, the McHenrys, the Fitzsimmons, Philetus P. Rathbun, Seth Cooley, the Millers, Nathan Pedriek, Esq., John Brown, Esq. (Super- visor), E. C. Pedrick (Town Clerk), James Strode (in manufacturing interests), Hon. Thomas Maxwelles, and J. B. Wilkingson's historieal sketches, and the various State Gazetteers from 1813 to 1872.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

DANIEL DALRYMPLE.

The family from which Mr. Dalrymple is descended was of English origin. His paternal grandfather resided near Bennington, Vt., at which place Ephraim, the father of our subject, was born, June 26, 1792. Ephraim married Abi- gail Bridgman, a native of Afton, Chenango Co., N. Y. She was born March 10, 1793; the daughter of Reuben and Abigail (Town) Bridgman, whose parents emigrated to Chenango County from Vermont, about the year 1790. His father having died when he was about twelve years old, Ephraim eame to Chenango County in 1804, and lived with an older brother. He served in the war of 1812. He followed the trade of a carpenter and millwright, and in later years engaged in farming. In 1831 he moved to Jackson, Tioga Co., Pa., where he resided until 1841, when

355

AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

he purchased the farm now occupied by his son Daniel in Southport. He subsequently left the farm to the charge of his son, and engaged for several years in the lumber busi- ness in Potter Co., Pa., where he died April 22, 1856. He was twice married; first to Abigail Bridgman, as above stated, by whom he had seven children, viz. : Mary Ann, Daniel, Adna, Delia Ann, William, Abigail, and Lydia Sophia ; all living except the first named. His second wife was Sarah Bovier, widow of Noah Bovier, and by this marriage were born to them Mary Ann, Sophronia Maria, Hannah, and Ephraim, all living and residing in Southport. William and Sophia are living in Potter Co., Pa., while Adna, Delia A., and Abigail reside in Illinois.

Daniel Dalrymple, the eldest son of Ephraim, was born in the town of Afton, N. Y., June 11, 1819. With his father he moved to Jackson, Pa., in 1831, and with him, ten years later, came to Southport, which has since been his residence. Besides the 100 acres of the homestead farm (given him by his father for his years of service), he owns 600 acres of farming lands in Wells, Pa., stocked with seventy-five cows. Some years since he sold his mill inter- ests in Potter County to his brothers and sisters residing there. He is no politician, but has been a life-long Demo- crat, as was his father before him ; has held the office of assessor, but much prefers to leave official cares and duties to others, and to follow agricultural pursuits and enjoy the quiet life of a farmer. With no educational advantages, in early life he was self-reliant, industrious, and trustworthy. From the age of fourteen years he had the entire charge of his father's farm, in addition to which for years he kept the books and settled the accounts of the lumber business, which, at one time, embraced eleven different saw-mills. He thus developed into a practical business man,-a sue- cessful manager. He married, first, Sophronia M. Morrell, Jan. 12, 1843, who died Feb. 27, 1843. His present wife, Emily Edsall, was born in Columbia, Bradford Co., Pa., Feb. 18, 1830. Her father, Jesse, son of Samuel Edsall, was born in Southport, in 1790; her mother, Clarissa, daughter of Thomas Wright and Sarah Owens, was born in 1801. Her grandmother, Sarah Seely, was a native of Orange Co., N. Y. Jesse Edsall drove the first stage be- tween Elmira and Binghamton, in 1802. In 1803 he settled in Columbia, Pa., where he died Oct. 2, 1861. He and his wife were both members of the Baptist Church. He was a man of much social influence, possessed of a strong intelleet, vigorous constitution, and a clear judgment. His wife died Aug. 31, 1876, and was buried by his side in the town of Columbia. Of their children, Hiram, Jonas, Hila, Charles, and Harriet are deceased ; Emily, Austin, and Jesse reside in Southport; Sara, in Columbia; and Amanda, in Elmira.

Mr. Dalrymple has three children : Clara, born Sept. 1, 1852; Charles E., born Feb. 5, 1854; and Cora, born April 30, 1865. Clara married Wisner J. Roy, resides in Wells, Pa., and has two children ; Charles married Emma Metzger, has one child, and lives on his father's farm. Daniel Dalrymple has the reputation of being one of the most thorough, persevering, and industrious farmers in the town, and the competence he now enjoys was only attained by years of toil and economy.

JOIIN BROWN

was born in the town of Truxton, Cortland Co., N. Y., April 7, 1824. His father, William Brown, was a native of Massachusetts, and after residing in Rhode Island, Nor- wich, Chenango County, and Cortland County, finally set- tled in the town of Caton, Steuben Co., in October, 1826, and was one of the pioneer settlers of that town.

He married Lurana Simmons, of Connecticut birth, about the year 1808, by whom he had eleven children, five sons and six daughters,-Mrs. E. A. Miller (deceased), William A., Mrs. Abigail J. Rowley, Charles (deceased), Mrs. Mary Helmer, Mrs. Clarissa Higman (deceased), Mrs. Lurana Bovier, John, Anthony, Mrs. Achsah Clough, Comfort S. (deceased).

The father died at Port Deposit, in Maryland, about the year 1833. The mother died two years afterwards.

John was two years of age when his father eame to Steuben County, spent his minority at home until he was twelve years of age, and upon the death of his mother re- sided with his brother-in-law, E. A. Miller, until he was seventeen, when he bought the balance of his time until he would reach his majority, and went out to work on a farm. At the age of twenty he began to work in saw-mills more or less.

At the age of twenty-two he married Martha C. Waier, of Southport, daughter of William C. and Mary (Jones) Waier.

After farming for three years, from 1848, Mr. Brown removed to Wells, Bradford Co., Pa., where he engaged in the manufacture of lumber, buying some fifteen hundred acres of tiniber land, from which he took the logs, and for twelve years manufactured some one million fect of lumber each year. In 1865 he settled on his farm located at Pine City, in the town of Southport, a view of which may be seen in another part of this work.

Since this time he has engaged in farming, lumbering, and the manufacture of flour,-the two latter at Webb's Mills.

Mr. Brown has spent an active business life, and in all his dealings and business transactions has preserved that integrity of purpose characteristic of the family.

Mr. Brown has never been an active politician, but pre- ferred the quiet of business to the emolument of office and the strife of a political life. He has generally been iden- tified with the Republican party, and has held important offices in the gift of the people in Wells, Pa., and also in Southport, and is now holding his second term as Super- visor of the town of Southport.

His children are William D., Louisa C., Mrs. Frank .J. Cassada, John H., and Mattie L.

HON. EDMUND MILLER.

Edmund Miller was born Nov. 1, 1808, in the house in which he died,-the old family residence on the Wellsburg road. His home was a short distance below Governor Rob- inson's mansion, about two miles from Elmira.

His aneestors were among the very earliest pioneers of the valley. His grandfather, Abram, settled here prior to

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HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

1790, coming from Northampton Co., Pa .* His father, Jacob Miller, was a farmer, and Edmund, in dne time, took up the same pursuit ; he soon became one of the most suc- cessful and prosperons farmers of this section. He remained on the old home farm, enlarging its territory and applying himself earnestly to its cultivation. With his industry was allied a keen, sagacious, business discrimination, and he be- came known as one of the wealthiest farmers of the county.

For years Mr. Miller was the leading, most influential citizen of the town of Southport ; and year after year he ably and satisfactorily represented his town in the Board of Supervisors, many times serving as chairman. In polities he was ever a stanch Democrat, and the party frequently honored him. Three times he was sent to the State Legis- lature,-once in 1868, next in 1874, and again in 1876, after one of the most exciting eanvasses ever made in the county. Despite factious opposition in his own party, he was crowned with a majority of over 800, so great was the confidence of the people, and so deeply impressed were they of his capacity and honesty. The publie career of " Hon- est" Edmund Miller was in the highest degree creditable. At Albany he was noted as an industrious, upright, and useful member ; and his entire legislative course was satisfactory to his constituents, withont regard to party. He was instru- mental of mueh legislation of praetieal and lasting benefit.

Mr. Miller was noted for the heartiness with which he enjoyed life. His home was ever the centre of a generous hospitality to a large cirele of friends and relations. He was a farmer of the old time, one of the lords of the soil, whose means permitted the exercise of those hospitalities. The happiness of his domestic life was enhanced by children grown to the estate of manhood and womanhood, six of whom, with the partner of his life, survive him. They are John D., residing near Southport Corners ; Edmund, living at home; Mrs. S. W. Forman, whose home is at the homestead above the house of her father; Mrs. Jesse Le- verieh, living near Wellsburg; Mrs. T. S. Flood, of Elmira; and Amelia, at home. The widow was a Miss Dubois, of Tioga Centre.

For a year prior to his decease, Mr. Miller had been in failing health, and for months suffered severely from rhen- matism, later aggravated by dropsical symptoms, from which relief was impossible. He died, as if going to sleep, March 28, 1878.

His was eminently a useful life. He served his day and generation faithfully, honorably, well; and there is left to relatives the tender remembranees of family affection and devotion, and to the world at large the example of a life whose bright success illustrates the value of industry and honesty. t

MILLER MCHENRY.

The grandfather of the subject of this notice, John Mc- Henry, was a native of Orange Co., N. Y., and moved to

Elmira in 1792. He married Anna Miller in 1793. Of his family of thirteen children Abram (father of our sub- jeet), the third son, was born on the place now occupied by John D. Miller, in Southport, Feb. 11, 1796. Abram's wife, Ruth H. Brewster, was born in Orange Co., N. Y., Oct. 16, 1799, but removed to Southport in the year 1818. They were married May 1, 1818, and raised a family of six children, of whom three survive, viz. :

Catharine, born Aug. 12, 1819 ; died Feb. 2, 1871.

Lyman, born Nov. 14, 1821 ; died April 8, 1867.

Miller, born Dec. 11, 1823.

Eliza, born July 23, 1826; died March 7, 1863. Gny, born July 27, 1830.

Julia, born June 18, 1832.

The latter married Selden Tense, in March, 1855, and is now residing in Whitehall, N. Y.

Miller MeHeury married (Oct. 12, 1847) Angeline Seely, a native of Lawrenceville, Pa., removing thence to Sonthport when very young. Her father, Nathaniel Seely, Jr., was one of the early residents of Southport, and to her grandfather, also named Nathaniel (senior), is accorded the honor of having creeted the first frame dwelling in the valley on the south side of the Chemung River, in 1792. Her father was born Feb. 15, 1795 ; her mother, Henrietta Holdridge, was born Jan. 28, 1802. They were married April 22, 1819, and had three children,-Angeline, Morris, and John Arnot ; of whom only Morris survives. Na- thaniel Seely, Jr., and his wife died May 14, 1868, and June 10, 1876, respectively.

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History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 97

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