USA > New York > Wyoming County > History of Wyoming County, N.Y., with Illustrations, Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Some Pioneers and Prominent Residents > Part 19
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
May 21st, 1842, the first regular meeting of the society was held, in the session room of the Presbyterian church in Warsaw. The president stated that the Genesee County Bible Society had resolved to place one-third of the Bibles and Testaments in their possession at the disposal of the
Digitized by Google
75
WYOMING COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY-AGRICULTURAI. SOCIETY.
Wyoming county society, being the just proportion to which the latter would be entitled by its former connection with the Genesee county society. 'Books were also ordered from the American Bible Society, and a depository of books was opered in the store of the treasurer in Warsaw.
October 19th, 1842, Nelson Wolcott was chosen treasurer. November 27th, 1844, three additional vice-presidents were chosen-A. G. Hammond, of Warsaw, Rev. Joseph R. Page, of Perry; and Rev. Joseph Pearsall, of Warsaw.
Dr. Augustus Frank was afterward chosen treasurer, which position he held until his death, in 1861-succeeded by his son, Augustus Frank.
In 1845 the county was thoroughly canvassed, for the pur- pose of obtaining funds and supplying the destitute with the Holy Scriptures, by Mr. Amasa Lord. Two thousand four hundred and one dollars were received for books and in free donations, nearly the whole amount being donated. Rev. Gilbert Crawford and Rev. J. H. Wallace were made life members of the American Bible Society, and one thousand dollars were donated to the same society. Town societies were formed in every town in the county during the year 1845. In 1850 Hon. John B. Skinner, and in 1853 Edwin B. Miller were made life directors of the American Bible Society.
In 1854 the county was again thoroughly explored; 5,209 families were visited; a large number of Bibles were sold, destitute families were supplied with the Scriptures, and do- nations received. April 7th, 1859, Joshua H. Darling, of Warsaw, was chosen treasurer. In 1859 Rev. E. Everett was employed by the society to canvass the county, spending 119 days, and visiting 5,041 families. Destitute families were also supplied with the Scriptures.
January 8th, 1861, the president, Hon. John B. Skinner, declined a further re-election, stating that he had been pres- ident nearly twenty years, and felt it a necessity that he be relieved from further duties. Edwin B. Miller was chosen president, and Rev. John Jones secretary in place of Mr. Miller, who had held the office from the organization of the society.
January 27th, 1863, George W. Morris, of Warsaw, was made president. January 7th, 1866, Hon. Augustus Frank was chosen president, Joshua H. Darling treasurer, and L. E. Walker secretary. In 1868 Rev. G. Lane explored the county, visiting 5.947 families, and supplying 419 families that were destitute of the Scriptures. He also received do- nations, and made sales of Bibles and Testaments. Lloyd A. Hayward was chosen treasurer of the society in place of J. H. Darling, deceased.
The present officers of the society, 1879, are Hon. Augus- tus Frank, president, with one vice-president in each town. L. A. Hayward is the treasurer and John B. Matthews sec- retary.
WYOMING COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
In the month of October, 1843, a meeting of those inter- ested in agricultural pursuits was held at the court-house, pursuant to previous notice, for the purpose of organizing a county agricultural society.
Of this meeting Calvin P. Bailey, of Perry, was chairman, and James L. Hosford, of Castile, secretary. A committee appointed for the purpose, consisting of James L. Hosford, John A. McElwain, John W. Paddock, Uriah Johnson, Seth
C. Grosvenor and George B. Chase reported a constitution, which was adopted.
The first officers chosen were James C. Ferris, of Middle- town, president; Lyman Brainard, Attica; Philo Durkee, Bennington; Stephen D. Tabor, Castile ; James Steele, China; Micha Johnson, Covington; Rufus Conable, Gaines- ville; Allen Waldo, Java; Job Sherman, Middlebury, Tru- man Lewis, Orangeville; Rufus H. Smith, Perry; Godfrey Grosvenor, Sheldon; Dr. Augustus Frank, Warsaw; and Reuben Doolittle, Wethersfield, vice-presidents; James L. Hosford, corresponding secretary; Linus W. Thayer, record- ing secretary; and John A. McElwain, treasurer. One manager and a committee of three were appointed in each town.
The following resolution among others was adopted: " Re- solved, that, inasmuch as intelligence is the mainspring of action, every member of this society be earnestly requested to become a subscriber to some agricultural paper of this State."
The annual fairs of the society were held nearly every year at Warsaw. The interest taken in these annual exhi- bitions was such that it was deemed expedient to establish a permanent place for holding them. On the 27th of Sep- tember, 1855, a meeting of the society was held in the court-house at Warsaw to elaborate a plan for procuring and fitting up grounds for the fairs of the society. A committee consisting of John A. McElwain, Frank Miller, James C. Ferris, Uriah Johnson, Samuel Fisher (and), Newbury Bronson, W. Bristol, jr., and E. C. Skiff, was appointed and authorized to take such action as should be deemed expe- dient in the premises. At a subsequent meeting this com- mittee reported in favor of purchasing twenty-one acres of land from David McWithy, selecting for the use of the soci- ety ten acres and selling the balance. They also presented an estimate of the expense of fencing this ground and build- ing a hall, which they had fixed at $1,000.
In order that the society might have a legal status and be able to hold and convey real estate, it was necessary that it should be reorganized. This reorganization was accom- plished and Hugh T. Brooks chosen president; Uriah John- son,' vice-president ; H. A. Dudley, recording secretary; John L. Clark, corresponding secretary; and John A. Mc- Elwain treasurer. The directors chosen were: for one year -Ezra Bishop, Attica; Norman Howes, Eagle; Newbury Bronson, Warsaw; for two years-Arten Woodruff, Sheldon; A. D. Lucas, Gainesville, E. C. Skiff, Pike; for three years- Welcome Wilcox, Wethersfield; A. S. Patterson, Perry; E. A. Durfee, Middlebury.
Warsaw was designated as the permanent place for hold- ing the fairs of the society, and the officers were empowered to purchase and fit up grounds and make all other necessary arrangements for holding such fairs.
The executive committee finally arranged to purchase from Samuel Fisher (and) ten acres of land near the corner of Brooklyn and Liberty streets in the village of Warsaw, and to fence and improve this land for a fair ground; and the officers were authorized to execute the necessary papers.
A driving track of one-third of a mile was laid out on this ground, but in 1866, when the society acquired four acres in addition to the ten originally purchased, and the State at the same time purchased three and one-half acres, which was occupied jointly for a parade ground by the regiment of na-
Digitized by Google
76
HISTORY OF WYOMING COUNTY, NEW YORK.
tional guard and by the society for a fair ground, this track was enlarged to half a mile.
After the year 1853 the annual exhibitions were held in a tent, which was purchased that year for that purpose. This having become worn and dilapidated, it was deemed expe- dient to erect an exhibition hall, which was done in 1874, under the superintendence of the building committee, con- sisting of J. O. McClure, M. Hatfield and A. F. Chase. The cost of this hall was about $1,500. The society also incur- red the expense of erecting cattle pens and rebuilding the grand stand, which had been blown down.
In 1875 an unsuccessful attempt was made to merge the society in a joint stock association.
The position of president of this society has been occu- pied by the following gentlemen, each having been re- elected till the year of his successor's election: 1843, James C. Ferris, Middlebury ; 1847, Mosely Stoddard, Castile ; 1849, E. P. Beck, Sheldon; 1851, Newbury Bronson, War- saw; 1853, Hugh T. Brooks, Covington; 1858, J. A. McEl- wain, Warsaw; 1862, Duncan Cameron, Covington; 1863, J. Ephraim Wheeler, Orangeville; 1865, Thomas J. Patter- son, Warsaw; 1868, J. S. Walker, Covington; 1869, Emory B. Chase, Castile; 1871, Gideon H. Jenkins, Covington; 1873, Charles Brown, Warsaw; 1875, Albert F. Chase, Gainesville; 1876, Ethel C. Sherman, Middlebury; 1878, William Bristoll, Warsaw.
WYOMING COUNTY INSURANCE COMPANY.
In the year 1851 the Wyoming County Mutual Insurance Company was formed and a charter obtained, authorizing a working capital of $100,000. Its founders were among the leading men of Warsaw, possessing probity of character and business capacity. Its principal office was located at War- saw, and the following persons composed the first board of directors: John A. McElwain, Isaac C. Bronson, Elijah W. Andrews, George Reed, Augustus Frank, Seth M. Gates, F. C. D. Mckay, Israel Hodge, Charles J. Judd, Timothy H. Buxton, E. H. Lansing, W. Riley Smith, and Joshua H. Darling.
J. A. McElwain was elected president, Seth M. Gates vice-president, J. H. Darling treasurer, and C. J. Judd sec- retary. In 1853 Mr. Judd retired from the office of secre- tary, and was succeeded by L. A. Hayward, who was after- wards also elected treasurer.
The company's field of operations was restricted to the western counties of the State, in which it very soon secured a good position. Its risks for the first few years embraced both a merchants' and farmers' class; but in 1856 the former class was dropped, and all the risks afterwards confined en- tirely to the latter. Its reputation as a prudently managed and secure company was maintained throughout its entire career.
The following named persons, in addition to the above, were elected directors of the company at different periods during its existence: James G. Hoyt, James C. Ferris, John B. Halsted, W. J. Chapin, Joel S. Smith, L. A. Hayward, Nelson Wolcott, Linus W. Thayer, William Bristol, Ezra Bishop, Peter Patterson, Ira F. Pratt, James H. Loomis, Jedediah S. Walker, Noble Morris, and Alanson Holly.
The company continued to do business until the latter part of 1865, making no assessments, paying all its losses with promptness, steadily accumulating a surplus fund, and
gaining year by year in the confidence of the community. In the meantime rival companies had multiplied, and, in the intense competition that had sprung up, the rates of insur- ance were forced down below the point at which a company could safely do business. The directors therefore prudently resolved to cease the further issue of policies and take meas- ures to close up the affairs of the company. A re-insurance of all the existing risks of the company was accordingly ef- fected with the Home Insurance Company of New York, for the sum of $5,000. This left a surplus in the treasury of the company of something over $5,000. The directors, being at a loss how to dispose of this amount in a legal manner, obtained an act of the Legislature authorizing them to invest it in the stock of the Warsaw Water Works Company. This was accordingly done. The investment having proved un- expectedly remunerative, the directors made sale of the stock, under a further act of the Legislature, and applied the entire proceeds of the sale toward the erection of the Wyo- ming county soldiers' monument. The risks of the company all expired in the year 1868, and it was left without liability or indebtedness of any kind. Its financial record has but few parallels in the history of insurance in this State.
CHAPTER XV.
ORIGIN AND EARLY INCIDENTS OF THE CIVIL WAR-PATRI- OTIC SPIRIT IN WYOMING COUNTY.
HE limits and scope of this work will not permit even an enumeration of all the events that led to the civil war. It is quite proper, however, that a brief mention should be made of some of the more important and immediate antecedents of the contest, in which many of the citizens of this county bore a conspicuous and honorable part, and in which many laid down their lives.
The doctrine which has by some been termed a grand political heresy-that of State sovereignty, or, as it was im- properly termed at the South, State rights, was what led to the civil war. By this is meant the right of a State to set aside any act of Congress which may be deemed unconsti- tutional by the State authorities. This doctrine was dis- tinctly set forth in the famous Kentucky resolutions of 1793, and was for a long time accepted by many, perhaps by a majority, in all parts of the country. This doctrine involves not the right of nullification alone, but that of secession. South Carolina in 1832 was dissatisfied with the protective tariff which Congress established, and adopted an ordinance of nullification and secession. A compromise was effected, some concessions to the prejudices were made, and she repealed her ordinances.
The question of the introduction of slavery into Kansas arose, and the people of the Northern States evinced a de- termination to prevent it, in which they were successful. In 1856 threats of secession were freely uttered in case of the success of the Republican party, which in 1855 had been formed on the issue of slavery extension. In 1860 Abraham
Digitized by Google
77
ORIGIN AND EARLY INCIDENTS OF THE CIVIL WAR.
Lincoln was elected President, and this was regarded by southern statesmen as the finishing stroke to the extension of their institution, and they proceeded to execute their threats. South Carolina took the lead in this, followed by Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Virginia, Florida and Louisi- ana, all of which before the end of November issued calls for State conventions to consider the question of secession. In this they were followed after a time by Tennessee, Texas, Arkansas and North Carolina, all of which adopted ordi- nances of secession.
South Carolina adopted the ordinance of secession on the first day of December, 1860. Three days later Governor Pickens issued his proclamation, declaring it to be a " sepa- rate, sovereign, true and independent State, having a right to levy war, conclude peace, negotiate treaties," etc.
John B. Floyd, of Virginia, was at that time Secretary of War. He had caused 70,000 stands of arms to be placed in the arsenal at Charleston, and had put that arsenal in the care of the governor of South Carolina; and thus when the State decided it was able to possess itself of these arms, it was also found that the northern arsenals generally had been depleted and the arms sent south. Many of the ships of the navy had been sent to distant seas, and the govern- ment was left without efficient resources with which to re- press a sudden uprising.
The senators from South Carolina were first to resign their seats, followed by others and by members of the Cabi- net, and of the House of Representatives. Texas, the last of the seven States which united in forming the "Southern Confederacy," adopted the ordinance of secession February Ist, 1861. On the 4th of the same month the delegates who had been appointed by the conventions for that purpose met at Montgomery, Ala., .to form a government. They adopted the constitution of the United States, with some additions and alterations, as the constitution of the confed- erate States, and chose for provisional President and Vice- President Jefferson Davis and Alexander H. Stevens.
When South Carolina passed the ordinance of secession in December, 1860, Fort Moultrie, in Charleston harbor, was garrisoned by sixty effective men in command of Major Anderson. The fort was not secure against attack, and Major Anderson was denied reinforcements. Accordingly on the night of December 20th he removed his force to Fort Sumter, which had been quietly prepared for his occu- pation. He had been instructed by the President "not to take up without necessity any position which could be con- strued into a hostile attitude, but to hold possession of the forts, and if attacked, defend himself." This evacuation of Fort Moultrie therefore surprised the President and aroused the indignation of the South Carolinians, who thought they had a pledge from the President to prevent such removal. He was induced to take this step because he entertained just apprehensions of the occupation of Fort Sumter by the South Carolina troops, and an attack on his small force in the nearly defenseless fort which he was, in which case it would have been impossible for him to hold out a day.
Three commissioners that had been appointed by the South Carolina convention "to treat with the United States" repaired to Washington, and in obedience to their instruc- tions demanded that Major Anderson should be ordered back to Fort Moultrie, and in case of refusal that the forts
in Charleston harbor should be unconditionally evacuated. About this time the government offices, forts, etc., were pos- sessed by the State troops, who were supplied with arms and ammunition from the arsenal.
An attempt was made by the government to revictual and reinforce Fort Sumter, and for that purpose the steamer "Star of the West " was sent in January, 1861, with two hun- dred men, provisions, ammunition, etc. She was fired on from Morris Island, was struck by several shot and compelled to return without landing her troops and cargo.
April 12th, 1861, at 4 A. M., the bombardment of Fort Sumter was commenced from the batteries of Fort Moultrie, Sullivan's Island and elsewhere. The rebel forces were under command of General Beauregard, who demanded the surrender of the fort. Major Anderson replied that he would only surrender when his supplies were exhausted. The cannonading was kept up with spirit on both sides. The result was the surrender of the fort on the 13th, and on the 14th Major Anderson and his command left on the steamer "Isabel " for New York.
After the attack on Fort Sumter it was feared that the confederate troops would march at once on Washington, and all the available forces were so disposed so as to afford the best protection to the capital possible with the meagre num- ber of troops available. Measures were at once taken to raise troops in several States, and thousands of volunteers at once offered their services. President Lincoln promptly issued his proclamation and call for 75,000 troops for three months, and stated that they would first be used to "re- possess the forts, places and property which had been seized from the Union." The proclamation also called a special session of Congress for the next 4th of July, to do whatever might be deemed necessary for the public safety. Another proclamation, declaring a blockade, was soon issued.
To this call for volunteers the people of the loyal States responded with the utmost alacrity. Only two days after Governor Andrew, of Massachusetts, issued orders calling for troops, two regiments were on their way to Washington. In every city and almost every village in the loyal North meetings were held, large sums of money were pledged for the support of the families of volunteer companies, and regi- ments were raised and sent forward, and a degree of pa- triotic feeling was aroused the existence of which had by some been doubted.
On the 29th of April the President called for 40,000 vol- unteers to serve three years, and 25,000 regulars for five years' service. In his message to Congress, which convened in special session in July, he recommended the passage of a law authorizing the raising of 400,000 men and placing $400,000,000 at the disposal of the government, in order to make this contest a short and decisive one. During the nine days of the session acts were passed to legalize the past action of the President. to authorize the calling out of 500,000 volunteers, to appropriate some $266,000,000 for the pros- ecution of the war, and to confiscate property used for in- surrectionary purposes.
At the breaking out of the war hardly any one anticipated a struggle of beyond two or three months; but instead of the short, decisive war that was at first anticipated the con- test was prolonged through four years, with an expenditure of life and treasure unparalleled in the history of similar wars. During this time the Union forces experienced alter-
Digitized by Google
78
HISTORY OF WYOMING COUNTY, NEW YORK.
nate successes and reverses till the decisive triumphs of Grant and Sheridan, the resistless march of Sherman to the sea, and the complete exhaustion of the enemy's resources. brought the consummation for which the friends of the Union had so long labored and prayed. The tension at which the feelings of the friends of humanity had been held during four years was relaxed, and the world breathed free again.
On Tuesday evening, April 23d, 1861, the first war meet- ing was held at Warsaw. The Western New Yorker of the 25th headed its account of the meeting with
" WARSAW AWAKE!
" Raising the Stars and Stripes-Rousing Union Demon- stration-Volunteers Forming-Liberal Subscriptions by our Citizens- Wyoming Sound!
"Tuesday's proceedings show that the people of Warsaw cherish the same Union sentiment that summons so many brave arms and dauntless spirits to the conflict now upon us. Our citizens are in earnest. There is patriotic work to be done, and they will do their share. Wyoming county believes the government should be sustained in its attempt at self-assertion, and her sons are preparing if need be to strike brave blows against the traitors who are striving to prove this last attempt at self-government by the people a miserable failure.
"The loyal men were out on Tuesday. A fine flag-staff was raised at the junction of Main and Buffalo streets, and the national colors are floating from its summit."
A meeting was held at the court-house in the evening, over which General L. W. Thayer was called to preside, and a vice-president was chosen from each town in the county. The court-house did not afford standing room for the crowd, and the meeting adjourned to the lawn in front. There speeches were made by the Hon. Martin Grover, of Angelica, Hon. John B. Skinner, of Buffalo, and Hon. Seth Wakeman, of Batavia.
After the close of the meeting, which broke up reluctantly, the people reassembled in the court-house, where they were addressed by Hon. H. L. Comstock, of Warsaw, C. A. Ma- comber, of Buffalo, and others. For the raising of funds for the families of volunteers a committee, consisting of Messrs. Buxton, Ferris, Farman, Miller, Blake, Morris and Darling, was appointed. At the close of the meeting this committee reported the following contributions: J. H. Darling, $500; Augustus Frank, $250; C. and T. Buxton, $200; Artemas Blake, $150; James H. Loomis, Amos Otis, Selden C. Allis, F. and E. B. Miller, J. A. McElwain, L. W. Thayer, H. L. Comstock, B. B. Conable, Henry Garretsee, and Morris & Lewis, each $100; C. W. Bailey, George W. Frank, A. B. Lawrence, E. E. Farman, George Duryee, William Bing- ham, Uriah Johnson, R. H. Miller, Robert R. Munger and Truman Lewis, each $50; C. C. Gates, A. Y. Breck, J. Watts, L. W. Smith, Esek Cook, R. W. Hewett, Walter R. Keith, Alonzo Cleveland, Miles H. Morris and Bryon Healy, each $25; R. A. Crippen, B. F. Homer, E. C. Shattuck and Man- lius Gay, each $20; M. L. Rice, $15; and B. F. Fargo, Hiram Stearns, O. A. Shaw, James A. Webster, Edmund Buck, Godfrey Gates, Benjamin Bisby and Simeon Holton, each $10; a total of $3,000. Thirty men were enrolled as volunteers at this meeting.
On Wednesday, the 24th, a similar meeting was held at
Pearl Creek, in the town of Covington, and upwards of $2,000 was subscribed for the benefit of the families of volunteers in that town. On the list of subscribers to this fund ap- peared the names of Selden Allen for $200; J. H. Burroughs, E. Durfee, Major Corey, Rev. D. Morey, M. Weed, C. Bur- roughs, M. and J. Everes and C. L. Hayden, each $100; and D. Keith, Rev. Dr. Dean, D. Barrett, Walter Keith, Rev. J. Jones and R. Whiteside, each $50. Were the records of similar meetings that were held in other parts of the county accessible, it would be seen that there was nowhere a lack of patriotism. Had the subscriptions of smaller amounts been reported, it would have appeared in many a case, as in that of the widow who gave her mite, that when measured by the ability of the giver the contribution was greater than many which were expressed by larger figures. The poor as well as the rich recognized the danger which menaced the free institutions of the country, and in proportion to their ability they were even more ready to make sacrifices for the preservation of those institutions.
On Friday, the 26th, the thirty who were enrolled at War- saw on the 23d held a meeting, at which there were patriotic speeches and music, and about forty names were added to the roll. On Monday, the 29th, the enrollment list, includ- ing the full complement of names, was forwarded to Albany. The officers named were G. H. Jenkins, captain; H. A. Dud- ley, first lieutenant; and A. M. Whaley, second lieutenant.
The alacrity with which the call for troops had been an- swered throughout the country was such that some delay was necessarily experienced in sending forward the compa- nies that were so promptly raised, and organizing them in regiments. In many localities, and in Wyoming county among them, impatience began to be felt at this delay.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.