USA > New York > Wyoming County > History of Wyoming County, N.Y., with Illustrations, Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Some Pioneers and Prominent Residents > Part 27
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
Digitized by Google
104
HISTORY OF WYOMING COUNTY, NEW YORK.
this special purpose, succeeded, after a two days' discussion, in carrying the measure by a small majority. James G. Birney, formerly a slaveholder in Alabama, who had eman- cipated his slaves and removed to the north, was nominated for President, and Francis J. Lemoyne, of Pennsylvania, for Vice-President.
"The result of this measure was to divide the abolition- ists. A large majority in this State and other States refused to join the new party, and continued their connection with the old parties, voting generally, however, for candidates for Congress who were in favor of a respectful reception of anti-slavery petitions, and for abolishing slavery in the Dis- trict of Columbia, and opposed to its extension into free ter- ritory, by which party soever they had been nominated."
The supporters of Birney were called the Liberty party. They generally cast from 300 to 500 votes in this county, and about 15,000 in the State. In 1848 they joined the Free- Soil party.
Party organizations in this State and in this county were greatly disturbed by the Free-Soil movement of 1848. For some years previous to that time a division had existed in the Democratic party, one faction being known as "Hunk- ers " and the other as " Barnburners," the latter faction be- ing opposed to slavery extension, especially into the terri- tory that had then recently been acquired from Mexico. This schism became an open rupture in 1848. The Barn- burners held a convention at Utica, in which they nominat- ed Martin Van Buren for President, and afterward another at Buffalo, which was participated in by delegates from other States, and over which the late Chief Justice Chase presid- ed. At that convention, which adopted what has ever since been known as the Buffalo Platform-the distinctive features of which were the abolition of slavery wherever it existed in territories under the jurisdiction of Congress, and its non- extension into territory under such jurisdiction-the county of Wyoming was fully represented. A State convention was afterward called by this,. which was known as the Free-Soil party, and a State ticket nominated, on which John A. Dix was the candidate for governor, and Seth M. Gates, a citi- zen of this county, for lieutenant-governor. Among the active leaders in this party in the county of Wyoming were: Seth M. Gates, F. C. D. Mckay, L. W. Thayer, J. R. Doo- little, W. Riley Smith and A. W. Young, of Warsaw; James H. Loomis and John B. Skinner, 2nd, of Attica; James C. Ferris, of Wyoming; D. L. Gilman and L. A. Haywood, of Perry; E. O. Shepard, of Arcade; A. P. Sherril, of Pike, and William Bristol, of Gainesville. The Free-Soil vote at the ensuing election was drawn from both the Whig and Demo- cratic parties, and of course embraced that of the Liberty party, which was then merged in it.
The Free-Soil party maintained its organization till 1849, but in 1850 the Barnburners and Hunkers united and nomi- nated Horatio Seymour for Governor. About that time a schism came to exist in the Hunker wing of the Democratic party. Those who opposed union with the Barnburners were termed " Hard Shells," or " Hards," and those who favored such union " Softs." About the same time, or dur- ing the administration of President Fillmore, the Whig party became divided into the Conservatives, or "Silver Grays," the supporters of the administration, and the Radicals, or "Wooly-Heads," under the leadership of William H. Seward. In Wyoming county the Radicals of the Whig party and the
Softs among the Democrats were largely in the majority in their respective parties.
In 1852 the Whig party suffered such an overwhelming defeat that it was practically annihilated, and from its ruins sprang the present Republican party, which embraced many who had belonged to the Barnburner wing of the Democratic party.
About the year 1853, or soon after the defeat of the Whig party, the American party suddenly sprang into existence. The deliberations of the members of this party were con- ducted in secret, and when questioned concerning things pertaining to the party, its members professed to know noth- ing of them; hence they acquired the name of the Know- Nothing party. Opposition to the influence of foreigners who had not acquired a sufficient knowledge of the institu- tions of this country to vote intelligently was the basic idea in the political faith which this party professed; and such a modification of the naturalization laws as would extend the term of probation of immigrants from other countries was the principal measure which was advocated by this party. It was believed that in the unsettled condition of parties at that time, and the weakness of party ties consequent upon that condition, many were induced to become members of that party from curiosity, or a love of novelty, or from a desire to enjoy the sport which arose out of the discomfiture, disappointment and wrath of old party leaders when they found their plans thwarted and their calculations upset by a secret agency, of which they knew nothing. The party had only a brief existence.
The Republican party was organized in 1855. The ad- vocates of slavery had long seen that in the rapid growth of this country their "peculiar institution " would, if left to itself, become impotent, or, in other words, the "balance of power " between the free and slave States would be lost to them in the "irrepressible conflict " between freedom and slavery. They therefore endeavored to extend their insti- tution into the territories of the United States, and in order to accomplish their purpose they sought to remove the barriers that had been established by the compromises pre- viously made, a history of which cannot be given here. Had slavery never assumed this aggressive character, the Republican party would have had no existence; for it was established on the issue of slavery extension. In 1856 were freely uttered by political leaders threats of secession in case of the election of John C. Fremont, the Republican candidate for President. In 1860 the Republican candidate, Abraham Lincoln, was elected. A portion of the slave States enacted ordinances of secession, and the late civil war, with the extinction of slavery, was the result. During the fourteen years that have elapsed since the termination of this war the Republican and Democratic parties have continued to oppose each other on minor and comparatively insignificant issues; and on the approach of each election the old question and its answer seem quite apropos-
"What is all this wondrous fuss, this war of words, about? The outs are trying to get in, the ins to keep them out."
Excepting the anti-slavery sentiment there has been noth- ing peculiar in the relations of polical parties here. Party lines have been distinctly drawn, and party feeling has run high. A few years since it was related by the late John A. McElwain, in an article published in the Western New York- er, that at an election in Warsaw in 1820, when the Clinton-
Digitized by Google
105
POLITICAL LEADERS-STRENGTH OF PARTIES-CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE.
ians and the Bucktails were the opposing parties, very forcible arguments were used; and in the rough and tumble work of the election some had their clothes torn from their backs, and it was found necessary to invoke the aid of the sheriff of Genesee county and a corps of deputies to prevent serious disorder.
At the time of the organization of Wyoming county the Whig and Democratic parties were the chief opponents. Among the active members of the former party at that time are remembered Harvey Putnam, James G. Hoyt and W. Riley Smith, of Attica; John B. Halsted and Alonzo B. Rose, Castile; John A. McElwain, Dr. Augustus Frank, John Wilder, Andrew W. Young and Roswell GosiJ. Warsaw; Peter Patterson, Calvin P. Bailey, Isaac N. Stoddard and Robert Patterson, Perry; Eleazer Baldwin and Arden Wood- ruff. Sheldon; James Sprague, Covington; John W. Brown- son, Gainesville; John Head, Truman Lewis and Lyman Babbit, Orangeville; William R. Groger and Abel Webster, Wethersfield; Nelson Wolcott, Java, and others. Of Dem- ocrats there are remembered Alden S. Stevens, Attica; John B. Skinner, Middlebury; Nyrum Reynolds, Gainesville; Samuel Smith, Java; Joel S. Smith and James R. Doolittle, Wethersfield; Rufus H. Smith, William Mitchell, Mosely Stoddard and Linus W. Thayer, Perry: Benjamin F. Folsom, Bennington, and others.
The following staten.ent of the number of votes cast for principal candidates at important elections since the organi- zation of the county shows the relative strength of the par- ties during that time:
At the special election in June, 1841, William R. Groger, the Whig candidate for sheriff, received 1,632 votes; "John D. Landon, Democrat, 1,335.
In 1842 Luther Bradish, Whig candidate for governor, re- ceived 2,063; William C. Bouck, Democrat, 1,889; Alvan Stewart, Liberty, 335. Subsequent votes, in brief, have been as follows:
In 1844 : For governor-Millard Fillmore, Whig, 2,597 ; Sties Wright, Dom- ocrat, 2,110; Alvan Stewart, Liberty, 408. For President-Henry Clay, Whig, 2734; James K. Polk, 2,102 ; James G. Birney, Liberty, 442.
In 1848 : For governor-John Young, Whig, 2,875 ; Bliss Wright, Democrat, 1,502; Harvey Bradley, Liberty. a.s.
In 1848 : For governor-Hamilton Fish, Whig, 2,564 ; Reuben H. Walworth, Democrat. 1.381 ; John A. Dix. Free Sofi, 1.576. For President-Zachary Tay- Jor, Whig, 2,381 ; Lowts Cass, Democrat, 1,337 ; Martin Van Buren, Free Soll, 1,880.
In 1860 : For governor-Washington Hunt, Whig, 2,788 ; Horatio Seymour. Democrat, 2,111.
In 18 : For governor- Washington Hunt, Whig, 8,000; Horatio Seymour. Democrat, 2,000 ; Minthorne Tompkins, Liberty, 510. For President-Win- field Sontt, Whig, 8,005 ; Franklin Pierce, Democrat, 2,471 : Jobn P. Hale, Liberty, 727.
In 1804 : For governor-Myron H. Clark, Whig, 2,100; Horatio Seymour. Democrat, 1.342 ; Daniel Uiman, American, 981 : Greene C. Bronson, " Hard," 548.
In 1856: For governor-John R. King, Republican, 8,912; Amaen J. Parker, Democrat, 1.900 ; Erastus Brooks, American, 62. For President-John C. Fremont, Republican, 4,086; James Buchanan, Democrat, 1,911; Millard Fill- more, American. 571.
In 1868: For governor-Edwin D. Morgan, Republican, 2,201 ; Amaes J. Parker. Democrat, 1,962; Lorenzo Burrows, American, 860.
In 1800: For governor-Edwin D. Morgan, Republican, 4,480; William Kelly, Democrat, 2,849. For President-Abraham Lincoln, Republican. 4.496 ; Stepben A. Douglas, Democrat, 2,391.
In 1802 : For governor-James Wadsworth, Republican, 8,677 ; Horatio Bey- mour. Democrat, 2.897.
In 1864 : For governor-Reuben E. Fenton, Republican, 4.146; Horatio Sey- mour, Democrat, 2,563. For President-Abraham Lincoln, Republican, 4,120; George B. Mcclellan, Democrat, 2,509.
In 1896: For governor-Reuben E. Fenton, Republican, 1,106; John T. Hoffman, Democrat, 2,296.
In 1896: For governor-John A. Griswold, Republican. 4.906; John T. Hoff- man, Democrat, 2,420. For President-U. S. Grant, Republican, 4.226 ; Hora- tio Beymour, Democrat, 2,501.
In 1870: For governor-Stewart L. Woodford, Republican, 8,564 ; John T. Hoffman, Democrat, 2,809.
In 1872 For governor-John A. Dix, Republican. 8.945: Francis Kernan, Democrat, 2,363. For President-C. 8. Grant. Republican, 8,909; Horace Greeley, Democrat and Liberal Republican, 2,301.
In 1874 : For governor-John A. Dix, Republican, 8,438; Samuel J. Tilden, Democrat, 2.416.
In 1876: For governor-Edwin D. Morgan. Republican, 4.404 ; Lucius Rob- inson, Democrat, 8,977. For President-B. B. Hayes, Republican, 4,436; 8am- nel J. Tilden, Democrat, 8,206.
In 1879 : For governor-A. B. Cornell, Republican, 3,821 ; Lucius Robinson, Democrat, 3,494.
CHAPTER XXVII.
WYOMING CO. CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE-S .- S. TEACH- ERS' ASSOCIATION & BIBLE SOCIETY-TEMPERANCE. REFORM.
N compliance with a call which had been issued by a committee of the Congregational church in Gainesville, a meeting was held at their church "to consider, and, if deemed expedient, to devise some means of promoting the fellowship and spiritual edification of our churches."
At this meeting there were present from the Congre- gational church at China, Rev. Lewis P. Frost, R. W. Ly- man; Castile-Rev. Charles Machim, Gideon Schofield, Wil- liam Kellogg; Gainesville-Rev. John Cunningham, Benjamin F. Bristol, Phineas Danforth; Orangeville-Rev. E. H. Stratton, Marshal B. Crosset; Java-Rev. L. Parker, George W. Wainright, Demetrius Smith; Strykersville-Rev. James R. Bourne, Adin Woodruff; Warsaw-Rev. E. E. Williams, Newberry Bronson, Hanover Bradley.
For the accomplishment of the objects set forth in the call it was deemed expedient to form an association, and a constitution was adopted. It was called the Wyoming County Conference of Congregational Ministers and Churches, the churches being present at meetings by dele- gates. The officers chosen annually were a moderator and a scribe, to whom was afterward added a statistical secretary, who was also treasurer.
Biennial sessions of the conference were prescribed in the constitution, and one of the articles distinctly stated that no ecclesiastical power should be delegated to or exer- cised by the body. It was afterward provided that if any minister or church should be guilty of unchristian conduct, or of maintaining any fundamental error, or ot denying any fundamental doctrine of Christianity, the conference should withdraw fellowship from such minister or church.
One article read: "The sessions of the conference shall be devoted to such religious exercises as shall seem best fitted to subserve the end for which it is established; particularly to addresses on the responsibilities of the churches, on family religion, the maintenance of Christian discipline, the interests of Sabbath-schools, the claims of benevolent ob- jects, and whatever bears directly and obviously on the spiritual progress and welfare of the churches."
In the new constitution, which was adopted in 1865, it was provided that "any person applying for approval as a candidate [for the ministry] shall be required to exhibit satisfactory evidence of his good standing in some evan- gelical church, and to sustain an examination in regard to
Digitized by Google
106
HISTORY OF WYOMING COUNTY, NEW YORK.
his literary and scientific attainments, his knowledge of mental and moral philosophy, natural and revealed theology, the evidences of Christianity, ecclesiastical history, church polity, homiletics and the principles of biblical interpreta- tion. He shall also read a sermon, and give an account of his religious experience, and of his motives in entering the ministry. No part shall be omitted, except by special vote. The examination shall be conducted by committees, chosen annually for this purpose."
In its practical working this conference has enabled the churches to keep up an interest in each other-has been a source of encouragement and a means of mutual usefulness, as well as a hond of friendship. Its meetings have always Leen public. The present officers are: Rev. E. F. Atwood, moderator, and Jeremiah Lamberson, scribe, statistical sec- retary and treasurer.
WYOMING COUNTY SUNDAY-SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.
At the State convention of Sabbath-school teachers in 1857 at Rochester a resolution was passed recommending such action in each county as should lead to the formation of county associations auxiliary to the State association.
For the purpose of carrying out this object a meeting of the pastors of churches and delegates from their Sunday- schools was called at the court-house in Warsaw on the 17th of November, 1857. At this meeting delegates were pres- ent from churches and schools in the towns of Attica, China, Gainesville, Middlebury, Orangeville, Perry and Warsaw. Articles of association were adopted, the first two of which read as follows:
" This association shall be called the Wyoming County Sunday-school Association, and shall consist of such teachers and officers as are hereinafter provided.
"The objects of this association are to obtain statistical information relative to the Sunday-schools of the county; to inquire into and search out the destitutions of this county; to visit and co-operate with every town and neighborhood in the building up and enlarging of schools now existing, and the establishing of new schools where needed, to the end that all children and youth may be gathered into Sunday- school."
The other articles prescribed the usual officers and their duties, and the manner of carrying out the objects of the association. The permanent officers chosen at that meeting were: President, Rev. S. Luckey, D. D., of Gainesville; recording secretary, I. Swift, of Warsaw; cor- responding secretary, L. E. Walker, Warsaw. The town secretaries chosen and appointed were: Attica, James Baker; Bennington. Dr. E. C. Holt; Castile, S. Sedgwick; China, R. W. Lyman; Covington, Arnold Green; Eagle, Rev. Wil- liam Plumb; Gainesville, William Glover; Genesee Falls, Homer Smith; Java, W. S. Brown; Middlebury, H. J. Red- dish; Orangeville, George H. Dunham; Perry, Nathan Bills, Pike, Rev. Z. Hurd; Sheldon, Arden Woodbury; Warsaw, N. Jackson Morris; Wethersfield, Daniel Stedman.
The articles provided for stated meetings of the associa- tion for the election of officers, the transaction of business, etc. These meetings were held successively at different places in the county.
" The results attained from this association in Wyoming county have been an intelligent co-operative interest in Bible study, and a healthy public opinion on theological sub-
jects without sectarian prejudice. Bible subjects have been found too inexhaustible for mere dogmatic interpretation, and a more intelligent liberal spirit has seemed to manifest itself through the annual and semi-annual comparison of views, methods and results of this special Christian working, in which Wyoming county has ever been at the front.
" The mission work growing out of this association has re- sulted in elevating the love and standard of morality in out- lying districts, repressing evil tendencies and establishing the fact of such association work being a conservation of public morals and good citizenship."
TEMPERANCE.
Octogenarians distinctly remember that in the days of their youth the use of spirituous liquors as a beverage was almost universal. Many of the early settlers of this county and of this entire region were accustomed to take their daily drams, and a failure to treat a visitor was regarded as a breach of hospitality. At logging " bees," raising, etc., the whiskey jug was considered a positive necessity, and the failure of bees by reason of its absence is still remembered by some old people. It was regularly taken into the harvest field, and by many liquor was regularly placed on the break- fast table, where it was used as an appetizer. It was made bitter with tansy, wormwood, or some other herb or drug, and used as a domestic remedy for many real or imaginary ailments.
Distilleries early sprang up in many of the towns, and liq- uor was easily procured at a cheap rate. Nearly all country merchants kept it for sale, and were in the habit of treating their patrons from decanters kept for that purpose on their counters, as a compliment when they made liberal purchases, or to put them in a tradeable mood.
It was used to keep out the cold and to protect against the heat. Its use was not limited to the vulgar alone, but was sanctioned and adopted by all classes. The physician sought to protect himself against the contagion to which he was often exposed, and to solace himself during his weary nocturnal rides by its use; the jurist sharpened his percep- tions, and prepared himself for powerful forensic efforts in the same way; and often the clergyman drank from the glass a portion of the inspiration that enabled him to present di- vine truth in its clearest light. The words of a modern poet-
" The power enslaved in yonder cask Shall many burdens bear ; Shall nerve the toiler at his task, The soul at prayer-"
seem quite apropos concerning alcohol as used in those days.
It is difficult now to learn who commenced the temper- ance reform or where it originated. It is remembered, how- ever, that temperance societies began to come into existence about the year 1828, 1829 or 1830. Like all important re- forms it took shape gradually. The first pledges proscribed only ardent spirits, and left people quite at liberty to use fermented liquors ad libitum. It was found that this did not reach the root of the evil; that persons who had acquired an appetite for stimulants only changed the kind of drink, and indulged these appetites as before; and that intemper- ate habits were quite as readily acquired by the use of the milder beverages. It was readily seen, therefore, that in order to accomplish the desired good a pledge of abstinence from all
Digitized by Google
Andrew Nr. Young.
Digitized by Google
Digitized by Google
107
TEMPERANCE LABORS AND LABORERS.
that could intoxicate was necessary, and societies generally readily adopted this pledge. The Genesee County Temper- ance Society, at a meeting held in Warsaw in 1836, adopted this pledge, after having discussed the question during two days, with only two negative votes; and these were given by conservatives, who feared the alienation of the friends of temperance by a too rapid advance.
At the present day it seems hardly credible that the tem- perance reform could ever have encountered serious oppo- sition from men of intelligence and character; but when the fact is considered that the custom of using stimulants had been handed down through many generations, and that the utility and even the necessity of their moderate use had hardly been questioned; and when the additional fact is considered that men are always slow to adopt new customs or to relinquish old ones, even after the utility of those or the pernicious character of these is demonstrated, it will be less a matter of wonder. It did encounter such opposition, and in 1836 its conservative friends feared the effect of what they deemed too rapid advance.
Among the' early and earnest workers in the cause of temperance may be named Dr. Rumsey, Deacon John Mun- ger, Frank Miller, Dr. Augustus Frank, Hon. William Pat- terson, Hon. Andrew W. Young, James and John Crocker, and soon afterward Joshua H. Darling, Isaac Preston, Dea- con William Buxton, George W. Morris, F. C. D. Mckay, Charles J. Judd, Alanson Holly, Hon. Seth M. Gates, E. B. Miller and Rev. Richard Kay at the county seat. Hon. John B. Skinner, of Wyoming; Benedict Brooks, of Covington; Alden.S. Stevens, Hon. Barney Putnam and James G. Hoyt, of Attica; John B. Halstead and A. B. Rose, of Castile: C. O. Shepard and Mr. Lymans, of Arcade; Willard C. Chapin, Jonah Andrews and the Messrs. Phenix and Thicol M. Ward, of Perry; Nelson Wolcott, of Java; Lyman H. Babbitt, of Orangeville; Arden Woodruff, of Sheldon; and many others whose names cannot now be recalled, were equally earnest and efficient in all parts of the county. The philanthropic labors of these men continued, and much good was accomplished, not only in the reclamation of unfortunate victims of their appetite, but it prevented the acquisition of such appetite in many young men.
Later many others, among them Hugh T. Brooks, of Covington; Dr. Mason G. Smith, of Perry, and his brother, Judge W. Riley Smith, of Attica; Hon. James H. Loomis, of Attica; Hon. Augustus Frank, Timothy H. Buxton, C. W. Bailey, William H. Merrill, Rev. Dr. J. E. Nassau, H. A. Dudley and L. A. Hayward, of Warsaw; Rev. Joseph R. Page and M. L. Higgins, of Perry; Colonel G. G. Prey, of Eagle; F. W. Capwell, of Middlebury; and for a quarter of a century past many other earnest, active temperance workers in every section of the county, have labored faithfully for the cause of temperance, until Wyoming stands prominent among the temperance counties of the State. The clergymen of all denominations have been very active workers at all times.
So eficient has been the work of temperance men of an early day, together with those since the organization of the county of Wyoming, that whenever opportunity has been given to vote upon the question of license or no license the majorities have always been large for no license. In 1846, when the first local option law allowed a vote to be taken, but one of sixteen towns in the county voted for license. Large county meetings have been held at the county seat,
and town meetings in the towns, to advance the interest of temperance during the existence of the county.
What is true of almost every movement that has become popular is true of the temperance reform: it has had its re- vivals or seasons of increased interest. These have almost always been caused or accompanied not by the development of any new truths, but by new methods of advocating and promulgating old ones; and such is man's love of novelty that whenever any such new method has been introduced a wave of excitement has swept over the country, which has. kindled in many sanguine friends of temperance the hope that the hour of final triumph was at hand. These periods of excitement have naturally been succeeded by others of depression, during which the less hopeful have been able to see nothing but disaster and impending ruin.
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.