History of Wyoming County, N.Y., with Illustrations, Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Some Pioneers and Prominent Residents, Part 35

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Publication date: 1880
Publisher: F.W. Beers & Co.
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At a meeting of the citizens of Attica held at Doty's Hall, September 29th, 1868, for that purpose, the Attica Cemetery Association was organized. Trustees were chosen as follows: For one year-James H. Loomis, R. G. Bowen, R. J. Rodgers; for two years-L. Stanhope, J. S. Putnam, C. B. Benedict; for three years-A. Krauss, J. G. Doty, R. S. Stevens. The first Tuesday in October of each year was fixed upon as the time of holding annual meetings.

At a meeting of the trustees October 5th, 1868, the fol- lowing officers were elected: President, James H. Loomis; vice-president, Andrew Krauss; secretary, J. S. Putnam; treasurer, C. B. Benedict.

At a meeting of the trustees in June, 1869, C. B. Benedict, J. H. Doty and J. H. Loomis were appointed a committee to buy land for cemetery purposes, and they contracted with Miss Samantha Gardner for her house and lot of about

twelve acres, on High street within the limits of the corpor- ation, for $3,500.

Previous to the deed being given the house was burned. The insurance, $1,000, was paid to Miss Gardner, leaving the association but $2,500 in debt, which was subsequently paid, and the grounds were laid out in lots of suitable size, with proper walks and roads, making this one of the most beautiful "cities of the dead " in Wyoming county.

.The following are the present officers: President, James G. Doty; vice-president, Andrew Krauss; treasurer, James H. Loomis; secretary, Ephraim Brainard. Trustees-James G. Doty, Andrew Krauss, James H. Loomis, Ephraim Brain- ard, O. S. Thomson, C. W. Krauss, William Wilder, Edward D. Tolles, A. A. Smith.

The following sums were subscribed toward the purchase and improvement of the cemetery grounds:

J. II. Loomis, R. S. Stearns and E. Bishop, each $200; A. Krauss, $150; C. W. Krauss, J. Belden, C. B. Benedict, G. Dorrance, J. S. Putnam, Mrs. D. A. Spink and C. Wilkie, each $too; J. Karcher, R. G. Bowen, F. Trummell, M. E. . Potter, J. G. Doty, J. Bane, A. G. Ellenwood, E. P. Spink, J. . W. Vincent, R. Benham and William Powers, each $50; H. Spann, Groat & Wilson, F. D. Wilcox, P. Brechsen, W. H. Hill, J. Chapman, E. F. Chaffee, R. Lemon, William M. Walbridge, E. C. Williams, William Walbridge, James Baker, O. Davis, James Dunbar, V. C. Barross, J. H. Backus and E. H. Cotton, each $25; H. Palmer, William Wilder and George Benham, each $20; C. R. Baker, A. Ganter, W. F. Sanborn, H. P. Sanborn, T. Loomis and L. Pfender, each $15; William Ballsmith, N. Bogart, D. Wilder, Wilbor Nelson, J. C. Gardner, L. W. Miles, T. M. Gladding, H. Heath, George Fouth, William Deckleman, F. C. Ballsmith, J. R. Williams, I. H. Toms, F. D. Andrews, C. S. Thomson, Charles King, J. M. Baldolf, F. Thorpe, A. J. Lorish, Isaac Toms, H. L. Doty, S. C. Archer, G. W. Reynolds, B. Rey- nolds, Lawrence & Norton, M. Godfrey, D. H. Pryor, L. Barrs, William Nelson, F. R. Barross, J. H. Hill, A. Maxon and John Schuman, each $10; R. Newland, L. W. Moody and George Tubbs, each $5; total, $2,920.

EDUCATIONAL.

No sooner had the sturdy New Englanders located in what is now the village of Attica, and got a preaching place established, than they began to look for a place to build a school-house. No other material being at hand, they built of logs, on what is now Water street, a short distance from Main. The first school was taught here. in the summer of 1807, by Miss Sophia Williams. From that time to the present educational interests have continued to prosper.

In 1850 a fine brick building was erected on Prospect street for school purposes. The grounds contained one acre. The building was nearly square, two stories high, and contained three main departments with three recitation rooms. For twenty years it was sufficient for the demands of the village.

In the year 1870, at the time the present principal, Thomas B. Lovell, came, the proposition was discussed to enlarge the building. Hon. Robert S. Stevens, who was a student in this village in 1838 and 1839, offered a donation of $5,000 to the district, if it would raise as much more, for the purpose of putting up a wing on the south side of the old building. This was gladly agreed to; and the building

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HISTORY OF WYOMING COUNTY, NEW YORK.

was finished according to contract in September, 1872. During this year a large amount of apparatus was added to the institution.

This building proved insufficient for school purposes in the year 1874. Hon. R. S. Stevens generously offered $1,100 to the district if it would raise sufficient money to build a wing on the north side similar to the one on the south side. This was done; thus adding to the architect- ural beauty, capacity and convenience of the structure, and making it worthy of the citizens of Attica, and an ornament to the village.

The Attica Union School and Academy was incorporated by the Legislature in 1867, and received under the visitation of the regents of the University of New York. The school now numbers about four hundred pupils attending at one time. There are about seven hundred pupils of school age residing in the district, of whom about five hundred and sixty attend during the year. There are thirty-one graduates of the institution. The present principal, Thomas B. Lovell, A. M., has been in charge of the institution for nine years.

The board of education for the years 1878 and 1879 was as follows: Hon. James H. Loomis, chairman; Edward D. Tolles, secretary; James G. Doty, Andrew Krauss, Noah North and Warren S. Brown.

The school money apportioned to this town for 1879 was $2,282.15, to be distributed among the thirteen districts in this town; more than one-half the amount was drawn by the Attica village district.

THE PRESS OF ATTICA.

The publication of newspapers was commenced in the town in 1833 by David Scott, who began the publication in that year of the Attica Republican. The name was soon after changed to the Attica Republican and Genesee Advertiser. The paper was subsequently sold to E. A. Cooley, who be- came publisher, and the name was changed to the Attica Democrat. This paper was published until 1846.

In October, 1846, Mr. Abram Dinsmore commenced the publication of the Attica Telegraph, and continued it about two years, when newspaper enterprise in this place was for a time abandoned.

April 1st, 1848, R. W. Dibble and W. H. Civer commenced the publication of the Old Eighth Whig. At the end of six months Mr. Dibble retired from the concern and the name of the paper was changed to the Spirit of the Old Eighth by Mr. Civer, who conducted it until 1850, when this paper was also abandoned.

The next journal here was the Attica Atlas, published by Silas Folsom from January Ist, 1851, until the spring of 1872, when the whole establishment was destroyed by fire, together with the American Hotel and a large number of dwellings. Mr. Folsom then retired from the business.

In June, 1872, Charles F. Meloy established the Attica Weekly News. He was succeeded in 1874 by C. L. Shep- herd, who dropped the word Weekly from the heading, leav- ing the name Attica News, by which name it is now, in its seventh volume, published and edited by Addis E. Bishop. The paper is Republican in politics.

Number I of volume 1 of the Attica Argus was issued Saturday, April 7th, 1877, by George A. Sanders, as editor and proprietor. He continued the publication until Septem- ber, 1877, when he sold to S. Wilson Wade, of the Wyoming

County Times, and at the same time the editorial depart- ment was piaced in charge of D. A. Denison. January Ist, 1878, Mr. Wade sold his interest to Messrs. Denison and Benham, and in July of the same year Mr. Denison pur- chased Mr. Benham's interest in the paper, since which time he has been publisher and editor. Politically the paper is Democratic.

BANKING IN ATTICA.

Previous to 1838 the business men of Attica were obliged to go to Batavia or Buffalo on banking business. In that year Gaius B. Rich established the Bank of Attica in what is now a part of the Davis house, at the corner of Main and Exchange streets. It stood a little west of the main build- ing, between that and J. D. Turrel's. In 1841 he removed the business to Buffalo, where it is still known as the Bank of Attica.

In 1856 Lonidas Doty and Dean Richmond opened the Farmers' Bank of Attica, and continued it till 1860, when it was removed to Batavia. It was succeeded by Benedict & Doty as individual bankers. They were followed by C. B. Benedict & Son, and later by the Attica National Bank.

In 1863 the First National Bank of Attica was organized, and closed business in 1865, being the first failure of a na- tional bank in the United States.

Thomson & Loomis opened a bank in 1847, and were fol- lowed by J. H. Loomis & Son, who are now doing a bank- ing business.

TONAWANDA VALLEY DRIVING PARK AND AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

This association was organized in 1875, with a capital stock of $10,000, and its first fair was held in September of that year. The officers for 1875 were: President, L. R. Vin- cent; secretary, Edward Skinner; treasurer, Lewis Bene- dict. Directors-L. R. Vincent, J. J. Brainard, Ronald McLeod, F. M. Wilson, Andrew Krauss, Reuben Lemon, R. J. Rogers, A. A. Smith, Joseph W. Vincent and Lewis Benedict, Attica; Sanford Riddle, Alexander; Edward Madden, Varysburg; E. R. Yates and Richard Losee, Darien; J. W. Danley, Bennington.

The association bought fifty-three acres from J. J. Brain- ard and F. M. Wilson, at $100 per acre. The land is beau- tifully and centrally located on the south side of Main street, and is bounded on the west by the east line of the corporation of Attica, and on the south by the N. Y., L. E. and W. Railroad.

The association has expended a large amount of money to make the grounds the most attractive of their kind in western New York. On the south side, along the railroad, is a beautiful grove, suitable for holding picnics, camp meet- ings, or military encampments, with most excellent parade grounds in front. On the northeast side of the grove is an artificial lake, which has been made one of the principal at- tractions of the grounds. The trotting course, in the north- west part of the grounds, was constructed by Mr. O. Buell, of Rochester, and is about sixty feet wide, elliptical in form, and by a complete system of drainage is rendered dry, even during the rainy season. It is considered the finest half- mile course in the country.

On the east side of the track, occupying an elevated po- sition, is the grand stand, one hundred and fifty feet in

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WILLIAMS, OPERA HOUSE, ATTICA, N .Y.

DER

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CARPET ROOM

THOMAS S.GLOVER & CO.

THOMAS S.GLOVER & CO., DRY GOODS & CARPETS, NOII MAIN ST., WARSAW,N.

RESIDENCE OF H . MUNS, COWLESVILLE, TOWN OF BENNINGTON, WYOMING CO., N. Y

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RESIDENCE OF HON. JAMES H . LOOMIS, PROSPECT. ST., ATTICA, N . Y.

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INTERIOR VIEW OF THE LOG CABIN, SILVER LAKE.

SUGAR LOAF ROCK, BELOW PORTAGE.

INTERIOR OF THE OLD INDIAN COUNCIL HOUSE GLEN IRIS.

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BUSINESS INTERESTS OF ATTICA VILLAGE.

length, with a seating capacity for two thousand people, and directly under it is a dining hall, about forty by one hundred and fifty feet. Horticultural Hall is near the center of the spacious grounds, and contains over ten thousand feet of available room.

Stables, one hundred and fifty feet in length, with a wide awning in front, extending the whole length, are provided for the accommodation of horses. They have all the modern improvements. There are also large and com- modious sheds, containing pens for sheep and swine. Build- ings ample for the exhibition of carriages, sleighs and agri- cultural implements occupy their proper place along the east side of the ground.

This fair ground in point of size, beauty of location, acces- sibility, extent and number of buildings and the substantial manner in which they are constructed, has no superior in the State. The total sum spent on it has been $16,300. The society was in debt January Ist, 1879, $4,000.

The officers for 1879 were : President, Edward Mad- den, Varysburg; vice-president, Sanford Riddle, Alexander: secretary, James G. Dorrance, Attica; treasurer, C. E. Loo- mis, Attica .. Directors-L. R. Vincent, J. J. Brainard, Ronald McLeod, F. M. Wilson, A. A. Smith, J. G. Dorrance, Dr. H. B. Miller and J. W. Vincent, Attica; Samuel Gris- wold and Sanford Riddle, Alexander; Edward Madden and Gad C. Parker, Sheldon; J. W. Danley, Bennington; Charles H. Brainard, Alexander.

BUSINESS OF ATTICA IN 1879.

With the advent of the village charter, railroads, telegraphs and other improvements of the age, there seemed to be in- fused new life and vitality, and Attica was fully embarked on the course of improvement and prosperity to which its present condition is due. Having read the earlier history of the village the reader will find interesting matter for com- parison in the following summary of present business in- terests.

Vosburgh's steam saw and planing mill, located in the eastern part of the village, south of Main street, was built in 1878. It is convenient for receiving logs and delivering lum- ber. It has a machine attached which finishes staves and heading ready for putting together. There is also a custom grist and flouring mill, receiving motive power from the same forty horse power engine. The saw-mill has a cutting capac- ity of 1,000 feet per hour, which was a full day's work for Phelps's mill, that stood in the village in 1803.

The Attica grist and flouring mill, built in 1848 by B. R. Folsom, and located on the south side of Main street at the west end of the bridge, is a five-story brick structure forty- five by fifty feet. The present proprietors, Messrs. Barross & Fay, purchased the property in 1855, and put in improved machinery, and are maintaining the reputation of running one of the best custom mills on the Tonawanda creek, Mr. Barross being an experienced miller, and Mr. Fay an expe- rienced millwright.

There are nine hotels in the village, including the Wyo- ming, Exchange street, north of the railroad, built in 1878 by D. Filkins; Washburn House, corner of Main and Ex- change streets, built in 1825 by Gaius B. Rich; the Berlin House, Exchange street, north of the railroad, built in 1877; the Western, opposite the Erie depot, built in 1835; and the Saint James, Market street, built in 1870.

There are two public halls, besides those used by secret societies-Lemon's Hall, Main street, at the east end of the iron bridge, built in 1840 by one Lemon; and Loomis Hall, Market street, built in 1870 by Hon. J. H. Loomis. Williams Opera House, Exchange street, adjoining the Wyoming House, was built in 1879 by Charles Williams. The building is of brick, sixty-three by one hundred and ten feet, and con- tains two large stores and a livery stable, besides the Opera House. It has an elevation of sixty feet from the water table and seventy feet from the basement floor. The whole building is warmed by steam and furnished with all the modern improvements, costing over $15,000.

The machine shop owned by Earl Fay is run by the At- tica mill water power. It is located in the rear of the Loomis block, on Main street, entrance from High street. This shop is equipped for a variety of work, and is mostly devoted to repairing farm tools and machinery.

The lumber and coal dealers are John Belden, on Wash- ington street, and George S. Drew, Exchange street. The blacksmithing business is carried on by I. H. Toms, on Main street; Isaac Toms, Water street, and Isaacs & Knapp, Ex- change street. There are two carriage and sleigh manufac- turing establishments here-Charles Morganstern's, Water street, and that of Dauber Brothers, Main street.

The lawyers are A. J. Lorish and O. H. Hopkins, in the Loomis block, Main street, head of Market, and M. Trall and V. C. Peckham, Benedict block, corner of Main and Market streets.

The dentists are A. S. Cheeseman, over Rodgers's drug store, on Market street, and J. Q. Bradt, Main street.

Besides the Attica mills, there are two feed and flour stores-C. S. Thompson's, on Water street, and Henry Seirk & Son's, Main street, opposite Water.

The drug business is carried on by G. Dorrance & Son, east side, and R. J. Rogers and D. P. Steadman, west side of Market street. The jewelry business is conducted by H. T. Bramer, Main street, and George Taylor, Exchange street; and the cabinet and furniture trade by Frederick Trummell, Main street, and H. Groat, in the Loomis block. There are two large hardware houses here-Loomis, Tolles & Co , Main street, head of Market, and Andrews & Ballsmith, Main street, east end of the iron bridge. The dealers in groceries exclusively are J. D. Evans and C. W. Krauss, west side, and M. C. Shea, east side of Market street; L. Sanderson and P. Breicheisen, Main street; Henry Spann and .E. L. & G. D. Kenyon, Exchange street. Those dealing in dry goods exclusively are E. B. Wallace, H. L. Doty & Co., and Smith & Bostwick, all on the east side of Market street. The clothing houses are John Karcher's, west side of Market street, and the Philadelphia Clothing House, by I. Whiteson, north side of Main street, west of bridge. Clothing and boots and shoes are sold by Andrew Krauss & Co .; and boots and shoes exclusively by Carl Ganter, Market street, H. Palmer and L. Balduf, Exchange street. A. Krauss & Co., east side of Market street, are wholesale boot and shoe manufacturers. Merchant tailoring is carried on by V. Decot, west side of Market street. The maible business is conducted by Julius Baur, east side of Market street; and wholesale liquor stores are kept by I. E: Jefferson, Exchange street, north of the railroad, and J .. E. Noblett, Market street. The cigar manufacturers are Smith & Frey, Sanderson block, Market street, and H. L. Belott,

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HISTORY OF WYOMING COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Exchange street. The Attica brewery was built in 1878 by R. H. Farnham, at the east end of Main street. It has a capacity of six thousand barrels of lager beer per annum. There are three meat markets-one on Market, one on Main, and one on Exchange street. There are two barber shops, four paint shops, one cooper shop, three dressmakers, four millinery stores, and various other trades usually carried on in a village of the size of Attica, which has about 2,500 inhabitants.

The resident physicians are Drs. J. A. Post, C. R. Seeley, W. B. Gifford, F. R. Barross, A. G. Ellenwood, S. C. Archer and Orin Davis, the last of whom has for many years resided on the corner of Main and Exchange streets.

Dr. Davis established his Health Institute in Attica in 1854. Its continued success during a quarter of a century has constituted an important item in the history of the village.

The hay trade is a large item of the business interests of this place. T. F. Wilson's steam apparatus for cutting, pressing and baling hay, at the junction of Pearl with Genesee street, can cut, press and bale, and load into cars, a ton of hay in forty minutes. Thomas Cook's hay barn is located near the junction of Main and Pearl streets, by the side of the Central railroad track. He makes a business of buying, packing and shipping hay, to supply the New York Central stock yard at Buffalo. His shipments at times amount to one hundred and fifty tons per month.

The cultivation of flowers and ornamental plants always marks an enlightened stage of civilization. Mrs. A. S. Stevens planted the first flower garden in Attica, many years ago, on Main street, nearly opposite the Presbyterian church. and it is to-day one of the loveliest places in the village. In the fall of 1876, her son, Mr. R. S. Stevens, built the Attica Green House, in the rear of the Erie depot, of which Mr. Frederick Snyder is the lessee. The location, sloping south, is well adapted to plant culture. The buildings and fixtures, exclusive of the plants, cost $3,000. Mr. Snyder has stocked the place with thousands of floral beauties, embracing over five hundred varieties, which include many rich and rare novelties and attractive old favorites. Mr. Snyder is at home in his vocation, and by his taste and skill has built up one of the many paying institutions of Attica. There are many places in this village that might be mentioned for their floricultural beauty, and it is safe to say that there is no place of its size in the State that makes such a floral display as Attica.

THE CHURCHES OF ATTICA. FIRST BAPTIST.

In a small log house owned by Simeon Williams, about one mile east of what is now Attica, was organized, August 2Ist, 1806, the first Baptist church on the Holland Purchase, consisting of eight members, Deacon J. Tubbs acting as moderator, and S. Williams clerk .. January 30th, 1808, it was publicly recognized, with a membership of thirteen; Rev. Joel Butler, Deacon Reuben Osborn and Nathaniel Groves, of Sangersfield, N. Y., and Peter P. Roots, a mis- sionary, sitting in council.

Its earliest meetings were held in dwellings, school- houses, barns, and sometimes in the fields, as they could best be accommodated, until 1837, when the society became

sufficiently prosperous to build a meeting-house, which was erected under the pastorate of Rev. Joel W. Nye; and in 1867, under the energetic labors of Rev. P. J. Williams, then pastor, was remodeled and thoroughly repaired.

This church first joined the Holland Purchase Associa- tion, and in 1811 Rev. Reuben Osborn and Deacon Jonas Osborn, the first delegates, were sent to represent it in that body, which met at Willink, Erie county. In 1831, by request, it was dismissed therefrom, and united the same year with the Genesee Baptist Association. Riley Munger and Jacob Wood were the first delegates to that body. The church seemed to prosper at times until 1845, when diffi- culties arose of such a character as to distract and divide its members, and on May 24th of that year a resolution was passed to disband.

On January 5th, 1846, through the energetic labors of Deacons William Chaffee, Thomas Beasley, Jacob Wood, James Dunbar and others, it was reorganized, and on the 11th of February following was recognized by an ecclesias- tical council.

The first received by baptism were Jacob Wood, Robert Carr and John Stone, February 14th, 1808. Rev. Joel Butler preached the first sermon.

In 1809 Rev. Reuben Osborn became the settled pastor, and continued his labors until 1813, when he died. From that time until 1835 there was preaching a part of the time by Rev. Messrs. Hoxie, Case, Boomer, Herrick, Throop, B. Hill, Braman, I. Brown and Samuel Jones. Under the labors of the latter many were converted, and large acces- sions made to the church.

From the autumn of 1835 Joel W. Nye was pastor until the fall of 1837, when Rev. Mr. Wilson was called, and settled as pastor one year. Rev. O. D. Taylor next filled the pulpit until 1842; Rev. Mr. Buck until April, 1843, and Rev. Mr. Pickett until September following. Then the pulpit until 1846 was only occasionally supplied. Elder D. Munger was pastor from April 4th, 1846, until 1848; Rev. B. Hill until October, 1849. Then for about one year the pulpit was partially supplied by Elders J. Blain, R. Morey and Reed. Then Rev. C. Miner was pastor until March, 1855, and Rev. C. H. Underhill until his death, July 15th, 1856. Rev. A. Wells next filled the pulpit until March, 1859, when he resigned. .

For a short period thereafter the desk was very acceptably supplied by Rev. O. E. Mallory. In August, 1859, Rev. R. C. Palmer became pastor, and in May, 1860, Rev. A. Wade, who continued for one year. Rev. L. Davis remained until May, 1863. From this time until April, 1864, the pulpit was only occasionally supplied. Rev. C. H. James next became pastor; he left in October, 1866, and for about one year Rev. R. T. Smith preached. From October, 1867, Rev. P. J. Williams was pastor until April, 1869. Rev. I. W. Emery then preached two years, and was succeeded by Rev. M. P. Forbes; and he by Rev. B. T. Garfield, who died while here, lamented by all who knew him. Professor T. B. Lovell, of Attica, then supplied the pulpit until April, 1876, when Rev. A. Lindsay, the present pastor, was settled here.

The following is a list of the names of deacons and clerks, in their order:

Deacons - Simeon Williams, J. Tubb, Jonas Osborn, William Osborn, Riley Munger, William Chaffee, David Van

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BAPTIST AND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF ATTICA.

Slyke, Thomas Beasley, Giles Pettibone, James Dunbar, H. C. Wilbur and W. A. Pettibone; clerks-S. Williams, Benjamin Knapp, Jacob Wood, R. Munger, Dr. Walker, W. H. Andrews, Amos D. Munger, J. Hoxie, S. Ewell, Giles Pettibone, I .. Austin, W. A. Pettibone and E. F. Chaffee, the present clerk.

This church is in a prosperous condition, with a member- ship of eighty.

The Sabbath-school connected with this church dates from the year 1832, when Deacon William Chaffee organized and conducted a Sabbath-school in the brick school-house three miles south of the village of Attica, in which vicinity many families connected with the Baptist church then re- sided. After a short time it was held in the Baptist meeting house in Attica. E. F. Chaffee, a son of Deacon Chaffee, was superintendent some years, under whose care the school prospered and increased. Prof. T. B. Lovel, who has been principal of the academy in Attica since 1869, has superin- tended the school successfully for the past five years. The average attendance of pupils ranges from eighty to one hun- dred, and the library contains over four hundred volumes.

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History of Wyoming County, N.Y., with Illustrations, Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Some Pioneers and Prominent Residents, Part 35

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: F.W. Beers & Co. Number of Pages:

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: F.W. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: