USA > New York > Wyoming County > History of Wyoming County, N.Y., with Illustrations, Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Some Pioneers and Prominent Residents > Part 64
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The town is located in the central part of the county, and for a time was a formidable rival of Warsaw for the location of the county seat. The first courts and meetings of the supervisors were held in a public house at East Orange- ville.
The town is six miles square, and contains about 22,500 acres. The census report of 1875 shows that at that time there were 16,574 acres improved and 5,434 acres of wood- land, valued at $746,150. The valuation of buildings other than dwellings was $80,520, of stock, $122,868, and of farm tools and implements, $30,982. The gross amount of sales from farms in 1874 was $89,274. The number of tons of hay produced that year was 5,671. The number of acres of pas- ture in 1875 was 6,915, and of meadow, 4,915.
A quite uniform loss in the population of the town since 1845 is exhibited by the State census returns of half a century, which are annexed: 1830, 1,525; 1835, 1.791; 1840, 1,949; 1845, 1,410; 1850, 1,438; 1855, 1,441; 1860, 1,419; 1865, 1,322; 1870, 1,217; 1875, 1,160.
SCHOOLS OF THE TOWN.
The first school-house in district No. 2 was built, of- logs, about 1813. It stood in the present highway, on the south part of lot 56, and was occupied for school purposes until 1824, when a frame building was put up on the southeast corner of the same lot, near the site of the present school-
house. Among the early teachers in this district were Ralph Williams and Susan Joslin.
The first school taught in district No. 5 was in a log build- ing standing on lot 37, which was used for this purpose and for religious meetings for several seasons. The first teacher here was Corina Lewis, a sister of Truman Lewis., She was followed by Almira Merrell, afterward Mrs. Reuben Stone. Among other early teachers here were Esther Smith, Adams Gibson, Isaac Bronson and Cyrus and Thomas Tanner.
A log school-house was built in district No. 6 as early as 1814. It stood about twenty-five rods south of the present one, and was used for day-schools until 1824, when a new frame building was erected on the site of the present one. The present school-house was built in 1848. Among the early teachers here were Jane McLaughlin, Louisa Cowdin and Phebe Foster.
The town at one time was divided into thirteen districts and parts of districts, but a decrease in the school popula- tion necessitated the consolidation of districts from time to time, until at present there are but six school districts in the town, with as many frame school-houses. The amount of school money divided among these six districts in 1879 was $636.29.
POST-OFFICES AND MAIL ROUTES.
A post-office was established at Orangeville Center as early as 1814. Jeremiah Merrell received the appointment of postmaster, which office he held until 1841. The mail route was from Aurora, in Erie county, through the town of Orangeville to Warsaw. The mail was carried through semi-weekly on horse back; Chipman P. Turner was the postboy. About 1836 this route became a daily one, and a line of four-horse coaches, running from Canandaigua, through Warsaw and Orangeville, to Ellicottville, was put upon the route and run until the completion and opening of the Erie railroad through the county.
The first post-office at Johnsonsburg was established about 1828. George A. Johnson was the first postmaster. The office was kept in his store on the east side of Tonawanda creek.
The post-office at East Orangeville was established about 1850. Marshall B. Crossett was appointed the first post- master here, but was soon after superseded by Francis Fullington.
The only mail route into the town now is a tri-weekly one from Warsaw, via East Orangeville, to Orangeville Center.
THE ORANGEVILLE PIONEER ASSOCIATION
was formed for the purpose of perpetuating the memory of the pioneers and prominent residents of the town, and for social intercourse and amusement. The original movers in its organization were Ephraim Wheeler, Chauncey and Ches- ter L. Wolcott, George H. Dunham and Harvey Stone. It was organized in June, 1876, by the election of Ephraim Wheeler president, and George H. Dunham secretary, who are still retained in the same capacity. Its official meetings occur annually in June, and thus far a general meeting and pioneer picnic has been held on the 4th of July of each year, at Wolcott's grove, on lot 34. These annual gatherings have increased in interest and popularity, being attended by ousands of people from the country.
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ORANGEVILLE AND JOHNSONSBURG-THE DAIRY INTEREST.
DAIRY INTERESTS AND CHEESE FACTORIES.
Dairying was initiated here by Reuben Stone, who, in 1823, having come into possession of two farms adjoining his own on lot 28, purchased about twenty cows and commenced the manufacture of butter and cheese. During the following five years Truman Lewis, Spaulding Wheeler, Jerry Merrell, J.yman H. Babbitt and a few others embarked in the same business, which has become the chief industry in the town. Cheese factories were introduced in 1864. There are now six in the town.
The Johnsonsburg Cheese Factory was built in April, 1864, and was the first establishment of the kind erected in the town. It is a frame structure, sixty by one hundred feet in size, and two stories high. It is on lot 61, near Johnsonsburg, and contains three vats and twenty-four presses. It made in 1878 about 185,coo pounds of cheese. It is still owned and managed by George Hoy, its builder.
Orangeville Center Cheese Factory .- This factory, on lot 30, near Orangeville Center, was built in May, 1864, by James C. Wilcox and Monroe Ferry. It is a frame two-story building, thirty by one hundred feet in size, and contains two vats and eleven presses. The amount of cheese made here in 1878 was 95,000 pounds. This factory, after changing hands several times, was purchased in February, 1878, by George Hoy, the present owner.
The Orangeville Center Branch Factory was built in 1870, by Wilder & Hutchinson, on lot 48. The main part is thirty by forty-eight feet, two stories high; the workroom and dwell- ing attached is twenty-eight by forty-eight feet, and one story high. It contains two vats and eleven presses, and made in 1878 90,000 pounds of cheese. This factory is now owned and managed by George Hoy.
The East Orangeville Cheese Factory was erected in 1865, on lot 5, by Crossett, Peck & Eisenbart. It is thirty-six by one hundred feet, two stories high, and contains four vats and twenty-seven presses. It manufactured in 1878 195,000 pounds of cheese. It is owned by Charles A. Green.
The Boler Cheese Factory .- This factory was built in 1870, on lot 15, by R. Boler, and was worked by him until 1876, when it was sold to George Hoy, who still owns and manages it. It is a frame, two-story, thirty-six by one hundred feet structure, containing two vats and fourteen presses, and in 1878 made 85,000 pounds of cheese.
The sixth cheese factory in the town was built on lot 49, in the spring of 1879, by Obadiah Tilton and Peter Eisen- bart, and contains two vats and thirteen presses.
ORANGEVILLE,
located three-fourths of a mile north of the geographical center of the town, contains a grocery store and hotel com- bined, a steam saw-mill, a tannery, a cheese factory, a black- smith shop, a shoe shop, two churches, a school-house, and twelve or fifteen dwellings, occupied principally by farmers. Settlements were begun here as early as 1807 by Jeremiah Merrell, Ebenezer Tyrrell, and perhaps one or two others. In 1811 Isaac Moore opened a tavern in a log building on the southeast corner of the two streets, which he kept until 1816, when it was removed and a frame hotel .built on the same site by Jeremiah Mitchell, who continued the business until 1834. Silas Hubbard opened a store in this vicinity about 1814; three years later he was succeeded by Noah,
Merrell, jr. Among other early merchants were Charles Jennison and William and Sanger Marsh. A tannery was built here in 1814 by Spaulding Wheeler and Captain Wil- liam Tanner. It was located about twenty rods north of the present tannery, and was built before the road from War- saw to Orangeville was established. Tanner came from Otsego county in 1814, and was a tanner and currier by oc- cupation. He remained in company with Mr. Wheeler about ten years, when he sold out, and the business was continued by Wheeler & Briggs until 1828. Mr. Briggs then retired from the firm, and the tannery was .owned and operated thereafter by Spaulding Wheeler and his sons, Schuyler and Ephraim Wheeler, successively, until 1848, when the latter erected a new tannery on the same lot and abandoned the first one. The present establishment is a two and a half story frame building, fifty by sixty feet in size, with a stone basement, and has a capacity of tanning seven thousand hides per annum.
JOHNSONSBURG.
Johnsonsburg contains two stores, a hotel, a grist-mill, two saw-mills, a map roller factory, a cheese factory, two blacksmith, one wagon and two harness shops, two churches, and about 250 inhabitants. A man named Martin is sup- posed to have been the first settler at this place, as early as 1816. He located on the east side of the creek, where he commenced to build a saw-mill. In 1819 he sold to Levi Johnson and removed. Mr. Johnson completed the saw- mill, and the same year built a grist-mill at the same place, which was operated by him and his sons until 1834, when the present one was built by George and James Johnson sons of Levi Johnson. The saw-mill continued in use until it was worn out. A second saw mill was put up on the east side of the creek, by Alfred Jones, about 1830, which is still standing. A cloth-dressing establishment was constructed in a part of the grist-mill about 1820, and operated by Levi Johnson and Artemus Mehan. Levi Johnson and Harvey Johnson built a distillery about 1824, on the east side of the creek, which was kept running ten or twelve years.
The first store at this place was built and kept by George Johnson, on the east side, about 1827. Jonas Gates built and opened the first hotel, about 1828, on the site of the present hotel on the west side of the creek. Joseph Lewis built and kept a hotel on the west side about 1830.
John Foote built a tannery on the east side in 1853, which he operated until 1865, when it was sold to Horace Thayer, who converted the building into a map roller factory, for which purpose it is still used. Mr. Thayer was drowned in the mill pond near this factory March 15th, 1875, while at- tempting to clear the ice from the dam.
Dr. Barber was the first physician to locate at Johnsons- burg.
JOHNSONSBURG SOCIETIES.
Sons of Temperance .- A lodge of this order was organized at Johnsonsburg on the 15th of August, 1869, under the name of Tonawanda Division, No. 4, S. of T., by Mr. Boughton, of New York. The first officers were: Horace Thayer, W. P .; Augusta Rudd, W. A .; J. E. Lewis, R. S .; Mrs. L. H. Jones, A. R. S .; E. J. Johnson, F. S .; George A. Blair, treasurer; James Tilton, conductor; Jennie Dunham, A. C .; Alfreda Patterson, I. S .; Willie Lewis, O. S .; Alonzo
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HISTORY OF WYOMING COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Dunham, chaplain; A. Dunham, P. W. P .; George W. Blair, deputy G. W. P. This organization maintained an existence until February, 1873, when it was disbanded and the Good Templars lodge formed.
West Star Lodge, No. 107, Good Templars was constituted February 15th, 1873, by county deputy E. W. Hatch, with sixty-two members. The first officers elected were: C. F. Bentley, lodge deputy; Obadiah Tilton, W. C. T .; Miss Augusta P. Rudd, W. V. T .; Edward Reeves, W. S .; J. J. Head, W. F. S .; Mrs. Harriet A. Head, W. T .; Chester E. Head, W. M .; Miss Angeline Dodge, I. G .; Joseph Head, O. G .; F. L. Gladding, P. W. C. T. The lodge now num- bers thirty members, and meets' every Friday evening in Tozier's Hall.
Johnsonsburg Lodge, No. 3, Empire Order of Mutual Aid was organized April 15th, 1878, by George Sanborn, of At- tica, with fifteen charter members. The first officers were : W. J. Standish, past president; J. W. Jones, president; D. R. Munger, vice-president; L. H. Tozier, secretary; E. D. Tuttle, financial secretary; Joseph Ward, treasurer; George West, conductor; H. J. Conger, chaplain; Horace Patrick, inside guardian; Dr. J. C. Van Pelt, outside guardian. The present membership is 15.
The Johnsonsburg Cornet Band was organized in the spring of 1878, with twelve members. The first officers were: Ephraim J. Johnson, president; Truman L. Stone, secretary; William Lewis, treasurer. Emery W. Chase served as leader until his sudden death, November 10th, 1878. The same day H. D. Bentley, another member, also died. T. L. Stone was then chosen leader, which position he still holds. The instruments and equipments so far have cost about $250.
CHURCH HISTORIES.
BAPTIST CHURCH OF ORANGEVILLE.
The first religious organization in the town of Orangeville was Baptist. It was constituted a church in the early part of 1812, with seven constituent members, among whom was James Sayer, who was the first church clerk. William Chase and his wife, John Grover, Nicholas Reddish, William De Voe, Job Whitting, and Elisha Doty and wife were early members. The first addition to the church by baptism was Mrs. Elizabeth Merrifield. This church was given fifty acres of lot 20 by the Holland Land Company.
Among the preachers previous to 1833 were Rev. Messrs. Butler and Case, who were probably the first pastors, fol- lowed by Elders Jonas Tuttle, Stutson, Anson and Jabez Boomer. The latter became a resident of the town as early as 1823, and remained several years. He was then in Ohio a few years, but returned.
This church was duly incorporated under the name of " The First Calvinistic Baptist Society of the Town of Orangeville," January 11th, 1823, at a meeting held at the school-house in district No. 4. The trustees elected at that time were James Sayer, John Grover, John W. Meddick, Festus Pettibone, Isaac Boardman, Eli Rood and Oliver Hoisington. This society was reincorporated March 16th, 1842, under the same title, at which time Ephraim Wheeler, Alfred S. Wilcox, Amos Winslow, John Chapin, Charles J. Blackmer, Darius Stone and Hiram Jones were elected trus- tees. The religious and business meetings of the church and
society were held at various places, principally in school- houses in the. central and northern portions of the town, until 1852, when the present frame meeting-house was built at Orangeville Center, on ground donated by Ephraim Wheeler. The structure is thirty-two by forty feet in size, and cost about $1,200.
Elder Jabez Boomer closed a pastorate here in the begin- ning of 1833, and was soon followed by Rev. Peter Freeman, who remained one year or a little more. On July 12th, 1834, the church granted a license to one of its members, Chester Coe, to preach.
The deacons in 1833 were James Sayer and Ezra Olin, and Ira Jones was chosen clerk in October of the same year. Chester Coe was ordained and installed pastor of this church March 18th, 1835, and continued until September 3d, 1836. when he was deposed from the ministry. In May. 1837, Rev. Jabez Boomer returned from. Newbury, O., and again assumed the pastorate of the church. He remained until 1840, and was followed in April of that year by Rev. Alba Thorp, who continued until January 1st, 1842. Rev. Moses Pickett preached a year from March, 1842; Rev. Thomas Phillips one year from May, 1843; Rev. P. Nichols one year.
Alvin Plumley, a licentiate from Hume, Allegany county, became a member of this church November 7th, 1845, and supplied the pulpit for a time. He was ordained here Sep- tember 30th, 1846, and continued as pastor until the spring of 1857. Rev. William Baxton, from Bethany, preached two years from April, 1858, after whom Rev. Russell T. Smith was pastor one or two years. During the year 1867 Rev. D. B. Morgan labored here, after which the pulpit was supplied for a time by Elder W. I. Crane, of Warsaw, since which the church has had no regular minister and only occasional preaching.
In 1854 the church numbered 45 members, and 34 in 1 867, since which time it has been gradually decreasing until there are very few left.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ORANGEVILLE.
This church was organized by Rev. John Alexander, at Orangeville Center, July 11th, 1812, with nine constituent members, viz. : Israel Branch, Samuel Mehan, Samuel H. Smith, Noah Merrell, Mary Branch, Hepzibah Merrell, Amanda Teil, Betsey Smith and Anna Mehan. Israel Branch was elected the first deacon, and Noah Merrell first clerk. Rev. James H. Hotchkin, in his history of the Presbyterian church of western New York, says: "The present church of Orangeville was, as the writer supposes, named Attica, and. was organized a Congregational church. It was re- ceived under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, on the 'accommodating ' plan, September 21st, 1813. From that presbytery it was transferred to Niagara, and from Niagara to Genesee, on the establishment of those presbyteries. In 1825 it consisted of twenty-two members; in 1834 of ninety- eight, and in 1846 of one hundred and two."
The first additions to the church were on July 12th, 1812, when Daniel Easton and Amanda Teil, were baptized by Rev. John Alexander. In the spring of 1813 the pulpit was supplied by Rev. F. Miller. He was followed in July of that year by Rev. Silas Hubbard, who preached here and at Warsaw two years and a half. Rev. Hippocrates Rowe came in September, 1816, and was installed as pastor of this
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ORANGEVILLE CHURCH HISTORIES.
and the Warsaw church December 4th, 1816, and continued two years probably. Mr. Hotchkin says that " in 1819 the church was vacant, and from that period down to 1834 was for the principal part of the time reported vacant." The church was favored, however, with preaching during that time by Rev. Hugh Wallace for four years from September, 1818; Rev. Abiel Parmele during the year 1825; followed by Rev. Hugh Wallace again; Rev. Warren Day, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, preached a year, from April, 1829; Rev. John C. Morganthen preached three years, and Rev. Justin Marsh from 1833 un- til 1836. "Rev. William C. Kniffin was installed pastor of this church January 7th, 1836. He continued a little more than one year, and was dismissed February 16th, 1837." The preachers since that time have been Rev. Messrs. Isaac Chichester, as stated supply from 1837 to 1841; Nathaniel T. Yeomans from 1841 to 1846; R. H. Conklin as stated supply in 1846; William Platt one year from 1849; - - Baldwin during the years 1850 and 1851; Warren Day four years from 1851; E. H. Stratton four years from 1855; John A. Allen for the year 1860; Martin B. Gregg from 1861 to 1865; J. W. Hunt from 1865 to 1867; . Quigley in 1868; - Dewey in 1869 and 1870; A. G. Wilcox in 1876 and 1877, and F. Billsby in 1879. For several years past the church has had preaching only at irregular intervals. The number of members is five. In 1844 the session con- sisted of Elders Jeremiah Merrell, James Webster, Truman Lewis, Harvey Case and Marshall B. Crossett; the deacons were Harvey Case and Gurdon Armstrong.
In 1826 the society built a large frame meeting-house at Orangeville. The site was opposite the present Presbyterian church, and was donated to the society for church purposes by Jeremiah Merrell. This structure was never completed, and in 1848 it was taken down and removed to East Orange- ville, where it was converted into a hotel and occupied as such for many years. The present church edifice was built in 1848, at a cost of about $1,800. It is a frame structure, about thirty-four by fifty feet in size, and was completed and dedicated in 1849.
THE ORANGEVILLE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.
This society was formed in the southeastern part of the town, and existed as an "indulged meeting," according to the usage of . that denomination, as early as 1816. Five or six years later it was formally organized or established at the house of Jeremiah Butler, on lot 10. The leading constit- uent members were: Jeremiah, Phineas and Jeduthan Butler, Ephraim Durfee, John Head, Samuel Coon, Daniel Freeman and John S. Carr. The society built a meeting- house on lot 10 about 1819, which, though for many years unoccupied, is still standing, a small, unpretending frame structure, without dome or spire. The early recommended ministers of this society were Daniel Freeman and Joseph Head. About 1828 there was a general division of the society throughout the country. After this division the "orthodox " branch of this society held their meetings at the house of Phineas Butler, on lot 19, and the " Hicksites " continued to occupy the meeting-house. These branches long since ceased to exist as a society. There are at present only three persons living who were members of either branch. They are Joseph Head and his wife and William Hall, and are among the oldest inhabitants of the town.
UNION EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
This society was organized in the north part of the town in 1831, with twenty-nine inembers, among whom were Michael Glor, Christian Broadbrooks, Louis Bauer, Jacob Meder, Peter West, Henry Rummage and Michael Warner. The first pastor was Rev. William Feil, followed by Revs. Henry Hohnhulz, T. A. Bayer, - Schembadius, John Keller, William Brombacher, Christian Hilderbrand, Charles Siebenpfeifer,- Schmit, George Wiehe and John Althouse, who came in 1849. Rev. Henry Lausterer came in 1864 and remained three years, followed by Rev. Julius Tennessen for one year. Rev. George J. Long preached from March 4th, 1869, to October 4th, 1870. In 1843 the society built a church on lot 48, which was afterward blown down. It was rebuilt on the same spot, at a cost of about $2,000. In 1870 the society erected a new church on lo't 40, opposite the first one, on a lot donated by Henry Glor. It is of wood, fifty by forty feet in size, and cost $3,700. It was completed and dedicated by Rev. George J. Long in No- vember, 1870, at which time a division took place between the Lutherans and Dutch Reformed, of which the union was originally formed, the Lutherans withdrawing from the Union Evangelical Society to the number of about fifty. They, however, retained possession of the new church, and were ministered to by Rev. Mr. Long for about a year, when it was legally decided by the courts that they had no title to the church property as a society, and they were obliged to surrender it. The adherents to the name of Union Evan- gelical Society took possession of the new edifice, and have since held meetings there. Rev. Charles R. Beyer became their pastor January Ist, 1872, and remained until January Ist, 1878, when he was followed by the present pastor, Rev. T. Huber. The present membership is about forty.
The Lutheran branch of this society returned to the old church, which they still occupy. With the exception of about one year's absence, during which time Rev. Otto Schroeder supplied the pulpit, Rev. Mr. Long has had charge of this church to the present. The membership numbers about thirty-five.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
A Methodist Episcopal class was formed in the northeast part of the town, as a branch of the Warsaw charge, about 1850. Among its original members were Chester Perkins and wife, Moses Perkins, Silas Snyder, Roswell Warren and wife, and Lucius Byam and wife. Chester Perkins was chosen the first class leader. In 1853 the class was set off to the Wethers- field circuit, and Rev. Ephraim Herrick became pastor. Among the ministers who followed him were Revs. John P. Kent, Newell Newton, Samuel Hopkins, - Gould, Elam Jeffers, Joseph Terry (who was twice on this circuit), Joseph Latham, jr., John Hills and John W. Vaughn.
In 1861 the society built a meeting-house on lot 7, on ground donated by Lucius Byam. The building is of wood, twenty-eight by forty feet in size, and cost $900. It was dedicated in December, 1861. At this time the church num- bered 40 members. After the pastorate of Mr. Vaughn the church was disbanded, and most of the remaining members united with the Warsaw society. The church building is now the property of Samuel W. Perkins, of Warsaw. .
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HISTORY OF WYOMING COUNTY, NEW YORK.
FIRST FREE METHODIST CHURCH.
This church was organized in Johnsonsburg, by Ephraim Herrick, in 1862. Elder A. H. Green was the first pastor. Meetings were held in the school-house at Johnsonsburg the first year. In 1863 the society built a meeting-house at that place, which was completed and dedicated in January, 1864, by Rev. D. W. Thurston. The following pastors have min- istered to this church, coming in the order named, and remaining one year, unless otherwise mentioned.
A. H. Green, P. Butterfield, O. O. Bacon, P. Butterfield. second time; G. W. Humphrey, two years; H. Hornsby; W. Jackson, two years; A. H. Green, second time; A. A. Bur- gess, two years; J. Walton; A. B. Mathewson, two years; and the present pastor, who came in 1877. The present number of members is 16.
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