USA > New York > Wyoming County > History of Wyoming County, N.Y., with Illustrations, Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Some Pioneers and Prominent Residents > Part 79
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In May, 1830, Andrew W. Young commenced the War- saw Sentinel, which was continued until December, 1831, when it was merged in the Republican Advocate, of Batavia.
In 1836 the American Citizen was commenced by J. A. Hadley, at Warsaw. It was published here one year, and then removed to Perry, where it was published by Mitchell & Warren. The publication was continued until 1841, when the concern was removed to Rochester.
The Watch Tower, a Baptist paper, was issued from the office of the American Citizen at Warsaw in 1839, by Ansel Warren, and published about one year.
A campaign paper, called the Register, was published in 1840, by Isaac N. Stoddart and John H. Bailey.
In 1844 E. L. Fuller started the Wyoming Republican at Warsaw, and continued it until March, 1847.
The Western New Yorker was commenced at Perry in January, 1841, by John H. Bailey. Shortly afterward it passed into the hands of Barlow & Woodward, who re- moved it to Warsaw. It was successively published by Barlow & Blanchard, S. S. Blanchard, and, after his death,
by H. A. Dudley until April 1st, 1858; subsequently by E. W. Andrews, Andrews & Harrington, Harrington & Farman, Morse & Merrill and W. H. Merrill, who continued its pub- lication until October, 1864, when it was united with the Wyoming Mirror, and was published by Dudley & Merrill till August, 1875, since which time it has been published by H. A. Dudley.
The Wyoming County Mirror was started at Warsaw in March, 1848; Alanson Holley, publisher. From October, 1849, H. A. Dudley was a partner until September, 1850, when he retired. Mr. Holley continued publication until 1855, when he sold out to E. L. Babbitt and R. S. Lewis. In March, 1857, Mr. Lewis became sole proprietor, and he continued such until March, 1858, when W. H. Merrill be- came a partner with Lewis. January Ist, 1859, H. A. Dudiey purchased the Mirror, and published it until October, 1864. when it was merged in the Western New Yorker.
The Arcade Times was started in November, 1869, by S. W. Wade, and published at Arcade until January, 1876, when it was removed to Warsaw, and in October, 1876, the name was changed to the Wyoming County Times, by which it is now known.
The Wyoming Democrat was commenced at Warsaw in March, 1863, by John Ransom, and published till August, 1870, when it was purchased by B. H. Randolph, who changed its name to the Wyoming County Democrat, and by whom it is now published.
The Masonic Tidings was commenced in 1865, as a semi- monthly, at Warsaw, by John Ransom. In 1870 it was re- moved to Lockport and published for one year, when it suspended.
CEMETERIES IN WARSAW.
The first cemetery in the town was that which is now known as the "old burying ground," on the east side of Main street. In the spring of 1804 a two-year-old son of Sterling Stearns died at Mr. Webster's. "Amos Keeny, William Webster and Elijah Cutting," says Mr. Young, "cut away a few trees, dug.a grave and buried the child. A son of Nehemiah Fargo, five years of age, drowned in the Oatka creek the ensuing fall, was next buried in that ground. The third burial was that of Dwight Noble, the first adult per- son who died in this town, January, 1807. In due time definite bounds were fixed and the lot enclosed." .
As nearly as can be learned the only title to this ground that was ever acquired was given by the owners of the land to individuals purchasing lots. It appears from the town records that it was treated as public property, and during many years sextons were appointed at the annual town meet- ing.
Two other burial grounds were opened in the east part of the town, and one on the West hill near the " Hatch farm;" but they were given up, and not being public property they have been plowed over and effaced.
It soon.became necessary to enlarge the old ground, and in March, 1850, the Warsaw Cemetery Association was formed, and the following officers were elected: Elijah Nor- ton, Edwin B. Miller, George H. Morris, Abel Webster, Alanson Holley, John A. McElwain, Joshua H. Darling, Timothy H. Buxton and Allen Fargo. The trustees bought and laid out the lot of R. R. Munger, on the west side of the road, opposite the old burying ground. The cemetery
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WARSAW FIRE DEPARTMENT-READING-ROOMS-TOWN CLOCKS.
was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies on the 7th of September, 1850, the clergymen of the village taking part. The address was delivered by Judge W. Riley Smith, and original odes prepared for the occasion were sung. In April, 1876, a committee consisting of Augustus Frank, Timothy H. Buxton and Simeon D. Lewis was appointed to buy additional ground. In October, 1877, this committee bought about eight acres just south of the "old burying ground " belonging to the Renwick estate, lying on the east side of Main street and nearly opposite the present cemetery.
The present trustees of the association are Augustus Frank, Wolcott J. Humphrey, Noble Morris, Simeon D. Lewis, James O. McClure, Joseph H. Brown, Norman R. Sted man, Lloyd A. Hayward and Abram B. Lawrence, of whom the following are the officers: President, Hon. Augustus Frank; vice-president, Joseph H. Brown; secretary, James O. Mc- Clure; treasurer, Simeon D. Lewis; executive committee- W. J. Humphrey, Noble Morris, Norman R. Stedman.
FIRE DEPARTMENT-GREAT FIRE-WATER WORKS.
About 1834 the citizens of Warsaw bought a fire engine and hose. A fire company was organized, embracing many of the prominent men of the town. The engine house stood on the south side of Genesee street, just in the rear of the tavern on the corner of Main and Genesee streets. The organization continued many years, but was finally allowed to disband.
What has been known in Warsaw as the great fire occurred on the night of February 19th, 1867. It broke out about midnight in a photographic gallery on the west side of Main street, where L. E. Walker's book store now stands. From the corner of Buffalo and Main streets all the buildings on the east side of Main street to a point opposite Genesee street were burned. The value of the property destroyed was about $150,000. The final result was favorable, for the "burnt district " was rebuilt in vastly superior style.
In October, 1868, within the limits of the district before burnt, two grocery stores and a clothing store were destroyed, involving a loss of about $30,000.
This fire (the last serious one in the village) awakened people to the necessity of providing suitable protection. A public meeting was at once called. The formation of a joint stock company, to utilize the supply of water which was known. to exist in the vicinity, was resolved on. A charter was granted by the Legislature in 1869, naming as corporators John A. McElwain, William Bristol, Ransom A. Crippen, Thomas S. Glover, Augustus Frank, William D. Miner and Timothy H. Buxton. The capital stock was fixed at $20,000, with the privilege of an increase to $25,000. During the summer of 1869 surveys and estimates were made by James O. McClure, and in the spring of 1870 the entire work was let by contract to Messrs. Michellon & Sexton, of Philadelphia, who completed it in the autumn of that year. The reservoir on the East hill is fed by numerous springs, and has an elevation above Main street of two hundred and sixty-five feet. The water was let into the pipes on the 26th of November, 1870, and since that time the supply has never failed.
Although the only object of these works was to furnish a supply of water for protection against fire, the water came to be used for domestic purposes to such an extent that it was deemed expedient to increase the supply. For this
purpose a reservoir was constructed on the West hill, about two miles southwest from the village, at an elevation of three hundred and twenty feet, and connected by pipes with the works already constructed. This reservoir has an abundant supply of water, and there are facilities for increasing this supply to any necessary extent. The expense was defrayed from the income of the company without increase of the capital stock. More than four miles of supply mains are laid in the principal streets, and five hydrants are placed at proper intervals. The reservoirs are so high that no engines are needed. The water is also utilized to some extent for the propulsion of light machinery.
The fire department of Warsaw was established in 1871. During that year Cataract hose company was organized, with W. W. Moody as foreman and twenty-four members.
In 1877 Warsaw hook and ladder company was organ- ized, with twenty-four members, and John Hanigan foreman. In that year both companies acquired a legal status under the general act of incorporation. Both are provided with carts, hose, ladders, etc., at the expense of the village.
George M. Jennings and Charles Klein are the foremen respectively of the hose and hook and ladder companies.
The chief engineers of the fire department have been the following: William Bristol, 1871, 1872: James O. McClure, 1873, 1874, 1879; Simeon D. Lewis, 1875-77: Spencer Cronkhite, 1878.
LIBRARY AND READING-ROOMS.
In 1823 a library was established under the act of April Ist, 1796. The following were the subscribers:
James Crocker, Chauncey L. Sheldon, Theophilus Capen, Benjamin L. Wat- kins, Jobn Crocker, Howard Bosworth, Daniel Bookwell, Henry Woodward, Joba A. Mollwain. Jonas Cutting, Aaron Rumsey, Lyman Morris, Jostab Hovey, Eli Dibble, jr., William G. Whitney, Hiram Giddings, Allen Fargo, Blas Kidder, Oliver Les, Elisha W. Soovel, Solomon Morris, Jr., John Fer- gles, Augustus Frank, Cyrus Rice, Elijah Norton, E. C. Kimberly, Joba Wilder, Franois Newton, Samuel MoWborter, Mayhew Bafford, Nebemainb Park. jr., Elizur Webster, Samuel Barnard, John Truesdell, Francis Yates. Matthew Hoffman, Augustine U. Baldwin, Edward Putnam and John R. Knapp.
In 1841 a "Mechanics' Reading-room" was fitted up in an upper room of a wooden building on the west side of Main street, about where the Bank of Warsaw now stands. The room was well supplied with papers, and particularly those of scientific interest. Although it was conducted by the mechanics of the village, it was open to others.
In 1868 a reading-room was opened over the Bank of Warsaw, well filled with papers, magazines and quite a number of valuable books. The number of visitors has been large.
TOWN CLOCKS.
About the year 1835 or 1836 a clock was placed in the tower of the old Presbyterian church. It was bought and mostly paid for by Dr. Frank and a few others. It kept good time, and continued in use until the old church was removed in 1864, to make way for the present beautiful brick structure.
The following transcript from the town record for 1866 gives a sufficient history of the purchase and setting up of the second clock:
"Whereas the town of Warsaw has provided $600, and the village of War- saw has provided $300, to purchase a town clock to be put up in the tower of the Presbyterian church in Warsaw, and mid town and village have ap- pointed John A. McElwain and Jeremiab Watts a committee to purobase said clock and make arrangements with the trustees of Union Society for erecting said olook in mid tower, and have full power in the premises : DOW,
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HISTORY OF WYOMING COUNTY, NEW YORK.
therefore, the said MeElwain and Watts, as such committee, agree to pur- chase and provide such clock as shall be satisfactory to the trustees of said society, and to pay for the mme not exceeding the sum of $700; and if the mame shall cost any more than that sum said trustees shall be responsible for the excess over $700, and permit the same to be put up in said tower and re- main there as long as said trustees or their successors in office shall comply with the terms of the following agreement, viz .:
" Said trustees agree that said clock may be put up and kept up in said tower, and to furnish a suitable bell for the same to strike upon ; and that any person appointed by the trustees of said village shall have the right and privilege of entering said church at all proper times for the purpose of repairing and taking care of said clock, and keeping the same running and in running order."
This agreement was signed by J. A. McElwain and Jer- emiah Watts, committee, and by T. H. Buxton, Samuel Fisher, 2nd, Augustus Frank, Ransom A. Crippen and H. A. Dudley as trustees of Union Society.
BANKING.
During many years after the first settlement of this town what little banking business was necessary was done at Canandaigua, and later at Geneseo and Batavia, especially at the Bank of Genesee at Batavia.
In 1851 Joshua H. Darling established an individual bank at Warsaw, with a capital of $50,000. It was termed the Wyoming County Bank, and was a well managed institution. It closed in 1865 as an individual concern. Mr. Darling was president up to that time. The cashiers were E. May- nard, Charles Mosher, H. A. Metcalf, J. Darling and Henry B. Jenks.
The Wyoming County National Bank was organized in 1865 with a capital of $100,000. The directors were Joshua H. Darling, Augustus Frank, Henry B. Jenks, Lloyd A. Hayward and Artemas Blake.
The present directors are W. J. Humphrey, L. H. Hum- phrey, jr., Lloyd A. Hayward, George G. Hoskins and Simeon D. Lewis.
The presidents have been Joshua H. Darling, Lloyd A. Hayward and Wolcott J. Humphrey. L. Hayden Hum- phrey, jr., was chosen vice-president in 1873, and continues in that position. The cashiers have been H. B. Jenks and H. A. Metcalf.
The Bank of Warsaw commenced business February Ist, 1871. The Western New Yorker noticed the opening of the bank as follows:
"This institucion opened under very favorable circumstances last week. The growth of our village, its increasing business in manufactures and trade, and the wealth of the country around render Warsaw a good point for additional banking business. It seems almost a necessity, and there is a general expression of satisfaction at the opening of so promising an insti- tution and under such excellent management. The building has been under construction for some months past, and it is safe to my there is not a more convenient or tasteful bank building in this part of the State. Nothing has been left undone to make the building a model for banking business, and all that skill could produce or money purchase to guarantee perfect proteo- tion has been freely supplied. The bank is owned and will be controlled by Hon. Augustus Frank, one of the most sagacious, prudent, public-spirited and sound business men in the State, and one whose character will inspire confidence in the public mind. He has been uniformly successful in all bis varied business enterprises hitherto, watchful of all public and private interests committed to his care, and his complete success now is well as- sured."
The bank is located on Main street, in a beautiful brick building erected for the purpose. From its commencement it has been a successful, popular and well managed bank. George T. Loomis was its first cashier, for one year.
Eben O. McNair succeeded Mr. Loomis as cashier, and still remains as such, with Edward T. Buxton as assistant cashier.
WARSAW GAS WORKS.
In 1859 measures were taken to light the places of busi-
ness and the dwellings on the principal streets with gas. Messrs. Lawrence and Metcalf, under the name of the " War- saw Gaslight Company," erected works, and about a mile of mains were laid on Main and Buffalo streets. The gas was made from resin, and this being a product of the south, when the Rebellion broke out the price so advanced as to stop the manufacture of gas. Prior to this, however, the proprietors had been obliged to close their works.
Immediately after the close of the war in 1865 these works were bought by Messrs. Jeffres & Garlock, of Rochester, who had acquired the right to manufacture petroleum gas, which was then a new discovery. The works was fitted up for this purpose, and in the spring of 1867 gas was again sent through the mains. They operated successfully about three years, under the superintendence of Colonel J. O. Mc- Clure. They were then sold to Messrs. Hulett & Pettibone, of Niagara Falls, who changed them so as to manufacture the gas from naphtha. In 1871 the buildings were entirely consumed.
Immediately afterward the Citizens' Gaslight Company of Warsaw was formed, with a capital of $15,000. New and enlarged works were built, and the street mains were ex- tended. There are now about four miles of mains, and the number of consumers averages about two hundred. The price per thousand feet is $3, and the annual consumption is about one million feet. The gas is excellent, giving a light excelled by none.
The directors are Hon. Augustus Frank, Wolcott J. Humphrey, Byron Healy, Simeon D. Lewis, Lanson C. Woodruff, Thaddeus G. Hulett, Stoughton Pettibone, Ben- jamin F. Fargo and Norman D. Stedman.
The president of the board is Simeon D. Lewis; secretary and treasurer, Benjamin F. Fargo; superintendent, Spencer Cronkhite.
SCHOOLS AT WARSAW.
The first select school was commenced about 1835, and continued some two years. Rev. Anson Tuthill, who had taught in the Middlebury Academy, was the teacher.
Another select school was established by Rev. Julius Steele, pastor of the Presbyterian church, about 1825, and continued till the time of his removal, in 1831.
Rev. Stephen Parker, of Geneva, established an academic school in 1835 and continued it till 1837. Similar schools, the dates of which are not remembered, were taught by Mr. Paddock, Charles J. Judd and Josiah Hurty.
In 1822 a select school for young ladies was taught by Maria Clark, of Le Roy, and subsequently another by Lu- cinda Gregg, of Londonderry, N. H., who became the wife of Hon. William Patterson, a much esteemed citizen of Warsaw and a member of Congress.
A similar school was established in 1844, and continued several years by Anna P. Sill, afterward the founder of the well known female seminary at Rockford, Ill.
Miss Sophronia Broughton commenced a select school for young ladies on Livingston street, with assistant teachers Miss Quick, of Auburn, and Miss Arnot, of Pennsylvania. Miss Broughton is one of the most accomplished teachers in the United States.
Miss Emeline Monroe, afterward Mrs. Eli Rood, of Weth- ersfield, was a teacher of common and select schools some seven years, between 1830 and 1840. About this time what
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SCHOOLS AT WARSAW-THE M. E. CHURCH.
were termed infant schools became very popular, and such a school was established in Warsaw by Catharine W. Blanch- ard, who married Hon. John Fisher, now of Batavia.
In 1877 Miss A. A. Bartlett, who had been a successful teacher of adults, established a kindergarten-a form of primary school introduced in this country about ten years since. At first the number of children received was limited to ten, but the success of the undertaking was such that it became necessary to remove that limit.
As the population of the village increased the district school house, which was sufficient for all the needs of the district when erected, was found to be too small, and a more capacious house was erected on Genesee street. The second story was used for select schools, public meetings and various other purposes for twenty years. It was used as a masonic lodge room till the anti-masonic excitement in 1826, when it was given up by the masons. In the second story of this build- ing was held the first county court. After it ceased to be used for school purposes it became the property of Isaac C. Bronson, who removed it to the west side of Main street and converted it into stores. In the fire of 1867 it was burned.
Soon after the organization of the county the proposition was made and carried out to consolidate the school districts in the village and its immediate vicinity, and to establish a union graded school. Several districts were consolidated and new school buildings were erected in 1846, on the west side of Main street, just south from the Baptist church and nearly opposite the residence of Allen Fargo. Other small buildings were afterward erected in different parts of the village, on Genesee, Brooklyn and other streets, and used principally for primary scholars .. The principal edifice, on Main street, was of cobblestone, thirty-seven by thirty-five feet, and two stories in height. Its cost was $1,500, which at that time was considered a large expenditure for a school- house.
The first school in this building was taught by C. J. Judd, assisted by Misses Merrill and Stevens. It had one hundred and seventy pupils during the first term. This was a dis- trict school, and was subject to all the rules and regulations which governed other district schools. It was soon found that though this was a great improvement on the pre-exist- ing condition it did not yet meet the wants of the people; and the idea of adding to it an academic department was con- ceived. Necessary legislation was procured, and a meeting was held on the 13th of September, 1853. "for the purpose of determining by vote of the district whether a union free school shall be established therein, in conformity with the provisions of the act passed June 18th, 1853," providing for the organization of the academic department.
It was determined to establish a union free school in ac- cordance with the provisions of the law, and John A. McElwain, Joshua H. Darling, Alanson Holly, Sanford L. Boughton, Charles W. Belden and Lloyd A. Hayward were chosen members of the board of education. Subsequently all the necessary legal steps were taken.
At the time of the change Horace Briggs was principal of the school. The following have been employed since: in 1853, Richard K. Sanford, since State senator from another district, and Horace Briggs, assistant; 1834, Prof. H. F. Wright (since of the Cortland Normal School), with S. D. Lewis as assistant; 1855 and 1856, Profs. Sykes and Brig-
ham; 1857, Prof. H. F. Wright again and Miss Kate Leland. During several years Miss Juliette Cooley, an accomplished teacher, was an assistant. In 1858 Prof. E. P. Harris (since of Amherst College) was employed; 1860, Prof. Joseph Gile and his sister, Mary; 1861, Prof. O. H. Stevens and Miss Mary Gile; 1862, Winslow Schofield and Miss Gile; 1863 to 1871, Prof. C. H. Dann, with Miss Gile, Miss Lizzie Gates, Miss Jennie Ferris and Miss Belle Bristol, successively, as assistants; in 1871, Prof. Peck, during a term or two, then Prof. T. C. Selden, till the new school building was erected, except during the spring term of 1873, when Mrs. Jennie Ferris Martin was principal.
In 1871 and 1872 meetings of the citizens were held in the union school building to discuss the question of disposing of all the outlying primary school premises, and bringing all the departments into one centrals chool building. In Jan- uary, 1872, at a very large meeting, plans of a building were presented, and after discussion, by a vote of 104 to 52, it was " resolved that it is the sense of this meeting that the central union school system is best for this district;" and by 109 to 7 "that there should be an entire new school building in this school district." Augustus Frank, Thomas S. Glover, W. J. Humphrey, S. D. Lewis and E. E. Farman were ap- pointed a committee to examine and procure estimates of the cost of different sites for the new building.
The edifice was erected in 1872 and 1873, by the Warsaw Manufacturing Company, at a cost, including grounds, of about $40,000. It was dedicated September 16th, 1873, and the school opened with Prof. S. M. Dodge as principal, and Mrs. Jennie F. Martin preceptress. In 1875 Prof. A. P. Chapin became the principal. The faculty in 1879 consisted of A. P. Chapin, principal; Mrs. Jennie F. Martin, precep- tress, and William H. Dexter, Henry B. Haw, Misses Hettie Spink, Libbie Hain and Mary E. Dann, assistants.
The board of education for 1879 were L. A. Hayward, president; O. W. Bailey, secretary; H. A. Dudley, N. R. Stedman, S. D. Purdy, N. D. Fisher.
CHURCH HISTORIES.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF WARSAW.
Rev. Mr. Van Nest formed a class in the south part of the town in 1807, and Revs. Joseph Gatchell and James Mitch- ell visited the town in 1809.
The members of the first class were Solomon Morris, sen., and John Morris, with their wives, and others, whose names cannot be learned. In 1810 Revs. William Brown and John Kimberlin organized a class or society in the north part of the town, and of this Josiah Hovey, sen., Simeon Hovey and Josiah Hovey, jr., and their wives, with others, are re- membered as members. Simeon Hovey, Josiah Hovey and Shubael Morris were the first class leaders.
Among the first regular preachers on the circuit which included this town was Rev. Loring Grant. It is said that Mrs. Grant sometimes accompanied her husband on horse- back on his circuit of near three hundred miles.
The "First Methodist Episcopai Society of Warsaw" was legally organized in 1820. The one hundred-acre lot promised by the Holland Company to the first church in a town was divided between this society and the Union Society.
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