History of Wyoming County, N.Y., with Illustrations, Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Some Pioneers and Prominent Residents, Part 87

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

USA > New York > Wyoming County > History of Wyoming County, N.Y., with Illustrations, Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Some Pioneers and Prominent Residents > Part 87

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).

The post-office at Wethersfield Springs was established about 1829, through the instrumentality of Ormus and Reuben Doolittle, the former serving as postmaster. The route ex- tended from the Wethersfield office to the Springs, and mail was carried on horseback by Eli P. Doolittle, a young son of the postmaster.

The post-office at Hermitage was established May 3d, 1837, the office receiving its name from General Jackson's country seat in Tennessee. Sidney Stowe was appointed first postmaster.

A post-office was established at North Wethersfield as early as 1848, and William Lewis appointed postmaster. It was discontinued in 1872.

DAIRY INTERESTS.

The Wethersfield farmers began dairying as early as 1826, and the business has become coextensive with grain raising throughout the town. The dairyman usually made butter and cheese on his own premises until 1864, when the erec- tion of cheese factories began.

The West Star Factory, at Hermitage, was one of the first in the county. It was built by John Starks and S. A. Far- nam, and commenced operations in April, 1864. It is one of the largest in the county, and made in 1878 218,300 pounds of cheese. It is owned and superintended by Mrs. Mary A. Weeks.

The Wethersfield Springs Factory was built in the spring of 1865 by Ira Granger, and operated by him for seven years. This factory was purchased from George Williams in the spring of 1877 by George Ahl and his sister, Mary A. Weeks, who are the present owners. 'It manufactured in 1878 127,000 pounds of cheese.

The Star Factory, at Wethersfield (Smith's Corners) was built in the spring of 1867, by A. C. and T. J. Hubbard, who still own it. The product of this factory in 1878 was 200,000 pounds of cheese. Theodore J. Hubbard has been superintendent from the first.

HERMITAGE

is the largest and most important village in the town. In 1809 James Cravath bought several hundred acres and built a log dwelling upon its site, and in 1812 he built a grist- mill. Lewis Blodget was the millwright and director in the construction of this mill, making all the gearing and cutting out the first run of stones from a large boulder near by. Lewis Hancock is credited with being the first miller bere, and occupied the above mentioned log house at the same time.

Lewis Blodget contributed largely to the growth and prosperity of this village, as well as of the town. He was a man of force, both mental and physical, a most capable mechanic, able to make almost any implement or machine. He was also distinguished for his sympathy and generosity. In 1830 he built the hotel here, not knowing who would occupy it, and in 1837 he aided materially in building the "Christian " chapel and procuring the bell. He also purchased and set up the town clock, which is still keeping time in the tower of this chapel. He was born in Massachusetts, in 1790; emigrated to this State before 1810, and to Wethersfield as early as 1812, and was married in 1816 to the daughter and only child of James Cravath. The death of his father-in-law in 1826 left Mr. Blodget in pos- session of a large property, which enabled him to extend his usefulness and manifest his financial ability. Soon after his marriage he located on lot 5, about half a mile north of the grist-mill, and was for many years engaged in lumbering. and farming. In 1840 he built the present grist-mill at Her- mitage. In 1861 be removed to the village, where he died September 2nd, 1870. His widow is living, in her eighty- fourth year.

In 1810 Calvin Clifford built a saw-mill above the grist- mill; the site is within the limits of the village. This mill

Digitized by Google

300

HISTORY OF WYOMING COUNTY, NEW YORK.

was burned after three or four years' service, and about 1816 was rebuilt by James Cravath-Lewis Blodget being the master mechanic; at which time the water was raised, over- flowing more than one hundred acres of land, which has since been known as the " Blodget pond." This mill sub- sequently came into Mr. Blodget's possession, but was also destroyed by fire. Mr. Blodget soon after built the third mill here, which remained in use until April, 1865, when a sudden flood carried away the dam and swept the mill from its foundation. The fourth mill on this site, which includes several different kinds of machinery and is now owned by Charles Whittam, was built in 1867 by John Stark's, and operated by him until June 30th, 1869, when he was in- stantly killed while working a lath cutting machine. Mr. Starks was a native of Rome, N. Y. He was born October 19th, 1812, and married to Louisa L. Spring in 1834. He located in this county in 1843, residing in Orangeville, War- saw and Gainesville, near Hermitage, until December, 1866, when he removed to the scene of his death. He was for several years a member and a deacon of the Hermitage Baptist church.

The first store at Hermitage was built and stocked in the fall of 1828 by Eugene Z. and Sidney Stowe, on the east side of the creek. The following year this firm built a more commodious building, and increased their stock of mer- chandise, which was soon after transferred to W. R. and D. L. Groger, who connected with the store an ashery and distillery, carrying on a successful business for several years.

Sidney Stowe built the first two-story dwelling here in 1830, and soon after started a tannery in company with Augustus Hurlburt, to which business was immediately added a shoe shop and leather store. This business afforded em- ployment for ten or twelve men several years.

The first store on the west side of the creek was built and. opened in 1838 by Hall & Benedict. This building has been occupied for mercantile purposes most of the time since. Hall & Benedict were succeeded by Sidney Stowe in 1845, and he by W. H. Page, about 1850. The latter subsequently built and removed to a store opposite, now oc- cupied by his son, Frank A. Page. Other stores, occupied for various branches of trade, have since been built by John P. Randall, Guy P. Morgan, Milo P. Brown and George Beardsley.

Hermitage now contains a hotel, two dry goods stores, a hardware store, two churches, a steam saw-mill, a cheese box and barrel factory, a grist-mill, a cheese factory, a cab- inet and machine shop, two millinery stores, two wagon and two blacksmith shops, a harness shop, a shoe shop, and about 200 inhabitants. Whittam's saw-mill and Farman's flax-mills are also included in the suburbs.

On April 13th,. 1865, a.sudden freshet in East Coy creek swept away the dam at the "Blodgett pond," the saw-mill and . the frame bridge at the village, which was carried forty rods down stream. The bridge was replaced, and remained in use until 1877, when the town built a new iron bridge in its stead. S. A. Farman, then town auditor, was actively in- strumental in securing the appropriation.

Early in the morning of September 4th, 1875, three masked burglars entered James L. Blodget's dwelling through a window, overpowered, bound and gagged him, intimidated his aged mother to silence (the only two occupants), robbed

his safe of $12,000 or $15,000, and departed, leaving Mr. Blodget almost suffocated and entirely helpless. No trace of the money or burglars has yet been found.

WETHERSFIELD SPRINGS.

This village owes it early existence mainly to Ormus and Reuben Doolittle, brothers, who came here from Washington county, N. Y., in 1819. An immense business, comparatively, was at one time done here, and in 1841 the place was a formidable competitor with Warsaw for the location of the county seat. It is noted as the birth-place and early home of Hon. James R. Doolittle, ex-senator from Wisconsin.

Ormus Doolittle was a blacksmith and his brother, Reuben, a cloth dresser: They were partners in all business trans- actions until the death of the latter, August 22nd, 1846. They purchased a large tract of land on lots 7, 8 and 16, which they improved and cultivated. Soon after locating here they put up a blacksmith shop, and Ormus worked at his trade for a time as occasion required. In 1820 they built the first saw-mill here, bringing the water from East Coy creek, one hundred and eighty rods through a race. About 1825 they built an ashery, which they operated sev- eral years, and about this time they built the first store here, which they leased to Andrew W. Young, who was the first to embark in general merchandising. He was succeeded in two or three years by the Doolittles, who continued the bus- iness many years. About the year 1827 they put up a wool carding and cloth dressing establishment, which they oper- ated until the death of Reuben, when it was converted into a tannery by Bush & Edwards.

The first tavern at Wethersfield Springs was built and kept by Munson Doolittle as early as 1824. The present hotel was built about 1830 by Peter and Jerry Chandler, from Maine, who kept it several years. Ormus and Reuben Doolittle gave the land upon which it stands, as they did the sites of all the churches and some other buildings. Dr. Benjamin Bancroft, a native of Massachusetts and a gradu- ate of Dartmouth College, was the first physician. He prac- ticed here from 1825 until his death, May 3d, 1864. The first dwelling at this place was built by John W. Perry in 1810. The village now has two stores, two churches, the Doolittle Institute, a hotel, a cheese factory, a saw-mill, a resident physician and a corresponding number of mechan- ics and tradesmen. Its population is about 150.

Doolittle Institute was founded in 1860 by Ormus Doo- little, who erected three building, one for the principal's dwelling, and fenced and improved the grounds at an ex- pense of about $19,000. He subsequently deeded the prop- erty to the Episcopal church and society for school pur- poses, subject to reversion after a certain time if not occupied as stipulated. It is still under the auspices of that denomi- nation, and at one time was a popular and flourishing institution. Rev. H. V. Gardner first had charge of the institute as principal, succeeded by Rev. Messrs. Faust, Gibbs and others. For several years past the institute has been closed most of the time.

UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH AT WETHERSFIELD SPRINGS.

This society was organized. November 5th, 1876, with twenty-three members. In February, 1879, the society bought for $300 the Methodist church building and grounds

Digitized by Google

301

VILLAGES AND CHURCHES IN THE TOWN OF WETHERSFIELD.

at Wethersfield Springs, which it has occupied since its organization.

The pastors of this church have been H. Wiser, James Andrews, H. Thomas and William Robinson, each serving one year.

The Sunday-school was organized in June, 1877. Charles Dresher was the first superintendent.

WETHERSFIELD,

locally known as Smith's Corners, contains a store, a hotel. a cheese factory, a school-house, a blacksmith shop and ten or twelve families. Joel S. Smith, from Vermont, was the first settler here, coming in 1819. He soon after opened a tavern, and in 1830 built the present hotel. . About 1827 he opened the first store. He was an enterprising and valuable citizen, a tavern keeper, merchant, drover and farmer. In 1856 he removed to Nebraska, where he died about 1870.

Odd Fellows' Lodge .- Center Lodge, No. 236, I. O. O. F. of Wethersfield, was instituted at Smith's Corners in June, 1850, by Marcus Hull, of Pike, with five charter members. The leading first officers were: Dan Doan, N. G .; V. D. Eastman, V. G .; F. B. Neely, treasurer. This lodge flour- ished for a time, but died out.

NORTH WETHERSFIELD

contains a saw and shingle-mill and the grist-mill of N. E. Torrey. David Witherell was the first settler here, locating in 1818, and soon after built a small mill for grinding coarse grain. The mill stones he chiseled out of native rocks and ·the belts were made of moose wood bark. A few years later he built a more substantial mill, containing two runs of stones, and also built a distillery, both of which he subse- quently sold to Stephen Royce. The latter did milling here until about 1855, building the present grist-mill about 1841. He also engaged in the grocery trade at this point as early as 1845, which business he soon enlarged to general mer- chandising. He was followed in the mercantile trade by Jackson, Bronson and others, until 1873, when the business was abandoned.

John Goodspeed built a saw-mill here about 1824 and worked it several years, when he sold it to Stephen Royce, who soon after put up a new one in its stead. The present saw and shingle-mill was built about 1867 by P. W. Potter.

CHURCHES IN WETHERSFIELD.

BAPTIST.

The first religious organization was effected at the house of Daniel Belden in 1817 by Rev. Joseph Case, who became the first pastor. It was received under the care of the Holland Purchase Baptist Association previous to 1821, and in that year reported thirty-six members. The society was legally incorporated under the name of the " First Calvinist Baptist society of Orangeville and China, No. 8.," May 14th, 1822, at the house of Daniel Belden, which had been' the usual place of meeting. Rev. William Patterson served as moderator and Amos P. Randall as clerk of this meeting, and Daniel Belden, Amos Randall and Amos P. Randall were chosen trustees of the society.

Elder Case was succeeded in 1822 by Oliver Reed, who was ordained and remained pastor until 1826. Henry

Stone, Parley Cady and Samuel Ackerly are reported as deacons in 1825.

In June, 1830, the church was divided, and a new organ- ization effected at Hermitage, under the name of the "First Baptist Church of Wethersfield," with seventeen members. The same month they were received into the Genesee River Baptist Association. The other pastors who had served the church up to this time were: Elders Worcester, James Reed, Harvey, Roswell Palmer (ordained by this church) and Jesse Palmer. In November, 1831, John Trowbridge, from Holland, was ordained by this church, and was its pastor a short time. In 1832 Augustus Hurlburt, a licentiate, supplied the pulpit. In June, 1836, Rev. Jesse Palmer is reported as pastor, and his death announced to the associa- tion in 1837.

In 1837 the society built its first meeting-house, at Her- mitage, which was occupied until 1851, when the church voted to remove the place of worship to Smith's Corners. This was not done until 1853, and caused the members re- siding in the vicinity of Hermitage to organize a new church there May 19th, 1853, consisting of Rev. T. T. Horton and 29 members, under the name of "The Baptist Church of Christ in Hermitage."

The old Wethersfield church disbanded in 1860, each member being furnished a letter by J. Cross, the church clerk. The pastors who ministered to this church from 1837 to 1860 were Revs. R. C. Palmer, 1839-42; John Trow- bridge, 1842-44; E. J. Scott, 1845; S. Ackerly, 1846; Lewis Ellingwood, licentiate, 1854; G. Jones, 1856; M. M. Cole- man, 1859.

The new organization at Hermitage occupied the old meeting-house until 1871, when the building was sold, re- moved and converted into a cabinet shop. The society built the present brick edifice in 1871, at a cost of $7.300. It was dedicated by the Rev. Mr. Mallory, of Batavia, Febru- ary 28th, 1872. The pastors of this church since its organ- ization have been Revs. T. T. Horton, four years from May, 1853; A. Plumley, four months; Charles Smith, supply; R. Sabin, two years from the spring of 1859; S. Hough, two years; William Storrs, one year; E. A. Russell, from Janu- ary Ist, 1865, to July 1st, 1867; S. T. Dean, two years; A. P. Mead, from August, 1869, to April 1st, 1875; T. T. Hor- ton, recalled for one year: J. R. Hutchins, who commenced his labors in July, 1876, was ordained in February, 1877, and remained as pastor until August, 1879.

A parsonage and six acres of land were bought by the society in 1865 for $885."

In May, 1879, Mrs. Maria Stedman left to the church by will a large house and lot in Hermitage and other property of considerable value.

The present membership is about 60.

" CHRISTIAN " CHURCH OF WETHERSFIELD.

A church of this denomination was organized at Her- mitage in 1836 by Rev. Messrs. Burgess and Adams. Among the constituent members were David L. Groger, Ebenezer French, Sidney Stowe, Eugene Z. Stowe, Erastus Richards and Daniel Green. It was legally incorporated, as the "First Christian Society of Wethersfield," February 14th, 1837, when David Green, Ebenezer French, Sidney Stowe, David L. Groger and Erastus Richards were elected trus- tees. The same year the society built a frame church at

Digitized by Google

302

HISTORY OF WYOMING COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Hermitage, at a cost of $1,600, which was dedicated in the spring of 1838 by Rev. Joseph Badger, of Mendon, N. Y. Rev. Reuben A. Burgess was the first pastor, followed by Elders Augustus Hurlburt, C. A. Havens, - Fish and others. The society, owing to the death and removal of most of its members, after many years became extinct.

ST. CLEMENT'S (EPISCOPAL) CHURCH.

An Episcopal society under the above name was organ- ized in the school-house at Wethersfield Springs January 9th, 1826, by the Rev. R. Salmon, at which time Rev. Almon Stevens and Reuben Doolittle were elected wardens, and John W. Perry, Ormus Doolittle, Hiram Welch, Elizur Web- ster, John A. McElwain, James Rood, William R. Groger and Chauncey Doolittle, vestrymen. A second organization of the church under the same name occurred at the same place April 4th, 1836, Rev. Isaac Garvin presiding, when the following officers were elected: Reuben Doolittle, jr., and Horace Hollister, wardens; Ormus Doolittle, David E. Shader, Samuel R. Braman, John Wilder, John W. Perry, John A. McElwain, Chauncey Doolittle and Joshua H. Dar- ling, vestrymen.

In 1836 a brick edifice was erected for the society at a cost of $5,000, contributed by Ormus and Reuben Doolittle. Rev. Thomas Meacham officiated at the laying of the corner stone, and Rev. Messrs. Bowles and Metcalf at the conse- cration.

Rev. Isaac Garvin remained rector until April, 1839, and . was followed by Rev. Henry Tullage, who was rector two years. Rev. Thomas Meacham was then called, and re- mained until his death, October 21st, 1849. A tablet in the church and cemetery adjoining was erected to his memory. His successors have been Rev. A. D. Benedict, for four years from May, 1852; Rev. William White Montgomery, June, 1856, to April, 1858; Rev. H. V. Gardner, two years; Rev. Noble Palmer, November, 1862, to November, 1869; Rev. L. H. Strycker, November, 1869, to April, 1872. The present incumbent, Rev. J. E. Batten, commenced his labors here May Ist, 1873.

The present number of members is about 30.

On October 16th, 1865, an endowment was made to this church by Ormus Doolittle for its maintenance.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

A church of this denomination was organized at Wethers- field Springs by Rev. Abijah Blanchard in the early part of 1832, and was received under the care of the Presbytery of Genesee February 14th of that year. The same year the society built an appropriate house of worship, and in 1834 numbered fifty-six members. Rev. A. Blanchard remained as stated supply three years or more, and was followed by Rev. Conrad Ten Eyck in 1836, under commission from the American Home Missionary Society. In 1841 Rev. Ward Childs labored a part of the time under the same patronage. This church about 1850 became extinct, and the building was converted to mechanical uses.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

An M. E. class was organized at Wethersfield Springs in 1832, and on November 12th of that year the society was legally incorporated under the name of the "First Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the town of Wethers-

field." Benjamin Bancroft, Hiram Welch, James Wiseman, Horace Webster and E. H. Mix were elected trustees, and in 1833 the society built a church. In 1857 this society was reorganized, with nearly one hundred members, and con- tinued until 1872. It then disbanded, and in December, 1878, the church property was sold to the United Brethren Society.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

ISAAC E. ALLEN, always a resident of Wethersteld, was born bere Febru- ary 2nd, 1828. He was married June 23th, 1850, to Catharine Wait, who died June 2nd, 1868, leaving ove son. July 4th, 1868, Mr. Allen married Lomana Blodget, of Wethersfield, who was born in Warsaw, June 6th. 1838. He lo- cated on his present farm of two hundred and forty acres on lot 13 in 1853, and has since put up large and commodious farm buildings, and made many other permanent improvements. He is one of the leading dairy farmers in the town. He is a trustee of the Baptist church of Hermitage, of which he has been a member since 1886. His father. Abraham Allen, one of the first settlers in Wethersfield, was born in Mayfield, Fulton county, N. Y., July 8th, 1794, where he was married to Deborah Akeley, in 1814. In 1815 be came to Wethersdeld and bought a farm on iot 17, to which be removed his fam- ily in the spring of 1816, cutting his own road for over a mile to bis new home. In 1865 he removed to Eagle, where he died May 6th, 1857. His wife died June 27th, 1861.

JOHN ANDREWS, & farmer and dairyman, was born in Westborough, Mase .. March 18th, 1828, and came from Washington county, N. Y., with his parents to Wyoming county in 1848. After two years in Genesee Falls they located on the farm of three hundred and twenty sores, on lots 8 and 16, which Mr. Andrews now owns and occupies. He was married July 4th, 1858, to Sylvia . E. Rogers, of Warsaw, who was born in Vermont, Marob 80th, 1886. His fatber, John Andrews, sa., was born in Massachusetts, November 29th, 1791. and was married about 1838, to Clarissa H. Newton, who died in Washington county in 1886. He was married to 1838 to Charity Locke, of Washington county, who died in Wethersdeld, August 7th, 1878. He was a blacksmith until he came to Wethersfield, where he was engaged in farming until his death, May 31st, 1800.

AMASA BARRETT was born in Victor, Ontario county, N. Y., May 15th, 1817. In February, 1828, his parents removed to Orangeville, where be was married October 16th, 1889, to Rebecos 8. Head, daughter of Jonathan Head, wbo was born March 28th, 1818, in Sheldon. Mr. Barrett remained on the old homestead on lot 45 in Orangeville until the fall of 1858, when he re- moved to Johnsonsburg. In the fall of 1874 he bought and located on a farm on lot 64 in Wethersdeld, where bestill resides. While in Orangeville he was town clerk five years, and beld various other town omces. His father, Amass Barrett, was born in Massachusetts, April 19th, 1787, and was married to Esther Jackson, of that State, October 6th, 1808. 8he died in Orangeville, May 11tb, 1834, and in 186 be married Martha Sedgwick, of Massachusetts, who died in Wethersfield. April 10th, 1876, aged ninety. Mr. Barrett lived in Orangeville from 1863 until his death, April 17th, 1866.

GEORGE J. BEARDSLEY, son of Delos Beardsley, was born in Springville. Erie county, N. Y., July 20th, 1844. In early life he wasa marble cutter, and a carpenter and joiner. After living at Springville, Eagle, Yorkshire and Arcade, be located in 1810 near Hermitage, In August, 1878, he bought the hotel which he owns at Hermitage. He married, June 28th, 1800, Sarab L. Lary, of Warsaw, who was born in Henderson, Jefferson county, N. Y .. June 5th, 1848. His grandfather, Partridge T. Beardsley, was among the first settlers in Covington.

BENONI B. BILDEN was born in Gainesville, May 28d. 1811. From 1815 his parents lived on lot 10 in Wetbersdeld antil 1816, when they removed to Cas- tile, where he was married November 15th, 1886, to Silvia Fuller, a native of Bennington county, Vt., born December 7th, 1818. Soon after marriage Mr. Beiden returned to Wethersfeld and cleared his present farm on lot 17. He donated $000 toward building the Hermitage Baptist church.

AMASA BILDEN. the father of Benoni B. Beiden, and his brother Daniel were pioneers in the south part of Wethersdeld. The former was born in Vermont, January 28d. 1784, and was married December 80th, 1808, to Amy Banister, of the same State. He settled in Wetbersdeld in the fall of 1815, and remained a resident of the county until his death, April 20th, 1843. His wife died in Genesee Falls, October 25th, 1886.

MILO P. BRoww, the oldest son of Luther Brown, Beq., was born in Gaines- ville, November 19th. 1848, and in 1800 removed with his parents to Hermit- age. He was married November ist. 1870, to Emma Shader, of Wethersdeld. Sbe died September 12th, 1879, leaving two children, Clayton M. and Blanche L. Mr. Brown was married February 5th. 1878, to Ella Sbader, of Orange- ville, where she was born November 15th, 1808. For the past thirteen years Mr. Brown has been foreman in the flax-mill of C. D. Farman, Dear Hermit- are. He has been collector of Wethersfield two terms. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brown are musicians of considerable note in their locality.

Digitized by Google

303

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, TOWN OF WETHERSFIELD.

Luther Brown wass native of Gainesville, and the oldest son of Nebeminh Brown. His wife, Hannab, was a daughter of John Bussen, a prominent cattier of Gainesville. He was at Hermitage in the grocery trade nearly eighteen years from 1880. and was justice of the peace for several years. About 1809 be removed to a farm in Eagle, where he died November 19th,

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.

History of Wyoming County, N.Y., with Illustrations, Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Some Pioneers and Prominent Residents, Part 87

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

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