USA > New York > Erie County > Elma > History of the town of Elma, Erie County, N.Y. : 1620 to 1901 > Part 26
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Frank
John
66 William B.
Philip
William
Wannemacher, O. J.
291
Spencer, Cyrus S. Spooner, Clayton Edward Stackman, George 66 John
Stahl, John
John W. Steck, Michael Sterling, Alva Stewart, Charles
Stillinger, Frank
Stinke, William Sutton, John 66 Nicholas Swain, Francis Sweet, Charles H. Switzer, Herbert T.
Tolsma, Edward
Edward J.
Thayer, Henry Charles
Thomas, George F. Tillou, Alva H.
Edwar 1
Simmons, Eugene G.
Simons, Daniel A.
Daniel J.
Edward
V.
Sisler, Charles
Slade, Andrew J.
Frank
Slater, Fred
Sluter, William Smith, Albert
Henry, Sr.
Walker
Fred
Martin
Rice, Daniel -
Sommers, Augustus Rickertson, James B. Spencer, Adelbert
Roloff, Charles 66 Christ John Ronian, Daniel Rosehardt, George WV. Rossman, Leonard Rowland, James S. Scherick, David Scherrit, Walter
Schofield, Edward
Schroeder, August
Schnurr, Edward
George
Michael
Schuman, John Schurr, Irwin G.
Schweikert, Joseph
Scott, John
Seibert, Charles
Seileman, Edward
Frank
John
William
Fred
Harrison L.
James
Valentine, Fred Van Antwerpt H. W.
Wagner, Joseph
William
Washer, John
Weber, Anthony
Wiley, James 66 Robert
Wirth, Edward Wright, Patrick Woodard, James A.
Wells, A. J.
Will, Christ
John
Whitney, Edward B.
66 Louis
Y.
Widemeyer, Frank
Wilson, Amos L.
Wier, Edminster William
66 Dennis L
Fred L.
Yargo, Henry Yarmikan, Herman
Wigley, Amil
Williams, Riley
Z.
Joseph
66 Thomas D.
Wilcox, Frank
66 William H. Zarcae, Herman
292
3
Welton, Lewis O.
Names of 266 persons registered as voters in the Second Elec- tion District of the Town of Elma in 1900:
Aldrich, Jesse Clark, Russel B.
Amedon, William Cole, Francis
Anstett, Bernard F. Henry
Armstrong, Rev. J. E. Philetus
Arndt, Charles Joseph B.
Cotton, Ira 66 Sherman
D.
Balow, William Bancroft, Alonzo C. Henry E.
Bauer, Edward
Michael
Becker, Charles 2d
66 Charles
Beckman, August
66 Charles
66 Joseph
66 William
Beidler, George Berner, William
E.
Eckert, August
Jacob
Edenhoffer, John
Eichinger, Robert
Eiss, Cornelius
66 Julius Brass, Jacob
Brecht, Henry
Bridgman, Marcus Briggs, Charles M.
Charles S. George D.
66 J. Eddy
66 Wilbor B.
Bucher, Conrad
Buffum, Charles J. David B. C.
Christ, Charles Christen, Fred
Clark, Myron H.
Getty, Lawrence Ginther, August Gloss, Balthazzar
Gloss, William Greiss, Michael
H.
Hafner, Frank
Joseph Hall, Charles Otis A. Handy, Fred 66 William A.
Hastings, Albert
Hauenfelder, John Heidenracht, R. 66 Heineman, Charles Geo. 66 Peter Heinteberger, F. 66 Geo.
Heitman, Charles
Fred, Sr. 66 Fred, Jr. Hensel, Conrad P. 66 Daniel Hepfinger, Henry Herbold, George William Herlan, Frank
F. D.
66 William Hesse, Adolph F. 66 Herman Hill, Morris Hilbert, George
Hitzel, Michael
Hodgkins, Jacob Hoffman, William Hohmon, Henry Hornung, Max, Sr. 66 Max, Jr. 66 William Sr.
William Jr.
Howell, F. R.
293
Defenback, Christ John
Deimert, George 66 Joseph Devine, Henry
Domon, August 66 Charles
66 Henry Drews, Fred
Henry Dusch, Alois
Berry, Charles
Bippert, George W.
Blair, David
Bodecher, Frank
Bove, Frank
" Daniel Eldridge, Benj. J. Ernst, Michael F.
Fitch, William
Flierl, Rev. John Foster, William G.
Garby, Christ 66 Frank
66 John Gest, Charles
Hurd, Burton H. 66 Clark
Cyrus
Emory
66 George W.
66
Harvey J.
66 James T.
66
Melville
J.
Jackman, Warren Jerge, Herman Philip Jasel, Charles
Christ
K.
Kalle, Philip 66 William Kester, Christian 66 William Klein, Andrew
66 Frank
Joseph Lewis
Kleinfelder, Henry Kloff, Samuel Knaab, Jacob Kock, August 66
Fred
66 Fred
66 Fred
66
Jacob
66
John 66 John
Oberly, John
P.
Phillips, Anthony
66 0 Edward
66 Joseph, Sr.
Joseph, Jr.
66 Philip
66 Simeon
Pickens, Fred
Pralow, John Price, Albert
Harvey
294
Rath, John Ray, George John W. Reinhardt, Henry Reuther, John
Louis P. William
Roup, John Rush, Sylvester S.
Sandel, Louis
Scherer, Jacob
Scherwiller, John
Schilling, Jacob Schlumm, Charles, Sr. 66 Charles, Jr.
Schmaltz, John
Schrink, Christ
Schrimps, Martin
Schneider, Thomas Schroeder, August
Fred, Sr.
Fred, Jr. John
Schultz, Anthony 66 Jacob
John
66 Peter
Schurr, Charles Schuster, Charles
Seeger, Jacob Sider, Jerry
Jesse Siebert, Charles Slade, Andrew, Sr.
Sloane, W. J.
Skinner, Almond
Smith, Joseph Spaulding, A. D.
Stetson, Benjamin F. Charles E.
Stilp, Otto
Stimson, S. H.
Stitz, Albert
R.
Maiden, Martin Markham, E. J.
Mary, Jacob
Mattis, Andrew Mau, Andrew 66 J. R.
Maurer, Fred 66 Lewis Meyer, Albert
James E. Miller, Henry
John
John
Mitzel, George
Mohn, Henry 66 Jacob Morath, George 66 Michael
66 William Moss, Joseph
Mund, Christian Fred
N.
Nuendorf, John Sr. 66 John, Jr. Newman, George
Nosbisch, Matthew 66 Michael Noyes, Simeon
0.
Krouse, George Kruske, Henry L.
Landahl, August Emil Lougee, William V.
Ludemon, George 66 John
Luders, Fred 66 John, Sr. 66 John, Jr.
M.
Stitz, Arthur
Henry E.
Louis
66 Philip
. William, Sr.
66 William 2d
66 William
66 William F.
66 William H.
Stork, John Peter
Sugg, Nicholas
Summerfield, Thos. Sutton, Alex.
Tank, Herman Theil, Henry Tramps, Charles Trameter, Louis U. Uebelacker, Joseph Unsel, John
V.
Viergel, Charles W.
Wallenneier, Wm.
Walter, John, Sr. John, Jr. Wanglien, Herman
John Webster, Sheldon Williams, Alexander Y. Young, George W.
1st District. 400 2d District. . 353
Total Registered voters . 753
295
T.
CHAPTER XXI.
CENSUS OF THE TOWN OF ELMA.
When the State census was taken in 1855 there were but few persons residing in the town of Elma, except those on the Mile Strip; the Indian Reservation being part in the town of Aurora and part in the town of Lancaster. There is no way to ascertain the population at that time, of what was later to be the town of Elma.
The same township conditions were continued at the time the United States Census was taken in 1850, and at the taking of the census by the State in 1855.
The town having been organized December 4, 1856, we have our first knowledge of the population of the town, in the Census as taken by the United States in 1860.
This Census of 1860 gave the total population of Elma as 2,136. The New York State census of 1865 gave Elma as follows:
White Males. 1,502
Total Males 1,506
Females 1,399
Females 1,401
Colored Males
4
Total
2,907
Females
Total 2,907
Single persons 1,727
Married " 1,09S
Native born voters
276
Widows 51
Naturalized
273
Widowers 31
Total
549
Total 2,907
575 families
333 aliens residing in the town
415 owners of land 123 persons over 21 years of age who could not read or write. United States Census of 1870:
Native born residents. . 1,980 White.
2,823
Foreign " 847 Colored.
4
New York State Census for 1875:
Native born . 2,019 White. 2,798 Males 1,444
Foreign " 790 Colored 11
Females
1,365
Total ... 2,809
Total . . . 2,809
Total
2,809
296
Native voters 323 Of school age, males 501
Naturalized " 301
" females. 460
Total voters. 62-4 Total 961
171 aliens-69 over 21 who cannot read or write.
483 of military age-437 owners of land. United States Census of 1880:
Total population of the town. No State Census for 1885, or 1895. United States Census for 1890:
2,555
Total population of the town.
2,163:
United States Census for 1900:
Total population of the town
2,202;
297
OFFICERS ELECTED IN THE TOWN OF ELMA, ERIE COUNTY, N. Y., 1857 TO 1901.
YEAR MONTH DAY
SUPERVISOR
TOWN CLERK
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COM. OF HIGHWAYS ASSESSORS
COLLECTOR
Vote at Town Meeting
1857 March. 3 P. B. Lathrop
W. Jackman
A. Armstrong T. Aldrich
W. Spooner A. Marvel
Z. M. Cobb H. Blood
A. J. W. Palmer
1858
2
66
1859
1
66
66
D. Standart
I. B. Ellsworth
J. W. Ostrander
1860
6 Z. A. Hemstreet
J. H. Ward
D. P. Harris
M. Greiss
H. Ernick
W. W. Standart
.
1861
5
66
66
G. Standart, Jr.
N. W. Stowell
A. Twitchell
.. ..
. .
.
1862
4 C. Peek
L. Morris
W. H. Bancroft
J. W. Waters
L. Heineman W. Spooner C. Adams
D. A. Simons
1864
66
1 L. M. Bullis
4
G. Standart, Jr.
G. Standart, Jr. W. W. Standart
A. Telshow
A. Armstrong
.
298 OC
1867
66
5 A. Marvel
H. Tillou T. L. Barry
S. Green L. Morris
D. Allen
B. Conley
A. Telshow
1869
2 H. Harris
S. P. Tabor
P. Schuster
H. W. Stitz
1870
1 4
Wm. W. Grace A. W. Smedes
S. Green
D. Allen
P. Phalan
1872
5 4 10
L. Morris
W. W. Standart
C. Rost
W. H. Newcomb
1873 66
4 “
F. Munger
D. A. Simons
A. Gotschchalk P. Phalan
H. Klehm
1874
3 W. Winspear
66
H. Harris
W. H. Eldridge P. Thiel
H. Beidler
S. Chicker
1876
7 4
G. H. Woodard
H. Tillou
J. Meyer
H. Cole
J. T. Hurd
H. C. Palmer
J. Meyer
P. B. Lathrop C. P. Hensel :
1878
1879 March. 4 E. B. Northrup 1880 2 "
J. Garby H. A. Wright
F. Gramm
J. Luders
J. W. Ostrander T. E. Wier
J. Allen H. E. Bancroft H. E. Bancroft H. Klehm
.
. .
1863 00
3 "
J. H. Ward
C. Rickert W. M. Lockwood
1865
7
6 P. B. Lathrop
W. H. Bancroft
J. H. Ward
E. B. Northrup P. Schuster
Z. M. Cobb W. Spooner
=
1868
3 "
.
J. H. Ward
H. Kyser
F. Munger
P. Donahue
1871
1875
66
2 “
=
S. Green
1877
6 E. B. Northrup 5
J. Garby
W. H. Bancroft
H. Tillou
.
N. W. Stowell B. P. Lougee
T. Stowell
W. M. Rice
66 J. H. Ward A. Marvel
.
L. Ott, (to fill vacancy) C. Adams C. Arnold J. Tillou
.
.
1866
=
7 A. Marvel
Z. A. Hemstreet
H. Beidler
6
66
66
S. M. Calkins
OFFICERS ELECTED IN ELMA .- Continued.
YEAR MONTH DAY SUPERVISOR TOWN CLERK
1881 March, 1 A. Marvel
H. A. Wright
E. J. Markham
G. Standart
C. P. Hensel
H. Klehm
1882 "
7 "
C. Morris
F. Munger
P. Weiser
S. Williams
W. Kleinfelder
N. Hatch
H. C. Palmer T. E. Wier
1883
6 J. Tillou
W. Mitchell H. A. Wright
H. Tillou
W. Jackman
E. Tillou
E. H. Dingman
1885
3 C. Hurd
J. Garby
H. C. Palmer
H. E. Bancroft
W. Kleinfelder
F. W. Gram
1887
1
«
H. Jerge
H. Tillou
F. Slade
A. Armstrong
"
P. Heineman
H. Klehm
1889
5 E. B. Northrup
66
H. C. Palmer
S. Curtis
A. Armstrong
O. Wannemacher Spencer Metcalf
A. Sutton
264
1891 Nov. 3
1892 March. 8
H. Tillou W. B. Briggs J. A. Woodard
W. W. Williams C. P. Hensel W. W. Williams
468
1893
66
14 R. Barnett
W. Jaekman ap- pointed Sept. 1, C. F. Brown to fill vacancy
H. E. Bancroft
1894
13
357
1895
12 J. Luders
A. H. Tillou 66
W. B. Briggs H. Tillou
G. Heim
C. Jasel'
1897
9 J. A. Woodard,
A. H. Tillou, for two years
A. L. Wilson C. F. Brown W. B. Briggs
F. C. Luders,
C. P. Hensel F. Hatch
C. J. Buffum,
559
1899
14 J. A. Woodard,
F. Slade,
for two years
524
1901
12 J. A. Woodard,
F. Slade,
H. Tillou A. S. Wilson
A. Mayer, for two years
J. Garby C. P. Hensel F. Hatch J. Garby
for two years
for two years
for two years
C. F. Brown
66
J. Grace
F. Slade F. Seileman
528
1898 00 for two years
F. C. Luders
G. Marquart
A. Klehm
515
66
L. Sisler S. Griffin G. Marquart
373
1896
10 “
3 C. H. Sweet
H. A. Wright
E. Woodard
J. Heim
T. E. Wier
H. Lexo
P. Heineman
J. Miller, Jr.
1890
4
«
299
1884
4 "
C. P. Hensel
G. Helfter
1886
2 M. H. Clark
T. E. Wier
M. Beck
J. Luders
1888
6 T. Clifford
F. H. Gramm
L. Morris
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COM. OF HIGHWAYS ALSESSORS
COLLECTOR
Vote at Town Meeting
J. Carroll
for two years
· for two years
for two years F. Sileman,
310
L. Sisler
1891
ASSESSMENTS OF THE TOWN OF ELMA, 1857 to 1900.
ASSESSMENT
YEAR
PERSONAL
REAL
TOTAL ASSESSED
TOTAL EQUALIZED
TOWN ROADS AND AUDITS BRIDGES
TOTAL TAX
1857
9,400
530,840
540,240
483,763
335.94
861.47
4,290.98
1858
7,600
405,625
413,225
458,578
415.14
1,462.53
4,535.43
1859
5,600
430,325
435,525
414,520
304.77
475.68
4,982.63
1860
13,000
406,280
419,280
416,843
593.57
392.67
5,172.59
1861
8,000
405,246
413,246
395,028
551.20
1,600.00
6,211.52
1862
7,400
396,850
404,250
426,355
559.03
1.000.00
2,178.38
1863
5,000
398,796
403,796
424,086
542.68
2€0.00
6,897.41
1864
5,000
396,610
401,610
425,718
741.23
1,2 0.00
12,190.59
1865
10,600
399,270
409,870
395,920
4: 0.00
8,047.66
1866
4,000
398,203
402,203
400,820
1,440.24
250.00
6,876.02
1867
7,000
393,975
400,975
401,820
589.10
1,672.96
11,960.25
1868
14,000
420,090
434,090
427,823
852.00
690.00
8,456.10
1869
15,500
405,515
421,015
450,151
694.78
871.47
6,694.19
1870
24,200
407,950
432,150
433,857
859.55
698.19
10,963.10
1871
23,900
401,725
425,625
462,742
641.10
5,417.15
11,960.25
1872
30,700
401,495
432,195
501,280
677.00
1,487.41
10,489.17
1873
16,700
401,340
418,040
477,516
804.61
2,304.44
12,111.24
1874
12,800
392,662
405,462
508,349
811.66
1,148.07
9,384.15
1875
28,000
1,226,389
1,254,389
1,220,420
806.47
525.32
7,989.68
1876
64,563
1,345,699
1,410,262
1,419,848
960.00
1,064.61
9,410.91
1877
27,634
1,283,985
1,311,559
1,266,921
668.75
3,662.49
12,088.02
1878
27,039
1,267,730
1,294,769
1,146,362
674.05
1,012.39
8,716.81
1879
21,400
1,198,300
1,219,700
1,125,564
665.06
2,079.16
10,661.13
1880
24,400
1,135,395
1,159,795
1,139,850
615.64
974.06
8,225.24
1881
18,100
1,086,370
1,104,470
1,053,129
642.70
814.63
6,535.31
1882
7,100
1,066,538
1,073,638
1,300,823
857.25
1,503.91
10,007.42
1883
7,700
1,080,298
1,087,998
1,318,061
1,025.24
714.79
9,733.80
1884
25,200
1,080,875
1,106,075
1,312,160
836.50
1,503.88
9,054.04
1885
26,950
1,054,850
1,081,800
1,236,183
775.52
977.39
9,211.60
1886
26,800
1,045,632
1,072,432
1,290,056
794.70
1,411.77
9,295.15
1887
29,500
1,071,057
1,100,557
1,238,327
741.18
1,269.03
8,453.76
1888
20,100
1,065,857
1,085,957
1,222,427
733.44
6,188.38
13,589.04
1889
16,300
1,063,632
1,079,932
1,264,026
659.06
824.62
7,943.94
1890
12,000
1,070,057
1,082,057
1,202,956
605.91
1,337.02
7,117.04
1891
20,500
1,055,762
1,076,262
1,167,183
743.21
3,062.22
8,082.57
1892
20,700
1,183,020
1,203,720
1,195,685
956.65
660.81
6,962.19
1893
21,000
1,083,942
1,104,942
1,269,067
810.41
1,255.29
9,419.39
1894
19,900
1,083,372
1,103,272
1,267,967
1,115.48
1,703.48
7,163.90
1895
23,600
1,084,812
1,108,412
1,238,132
939.13
1,202.59
8,534.43
1896
26,050
1,079,777
1,105,827
1,522,070
1,139.42
1,508.88
8,800.45
1897
34,000
1,080,247
1,114,247
1,194,522
847.29
1,375.91
7,712.83
1898
30,850
1,078,253
1,109,103
1,200,463
664.44
1,204.03
7,086.24
1899
29,150
1,067,513
1,096,663
1,162,710
931.97
1,983.28
7,939.96
1900
35,150
1,065,869
1,103,836
1,148,289
1,313.95
1,540.43
7,143.30
1901
1,454.13
5,027.29
13,934.31
300
POST OFFICES IN THE TOWN OF ELMA.
In this statement of the post-offices of the Town of Elma, the date of establishment of the offices, with the names of the persons who have been appointed to the charge of the several offices is herewith given as nearly in the order of their holding the offices, as could be learned from leading residents of the several localities.
The date of the appointments could be accurately learned in but few cases, but the year as given will be found to be correct.
ELMA POST OFFICE.
Established with Warren Jackman as postmaster in Oct., 1852. Joseph Standart was appointed postmaster in 1860. Warren Jackman was appointed postmaster in 1861. WV. Wesley Standart was appointed postmaster in 1865. James Clark was appointed postmaster in 1869. Mrs. Maria Long was appointed postmaster in 1888. Louis P. Reuther was appointed postmaster in 1897.
EAST ELMA POST OFFICE.
Established with Fowler Munger postmaster in 1861.
Isaac Gail appointed postmaster in 1862.
East Elma Postoffice was discontinued in 1863.
East Elma Postoffice was re-established with Geo. W. Hatch post- master in 1870.
George W. Hatch was postmaster for twenty-four years, but the office was under the care of the following resident merchants, viz .: George W. and Niles Hatch, Isaac Smith, Harvey C. Palmer, Ed- win H. Dingman, George W. and James Hatch, George W. and Leon- ard Hatch, and George W. Hatch, when on January 13th, 1894, Hatch sold the store and goods to Charles Burman. Burman was appointed postmaster March 2, 1894.
ELMA CENTRE POST OFFICE.
Established with Erin Woodward as postmaster in 1878.
Henry A. Wright appointed postmaster in 1885.
Peter Grader appointed postmaster in July, 1889. Henry A. Wright appointed postmaster in 1893.
Frank Sutton appointed postmaster in April 5, 1895. Mrs .. Asa Ford appointed postmaster in July 29, 1899.
BLOSSOM POST OFFICE.
Established with Lewis Kleberg as postmaster in 1870. Charles Reichert appointed postmaster in 1871.
301
1
Conrad P. Hensel appointed postmaster in 1873. Frederick Gramm appointed postmaster in 1886. William Kleinfelder appointed postmaster in 1888. Mrs. Kleinfelder appointed postmaster in 1892. Conrad P. Hensel appointed postmaster in 1893.
JAMISON ROAD POST OFFICE. 4
Established with Ernst Bleeck as postmaster in 1889. Edwin H. Dingman appointed postmaster in 1893. Ernst Bleeck appointed postmaster in 1897.
SPRING BROOK POST OFFICE.
Established with David J. Morris as postmaster in 1848. Zenas M. Cobb appointed postmaster in 1849. James H. Ward appointed postmaster in 1850. Asa J. W. Palmer appointed postmaster in 1854. James W. Simons appointed postmaster in 1854. Austin Twitchell appointed postmaster in January, 1861.
James H. Ward appointed postmaster in June, 1861. Stephen Northrup appointed postmaster in 1867. John G. Fischer appointed postmaster in 1880. William J. Cole appointed postmaster in 1885.
Harrison Tillou appointed postmaster in 1889. Richard T. Barnett appointed postmaster in 1893. Harrison Tillou appointed postmaster in 1897.
CHURCHES AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
The Ebenezer Society built a church for their people who resided at Upper Ebenezer, (now Blossom) as near as can be learned about 1849 or 1850.
When they sold out and left Erie County in 1863 and 1864, the German Evangelical Society of Blossom had the church building. A Lutheran society was organized in Blossom in 1873, and that year they built a church across the street from the German Evan- gelical Church; that building was burned in 1876, and rebuilt in 1878. All their services are in the German language.
A Lutheran society was organized in 1872, and that year they erected a church building, 20x30 feet, near the south west corner of Lot 40, on the north side of the Woodard Road.
In a few years this house was too small for their congregation. The old church was moved to the east line of their lot, and a new church, 32x56 feet, was built on the same grounds in 1887. The old building has since been used for Sunday-schools. The church services and Sunday-schools are conducted entirely in the German
302
language, though all the children and more than ninety per cent of the adults understand English as well as than they do the German language, or even better.
All the German churches in the town seem to be imbued with the same spirit; they want the children to learn enough of the German language, so that they can be confirmed, and most of the German parents, care for no further education of their children, either in English or German.
THE FIRST CATHOLIC CHURCH.
In Spring Brook, a building, 20x30 feet, was erected in 1850, on the southeast corner of the Aurora Plank and Rice Roads, on Lot 71. In 1874 the society needed a larger house, so the old house was moved to the east end of their lot, on the south side of the Rice Road, and has since been used as a barn for the parsonage. The new building was erected in the summer of 1874, and has since that time been used for the services of that society.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SPRING BROOK,
Rev. Nehemiah Cobb, who had been sent by some Presbyterian Church in Buffalo as a missionary to Spring Brook, held meetings in the schoolhouse in the summer of 1849. As a result of his labors "The First Presbyterian Church" was organized by a committee of the Buffalo Presbytery, on February 6th, 1850. Mr. Cobb, by contributions and subscriptions, gathered materials for a church building, which was erected in 1851 or 1852, on the western part of Lot 75, on land conveyed to the Society by David J. Morris-to revert to said Morris whenever the Society should cease to occupy the premises for church purposes.
The membership of the Society, in 1858, had become so reduced by deaths and removals that regular services were discontinued; most of the few remaining members attending the Presbyterian meetings which were held in the Elma Village schoolhouse, where Rev. William Waith preached every alternate Sunday afternoon. The Spring Brook Society was thus gradually absorbed by the Elma Society. By an order of the Presbytery the Society was disbanded June 5th, 1873. The church property reverted to David J. Morris in 1868.
MOTHER FREIBERG'S CHURCH.
A Catholic chapel, 10x14 and 8 feet in height, called Mother Freiberg's Church was built on the south end of Lot 46, on the north side of the Clinton Street Road in 1854. The Catholic priest of Lancaster came and held services there twice a year for several
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years. Mother Freiberg having moved away, the building was later sold to Gardner Cotton.
UNION CHURCH SOCIETY OF SPRING BROOK.
The Presbyterian Society of Spring Brook having for several years failed to hold meetings in the church built by Rev. Nehemiah Cobb in 1851 or 1852, the property reverted to David J. Morris, in 1868.
In January, 1869, "The Union Church Society of Spring Brook" was organized, and Mr. Morris on January 18th, 1869, conveyed the property to the Union Society. Different denominations held services there but the building was most regularly occupied by the Methodist Society, until 1893 when they bought the German Evan- gelical Church property. Since 1893 the Union Church building has been unoccupied most of the time.
GERMAN EVANGELICAL SOCIETIES.
The German Evangelical Society of Blossom, organized in 1862, occupied the church built by the Ebenezer Society, on the north side of Main street in Blossom Village, until 1880, when they took down that building, and in its place, erected their new church. They have since that time kept up their church services and Sunday-school in the German language.
The German Evangelical Society of Spring Brook, built their church on the north side of the Aurora Plank Road, near the west end of Lot 75 in 1872. They held services there for several years, but in time the membership became so small that they sold their building and lot to the Methodist Society in 1893.
The German Evangelical Society of Rice Road built their church in 1874 on the north end of Lot 53, and on the south side of the Rice Road, where they have since regularly held their services in the German language. For several years they had a German Sunday- school, but the attendance kept growing less and less, and the school was given up.
In 1898 an English Sunday-school was started in the church, with the consent of the members of the church, which has proved to be very successful. The children of German parents do not like the German language, and will not study it unless they are com- pelled to do so.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL SOCIETY OF SPRING BROOK.
It could not be learned from residents of Spring Brook the date of the organization of this society, but that they had for many years held regular services in the Union Church building, and for
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most of these years they have kept up a Sunday-school, generally through the entire year.
In 1893 the society thought best to have a house of their own, over.which they could have perfect control, so that year they bought of the German Evangelical Society their building and lot. After making extensive repairs and alterations the building was re- dedicated December 29th, 1896.
The society have regular services and are, as well as their Sunday- school, in a prosperous condition. During most of these years they have had no resident pastor, but have been supplied from Elma and Aurora, most of the time from Aurora. The names of the several pastors cannot now be given.
EAST ELMA.
There has never been a church building in East Elma.
A schoolhouse was built in 1856, and all religious meetings and their Sunday-schools have been held in this schoolhouse.
The people have been supplied most of the time by Methodist preachers from Elma and Marilla or by Baptist preachers from Aurora, or by the United Brethren Society of Williston. Occa- sionally an evangelist or some side preacher would hold meetings for a few days or nights and pass on.
A very prosperous undenominational Sunday-school has been kept up all the year for several years, and at times this Sunday- school constituted the only religious service held in the school- house, or in the place for months together.
PRESBYTERIAN SOCIETY OF ELMA VILLAGE.
In the summer of 1849 Rev. L. A. Skinner, pastor of the Pres- byterian Church in Lancaster, commenced preaching in the school- house in Elma Village at 2 o'clock on Sunday afternoons, alterna- ting with Rev.George E. Havens, Methodist minister from Lancas- ter, and later with Rev. C. S. Baker, who was sent to Lancaster by the Methodist Conference.
Mr. Skinner was obliged to give up the Elma appointment on ac- count of failing health. Rev. Nehemiah Cobb from Spring Brook then took up the work in Elma Village, holding meetings there occasionally until the spring of 1852. In October, 1851, Rev. Wil- liam Waith became the pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Lan- caster and he came occasionally to Elma during that winter; in the spring of 1852 he took up regular work, and continued meetings on alternate Sunday afternoons until 1868. In 1858 most of the remaining members of the Presbyterian Church of Spring Brook came to Mr. Waith's meetings in the Elma Village schoolhouse
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and in that way the Spring Brook church gradually became a part of the Elma Society. After the Methodist Church was built in Elma Village in 1859, by invitation from that society, the Presby- terians held their services in the church building every alternate Sunday afternoon.
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