USA > New York > Monroe County > Landmarks of Monroe County, New York : containing followed by brief historical sketches of the towns of the county with biography and family history > Part 33
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106
Elihu Cross came from Massachusetts in 1811 and settled in the north part of Parma, being one of the first settlers in that locality. He reared to maturity a large family of sons and daughters, among them Leonard, Elihu. Linas, Saxton, Luman, Anna, Clarissa and Julia. Most of the sons went west many years ago, but the girls all married and afterward lived in this town. Elihu, the pioneer, died about 1843.
Among the other early and worthy settlers in Parma, there may be recalled the names of Fulton, Markham, Curtis, on range 5; the Stevens brothers and Peter Hiller in the northern locality ; John Cheney at Bartlett's Corners, so called. There were also Jesse Stowell, Jonathan Cary, R. Winchell, Joel Bagley, the latter from New Hampshire, and a pioneer in Henrietta, where he located in 1813. Jeremiah, Gad, Barber and Nathan Wright founded the so called Wright settlement in 1810, while still other settlers of 1811 were Jason, Baldwin and Esra Tyler, on the site of North Parma village ; J. Thompson located at the Corners and the Warners and Whitneys in the same vicinity. About the same time, too, came others, the dates being now unknown, but among whom were the Thayers, Schofields, Curtises, Beaches, Jonathan Henry, John- son Gilmore, Caleb Peck ; and still later came Gilbert Bush, William Berridge, the Smiths, Tenneys, Demarests, Millers, Cosmans, Van 43
338
LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.
Voorhises, Waldocks, Garlocks, Bennetts, Haslips, Wilders, Goodells, Browns, Lowdens, Cochrans, Wheelers, Collamers, Randalls, Tabers, Burritts, Newtons, Baxters, Tompkinses, all of them old names in the town and many of whose descendants still live here. These were dwellers chiefly in the north part, where the family names are still well represented, though many are gone and their farms taken up and occu- pied by a new race of people. The later comers are of German descent, and are thrifty, persevering and forehanded husbandmen. Nearly all of them came here, as did the pioneers, poor men with families, seeking to better their condition, and almost without exception they have succeeded. However, unlike the pioneers, these late comers had neither privations nor hardships to contend against, for they found cleared and well tilled lands and good dwellings for their families.
One of the most interesting and historic localities of the town is that commonly called the "Ridge" and the old "Ridge Road." This famous thoroughfare of traffic and travel was opened in 1816, and almost at once became prominent in Genesee country annals. A daily stage line was immediately put in operation, and being successful, other lines were established, and the Ridge was thenceforth and for many years the most popular highway in the country. All travelers seek- ing homes in Western New York, and as well all emigrants journeying further west, followed the Ridge road, and the result was the establish- ing of public houses along the route until they were said to average one for each two miles; and what is more, each did a thriving busi- ness, and nearly every one was provided with a private distillery. Even at this late day the observing traveler, riding along this one great thoroughfare, cannot but be struck with the appearance of the buildings, for, while more recent comers have replaced many of the old structures with more modern ones, there still remains abundant proof of the early occupation and the omnipresent public house. However, where once prospered half a dozen taverns three quarters of a century ago, there remains but one now in operation, and that of minor importance to the traveling public.
The Ridge road through Parma resulted in forming an almost contin- uous village, and to-day the farms along it are small, averaging perhaps less than fifty acres. The distilleries of old times are all gone off the
339
THE TOWN OF PARMA.
Ridge and with one exception out of the town, and for twenty and more years Parma has been a no-license district. Still, the Ridge abounds in good farms and excellent buildings, though its industries are few. A grist mill is still in operation about a mile west of the Greece line, and owned by Hezekiah Peck. Another, still older is located near the west line, and known as the old grist mill, for a long time owned by the Fowlers, formerly Vincent and now Chauncey Fowler. Among the prominent places along the Ridge, between the Corners and the Greece line, may be mentioned those of the late Henry Osgood, J. Herbert Tracy, son of Allan D. Tracy, on the old Thrall farm. Still farther east is the old Lankton farm; the Peck house and mill ; Richard Horning's fine place ; George H. Losey's garden farm ; the Pease place, the William Gorton farm, and next the old and aban- doned Congregational church. Going west on the north side of the road is the house of James Davy, followed in order by those of H. D. Wheeler, Nathan Meserve, esq., Thomas and James H. Breeze, the old Davis stone house and others of lesser note toward the Corners. To the westward the best appointed farms are those of the late J. M. Web- ster, Henry Goodell, B. J. Collins, Frank Huber, George Smith, Aaron Arnold, the Clark farm, and Samuel W. Wadhams. However, during, the last forty years the character of occupancy along the Ridge has materially changed and a strong element of Irish population has suc- ceeded former owners. But the more recent comers are thrifty and pro- gressive and have built up many farms along this old highway, and as well in other parts of the town further north.
The one great cause which more than all others contributed to the decline in interests and traffic on the Ridge was the construction and operation of the Erie canal, for by it wagon travel was succeeded by boat transportation. Still later the building of the railroad through the north part of Ogden and across the central part of the county was an- other element that worked adversely to local interests and importance. However, as an agricultural producing town, Parma has retained its standing, as in 1860 its inhabitants made 150,000 pounds of butter, and its orchards yielded more than 42,000 bushels of apples, in which pro- ductions the town was exceeded in the county alone by Greece, the latter having 5,000 more acres of land.
340
LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.
Before leaving the subject of early history it is proper that a brief review be made of some of the notable " first events " in Parma. The first marriage was that of Capt. Jonathan Leonard and the daughter of William Hincher; Alpheus Madden opened and taught the first school in 1804; J. Thompson kept the first store; Hope and Elisha Davis built the first tavern in the town; Jonathan Whitney built the first grist mill, and it is claimed that the first saw mill was that of E. W. Thayer on Long Pond creek, built in 1806 or 1807. Bezaleel Atchinson con- structed a grist mill on Salmon creek in 1809, and a few years later added a saw mill to it. The Gulf mills, or, as otherwise known, the Fowler mills were built on the Ridge about 1812 by Whitney & Mark- ham. The first saw mill in the north part of the town was built in 1820, on West creek, by Mr. Winchell. Philander Curtis built the sec- ond, and the Buells, Joseph and George, the third. The Sperry mills were built about 1840, as was also the carding and planing mill of Mr. Trimmer.
Organization .- As has been stated, Parma, under the original name of Fairfield, was separated from Northampton and given an organiza- tion. The first officers elected were Gibbons Jewett, supervisor ; Justin Worthington, town clerk; Daniel Spencer, collector ; Abel Howe, O. F. Rice, A. Webb, J. Howell and George Huntley, assessors; Nehe- miah Treat and Nathaniel Tibbet, overseers of poor ; Alexander White, Samuel Latta and Sanuel Baldwin, school commissioners; Fred Howe, Israel Douglass, John Landon, Sanford Briggs and J. Wing, constables. Thus the organization of the town was made complete, though during the next few years there grew into existence a feeling of rivalry be- tween the north and south sections of the town that for several years seriously disturbed the peace and well being of the entire community. At that time Parma extended south to the Chili line and was a quite well settled region. The feeling referred to was occasioned by inhabit- ants of the north and south sections each striving to secure and retain for their respective localities the chief town office, and consequently the improvements which would naturally follow, for a town officer would be expected to add to the value of his own locality rather than seek to promote the advantage of sections away from his abode. This was but practical politics notwithstanding its manifest injustice, and even to this
341
THE TOWN OF PARMA.
day sectional feeling is a factor in Parma political life, and many a worthy candidate has been defeated for town office on account of the locality of his residence, and a less deserving nominee elected over him. It was this feeling which resulted in a great measure in the divis- ion of the town in 1817, and by it local animosities were buried for a long time The Ridge road was the original dividing line, but soon afterward the gore south of the Ridge was annexed to Parma and the present dividing line established. After the division the town was practically reorganized and all officers chosen from the town as thus constituted, and as follows: Gibbons Jewett, supervisor; Zolved Stevens, town clerk; Roswell Atchinson, collector; Jonathan Under- wood, W. Warner and Arnold Markham, assessors ; Asa Atchinson and Samuel Castle, overseers of the poor; Stephen Atchinson, Elisha Fulton and Jason Tyler, commissioners of highways ; Roswell Atchin- son and Augustus Mather, constables.
Succession of Supervisors .- Gibbons Jewett, 1807-II ; Silas Leon- ard, 1812; Gibbons Jewett, 1813; George W. Willey, 1814; John C. Patterson, 1815 ; Gibbons Jewett, 1816-18 ; Zolved Stevens, 1819-20; Gibbons Jewett, 1821; Samuel Castle, 1822-25 ; Roswell Atchinson, 1826-28 ; Simeon Smith, 1829 ; Zolved Stevens, 1830; Jason Tyler, 1831; Isaac . M. Hiscock, 1832; J. E. Patterson, 1833-36; Jonathan Wadhams, 1837; Isaac Chase, jr., 1838-41 ; Harris Clement, 1842 ; Isaac Chase, jr., 1843-44; Harris Clement, 1845-47 ; Joshua Tripp, 1848; Isaac Chase, jr., 1849-50; James C. Austin, 1851-52 ; J. E. Patterson, 1853; Jonas Tripp, 1854 ; S. D. Webster, 1855; J. E. Patter- son, 1856; Isaac Chase, jr., 1857; Arthur J. Wood, 1858-60; J. W. Hiscock, 1861; Harris Clement, 1862; J. E. Patterson, 1863-64; A. J. Wood, 1865 ; Charles Efner, 1866; Eroy D. Hillman, 1867-69 ; Russell C. Bates, 1870-74; Stephen Burritt, 1875 ; Rodney P. Odell, 1876-78 ; Russell C. Bates, 1879; Elam A. Cross, 1880-82 ; James T. Truesdale, 1883-84; William H. Denniston, 1885-88; Elam A. Cross, 1889-90 ; Avery L. Foote, 1891 ; Albert P. Beebe, 1892-95.
Present Town Officers, (1894) .- Albert P. Beebe, supervisor; Henry Bufton, town clerk; Eroy D. Hillman, James H. Breeze, Rollin B. Wood and Willard H. Hawkins, justices of the peace; Edward D. Webster, Thomas Burritt and Belden Wilder, assessors; Ira L. Cross,
342
LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.
Martin Lynn and S. S. Buell, excise commissioners ; Alton Dimmock, Robert R. Wayne, Charles B. Hill, William B. Wilkinson and Oscar M. Dunbar, constables.
Municipal History .- The villages and hamlets lying within the town of Parma are ten in number, and are located with apparent reference to the convenience of the inhabitants, and at the same time without conflict of interests. In the northern central part of Parma is the in- corporated village of North Parma, otherwise known for many years as Unionville. This is the largest of the villages of the town, and of the greatest commercial importance, yet its standing has been attained dur- ing the last twenty years and due in a great measure to the building of the Ogdensburg, Watertown and Oswego railroad, commonly called the "R. W. & O." The first settler in the vicinity of the village site was Jonathan Underwood, who came here in 1805, while in 1811 Jason Tyler built the first dwelling house here. The Garlocks and Berridges were also early and prominent residents in this locality. Tyler was a blacksmith and opened his shop for business in 1815. However, the village did not gain any prominence as a trading center until the lay- ing out and opening of the Canawaugus road, leading from the lake south through the Center, Parma Corners, Spencerport, Ogden Center, and thence into Chili where it intersected another chief highway lead- ing east and west. Samuel Smith opened a public house at North Parma in 1820 and at least one has ever since been maintained. The second hotel was built by Charles Darling. The first regular store was opened in 1836 by William Fournire, and remained the only store in the north part of the town for many years. A drug store was opened in 1876 and one has ever since been maintained. In 1845 Salmon Creek post-office was established at Unionville, and in 1847 the North Parma office was likewise opened at Bartlett's Corners. In 1849 the Salmon Creek office was discontinued, and soon afterward postmaster William Berridge moved his office from the north location to the "ville," still retaining, however, the original name of North Parma, which has ever since been continued. The office is of greater impor- tance at this time than ever in its history. A stage line was established between North Parma and Spencerport in 1860. carrying daily mail and accommodating at the same time the offices at Parma Center and
343
THE TOWN OF PARMA.
Parma Corners. This line is still continued with mails carried over the route twice daily. On August 10, 1876, the newly built railroad began carrying mail, thus affording abundant service to the business interests of the locality.
In the course of events the little hamlet became a village of commer- cial and industrial importance, and its more enterprising and public spirited citizens felt the necessity of local improvements such as were not obtainable at the general expense and not advisable on the part of the few for the benefit of many. Accordingly, a meeting was held and the result was the incorporation of the village of North Parma, creating it a body corporate and politic. The first village election was held July 28, 1885, and Elam A. Cross was chosen president; Gilbert Leonard, C. F. Curtis and Gilbert C. Childs, trustees ; Allen B. Fraser, treasurer ; Hanford Bass, clerk; James H. Goodno, collector. Mr. Curtis refused to qualify as trustee and Rollin B. Wood was elected to the vacancy. The present village officers (1894 5) are Hanford Bass, president ; Thomas Stoddard, Edson Taber and John B. Miller, trustees ; Olin C. Curtis, clerk ; Willard E. Wilder, treasurer ; and Daniel Meach, collector.
The school building of district 4 was taken for a village hall, and the enterprising inhabitants have erected within the village limits one of the most attractive and convenient school buildings in any of the out- lying districts of the county. There has also been provided an ample supply of hooks, ladders and hose, together with two small but service- able hand engines.
North Parma is regarded as one of the most desirable residence vil - lages in the county, and its population of about 600 is made up largely of retired farmers ; men of fair means, many of whom still own farms, but prefer village to rural life. The village interests have never been large or extensive, yet all mercantile branches are well represented. The Fraser store is one of the largest country establishments in Western New York. Its proprietor is Allen B. Fraser, assisted by his brother, E. E. Fraser. The firm of Cross & Fraser started this business in De- cember, 1875, and Mr. Fraser succeeded in 1878. The other business men of the village are Fred Horton & Co., general store ; Henry Op perman, general store ; Wood & Iveson, grocers ; Newcomb & Taber,
344
LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY
and Ingham & Warboys, hardware ; Rollin B. Wood, flour and feed ; Orange A. Green, druggist ; Stewart & Conklin and E. B. Curtis, meat markets. Elam A. Cross is an extensive dealer in beans, and is also engaged in the manufacture of an excellent quality of fer- tilizer. Hanford Bass is a lumber and coal dealer and also handles sewer and drain pipe. Gilbert C. Childs built a carriage factory in 1889 and is still engaged in successful business. The large roller flour mills of E. M. Upton & Co. are located in the eastern part of the vil- lage. The capacity of the mills is 100 barrels of flour per day. Hol- brook & Bennett are proprietors of a large fruit evaporator. Bartlett & Hawkins have a carriage factory and blacksmith shop about a mile north of the village. The other proprietors of local business interests are William Iveson and J. H. Goodno, harness-makers ; Ella Coleman, millinery ; Daniel Altpeter, confectioner ; W. J. Reed, photographer ; V. A. Hovey, undertaker. The village has two hotels, the Commercial House and North Parma Hotel.
The dwellers of North Parma feel just pride in their public build ings-the school and four fine church edifices, the latter being the respective houses of worship of the Baptist, Freewill Baptist, Methodist Episcopal and Roman Catholic. The oldest of these institutions is the First Baptist Church of Parma, the organization of which was effected May 27, 1809, by Elder Moses Clark, and with these members: Moses Clarke, Samuel Gregory, Timothy Lane, Joshua Wickson, Amos Hicks Asa Adams, Richard Clark, G. Wilkerson, Samuel Hicks, Esther Hicks, Lucy and Anna Wilkerson, Clarissa Cross, Rachel Corbett, Sophia Tenney, Phebe Hickox, Polly Adams and Susanna Gregory. Elder Clark was the first pastor, and Timothy Lane first deacon. The first church edifice was built in 1830, and stood half a mile south of the vil- lage, but was removed to the settlement in 1842. Substantially rebuilt and enlarged, it compares favorably with the other churches of the place. The present membership numbers about 150, with a Sunday school of about seventy-five attendants. The present pastor is Rev. William L. Ferguson, who came to the pastorate in December, 1892, succeeding Rev. C. C. Maxfield. The board of trustees comprises Elam A. Cross, Dennis Taber and Hanford Bass.
The Freewill Baptist Church of Parma dates its organization in the
345
THE TOWN OF PARMA.
town as far back as September 29, 1831, at which time Elder Samuel Whitcomb formed the society at a meeting held at Wright's school house. The original membership was large and included many of the most substantial families in the northern part of the town. The first deacons were George Limbocker and James Henry ; clerk, Jason Tyler. The first settled minister was Elder S. Bathericke. The original mem- bers numbered twenty, and from its earliest history this has been one of the strongest and most influential church societies in Parma. Previous to 1838 the society held its meetings in school houses, but in the year mentioned a plain framne edifice was erected at Unionville. In 1884 the old building was removed and put to use for mercantile occupancy, and in its stead was built the present large and attractive church edifice, costing about $8,000, one of the best in all respects in the northern part of the county. The edifice was dedicated January 1, 1885. The present membership numbers about 200 persons, and the congregations are drawn from Parma, Greece, Hamlin and Clarkson. The Sunday school has about 140 in average attendance. The present pastor, Rev. George R. Holt, came to the church in April, 1888, succeeding Rev. G. R. Foster. The trustees of the society are Ira L. Cross, Peter E. Smith, Irving Hincher, William Smith, James Smith, Rollin B. Wood and Warren Amidon. Deacons, Charles E. Miller, James Smith, Lodisca Hiscock, Warren Amidon.
The First Methodist Episcopal church of North Parma was the result of a consolidation of older societies of the same denomination, and was formed in 1883 and '84, the new edifice at the village being dedicated on Thanksgiving day of the latter year. This being accomplished the former separate societies having their respective plans of meeting at North Parma, north of the village, and at Parma Center, were dissolved. The new edifice was built at a cost of about $8,000. The membership numbers about eighty, under the present pastorate of Rev John Milton Dodson, successor to Rev. Joseph Criswell. The trustees are Joseph E Anderson, Albert D. Cosman, Thomas Bartlett, Isaac H. Curtis, Chauncey M. Chattin, W. B. Newton, Franklin Smith, James Wheeler, and Wesley Garlock.
The Methodist Episcopal church of North Parma, which was dissolved on the formation of the consolidated society at the villuge, was organ-
44
346
LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.
ized in 1826, the first class having but five members, and met with the Center society until 1846, when a separation was made. About this time the stone church was built, and located one and one half miles north of the village. The first trustees were Philander Curtis, J. M. Hiscock, John Smith and J. Hartwell.
The youngest of the religious societies of North Parma is the Roman Catholic church, the parish being furnished with a church house about 1885, and including in its membership the Catholic families of Northern Parma, and also part of Hamlin and Greece. The pastorate is an out mission from Spencerport. The church edifice, a neat and comfortable structure, stands in the north part of the village.
In a convenient location and about two miles northeast from North Parma village is the church house of the members of the Free Metho- dist church of North Parma, the organization of which was perfected Jan- uary 7, 1863, at a meeting held at the Bartlett's Corners school house. The house of worship was erected in 1867, at a cost of about $3,000. This church forms a part of a circuit composed of the stations of North Chili, West Greece, Parma Center and North Parma. The last pastor Rev. Lysander Day Southworth, who died January 7, 1895. The circuit membership is about 150.
Parma Center is a hamlet situated near the geographical center of the town and on the lands settled by pioneers Austin and Roswell Atchin- son, the former having built the first house in the vicinity. It stood where Mr. Odell's house is. Asa Peck set up a blacksmith shop at the Corners in 1829, and in 1830 Chauncey A. Knox, who came from Eaton, Madison county, opened a store here. He was in business thirty-six years and was succeeded by Rodney P. Odell. In 1865 Asa Leonard followed Odell, and was'in turn succeeded by Hill & Campbell, and the latter in 1870 by William H. Denniston, who still continues in business, and is regarded as one of the most active men of the town. In 1862 and '68 other stores were opened at the Corners, but of all, that now owned by Mr. Denniston alone survives.
The regularly organized church societies have had houses of worship at the Center, the Presbyterian, the Free Methodist and the Methodist Episcopal, the latter now having been consolidated with the North church and its seat of operations transferred to North Parma. In the
347
THE TOWN OF PARMA.
Center region Methodist services were held as early as about 1804, but not until about 1811 was a class organization effected, and not until January 29, 1827, was the church fully formed. The first trustees were Asa Atchinson, Austin Atchinson, Philander Curtis, Leonard Bragg and John Potter ; first pastor, N. B. Dodson. The church edifice on the southeast corner was built in 1830, of brick construction and a sub- stantial structure. The society held its organization until a union with the church was deemed advisable, after which the building passed into other hands. It is now owned by Mr. Denniston and occupied as a storehouse.
The Presbyterian church of Parma Center was organized March 29, 1829, and Roswell Atchinson donated the society a parcel of land for a church edifice. The original members were Daniel Clark, sr., Daniel Clark, jr., Emelia and Orpha Clark, Clarissa Patterson, Harriet Vansise, Nicholas Kipp, Jane Post, Isabel Van Tuyl, Hannah Pulitt, Phebe Gager, Lucius and Abby Peck. In 1831 the church edifice was erected, the town contributing to the building fund with the understanding that the building should be used for necessary town purposes; for it must be understood that the Center was for many years the seat of opera- tions of all town business and the clerk for a long time kept the records there. However, in 1842 doctrinal dissensions found their way into the society and the result was a dissension in the church, the withdrawal of sixty members and the formation of a Congregational society with Rev. Shubael Carver at its head. The Carver society retained possession of the church building, but after he left town his followers lost their foot- hold and their organization ceased. Soon afterward the building was sold and torn down. Throughout this period the original society pre- served its organization, holding services in various localities in the town until 1844, when the present church edifice was built at the Center. The membership numbers about seventy persons at the present time. The last pastor was Rev. G. L. Hamilton. The trustees are Andrew Warren, Isaac M. Castle and James H. Breeze. Deacons, Andrew Warren, Thomas Jackling, Thomas Breeze, Hugh Johnson and Isaac M. Castle.
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.