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 38
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THE TOWN OF RIGA.
Congregational church, one of the pioneer churches of the whole region ; and to its early history we may briefly refer, although its early records are so incomplete and imperfect that little reliance is to be placed in them.
This society and church were organized at the Center, December 9, 1809, by the Rev. Oliver Ayers, with these original members : Nehemiah Frost, Henry Brewster, John Barber, Benjamin Kneeland, Elizabeth Frost, Rebecca Brewster, Lois Baldwin, Sally Barker, Su- sanna Wallis, Elizabeth Buell and Rebecca Frost. Nehemiah Frost was the first deacon, and Rev. Allen Hollister the first pastor. During the first fourteen years of its history services were held in the school house but in 1823 a church edifice was completed. From that time the society has been continuous, although during more recent years the membership is somewhat reduced. At the present time the pastorate of this church is supplied by Rev. Mr. Anderson, of Caledonia.
The old Riga Academy was also at one time an institution of the Center, and of the town, of more than passing importance, though its career was of brief duration. It was founded in 1846 through the efforts of members of the Congregational church who were desirous to give their children the advantages of a higher education than was offered in the common schools, and at the same time keep them within the influence of home. On the 11th of May, 1846, the academy was incorporated by the Regents, and the trustees purchased the old Joseph Thompson tavern, erected in 1811, which they remodeled, enlarged and arranged for school purposes. The trustees referred to were Ira Rich- ards, president ; Dennis Church, secretary ; Asa Adams, treasurer ; and Dr. John R. Smith, Alfred Fitch, Thomas Adams, Joshua P. Rogers, Dr. Isaac Lovejoy, Gordon Baldwin, Elias Ward, Samuel C. Baldwin, Rev. Silas H. Ashman and Sherman Ward. However, as an educa- tional institution the Riga Academy was not a success, and was aban- doned after six years of unprofitable life. Its principals were Revs. Franklin W. Olmstead, George Thompson, Prof. R. D. H. Allen and Professor Wedge, in the order named.
Churchville .- This pretty little village is situated in the northwest part of Riga, on Black Creek. Its name was given in allusion to the former owner of the land on which the village has been built up-
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LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.
Samuel Church-a pioneer of the town and one of the most enter- prising of the early settlers. In 1808 Mr. Church built a saw mill near the village site, and soon afterward several other industries were started. This led to the village settlement, one interest adding to another, one dwelling and its tenant constantly swelling the population, until we find on Samuel Church's farm an altogether progressive and thrifty munic- pality ; not large, to be sure, yet comfortable, convenient and quiet. In 1852 a railroad was constructed through the then hamlet site, which had the effect to enlarge and increase all business interests, both of vil- lage and town. This created a necessity for more liberal expenditures for local good, and a village corporation was the result.
The first election was held on the 7th of March, 1855. The first officers, elective and appointive, were as follows: J. M. Jameson, Zephas Willard and John Markley, trustees; A. R. Smith, clerk ; J. M. Ran . dall, John Markly and L. Bangs, assessors ; Lemuel Brook, collector ; J. B. Johnson, treasurer; J. M. Randall and Norman Savage, street commissioners ; J. W. Craig, P. Stone and Roswell Clark, fire wardens.
The trustees for 1895 are Charles G. Stewart, president, and Selden G. Hitchins, Frank Potter, Thomas Parnell and Alfred Harrison ; clerk, Fred E. Smith.
Returning to the early history of the village, mention may be made of some of the first occupants and business enterprises. The first habitation of man on the village site was the log house occupied by Samuel Church, and the first frame dwelling was that of George E. Harmon. The first store was opened by Linus Pierson, about 1814 or 1815, and the second by Hubbard Hall, about 1818. A public house was opened early, as the village happened to be a place on the stage route where the drivers changed horses, and the tavern was then as necessary as the store. Elisha P. Davis built and kept the tavern, and also officiated as postmaster. Later hotel keepers were one Conwell and Ichabod Sprague, the last mentioned soon after 1830.
However, as a business center, Churchville has never attained any special prominence among the country towns of the county, nor do the people lay claim to the possession of a commercial village. Here is the heart of a large and valuable agricultural region, the soil being especially productive of wheat, barley and beans. These, and all other products of the vicinity are shipped to market from the station at Churchville.
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Phyles
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THE TOWN OF RIGA.
Among the more prominent present business interests of the village may be mentioned the large and well known water-power grist mill of Sage & Potter ; the works and gum factory of the Specialty Company, and the general stores of Alfred Harrison and Briscoe & Randall. In the village, also, are three hotels, comfortable and well conducted.
In the latter part of 1894 the qualified electors voted to establish a Union Free School to replace and supersede the old district system. However, this reform was not accomplished without a severe contest, and possibly some unpleasant feelings. But it was done, and the action can never cause lasting regret, and within the next two years Church- ville will possess one of the finest and best appointed union school buildings in the county.
During the period of its existence, Churchville has been the home of several church societies and organizations, and of these some mention may properly be made. The Methodist Episcopal church of Churchville was organized about the year 1835 and originally and for many years formed a part of the circuit with Chili, but later became annexed to Ber- gen in Genesee county. It is now a joint station with Sweden. The church edifice was erected about the year 1835. The society now has a good membership of sixty persons and with it is connected a large Sunday school. The present pastor is Rev. P. P. Sowers. The trus- tees are Charles Sanford, George Adams and A. A. Schofield.
The present Universalist church and society of Churchville and the town of Riga was the outgrowth of early meetings of the early settlers who favored the doctrine of universalism. Among the pioneers of this town were many former New Englanders, and in that part of our coun- try this denomination has ever been strong and representative. The services in Riga can be traced back to about 1813, and among the prom- inent universalist leaders may be recalled the Richmonds, George, Billings and Joshua, also Elisha P. Davis, Joseph Emerson, Samuel Shepard, Ichabod Sprague, Linus Crosby and Ashley Smith. The first organization of this society was effected in 1839, and in the next year the church house was built. The first pastor was Rev. James Cook. The society prospered for many years, but recently an unfortunate fire brought disaster and destruction to the edifice.
The first church organization in the village was Presbyterian in doc-
50
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LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.
trine, and was formed very soon after the founding of the settlement. For many years the society flourished, but at last interest began to de- cline, and result was ultimate dissolution. The old edifice, however, outlived its tenant society and was the temporary house also of the Union Congregational church, the latter being here organized in the early part of 1852. A more suitable house of worship was erected and the Congregational society took a leading position among the eccles- iastical organizations of the village. The prominence it has ever main- tained, and its present members number one hundred and twenty-five persons. The pastor is Rev. Johnson Henderson. The trustees are H. P. Dusinbury, I. L. Randall and J. H. Bushnell.
The Baptist church of Churchville was organized December II, 1851, by Rev. A. C. Drake, with an original membership of twenty persons. From this beginning the membership is now increased to sixty at the present time. The church edifice was erected in 1852. The present pastor of this church is Rev. A. A. Shaw.
St. Vincent de Paul's Roman Catholic church was organized in 1869, although masses were said in the town at a much earlier date. The church edifice was built in 1870. The parish of this church includes all the Catholic families of Churchville and its vicinity, and numbers about 400 persons of all ages. Rev. Father D. J. Curran is the present priest in charge of this church. The trustees are L. Lemon and Patrick McDermott.
In closing this chapter a brief allusion to the schools of Riga will be found of interest. The first school in town was located at the Center and was one of the earliest public institutions of the town. Its teacher was Thomas Gay. In 1814 and 1815 this school was taught by Billings Richmond, who had a hundred pupils. Another school located south of the Center, numbering twenty-five pupils, was taught by Lorin Clark, while the Churchville school was in charge of a third teacher and had thirty attendants. In 1820 Riga, inclusive of Chili, was divided into twenty-five districts, and the whole number of children of school age then living in the town was 977. In 1835, Chili in the meantime having been set off, Riga had sixteen districts and 704 children of school age.
As at present constituted, the town has ten school districts all of
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THE TOWN OF RUSH.
which, except No. 7, has a good school house. Of the nine buildings six are frame and three brick. During the school year ending July 31, 1884, twelve teachers were employed, and were paid $3,980. There was apportioned to the town in that year $1,598.09, and raised by town tax, $3, 127.82. Repairs cost $180 38 ; libraries, $72.87, and all other expenses of schools amounted to $455.81. The value of school property in Riga is $6,875.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE TOWN OF RUSH.
In the original division of the Genesee country into towns or provi- sional districts, in 1789, the town of Hartford was created. This name remained unchanged until 1808, and was thereafter known as Avon. The latter was in turn divided on March 13, 1818, and the present town of Rush formed. In 1821 it was taken from Ontario to form a part of the then created county of Monroe. In area the town contains 18,296 acres of land. Geographically, Rush lies near the center of the south border of the county, the Genesee River forming its western boundary. Honeoye Creek flows west through the town and discharges into the river near the center of the west border. Along the river valley are extensive flat lands, fertile and productive to a remarkable degree, and in this locality are many fine farms. The land surface is rolling, with an inclination to the west, and the soil is a calcareons loam on the up- lands, and a rich alluvium on the flats.
The first settlers in this new and then comparatively unknown region were James and John Ganson, who during the year 1788 visited the town and built a log house, and also made a clearing preparatory to cultivating the land. These young men came to this locality at the suggestion of their father, Capt. John Ganson, a soldier of the Revolu- tion, and whose knowledge of the country hereabouts was acquired during Sullivan's famous campaign against the Indians in 1779. Cap- tain Ganson was one of Sullivan's men and had taken an active part in
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LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY
the campaign. Yet so far as his residence in this town was concerned, he made the unfortunate mistake of acquiring the title to his lands from the Indians or the notorious lessee company, and the ultimate result was that he was obliged to abandon his improvement. Captain Ganson himself came to the town in 1789, and with his sons, constructed the first mills for grinding grain in the whole region. After leaving the town the family established themselves near Le Roy, where all were interested in keeping public houses, and there each became prominent in local affairs.
The Phelps and Gorham proprietary sold nearly all the lands of this township to Jeremiah Wadsworth, and also to Joseph Morgan and his associates, and under the sales made by them the actual and permanent settlement of the town was made. The Ganson tract passed into the hands of Col. William Markham and by him was occupied. He was a prominent man in the early history of Ontario county ; at one time was member of assembly. He came from New Hampshire and settled first in Bloomfield, and thence moved to Rush. One of the first distilleries in the region was located on his farm. He built a substantial mill in 1810, and two others at a later date, and, it is said, at one time owned one-sixteenth of all the land in this town. He died in 1826.
Capt. Ransom Smith was the cotemporary of Captain Markham, and came with him to the new region. The third settler was John Barnes, who located near Markham's, followed, about 1797, by Thomas Dailey. In 1801 Christie Thomas came in from Maryland, and built the first saw mill in the town in 1805, and two years later a bridge across Hon- eoye Creek. The still later settlers, though soon after 1800, Jacob Stull and Philip Price, the former of whom built a block-house in the town in 1802. Price built another in 1803. The Ott family came to Rush in 1801 and located on a 300-acre farm tract, and in the same year came John Bell. Abraham Wright, a mulatto, is said to have settled in the town as early as 1797, in the locality then known as the " Negro's settlement," but later as "Abraham's Plains." Soon afterward several negro families settled near this place, but after a time they nearly all disappeared.
In 1804 there came into the town a considerable colony of pioneers, nearly all of them from Connecticut, and every one an honest and de-
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THE TOWN OF RUSH.
termined settler, seeking to better his condition in the then famous Genesee country. These colonists were devoted members of the Bap- tist church in the east and continued their consistent life and example in this town, and from this fact the party became known as the " Bap- tist colony." Among their number were sixteen families, the heads being remembered as Squire Goff, Charles Goff, Comfort Goff, sr. and jr., Gurnsey and Enoch Goff, Ephraim Stoddard, Benajah Billings, Clark Davis, Stephen Wilcox, Thaddeus Harris, John Tupper, Daniel Remington, William Allen, and Eli Brainard. These families settled in the neighborhood of " the Square," in the western part of the town, and the descendants of many of them still live in the county.
Through the influence and energy of these colonists many worthy improvements were accomplished at an early day. The so-called "Square " was in accord with New England custom, and was provided through the generosity of Proprietor Wadsworth, not perhaps through purely philanthropic motives, but rather to induce settlement and the consequent sale of his lands. In this vicinity these good pioneers estab- lished a school and also made provision for regular weekly religious meetings. Elder Goff was one of their earliest ministers and preached for them until 1816.
Among the other early settlers of Rush may be recalled the names of John Mack, Joseph McFarlan, Jonathan and Wells Clark, Thomas Cummings, John Hartwell, Asa Farrer, John Bliss, Job Case, Jonathan, Ichabod, and Rufus Burdick, Nathaniel Rowley, Oliver Case, Jeremiah Ruland, Abram and Gabriel Furman, Elnathan Perry, John Underhill, Samuel Helmes (an early tavern-keeper), George Fenner, Ethan Davis, Jacob Shaffer, or Shaver, Nathan Jeffords, Cyrenus and Elisha Brown (the famous hut builders of early days), and others, all of whom are worthy of mention in these pages.
Continuing on the same line of narration, we may also mention the Martin families who came in from Maryland in 1809, and who were Jacob, Abraham, John, Henry and Daniel. Later comers were Daniel Hart, George Lyday, Peter and Philip Price, Joseph Sibley, Elisha Sib- ley, Dr. Alexander Kelsey, John Diver. The first physician was Dr. Farr, followed Drs. Fin, Kelsey, Kingsbury and Socrates Smith, about in the order named.
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LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.
Referring briefly to some of the first events of Rush history, there may be noted the fact that the Ganson boys built the first mill; Philip Price the first distillery, and Nathan Jeffords had the first pot-ashery. Martin Goodrich and one Jennings had the first tannery. The first child born was that of Joseph Morgan, in 1789. The first deaths were those of Mr. and Mrs. Markham, in 1791. John Webster kept the first inn, Benjamin Campbell the first store, and John Webster the first regu- lar grist mill.
A number of these early residents of Rush took an active part in the war of 1812-15, and among those remembered in that connection were Col. Philetus Swift, Joseph Sibley. Major John Markham, Benjamin Jeffords and Joseph Jeffords. John Case, John Sherwood, Calvin Diver and - Shemerhorn went out during the first year, while those who marched to the frontier and remained but a short time were Dr. Alex- ander Kelsey, Jacob Stull, George, Jacob, and Peter Price, Alfred Jaynes, Nathan Jeffords, Micah Fishall, Peter Ackley and Warren Cas- well.
From what has been noted on preceding pages the reader must dis- cover that settlement once begun in this region increased with rapidity until all the most available lands were well occupied. So rapid indeed was the increase in population that in 1820, just two years after the town was set off and separately organized, the number of inhabitants in the district was 1,701, more in fact than are in the town at the present day. The maximum population was reached in 1830, the census of that year showing the number of inhabitants to be 2,098 In 1840 it had decreased to 1,929, and in 1850 had increased to 2,015. In 1860 the number was 1,613, in 1870 was 1,654, in 1880 was 1,741, and in 1890 was 1,695. However, soon after 1815 the people of the north part of old Avon began to discuss the subject of a separate jurisdiction, for they were sufficient in number and so situated in the town as de- mand such an organization in the interest of public convenience. Con- sequently, an act was passed, Avon was divided, and on the 13th of March, 1818, the new town of Rush was created and soon thereafter fully organized.
The first town meeting was held at the dwelling of Benajah Billings, and William Markham was elected supervisor ; Peter Price, town clerk ;
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THE TOWN OF RUSH.
Nathan Jeffords, Jacob Stull, and John Markham, assessors; Nathan Rose, Dudley Brainerd and Clark Davis, commissioner of highways ; George Lyday and Peter Price, overseers of the poor ; Adolphus Allen, collector.
In 1821 Rush was separated from the mother county and taken for the formation of Monroe, and since that year the supervisors of the town have been as follows: Peter Price, 1821-31 ; Mimon M. Coe, 1832-34 ; Alfred Jones, 1835 ; John P. Stull, 1836-38; Nathan Jeffords, 1839 ; Joseph Sibley, 1840 ; Peter Price, 1841-47; Nathan Jeffords, 1848-49; Henry B. Hart, 1850; Nathan Jeffords, 1851 ; John B. Crosby, 1852 ; Wells Clark, 1853; Joseph Sibley, 1854; J. B. Crosby, 1855; Owen D. Crosby, 1856-58 ; Thomas J. Jeffords, 1859-67; Hosea Martin, 1868 ; Thomas J. Jeffords, 1869-70: Hosea Martin, 1871; Thomas J. Jeffords. 1872-73 ; George H. Houck, 1874-76; Charles M. Green, 1877-78; Joseph H. Sherman, 1879-82; David Martin, 1883-86 ; Byron A. Diver, 1887-89; Joseph H. Sherman, 1890-91; George Houck, 1892; David Martin, 1893-95.
The officers of the the town of Rush for the year 1895 are as follows: David Martin, supervisor; John H. Behnk, town clerk; James M. Heath, Andrew Liday, Samuel H. Kinny, George Frederick and The- odore Green, justices of the peace; Edward Morrison, James Sherman, and John Hetzler, assessors; Albert M. Goff, overseer of the poor ; Edward Darrohn, collector; Charles Hart, George Martin and Charles M. Green, excise commissioners; Joseph Keyes, road commissioner ; Everett Darrohn, Fred Banks, Charles Gottschalk, Martin Darn and Samuel Clark, constables.
As a manufacturing town Rush has never attained a position of any importance among the civil divisions of the county. In fact the loca- tion and natural features of the town are such as to preclude the possi- bility of any importance in this respect. However, glancing back over the past records of the town, we learn in 1820 there were in operation two saw mills, two grist mills, two distilleries and one ashery. Fifteen years later there were two grist mills, seven saw mills, one fulling mill, one carding machine, one distillery and one ashery. At the present time each of these industries has lost its usefulness and with the excep- tion of a single flour and grist mill, is no longer known to the town.
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LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.
As an agricultural town in general, Rush stands well in the county, and a fair proportion of her 18,296 acres is under cultivation. Originally the inhabitants devoted themselves to general agriculture and the grow- ing of wheat, but as the later product become unprofitable by reason of western competion, the local farmer has been compelled to substitute some other crops in its stead. A little practical experience has taught the Rush husbandman that the production of potatoes yields nearly the same profit as did wheat raising, and the result has been to place Rush in the front rank of potato producing towns in this entire region.
During the period of its history, within the town of Rush three small villages have been built up, but neither has attained the dignity of a corporate character.
East Rush is situated in the east part of the town and has a present population of about 300. Within the last few years this village has been given the benefit of a line of railroads, but even this has not stimulated local growth to any considerable extent. The business interests at this place comprise the steam and water powerflour and grist mill of Homer L. S. Hall, the general stores of Samuel H. Kinsey, M. S. Sherman, Mead & Provost, and the several small shops generally found in similar hamlets. Here are also two good hotels, known as the Price House and the Longfellow House.
West Rush is a hamlet of about 200 population situated in the west- ern portion of the town on the line of the old Canandaigua & Batavia railroad, and about one mile east of Rush station on the Erie Railroad. As a shipping point for potatoes and other products of the region this village has some prominence. The business and mercantile interest are the flour and grist mill of Richard Cook, the general stores of Clarence Carr and A. B. Chapman, the cooper shop of James Kelly, and two ho- tels known as the Sweeney and the Keys House.
North Rush, or as more familiarly and commonly known, Hart's Corners, is a small hamlet in the northwest part of the town, about one mile east of Scottsville station. As a trading center it is least in im- portance among the hamlets of the town, the business interests being the general store of Earnest Parmalee and cider mill of John Hetzler.
The church and religious history of the town of Rush forms an in- teresting element of local annals, and as such may be briefly treated in
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THE TOWN OF RUSH.
this chapter. The first religious society in the town was formed by the Baptist colony, who began their meetings soon after 1804, although a number of years passed before an organization was perfected. In Jan- uary, 1830, the Associated Baptist Society of Rush was formed, and ten years later a church home was built. However, this society has prac- tically passed out of existence and its old house of worship has been put to secular uses.
The First Methodist Episcopal church of Rush was formed in 1831, and was regularly incorporated February 19, 1844, under the name of the First Methodist Episcopal church of East Rush. The church edi- fice, built in 1845, was burned in 1850. The new church was com- pleted in 1852. This chuch is now a joint charge with Henrietta, under the pastoral care of Rev. J. T. Humphreys; the membership of these churches is about 150 persons.
The Evangelical Lutheran Reformed church of Rush was organized, and its church edifice was built about 1830. A second structure was erected in 1863. The pastor of this church was Rev. John Keeler.
The Christian church of Rush, or more properly, the church of the Diciples of Christ, was organized in 1829, although meetings of this denomination were held as early as 1815 by Elder Badger. The society was organized by Elder Silsby, and about 1832 a frame church was erected. A new church was erected about 1870. The present pastor is Rev. Mr Crow.
In 1804 or 1805 the Baptist colony caused to be built in the neigh- borhood of the " Square " a little log school house, and here Mr. West- fall taught the first school. In 1806 the second school house, a frame building, was built on the Square and here the first school was taught by Dudley Miller.
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