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 42
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Early in the century this element of local population organized the Caledonia Presbyterian Society, at the dwelling of Peter Campbell, and chose as trustees Peter Anderson, John Christie, Peter Campbell, Thomas Irvine and Duncan McPherson. In 1804 John McKay built a saw mill, thus enabling the inhabitants to construct better habitations. Referring briefly to the settlers on the west side of the town, there may be recalled the names of John McVean, James McLaren, John McPher- son, Donald McPherson, Peter Anderson, Deacon John Christie and others now forgotten.
In addition to those already mentioned we may recall generally the names of still others of the early settlers, among them Jacob Hetzler, Levi Lacy, Harris Rogers, Zachariah Garbutt, John, Philip and William Garbutt, sons of Zachariah, William Garbutt, Rev. Donald Mann, Joseph Blackmer, Deacon Rawson Harmon, Francis Albright, John McNaughton, George Goodhue, John Sage, Elihu Goble, Rufus Cady, Marvin Cady, Seeley Finch, Calvin Armstrong, Deacon Smith, Jirah Blackmer, Benjamin Irish, Abram Grant, Andrew Cone, Joseph Tucker, Henry Martin, Daniel and Martin Smith, Samuel Bassett, H. Hutchin-
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435
THE TOWN OF WHEATLAND.
son, James Olmstead Thomas Lowrey, Elder and John Mudge, Ebenezer Skinner, Bela Armstrong, Francis Smith, Theodore, Theron and Kinner Brown, sons of Rev. Solomon Brown, Joel Phelps, Rob- ert Smith, E. T. Miller, James Mallock, David and Elisha Farwell, Stephen Baker, William Shirts, William Peabody, Charles Killan, Whiting Merry, James Fraser, William Armstrong, Thomas Simpson, Philip Wardner, Moses Wells, William Reed, Joseph Blackmer, Thomas Stokes.
Town Organization .- The town now known as Wheatland was, on the 30th of March, 1802, formed, with other territory, into Southampton, and was so known and distinguished until April 4, 1806, when the name was changed to Caledonia. On the creation of Monroe county it became desirable to annex a portion of Caledonia to the new jurisdic- tion, consequently the creating act included 18,903 acres of that town's land. This act was passed February 23, 1821, and upon the organiza- tion of the new district the town was named " Inverness," and so called, undoubtedly, in allusion to Inverness, Scotland, from whence came many of the early settlers of this special region. On this subject a writer of early history says the town was named "from some Scotch whim." This may have been true, yet there is abundant room to doubt anything of a whimsical nature in the matter, for the Scotch settlers here were not types of that character. The name was indeed appro- priate and no reasonable explanation is yet offered to show why it should have been changed during the same legislative session, on April 30, to Wheatland. The latter name was also highly proper, for at that time and for many years afterward the town was noted for its wheat production, and as well for its general fertility and prolificy in all cereal products.
After the creation of the town the first meeting of the freeholders was held at the house of Powell Carpenter, on the 3d of April, 1821, at which time these officers were elected : John Garbutt, supervisor ; Levi Lacy, town clerk ; William Reed, Jirah Blackmer and William Garbutt, assessors ; Thomas Stoker, collector ; Rawson Harmon and Peter Shaf- fer, overseers of the poor; Joseph Cox, Clark Hall and Ephraim Black- mer, commissioners of highways; Freeman Edson, Thomas Lowry and Jirah Blackmer, commissioners of common schools; George Wood, Syl-
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vester Harmon and Peter W. McPherson, inspectors of common schools ; Caleb Calkins and Chester Savage, constables.
In this connection it is interesting to note the succession of supervisors of the town from its organization to the present time, viz: John Gar- butt, 1821 ; Rawson Harmon, 1822-23; Levi Lacy, 1824-25 ; John Garbutt, 1826-27; Isaac I. Lewis, 1828; William Garbutt, 1829, D. McVean, 1830-31 ; - Reed, 1832-33 ; John McVean, 1834-36 ; Theron Brown, 1837-38 ; John McVean, 1839 ; Jirah Blackmer, 1840- 41 ; Lewis Goodrich, 1842 ; Jirah Blackmer, 1843; Duncan McVean, 1844-45 ; Elisha Harmon, 1846-47 ; George R. Hall, 1848; Philip Garbutt, 1849; Ephraim Blackmer, 1850; Philip Garbutt, 1851-54; William Welch, 1855-56; Ephraim Finch, 1857-59; Samuel Scofield, 1860-63 ; Donald McNaughton, 1864-67; W. G. Ashby, 1868 ; Vol- ney P. Brown, 1869 ; T. R. Sibley, 1870; Donald McNaughton, 1871- 74; Philip Garbutt, 1875-76; J. Julian McVean, 1877 ; T. R. Sibley, 1878 ; Philip Garbutt, 1879-83 ; Charles T. Brown, 1884-86; William C. Page, 1887; Stephen Bennett, 1888; William C. Page, 1889-90; Edward A. Brown, 1891-92 ; George H. Pope, 1893-95.
The town officers for the year 1895 are George H. Pope, supervisor ; William H. Keyes, town clerk ; John Shoulder, David Nichols, Simon W. McDonald and Charles H. Mordoff, justices of the peace; George E. Slocum, R. H. Burrell, William Champ, assessors; D. Rogers, jr., Isaac Budlong, jr., and Patrick Freeman, highway commissioners ; Duncan McQueen, collector ; Otto Bennett, Ist district and Alexander Stewart, 2d district, overseers of the poor; David Corcoran, Alfred Kime and James Martin, excise commissioners ; Samuel McConkey, Isaac H. Warren, Duncan McQueen, William F. Lawson and Charles D. Nichols, collector.
Population .- In 1825, the year in which was made the first enumera- tion of inhabitants after the formation of the town, the population was 1,728, and in 1830 had increased to 2,240. Since this time the various fluctuations of population are best shown by quoting from the reports of the federal census made at the beginning of each decade, as follows : In 1840, 2,871 ; in 1850, 2,916; 1870, 2,560; 1880, 2,599; 1890, 2,400. From this it will be seen that the town now has more than 400 less inhabitants than it had in 1840, and less than 200 more than in 1830.
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THE TOWN OF WHEATLAND.
Another noticeable fact in connection with Wheatland history is that its present industries are not as numerous as they were at the erection of the town, in proof of which the statement may be made that in 1821, then having only 7,777 acres of land under improvement, there were in operation four grist mills, four saw mills, three fulling mills, three card- ing mills, four distilleries and two asheries. At that time, also, there were owned in the town 1,338 cattle, 327 horses and 3,082 sheep. Fifteen years later, there were under improvement 13,500 acres of land, and in operation six grist mills, three saw mills, one woolen factory, one distillery, one ashery and one tannery. In this year the cattle num- bered 1,753 : horses, 798; sheep, 6,580 ; swine 1,866. A comparison of these statements will show that with the decline of one industry or interest another succeeded, demonstrating clearly that Wheatland has never retrograded. The town now has 18,903 acres of land nearly all of which is susceptible of constant cultivation. It was originally a wheat producing town, and as such was famous throughout the whole Genesee country. In fact, from its prominence in this respect, it was named " Wheatland," the land of wheat.
While the wheat district has not materially lessened in fertility and productiveness. the farmers have been compelled to resort to other pro- ducts to a great extent, as wheat during recent years has been an un- profitable crop, and growers now fully realize the fact that the East cannot compete with the West in producing this staple. At the present time the enterprising agriculturalists are large growers of beans, and in this commodity the town produces abundantly and profitably. More- over, in general agriculture Wheatland ranks among the foremost towns of the Genesee country.
Villages and Hamlets .- During the full century of occupancy of Wheatland, several small villages or hamlets have been established and built up, some the creations of convenience, others of necessity, but none has ever attained the dignity of a corporate character.
Scottsville was founded and named in honor of Isaac Scott, a New Hampshire Yankee, who came to the region in 1790 and purchased from the Wadsworths one hundred and fifty acres of land at $4 per acre. He was a farmer but took the first step toward founding a village by building and opening a public house. Soon afterward Abraham Han-
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ford opened a store, and Dr. Freeman Edson, who also came from New Hampshire, began practicing physic and surgery on the village site. Both were here as early as 1814. Other residents soon came in and before 1816 a tannery and an ashery were in operation in the settlement. In 1816 a second tavern was opened by Dr. Augustus Bristol, and in the same year David McVean built a grist mill. The tannery was built during the war of 1812 by Jonathan Babcock, succeeded in occupancy by Martin Goodrich. The first distillery was built by Sherman Bills, while the second was "run " by Abraham Hanford as an adjunct to his grist mill. Thus the village was established, and from that early day to the present time Scottsville has been the leading business center of the
town. However. among the early residents of the village, and in some manner identified with its history, may be mentioned the names of Mr. Sharp and Luman Guthrie, blacksmiths; Edward Collins, mason and builder ; Alvin Savage, millwright and general mechanic; Whitman Ashley, lawyer ; John Farquharson, wagonmaker. A post-office was established in the village in 1822, Dr. Edson, postmaster. A canal was completed from Rochester to Scottsville in 1840. A classical school or academy was opened here in 1824, with Rev. John Milligan as principal, but being an unprofitable venture was abandoned after a few years.
From the humble' beginnings narrated above the present village of Scottsville has grown. In population it numbers about eight hundred, and although its business interests have never been large, those which have been established have generally proved substantial and profitable. However, in January, 1895, the chief industry of the village was de- stroyed by fire, this disaster being a serious blow to local interests, for the large flouring mills were an important factor in local prosperity. The present business interests are the general stores of Keys Bros., Williams & Dunn, J. Chambers & Son, and the general hardware store of L. M. Slocum. There are two good hotels, the " McVean House " and the " Cargill House." The district school is one of the best features of the village, and one of the best institutions of its kind in this part of the county. The district trustees are William Rafferty, W. J. Howe and Selden S. Brown. Four teachers are employed. In the immedi- ate vicinity of the village is the famous stock and dairy farm of H. L. S. Hall, whose herd of Jersey cows attracted attention from the whole
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THE TOWN OF WHEATLAND.
country. The village fire apparatus consists of a hand engine and a well equipped bucket brigade. The fraternal organizations are Otka Lodge, No. 759. F. & A. M., and a tent of Maccabees.
The village of Scottsville or its near vicinity is the seat of four well organized and worthy church societies, the Methodist Episcopal, Pres- byterian, Protestant Episcopal, and Roman Catholic; and to each of these we may briefly refer.
A Methodist class was formed soon after 1820, and comprised Joel Hunter, wife and one daughter, Mrs. Carpenter, John Harroun, Henry Tarbox and Mrs. Buck. The church society was incorporated Febru- ary 4, 1827, and on February 23, 1829, the first service was held in the first church edifice. This society is now in excellent condition, the church attendance being large, and regular members numbering 100 persons. The pastor is Rev. Y S. Robinson, and the trustees J. T. Wells, W. W. Wells, Frank Shaffer and T. E. Sanders.
The Presbyterian Church of Scottsville was organized in March, 1822, on a Congregational basis, and adopted Presbyterian form in 1832. The first members were chiefly from Caledonia, Riga and Chili. Rev. John Mulligan began preaching in the town as early as 1821, and was the first stated supply of the society when formed. A house of worship was erected and completed in 1831. Th pastor of this church is Rev. Edwin Bristol.
Grace Church, Protestant Episcopal, was the result of missionary services conducted in the town sixty and more years ago. The parish and church have never been numerically strong, yet is one of the sub- stantial institutions of the locality. The number of communicating members is sixty-seven. The rector is Rev. F. A .Gould. The war- dens are S. S. Brown and M. C. Mordoff; vestrymen, Seward Sco - field, Charles S. Ellis, Francis Cox, M.D. Strobel, jr., C. F. Hardy, T. R. Sibley.
The Church of the Assumption, at Scottsville, otherwise occasionally known as St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, originated in services of missionary character begun in the village about the year 1840, at which time a parish was organized and a building remodeled for church pur- poses. A regular edifice, commodious and convenient, was built in 1853-54. This church is now under the pastoral care of Rev. Father
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L. A. Lambert, and the congregation numbers about 400, including all the Catholic families of the vicinity.
Mumford is a pretty little hamlet of about 350 inhabitants, situated in the southwest part of Wheatland, and, like Scottsville, has access to the excellent water privileges of Allen's Creek. The pioneer of this locality was Donald McKenzie, who established a cloth dressing mill here early in the century. The mill was in operation here in 1809. John and Rober Mckay bought a tract of land in this locality, and the latter soon sold his interest to Thomas Mumford. In 1817 John McKay and Mumford built the large grist mill that made a village settlement here, and from Thomas Mumford the hamlet was given its name, although Elisha H. S. Mumford succeeded his father in the mill, and did much to establish the prosperous condition of the settlement. A post office was established here about 1835. The first store keeper was Philip Garbutt. A brewery was started by L. White in 1825, and the first tavern was opened by Benjamin Dobson.
From these primitive enterprises the present prosperous little village has been built up, and at no time in its history has it ever attained greater importance than it now enjoys. Somewhat remote from the county seat, to be sure, yet directly connected therewith by rail, no serious inconvenience is experienced on this account. Here is the very center of a rich agricultural region, the inhabitants being thrifty and in good circumstances generally, which element has contributed to village growth and importance. Mumford now has three general stores the proprietors of which are Woodward & Keefe, Reid & Skiventon, and A. P. Campbell ; also two good hotels and mills and shops incident to such hamlets. Here is also a good district school and three churches.
The Baptist Church of Mumford, now under the pastoral charge of Rev. D. L. McVey, was constituted December 9, 1852, under the min- istry of Rev. W. W. Everts. The church edifice was completed and dedicated August 24, 1853, and the first pastor was Rev. C. A. Wardner.
The United Presbyterian Church of Mumford was organized May 13, 1869, with nearly thirty constituent members. The society built a substantial edifice in 1876. This church, now fairly large and progress- ive, is under the pastoral charge of Rev. W. J. Reid.
St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church at Mumford is another large
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THE TOWN OF WHEATLAND.
and worthy institution of the village, and is in charge of Rev. Father George J. Eisler. This church was founded about the year 1840.
Beulah and Belcoda are hamlets, hardly more than cross road settle- ments, both in the northern part of Wheatland. At the hamlet first mentioned was established and built the United Presbyterian Church in February, 1852, with twenty-seven original members. The church has ever maintained an existence, and though small in membership is nev- ertheless a worthy organization. Its present pastor is Rev. David Anderson.
The old Baptist Church of Wheatland was one of the pioneer soci- eties of the town, and was organized May 25, 1811. Its first members included about twelve or fifteen of the first settlers. The first pastor was Elder Solomon Brown. In 1845 the church edifice was remodeled, but when ready for occupancy was destroyed by fire. Another struc- ture was built at once.
Another of the pioneer institutions was the Farmers' Library of Wheatland, which was organized January 26, 1805, and though now a thing of the past is nevertheless worthy of at least a mention in this chapter.
In this chapter frequent mention has been made of the location and character of the early schools of Wheatland, wherefore in the present connection little need be said other than to present the present condi- tion of the educational system of the town. In 1820 Wheatland was di- vided into eight school districts, and the number of children of school age (between five and fifteen years) was 371. In 1835 the districts numbered nine with 780 children attending school. In 1894 according to the com- missioners' report for the year ending July 3 Ist, the districts numbered nine, and children of school age 715. There were nine school houses, also one private school with seven pupils. The total amount of moneys available for school purposes during the year was $8,336.12, of which $2,059 25 was apportioned from public moneys and $4,911.20 was raised by town tax. Fifteen teachers were employed, and paid the aggregate of $6,084.05. Of the school buildings, six are of frame and three of brick construction. The value of school property in the town is estimated at $22,050.
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56
JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS.
The chapter on the Bench and Bar contained brief sketches of some of the more distinguished of the deceased judges who had been resi- dents of Rochester during most of their lives. Nothing of a biographi- cal character was given in that connection concerning any of the living members of the profession, and it is thought to be only fitting that something should be said in this place of some, at least, of those who continue to adorn the bench or to enhance the honor of the bar.
George F. Danforth was born in Boston, Mass., July 5, 1819, and is a son of Isaac and Dolly Danforth, natives of New Hampshire. He was graduated from Union college in 1840 and in August of that year came to Rochester, where he read law. Admitted to the bar he began the practice of his profession in this city in June, 1843, and continued without interruption until January 1, 1879, when, having been elected, he took his seat as associate judge of the court of Appeals of the state of New York. He served in that capacity till December 31, 1890, when he retired from the bench by reason of the constitutional limitation as to age. He then resumed the practice of law, in which he still con- tinues. He is a strong Republican, and in 1892 was president of the judiciary commission, For many years he has occupied a foremost place not only in the bar of Monroe county but in the bar of Western New York, while in the jurisprudence of the state his great ability and profound knowledge of law have received universal recognition. On April 27, 1846, he married Miss Frances J. Wright, daughter of Orrin and Frances J. (Gold) Wright, of Pittsford, Mass.
John M. Davy was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on June 29, 1835, and removed to Monroe county with his parents when an infant, residing in the towns of Mendon and Henrietta until he began the prac- tice of law, when he came to Rochester. Receiving a common school
J. M. DAVY.
WILLIAM E. WERNER.
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JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS.
and academic education he read law in the office of Strong, Palmer & Mumford, but before completing his legal studies he assisted, in 1862, in raising Co. G, of the 108th Regiment N. Y. Vols., and was appointed first lieutenant of that company. He was in active service in the war for the Union until the winter of 1863, when, being incapaci- tated by illness, he was honorably discharged, returned to Rochester, resumed the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in December, 1863. Being an unswerving Republican he was nominated by his party and elected district attorney of Monroe county in the fall of 1868 and served until 1871, declining a renomination. In 1872 he was appointed by President Grant collector of customs for the port of Genesee, and held that office until he took his seat in the XLIVth congress in 1875, to which he had been elected by the Repub- licans. At the close of his congressional term he again devoted his at- tention to his profession, in which he has achieved eminent success. In 1888 he was nominated by both the Republican and Democratic judi- cial conventions for the Seventh Judicial district for the office of justice of the Supreme court, to succeed Judge Angle, and his election was equally unanimous, the vote being the largest ever cast for a Supreme court justice in this district. Judge Davy has honored and dignified this responsible position for seven years, and is one of the ablest advo- cates on the Supreme bench of the state.
George F. Yeoman, ex-justice of the Supreme court for the Seventh Judicial district of this state, was born in Delaware county, in 1846. He studied at the university of Rochester, and began the practice of law in this city in 1875. The death of Judge Francis A. Macomber caused a vacancy on the bench and on November 10, 1893, Governor Flower appointed Mr. Yeoman to fill the same. He took the oath of office November 15, 1893, and retired December 31, 1894.
William E. Werner, justice of the Supreme court, was born in Buf- falo, N. Y., on the 19th of April, 1855, and received his early education in the public schools of his native city. In 1877 he came to Rochester and read law in the offices of W. H. Bowman and D. C. Feely, and while pursuing his studies was appointed clerk of the Municipal court, in which capacity he served until shortly before his admission to the bar in October, 1880. He then entered upon the successful practice of
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his profession, and continued until the fall of 1884, when he was elected special county judge of Monroe county. After serving three years, he was unanimously re-elected to the same office in 1887. In 1889, when the office of county judge was made vacant by the death of Judge Morgan, he was unanimously elected to that responsible position, which he held until December 31, 1894. In November, 1894, he was elected without opposition to the office of justice of the Supreme court of the state of New York for the Seventh judicial district, which position he now holds.
Justice Werner commands the respect and confidence of all citizens regardless of party affiliations, and his services upon the bench have been characterised by ability, dignity, justice and honesty. As an attorney he had charge of the legal business of many of the largest corporations in the city, and before his accession to the bench he was regarded as one of the most successful lawyers in the county. In every relation, as judge, lawyer and citizen, he has been and is deservedly popular and influential. He is a member of several social organisations, and is also prominently identified with the Masonic order, with the Odd Fellows, and with the Knights of Pythias.
Harvey Humphrey, born in Goshen, Conn., in 1798, was a son of Jonathan and Rachel Humphrey, farmers, who settled with their family in East Bloomfield (township No. 10 of Phelps and Gorham's pur- chase), Ontario county, in the spring of 1799, being among the pioneers of that section. There he was reared and educated. In 1816 he entered Hamilton college, and was graduated first in his class in 1820, pronouncing the salutatory. He manifested a special love for the classics throughout life. Leaving college he entered the law office of Nicholas B. Randall, at Manlius, N. Y., and remained two years. In 1822 he became a tutor in his alma mater, and for two years taught Latin and Greek. Resigning in 1824 he settled in Rochester and soon after was admitted to the court of Common Pleas, and for fifty-three years practiced his profession in this city. Soon after his admission he was appointed justice of the peace and held that office for a long time. About 1829 he was admitted as solicitor in chancery ; in 1843 he formed a partnership with Hon. Isaac Hills; and from 1852 to 1856 he served as judge of Monroe county. He was also a village trustee
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JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS.
and for several years supervisor. He was one of the founders of the Pundit club, and between 1855 and 1875 contributed to it no less than twenty papers on scientific, historic, and other technical subjects, and often wrote for the press and periodicals. He was one of the most emi- nent lawyers of his time, long a leader of the bar of Western New York, a profound scholar, well versed in the classics, a man of many attain- ments, and after a successful career filled with study and good deeds died May 1, 1877. He was married in October, 1828, to Elizabeth Rogers Perkins.
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