USA > New York > Steuben County > Landmarks of Steuben County, New York > Part 18
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THE CIVIL DIVISIONS OF THE COUNTY.
From this we may learn that Wheeler is a somewhat hilly town. In fact the entire land surface may be called a high rolling upland, broken by valleys and small creeks, and its soil a shaley and clayey loam, not much sought by farmers for agricultural purposes generally. This, at all events, was said of the town three-quarters of a century ago, but not- withstanding all that was said in discouragement of the quality or fer- tility of the soil, the successive generations of inhabitants have devel- oped the resources of the town, and to-day Wheeler stands in the front rank of potato producing regions in the State of New York, while in general agricultural products the town bears favorable comparison with any in Steuben county. The recent building of a railroad through the town has been of inestimable value to all local interests, affording ready access to good markets east and west.
However, referring again to the subject of early history, we may note some of the more important first events. The first birth was that of William, son of Jonathan Barney, and the date November 1, 1801. The first death was that of Joseph Kinney. John Beals kept the first tavern, and Grattie Wheeler taught the first school. Captain Wheeler built the first saw mill, in 1802, and George W. Taylor the first grist mill, in 1803-4. The first store was opened by Cornelius Younglove, in 1835.
In 1820 the district which afterward formed Wheeler had 798 inhab- itants, and it was but natural that they should seek a separate organiza - tion in the interest of public convenience. To this end the creating power was petitioned, and on the 25th of February the town was erected, territory therefor being taken from the older towns of Bath and Prattsburg. However, in 1839 a part of Wheeler was set off to Urbana, and in 1843 another part was set off to Avoca. The voters of Wheeler first met soon after the town was set off and elected Thomas Aulls supervisor, together with a complete board of officers, but on account of the imperfect condition of the records, we cannot furnish the names of all who were chosen at that time. It is understood, however, that Mr. Aulls was re-elected in 1822 and 1824, and probably held the office until succeeded by Mr. Barney in 1830. Grattan H. Wheeler was supervisor in 1823. The records of this town previous to 1830 are in- deed defective, but reasonably well preserved during later years.
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LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
The supervisors of Wheeler since 1830 hnve been as follows: Jon- athan Barney, 1830, '32, '35-38, and '46; Thomas Aulls, 1831; Seth Wheleer, 1833-34 ; S. H. Rose, 1839; Hosea Longwell, 1840-41 ; O. F. Marshall, 1842-44; H. N. Rose, 1845 ; H. H. Rose, 1847 ; J. E. Gunsalus, 1848-49; Benj. Myrtle, 1850-51; Grattan H Wheeler, 1852 ; Dan D. Thompson, 1853-54; Ira P. Barney, 1855, and 1857- 58 ; Daniel Gray, 1856, '59, '61, and 1866-68 ; James Derrick, 1860 and 1862-64 ; S. H. Rose, 1865 ; J. H. Lewis, 1866; Julius Stickney, 1870-71; Samuel H. Lewis, 1872; L. H. Wheeler, 1873 ; William Gardner, 1874-75 ; Thomas Aulls, 1876-78 ; Ira P. Barney, 1879-80; R. W. Thompson, 1881-82 ; F. J. Marshall, 1883-84; Jerome B. Ellis, 1885-88; Julius Stickney, 1889; Jerome B. Ellis, 1890-91 ; O. F. Marshall, 1892-95.
The officers of the town for the year 1895 are as follows: O. F. Marshall, supervisor ; Marshall Myrtle, town clerk; Julius Stickney, Dennis S. Derrick, Oliver Fox and Cornelius Crants, justices of the peace ; O. D. Wheeler, O. D. Fox and S. S. Shant, assessors ; L. E. Cook, collector; Lemuel H. Lewis, overseer of the poor; Martin Clark, highway commissioner ; E. K. Clark, C. H. Butts and W. L. Rose, excise commissioners.
The civil, social and political history of Wheeler, from first to last, has been uneventful, yet has been an almost continuous record of pro- gression. The town has furnished its full quota of strong men for pub- lic positions, and all have been competent, faithful and worthy. During that unfortunate period commonly called the anti-rent conflict local in- terests were represented by Jonathan Barney, Nathan Rose 2d, Abram J. Quackenbush, David Barney and John C. Overhiser. However, even this temporary disturbance had no serious effect upon the well- being of the town, and after it had passed the people returned to their accustomed pursuits; and by persistent and diligent effort they suc- ceeded in obtaining the relief they once sought at the hands of the land agents. In 1830 the population was 1,389, and in 1850 the greatest number of inhabitants ever attained in the town was reached, being 1,47I. The population in 1890 was 1,285.
In 1860 the population was 1,376, yet, during the war which fol- lowed, the patriotism of Wheeler was demonstrated in the fact that the
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THE CIVIL DIVISIONS OF THE COUNTY.
town sent into the service a total of 126 men. These were scattered through the several commands recruited in the county and vicinity and the story of their experiences and hardships, successes and reverses, is told in another chapter of this volume.
Wheeler has an area of 27,900 acres of land, nearly all of which is devoted to general agriculture. As a farming town it ranks well and as a potato producing region it is unsurpassed. During its history there have been built up two small hamlets or villages, but neither has gained sufficient population to justify incorporation. In another de- partment of this work will be found a reference to each of these hamlets. In still another chapter will be found a notice of the church history of the town, in which almost the entire population take just and pardon- able pride. Of the early schools little is known which may be con - sidered reliable, and the records bearing on this subject are incomplete and imperfect. We have already mentioned the first and early schools, and it is known that soon after the organization of the town the terri- tory was divided into districts to suit the convenience of the people, and a school was provided for each district. As at present arranged Wheeler has thirteen school districts, each of which is provided with a comfortable school house. During the last current year thirteen teachers were employed. The value of school property in the town is $6,325. The town receives of public moneys about $1,500 annually, and raises by local tax for school support about $1,700.
WOODHULL .- In the extreme south part of Steuben county, border- ing on the Pennsylvania line, is a civil division containing 33,600 acres of land, a good general agricultural region, known as Wood- hull. This town was created by act of the Legislature, February 18, 1828, and was named in honor of General Nathaniel Woodhull, an officer and patriot of the Revolutionary war. To this formation the older towns of Troupsburg and Addison surrendered portions of their territory, and also their population to the number of about 500 hard working and determined inhabitants.
The physical characteristics of Woodhull are quite similar to those of adjoining towns, the surface being generally hilly upland, the soil clayey and gravelly loam, fairly fertile even on the highlands and rich through- out the valleys. Tuscarora Creek is the chief stream, and courses east
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LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
through the north part of the town, having in times now gone, furnished abundant water power for the many mills which were built along its banks. In fact, for many years Woodhull was quite noted as a lumber region ; milling was carried on extensively and profitably, and farming did not become the leading pursuit of the inhabitants till within a com- paratively recent date. Though now secondary in importance, lumber making is still going on and much good standing timber is found in the town.
The first permanent settler in Woodhull, or rather township I of range 4, of the Phelps and Gorham purchase, was Daniel Johnson, who came in 1804 and made an improvement, although it is said that about that time two other settlers were here, named Spears and Merlin, but after making a clearing left the region. Pioneer Johnson also became an active factor in early history, and was the first supervisor of Troups- burg, holding that office from 1808 to 1812. The settlers in 1805 were Stephen Dolson, Bethuel Tubbs, Price Kilpatrick, Patrick Breakhill, Squire Wilkes, Amos Riffle, Samuel B. Rice and William Martin. In 1806 Caleb Smith came in from Orange county, and after locating his family at once began the erection of both saw and grist mills, the latter being a log building, but nevertheless a great benefit to the people of the whole region. In the same year Joshua Green, Asel Stiles and Henry Martin located in the north part of the town. Daniel Cortright, Lekins Clark, Mr. Mynear, or Manier, and one Layton settled on the south branch of the creek about the same time. In 1807 the Smith mills, and also the dam, were carried away by high water. The second mill was built by George Martin in 1812. Among the other early settlers, though perhaps not pioneers, were Abner Thomas, John Latimer, Seth Pierce (who opened the road from Canisteo River to the village of Woodhull in 1821), Peter Smith, Bethel Gurnsey, Micajah Sherwood (whose descendants were prominent men in the county), John Stone, Hugh Boyd (from whose settlement the locality called Pulteney Hill was named), James Williams, Samuel Stroud, Mr. Hornecker, Seth Baxter, Worcester Perry, Thomas Hedges, Samuel Smith, Martin and Henry Harding, Andrew Colgrove, Joseph Tubbs, Sylvester Tousey, John Stone, Calvin Searle, all of whom, and others now forgotten, in
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THE CIVIL DIVISIONS OF THE COUNTY.
some manner contributed to the early building up of a thriving settle- ment.
Noting briefly some of the first events, we may state that the first birth was that of Polly Smith ; the first marriage that of Levi Rice and Cynthia Tubbs ; the first death that of Benjamin Tubbs. Caleb Smith built the first mills ; Ichobod Leach kept the first tavern; Josiah Tubbs opened the first store, and Abner Thomas taught the first school.
As early as 1826 and '27 the inhabitants began to discuss the subject of a separate town, but the matter did not culminate until 1828, when the Legislature passed the act creating the town. However, in 1856, a portion of Woodhull was set off to Rathbone. The first town meet- ing in Woodhull was held at the house of Asher Johnson, and he was elected supervisor; Jeffry Smith, town clerk, and Levi Tubbs, collector. The county records disclose these facts, but we may here state that in 1866, and again in 1875, the village of Woodhull was visited with disastrous fires, by which the records were entirely destroyed; also the business part of the village. However, the succession of supervis- ors of the town is known, and is as follows :
Asher Johnson, 1828-30; David Edwards, 1831-37 ; Stephen Kent, 1838-40; David Edwards, 1841-44; Christopher Marlatt, 1845-48 ; Stephen G. Tubbs, 1849-50; S. V. Lattimer, 1852 ; Jeffry Smith, 1853; Asa Arnold, 1854; S. V. Lattimer, 1855 ; A. J. C. Edwards, 1856-57 ; S. V. Lattimer, 1858-59; Nelson Perry, 1860-61 ; S. V. Lattimer, 1862-63 ; Halsey Swarts, 1864; J. R. Strock, 1865 ; D. H. Williams, 1866; James Carpenter, jr., 1867 ; J. S. Warner, 1868-70 ; H. S. Williams, 1871-72; Wm. Carpenter, 1873-75 ; Silas G. Tubbs, 1876-77 ; C. W. Morgan 1878 ; John Sullivan, 1879 ; Wm. S. Edwards, 1880; Wm. M. Sherwood, 1881; H. S. Williams, 1882 ; Jerome S. Warner, 1883-84 ; John W. McPhee, 1885 ; Solomon L. Wildrick, 1886 -87 ; Delany Colvin, 1888-89; Leonard Lamson, 1890-91 ; Charles W. Tubbs, 1892-93 ; Jerome C. Husted, 1894-95.
The officers of the town for the year 1895 are Jerome C Husted, supervisor ; Samuel H. Barrett, town clerk ; R. C. Park, B. F. Gee, L. B. Walker and J. S. Andrews, justices ; Jent C. Brown, Leroy Hoglin and Eugene Hurd, assessors ; Charles S. Castle, collector ; M. P. Wilson, overseer of the poor; Earl Herrington, highway commissioner; John M. Park, John Stroud and Bradley Husted, excise commissioners.
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LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
Woodhull is one of the comparatively few towns of Steuben county in which there has been a gradual increase in population. In 1830, two years after the erection of the town, the inhabitants numbered 501, and in 1840 had increased to 827. Ten years later the population was 1,769, and by 1860 had still further increased to the maximum number of 2,207, regardless of the fact that in 1856 a portion of the town was annexed to Rathbone. In 1870, however, the number had fallen to 1,997, and in 1880 to 1,963, but in 1890 increased to 2,006. The population in 1892 was 2,084.
As one of the townships purchased by the Pulteney Association, so- called, from Robert Morris, Woodhull was materially affected by the anti rent disturbance ; and we find a number of the influential men of the town active participants in the events of that unfortunate period. In the convention held at Bath in 1830 the delegates from Woodhull were Caleb Smith, Samuel Stroud, Asher Johnson, Jeffrey Smith and Martin Harder. Asher Johnson served on the committee appointed to prepare the famous memorial presented to the agents of the proprietary, and the other delegates were also active in the affairs of the convention.
During the war of 1861-65, this town furnished about one hundred and eighty men for the service, and a glance at the official roster of the several regiments to which they belonged will disclose the fact that a number of these brave volunteers never returned to the town, but lie buried on southern battle fields. The history of the companies in which were Woodhull men forms an interesting chapter in local annals, and the story of the war and of the various commands from this county is told in another department of this work.
Within the geographical limits of this town are four hamlets or unin- corporated villages, each having a post-office and mercantile interests of greater or less importance. Among these the village of Wood- hull is largest and is a place of some note. Special reference to it will be found in the department of this work devoted to municipal history.
Borden is the name of a hamlet containing a post-office, three stores and a church, situated about six miles south of Woodhull village. The postmaster is Gird Harrison.
Hedgesville is a hamlet situated four miles north of the principal
HIRAM PRITCHARD.
-
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THE WAR OF 1812.
village of the town. It contains three stores, three blacksmith shops, a planing and saw mill, a barber shop and the M. E. church. The post- master is Elmer W. Hurd.
CHAPTER XII.
Events Preceding and During the War of 1812-15-Companies Organized in Steu- ben County -- Results of the War -- The Conflict with Mexico -- The Steuben Company -Population of the County by Decades.
For nearly a score of years following the first settlement in this county nothing occurred to interrupt or retard progress and development in the region. During this period the county was favored in an unusual degree; towns were formed and settled, forests were cleared, fine farms were opened, highways were constructed, and substantial dwellings lined the thoroughfares of travel. The pioneers were a hardy and patri- otic class, and came to the region from New England, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Eastern New York, while still others were foreigners, from Ireland, Scotland, Germany and elsewhere, and all were united in a common hope of making for themselves and their families comfortable homes and fortunes in the new country. Through their energetic efforts the forests soon gave place to farms of rare fertility, thus developing agricultural resources at least to an extent which supplied domestic re- quirements.
During the period referred to, this county acquired its greatest com- parative growth in population, and with this came power to sustain the nation during peril. Hence, when first murmurings of another war with Great Britain were heard, this part of the State was well prepared to endure its hardships and its taxation, and the part that it bore in the great conflict must be made the subject of special mention. In one re- spect at least the people of Steuben county were favored during the course of the war of 1812-15, for, while occasional discontent prevailed among the few Indian occupants of the region, there was no outbreak on the part of any of them, and the settlers had not to defend their
24
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homes against their attacks; and in the war like preparations which were made in the county no force was required to protect the rapidly increasing settlements. However, let us briefly refer to the causes which led to the war, after which mention will be made of the services performed by the soldiers of the county.
During the few years immediately preceding the war of 1812, the whole country was in a state of nominal peace, but still there was gath- ering in the political sky a dark cloud which increased until it boded another foreign war. During the Revolution, America contended for independence and won that precious boon; in 1812 she fought to maintain that independence on which British aggression had insolently trespassed.
The United States had always honorably observed the provisions of the treaty made with Great Britain at the close of the Revolution. There had been maintained, too, a strict neutrality during the progress of the Napoleonic war, when perhaps every consideration of gratitude should have induced an alliance against the mother country. For several years the aggressive acts of the British had been a subject of anxiety and regret to all Americans, and indeed had created bitter in- dignation. The embargo laid by Congress upon our shipping (as a means of safety) was found so injurious to commercial interests that it was repealed, and the non-intercourse act was passed in its stead, In April, 1809, the British ambassador in Washington opened negotiations for the adjustment of difficulties, and consented to a withdrawal of the obnoxious British " orders in council," so far as they affected the United States, on condition that the non-intercourse act be repealed. This was agreed upon, and the president issued a proclamation announcing that on the 10th of June trade with Great Britain might be resumed. The British government, however, refused to ratify the proceedings and re- called their minister, whereupon the president revoked his proclamation, and the non-intercourse act again went into operation. Then followed a succession of British aggressions to which no American could submit, and the only choice left to the nation was war or disgraceful humilia- tion.
On the 12th day of June, 1812, President Madison sent a confidential message to Congress, in which he recapitulated the long list of British
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THE WAR OF 1812.
aggressions, and declared it to be the duty of Congress to consider whether the American people should longer passively submit; but at the same time he cautioned the House to avoid entanglements with other powers which were then hostile to Great Britain.
The result of the message and the deliberation of Congress was a formal declaration of war on the 19th of June, 1812, but the measure was not unanimously sustained or even approved in all parts of the Middle and New England States. The opposition element was em- braced in the Federal party, its chief ground of objection being that the country was not prepared for war. The Federalists constituted a large and influential minority of the political element of Congress and had a considerable following in the several States not active in politics. They asked for further negotiations and met the denunciations of the ruling party (the Democratic and Republican, for it went by both names) upon the English government with bitter attacks upon Napoleon, whom they accused the majority with favoring.
It is a well known fact that during the period of the war, the great majority of the people of Steuben county were heartily interested in the American cause, and expressed themselves freely in public gatherings, at the polls, and in the measures proposed for prosecuting the war, Opposed to them were the Federalists, who, though strong in wealth and influence, were numerically weak. They took to themselves the dignified name of " Peace Party," and characterized the opposition as " Screaming War Hawks." However, having no newspaper mouth- piece in the county, they were not an important factor in occurring events.
Three companies of Steuben county militia were ordered into service for three months during the first year of the war. Wayne furnished one of these, commanded by Captain James Sanford. The second, the Urbana company, mustered fifty men and was commanded by Captain Abraham Brundage ; William White, first lieutenant, and Stephen Gar- ner, ensign. These companies united with two others of Allegany county, forming a battalion under command of Major Asa Gaylord, of Urbana. This excellent officer died upon the lines and was succeeded by Colonel Dobbins. The drafted company, organized at Bath, was in charge of Capt. Jonas Cleland, of Cohocton ; Samuel D. Wells and John
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LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
Gillet, lieutenants, and John Kennedy, ensign. The troops reached the frontier in time to take part against the British at Queenstown Heights, but they were unfortunate in battle owing to lack of proper discipline. In the second year of the war two militia companies were drafted from the county and Bath was a central seat of operations, although the companies, like those of the previous year, were from the north part of the county generally. The companies of this year's campaigns were commanded by Captains James Reed, of Urbana, and Jonathan Rowley, of Dansville. The lieutenants were George Teeples, Anthony Swarth- out, John Short and John E. Mulhollen, and the ensigns were O. Cook, Jabez Hopkins, George Knouse and Timothy Goodrich.
A detail of the events of the war is not needed in these pages. The results of the struggle are written in the conflicts on Lake Erie, the re- pulse of the invaders on the Delaware, the painful and humiliating scenes of the Chesapeake, the invasion of New York and the attempt to control the Hudson River and Lake Champlain. The story is further told in the brilliant victory at Plattsburg, the capture of Niagara and Oswego, the battles at Black Rock, Lundy's Lane, Sackett's Harbor, closing with the glorious defense of New Orleans. Above all were the masterly exploits of our navy, whose victories over the British cruisers gave the enemy the most serious view of American prowess. Peace, however, came at last and the treaty was ratified February 15, 1815.
The outbreak of the war of 1812 awoke a tremendous impulse through- out this region of the country, for many of the settlers had seen service in the Revolution, and their sons were now in the enrolled militia. The same martial spirit which came with the pioneers was manifested in later years on the old fashioned days of " general training," when the farmer, the mechanic and the woodsman abandoned toil and hied away to the " muster " for a season of jollification as well as for military discipline.
This early military organization and training served well in after times, for hardly more than a score and a half of years had passed be- fore the county was again called upon to furnish men for another war. We refer to that period of national history in which occurred the con- flict at arms between the United States and Mexico, in which Steuben was required to raise one company, and William E. Shannon loyally offered to accomplish the work. It was done in a very short time, and the men were ready for service.
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POPULATION.
The officers of Co. A were: Captain, William E. Shannon; first lieutenant, Henry Magee ; second lieutenant, Palmer V. Hewlett ; ser- geants, J. C. Van Loon, H. D. Alden, Melvin Boch and J. E. Crandall. Among the privates were Warren S. Hodgman, John C. Emerson, John Magee, H. S. Biles, Finley M. Pauling, Elijah M. Smith, Henry M. Osgood, James Perrine, Benjamin Magee, Calvin Hitt, G. E. Mc- Allister and many others.
The company left Bath August 1, 1846, and proceeded at once to New York, where it was equipped and disciplined for active service. It then sailed a six months' voyage to San Francisco, landing on the site of the city in March, 1847, but was soon ordered to San Diego, where the men remained until mustered out of service in 1848.
Between the events which we have narrated was another of greater importance to the inhabitants of the county than either of the early wars. We refer to that event in local history which has ever been known as the " Anti-rent Conflict," which covered a period of about three years and finally terminated in 1830. This conflict, however, is fully treated in an earlier chapter of this work, and there mentioned out of chronological order that the mind of the reader should be pre- pared for the events of town history which are contained in succeeding chapters.
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