USA > New York > Genesee County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Genesee County, New York, v. 1 > Part 32
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
The faith and credit of the Village are therefore pledged for the payment of it, and it is hoped and presumed they will be honorably redeemed.
Immediately upon the purchase of the Engine, a Fire Company was organized, under the command of William Seaver Esq., Captain.
This organization was known as Triton Fire Company. Its officers and members were as follows:
Captain, William Seaver; first engineer, Daniel H. Chandler; second engineer, Nathan Follett; secretary, Abraham Van Tuyl; treasurer, John S. Ganson; members, Henry Tisdale, Daniel Latimer, Ralph Stiles, B. Humphrey, James B. Lay, John Wilson, Alva Smith, Joseph Clarke, Albert Hosmer, James Milnor, Homer Kimberly, Stephen Grant, V. M. Cummings, Frederick Follett, George A. Lay, Norman Town, D. C. McCleary, John Chatfield, I. N. Town, Junius A. Smith.
In the annual report for 1851 the trustees said:
It will be recollected that in the year 1829 an Engine was purchased for the use of this Village. That the Engine was purchased in good faith, by the then acting Trus. tees, there can be no doubt, -- indeed they did not venture upon its purchase, without first obtaining the consent of the citizens of the village to do so. The Engine was purchased, and a Corporation Note, for $270 given for the payment thereof, payable in one year from date. The Note became due, we believe in September last. At the last annual meeting of the Electors of the Village, a vote was taken to raise $300 by tax, in order to meet the payment of said Note. Before the Note became due, the Trustees were satisfied, that the Engine did not answer the recommendation given of it at the time it was purchased. It therefore became a subject of some moment, whether it should be paid for, or not. In order to determine this question. it was thought best to refer the subject back to the inhabitants of the Village for their decision. A meeting for this purpose was called-and it was the unanimous opinion of those present, that a compromise should be made, if possible, with the owners of the Note, by paying them for all damages which the Engine might have sustained. during the time it has been in our possession, and that they take the same back --- and in case they would not do this, the Trustees were advised to stand trial, on the suit, if one should be commenced. The President of the Village, accordingly wrote to the Agent of the Company, who resided in New York. The only answer which has ever been received to this letter, was one from a Lawyer in that city, informing that the Note had been left with him for collection, and that unless immediately paid, the same would be prosecuted. Some four or five months have since elapsed, but no prosecution has been commenced. That the Engine is, comparatively, good for nothing, there can be no doubt. It may perhaps, be well for the Electors now as-
19
290
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
sembled, to take some order on this subject. We leave this, however, entirely to your good judgment.
Two destructive fires occurred in Batavia in 1833. The first of these occurred about two o'clock on the morning of March 4, and was first discovered in a wooden building on Main street, near the corner of Jackson street, in which was located a billiard parlor. This building was destroyed, together with one on the west side occupied by William Manley as a saddler's shop, and two small buildings on the east side, occupied respectively by G. C. Towner as a law office and by - Wentworth as a shoe shop. Most of the contents of these buildings were saved.
A more disastrous fire occurred April 19, 1833, the flames first being discovered between one and two o'clock in the morning in a small wooden building nearly opposite the Eagle Tavern. It spread with great rapidity along Main street "until its progress eastward was arrested, though with difficulty, at the intersection of Mechanic street, and westward by the new three-story Arcade Buildings erected by A. Champion of Rochester. The following buildings were destroyed: The Tavern House at the corner of Genesee and Mechanic streets, to- gether with its appurtenances, occupied by Harvey Rowe, and owned by Messrs. Lamberton and Hurlburt. Mr. Rowe's goods and furniture were principally saved. Loss of buildings, about $1,200. An uncom- pleted building, owned by Joseph Wilson, which was fitting up for a grocery, valued at about $300. A small building occupied by R. Blades as a Tailors' shop. Loss of building about $150. Some of Mr. Blade's goods and furniture were destroyed. A building owned and occupied by Joseph Wilson as a grocery, together with most of the goods. Loss about $500. The Store of Messrs. Sherman and Cran- dall, occupied by them as a Dry Goods and Book Store, and Book Bindery, most of the goods were saved. Whole loss about $2,000. A building owned by William Dickinson, and occupied by J. T. Allen, Watch-maker and Jeweller, and Messrs. Gilbert & Seward, Tin and Sheet Iron manufacturers. Mr. Dickinson's loss $400; Mr. Allen about $100. A small building owned by Mrs. Ross, occupied by Hugh Evans as a grocery and Bakers shop, valued at about $100. A two- story building, owned also by Mrs. Ross, and occupied by W. P. Gold- smith as a Tailors shop; Charles Seward as a dwelling; E. C. Dibble, Attorney at Law, and Doct. L. B. Cotes, as a Druggist Store. In the basement was a grocery, kept by Caleb Allen. Building estimated at
291
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA.
$800, insured $300. A share of the loss is sustained by G. W. Allen, to whom the building was leased for a term of years, and who had fitted it up and rented it to the present occupants. Although the num- ber of buildings was considerable, yet as will be perceived, some of them were not of very great value. The aggregate loss of buildings is estimated at about $4,000. There has, however, been some consider- able other loss, but to what amount we are unable to state."'
The report of the village trustees, submitted May ?, 1833, shows that the village paid John Anderson the sum of five hundred dollars for a "fire engine and apparatus; " and that the further sum of $49.89 was paid to William Dickinson for "hooks and ladders, axes, etc." The year following one hundred dollars more was paid to John Ander- son "for engine; " $18.50 to D. Latimer "for storing engine;" and $40 to William Dickinson " for carriage for hooks and ladders."
A still more disastrous fire than that of 1833, which might properly be dignified by the name of conflagration, occurred in Batavia May 30, 1834. The buildings destroyed burned with great fury. There had been no rain for some time and everything was quite dry. Added to this, a strong wind was blowing from the southwest. The local fire company responded quickly to the alarm, bringing the little fire engine called the " Triton." William Seaver, the historical writer, who was foreman of the fire company at that time, in referring to this apparatus says that it " could only be worked by six men at a time, three on each crank, like turning a grind-stone, and its effect on that fire was about equal to a pewter syringe on the crater of Mount _Etna." As soon as the roofs of the two big hotels caught fire, the gale drove the blazing shingles to great distances, at one time threatening to destroy the whole village. Fortunately, about half an hour after the fire started the wind suddenly veered to the northeast. The most authentic account of this conflagration appeared in the Advocate of June 3, 1854:
The most destructive fire ever known in this county, broke out in this village on Friday last, about 5 o'clock p. M. It was first discovered in some combustible ma- terials near the barns and stables connected with the Eagle Tavern. The out-houses were quickly one mass of flame, and being situated near the Eagle Tavern, it was found to be impossible to prevent the destruction of that noble edifice, and soon the devouring element was seen bursting in large volumes from its windows. A gentle gale was blowing from the southwest nearly in the direction of Genesee street, which caused the flames to expand along the line of buildings on the south side of that street with alarming rapidity, and to progress in that direction in spite of every effort
1 From the Batavia Advocate of March 3, 1 33.
292
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
to avert them, till every building was a blazing heap of ruins from the Eagle Tavern to Mr. Latimer's house near the corner of Jackson street, where by indefatigable and persevering efforts of the Fire Company, the march of the destroyer was at length stayed.
The fire extended south from the Eagle Tavern along Court street to Mr. Wood's blacksmith shop on Bigtree street. The spectacle presented by the conflagration was truly appalling. The following estimate of the number of buildings destroyed, the amount of Insurance, loss &c. on each, will be found nearly correct.
Genesee street .- B. Humphrey's Eagle Tavern, estimated loss of buildings, barns, sheds &c. $10,000. Insured $7,000.
Tavern house occupied by H. Rowe, and owned by A. Champion of Rochester, no insurance. Loss $3,000.
Taggart & Smith's Law Office, no insurance. Loss $300.
Jones & Leech, tailors shop, owned by M. Taggart Esq., no insurance. Loss $200. Law Office and dwelling house, owned by T. Fitch Esq., noinsurance. Loss $1,200.
Building owned by E. B. Seymour, and occupied by Mr. Buxton as a Cabinet shop, by Gilbert & Seward as a Tin Factory, and by T. Cole as a tailor's shop. In- sured $300. Loss of building $600.
Dwelling House owned by Mrs. Hewett, no insurance. Loss $$00.
Dwelling house owned and occupied by Richard Smith Esq., no insurance. Loss $400.
Allen & Chandler's Law Office.
Dwelling house owned by E. B. Allen, and occupied by Mr. Ottoway, and Win. Fursman. Loss $1000.
Two small buildings, one occupied as a grocery and the other as a dwelling.
Court Street. Two dwellings owned by H. & E. C. Kimberly. Loss $600.
Barns and sheds owned by A. Hosmer. Loss $500.
Big-Tree Street. - Two dwelling houses owned by Jesse Wood. Loss $900. In- sured $500.
Considerable furniture and other property were also destroyed, of which it is im- possible to form an estimate.
The whole number of buildings, including dwellings, barns, &c, is about 25. Ag- gregate loss of property, it is supposed cannot be less than $30,000.
By this fire a large number of persons were rendered homeless, and the central and most conspicuous and valuable portion of the village was annihilated.
For many years the "Snake Den tavern," located on the corner of Main and State streets, was a largely patronized hostelry. This hotel was built in 1834 by Truman Hurlburt, sr., and named the Genesee house. It was also popularly known as the Snake Den tavern.
The fourth church established in Batavia, the Baptist church, was organized November 19, 1835, at a meeting held in the court house. Gideon Kendrick and P. S. Moftit presided over the meeting. It was voted that the society be called the " Baptist Society of Batavia Vil-
293
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA.
lage," and Richard Covell, jr., John Dorman, William Blossom, Will- iam D. Popple and Calvin Foster were elected the first trustees. Rev. J. Clark was at once engaged as the first pastor, and a house of wor- ship was erected on Jackson street in the same year by T. J. Hoyt and Thomas McCulley, on land donated to the society by William D. Popple.
Even before the territory devasted by the great fire of 1834 had been again improved by the reconstruction of the edifices destroyed, another fire, though not of such serious proportions, occurred. It orignated early on the evening of November 8, 183;, in a building on the north side of. Genesee street owned by William Blossom and occupied as a dwelling by John Kenyon, which, with the building occupied by the Misses Vanghns as a millinery establishment and Mr. Staniford as a tailor's shop, were consumed. The flames then continued in an east- erly direction, destroyed the barber shop, G. W. Allen's jewelry store, HI. Noble's tailor shop and John Kenyon's grocery store. The progress of the fire was stopped by tearing down a frame building occupied by D. N. Tuttle as a hat factory and Isaac M. Joslyn as a gunsmith shop.
One of the most exciting events in early times in Batavia was the attempt of a mob to assault and destroy the office of the Land Company during the so-called " Land Office war " in 1836. Fortunately the in- habitants of the village were apprised of the impending trouble in ample time to arm themselves, and when the mob reached the village they found that such a determined and organized resistance had been pre- pared that all efforts on their part looking to the destruction of the land office or any other property would be accompanied by the death of greater or less numbers of the invading party. Consequently they re- tired and the threatened attack was never made.1
The Exchange Bank of Genesee was organized at Alexander in 1838. by Samuel Benedict, jr., Earl Kidder, Henry Martin, Van Rensselaer Hawkins, Henry Hawkins, Jesse Hawkins, Stephen King, Josiah New- ton, Charles Kendall and others, with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars. Among those who served as cashiers at various times during the career of this institution were Heman Blodgett, E. S. Warner, H. T. Cross and J. E. Pierpont. The bank was authorized by the Legislature on March 11, 1848, to change its place of business from Alexander to Rochester, but with the proviso that it continne an office at Alexander for the purpose of closing up its business there, for a period not exceeding one year. But the institution never took the
I A more detailed account of this disturbance will be found in a preceding chapter.
294
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
step authorized by the Legislature. Soon after his removal to Alex- ander D. W. Tomlinson bought up all the stock and removed the bank to Batavia, where it finally discontinued business about 1858.
The Batavia Lyceum was incorporated April 12, 1843, "for the pur- pose of establishing and maintaining a library, reading room, and rooms for debates and lectures on literary and scientific subjects; and such other means of promoting moral and intellectual improvement, with power for such purposes to take by purchase, devise, gift or otherwise, and to hold, transfer and convey real estate and personal property, to the amount of ten thousand dollars; and also further to take, retain and convey all such books, cabinets, library furniture and apparatus as may be necessary to obtain the objects and effect the purposes of said corporation." The incorporators named in the charter were Heman J. Redfield, Trumbull Cary, Lucius A. Smith, Isaac A. Verplanck, Joshua L. Brown, William G. Bryan, John F. Ernst, Joel Allen, Brannon Young, Seth Wakeman, Frederick Follett, John L. Dorrance and their associ- ates.
By the amendment to the village charter passed April 22, 1844, the bounds of the village of Batavia were fixed as follows:
Beginning at a point in the east line of lot number forty-four in said village, one hundred rods north from the centre of Genesee street: thence westerly parallel with the centre of Genesee and Batavia streets one hundred rods therefrom to the westerly bounds of lot number nine in said village; thence southerly on the west line of said lot number nine, to the southwest corner of said lot; thence continuing in the same direction to the north bank of Tonewanta creek, thence up the northern bank of said creek to a point one hundred rods south of the centre of Genesee street; thence eastwardly parallel with the centre of Genesee street to the east line of lot number forty-five; thence northerly on said line to the place of beginning.
In 1847 the trustees reported that, pursuant to the vote at the pre- ceding annual town meeting, they had "proceeded to the selection of a site and commenced the building of a suitable Engine and Hook and Ladder House, and to complete the same they were compelled to bor- row Two Hundred Dollars." The trustees further reported that the engine owned by the village was not satisfactory, and continued:
Inasmuch as the corporation now own a good and sufficient Engine House, the Trustees flatter themselves that the citizens will carry out the work of encouraging the Fire Department by purchasing a good and substantial Engine, and one that will give satisfaction to the Firemen as well as the citizen ...
295
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA.
In accordance with the recommendation of the board and the res- olution then adopted by the voters, the trustees purchased of Thomas Snooks a fire engine, paying therefor seven hundred dollars.
In 1851 the trustees reported that they had " caused to be built, pur- suant to the vote of the electors of said village, two large reservoirs. and have caused a well to be dug and furnished with a pump and en- closed with good and substantial railing, so that each reservoir can be filled and kept supplied with water for the use of the Fire Department. . They have also exchanged the old fire engine Red Jacket for a new En- gine, for which they have given their official note for $200."
In 1852 they report: "The Engine which was procured by the ex- change of the old Engine Red Jacket was found upon trial not to be of sufficient power, and the trustees have sold that for the sum of $200, and have purchased a new engine for the sum of $256. They have also sold the old Engine house (located on Jackson street) and have procured in place thereof a permanent Lease of the basement of the Old Court house for the use of the Fire department. They have also purchased a new Hose Cart for the use of Engine No. 2; also 200 feet of new Hose."
By the amended charter adopted in April, 1853, the bounds of the cor- poration were fixed as follows:
The territory embraced within the following bounds, that is to say: Beginning in the east line of lot number forty-six (as laid down on the map or survey of the village of Batavia into village lots made by the Holland Land Company by Joseph Ellicott, surveyor) at a point half a mile northwardly from Genesee street ; thenee westwardly parallel to said Genesee street and half a mile distant therefrom to a point two chains and fifty links westwardly of the east line of lot number sixteen ; thence still west- wardly parallel to Batavia street and half a mile distant therefrom to the west line of lot number eight; thence southwardly on the west line of lot number eight to Batavia street, thenee continuing southerly in the same direction to the south bank of the Tonawanda creek; thence up said ereek on the south bank thereof to the west line of lot number fifty seven; thence southerly upon the said west line of lot number fifty seven to the plank road of the Buffalo and Batavia Plank Road Company; thence easterly along said plank road to the west line of lot number fifty five; thence south- erly on the west line of said lot number fifty five to the south line of the second or straight line of railway of the Buffalo and Rochester Rai! Road Company; thence easterly on the southerly line of said railway to the western bank of the Tonawanda Creek ; thence up said creek on the westerly and southerly bank thereof to a point twenty rods due south from the street or highway now known as Chestnut street ; thence eastwardly to the northerly bank of the Tonawanda creek, at the point where the east line of lot number twenty nine intersects the same; thence eastwardly in a direct line to the point where the east line of lot number forty seven intersects
296
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Bigtree street; and thence northiwardly on the east line of lots number forty seven and forty six to the place of beginning, shall constitute the village of Batavia, and the bounds thereof are altered and extended accordingly.
It is interesting to note at this juncture the names of the persons en- gaged in the various branches of trade, in the professions, etc., half a century ago, as illustrating the commercial development of the village of Batavia during that period of its career. The following is the list as it was published in 1849.1
Ministers .- J. A. Bolles, Byron Sunderland, S. M. Stimpson, Allen Steele, D. C. Houghton.
Doctors .- John Cotes, Levant B. Cotes, II. Ganson, C. E. Ford, John F. Baker, Chauncey D. Griswold, J. Delamater.
Lawyers .- Richard Smith, P. L. Tracy, G. W. Lay, H. J. Redfield, B. Pringle, E. C. Dibble, I. A. Verplanck, M. Taggart, J. L. Brown, J. H. Martindale (district attorney), H. J. Glowackie, W. G. Bryan, S. Wakeman, J. D. Merrill, T. Fitch, M. W. Hewitt, H. Wilber, H. U. Soper (Judge of Genesee county), J. F. Lay, M F. Robertson, E. Pringle, B. Young (county treasurer), J. H. Kimberly.
Forwarding and Commission Merchants .- L. A. Smith, J. Foot, J. Ganson & Co. Dry Goods Merchants .- Wm. H. Wells & Son, Smith & Warren, G. A. Lay, Na- than T. Smith, Thorn & Holden.
Hardware Merchants .- Belden Otis & Co., R. Haney.
Hotels .- American, B. G. Tisdale, Genesee House, S. N. Bierce, Western Hotel, I. Backus, Eagle Tavern, E. Hall, Railroad Depot, S. Frost, Dutch Tavern, A. Biechel.
Livery Stable. -- Ferren & McCormick.
Cabinet Makers .-- C. Kirkham, C. T. Buxton, J. T. Buxton, O. Griffith.
Carpenters and Joiners .- O. Dustin, R. W. Craig, D. Palmer. J. Coleman, S. Tuttle, J. L. Gardner, W. Lowden. L. Knapp, Mr. Rice, HI. Graham, J. Palmer, J. R. Hart, L. Barner.
Blacksmiths .- F. Baxter, 1. Tyrell, M. Kellogg, G. W. Miller, S. Lynn, J. Clark, J. Trumbull & Son.
Gunsmith .- I. M. Joslyn.
Saddle and Harness Makers. - Wm. Manley, A. J. Ensign, J. T. Carr.
Masons. - T. MeCully. H. Murphy, J. Holten, D. Johnson, A. Wilcox.
Stonecutter. - Fellows & Co.
Furnacemen .- T. Hurlburt, J. R. Smith.
Baker .- B. C. & (). Page.
Cradle Maker .- H. Naramor.
Cooper .- Z. York. Brewer .- E. H. Fish.
Barbers-J. Leonard, D. Leonard.
Butchers .- R. Fowler, R. Winn.
Druggists and Booksellers. - Wm. Seaver & Son, Fellows & Co.
! This list appears on the last page of Wm. Seaver's History of Batavia.
297
THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA.
Grocers .- C. A. Russell. John Wilson, John Kenyon, J. McCullant, Wilson & Austin, S. A. Wilson, G. Knowles, J. & R. Eager.
Jewellers .-- J. A. Clark, E. S. Dodge.
Hatters .- H. & E. M. McCormick, P. Warner.
Boot and Shoe Store .- T. Yates, A. Joslyn. H. M. Warren, Spencer & Merrill, M. Rupp, J. P. Phillips. J. Baker.
Milliners .- Mrs. Denslow, Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Griffith, Mrs. Showerman & Halbert.
Tailors .- G. B. Hurlburt, D. Ferguson, J. Jordan, J. M. Royce, Nathan Smith, John Allen, Biessenger & Rebstock.
Printers. - Wm. Seaver & Son, D. D. Wait.
Book Binder .- G. Kiesz.
Painters .- H. W. Ashling, Howe & Barnard, P. S. Moffett, E. Woolsey, O. N. Sanford, W. MeIntyre.
Carriage Makers .- J. Clark, G. W. Miller, A. Peek.
On February 17, 1850, Batavia was visited by the most destructive fire in the history of the village up to that time. The fire originated about 11.30 A. M. in the two story wooden building on the north side of Genesee (Main) street, occupied by R. Haney as a hardware store. The wind was blowing strong from the west and the flames swept eastwardly until every building to the corner of Genesee and Bank streets was consumed. Among the principal buildings destroyed were the hardware store of R. Haney, loss $8,000; the office and residence of Dr. H. Ganson, loss $2,000; store of S. C. Holden, loss $1,200; store owned by Hinman Holden and occupied by C. Kirkham as a cabinet shop; next the American hotel, the largest and most expensive build- ing in the village, having cost over $25,000, owned by Alva Smith and kept by B. G. Tisdale; a two story brick building owned by D. W. Tomlinson, who was fitting it up for the use of the Exchange Bank of Genesee, then located at Alexander; a building owned by Moses Tag- gart and occupied by Dr. . J. Delamater as an office and dwelling, by Dr. Stevens, dentist, and by Mrs. Williams as a residence.
The year 1850 was marked by the organization of companies for the construction of plank roads between Batavia and Buffalo and between Batavia and Oakfield. The work of construction was begun soon after the formation of the companies referred to.
The Spirit of the Times of December 14, 1852, contained the follow- ing :
There is no mistake but this ancient Capital of the " Holland Purchase," is des- thed to maintain its rank and dignity, through all the changes that are constantly going on within and around it. To satisfy any of this fact, they have only to look at our througed streets, and the business-like appearance of our stores, shops and
298
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
warehouses, all indicating continued, if not increasing prosperity. . . We have now the great Central Railroad, with its six daily trains, beside the cross road to Attica, connecting us with the Buffalo and N. Y. City R. R. These, to which will soon be added the Canandaigua and Niagara Falls road, now nearly completed from this place westward, and the Buffalo and Conhocton Valley road to be finished next season, all combine to give us greater facilities for business or pleasure than any other town in the interior can boast, and tend directly to point out Batavia as "the greatest place of its size" in Western New York.
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.