USA > New York > Tioga County > Our county and its people : a memorial history of Tioga County, New York > Part 44
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1886 Mr. Bristol and family removed to Florida, where he now lives and where he has also been honored with election to positions of trust and importance. However, the reader must understand that the domicile which Mr. Willis occupied and that in which Mr. Bristol lived were separate dwellings, and both are now standing. The Willis home is on the east side of the street, while the Bristol house is the same now used as the main building of the Glenmary home.
Nicholas Kittell, famed throughout the land as one of the fore- most portrait and landscape painters, was a native of Columbia county, and with his parents came to Tioga about 1830 and settled opposite the " deep well." The small stream called " Kittle creek " was named after the head of the family. The artist himself changed the pronunciation of the name from "Kittle " to " Kit- tell." While living in Tioga Mr. Kittell painted portraits and views, but his fame as an artist was achieved in the east and chiefly in New York. Among his best portraits were those of Governor Marcy and General Grant, and just before his death he had finished a portrait of Dr. Parkhurst. Mr. Kittell died June 28, 1894.
The mention of these celebrities by no means exhausts Tioga's list of noted sons, for the roll might be continued and placed in strong rivalry with the county town on the east. Recapitulating briefly, let us make passing mention of the names of Tioga's strong men, each and all of whom have been factors in the best history of the town. There were Samuel, Major William and Col. Willian Ran- som, Chauncey Hill, Colonel Pixley, Dr. Samuel Tinkham, Ezra Smith, David Wallis, Joel Farnham, Judge Noah and Captain Eliakini Goodrich, Ephriam Leach, Caleb Leach, Israel S. Hoyt, Jacob Catlin, John Du Bois, Dr. David Earll, John Gilbert Smith, Gen. D. C. McCallum, Nathaniel P. Willis, Charles Frederick Johnson, Robert Charles Johnson, Wheeler H. Bristol, Peter Herdic, Zephaniah Halsey, Edward V. Poole, Luther B. West, Walter C. Randall, and a host of others whose names are perhaps equally worthy of mention in this connection, but all of whom, together with the great majority of the town's people, have helped to build up and maintain Tioga as one of the foremost towns in the county. Such was the standing of the town half and three-
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quarters of a century ago and such is its reputation to-day ; and that despite the fact that many obstacles and disadvantages have been encountered and overcome.
POPULATION .- In 1800 the territory comprising this town had a population of 750 inhabitants, about 530 less than the adjoining town of Owego, at the same time the territory of Barton on the west had 180 inhabitants. As evidence of subsequent growth reference is had to the federal and state census reports from which is gleaned the following statistics : In 1800 the inhabitants num- bered 750; 1810, 857 ; 1814, 1,262 ; 1820, 1,816; 1825, 991; 1830, 1,411 ; 1835, 1,987; 1840, 2,464; 1845, 2,778; 1850, 2,839; 1855, 3,027; 1860, 3,202 ; 1865, 3,094; 1870, 3,272; 1875, 3,159; 1880, 3,192 ; 1885, no count ; 1890, 2,455 ; 1892, 2,373.
ORGANIZATION AND CIVIL HISTORY .- On March 22, 1788, the leg- islature created the town of Chemung as one of the civil divisions of Montgomery county, and included within its boundaries all that is now Tioga, together with a large area of territory on both sides of the Susquehanna and between the pre-emption line on the west, and Owego creek on the east. The necessity of this town formation are fully referred to on a preceding page, but the au- thority of the "old town of Chemung ;" as ever mentioned in history, was the first attempted to be exercised over what is now Tioga.
In 1791 the number of inhabitants in the Susquehanna and Che- mung valleys was such that the legislature passed an aet, which was approved February 16, creating the county of Tioga, and at the same time divided its territory into towns, or provisional dis- tricts as sometimes called. By this act the original town of Che- mung was continued in name but reduced in territory ; and out of its eastern region was erected a new jurisdiction by the name of Owego, which included within its boundaries all the lands between Cayuta and Owego creeks on the west and east ; the county line on the north, and the Pennsylvania line on the south. This was the original town of Owego, and within its limits was all now known as Tioga. At that time such a town as Tioga was un- known, and what is now Owego was within the bounds of the original town of Union. However, from this town a new town
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called Tioga was set off in 1800, and was so known and called until 1813.
The erection of the town of Owego from Union gave rise to con- siderable confusion as the village of Owego was in the town of Tioga when naturally it should have been within the town so named, and the result was that in 1813 the legislature passed an act by which the towns of Tioga and Owego changed names. They were then regarded as the most important civil divisions of the county, and have maintained their relative positions to the present time. In 1806 all that is now Spencer and Candor were set off from this town (then known as Owego) and called Spencer. On March 23, 1824, Nichols and Barton were both erected from Tioga, by which act the town was reduced to its present area.
Within its present boundaries Tioga includes 35,805 acres of land ; and as good land as can be found in all Tioga county. The Sus- quehanna forms the southern boundary, while its principal tribu- tary streanis within the town are Pipe and Catatonk creeks. Owego creek forms the eastern boundary. The soil is a fine dark loam in the valleys and a gravelly loam on the hills.
The act creating the town made provision for the first town meeting, and accordingly the inhabitants met and elected officers. Unfortunately, however, the record of meetings previous to 1835 were taken to the county seat and used as evidence in a litigation then being contested in court, and through some fault they were never returned, nor are their whereabouts now known. However, having access to previous publications and county records, we are able to furnish to the reader a complete list of the supervisors of Tioga except the incumbents of the office between the years 1828 and 1835 :
1795-Emanuel Coryell. 1821-23-Wright Dunham. 1848-David Taylor.
1796-Lodowick Light
1824-Ziba Miller. 1849-52-Gilbert Strang.
1797-Samuel Tinkham. 1825-George Matson.
1853-William Ransom.
1798-John Smyth.
1826-27-Ephraim Leach.
1854-David Taylor.
1799-1800-Jesse Miller.
1828-Erastus Goodrich. 1835-40-Jesse Turner.
1856-Gilbert Strang.
1804-9-Emanuel Coryell.
1841-43-Erastus Goodrich.
1857-58-Richard Spendley.
1810-12-Noah Goodrich. 1844-Jesse Turner.
1859-Harris Jewett.
1813-17-G. H. Barstow. 1845-Israel S. Hoyt.
1860-Richard Spendley.
1818-20-Emanuel Coryell.
1846-47-Jesse Turner.
1861-Abel DuBois.
1855-David Earll.
1801-3-Joshua Ferris.
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1862-64-Gilbert Strang. 1874-83-Stephen W. Leach. 1891-93-J. C. Latimer.
1865-Luther B. West. 1884-86-J. C. Latimer. 1894-97-Ira Hoyt.
1866-70-W. H. Bristol. 1887-S. W. Leach.
1871-73-Josiah Pickering. 1888-90-W. Hulse Shaw.
From first to last the history of Tioga forms an interesting and instructive chapter, in many respects resembling the history of the county from which it is named. The pioneers here were as substantial in their foundation work as were those of other towns, and their beginnings were as humble and as primitive. True, the first settlers made choice of the rich valley lands along the river and up Owego creek, and it was not until several years later that settlement was extended to the more elevated districts of the north and northwest portions of the town ; but at length all the lands were taken and proved desirable for the purposes of agriculture and kindred pursuits. The pioneers found in the valley many cleared places on which the Indians had planted gardens and grown fruits, but farming as an avocation was with the savage quite unknown.
According to the local tradition, the first settlers were lumber- men as well as farmers, and from 1800 down to about 1840 Tioga was one of the first towns in the valley in the shipment of lumber and rafts down the river. Indeed, it was this that established the early reputation of the town as a producing locality, and a glance at the recollections of pioneer life as recorded in the first part of this chapter will disclose the fact that many of the leading set- tlers were both lumbermen and farmers. Fortunes were made in this pursuit and to the present day lumbering has been one of the industries of the town. The waters of Pipe and Owego creeks and their tributaries afforded abundant water power, while the still larger Susquehanna has been an important factor in the same direction.
However, in the early history of the town the settlers according to New England custom established a trading centre and a place for meeting on public occasions. The little settlement called New Bedford was the result of this custom, and also that of Pipe creek, as called in the early days of the town. At New Bedford settlement, as early as 1796, Rev. David Jayne began preaching to
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an informal society of worshippers, and the outgrowth of his ef- forts was one of the first religious organizations in this part of the state.
Tioga Centre is perhaps the most important of the hamlets of the town, yet in its most palmy days it is doubtful if the local population was more than 300 inhabitants. Major William Ran- som and Andrew Alden were the pioneers on the village site, or just below where the settlement was afterward built up, and the pioneer first mentioned in 1792 built a small saw mill on Pipe creek. To the settlers this place was for many years known as Pipe creek and the name Tioga Centre came with the increased importance of the place. In 1840 the saw mill was made into a grist mill and in 1884 the grist mill was changed to a steam flour- ing mill. Major Ransoni laid the foundation for the village, and his sons completed the work begun by their father. Indeed, the chief factor in Tioga Centre history for many years was Col. Will- iam Ransom, and second to his efforts were those of his partner, David Wallis. They began mercantile business in 1827, and for years were the most extensive dealers in the region west of Owego creek. At that time the Centre was the best trading point in this part of the valley, and from far up Pipe creek and even across the river lumbernien and farmers came here to trade; and many in- deed were the transactions, and deals of importance consumated at the old hotel and the Ransom & Wallis store. However, Mr. Wallis at length entered politics and was elected county clerk, which necessitated his removal to the county seat. Col. Ransom continued business until a few years before his death, and his in- terests were afterward managed and carried on by Jonathan C. Latimer. The old store is now occupied by Fred Martin, and the mills are operated as necessity requires.
In 1849, the Erie railroad was built through the town and by this acquisition all local interests were improved and an additional importance was given to the village. At that time there were in operation within a radius of five miles about four large saw mills and the rafting period was at its height. In 1868, the firm of Ran- som, Maxwell & Co. built a sole leather tannery, and for the next twenty years tanning was perhaps the leading industry of the vil-
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TOWN OF TIOGA.
lage. After a year the plant was changed to an upper leather fac- tory and was operated by J. & P. Quirin. In 1871, the buildings were burned, but through the public spiritedness of village residents were at once restored. In October of the same year one of the boilers exploded, killing two and seriously injuring several other persons. Indeed, could its history be written in full, all the facts and incidents connected with this tannery would make an interest- ing chapter, for in local annals it has been a remarkable institu- tion. However, in the summer of 1891 its operation was suspended, and where formerly from 70 to 100 men were employed all were compelled to seek other fields.
The saw mill of Mr. Latimer at the Centre was built in 1820 as a water power mill and was equipped with steam in 1872. Among the others of the vicinity may be mentioned the Schoonover & Todd mill up the creek, built in 1834, and sold to Nealy & Smith in 1838. In 1879 C. H. Tribe built a planing mill at the village, but among all the past industries of the place none is now in constant operation.
The first ferry across the river at this point was in use previous to 1800, owned by Decker & Cortright, and near the Light farm Caleb Lyons started a second in 1811. Col. Ransom put up a wire cable for a ferry in 1842.
As at present situated Tioga Centre is a hamlet of about 300 pop- ulation, and is pleasantly situated on the west bank of the Snsque- hanna, and on the line of the Erie and the Lehigh Valley railroads. On account of the decline of its manufacturing industries all in- terests are correspondingly depressed, and only two stores and the saw mill, and the abandoned tannery building, remain as evidences of old-time prosperity. The present merchants are Fred Martin, in the old Ransom store, and C. H. Bonham, successor to Bonhan & Brooks. In the village are the Baptist and M. E. churches, a good school, a large creamery and milk station, and two hotels. The old Tioga Centre hotel is kept by Moses Ohart, and the Hotel Fountain near the Lehigh station is conducted by N. A. L'Am- oureaux.
A union free school has been in operation in the village for more than twenty years, in which respect the Centre leads in the county when population is considered ; and the school here conducted has
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always ranked with the best educational institutions of the county. Oscar Granger, now county school commissioner, was for about fourteen years its principal. The present principal is Prof. C. J. Rider. The members of the board of education are J. C. Latimer, president ; J. G. Quirin, Eugene Schoonover, Peter M. Johnson, Edgar Holt, and C. J. Goodenough. Secretary, A. G. Hill.
The present Baptist church of Tioga Centre is the indirect out- growth of the society founded in 1796 by Rev. David Jayne, although the present one is many years removed from the mother organization. The first name was the Baptist church of New Bedford, but later " Tioga " was substituted for " New Bedford." A union meeting house was built by the Baptists and Methodists, and was used in common several years, when differences arose which threatened disaster. In 1827 the edifice was struck by lightning and destroyed. In January, 1838, the society at the Centre was given an organization as a branch of the Owego society, and in October following a separate church was formed. In 1840, the location was changed to Nichols, upon which eleven members on this side of the river united with the Tioga and Barton society. On October 12, 1844, the name was changed to the Baptist church of Tioga Centre, and in 1849 a church edifice was built, costing $2,000. The members number 65. The pastor is Rev. W. H. Sobey ; church clerk, James G. Quirin.
The Tioga Centre M. E. church was formally organized October 20, 1870, and a house of worship was built in 1872. However, Methodism in Tioga dates back to the time when Lorenzo Dow visited and preached among the scattered inhabitants of the region ; and to the time when Bishop Asbury held camp meetings on pioneer Lodowick Light's lands. In truth it may be said that Methodism in Tioga is almost as old as the town itself. The pres- ent church has a strong membership and a successful Sunday school. The pastor is Rev. M. W. Barnes.
Smithboro is second in importance among the hamlets of the town. Here Ezra Smith settled about 1791, and it was proper that the settlement should be named in his honor. However, among the villages of the river valley Smithboro has attained but little prominence. Mr. Smith opened public house at this point and
1
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TOWN OF TIOGA.
kept it until about 1809 when he removed to Candor and was suc- ceeded in business by landlord Isaac Boardman. A hotel and one or two stores have always been maintained at Smithboro although business in later years had been limited to such trade as naturally centres at some convenient point in a fertile farming region. Two bridges have been built across the river here, but high water car- ried both away. The Smithboro and Nichols Bridge Company was . incorporated April 18, 1829, and Isaac Boardman, Nehemiah Platt and John Coryell were appointed commissioners to prepare the way for the structure. The bridge was washed away the year after it was built, and a second was erected in its place, that, too, fell a victim to the elements, the last portion in 1880. A ferry has since been maintained across the river at Smithboro. Ezra Smith founded the liamlet but Isaac Boardman was perhaps the most active man in its later development. Among the other early res- idents in this immediate locality were Mr. Lyon, who started the first ferry across the river. There were also the Fountain family, Wait Smith (who came up from Wyoming soon after 1800), Ezekiel Newman, Benj. Smith and James Schoonover, Jr. In this vicinity Beriah Mundy was a pioneer, he having come about 1787.
In writing of the early settlers in this locality mention should be made of John Smith, who came up the river from Pennsylva- nia in a canoe, in 1793, and made the first improvement on the farm more recently owned by James Steele, not far from Smith- boro. John Smith's children were Richard, John, and Henry Smith.
John Waterman came from Peekskill, in 1800, and settled on what in later years was called the Wright farm in Smithboro locality. James Waterman married with Lucinda, the daughter of Wait Smith.
Wait Smith came here, in 1802, set up a shop, and began black- smithing, his shop being the only one then between Owego and Athens. Among the other Smiths in the locality at an early day were Ward and James Smith, brothers, and Benjamin Smith. Joshua Smith, the millwright, Jared Smith, stone mason, Gabriel Smith, preacher, and Daniel Smith, but among them all none was related except Ward and James.
Among the most successful and prominent men at Smithboro,
.
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
especially within the last half century, were Walter C. Randall and Edward V. Poole. Mr. Randall came to the place in 1852, was bridge keeper 31 years, merchant eight years, and farmer about twenty-five years. He was justice sixteen years ; was also chiefly instrumental in founding the masonic lodge at Smithboro. Mr. Poole came to the village in 1865, and was for many years identified with mercantile and other enterprises.
The present mercantile interests of Smithboro are the stores of H. H. Perry and Isaac Wheeler, and one grist and feed mill. The other auxiliaries of village life are the district school, the hotel, the shops usually found in all hamlets, and two churches.
The M. E. church at Smithboro was formed at a meeting held Nov. 19, 1832, and John Light, Andrew Bonham, and Benjamin Brooks were chosen trustees. The first edifice was built in 1833 and was burned May 24, 1887.
Emmanuel church, Protestant Episcopal, at Smithboro was or- ganized in 1866, and the edifice was erected in 1874.
North from Smithboro about four miles is a settlement known by the name of Ross Hill, and so called in allusion to one of the most prominent families of that locality. The people here are an earnest and industrous class, and for their accommodation a M. E. church was organized and an edifice built about 1860.
Halsey Valley is the name of a little village situate in the ex- treme northwest corner of the town in the centre of an excellent farming country, and a locality whose inhabitants have for many years been noted for thrift and enterprise. In the early history of the town this region was hardly considered, and it was not un- til about 1825 that a settlement was made there. The lands were of excellent quality and the region was desirable, but not until about that time could a good title be secured. About 1790 the state engaged one Thomas Nicholson to survey and partition these lands, and he being pleased with the location, purchased 2,000 acres in what is now called the valley. However, Mr. Nicholson died in 1792, and a short time after his death a daughter was born to the widow. The girl died at the age of eighteen years, and in allusion to that event this locality came to be known as "The Girl's Flat," from the fact. that she was the prospective
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owner of the land. Later on the widow Nicholson married with Zephaniah Halsey, and the children of that union became the owners of the lands hereabouts, and for them the name Halsey Valley was applied.
The settlement and development of this part of the town did not begin until about 1825, but when once begun it progressed rapidly, for notwithstanding its comparatively remote location from the river region, Halsey Valley and vicinity forms a fertile district and one as productive as can be found in the county. The isolated condition in which the hamlet happens to be situated has taught its inhabitants to live in truly democratic manner ; their interests are to a great extent identical and mutual good will has prevailed in domestic concerns.
The manufacturing and mercantile interests of the place have not been extensive, but at all times sufficient for local require- ments, and the surplus has found ready market in the cities. One of the most successful and oldest business men of this locality is Luther B. West, who opened a store at the valley in 1846, and who from that time has been in some manner associated with the his- tory of the place. However, Mr. West has retired from active business life and gives his attention to banking and private affairs. A store or two has been maintained at Halsey Valley since Mr. West made the beginning in that direction, and such mills and factories have been operated as local interests seemed to require.
Within the limits of the village are perhaps 250 inhabitants. Here also are two churches, a good school, three stores, a hotel, and a butter tub factory and cider mill. The merchants now in busi- ness are Cooper & Fisher, Thomas Fleming, and William Gould. Landlord Kellogg is proprietor of the hotel, and Ira Hoyt, present supervisor of the town, owns the combined tub factory, cider mill and factory for making cider vinegar. Two good physicians make the valley a place of residence and practice. They are Drs. Hollen- beck and Vosburgh. The village proper is located on the line be- tween Barton and Tioga, a part in each town.
The Tioga and Barton Baptist church is one of the oldest religious organizations of either town or county, and while situated within the limits of Barton has ever been regarded as one of the institu-
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tions of Halsey Valley. The church and society here were in fact organized in 1847, the edifice was built in the next year, but the society itself was the direct offshoot from the old Baptist church of New Bedford, organized in 1796 by that faithful old missionary worker and pioneer, Rev. David Jayne. As the story is told in an- other place the old society divided as the settlement of the region advanced, and several churches were the result. The local church has a present membership of 111 persons and is under the pastorate of Rev. L. S. Green ; clerk of the church, James H. Drake, of Glencairn.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Halsey Valley was formed and an edifice was erected in 1854. This society has ever main- tained an active existence and is now one of the largest in the locality.
The Christian church of Halsey Valley was organized in 1847 through the efforts of Rev. A. J. Welton. The society flourished for a time but afterward dissolved.
Goodrich settlement in the early years of the century was a place of considerable importance and at one time threatened rivalry with Owego settlement on the east side of the creek. However, with the removal of several of the men of the western hamlet to the eastern the former began to lose prestige ; and other than having been the locality in which lived many prominent men Goodrich settlement has been hardly more than a name and an excellent farming region.
A short distance north of Goodrich settlement is the location for many years known as Glenmary, the home of Willis, of Bristol, of Gen. McCallum, of Col. Dorwin, and now known as the Glen- mary Home, a refuge for suffering humanity, founded and con- ducted by Dr. Greenleaf, with competent assistants.
Leach's Mills in the early history of the town was another place of note, for here were the mills of various kinds built and operated by members of the Leach family, of which Caleb and Ephraim were the active factors. Caleb Leach built the mills in 1806 and in later years other prominent persons of the place and of Owego were interested in them. A carding and grist mill were first erect- ed, and a machine shop and foundry were added later. All the
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