USA > New York > Steuben County > Pioneer history & atlas of Steuben County, N.Y. : compiled from historical, statistical & official records > Part 2
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The elevation in Steuben County varies be- tween 709 feet at Lake Keuka and 2,403 feet in the town of Greenwood in the southwestern cor- ner of the county.
Its surface consists mostly of ridges and high rolling uplands forming the northern con- tinuation of the Allegany Mountains. This ter- rain is interspersed with fertile valleys and streams. The watershed between Lake Ontario and Susquehanna River extends from Allegany County eastward across the northern part of Steuben County. The deep valley of Keuka Lake breaks the continuity of the highlands, and ex- tends 17 miles southwest from the Branchport head of the lake,-connecting with the Conhoc- ton Valley at Bath,-and forming one of the natural passes for travel. The highlands occupy- ing the southwest corner of the county form a portion of the watershed being drained by branches of Canisteo River on the east and Gene- see River on the west. The highest summit in the county is in Troupsburg and is about 2,500 feet above sea level.
Steuben County is included in that region known as the Allegany Plateau. This plateau extends southward through western Pennsylva- nia and most of West Virginia. Its average elevation is about 2,000 feet above sea level.
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There are no marked ranges or peaks that stand out prominently. Many of the hilltops are about the same level,-the remnant of a once continu- ous plain.
CLIMATE
The climate of Steuben County is typical of that of the southern tier of counties of western New York. It is characterized by rather long winters, with occasional periods of extremely low temperatures, and short cool summers. Because of the range in elevation, from 709 feet to 2500 feet, many local variations in climate occur, de- termining to a great extent the kind of crops grown. In general, the winters are colder in the southern and southwest parts of the county, the summers are cooler, the annual precipitation is greater, and the growing season is shorter by two or three weeks.
Records in South Canisteo show an average annual percipitation of 41.43 inches and at At- lanta in the northern part 37.21 inches. The frost-free season at South Canisteo is 119 days and at Atlanta is 147 days. Keuka Lake has a tempering influence on the climate of the sections adjacent thereto. Records at Penn Yan give a frost-free period of 161 days. The long growing season has been responsible in part for the de- velopment of the grape growing industry along the borders of Keuka Lake.
Weather bureau records at Addison which is situated in a deep narrow valley at an eleva- tion of 1,000 feet may be considered typical for most of the county. They show an annual rain- fall of 33.15 inches, 53.05 per cent of which falls during a period from May to September, inclu- sive. The precipitation is greatest in the summer and least in the winter. The mean annual tem- perature is 47.07° F, with a record minimum of ininus 35° and a maximum of 106°. The average killing frost-free season covers a period of 196 days from March 20 to October 4 inclusive.
GROWING SEASON
The average length of growing season ranges from 119 to 157 days, as recorded at cer- tain stations in or near Steuben County. Part of this variation is due to the shorter growing sea- son at higher altitudes. The following are a few places with the average number of days in the growing season over a period of several years.
Place
Elevation
Growing Season
Addison
1000 feet
143 days
South Canisteo
1480 feet
119 days
Alfred
1840 feet
132 days
Dansville
703 feet
157 days
Elmira
863 feet
152 days
Keuka Lake, which extends into the north- eastern sections of the county, has a tempering effect upon the climate of that section. This ac- counts for the large number of vineyards on the slopes around the lake.
RAINFALL-PRECIPITATION
Steuben is situated in a region of well dis- tributed rainfall. Because of the elevation of the land the average annual. temperature is about 48°.
Climatic conditions have favored a system of farming based on dairying and potato pro- duction.
The soil has been an important factor in the successful culture of grapes. The average annual precipation ranges from 26.6 inches at Dansville to 41.4 inches at South Canisteo. The average precipitation during the growing season for six of the eight stations in and near Steuben County was between 16.3 and 18.5 inches.
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ERECTION OF A NEW COUNTY
On the 27th day of January, 1789 the legis- lature passed an act dividing the mother county of Montgomery, and out of its territory the region of country in this state west of Seneca Lake was erected into a separate county by the name of Ontario. This vast tract of rich and fertile land became known to the American colonists during the closing years of the French war, and the constant passage of troops along the frontiers during the Revolution likewise afforded an excellent opportunity for the observ- ing New Englander to determine upon the gen- eral desirability of the whole region as a place of permanent residence and profitable agricul- tural employment. Indeed, so well known was the character of the Genesee country, that with- in two years from the time Phelps and Gorham concluded their historic purchase, we find the hardy pioneer clearing the forests, developing the lands, and paving the way for future pros- perity. So rapidly were the towns taken and settled, that the proper management of affairs made necessary the creation of a new county west of the lake, and the act mentioned was the result.
Prior to January 27th, 1789 a large part of the state was known as Montgomery County.
On January 27, 1789 Montgomery County was divided by the legislature and all that part of Western New York,-west of Seneca Lake was set up and called Ontario County, (from Lake Ontario.)
In 1791 the provisional district of Painted Post was set up in Ontario County. This in- cluded about all of the area that is now Steuben. When Charles Williamson began his work of improvement and settlement the district of Painted Post required little civil organization in this remote part of Ontario County, till 1793, when Jedediah Stephens was elected Supervisor.
In 1794 it became necessary to set up a new provisional district comprising all the area of Painted Post west of the 2nd range of town- ships. This was named Williamson.
On March 18th, 1796 it became again neces- sary to erect a new county. Therefore, on March 18th, 1796 through the energetic efforts of Charles Williamson, the agent of the Pulteney
Association of England and others the legisla- ture formed the county of Steuben from Ontario County, and on the same date divided the county of Steuben into six towns. Bath was included in the new formation,-but where or when the dis- trict meeting was held is not now known.
The six towns created were from time to time further divided till today there are 32 towns in Steuben County.
LOCATION
LOCATION and AREA: - STEUBEN COUNTY lies upon the southern boundary of the state,-considerably west of the center of New York State. It is centrally distant about 210 miles from Albany,-as the crow flies,-and contains 1,398 square miles, or 894,720 acres. It lies entirely within the southwestern plateau section of the state,-a part of the Allegany pla- teau. The elevation ranges from 709 above sea level at Hammondsport to about 2500 feet at Troupsburg. The watershed between Genesee River and the streams emptying into the Susque- hanna River extends across the northern part of the county.
NAMING OF STEUBEN COUNTY
The county was named in honor of Fred- erick William Augustus, "Baron Steuben," who with several other titled and honored foreigners gave substantial aid to the American cause dur- ing the first war with Great Britain. The life and services of this distinguished and patriotic "Knight of the Order of Fidelity" are worthily recorded in the pages of history and need no reproduction here, yet, as a brief tribute to his memory, we may state that Baron Steuben, previous to his departure for America, was 'aid de camp' to Frederick the Great, King of Prussia. Under Congress and General Washington, he was major-general and inspector-general in the American army, serving during the Revolution- ary War. "Esteemed, respected and supported by General Washington, he gave military skill and discipline to the citizen soldiers, who, (ful- filling the decrees of Heaven), achieved the in- dependence of the United States." He was the great "Revolutionary" Drill Master.
Baron Steuben was born in one of the German
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Provinces about the year of 1730. He came to the United States on December 1, 1777, where he ern border. ever afterward lived. He died on the 25th of November, 1795. His home was at Steuben, in Oneida County. His house there has been re- after Baron Steuben. stored and is a mecca for travelers.
CHANGES IN AREA OF STEUBEN
Steuben County, as originally constituted, was materially larger in area than at the present time, having surrendered portions of its terri- tory to other jurisdictions, which we may briefly note. On March 11, 1808, the seventh range of townships was set off to Allegany County, which was created April 7, 1806. The part in the fork of Lake Keuka was annexed to Ontario County, February 25, 1814,-and later became part of Yates County. A part of Dansville was at- tached to Livingston County, February 15, 1822, and a part of Reading to Yates County in 1824. Another part of Reading was set off to Schuyler County on the creation of the latter, April 17, 1854. When Steuben County was erected its territory was divided into six towns or provi- sional districts, and known respectively as Bath, Canisteo, Dansville, Frederickstown, Middle- town and Painted Post. Of these original divi- sions the name of only three are now preserved as towns of the county.
In 1930 Steuben County contained 1,398 square miles.
CHANGES IN AREAS AND NAMES OF COUNTIES IN NEW YORK
By legislative act March 12, 1772 Mont- gomery County was set off from Albany County. (Montgomery County was formerly called Tryon County from William Tryon, a colonial gover- nor.)
Montgomery was named in honor of Gen- eral Richard Montgomery of the Revolutionary War.
On January 27, 1789 Ontario County was formed from Montgomery County. Ontario
County was named for the lake along its north-
On March 18, 1796 Steuben County was set off from Ontario County. It was named
GROWTH IN POPULATION IN STEUBEN
In 1790 the population of Steuben County was 168.
In 1800 the population of Steuben County was 1,788. In 1855 the population of Steuben County was 62,955.
In 1910 the population of Steuben County was 83,362. In 1920 the population of Steuben County was 80,627.
In 1930 the population of Steuben County was 82,671 In 1940 the population of Steuben County was 84,927.
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WAYLAND
DATANTA
CO HOCTON
O
PULTENEY
MMATTINH
DANSVILLE
BATH
0
DANSSITE™
WHEELER
JINAUM
AVOCA
OVOELLER
FREMONT
Immer DE PORT URBANA
HORNELLSVILLE
BATH
O
-
HOWNELL
OCHMISTER
HARTSVILLE
CAMERON
THURSTON
CAMPBELL
HOANBY
CANISTEON
O CAMERON
PAINTED POST
-
LOSAFICION MILLI
Post O
COANING
GREENWOOD
JASPER
RATHBONE
ADDISON
EAUIN
· CORNING
OPAINA
O
Ovesenus
WOOD HULL
TUSCARORA
FLINDLEY
CAPON
WEST UNION
TROUPSIBURG
MIDDLE TOWN
o
MAP OF THE 6 TOWNS COMPRISING STEUBEN COUNTY IN 1796
ERECTION OF ORIGINAL TOWNS IN STEUBEN COUNTY
BATH:
Bath was formed March 18, 1796, and originally comprised the entire northern portion of the county, which included the towns now known as Bath, Urbana, Wheeler, Prattsburg, Pulteney, Avoca, and a portion of Howard and Cohocton. Pulteney was taken off in 1808. Part of Howard and Cohocton in 1812, a part of Wheeler in 1822, a part of Avoca in 1823 and a part of Cohocton in 1852.
CANISTEO:
Canisteo was formed in March, 1796 and comprised the present town so named, also Green- wood, West Union, Hartsville, Hornellsville, and parts of Jasper and Troupsburg. A part of Troupsburg was taken off in 1808, Hornellsville in 1820, and parts of Greenwood and Jasper in 1827 and part was annexed to Troupsburg in 1818.
DANSVILLE:
Dansville was formed in March, 1796 and comprised all that is now Dansville, Fremont, Wayland, and part of Howard, Cohocton and a
part of Sparta, Livingston County. Parts of Cohocton and Howard were taken off in 1812, part of Wayland in 1848, and Fremont in 1854. A part was annexed to Sparta in 1822, and part of Cohocton was reannexed April 25, 1824.
FREDERICKSTOWN:
Frederickstown was formed March 18, 1796, and included Wayne and Bradford in this county and also Barrington and Starkey in Yates County, and Tyrone, Reading and Orange in Schuyler County. This name was later changed to Wayne. The following were taken off in 1806, - Reading, Schuyler County; Orange, Schuyler County, 1813; and Barrington, Yates County, and Tyrone in Schuyler County in 1822, a part was annexed to Tyrone, Schuyler County in 1854.
MIDDLETOWN:
Middletown was formed March 18, 1796 and comprised all that is now Addison, Cameron, Rathbone, Thurston, Tuscarora, Woodhull, and parts of Troupsburg and Jasper. A part of Troupsburg was taken off, Cameron entirely, a part of Woodhull and a part of Rathbone.
BRADFORDE
*HOW
H
FREDERICKSTOWN
CANISTEO
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PAINTED POST:
Painted Post was formed March 18, 1796 and comprised the present towns of Caton, Corn- ing, Hornby, Lindley, Erwin, and Campbell. Erwin and Hornby were taken off in 1826 and Caton in 1839. The name was changed to Corn- ing in 1852, and a part was annexed to Erwin i1. 1856.
LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE OF STEUBEN COUNTY
Eastern boundary-West Longitude 76° 55' Western boundary-West Longitude 77° 45' Southern boundary-North Latitude 42° Northern boundary-North Latitude 42° 35'
LATITUDE and LONGITUDE of BATH- COUNTY SEAT
42' 20' North Latitude 77' 20' West Longitude
Note: Physical-Political County Map will fur- nish approximate Latitude and Longi- tude for points within county.
NOTES FROM AN ECONOMIC STUDY OF THE LAND UTILIZATION IN STEUBEN COUNTY
The pursuits and activities of the inhabi- tants of a region are closely dependent upon lati- tude, elevation above sea level, topography of the terrain, precipitation, frost-free season,
climate, etc., and also upon the economic value of the land classes and soil types.
The first settlers of Steuben County cleared practically all the land for farms. They had no means of distinguishing between good land and poor land. Since the first settlements were made about 150 years ago, farmers have determined by experience what land is adapted to profitable agricultural use. The land which was found to be unfit for farming has been abandoned, while the good land has been used more intensively.
The areas which will probably remain permanent in agricultural use should be pro- vided with hard roads, electrical services, good schools, and other public or semi-public services. Areas that are being abandoned will not need these services.
If those areas which have been or are being abandoned are reforested, people will not waste time and money to farm. Such land should not have been cleared for farming. The reforested areas will serve as natural reservoirs to aid in flood prevention and erosion control. These lands will provide recreational hunting and fish- ing areas for the more thickly populated sections of the state.
The upland soils occupy about 76% of the land area of the county, and valley soil makes up the remaining 24%. Most of the valley soils are well drained and highly productive. There is a wide variation in the upland soils. Some are deep and well drained and are adapted to farm- ing; others because of insufficient drainage, rough topography, stoniness, low fertility, or a combination of these features, are of little agri- cultural value.
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LAND
CLASSIFICATION
I
Y
R
Residential
SCALE, MILES
2 4 6
AN ECONOMIC CLASSIFICATION OF LAND IN STEUBEN COUNTY
In the classification of the land in Steuben County the principal features considered were the soil, land use, topography, elevation, size and condition of farm buildings, and markets. The combination effects of such features result in a variation in the intensity of land use. The land was divided into five classes. Land class I is least intensively used, a large proportion of this land is now idle or in woods. Most of the farms have been abandoned. Such land is adapted primarily to reforestation and to recreational uses.
Land class II is more intensively used than land class I. Some of land class II is still being farmed but many farms have been abandoned.
The crops grown and the soils indicate that most of the land is better adapted to forests than to agriculture. Land classes III, IV, and V, will probably remain permanently in agriculture. The land in class IV is more intensively used than is land in class III, and the land in class V is more intensively used than that in land class IV.
In Steuben County about 14% of the land is in land class I and 30% in land class II, 48% in land class III, and 7% in land classes IV and V. In class I there are 123,025 acres or 13.8% ; land class II there are 269,682 acres or 30.3% ; in land class III there are 424,358 acres or 47.6%. In land class IV there are 41,679 acres or 3:6%, and in land class V there are 50,929 acres or 3.5%. The foregoing are figures made in about 1935.
LAND USE
The most important features determining the use to which land in Steuben County is being put are the soil, the climate, the topography, the elevation and the distance to market. In land class I it was found that about 80% of the land was idle or in woods. In land class II about 53% was idle or in woods. In land classes III, IV, and V a relatively small percentage was in woods and a relatively large percentage was in inter-tilled crops.
In September, 1936, the state purchased 2,724 acres for reforestation and had 3,559 acres under contract. In addition, the state owned the Erwin Game Preserve of 2,500 acres and the county had acquired 558 acres for reforestation. This means a total of 9,345 acres probably owned for reforestation and for recreational uses. And also at this time, 1936, there remained about 126,879 acres of idle land and waste land not in farms, or land which was not included in the census enumeration.
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HISTORY OF AGRICULTURE OF STEUBEN COUNTY
The first settlement by the whites was made in the vicinity of Painted Post and Corning about 1786. Lumbering was the chief industry until about 1851, when the Erie Railroad was com- pleted between New York and Buffalo. This greatly facilitated the agricultural development of the county and marketing of products.
The changes which have been made in agriculture of Steuben County are the result of adjustments made by the farmers to meet chang- ing economic conditions. In 1900 about 92% of the land was in farms. From 1900 to 1935 the acreage of land in farms decreased 6,503 acres. The number of farms in the county in 1935 was about 5,700, the acreage of which was 764,821 acres.
EARLY TRAILS AND HIGHWAYS
Down the valleys of the Conhocton, Canis- teo, and Chemung and up the valley of the Tioga,-ran the trail by which the Tories and Indians stole upon the settlements in Pennsyl- vania,-from Fort Niagara.
In 1778 the canoes which carried a large party of Tories and Indians to Wyoming in Pa., were made on the banks of the Canisteo. Re- mains were found of this adventure.
When the first settler came into Steuben County there were no highways, and only a few trails that were dimly marked. Only a man on foot or on horseback could navigate the forest- covered land. As the number of settlers grew, trails were better marked. As the settlements of the county increased, the need for better means of transportation steadily grew.
The earliest roads were along the natural lines of travel; viz .; the valleys of the rivers and creeks, Chemung, Conhocton, Canisteo, Tusca- rora, etc.
Today,-after less than 150 years, the county is well supplied with several classes of creditable highways as shown by the classifica- tion of highways and mileage in various towns of Steuben County in the year 1942, as reported by W. G. Kellogg, County Superintendent of Highways, in the following table.
CLASSIFICATION OF HIGHWAY MILEAGE IN VARIOUS TOWNS OF THE COUNTY
Total
State
Earth
Towns
Mileage
Roads
County Roads
Roads
Addison
51.81
3.11
14.22
34.48
Avoca
83.92
10.55
18.58
54.79
Bath
218.22
15.74
36.38
266.10
Bradford
57.70
4.29
15.41
38.00
Cameron
105.70
0.00
28.86
76.84
Campbell
88.88
10.40
19.06
59.42
Canisteo
94.87
12.80
21.92
60.15
Caton
89.70
2.97
21.78
64.95
Cohocton
125.32
13.38
22.55
89.39
Corning
87.99
8.65
18.19
61.15
Dansville
124.84
11.36
25.71
87.77
Erwin
62.11
11.43
9.69
40.99
Fremont
89.03
14.91
16.55
57.57
Greenwood
107.47
14.57
17.60
75.30
Hartsville
69.28
0.00
15.44
53.84
Hornby
91.06
4.05
14.25
72.76
Hornellsville
88.28
12.22
20.28
55.78
Howard
150.18
6.55
30.06
113.57
Jasper
114.04
16.71
23.16
74.17
Lindley
79.81
6.60
17.49
55.72
Prattsburg
123.22
10.09
22.42
90.71
Pulteney
89.41
8.47
22.65
58.29
Rathbone
89.67
1.77
25.75
62.15
Thurston
88.93
5.23
17.68
66.02
Troupsburg
132.64
7.79
27.66
97.19
Tuscarora
79.65
4.79
20.81
54.05
Urbana
104.83
13.15
19.56
72.12
Wayland
92.54
17.71
12.33
62,50
Wayne
57.73
7.41
19.30
31.02
West Union
100.05
7.60
20.15
72.30
Wheeler
113.07
8.09
14.08
90.90
Woodhull
121.09
7.48
30.46
83.15
Totals
3,173.04
279.87
660.03
2,233.14
W. G. KELLOGG,
County Superintendent of Highways
CANALS
The Erie Canal was finished in 1825 and the Chemung Canal in 1852. Crooked Lake was navigated by steam and canal boats and formed a link in the internal water communications of the state. The Chemung Canal's navigable feeder extended from Corning east. These various works of internal improvements afforded ample facilities for the transportation of goods and pas- sengers and brought the farm products into close proximity of the Eastern Markets. Corning was rated as the fifth port in the state in the matter of canal commerce. Corning at that time had a population of 3,000. Canal boats were loaded at Hammondsport. At Knoxville was a navig- able feeder of the Chemung Canal to Horse- heads. Gibson was one mile east of Knoxville.
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RAILROADS
The county today is well supplied with rail transportation. The Erie Railroad enters the southeastern part, extending west to Painted Post where it divides, the main line continuing along Canisteo River through Hornell to Buffalo, and the other following the Conhocton Valley through Bath and Wayland to Rochester. The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad enters east of Corning and proceeds along the Conhocton Valley to Buffalo. A branch line of the New York Central crosses the southwestern part of the county. Other railroads are the New York and Pennsylvania, the Baltimore & Ohio (Buffalo and Susquehanna branch), and the Pittsburgh, Shawmut & Northern. The first railroad to enter the county was the Erie, which reached Corning in 1848 and Hornell in 1850.
The New York and Erie Railroad entered the county from Chemung and extended along the valleys of the Chemung, Tioga, and Canisteo Rivers to Hornellsville. This railroad was com- menced in 1841. The first locomotive entered Hornellsville on September 3, 1850. Passing through Corning, Erwin, Addison, Rathbone, Cameron, Canisteo and Hornell. The Buffalo, New York and Erie Railroad extends northwest from Corning up the Conhocton Valley through Erwin, Campbell, Bath, Avoca, Cohocton and Wayland to the north border of the county. The Hornell division of the Buffalo, New York and Erie Railroad extends northwest up the valley of the Canisteo from Hornell passing through that town and southwest corner of Dansville. The Blossburg and Corning Railroad extends from Corning to Erwin and Lindley south along the Tioga Valley to the Blossburg coal region.
New York and Lake Erie, Corning to Hor- 1:ell commenced-1841. At Hornell-1850. First locomotive September 3, 1850. New York and Lake Erie from Hornell to Buffalo,-called the Buffalo Division. New York-Lake Erie R. R.,
from Hornell to Salamanca, -the Main Line. Blossburg R. R. Corning and Fall Brook. Bituminous coal. Rochester division of the Erie R. R.,-from Corning to Rochester. D. L. & W. R. R. completed during fall of 1887. New York & Pennsylvania R. R. extended from Canisteo, N. Y. to Shinglehouse, Pa., and on to Ceres in New York State, now abandoned. It was 57 miles in length. Some of the early locomotives were called 'wood burners' since they used wood for fuel.
CROPS
Between 1914 and 1933 potatoes paid a higher return per hour of labor than did wheat. This largely accounts for the steady decline in the acreage of wheat and the increase in the acreage of potatoes. In 1844, 45,000 acres of wheat were grown. But in 1934 the acreage of the crop had declined to about 7,000 acres.
LIVE STOCK
In 1845 the number of dairy cows was 22,559; sheep 217,658 and swine 45,987. In 1935 the number of dairy cows was 36,771; sheep 24,556; swine 5,761; and the number of chickens had grown to 347,426. A comparison of these figures will show the fluctuation in the number of live stock on farms of Steuben County. While the number of farms decreased from 1900 to 1935, the number of dairy cows per farm had increased from 4% to 6.4%.
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