USA > New York > Cortland County > Pioneer history; or, Cortland County and the border wars of New York, from the earliest period to the present time > Part 22
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His nearest neighbors were Mr. Benedict, on the east, near where Judah Pierce now lives ; and John Miller, on the west, where the willow trees have since grown. Toil and privation discouraged him not ; he had already passed through the trying scenes of life. Necessity com- pelled him to go to mill a distance of forty miles ; there being no road, he had to pick his way by marked trees. He was unaccustomed to agricultural pursuits, having no knowledge of farming, or the best mode to adopt in order to clear the heavy growth of forest trees prepara- tory to fitting the soil for the more common crops. Help was difficult to obtain,-his children all being girls, who from the nature of things could be of but little service to him,-and consequently he had to rely on his own strong arms and resolute will to sustain and ac- complish what in the future crowned his persevering efforts. As his daughters grew up, they learned to do most kinds of out-door work ; and we are told, upon ex- cellent authority, that his mother-in-law, then sixty-five years of age, and who had previously known nothing of country life, soon learned to chop, and would fell from six to eight old foresters in a day. Wolves and bears were plenty. But he paid little attention to hunting, save when rambling through the woods in pursuit of his cattle ; then his gun was his constant companion and trusty friend. At one time he discovered five bears in a tree gathering nuts, two of which he managed to bring down, and which served as a very good substi- tute for beef.
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As a neighbor .and friend he was universally es- teemed. His benevolence was proverbial. Previous to his locating in East Homer, he was a member of the Reformed Dutch Church. In 1808 his house was opened for religious meetings. Subsequently himself and wife united with the Methodist order, and for sev- eral years meetings were held beneath the roof that sheltered the pioneer family from the storm-beaten blast. Favoring circumstances led others to locate near him, among the first of whom were James White, Samuel Greggs, David Lindley, and Samuel Crandall.
Mr. Albright lived on the most intimate terms with his neighbors, and to many he extended the hand of a father's friendship. If at any time they were in pecuni- ary difficulty, they hesitated not in appealing to him with an almost positive certainty of obtaining relief. He pursued an elevated course of action, entering into none of the speculations so common to new settlements ; and although he did not amass any great wealth, yet he secured a reasonable competence, from which he could draw.
ASA WHITE was born in Monson, Mass., in the year 1774. His educational advantages were such as the common schools of his native State afforded. He early exhibited those traits of character which peculiarly dis- tinguish the business man. Inheriting the energy and active habits of his father, he soon learned to rely upon his own efforts for self-advancement in the world, and thus by persevering industry, economy, and a just ap- preciation of an emulous reputation, he became the ar- tificer of his own fortune and the moulder of his own character. In 1798, at the age of twenty-four, he emi-
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grated to Homer and located on lot 45. He erected a house on the site now covered by the residence of Jed- ediah Barber. The farm is the same as now occupied by him, except that Barber has added to it on the north two small pieces of land which were known in an early day as Maj. Stimson's orchard, and Judge Ross' pasture. There has been sold from it the plot of ground lying between Main street and the creek, bounded on the north by the Stimson tavern property, and on the south by what was known as Dr. Owen's orchard.
He was married in 1800 to Miss Claricy Keep, daugh- ter of Caleb Keep, who purchased and settled in 1798 on the farm now occupied by Noah Hitchcock.
At the date of Mr. White's advent into Homer, a grist- mill frame had been raised and was partially enclosed. The proprietors were Solomon Hubbard and John Keep. The interest of the latter was purchased by Mr. White, and the enterprise speedily pushed to a final comple- tion. The bur-stones, or rather rock-stones, were pro- cured from the bank east of the residence of Lyman Hubbard, and were drawn by thirteen yoke of cattle to their place of productive labor. The bolts were pur- chased by Mr. White, of Utica. The mill, though fin- ished as originally designed, produced only a very ordi- nary specimen of flour. But as there was no other mill in the county, the people, sensitive of their wants, were not disposed to find fault. The interest of Mr. Hubbard was subsequently purchased by Mr. White, and the mill was thoroughly renovated and improved. When it was fully completed, the people believed that they had reached a great attainment. In it they held their public meetings, their Sabbath worship, and social gatherings. Here the
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young folks held their balls. We have in our possession a record dating back to that period. Mr. White was a manager of one of these entertainments. The managers were placed in a rather unpleasant predicament. Nei- ther rum nor molasses was to be had in town. And as a failure to procure such a desideratum would be an unpardonable lack of gallantry in gentlemen, a special messenger was sent post-haste thirty-three miles to Manlius Square for a gallon of rum and a half gallon of molasses, from which they made blackstrap for the company. The Maine Law had not then passed. The grist-mill, now owned by Messrs. Cogswell and Wilcox, covers the site of the original or first mill erected in the county. The various kinds of grain ground at this mill exceeds thirty-one thousand bushels per year. It is a fitting landmark or memorial to be situated on the original site of the first mill erected in the Tioughnioga valley, whereby the people may be the better enabled to point out the spot where the olden relic stood. If the primitive settlers "rejoiced over the final comple- tion of White's mill," with its single run of stone, how much more should their descendants rejoice at having a first-class mill, with its four runs of stones in constant operation, producing the very best quality of flour ?
Mr. White was the owner of three-fourths of the first cotton factory erected west of Utica. It stood on the ground opposite the present building. It was built in 1813-14, and destroyed by fire on the 25th of Decem- ber, 1815.
Mr. White possessed many valuable traits of charac- ter, and was especially serviceable in giving the em- bryo village an auspicious commencement. He pos-
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sessed a clear, vigorous intellect, strong physical en- ergy, and eminent business talents. His manners were modest, his habits social, and his temper genial and for- giving. He died December 22d, 1843, aged 69 years.
" As weary, worn-out winds expire, Or night-dews fall gently to the ground, So calm his exit."
Mrs. White deceased February 23d, 1849, aged 75 years.
" A light has gone from out the sky, A star has left its sphere."
They lie entombed in the new cemetery at Cortland Village, where an appropriate monument, reared by the hand of fond affection, marks the place of their sepul- chre.
Horace and Hamilton White, two of the most wealthy and enterprising citizens of the Central City, are his sons. They have passed through a career of active life, public employment and private enterprise, having but few parallels ; and they are everywhere regarded with marked consideration and respect. Their educational privileges ended before they had reached the age of sixteen years, and yet they are gentlemen of education, -self-made men,-eminent in all the varied business relations of life. Their generous sympathies for the poor and friendless, their liberal bestowments in behalf of literary, benevolent, and religious associations, and their kind proffers of pecuniary aid to the really worthy, who were just entering upon the active duties of life, stamp them as men of eminently appreciative character, and it would be well for the young and enterprising to
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study their history, and like them learn to depend upon their own reliant powers for success in life. Horace went from home at the age of twelve years, and en- gaged for a limited period in the capacity of a clerk, with Horace Hill, of Auburn. In 1816 he was engaged in a store in which his father had an interest, in the city of Albany. He was subsequently employed by Jedediah Barber, of Homer, in whose store he remained about ten years. Here he acquired a business reputa- tion unusual for young men at his age. His health finally failed, in consequence of which he retired to a small farm, a portion of which is now occupied by Mr. Schermerhorn. Here he was employed for several years in cultivating the soil and in regaining his health. In 1838 he removed to Syracuse, where, in connection with others, he assisted in establishing the Bank of Syracuse, of which he was cashier until his health made it neces- sary for him to resign the active duties. He is now vice-president of the institution.
The first great feat in the career of Hamilton White occurred at the age of sixteen, in successfully teaching a District school, in what was then known as the new district, in the west part of the now town of Cortland- ville, at the enormous price of nine dollars per month, with the pleasure of boarding round. In the spring he emerged from the log school-house without mar or blemish, and withal greatly encouraged with his achieve- ment. His success encouraged him, and hence he con- tinued in that employment, teaching two more winters and one summer. At the age of twenty he went from home and engaged as a clerk in the store of William Randall & Co., in Cortland Village, with whom he re-
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mained two years-the first year receiving six dollars per month. He subsequently spent four or five years in the employment of Messrs. Webb and Edgcomb. In the spring of 1836 he went to Lockport, where he re- mained until August, 1839, when he removed to Syra- cuse to assume the duties of cashier of the Onondaga County Bank. His success in the District school, behind the counter and in the counting-room, prepared him for a career of extraordinary usefulness and enterprise. Mr. White is now engaged in business as a private banker on his own account.
NATHANIEL BOUTON, one of the early settlers of Virgil, was born in Pound Ridge, Westchester county, New York, October 4th, 1778. The family were suffering from the war of the Revolution ; and at its close, found themselves in deep poverty. The schools for children and youth of that time were inferior, and furnished but scanty means of instruction ; and many grew up and en- tered the scenes of active life and assumed its respon- sibilities, with a very limited education. The subject of this narrative experienced the inconveniences inci- dent to the times ; yet, by the assiduous improvement of his opportunities, he acquired what was then called a "good common school education." In the spring of 1799, in the twenty-first year of his age, he set out on foot for the western country, intending to remain during the season, engaging in some employment that should offer, and view the country. He came to Solon, and remained a short time with Mr. Samuel Benedict. He afterwards came to Homer, and labored with a Mr. Lee, and aided him in clearing a part of the ground now occupied by Cortland Village. His next stay was with
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Mr. Ebenezer Brown, in Milton (now Lansing), where he was engaged in chopping by the job. At the close of the season he passed through Virgil, where a brother of his had settled the same year, and returned to the place of his nativity. On the 22nd of March, 1801, he was married to Miss Rachel Stevens, of New Canaan, Fairfield county, Connecticut. Soon after, he came to Virgil and purchased a farm of one hundred acres joining that of his brother Enos, to whom allusion has been made. He commenced immediately to fell the trees on a spot next the " Bridle road," so called, which passed through it. Near the close of summer he put up the body of a log cabin, and returned to Connecticut. Preparations were then made, and he and his wife, ac- companied by his younger brother-who came to take back the team-commenced their journey through al- most impassable roads, to their new home in the wilder- ness, at which they arrived late in October. Mr. Bouton and his family participated in the various hardships, priva- tions, exposures and struggles incident to the settlement of this region and common to the early pioneers, which have been sufficiently set forth in the biographies already given. They began to enjoy the comforts of life and to entertain hopes of future prosperity, when, on the 25th of February, 1805, Mrs. Bouton was sud- denly taken away by death, leaving to her surviving companion the cares, maintenance and instruction of four children. The dispensation was afflictive ; but he was sustained under it, and was enabled to keep his interesting charge together, and provide for their care and support. He was subsequently married to Miss Lydia Stevens, sister of his deceased wife. Mr. Bouton
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was much engaged in agriculture, and especially in the department of fruit, being the first in town to put out a nursery of grafted fruit trees, which was as early as 1808 or'9. He was also ardently engaged in the subject of in- ternal improvements, which led him to suggest plans that by many were deemed visionary. In 1827 the idea occurred to him that a railroad might be constructed from the city of New York to Lake Erie. Whenever he proposed this plan, he was met with objections that would have disheartened one less decided, or less assured of its feasibility. He made a journey through most of the length of the route, and was confirmed in his opinion. He procured a piece to be written setting forth the plan, sketching the proposed route, with argu- ments to establish its practicability, and the advantage it would be to the people of the State, and especially to the city of New York and the southern tier of counties. This communication was published in the Cortland Ob- server, in February, 1828. It was copied by a few other papers ; and soon the project gained so much public attention that conventions were called to con- sider it. After many long and arduous struggles, its friends succeeded in completing the New York and Erie Rail Road, which has opened the way for the con- struction of numerous railroads that now checker the State and furnish facilities to nearly all parts, for the accommodation of passengers and the ready transmis- sion of freight. Mr. Bouton was a firm friend of educa- tion and did what he could for its promotion, and se- cured to his family all the opportunities within his means of supply. He encouraged the establishment of meetings for religious worship, in 1802-when they were
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first instituted,-and was ever after a constant attendant and a firm and generous supporter of all the institutions of religion. He did not, however, see his way clear to make a public profession of religion till 1831; when, in a season of religious interest, he and his companion came forward and united with the Congregational church, of which they remained consistent members until their death. He was ready for every reform as it presented itself, and was especially an early and earnest advo- cate of the Temperance and Anti-slavery causes. His unwearied advocacy of these reforms sometimes pro- voked hostility, and caused it to be said by some that he had many enemies,-which might be comparatively true, as few who have been faithful and constant in support of these reforms have escaped censure. Early in December, 1846, he took a violent cold, which brought on a fever which terminated his life. When he saw that he should not probably recover, he set himself to adjust his temporal affairs, which he did to the satisfaction of his family, and waited with great composure the summons that should call him away. His peaceful death occurred on the fourth of January, 1847, in the sixty-ninth year of his age.
Mr. Bouton reared an intelligent family of children, among whom we take pleasure in referring to Deacon Nathan Bouton, an enterprising and highly valued citi- .
zen of Virgil.
JOHN MILLER descended from the English stock of Millers, some of whom figured largely in the political annals of England two centuries since ; and others, at a later period, were the ardent supporters of the Ameri- can Revolution. With the latter class Mr. Miller was
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more immediately connected. He was born in Amenia, Dutchess county, N. Y., Nov. 10, 1774.
Of his early years we know but little. His attend- ance at the district school did not exceed one year ; he however continued to pursue his studies, relying upon his own exertions for success in the worthy effort. His classical advantages were also limited, he having been enabled to spend but a like period in a private classical school in Kent, Conn., under the charge of Barzilla Slos- son, a most excellent classical scholar, and a thorough disciplinarian.
He commenced his medical studies in Dutchess county, in 1793, and completed them in Washington county, in 1795. He attended one course of lectures in the University of Pennsylvania, where he listened to the valuable instructions of the celebrated Dr. Benja- min Rush.
Dr. Miller was originally blest with a remarkable mind and memory ; and many of the most valuable im- pressions which he acquired while listening to this pro- found and unrivaled lecturer, have remained with him through his long and useful life.
Immediately after his return from the university he became a partner of his friend and preceptor, Jonathan Mosher, in Easton, Washington county, with whom he remained till 1801. It was his original intention to settle in Geneva, where he had made an arrangement to become a partner in the practice of medicine with a dis- tinguished practitioner who had preceded him there, and who had already secured a very lucrative practice. Circumstances, however, over which he had ilo control, precluded the final consummation of the arrangement.
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The connection was therefore dissolved, and Dr. Miller made an immediate and permanent location in Truxton .* He soon acquired a very extensive ride, extending into Homer, Solon, De Ruyter, Pompey, Tulley, and Onon- daga Hollow, attending in the families of Joshua For- man, Thadeus Wood, Asa Danforth, and Jasper Hop- per.
Previous to his engaging in the study of medicine his health had been exceedingly good, and so continued for two years after, when an accident occurred which deprived him of that important blessing. He became ghastly pale and emaciated ; his friends regarded him as a more complete subject for the anatomical knife, than for the performance of even the slightest labor. And yet, enfeebled, disorganized as he was, he had determined to accept a commission of Second Sur- geon in the American Navy, and risk his hopes of life, fame and fortune in the Tripolian war. And he may well thank his friend and protector, Dr. Rush, for with- holding his consent from the precarious enterprise, oth- erwise his bones might have been bleaching upon the shores of the Mediterranean, or whitening on the plains of Tripoli. The advice of Dr. Rush was given in can- dor and kindness, and had a most favorable impression on the mind of Mr. Miller. He was invited to the Doc- tor's home, where he was received by Mrs. Rush with appreciative attention. Here he had access to a very large medical library, in which he spent the greater portion of his time. He, however, occasionally accom- panied Dr. Rush into the country on his professional visits-a distance, sometimes, exceeding fifty miles.
* Then Fabius.
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His hitherto clouded mind gradually gave way to glee and gladness ; and, to use his own expressive language, in six weeks he was a new man.
Ardently attached to his profession, prompt and at- tentive to his patients, he soon acquired the most ex- tensive practice ever secured by any practitioner in the county.
When the Cortland County Medical Association was organized in 1808, Dr. Miller was chosen Vice-president, and subsequently succeeded Dr. Lewis S. Owen to the office of President. He is the only living member of the original organization. In February of that year he was elected an honorary member of the State Medical Society.
He was married in 1805 to Miss Phebe Adriance, of Troy, a lady of rare accomplishments, and of great moral worth.
In 1805 he was appointed post-master, and retained the office for twenty consecutive years.
He was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1812, and continued in the administration of its duties until 1821.
He served with eminent ability in the New York Assembly during the years 1817-20 and '45.
In 1824 he was chosen a Representative in the United States Congress.
In 1846 he was elected a delegate to the State Con- stitutional Convention, and during the entire session exerted a commanding influence over that deliberative body.
Dr. Miller moulded his own character, and has been the architect of his own fortune. He has ever possessed a strong and vigorous mind, a clear and retentive mem-
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ory; an unusual degree of energy and vivacity, blended with wit and generous sympathy.
He loved his friends, his profession, and his country; and ardently labored for the improvement of each. He was free and frank in manner ; generous and friendly in disposition, engaging in address, of active tempera- ment, and indeed possessed all the social qualities of the gentleman, and the stirring energies of the man of business.
Dr. Miller located on lot 93 ; he did not, however, purchase until 1806, when he selected 450 acres at six dollars per acre. He still retains 150 acres of the orig- inal purchase. He also owns two hundred acres of a later purchase, on lot 64. He continued in the practice of his profession up to 1830 when he turned his atten- tion to agriculture.
His great energy, determined will, and prompt action in every emergency of life, stamps him as a man of no ordinary character. His great power of endurance en- abled him to undergo incredible fatigue in his laborious practice. When the roads were almost impassable, and the nights fearfully dark, he has been known to travel by torchlight through the wilderness, a distance of sev- eral miles, even though he had no hope of reward for his professional visit. At a later period, when his ride extended over a large portion of Cortland and Onondaga counties, he rode in one day upwards of fifty-five miles, making thirty-three calls upon the sick.
But the energetic perseverance of Dr. Miller was not alone confined to his professional duties ; it was exhib- ited in the more extended sphere of business, and in the social relations of life.
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The venerable patriarch, now at the advanced age of eighty-four years, is enjoying in a remarkable degree his physical and mental powers ; is still a man of unu- sual vigor.
Of the Doctor's surviving children, one daughter, the wife of Alfred Purdy, resides in Truxton ; another is the wife of Rev. Henry Riley, residing at Montrose, Pa. ; and Morris, his son, is located at Momentz, Illinois.
DEACON THOMAS CHOLLAR was born at Pomfret, Wind- ham co., Conn., October 24, 1778. In his youth he re- ceived such advantges as his native town afforded. The Puritan habits of the people were well calculated to prove serviceable to a young man possessing the many benevolent and social traits of character that were assiduously cultivated by Mr. Chollar. It was his pride and pleasure to emulate the virtues of the great and good.
Mr. Chollar came to Cortland county in February, 1802, having but partially considered the privations of pioneer life-of the toils of the industrious settler while contending with the rugged wilderness of nature ; the almost insurmountable difficulties to be overcome ; the ills, the suffering and perils that often occur to those who venture beyond the boundary of civilization there to rear a domicil and a home. After viewing various portions of the unclaimed wilderness he selected a lot which is at present known as the Northrop farm, in the south-east part of the town. He was not, however, fully pleased with the location, and soon after disposed of it. At different intervals of time he extended his examina- tions, but did not make a positive and permanent selec- tion until the latter part of 1804, when he made choice
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of seventy acres, being a part of lot No. 17. Soon after, he returned to his native home in Connecticut, where he remained for nearly five years. He was married March 5th, 1805, to Miss Sally B. Dresser, a young lady who in after life adorned and dignified the name of wife and mother.
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