USA > New York > Niagara County > Souvenir history of Niagara County, New York : commemorative of the 25th anniversary of the Pioneer Association of Niagara County > Part 29
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SOUVENIR HISTORY OF NIAGARA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
as required by law. After an unsuccessful attempt to secure action from the Board of Supervisors, the Supervisor of the town, in 1887, began a suit against the County to secure the benefit the town should have under this law. A similar suit, started by the Town of Somerset, was tried and de- cided in favor of the town. This decision was sustained by the General Term on appeal by the County. In :892 the Board of Supervisors, by resolution, directed the County Treasurer to begin complying with this law, and set the rail- road tax aside to pay the town bonds, and in 1893 a settle- ment was made, by which the County paid the Town of Wil- son nearly $20,000 for the loss the town had sustained from the non-compliance with this law in the past. In the spring of 1902 the $79,000 of Wilson bonds, yet outstanding, were called in and paid, as the law authorized, after twenty years from issue, and new bonds issued for that amount, with in- terest at three and one-half per cent.
THE GRIM REAPER
When people came to Wilson to live death soon fol- lowed. The first one to fall before him was Stephen Shel- don. Where he was buried we have not been able to learn, but it is stated that as early as 1812 some interments were made on the peninsula, often called an island, west of the harbor. Quite a number were also buried at an early date on the hill, south of Young street, and east of the creek. In 1846 a plot of about two acres of land from the southwest corner of the Nathaniel Davis farm, being also the south- west corner of Lot 90, Township 15, Range 7, was set apart for a burying ground. It was on the east side of Town Line Road, nearly opposite where the depot now stands. The railroad now passes through it. This ground was used for years and many burials were made there. In the year 1850, on October 25, a meeting was held at Wilson Village, at- tended by twenty citizens of the town. Nathaniel Davis was chosen Chairman, and Alfred Ransom, Secretary. A preamble and resolution was adopted, stating that Luther Wilson had offered to donate a suitable piece of ground for a burial place, and gratefully accepting his offer. The proper steps were then taken to incorporate, under the rural cemetery law, an organization, to be known as "The Green- wood Cemetery Association, of Wilson," and Luther Wil- son, Curtis Pettit, John Onderdonk, Morgan Johnson, Rob- ert L. McChesney, Simon Sheldon, Nathaniel Davis, Hiram B. Tabor and Enoch Pease were elected Trustees. A deed of about eight and one-quarter acres of land was given, dated December 27, 1855, by Luther Wilson and Sarah, his wife, to Robert L. McChesney, Simon Shelden, Eldert V. W. Dox, Luren Wilson, Harvey N. Johnson, Calvin Pratt, Hi- ram B. Tabor, Abram Vosburgh and Curtis Pettit, as Trus- tees of "The Greenwood Cemetery Association." An addi- tion, making a new section and a walk and driveway to Har- bor street, has since been purchased by this association. And a further addition will soon be needed, for nearly all the lots are now sold. This "city of the dead" must now have a population much greater than the village. Those who move into the village often move out again, but those who move in here come to stay. Before the railroad was built E. V. W. Dox, David L. Barnum and Harvey N. John- son were appointed commissioners of removal, and all the bodies were removed from the burying ground near the de- pot. In compliance with a State law, passed some years ago, a record has been kept since that date of all interments made, and showing the exact spot where buried, so that any grave made since that date can be certainly located at any time.
The Presbyterian Church of six members, organized in 1819, soon received quite large additions, and August 28,
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
1821, a meeting was held at the house of John Holmes, with Daniel Holmes and John Holmes as presiding officers. John Holmes, Peter Crosby, Ezra Barnes and David Bixby were elected Trustees, "for the purpose of managing the temporal concerns" of "The Wilson Presbyterian Society." On October 1, 1864, another meeting was held at the "school house near Squire Wilson's," and it was voted to reorganize the society ("our charter being previously lost by not strictly complying with the act, in such cases made and provided"). The same persons officiated at the meet- ing as before ; the same name was selected, and David Bixby, Daniel Holmes, Ezra Barnes, Nathan Pratt, John Holmes and Jonathan Sayer were elected Trustees. On August 5, 1834, Reuben Wilson conveyed, by deed, to George Shel- den, Nathaniel Davis and Robert Davis, Trustees of the Wilson Presbyterian Society, a lot on the west side of Lake street as a site for a house of public worship. A church was built on this lot and dedicated in 1835. After being en- larged and remodeled it was burned and a fine new church, of stone and brick, has been built in its place. Rev. E. F. Tiffany is the present pastor.
METHODISM IN WILSON.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Wilson was first formed as a class in connection with the Lewiston circuit. The first quarterly meeting, of which this class formed a part, was held in Porter, in August, 1823. The first one held at Wilson was on July 8, 1826, Bishop Elijah Hedding ,presid- ing. Till August 27, 1842, it remained in this connection, and in 1844 Wilson first stands on the conference minutes alone. The first pastor of Lewiston circuit, with Wilson a part, was Rev. Ira Brounson, and the first pastor of Wilson charge was Rev. Nelson Hoag. A meeting was held in March, 1827, presided over by A. Prindel, with Joshua Wil- liams, Secretary, and Abraham Hutchenson, Hulburt Carter, Joshua Williams, John Haze, Andrew Brown and Robert D. Smith were elected Trustees. Another meeting was held December 28, 1835, according to law, to incorporate a church society. Sylvester Hosmer and Daniel Terry were chosen to preside, and John Haze, Samuel Terry, Samuel R. Merwin, Cyrus Case, Luther Wilson, Samuel Healey and Sylvester Hosmer were elected Trustees. The name of the society was fixed as "The First Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Town of Wilson." Soon after this a lot was purchased of Andrew Brown (generally known as Squire Brown) across Lake street from the Presbyterian Church, and extending along the north side of High street, from Lake street to Warren street. It is believed a deed of this lot was given at this time, but by some oversight it was not placed on record and was lost ; but before Mr. Brown's death he gave another deed of these premises, dated May 6, 1880. A church had been built, in 1838, on the corner of Lake and High streets. In the year 1883 Thomas and Char- lotte Exley, a wealthy couple, without children, living on Maple street, offered to give liberal assistance towards build- ing a new church. Their offer was accepted, the old church was moved off the lot and a fine modern structure of brick was built on the lot. The present pastor is Rev. W. I. Janes.
WILSON BAPTIST CHURCH.
In December, 1833, Russell Robinson, living on "Slash Road," first farm north of Ide Road, called a meeting for conference and prayer at his house. Similar meetings con-
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF NIAGARA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
139
J. G. O. BROWN.
REV. L. L. ROGERS.
LORENZO N. PRATT.
H. SANFORD.
RALPH STOCKWELL.
REUBEN W. OLIVER.
DANIEL HOLMES.
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SOUVENIR HISTORY OF NIAGARA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
tinued to be held on Sabbath evenings, and the place of hold- ing them was changed to a school house in District No. 4. Rev. Amos Reed, of the Newfane Baptist Church, preached occasionally. In May, 1834, Mr. Reed organized a branch of the Newfane Baptist Church, consisting of Russell Rob- inson, Stephen Millard, Abraham Pettit, Eunice Millard, Sarah Robinson, Jerusa Oliver, Sally D. Oliver, Electa Pettit and Curtis Pettit. Alanson Robinson and wife, Al- exander and Harry Pettit and Sally Robinson united with this church at this time. A council was held at this school house, October 23, 1834, and "The Wilson Baptist Church " was organized, Rev. Arah Irons, of Yates, preaching the sermon. "On April 21, 1838, this church held its first meet- ing at "Wilson's Four Corners," in the school house there, and in September, of that year, Rev. J. Halliday became the pastor. Luther Wilson deeded a lot, corner of Pettit and Chestnut streets, in Wilson Village, to the Trustees of the First Baptist Church in Wilson, December 20, 1843, where a stone church was erected. About 1880 this was replaced by a wooden church building, of convenient and modern con- struction.
A meeting was held October 18, 1881, to formally in- corporate a church society. John Swick was Moderator, and A. N. Dobbs, Secretary ; William O. Pettit, P. C. Bailey, J. G. Markle, Homer Swick, E. E. Dox and John Hill were elected Trustees. The present pastor of the church is Rev. C. J. Scholpp.
OTHER CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS.
About the year 1865 a class was formed, in Wilson, in connection with the Free Methodist Church in Porter. Meetings had been held in Wilson Village at times for several years previous to this. Services, that were largely attended, were held nearly all winter, in 1860 and 1861, in the building, corner of Lake and Mechanic streets, now oc- cupied by A. N. Dwight as a dwelling house. In the class formed were Albert A. Dailey, William Robinson, John Rob- inson and John Colbath, with John Billings as leader. A permanent place for worship being desired, in 1874 several members of the Porter Church purchased of Willard Brown a lot on the west side of Washington street, with a dwelling house and wood working shop on it. The shop was remod- eled into a church. A meeting was held December 16, 1868, presided over by Fred Marguett and Robert Morrison, and Fred Marguett, Edwin Vosburgh, George Johnson, W. Hurlburt and J. G. Markle were elected Trustees of "The First Free Methodist Society of Wilson." The church and lot were conveyed to the Trustees of this society by a deed, dated January 25, 1881.
At some time previous to 1870 a church was organized in the southeast part of the town, and March 31, 1870, Thomas Adriance deeded a lot on the southwest corner of Beebe and Smayer roads to Fritz Goodman, Fritz Bobzien and Christian Goodman, Trustees of "The Christian Evan- gelical Church of Wilson." A church was built on this lot, and interesting and profitable services have been held there since.
About the same time another church was organized in town, a little further south, and in April, 1871, Stephen C. Wakeman deeded a lot on the north side of Chestnut street to "The Trustees of the Chestnut Street Methodist Episco- pal Society of Wilson." Chestnut street is the modern name for the Marsh Settlement Road. A church was built, and regular services have since been held there. Rev. John McGuidwin is now the pastor of this church, in connection with the one at Warren's Corners.
On July 17, 1876, a meeting was held, at which William Smidt and August Lampe presided, and William Gunschou. Ludwig Hillman and William Kurger were elected Trustees of "The German Evangelical Lutheran St. Peter's Church of the Town of Wilson," and September 26, 1876, Ralph Stockwell deeded a lot on the east side of the Beebe Road to the Trustees of this organization. A church building was erected, and German Lutheran services have been main- tained there ever since.
By a deed, dated August 30, 1876, David Nelson con- veyed one and a half acres of land on-the north side of the Nelson Road, a road running from the Town Line Road to Maple street, to Lewis Hillman, William Gunschou and Wil- liam Crager, Trustees of "The St. Peter's German Evan- gelical Lutheran Church of Wilson," for church and burial purposes. A church was built and services held there for some time, but the building burned some years ago and has never been rebuilt.
BUSINESS CORPORATIONS.
Several business corporations have also been formed in town. In October, 1883, "The Wilson Public Hall Asso- ciation" was incorporated, with H. Sanford, E. F. Barton. H. Seeley, J. M. Newman and A. J. McBrier, as Directors, with a capital of $2,500. The old Methodist Church was purchased, moved to a lot procured for the purpose and fixed up for a public hall, and is still so used.
"The Wilson Creamery Company" was incorporated in November, 1894, with thirty-two stockholders, and a cap- ital of $3,950. S. H. Pettit, W. H. Holmes, C. N. Markle, J. W. Eggleston, H. Sanford, G. W. Perrigo, John Diez, E. Burton and A. W. Swick were the Directors. A lot was pur- chased and a seperate creamery built and put in operation. But it did not prove a permanent success, and after a few years the property was sold, and the building is now used as an automobile factory.
"The Wilson Telephone Company" was incorporated in December, 1898, with the following directors: George Wadsworth, A. N. Dwight, J. P. Tenbrook, W. N. Harris, George Moul, B. A. Stone and Fred Haner. A line was put up extending to the depot and harbor, and connecting with many business places and residences.
THE UNMENTIONED PUBLIC SERVANTS.
We would be glad to give here the names and an ac- count of the deeds of every one of the pioneers who came here, from time to time, during the first half of the century just past, and who, by their skill and forethought, as well as muscle, turned a dense, trackless, solitary forest, filled with pools of ague-breeding stagnant water, into a garden filled with fruit trees and the homes of hundreds of happy, healthy families; also of those who all these years have carried on those business enterprises so necessary to the growth of the town, and those who as residents, or lately residents, of the town have in official or non-official positions, given good service to the Town, County, State or Nation. The life work of all these men and women is an essential part of the history of this town. That it does not appear here is not because of any lack of appreciation of their character and services, but because the limited time for preparation, and the limited space for publication, make it impossible. Only general and public matters can be described, personal ref- ences being only incidental.
EDUCATIONAL PRIVILEGES.
The importance of educational privileges has always been recognized in this town. In 1821 Reuben Wiison, Da-
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SOUVENIR HISTORY OF NIAGARA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
vid Bixby and Alexander Butterfield were elected School Commissioners, and they divided the town into five school districts. There are now thirteen, besides the Union School district. Realizing the advantage of a High School to a town, in 1845, an amount was raised by subscription suffi- cient to erect a building and start an Academy. Luther Wilson gave $500 to this fund. This Academy was incorpor- ated by the Regents under the name of "The Wilson Collegi- ate Institute," with Luther Wilson, Simon Shelden, Morgan Johnson, Andrew Brown, Robert L. McChesney and Hiram B. Tabor, Trustees. A lot was secured of Simon Shelden, which was conveyed by him to these trustees by deed, dated November 24, 1845. A two-story stone building, large and commodious for those days, was erected, and a school opened in 1846, with Benjamin Wilcox, Principal, and Da- vid H. Davis, Assistant. They remained in charge nearly ten years, and were very successful, the school building be- ing filled to its utmost capacity by students, many of whom came from long distances. The income for the support of
the same building ; while a primary and intermediate depart- ment was maintained elsewhere in the village, and three pri- maries in the school houses on Maple street, Town Line Road and Randall Road. Prof. S. C. Hall was the first Principal.
About twelve years ago a large brick addition to the stone building was erected to accommodate the village pri- mary and intermediate departments. New buildings have also been put up for the south and west primaries, and, in 1900, the old stone structure, so long a landmark in the vil- lage, and so well remembered by so many, scattered almost everywhere, was torn down and a large brick building, with all modern improvements, including one of the best systems of heating, ventilation and sanitation, was built in its place, at a cost of $12,000, beside furnishing, grading the grounds, etc. Prof. C. C. Scheck, Principal for four years, with a corps of able assistants, six in that building and three in the outside primaries, is conducting a very successful school. The teachers' training class last year contained twenty-two
WILSON UNION SCHOOL BUILDING.
the school was derived entirely from tuition. After 1856 the school was under the care of different teachers, who met with various degrees of success. Among those who taught here were Asher B. Evens, for years the successful Principal of the Lockport Union School; Ambrose P. Kelsey, till his death a member of the faculty of Hamilton College, and Albion Winegar Tourgee, since well known as soldier, Judge, author of "Fools Errand" and many other books, magazine editor and United States Consul. In 1869, after much discussion and agitation, a Union School district was formed, embracing the old village district and the ones east, south and west. Board of Education: H. N. Johnson, President; Sylvester Parsons, Vincent Seeley, J. G. O. Brown, Jerome Gifford, Henry Sanford; Henry I, Perry, WV. Richardson and L. N. Pratt.
The Trustees of Wilson Collegiate Institute turned their lot and building over to this Board of Education, and in August, 1870, an academic department was opened un- der the charge of the Regents of the University of the State of New York. A grammar department was also opened in
members, twenty-five being the maximum number allowed. A class of eleven were graduated, with honor to themselves and credit to the school, with commencement exercises that called out and interested two large audiences on two very stormy evenings. The prospects for the next year are ex- cellent.
LAKE ISLAND PARK.
The "Pine Woods," just west of the village and east of the creek, have always been a favorite place for picnics and outdoor summer gatherings. About fifteen years ago they were purchased by a company, of which W. N. Harris was a member and the manager. Buildings were erected and a pleasant and convenient pleasure resort established. called "Lake Island Park." Many steamboat loads of excursion- ists have come here from Toronto, some seasons one or more boatloads coming nearly every day. Picnics from this and neighboring towns come in carriages. Excursions come on trains, and the last Saturday in July, of each year, the Farmers' Picnic is attended by thousands, from all over the County. The Twelve-Mile Creek, chirstened "Tusca-
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SOUVENIR HISTORY OF NIAGARA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
rora River," after the park was started, makes a sudden bend about a mile west of the harbor, forming a peninsula, almost an island, containing some fifteen acres, or more, of land.
MAPLE GROVE PARK AND SUNSET BEACH.
A dozen years or more ago George Moul purchased about three acres of this and cleared it off, set out maple trees, laid off lots and named it Maple Grove Park. He built some cottages, and purchasers of lots did the same. John T. Barnes, of Philadelphia, and a little later J. J. Miller, of Pittsburg, became interested in the place, spending their summer here: A company was formed, buildings put up, electric lights and water works were put in, and "Sunset Beach" has become an attractive place for a summer out- ing. Mr. Miller has a steam yacht, to convey people to and from the place.
FRATERNAL . SOCIETIES.
Various fraternal organizations have been formed in town. The oldest is Ontario Lodge, No. 376, of Free Ma- sons, organized in 1855. It now owns a large double store, brick building with iron front, three stories high; the lodge occupying the whole upper story as hall, dining room, kitchen, etc.
Peter A. Porter Post, No. 126, Grand Army of the Re- public, was organized in 1871. It owns, free of encum- brance, the little building where its meetings are held. It numbers about thirty, but from the nature of the organiza- tion, only those who took part in a war that closed over thirty years ago, being eligable for membership, it must grow smaller and some time be no more. It has in its library seventy volumes of the Rebellion Records, published by the United States Government, presented to the Post by Hon. Peter A. Porter, and about thirty volumes of the Ad- jutant General's Reports, published by the State and secured for the Post by Comrade L. D. Le Van, of the Adjutant Gen- eral's office, at Albany. The Post also has a beautiful United States flag, a gift from Hon. Peter A. Porter. Aux- iliary to the Post is Peter A. Porter Corps, No. 66, of the Women's Relief Corps, a very helpful organization of loyal women. They also have a fine silk flag, a present from the late Gen. Benjamin Flagler. In close sympathy with these organizations is Peter A. Porter, Jr., Camp No. 143, Sons of Veterans. They are uniformed and equipped, their guns and their silk flag having been given to them by Hon. Peter A. Porter, who is himself one of the charter members of the Camp. This orginization greatly assists in the exercises of Memorial Day and the keeping up of this patriotic obser- vance will soon devolve upon them.
Douglass Lodge, Ancient Order of United Workmen, was organized in 1878. Its numbers are not as great as at one time, but its present membership are stayers. It meets in Grand Army of the Republic Hall.
Tuscarora Court is a very large and flourishing lodge, of the Independent Order of Foresters. They have a very fine rented hall over the postoffice.
The Modren Woodmen and the Mystic Circle both have local organizations in town. Other organizations that have flourished here for a longer or shorter time are the Sons of Temperance, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Good Templars, Royal Templars of Temperance, Equitable Order of Mutual Aid, Equitable Aid, Sextennial League. Macca- bees, and perhaps others.
MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
Since about 1820, when Daniel Holmes, who had served in the State Militia as a Lieutenant, in the eastern part of
the State, received a Captain's commission, and was directed to hunt out those liable to military duty in this part of the Holland Purchase woods and order them to report at Lew- iston to form a company and to "train," there has been some interest in military matters in town. An Artillery Company was organized here, at an early day, equipped with cannon, furnished by the State, and commanded by Capt. Luther Wilson. It was afterwards under the command of James M. Newman, who was commissioned Lieutenant, in 1858, and promoted to Captain, in 1861. At the outbreak of the war, in 1861, quite a large number of Wilson young men were members in some capacity of the Sixty-sixth Regiment, State Militia. . Neither this regiment nor any of its compa- nies went into the United States service, but very many of its officers and men did, and even the little military training they had received was valuable to them and to the Govern- ment in its task of making an army at short notice of un- trained volunteers.
The first, and every call, for troops to defend the Union met with prompt response from this town, and it is doubtful if any other town in the State can show a better ratio of sol- diers to population. Twelve days after the first call was issued about eighteen men, and perhaps more, had enlisted from this town. The records show, enlisted April 25, 1861, the following in the Twenty-eighth Regiment, all of whom the writer believes to have been Wilson men: William H. Ariance, William H. Gaskill, Edward Green, Francis Haner, Orin Salsbury, William H. Salsbury and George B. Swick, and, the next day, Norman O. Allen, James D. Ames, Lieut. Nelson H. Beebe, Daniel Caton, Daniel H. Davis, Vosney Farley, Lieut. Truman B. Goodenough, William Kruske, Perry Putnam, Thomas C. Tenbrook and William H. Ten- brook.
One of these, Daniel H. Davis, who enlisted April 26, 1861, was, it is believed, the first Wilson man to give his life for his country. He died at Strasburg, Virginia, about a year from the date of his enlistment, with typhoid fever, really from neglect and want of the care and treatment that he needed, and was unable to get because of the retrograde movement of Gen. Bank's army. Just at that time his com- rades sent his remains home, in charge of one of their num- ber. He was buried, the first Union soldier, in Greenwood Cemetery. Very impressive funeral services were held.
This town was represented in very many organizations in the Union army and on very many battle fields, East and West. There were a large number in Company B, Eighth New York Heavy Artillery, and of the more than 260 men that served in Battery M, First New York Light Artillery, very nearly 100 were from this town.
This town was also represented, by former residents at least, in the ranks of our friends, the enemy. George N. Shears was caught in Tennessee when communications were suspended, and, like others, found the easiest way to avoid trouble was to join the army in some way. Shears soon got away to the North and joined the Union Army. Harry Cudaback was in New Orleans, and when the city fell into Union hands, and his regiment hurriedly left, he staid and soon enlisted in a Maine regiment. Gilbert and William Onderdonk had gone to Texas, some years before, and they went with their friends and neighbors into the rebel ranks. Both were at the battle of Pea Ridge, where William was wounded and captured by the Union forces. He was al- lowed to return to his father's family, in Orleans County, where he spent the few remaining years of his life.
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