USA > New York > Chautauqua County > Ellicott > The early history of the town of Ellicott, Chautauqua County, N.Y. > Part 27
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the native Indian roamed a hunter's life, now smiles the blooming field. The school house tells of mental culture; the steeple pointing to heaven admonishes the wayfarer that he treads on Christian ground May the citizens of our country ever merit the reward held in reserve for the most worthy, is the prayer of
SILAS TIFFANY, aged 81.
JAMESTOWN, June 10, 1873.
We are indebted to a memoir of Silas Tiffany read by W. W. Henderson at the annual reunion of the Jones-Hazeltine Historical society at Chautauqua in June, 1883, for many incidents related in this memor- ial. "At the time of Mr. Tiffany's arrival in James- town the area now occupied by the city was largely covered with an unbroken forest of pine. Deer were numerous, and bears and wolves not uncommon. The year previous the village plot had been surveyed and the name of Jamestown adopted to succeed that of The Rapids. Of the few building that had been erected, was the house on Main street, built by Blowers for Judge Prendergast as a boarding house for the hands building the mill, and then the home of Dr. Hazeltine; the house on Cherry street built as a residence for Judge Prendergast and Captain William Forbes; the new house just completed for Judge Prendergast on the west side of Main street; the tavern of Jacob Fen- ton and a few other small houses and a few buildings yet incomplete. Soon after Mr. Tiffany's arrival at the rapids he purchased the lot on the northeast cor- ner of Main and Second streets and erected a large two-storied store, to the north side of which he attached a one-storied building for a residence. The first per- son to occupy this residence was J. E. Budlong; after- wards Benjamin Budlong; and after Mr. Tiffany's mar- riage it was his own residence until 1837, when seven buildings on the east side of Main street, between Sec-
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ond and Third, were destroyed by fire, including Mr. Tiffany's house and store. Not counting the shanty store on Mr. Tiffany's lots when he purchased them, his was the second store in the town; his first goods arrived in the fall of 1817. His store was first built on blocks, as then was usual. In the spring of 1819 he dug a cellar under it, and under the house and built cellar walls of stone picked up by the side of a small brook which runs along the west side of what is now Baker street. These stones were of poor quality and were laid up without mortar under the store, but with a kind of mortar made of ashes and clay under the house; these were the first stone walls built in Jamestown." Mr. Tiffany was for many years engaged in merchandizing in Jamestown, with which he con- nected the purchase of lumber, rafting, running and selling the same in Cincinnati and other southern mar- kets. From 1819 to 1831 or 1832 his brother, Jehial Tiffany, was connected in business. In 1829 the brothers bought the mill privilege, and 1000 acres of land lying on both sides of the outlet at what has long been known as Tiffanyville, between Dexterville and Worksburg, and discontinued their store in James- town. Silas Tiffany continued to reside in Jamestown but his brother removed to Tiffanyville and there re- sided up to the time of his death. About two years afterwards the brothers dissolved partnership and di- vided the property to their mutual satisfaction, Jehial Tiffany continuing to be the manager of the mills and landed property.
Silas Tiffany, on September 20, 1831 married Lucy Hyde, daughter of the late Elias Hyde and step daughter of the late Benjamin Budlong. Silas and Lucy (Hyde) Tiffany had born to them six children, of
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whom but three are now living, viz: Miss Cornelia Tif- fany, Martha, wife of W. W. Henderson, Esq., and Lucia, first wife of the late Lieut. Albert Sprague, U. S. N., and now of Prof. Henry D. Ingraham, M. D., of Buf- falo. Mr. Tiffany died on the 24th of June. 1874. Lucy (Hyde) Tiffany survived her husband two years and died in June, 1876. Mrs. Tiffany was a woman of sterling character. She had for the times received a superior education and was well known for her many accomplishments.
In speaking of the personal traits of character of Mr. Tiffany we quote the language of Charles Sterns, himself an early settler long associated with and ob- servant of the men of his time, lately deceased. He says :
"The tall, spare gentleman now wending his way slowly down the sidewalk with a quiet dignity and gentieness of tread denoting the self-poised gentleman of the old school, is Mr. Silas Tiffany. Mr. Tiffany was an original, independent thinker, radical in politics, a Whig previous to the organization of the Republican party, and dur- ing the war an earnest, uncompromising Unionist. He possessed a genial, kindly disposition, especially observable in his domestic rela- tions. Ilis sympathies were easily enlisted in behalf of those strug- gling to secure an education, many young men could testify to en- ·couragement and aid received at his hands. His interests in the schools were unabated. Let us for a moment reflect. More than three fourths of a century of participation in, and observation of the growth of this country. An eventful chapter in the history of the world, embracing great revolutions in politics, in religion, in science and the arts. A new world of inventions, of railways and telegraphs had grown up around him. Toilsome journeys like those of his boy- hood abridged to days and even hours. Time and distance so almost obliterated that the citizenship of this broad republic of once isolated homes had become, as it were, a great home circle -- a vast social presence and neighborsbip from the Atlantic to the Pacific."
Mr. Henderson tells us that " Mr. Tiffany was an optimist. His faith was reliant and hopeful in its hold upon established truths. In one of his latest conver-
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sations on the subject of the future he expressed con- victions based on the most exalted ideas of Supreme creative wisdom and power. His death took place immediately following the date of the last meeting of the old settlers of Chautauqua county held in James- town. But a few hours before he expired, with asmile upon his lips, he pleasantly referred to the proceedings of the meeting, repeating a humorous anecdote of the earlier days applicable to the subject. His going to sleep at last was like that of
' One who wraps the drapery of his couch About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.'
Silas Tiffany was certainly a very remarkable man, and during his fifty-eight years residence in Jamestown one of its most important citizens. He was in all respects a gentleman-not in his own estimation, but in the estimation of every one who ever came in contact with him. He could be nothing else if he had tried, either in appearance, words or conduct. Hand- some in form, -generous open countenance-refined and gentle in all of his movements, well educated, pleasant of speech, a fine conversationalist, pure in thought and in diction, unassuming, correct in his deportment, beloved by all who knew him,- it is difficult to see how Silas Tiffany could be anything else than a gentleman, and that, too, in any age of the world, and under all circumstances in which it would be possible to place him. It is not possible to come in contact with a man of his stamp without feeling a fascination more than ordinary. Any one possessing so many good qualities of person and mind, awaken in us a deep sympathy and an admiration we can neither repress or express. If it is or ever has been true of
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any one, we feel that it is certainly so of Silas Tiffany, that he was a gentleman by nature and
"ONE OF NATURE'S NOBLEMEN." JEHIAL TIFFANY
Was born in Randolph, Vt., in 1798, and emi- grated with his parents to Darien, Genesee county in 1809, making that journey with oxen in twenty-six days. He came to Ellicott in 1816, went back to Da- rien the next year, and again came to Jamestown in 1818. He was for several years connected with his brother, Silas Tiffany, in merchadizing and lumbering. Purchased a large tract of land on the outlet between Dexterville and Falconer, and in 1829 built mills. From that time up to his death devoted himself to lumbering and farming. He died after a protracted illness Jan. 11, 1867. His son, John H. Tiffany writes us that "The first funeral in the old Congregational church was that of Mr. Tiffany's mother, who died when on a visit to her son. Mr. Tiffany was twice married ; his first wife was a sister of the celebrated Dr. Silas Durkee of Boston. They had eight children; all now dead except the youngest son, who resides at Falconer. Mrs, Tiffany died in 1848. In 1853 Mr. Tiffany married Charlotte Hopkins, of Clarence, N. Y. . They had two sons, James H., who died in infancy, and John H., who is still living, with his mother, on the Jehial Tiffany homestead.
SAMUEL BARRETT
We have already spoken of as one of the early set- tlers, and as engaged in the business of tanning and currying with Wilford Barker, and in lumbering with Henry Baker. He was prominent in the affairs of the town and of the county. Mr. Barrett was engaged for many years with various partners in merchandizing.
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He was for many years President of the Chautauqua county bank. For several years he served as justice of the peace, and also as supervisor of the town, and in 1850 was elected as member of assembly. Samuel Barrett was one of Jamestown's most prominent and active business men, but he has been spoken of so fre- quently in these pages, that it is not necessary to say more of him here. He was frequently called upon for advice in business matters, his opinion being held in highest estimation. He had a large family of children of whom but three are now living, and Mrs. Lucy Bar- rett White, the only one living in Jamestown. Samuel Barrett died in Jamestown in 1872. His wife survived him for several years, but we have not been informed of the time of her death.
HENRY BAKER
Became one of Jamestown's most important men -next to James Prendergast probably the most im- portant. Mr. Baker came to Jamestown at an early day, but as the memory of his youngest son does not agree with that of several old settlers and our historic memorandums, we omit what we had written upon the subject. He served in the war of 1812, and his services were paid in a warrant for land. In those days the soldier was not permitted to locate his land as now, but his warrant was given for a specific tract, located where the government might choose. Young Baker's land warrant was located in Illinois, then considered too far distant to be of much value, and he sold it for $10 to Dr. Foote, and took his pay in plug tobacco at one dollar a pound. For a time he lived in Fluvanna. He built a small shop near the lake, and when not en gaged in cutting logs, made shoes for the settlers. Af- terwards he came to Jamestown and started a shop in
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Harrington's Ark. In the fall of 1822 he married Anna, a sister of Royal Keyes, who died the following May. The infant child was buried clasped in the arms of its mother. On the tombstone erected at the head of Mrs. Baker's grave in the old graveyard above Fifth street, for many years might be read the follow- ing couplet :
" Clasped in the mother's arms the infant lies,
Insatiate Archer, could not one suffice."
In the fall of 1823 Mr. Baker, in company with R. F. Fenton, rented the Ballard tavern for two years. He continued in this business for a few months and then retired, as it interfered with his lumbering. In 1825 he entered into partnership with Alvin Plumb, and purchased lands and a water power at the mouth of the Cassadaga and built a saw mill, but the next year he sold his interest to Plumb, and the mills were always known as Plumb's mills. In 1827 he bought an interest in the store of Barrett & Budlong, which was located where Kent's brick store now stands. Mr. Budlong withdrew in 1830 from the firm; the business was continued for several years more by Samuel Bar- rett and Henry Baker, under the firm name of Barrett & Baker.
In 1828 Mr. Baker married Maria. a daughter of Cyrus Fish, one of the earliest settlers of the county, coming in in 1813. Soon after his marriage Judge Prendergast offered to deed him a whole square on Third street west of the swamp, if he would place a good house upon it and make it his home. He ac- cepted the offer and erected what at that time was the best house in Jamestown, and in which he resided up to 1844; afterward, for nearly twenty years it was the home of the writer. In 1863 we sold the place to J. S.
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Cook, who resided there for a short time and then re- moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It has been known for the last twenty years as the Cook property, and has become one of the most valuable locations in the city.
Col. Baker was one of the company which bought out the property of Judge Prendergast in Jamestown. " This purchase was made in 1836, and the company consisted of Aaron D. Patchin, Henry Baker, Samuel Barrett, Guy C. Irvine, N. A. Lowry and E. T. Foote, who with characteristic caution transferred his share, before the papers were completed, to E. G. Owens." The property consisted of the immense water power at Jamestown, and sixteen hundred acres of land, of which about three hundred acres were swamp lands, together with numerous village lots scattered all through the town. In a short time Irvine, Lowry and Owen disposed of their interests in the property to the remaining partners, and during the succeeding year Henry Baker was made sole purchaser, Judge Pren- dergast releasing the other partners. At the time the purchase was first made it was considered a very ad- vantageous one, but in the fall of the same year the "great panic" and the greatest depression in trade ever known in the United States came on. Mr. Baker's associates became exceedingly alarmed, and it was not until after a hard struggle, and after Baker had had a long interview with Judge Prendergast, that he con- sented to be saddled with the whole of this great pur- chase. Every one prophesied that it would be his ruin, and in a certain sense it was, for he had a heavy debt holding over him for the remainder of his life. After his death in 1863 the balance of the debt was paid and a fine property remained to be divided among
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his heirs. Col. Baker was a far seeing business man, and after he had made up his own opinion as to the results was bold and brave in accomplishing them. In 1846 he went into mercantile business with Rufus W. Pier, in which he continued for three years, then sell- ing out to Wm. E. Barrett, a son of Samuel Barrett. In 1847 he sold the grist mill and accompanying wa- ter privilege to Wellington H. Griffith; it is now the property of D. H. Grandin. For many years before his death he was the owner of some 600 acres of land south of and in addition to the Prendergast purchase. This was his farm, and his home after his removal from Jamestown. On this farm he built a large and commodious residence, houses for his help, and nume-
rous large barns. He devoted his time largely to farming, and added farm after farm until he was sur- rounded with over eighteen hundred acres of highly cultivated land, the large fields originally thickly stud- ded with huge pine stumps, which were removed by his efforts, leaving the land as smooth as a western prairie, and divided up by the massive pine stump fences into suitable fields, will be an almost durable monument to his indomitable energy. As a politician he was a prominent and ardent Republican. A dili- gent reader, a man of excellent memory, a fluent talker, he was always an influential man in the county, and for many years was the standing supervisor of Elli- cott, and a person of greatest influence in county affairs.
The same martial ardor that had kindled in his bosom in youth, flashed into a fierce flame in his old age, at the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861. With his consent three of his sons volunteered for their country's defence; two of them in Co. B. and his eldest
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son was a Lieutenant in the 9th N. Y. cavalry. Well do we remember a meeting in Jones's hall after the Army of the Potomac had closed its disastrous cam- paign on the peninsula, and we were trying to raise still another regiment. When the clouds hung heavy and everything was gloomy, Col. Baker came in and took his seat on the platform. In response to repeated calls he addressed to his old friends then assembled a few brief remarks. He said: "I know we are called upon to make sacrifices, but thank God we have a country worthy of them. I was willing that my two oldest boys should go when their country called, but I did not want the youngest to go. He was too young to endure that fatigue and I told him so. But he said, ' You enlisted in the war of 1812 when no older than I am now. I want to go, but I want your consent.' What could I do ? There was but one thing to do, and I said to him 'Go, go, and if wounded don't let it be in the back; if you will be a soldier, I rather see you dead than a poor soldier.' I have just received the intelligence, so long after the last battle on the James river, that Jim was wounded at Malvern and taken prisoner, and has had a leg off at the hip, and Charley is in the hospital sick with Chickahominy fever, and the last I heard of 'Dick ' his company was serving the artillery at Yorktown. God only knows whether I shall ever see them again. I do not expect to see all of them. I do hope that at least one of them will come home." He stopped for a moment and gazed at the American flag suspended over the plat- form and with the tears streaming down his haggard face, he continued ; "My family is dear to me. It makes me faint to think of losing my boys. But I love my country. I almost worship that blessed old flag.
$
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There must never be another flag in any part of these United States as long as a man remains in the north to defend its stars and the stripes. Raise your regiment and that quickly; the country needs the men; I have no more sons to give, but I will give more money, and keep on giving as long as I have a cent left, and if I had three more sons old enough to bear a musket I would give them too. We must save that flag." The heart of that great assemblage was touched, the silence profound the tears plentiful. Thank God, the life of that old patriot was spared to see all three of those sons once more; spared to see that pall of gloom which had over- spread the north, withdrawn; spared to know that vic- tory was surely to be ours. and that flag safe and free to wave from the lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. And yet the case is a sad one, if the old Colonel was yet living. Richard, the oldest son, died in 1880, aged 48 years, from disease the foundation of which was laid in army life. James was an almost constant sufferer after the amputation of his leg from disease of the nerves of the stump, requiring at times an almost daily subcutaneous use of morphine to allay the pain; death came to his relief in 1884, at the age of 43. Charles recovered from his fever, but has had both eyes de- stroyed by an accident with machinery.
Col. Henry Baker died on the 31st of July, 1863, at the age of 66. Mrs. Baker is still living to mourn the changes of time and the destructive ravages of war.
It should be inscribed on his tomb stone, here lies HENRY BAKER, THE PATRIOT.
ALVIN PLUMB
Came to Jamestown in 1826 and purchased thirty feet in width from the north side of Judge Prender-
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gast's yard, and built a store which he filled with goods the following year. Charles Butler became a clerk in this store soon after its establishment. Later he became a partner with Plumb, and afterwards sole proprietor, selling his interest in 1831 to Chas. R. Har- vey and John J. Leonard. When the store building was erected a passage way 10 or 12 feet wide was left to the north between the store and the' Ballard tavern which admitted equally to the store house of the store and to the barn yard of the hotel. In after years this passage way became the subject of warm dispute but the matter was finally settled without litigation. The stores now occupied by Scofield & Dinsmore and L. L. Mason occupy the ground formerly occupied by the Plumb store and that part of the passage way awarded to it. Mr. Plumb was twice elected as Member of As- . sembly, in 1833 and 1837. He was elected County Clerk in 1843. He was at one time Post Master in Jamestown. He built the first steamboat on Chautau- qua lake. He married a Miss Davis of Westfield and had children. His son and a son-in-law we are in- formed served in the war of the rebellion and both were severely wounded. He removed to Westfield nearly fifty years ago and there resided up to the time of his death. His death occurred a few years ago but we are not able to give the date. Alvin Plumb was a very active, busy, generous and good man. As a boy we remember him as one of the most important and as the best man in Jamestown.
JEDIAH E. BUDLONG,
Who for a year or so at an early date became the proprietor of the goods in the Tiffany store, built a store on the east side of Main street which we have designated as the Barrett & Baker store. J. E. and
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Samuel Budlong were the first occupants-afterwards Budlong & Barrett, and finally Barrett, Baker & Co. The Kellogg & Higley store immediately above was built in 1833.
ELISHA HALL
A brother of the late Wm. Hall, built a brick house, the first brick building in Jamestown, on ground now occupied by Fenner's shoe store, and a store immediately south of it in 1831 in which for sev- eral years he did a general merchandizing business. Hall married Mary Foote, a sister of Dr. E. T. Foote. He removed to St. Louis many years ago where his children now reside, and where he and his wife both died. Their remains are interred in Lake View cem- etery.
NATHANIEL A. LOWRY
Located in Pine Grove in 1828 as a merchant and buyer of lumber. He removed to Jamestown in 1833. His first stock of goods were displayed in "Noah's Ark" and Horace Jacobs was his managing clerk. The brick building erected by Plumb & Lowry on the northeast corner of Main and Third streets has al- ready been spoken of. As soon as the building was completed Mr. Lowry occupied the north of the two stores. He made merchandizing secondary to lumber- ing and always, I think, had some one as partner in and manager of the store. Jacobs, Richard F. Fen- ton, S. C. Crosby, Wm. F. Wheeler and others were one after the other his partners. In 1844 he was stabbed in front of his own house (the house now owned by Dr. Hall on the southeast corner of Lafay- ette and Third streets, when returning home from his store in the early evening. Jeremiah Newman of Pine Grove, the would-be murderer served a term of years in
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Auburn for the deed. Mr. Lowry died February 23, 1852.
The large wooden building already mentioned as the Trinity building, was built and occupied as then stated by Havens, Grout, Lakin and others. Small general stores were plenty in Jamestown from 1835 to 1845. In these stores were sold dry goods, groceries, hardware, etc. The complete list of those who first and last occupied them would be a difficult thing to give, for the stores were many and the changes fre- quent. Grocery stores were not plenty in those days. Those we had, generally combined therewith the sa- loon and the eating room. William H. Tew was a noted mechanical genius, and by trade a tin smith. He was at one time a notorious commissioner of high- ways. He was the father of our Union School. Years ago he was called a black Abolitionist, and was dur- ing his whole life a strong advocate of Total Abstin- ence. He was a man of strict integrity-firm in his opinions-a man of wealth, and influence and a banker. As he was over forty years a dealer in stoves and hardware we place him here with our mer- chants.
WILLIAM HENRY TEW.
Wm. H. Tew was not only one of Jamestown's prominent merchants, but one of its most prominent citizens in the conduct and management of affairs. He stood in the front rank of those who labored a life time to build up its moral and intellectual, as well as its material interests. A laborer himself, and a su- perior mechanic, he believed in the dignity of labor, and work honestly and thoroughly done, was to him a delight. His intellectual faculties were of a high or- der-his perceptions quick, his reasoning sound, and
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his judgment seldom surpassed. He was a reader and a thinker, and he always took a high stand, in promoting the educational institutions of the village; and truthfully it may be said of him, that he was the founder of our Union School, in so much, that he was the bold and intrepid leader of followers, timid in an undertaking, then considered novel and radical, and which involved our town to so great an outlay of money. Mr. Tew was fond of society and excelled as a conversationalist; he rejoiced in a good story, and was always brimful of wit.
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